Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)

1.: Mars and Anger

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:09 am (PDT)

Mars and Anger

Anyone can become angry--that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way; this is not easy.
Aristotle

The way of anger is not an easy path. All of us feel anger at times, from the mildest irritation and resentment to all-consuming rage and fury. Most people would advise us to leave our anger behind, to forgive, to forget, and to move on; this is very worthy, healthy advice. Still others will tell us that well-placed anger is justified and can motivate us to create change in ourselves and in our society; again, this is very true. Each day we choose how we relate to our anger and how we manifest it in the world. Anger burns with a bright fire that can warm us or destroy us, and it's up to each one of us to choose how we handle anger. By approaching our anger magically and with the help of the gods, we can manifest a lfie in which anger is a healthy part of our being.

A few years ago, one of my students, an incarcerated Pagan, wrote to me and said that he was dealing with his anger by working with the Roman god Mars. He didn't give much detail other than it was an important and active part of his spiritual life. Prison is probably one of the most fertile places for the destructive power of anger to breed, grow, grow, and destroy. It takes a powerful god such as Mars to assist us with this potent emotion so that we are able to use anger for our growth and not for harm.

As most of us have learned, the Roman god Mars is a warrior god and the lover of Venus, the goddess of love. His associations with battle and war led astronomers to name the blood-red planet in his honor, echoing the honor and reverence he received in the glory days of Rome. Mars was revered in the Roman Empire, second only to his father, Jupiter, in prominence. He was the patron of the city of Rome and the father of its founder, Romulus. As the god of war, he was accompanied by Fuger and Timor, the personifications of fear and flight. Where the Greek god of war, Ares, was cruel and brutal, Mars was much beloved and widely worshipped even as a warrior.

Perhaps this reverence and affections was present because, before he became a warrior, Mars was an early chthonic god, a deity of the fertile Earth, vegetation, and springtime. He was a protector of the boundaries in agricultural life, the fields, the farmers, and the cattle. As the Roman Empire grew, Mars' role expanded as he became a god of death and finally of war. His early history is rooted deeply deeply in the everyday life of fertility and death, and then as protector and warrior. As a springtime god, his festivals were always in the spring, a time when battle campaigns began. the first spring month of March is named for him.

An evolved picture of Mars includes a strong, competent man attending to the important parts of growing life, which includes protecting the boundaries of our individual lives. His connection to fertility and death
brings to mind the ancient mysteries of the universe, where life and death meld together. His chthonic power comes from fertility and growth, and his warrior energy is that of raw power and strength. His warrior self teahes us to protect what is ours and to resist the aggression of others. Modern-day warriors do not need to be aggressive or conquer the realms of others. Just as an evolved Mars combines the chthonic energy of the Earth with the raw power of strength and protection, so in our lives we combine our understanding of the sacred worlds with contemporary "street smarts." Our life conquest is to breakdown the barriers between our true Self and our conscious Self--to seek true understanding of our deepest soul and our place in the universe as divine and sacred beings. In that quest, we need to know ourselves and how we work with harsh and touch emotions, particularly anger.

Anger is a potent and powerful emotion, one that can be understood, managed, and harnessed for our own development and survival. the accompanying emotions of fear and flight are ancient qualities essential for our survival. Fear reminds us to be alert to threatening situations, and flight gives us one strategy for survival. Anger allows us another strategy: to fight for our own survival. Physically, our heart beats faster and adrenalin floods our system when we are angry or afraid, allowing us to act quickly without elaborate thought.

Anger is raw energy, and to live in the presence of so much untamed power can be physically, emotionally, and socially destructive. So this wild energy must be tempered by the more civilizing qualities of discernment and judgment. Without the veneer of discernment, anger can become uncontrolled, uncontrollable, and destructive. Unfortunately, inmost cases, what we destroy is our own precious self or something dear to us.

Over the years, I've learned that working and dealing with my anger requires a myriad of responses and techniques. Being a Pagan, I seek ways to integrate my responses with my deities and my worldview as well as the practical concerns of living in modern society. Anger, I've learned, never really goes away because we do need it. It's like peeling an onion--there are layers of what anger is and a multitude of responses. There are three main ways of dealing with anger and we do this through both unconscious and conscious means. The more conscious understanding we bring to the situation, the better equipped we are to handle these instinctive, emotional responses.

What Your Anger

We can express our anger, and we choose whether that expression is healthy or unhealthy. Ideally, expression can take the form of a strong, positive statement of your needs that does not hurt others. That kind of expression requires some control over your emotional response and depends on your ability to be articulate about the situation. When I can't think constructively or when the situation doesn't allow that kind of response, I must admit that sometimes I just go into the kitchen, choose a coffee cup I don't like, and then go outside and smash it to bits. My anger is then well-expressed, with harm to none. I thank Mars for his attention and ask him to transform that anger into constructive thought. It doesn't usually solve the problem, but the emotional and angry response is now under better control. FInding good, safe ways such as this to express your anger will be much more helpful than reacting with name calling, rash actions, or harsh words.

Because anger has a strong physical response, many times our expression needs to be a physical one. Our primitive, atavistic instincts are for flight or fight. Instead, dance. I usually set up an altar to Mars with lots of red, his color, and representations of his totems, the wolf and the woodpecker. I have wine and bread and make a libation bowl. I play music with a strong drumbeat, and I begin by standing still and breathing deeply. I call Mars to come to me in the form of a woodpecker and to peck through the layers of my being and reveal the soures of my anger. As that happens and the music intensifies, I dance. Sometimes it's jumping up and down and visualizing the emotions falling off em like so many pieces of pecked wood. Sometimes it's howling and growling as I give voice to my emotion while I move. I dance until I know it is done. I thank Mars for his presence and his assistance. In honor of him, I put the libation bowl outside for the creatures that honor him still.

Suppress Your Anger

The second means of dealing with anger is suppression, which is a two-step process: to hold in the anger, and then refocus and direct it to more positive behavior. The danger here is that suppression often turns anger inward toward yourself, which can harm your physical health, your worldview, and your relationship with yourself and others. Our society supports suppressing many of our strong emotions without providing good tools for converting them into something more positive. Pagans have the good fortune to have many techniques in their spiritual toolkit, as well as deities and spirit guides to assist them.

Visualization is a great technique for this strategy of dealing with your anger. You can visualize the anger as red energy in your body, then pull it off with your hands and place the energy in a fire or bowl of water. Then visualize the anger being converted to a more soothing color, such as blue. Repeat this as often as necessary. Sometimes the situation is complex or your emotional response is very intricate, with layers of concern. Here is a small ritual and meditation for those times. Please adapt the meditation to your own preferences and needs.

Anger Visualization
Create an altar with libations and offerings to Mars, using a red candle to represent his power and strength. I often wear red when I do this. Cast the circleand call in the spirits according to your tradition. Call in Mars as warrior and protector. Take some time to write out or draw your emotions on a sheet of paper, which you will leave on the altar. Make yourself comfortable for meditation.

Take a long cleansing breath, hold it for a second and let it out. Take a second long, deep breath and let it out with some noise. Take a third long breath and let it out with a tone. At the vibrations from the tone vibrate in your body, find yourself in a clearing surrounded by trees in the twilight of the evening. There's a fire burning in a cauldron in the center of the clearing and a circle of benches around the fire. A wolf is howling in the background.

On one of the benches, you see a powerful man wearing the garb of springtime. You know this is the god Mars and you notice he is reading the sheet of paper from your altar. He sees you and stands, beckoning you to come to him. As you go, you notice that he has a woodpecker on his shoulder and two wolves, a male and a female, by his side. He takes your hand and leads you closer to the fire.

He has you lie down there on the ground beside the fire, placing the paper from your altar beside you. As the warrior god, he talks to you of the situations in your life and the anger there. As he speaks, the woodpecker begins to peck away at these layers of anger. Situations, failures, and poorly expressed emotions fall onto the paper beside him. the anger you feel in all its permutations--resentment, annoyance, fury, and more--fall in little bits as the woodpecker peck-peck-pecks away at you. "Breathe deeply," he says, "as you experience this." When it is done, the woodpecker flies back to his shoulder.

Mars then talks to you of boundaries, the ones that are already in place, both useful and useless. He then talks to you of the boundaries you must set, and the boundaries you must tear down. As he talks, the two wolves circle you, the male moving sunwise around you and the female moving moonwise. Moonwise, your territory is being unraveled as needed, and sunwise, your territory is being establshed. Around and around they go, until Mars has finished speaking. They stop and nuzzley you gently as pack, as family, and then moe back to the edges of the circle.

Mars stands you up and sweeps the last bits of anger from your being, moving them onto the paper. He folds the paper and hands it back to you. He then places a medallion of black onyx around your neck, saying you can use that to absorb anger as you deal with your current situation and beyond. You thank him and bow in deep reverence. When you stand upright, they are all gone, and you are beneath the starry night, the red planet prominent in the sky.

take a deep breath and come back to the here and now. Take another deep breath and open your eyes. Take a third breath and reconnect to the stability of the Earth and your own center.

Go to the altar and safely burn the paper withthe candle flame. Raise a cone of power while the paper burns, sending the energy out into the universe for your own protection and the energy out into the universe for your own protection andhealing from anger. Say a farewell to Mars, thanking him for his assistance. Dismiss the directions and take up the circle according to your tradition. Take the libation bowl and the ashed outdoors. Leave the libation for the creatures of nature and bury the ashes in Mother Earth to be purified.

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

2.: Mars and Anger--Part 2

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:34 am (PDT)

Mars and Anger--Part 2

(Lady N's Note: The last paragraph of Part 1 should not have been in italics. I had tried to save it to the 'Drafts' folder, and thought it had been saved, but it went out to the group anyway, without being spellchecked. So if there are any typos or strange looking things, I am blaming my computer, he, he).

The processes of the ritual will help you create a new situation for your anger as you redirect it from harming you and into a more fulfilling form. In this way, suppression ceases to be a bad word but merely another strategy for dealing with your own potent power.

Calm Your Anger

The third technique for dealing with anger is to create a calm inner life. When your inner life and your inner response is one of peace, your outward response can also be more calm and constructive. As a warrior god of an extraordinarily successful empire, Mars was, by necessity, a great strategist. By creating a calm inner life, you can develop long-term strategies to deal with whatever life brings to you. Sometimes anger is not situational but rather a conditioned response to outside stimuli. If you work to recondition yourself, you will change your response to fearful or bad situations.

There are a number of techniques for creating a calm inner self, many of which are already part of the modern Pagan's knowledge. Reframing, a common psychological and communication technique, allows us to reposition our understanding. When my student first told me that he channeled his anger through Mars, my initial reaction was not positive. My knowledge of Mars was my narrow view of his history and some assumptions I made based on the cruelty of other warrior gods. I just assumed Mars was like those other gods. However, as I researched Mars and began to work with him, I discovered a more expansive view of Mars, one based on his chthonic persona, and the reverence given to him by farmers, country folk, and ordinary citizens, instead of the media-influenced view of an armor-clad warrior who wields the sword and spares no one. As I worked with him, my frame of reference expanded to see a god who is strongly connected to the sacred world and the universal rhythms of birth, death, and rebirth. He isn't an easy god by any means, but he is a strong, powerful, and clear-eyed strategist who is forthright and honest about the forces around and in us. By doing some research, I was able to reframe my negative associations and mitigate my angry response to my student's study of Mars.

Humor is another strategy for creating a calm inner life. When confronted with a difficult situation, it's always good to figure out a way to laugh about it; if there is nothing humorous about it, find something else to laugh about. The physical action of laughter alleviates the tension brought on by the stress of anger. The wolf totem of Mars is especially useful in changing your physical responses. Simply howling like a wolf moves the stress out of your body and creates a completely new vibration. Of course you need to pick a prudent time and place for howling. Your emotional state might well be tense and angry at the beginning, but as your body begins the howling or laughing, you find that it feels good, so much better than the tense, angry state your body was in before, and you can move your emotions and your body out of stressed mode and into a calmer place.

Relaxation techniques, grounding and centering, and connecting to the calm center of ourselves and then moving into the flow of the universal energy are also good techniques for creating inner calm. It is the chthonic persona of Mars, the man of power who is lover of Venus, goddess of love and beauty, who has helped me re-invision my inner self. With him as an earth god, the red color that is associated with Mars softens and becomes infused with lighter white, pink, and purple. Visualize Mars as a vegetation god, surrounded by plants, totems, and all sorts of growth. Speak to him of your anger and the problems surrounding your reactions, and he will respond. Don't expect him, even in this persona, to give you easy ways out of your dilemmas; however, he will help you to become strong and powerful in your own right. Seeking peace as an alternative to anger is an act of incredible power. By seeking inner calm and peace, your inner world begins to work in harmony with your outer life after time and practice.

As you work with your anger and incorporate the wisdom you gain from Mars, you will find that there are many imaginative ways to express and redirect your anger. The American journalist Dorothy Thompson once wrote, "Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict." With the help of deity in the form of Mars and his totems, there are many creative and magical ways to re-create our lives as we become strong and powerful as divine, physical beings.
by Gail Wood

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

3.: This Week's Moonscopes Forecast for June 19 to June 25

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:49 pm (PDT)

This Week's Moonscopes Forecast
For the week of June 19 to June 25
(Missed last week's forecast? Here it is.)

Sunday, Monday: the Moon is in Aquarius
Goals, ideals or utopian thinking, long-range plans, and how something could be altered for the better are all at hand for consideration when the sign Aquarius is present. This sign loves to reform or revolutionize the status quo. Things can get all fired up re: change when Aquarius is present, so it might be tricky to keep moderation in mind.

Monday evening, Tuesday(Summer Solstice-Midsummer-EDT), Wednesday(*v/c): the Moon is in Pisces
Soft and sweet music or poetry is a good way to think about the positive traits of Pisces. Compassionate or charitable acts toward others is a good way to manifest the positive traits of this sign. In ancient times (and in jyotish astrology yet today), the generous and broad-minded planet Jupiter was considered the ruler (planet associated with) of the sign Pisces.

Thursday, Friday(v/c-evening): the Moon is in Aries
A keyword and a descriptive phrase for Aries kind of seem to contradict each other - pioneering & living in the present. While this sign is always coming up with new ideas to consider and new things to do, it is at the same time very aware of current conditions. It can be especially focused and at the same time, weighing the prospects of one thing with another.

Saturday: the Moon is in Taurus
In contrast to the beginning of this week and the ever-changing Aquarian energy, the more conservative energy of Taurus likes for things to be very dependable and to remain the same. Don't be surprised if someone digs in their heels and maintains a most stubborn stance this weekend.

Check your astrology chart to find which house (section of your chart) has the current Moon sign on the cusp (the beginning edge) & apply Forecast information to that area of your life as well.
For example, the Moon is in Leo and one of the suggestions is to entertain - however Leo is located in the 12th house of your chart, which is an inward energy place...then have a small, quiet gathering. By contrast, if Leo is located in the 1st house of your chart, an outward energy place...have a party! Don't have an astrology chart? Click here .

It is interesting to note when the current Moon is in the same sign as your birth Moon and to see how the flavor of that day carries through the following 30 days.

Current Planet Positions:
Sun - Gemini, until June 22, then Cancer
Mercury - Cancer, until July 2
Venus - Gemini, until July 4
Mars - Gemini, until Aug. 3
Jupiter - Taurus, until June 12, 2012
Saturn - Libra, until Oct. 6, 2012
Uranus - Aries, until Mar. 6, 2019
(Taurus, May 16, 2018-Nov. 7, 2018)
Neptune - Aquarius, until Feb. 4, 2012
(Pisces, Apr. 5-Aug. 5, 2011)
Pluto - Capricorn, until Nov. 20, 2024

Current Asteroid Positions:
Ceres - Pisces, until Jan. 20, 2012
Pallas - Aquarius, until Feb. 13, 2012
Juno - Virgo, until July 28
Vesta - Aquarius, until Dec. 21
Chiron - Pisces, until Apr. 22, 2018

Current Asteroid Transits:
Ceres - Harvest the core basics of spiritual beliefs or philosophies.
Pallas - A practical application of information is the best approach.
Juno - State clearly what is wanted in a personal partnership.
Vesta - Personal desires are mixed together with personal responsibilities.
Chiron - Transcend wounds and negativity through compassion.

Note: Timeframes for Moon signs, void-of-course periods, and current planet & asteroid positions are noted for Eastern time zone (USA). Please adjust according to your own location. Times are not given if the void-of-course Moon occurs for a very short period or if it occurs during the night (based on same Eastern time zone).

* v/c = Void-of-Course - When the Moon is void-of-course, spend time working on projects already in progress, creative endeavors, or self-improvement. Void-of-course simply means that no planets are aspecting the Moon as it gets ready to change signs. It's best not to start new projects, sign important agreements, or go shopping when the Moon is void-of-course because the result will probably be unsatisfactory in some way.

** Mercury Retrograde - the speed of the planet slows down considerably. Communications, paperwork, electronics, and traffic can become very mixed-up or delayed during this time. A situation will be in the process of changing, so wait until Mercury is direct to finalize anything. In general, maintain a slower, more cautious pace in daily affairs. Always allow at least two days before (to slow down) and after (to resume regular activities) a Mercury retrograde period. Read More about Mercury Retrograde here

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

4.: Nature Meditation on Amergin

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:50 pm (PDT)

Nature Meditation on Amergin
By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

Introduction and History

Perform an outdoor meditation to reconnect with nature.
Image © Getty Images

Amergin was a leader of the Milesians, one of the ancient tribes that conquered Ireland around 1500 B.C.E., removing the Tuatha de Danaan from power. One of three Druids who spearheaded the takeover, Amergin is referred to as the First Druid of the Gaels in the Irish Book of Invasions.
Thought to be the oldest poem in the Irish language, Amergin's song is lyrical and narrative, evocative of the strength and power of Ireland itself. Poets and bards enjoyed high status in early Celtic society, and Amergin's song (which is actually a collection of several pieces) reflects that hierarchy, as well as some of the core beliefs held by the Druids and their people.
There's a story that this song answers the question, "What is a Druid?" This meditation is based on the translation by Lady Gregory.
To perform this meditation, begin by choosing a place far from the crowds. Pick a park with wooded hiking trails, find a spot by a calm lake or stream, or sit in the middle of a field of soft grass. Whichever place you select, try to make sure you're out of the way of everyone else.
Now turn off your cell phone so you're REALLY undisturbed.
You don't have to memorize this incantation, but it helps if you study it a bit ahead of time so you have some focus. You may want to write some notes down to take with you, so you don't forget where your journey is headed.
Sit in a comfortable position -- up against a tree, in a pile of leaves, on a majestic rock, wherever feels right to you. You can even lay down if you prefer. Close your eyes, and just listen. Hear the sounds of nature around you -- birds in the trees, the wind rustling through the grass, the trickling of a creek. Allow yourself to relax. Forget about your job for a while, your bills, your kids, your parents. Just focus on you, and where you are right now, at this moment.

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

5.: Ten Great Ways to Celebrate Litha

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:51 pm (PDT)

Ten Great Ways to Celebrate Litha
Get Out and Enjoy the Summer Solstice!
By Patti Wigington, About.com Guide

It's Litha, the longest day of the year! The sun will shine more today than any other day of the year, and it's a day to get outdoors and celebrate. Spend the day in the sun with your family. Play outdoors, go for a hike, and enjoy all the delights the earth has to offer.

Here are some ideas for ways to celebrate the summer solstice. Admittedly, not all of them are For Pagans Only, but they're a good way to mark the turn of the Wheel of the Year.

Get Back to Nature
Image © Patti Wigington 2009

Go for a hike in the woods with your family. Enjoy the sounds and sights of nature. Take lots of pictures, or plan a scavenger hunt -- have each of the kids bring a "nature bag" to fill up. Remember, don't pick any live plants, unless you're deliberately wildcrafting. Before you head out, grab a field guide to local plants, and turn it into a teaching exercise -- learn to identify what you see out there in the woods. If you take your hike in a public park, bring along a plastic sack to help pick up garbage on your way. If you get the chance to do this alone, try a Nature Meditation in a quiet spot somewhere on your journey.

Image © Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images

Litha is all about the fiery aspect of the sun, so why not celebrate the fertility of the gods with a blazing, roaring fire in your back yard? It's the longest day of the year, so stay up late and host a bonfire for your friends and family. Get sparklers too, and light them after dark. Make an offering to the gods of your tradition. Be sure to follow basic Bonfire Safety Rules, so no one gets hurt at your celebration. You can even incorporate your bonfire into a Litha rite, with the Midsummer Night Fire Ritual.

Get Your Body Moving
Image (c) George Doyle/Getty Images

Litha is a magical, mystical time of year. Why not host a drum circle or Spiral Dance? You'll need a large group for this, but it's a lot of fun once you get everyone moving. In addition to being entertaining (and a great stress reliever), a drum circle or a ritualized dance serves another purpose - that of raising energy. The more you build, the more people will feed off of it. Invite a group of friends over, let them know there will be music and dance, and see what happens. Be sure to provide refreshments for afterwards -- drumming and dancing can be draining for some people.

Do Something For Others
Image © Getty Images

Do something for charity. Organize a yard sale and donate the proceeds to a local homeless shelter. Collect gently used summer clothing and give to a local children's hospital. Host a dog-wash for your favorite shelter, and ask customers to either donate cash or pet food. Plan a neighborhood cleanup, and trim and weed common areas in your community. If you don't have time to coordinate a big project -- and not everyone does -- do things on a smaller scale. Visit an elderly neighbor and help with her housekeeping. Offer to do grocery shopping for an ill relative. If you know a mom with a brand-new baby, help out with childcare so she can get a few hours of rest. There are any number of things you can do to help others.

Read a Good Book
Image © Jupiterimages/Getty Images

Summer can be a hectic and chaotic time of year. Maybe you're someone who needs to slow down and take a break. Litha is a good time to rejuvenate, so why not immerse yourself in a good book? Keep reading material handy all the time, so when you need a little down time, you can work through few pages. If your local library has a summer reading program, sign up. Many bookstores offer summer incentives for both children and adults to read during the off-school months. Not sure what to read? Why not check out some of the titles on our About Pagan/Wiccan Reading Lists? If you're more partial to fiction and "beach reading," be sure to see what our readers recommend with our Summer Witchy Fiction.

Celebrate Family
Image (c) Getty Images

Turn off the phone, step away from the computer and television, and spend time just having fun with the people who love you most. Take the day off work if possible and spend it any way you like -- go to the zoo, a museum, a ball game, etc. Make this a day that you can do anything you want, and put the schedules away just for one day. If you're worried that money might hold you back, there's plenty of stuff you can do for free: check your local metro parks for activity schedules, go fishing at a nearby lake or river, and watch the local newspaper for free admission deals at nearby attractions. If getting away for a day isn't possible for you, spend the afternoon at home -- play board games, do jigsaw puzzles, and cook a meal together.

Clean Things Up
Image © Fumoto Yasuhide/Getty Images

Clean your house. Take advantage of the warm weather to have a garage sale and get rid of all those things you don't want. You can also organize a swap with your friends, or donate all your stuff to charities like Goodwill or Salvation Army. You've got plenty of daylight at Litha, so you can accomplish a lot in just a short period of time. If your house is a bit daunting, select one room to work on at a time -- preferably the one that needs the most help! Wash windows, wipe down baseboards, get rid of stuff you know you'll never use. Organize as you clean, putting donatable items into one pile, and trash in another, so you don't have to sort it later. Turn the project into a ritual: House Cleaning Rite.

Host a Barbeque for Friends and Family
Image © Getty Images

Have a barbeque, and invite all your family and friends over. Decorate with colors of the sun -- yellows, reds, and oranges. Feast on lots of summery food, like watermelons, strawberries, and fresh green salads. Add outdoor games like horseshoes, ladder golf, and backyard volleyball. While you're at it, set up some kind of water activities -- water balloons, super soakers, a pool to splash in. All of these are great outside activities in the heat of summer, and help celebrate the balance between fire and water.

Learn and Grow

Image © Stuart Dee/Getty Images

Spend some time on spiritual growth. Use this time of year to learn something new about your tradition, develop a new skill, or take a class in Tarot, Reiki, yoga, or whatever appeals to you. Create a daily plan of study to help you focus on what it is you want to do next.

Honor the Season
Image © Getty Images

Many ancient cultures marked the summer solstice with rites and rituals honoring the sun. Celebrate the significance of Midsummer with ritual and prayers that recognize the sun and its magnificent power. Set up your Litha altar with symbols of the season -- solar symbols, candles, midsummer fruits and vegetables, and more.

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/lithathesummersolstice/tp/TenLithaIdeas.htm?nl=1

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

6.: Looking Back at the New Age of Witchcraft

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:51 pm (PDT)

Looking Back at the New Age of Witchcraft

As we Witches, Pagans, Heathens, and Wiccans venture forth into the unknown of another new year, I am struck by the notion that we are also in another decade. It has become a strong belief of mine that we can only see our path ahead by reflecting on and learning from where we have been. With that in mind, I took a look back at my own past and the beginnings of my training. I paused to reflect on how much our religion has evolved, even in the seventeen years I have been practicing Witchcraft.

It was not long ago that Witchcraft was the shining child of promise that heralded in a new era for those of us who wanted something other than what mainstream religions have to offer. It wasn't all that long ago that a Witch was only a "true" Witch if he or she had been initiated into a coven. Today, solitary Witches have become the new way of our religion, while covens have become all but obsolete. All of this leads to questions like: How did we get here? Where did all of this information come from, and what can we expect in the future?

During the early years in the resurgence of Paganism, the terms occult and witchcraft were scarcely mentioned, never mind discussed openly, in public. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, our predecessors would not have dared perform a public ritual in a local park or downtown square. And many of those who practiced occult traditions attended church on Sunday and kept a very low profile with regard to their extracurricular and few, if any, occult authors published works. Few people talked openly about Witchcraft or Paganism the way we do today. On the surface the world probably seemed much like the movie Pleasantville. Underneath that calm surface, however, the womb of a new age was swelling, churning, and growing.

Up until the 1800s fraternal orders, secret societies, and individual families were the ones who maintained occult knowledge and passed this information down to subsequent generations. Then in the late 1800s, something interesting started to happen. The womb of the occult became heavy with new life, ideas, thoughts, and energy. People such as Eliphas Levi (Alphonse Louis Constant), Charles Godfrey Leland, Margret Murray, and Aleister Crowley began to publish occult works, which sometimes made public the secrets earlier groups had protected. They based their works on earlier theories and speculation, on older texts, and on their own research. The momentum that began with their work has lasted more than one hundred years.

During the late 1940s, we were just emerging from the Great Depression and World War II. Europeans seemed to turn a blind eye to people like Crowley, and the new emergence of occult societies simmered back down--at least on the surface. The story of the rebirth of Witchcraft may have ended here as a footnote in history books except for one important event. In 1951, the Witchcraft laws of England were repealed. This set the stage for what was soon to become the explosion of the neoPagan movement. Suddenly Witches and their covens were everywhere. People like Gerald Gardner, Doreen Valiente, Alex and Maxine Sanders, Janet and Stewart Farrar, and Raymond Buckland became the new voices of Witchcraft, and ultimately they would change the map of the neoPagan movement forever.

Through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, in both Europe and the United States, there was a strong resurgence of both Paganism and Witchcraft. This was largely made possible because of technological advancements and the media. With the rise in media coverage and the seemingly odd interests of reporters in Witchcraft, it was now being publicized everywhere. Books were being written and published yearly, and when combined with a greater ability to print and ship things globally, it is easy to see why there was the rise in the number of occult authors. The Pagan movement continued to make its way into the mainstream.

The world itself seemed to grow smaller as Paganism grew larger and more widespread. As news traveled ever more quickly, people could no longer turn away and ignore what was happening. Witches were alive and well, Paganism was making a comeback, and suddenly people were coming out of the broom closet to reclaim the right to practice the traditions of magick. Many Pagans during this time still lived a double life, keeping secret their involvement with a coven. If word got out, these people sometimes lost their jobs and family ties, and some were even ridiculed by their communities.

Therefore, those within the coven would take oaths of secrecy to keep safe the practices that they were taught. In addition to protecting the coven, this was done because of a long-held belief that those who were not initiated should not have access to the coven's activities. So even though the neoPagan religious movement had come far, there were still very real dangers that people faced and in some places still face today.

As more and more people joined the new movement of Paganism, covens became more plentiful and the numbers of people who practiced Paganism grew. By the late 1970s, neoPaganism had largely replaced the word Witchraft, because it was considered a less negative term than the latter. Witchcraft had also finally succeeded in penetrating the United States and other areas of the glove. It was clear by now that this new religion was not only NOT going away, it was spreading like wildfire.

Today, people like Maxine Sanders and Janet Farrar are considered the elders of our faith not simply because of age, but because of their experience and how they conduct themselves. And many new occult authors, including myself, have been inspired by their poetry, prose, theories, stories, and instructional books.

The craze did settle down as the media began to lose interest, and what was once new had become commonplace. The original materials set down by Gardner, Valiente, the Farrars, and Buckland continue to serve us today. My hope is that they will not be forgotten and that they will continue to enrich our understanding of this newly forming religious practice for a great many years to come. Though this was the birth and evolution of a New Age movement that we now lovingly refer to as neoPaganism, our story doesn't quite end there.

As we pushed forward in the early 1980s and 1990s, which is my generation, occult works became more common, yet it was still difficult to find books on Paganism and the occult in your average book store. The few books that were easily accessible in the New Age or World Religion sections were mostly entertainment-style, fortune-telling books rather than occult teachings. This trend would continue into the first decade of the twenty-first century, with a few notable exceptions.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Laurie Cabot (from Salem, Massachusetts) was leaving her mark in the world of Witchcraft. Cabot was dubbed by Gov. Dukakis in 1977 the "Official Witch of Salem." She did for Salem, Massachusetts, what Walt Disney did for Disneyland. Salem once again became a popular place to visit, both for its history and for the chance to gawk at its Witches. Cabot (and sometimes other members of her coven) made appearances on television and with the media, which furthered the national media's attention to Salem. During the height of her work, Cabot was even featured in National Geographic Magazine.

As a teenage Witch growing up in Massachusetts, I was ecstatic when one of my class projects, which involved reading The Scarlet Letter, included a trip to Salem. As soon as it was possible, my best friend and I snuck off and checked out the local Witch shops instead of visiting the historical sites we were supposed to see. Our insatiable teenaged curiosity led us into the shop that Laurie was said to own at the time, Crow Haven Corner. Twas to be the first time I met the woman known as Salem's Official Witch. Since then Laurie and I have met on several occasions, and though I am sure she would scarcely remember me, she has left a lasting impression.

Curious Pagans, like myself, who lived outside of the large cities had few opportunities to find a local coven or group to train with. The Internet was still new, and although it was growing rapidly, it did not hold the vast amounts of information and online groups that it does today. Still, determination and luck were often enough to help us find or order books to study and learn from as we practiced on our own.

By the late 1990s, access to books by Silver RavenWolf, Ray Buckland, Gerina Dunwich, Edain McCoy, Scott Cunningham, Dan and Pauline Campanelli, and many others became easier as more books appeared on the shelves of local book stores. The time of scrounging for information was ending as more was now essentially at "the tip of your wand." The new Paganism authors provided an even wider range of information and gave rise to the trend of solitary practice. For virtually the first time ever, people were able to train themselves from the comfort of their homes without having to relocate or travel great distances to find a coven.

The only drawback to this form of training was that the larger community still considered solitary practitioners uninitiated Witches. But neoPagan religious practices were growing faster than ever--definitely faster than a coven-centered community could support. The once hard and fast rules of initiated and uninitiated began to break down. And even though many Witches still sought out a coven from which to be trained, many more of us joined the growing ranks of solitary practitioners.

As fewer traditional covens were set up and more and more a la carte teachings became the norm, people have had to make up their own minds about what, when, and how to follow the Pagan path. The uninitiated Witch and Wiccan became the new way within the community and the coven structure began to take a back seat. Solitary Witches were forming loosely based groups or not associating with a specific form of community at all. They were no longer concerned with being associated with a lineage or even with a tradition. Instead, they were interested in what Wicca and Witchcraft had to offer them individually.

A majority of the Witches I speak with today say they have trained solitarily or with instructors who offer classes to the public. Though many of them take classes with other members of the community, most Witches remain somewhat removed from the organized forms of practice that were once common, citing politics, ego trips, an unhealthy community, and other forms of abuse as the main reasons for choosing not to join organized groups.

Fortunately, the solitary Witch shares equal footing with the initiated Witch and does not need the support of an organized group. The community has become less interested in lineage and more interested in how well you know your craft. I believe many of us have found solace and healing in working through our training on our own, taking what is perceived as dogma out of our spirituality, and choosing, instead, to empower ourselves.

The recent changes in the Craft have begun to cause a new death of sorts. The religion is again shedding the older form of community and is now experiencing a rebirth and the evolution of a more loosely tied-together community than previously existed. Being a solitary, self-trained, and self-initiated Witch, as well as a trained and coven-initiated Witch, I can vouch for the fact that each path has both good and bad to offer. Each style of learning has a valuable place in the life of a Witch.

The path of neoPaganism has grown not by the hundreds, but possibly the thousands, since 2001. A study conducted by ARIS (American Religious Identification Survey) out of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, showed that new-movement religions (Wiccan, Pagan, or Spiritualist) have increased by four percent since their 1990 poll, which leads researchers to believe there may be as many as 2.8 million, if not more of us, living in and practicing our religions in the United States today. A statement on the ARIS website contributes to this finding by saying that this religious movement is growing faster now than it has in the previous years' surveys. This is just another testament to the fact that our new-age religion is not only alive and well, but it is still emerging and blooming in its own unique way.

Evolution is painful, but it is necessary if we are to grow beyond the original vision of our foremothers and fathers. In looking back over our evolution, we can see that it has been a healthy process of give and take. I believe that with time the pendulum will once again swing back to a more organized way of practicing, not out of politics but out of our natural desire to unite and bond. I believe that we will do this while incorporating the new lessons that have been learned. I believe that the child of promise is now becoming an adult.

There are very few secrets left in the Craft. Many things that were once hidden are now available for everyone. This creates a certain sense of nostalgia and sometimes a concern for what may have been better left unsaid. In some sense, it is like handing your teenager the car keys and hoping they understand the full responsibility of how to use that power wisely. Any parent will tell you that sometimes you have to give in and let the child make the choices so that they will know the full weight of responsibility is resting squarely on their shoulders. Then you cross your fingers and hope. For myself, serets are best kept secret or else they should never be kept at all. I personally do not keep many secrets, yet that does not diminish the mystery that is me. I feel the same is true of Witchcraft; knowing does not cheapen the mystery of self-discovery. Since we are, after all, a mystery tradition, I believe we travel into this next decade with keys in hand and mystery in front of us. It will remain to be seen if we are wise enough to be responsible with the power given to us.

The mystery itself is a mystery that is all our own to discover, because that is the way of magick. Our current era will herald new Witches and authors to it; it will be our own experience to explore and expand on. There will be new ideas, perspectives, and ways to do things. The community will grow, and we will continue to share our rich heritage together. It will see the rise and fall of various ways to practice the Craft and the torch will be picked up once more. It will pierce the darkness and shine its light upon us, moving us ever forward to an unknown future.

by Kimberly Sherman-Cook, who is a cofounder, director, and teacher at the Pagan Education Network in Massachusetts. She has been involved in magick studies for over seventeen years, and is the leader of the Raven Star Coven, which she helped establish in 2006.

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

7.1.: Insights

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:53 pm (PDT)

"Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once and a while, or the light won't come in." -- Alan Alda

"The person who sends out positive thoughts activates the world around him positively and draws back to himself positive results." -- Norman Vincent Peale

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (214)

8.1.: Aromatherapy Tip

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:56 pm (PDT)

Try Lemon Tea Tree for a refreshing change. It has a clear,
lemony scent with antibacterial effects similar to Tea Tree.
click here for more uses.
from www.aromathyme.com

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (850)

9.1.: Elder's Meditation of the Day

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:56 pm (PDT)

Elder's Meditation of the Day

"But the great spirit has provided you and me with an opportunity for study in nature's university, the forests, the rivers, the mountains, and the animals which include us."

-- -- Walking Buffalo, STONEY

What we really need to learn is how to live life. Nature is the greatest university when we want to learn about balance, harmony, the Natural Laws and how to live life. But we will never learn unless we spend time in the "living university." Nature is full of examples, lessons, and exercises about life. Nature will help humans learn. Nature will help humans heal. Nature will help with Medicine, knowledge, and healing. The reason our Elders are so wise is because they have attended the right educational system - nature's university.

Great Spirit, help me to become wise.

from ww.whitebison.org

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (115)

10.1.: Cool Website of the Day

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:59 pm (PDT)

Cracked.com - America's Only Humor & Video Site Since 1958 ...

A funny website filled with funny videos, pics, articles, and a whole bunch of other funny stuff. Cracked.com, celebrating 50 years of humor.

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (792)

11.: Cleansing Spells and Rituals

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:07 pm (PDT)

ROOM BLESSING/CLEANSING/ PROTECTION SPELL

This is a bare-bones, generic spell.
Use when the energies in your home or in a particular room start feeling "off" or negative.
This spell can be tweaked to suit your particular method of working or use as is.
You will need: Small cauldron or other fire-proof bowl for burning herbs - one that you are able to carry.
Your favorite protection oil Clearing herbs such as sage, cedar, rosemary, etc.
Charcoal tablet (a half tablet would suffice) Matches
Trace the pentagram starting from the top point - in this spell you are invoking Spirit.
Meditate before you begin - make sure you're in the right state of mind to proceed.
An Alpha state is the best. The Spell:
Light charcoal in bowl/cauldron and when burning, drop a pinch or two of your clearing
herbs into the cauldron. Take a minute to take in the energy of the herbs.
Carry the vessel around the room - paying special attention to corners, closets, and places
negative energy seems to linger. Project a clear, clean, white light with your mind and say:
"By my will I banish all darkness and let in the light." (repeat around the room)
When you've thoroughly cleansed the room, return to the center and put down your cauldron.
Take up the oil and go to the North.
Trace a pentagram on the wall (window sill, door frame, etc.) Say:
From the North I call to Thee. Blessings of the Spirit Be upon this place.
Go to the East and say: From the East I call to Thee.
Blessings of the Spirit Be upon this place.
Continue to the South and West, changing the blessing accordingly.
When complete, return to the center of the room and place more herbs on the charcoal.
Stand still a bit and feel the energy of the room/space.
Again, project white light outward, mentally filling all the nooks and crannies.
When the energy feels right to you say:
This room is sealed Protected from harm.
Light replaces darkness As I will, so mote it be.
Note: This spell can obviously be expanded for an entire house.
Just begin in the center of the house instead of the center of the room.
If you are uncomfortable calling on "Spirit" for protection, you can substitute the
name of your Deity.

WHITE CANDLE SPELL FOR BLESSING
Get a white candle -- either a plain one (offertory, pillar, or taper) or a figural one in the
gender of the person you want to bless. Carve the person's full name on the candle,
then dress it with Blessing Oil or Holy Oil. For more power, you may place a name-paper
of the person, or a photo, or some personal item of theirs (such as a bit of hair or a snippet
of clothing) either under the candle or next to it. One easy way to do this is to place the
paper or personal concerns under an overturned saucer and put the candle on top of the
saucer. Burn a portion of the candle every day for seven days, pinching it out between burnings.
As you light it each day, say this
[Name], may you be blessed
May all good things come to you
May nothing whatsoever harm you
May your heart be light
May your travels be safe
May your health be good
May your mind be sound
May your friendships sustain you
May you be blessed in every way
* If you have a special request for this person (such as that they find a lover, get a
good job, come home safely from a war, or whatever), just add it to the list.
Some people use a large pillar-type candle and keep it going for longer than seven days.
They may make a habit of burning such a candle every day -- or once a week, on Sundays --
for as long as their friend or relative needs help, even doing so for months at a time.
If the candle is large and it is to be burned in this way, it should be re-dressed with
Blessing Oil or Holy Oil once a week: after the initial dressing, you can drop a tiny bit of
oil into the "well" or hole in such a large candle just before lighting it each time.

CLEANSING RITUAL
This ritual is a self cleansing ritual. It was designed to cleans the body, mind & spirit
of residual negativity after being involved in magical battles (specifically, exorcism).

Components & Tools:
A tub to draw a bath A white candle Essential Oil of Myrrh
Essential Oil of Frankincense Sea Salt (fine, bath salts)
Preparations:
Place the white candle so that it's light can shine upon you when you are in the tub.
Mix 9 drops Myrrh and 3 drops Frankincense into 1/8 cup sea salt.
Be certain that you will not be disturbed for at least 20 minutes, preferably an hour.
Shut off the phone ringers, etc.

Ritual:
Invoke your sacred space. (using what means is appropriate for your practice)
Light the candle. Recite the following:
Spirits of Fire do I call upon thee.
Send thy divine fire and burn through the darkness.
Shed thy light upon me and clear the shadows of my soul.
Draw a bath of hot water. (the warmest you can comfortably get into)
Recite the following:
Oh spirits of water do I call upon thee.
Enter this sacred space and lend me thy cleansing powers.
From the waters we come and to water we return.
As the tub fills (about half way), sprinkle the salt into the waters.
Recite the following:
Oh spirits of earth do I call upon thee.
Ground and disperse all that is not of light.
Mix with me and cleans me of the weight of darkness.
Once fill, settle into the tub. Relax and feel the light and warmth.
Breath in the vapors of the oils and recite the following:
Oh spirits of ear do I call upon thee.
Thou art my breath and my life.
Let me breath in thy light and release the smoke of darkness.
Breath and feel the energy about and within you.
Feel the light of fire burning away that which clings to you.
Let the water's warmth wash through you, and lift away the darkness.
Feel the salt cling to the darkness and ground it for you.
Feel your lungs fill with light and carry out the fog of darkness as you exhale.
Remain in the bath till you feel that all the darkness that will release has left you.
Stand, or kneel, and pull the plug from the tub. As the water drains, recite the following:
As we come from the waters so shall we return.
Oh earth and water, take from here the darkness.
Disperse it and ground it. Let it weigh upon me no more.
Dry off. Put out the candle. Thank the divine and the spirits & open your sacred space.

RITUAL OF SELF-BLESSING
You will need
a small votive candle and holder (white is always good, but use color if you feel called to do that)
an incense stick, cone, or herbs (such as sage or thyme) to burn a small container of water
a small container of salt
I find that a sugar and creamer set works very well for this.
These can be purchased quite reasonably and set aside just for this use.
This is a ritual which connects you to the deepest levels of healing.
It also connects you to the four elements and their energies.
In this way it is most helpful for dealing with the shamanic elemental energies of Nature.
The candle represents the element of Fire
The incense or herbs represent Air
The container of water is Water
The container of salt is Earth.
Beyond that, these elements reflect your own needs.
The element of Fire reflects your relationships, protection, ideas and achievements.
The element of Air reflects your creativity, spirituality, inspiration and philosophies.
The element of Water reflects your emotions, intuition, dream states, psychic gifts, and healing balance.
The element of Earth reflects your practicality, knowledge, sacred wisdom, and growth.
Find a quiet time and place where you will not be disturbed.
You may make this as ceremonial or as informal as you choose.
Light the incense and take a few moments to consider the element of Air.
Consider the gifts that Air reflects in you.
Light the candle and take a few moments to consider the element of Fire.
Consider the gifts that Fire reflects in you.
Take a few moments to consider the element of water and how it reflects in you.
Take a few moments to consider the element of Earth and how it reflects in you.
Very gently, pour the water into the container of salt. If you are using herbs as an incense,
you may sprinkle a few in the water and salt mixture.
Stir the salt and water with your fingers. Consider the blending of elements that creates life itself.
Consider the balance of elements and their attributes in your life. Take a few moments to do this.
Facing the candle, dip your fingers in the water mixture and touch your forehead (3rd eye area).
Say: "Bless me Mother, for I am your child." (The original was written for the Goddess as Mother.
Another deity name can be substituted here, or simply say "Spirit.")
Now dip your fingers in the water mixture and touch the area around
your eyes carefully.
Say: "Bless my eyes that I may see you."
Dip again and touch your nose.
Say: "Bless my nose that I may breathe your essence."
Dip again and touch your ears.
Say: "Bless my ears that I may hear your wisdom."
Dip again and touch your mouth.
Say: "Bless my mouth that I may speak your name."
Dip again and touch your heart.
Say: "Bless my heart that I may feel your love."
Dip again and touch your lower abdomen.
Say: "Bless my cauldron center that I may create harmony."
Dip again and touch your feet.
Say: "Bless my feet that I may walk in balance."
Dip again and rub your hands together.
Say: "Bless my hands that I may share your healing in my work."
Take all the time you need to concentrate on the elements before you.
Focus your attention on the candle and visualize healing light flowing into you.
Feel strength emerging from deep inside yourself. Breathe deeply and capture that moment.
Connect with the source of strength and healing.
When you feel you are finished, blow out the candle.
It is good to leave the incense burning if you can.
Air is a communicating element, and smoke is transformation.
The incense carries the messages of healing and strength to Spirit.
If you have used herbs, it is good to return the ashes to Nature.
In this way, you are grounding the energy, bringing the message and the transformation to earth.
Make sure the ashes are cold; then place them at the roots
of a tree or bush if possible. If not, place them in soil or sand.
The salt and water mixture can be used very effectively in several ways.
You may wash your gemstones or other stones in this.
Crystals love this, since their energy is so personally connected to yours.
You may save the mixture and dab a little on your third-eye area every day for a few days, as a reminder.
You may pour the mixture into your bath for a gentle energizer.
When the bathwater drains, visualize a connection between yourself and the energies of Mother Ocean.
You may return the mixture to earth by pouring it on soil or sand.
Remember, plants don't thrive in salt; so keep the mixture clear of plants.
You may sprinkle the mixture throughout your house to seal in positive energies and protection.

SALT BATH RITUAL
Clean your tub. Draw your bath and shut off the water. Take a container of salt.
Pour some salt into your cupped palm. Put the salt into the water.
Pour more salt into your palm; put into the water. Do this a third time.
Three is a magical number and you will find it often in magical spells and rituals.
It reminds us that the Goddess and the God both have three faces that we all know.
The fourth face, the hidden face, may or may not be known.
With your power hand (most often your power hand is the hand you write with),
stir the water until the salt is dissolved and/or it feels right to you.
Part of Wiccan training is about learning to trust yourself and your own inner voice.
Once it feels right, then bless and consecrate the water.
Keeping your power hand in the water, you might say something like this
(Always remember that ad libbing is fine):
"Water and Earth, Blessings on thee.
I do cast out from thee any unpleasantries both from the spirit world and from my world.
I do cast out any and all things that are not to my good and benefit.
I do cast out any and all emotions that may be pulling me down and harming me.
Be cast out that which is not in complete agreement with me!
By the power of the Old Ones, as I will it, so mote it be."
This is to purify and consecrate the water and it is also to remind you that your
purpose is to be cleansed inside and out.
You are getting rid of all those things that you collect in your daily life.
You should enter Circle clean and in clean clothes as well if you don't circle skyclad.
Stand next to the tub and face East. Or, if you so choose, face the direction that represents
newness and dawn and beginnings to you. See the Lady and the Lord standing before you as you say:
Bless me, Lady and Lord, for I am thine own child {your magical name here}.
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your third eye
and left then right eyelids saying:
Blessed Be mine eyes, for they are Your eyes and help me see my path clearly.
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your nose saying:
Blessed be mine nose, for it is Your nose and helps me breathe the essence that is the Sacred Whole.
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your lips saying:
Blessed be mine lips, for these are Your lips and speak the true beauty of Your names
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your heart and breasts saying:
Blessed Be mine breasts and mine heart for they are Yours and I will be faithful and loving in Thy name.
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your belly and genitals
(Men do not need to anoint belly area) saying: Blessed be my womb/vagina/ penis for they are
Your life-giving organs and through them I can bring forth life.
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your knees saying:
Blessed Be mine knees for they are Your knees that kneel in sacredness and joy.
Dip your {power hand} forefinger and middle finger into the water and anoint your feet saying:
Blessed be mine feet for they are Your feet and they lead me to your Old Ways.
Blessed Be Lady and Lord! I am ____________ _______
and I am Your own child come to you in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Now get into the tub and rub water all over yourself. Feel all your tensions and worries and fears
slip into the water and dissolve away. Surround yourself with light and joy and enjoy!

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

12a.: Re: Brothers and sisters of the drum Midsummer Eve

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:29 pm (PDT)

Brothers and sisters of the drum Midsummer Eve

I really love this. thanks for sharing!

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (2)

13.1.: Fw: Daily Ray of Hope

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:36 pm (PDT)

View as web page | Tell a friend
Not you? Sign up here.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Haslam
Location: Yellowstone National Park, WY

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person. He believed in me.

-- Jim Valvano

Want to see your image in the Daily Ray of Hope? Join the Daily Ray of Hope Group on Flickr.

Sierra Club
85 2nd St. San Francisco, CA 94105
daily.ray.hope@sierraclub.org

Update My Profile | Unsubscribe |
Manage My Email Preferences

Connect with the Sierra Club:

Like us on Facebook for daily updates

Follow us on twitter

Sign up for the Insider for the latest news

Make your voice heard in our Action Center

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (53)

14.: Fw: DailyOM: Light Of The Party

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:37 pm (PDT)

Today's DailyOM brought to you by:

June 17, 2011
Light Of The Party
Confidence In Social Situations

If you feel shy or awkward in social situations, know that many others are probably feeling the same way too.

If you've ever been to a social gathering where you've felt awkward and uncomfortable, chances are you are not alone. While social gatherings can be very enjoyable, especially when we are surrounded by people whose company we enjoy, there are social events that we attend where we sometimes find ourselves wishing we were someplace else. Such occasions can sometimes be the cause of much anxiety and self-consciousness. We may even feel like everyone else is having a good time except for us. Yet the truth is that everyone has felt shy and awkward on occasion. One of the best ways to overcome self-consciousness or get past your feelings of shyness at social gatherings is to focus on the people around you. If you can remember that other people might also be feeling awkward or shy, you might find the thought of speaking to them less intimidating or overwhelming.

The next time there is a social event you feel nervous about attending, you may want to try this exercise: Spend some time with your eyes closed and breathe deeply. When you feel ready, create your own zone of comfort by visualizing yourself surrounded in a warm white light that is protective yet accepting of others. Imagine people at the event being drawn to you because of the open and warm feelings that you are radiating. When you arrive at the event, take a moment to spread this same light of loving acceptance to everyone around you. Smile and greet people warmly. Try going up to someone who is standing alone and introduce yourself. When you radiate acceptance, openness, and receptivity, people can't help but respond to you in kind.

Focusing on how we can make other people at a social gathering feel at ease can help us forget about our own insecurities. In the process, we end up making the very connections that we seek. The next time you attend a social gathering, invite people to join you in your zone of comfort that you have so lovingly and intentionally created. Let yourself enjoy being encircled in the warmth of their friendships.

Top 10 DailyOM Courses:
1. Unlock the Power of Chakra Magnetizing
2. End Self-Sabotage with Meridian Tapping (EFT)
3. Overcoming Self-Sabotage
4. Make Yourself a Money Magnet
5. 21 Day Yoga Body!
6. Find True Love in 27 Days
7. Heal Your Money Karma
8. Master the Path of the Peaceful Warrior
9. Learn The Art Of Conscious Visualization!
10. Falling in Love with Yourself

New Courses | All Courses

What do you think?
Discuss this article and share your opinion
Want more DailyOM?
Register for your free email, or browse all articles

Share the OM:

Email this to a friend

Printable version

Save in My DailyOM

Discuss this article

Deal of the Day:

Teachings of the Egyptian Mystery Schools
[6 CD Set]
$24.92 Buy Now
$49.95 (50% off!)
(Price for this week only)

From the Library:
Introducing NLP
by Joseph O'Connor
More DailyOM:
On-line Courses Soul Readings Today's Horoscopes Shop the Marketplace Join the Community

Home | Gift Shop | My DailyOM | Marketplace | Community | Archives | Share The OM | Contact Us
Subscribe | Change Email | User Settings | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Gift Shop FAQ | Advertising Info
Make DailyOM Your Homepage | Link To Us | Publish DailyOM On Your Website
© 2004-2011 DailyOM - All Rights Reserved
No portion of this site can be reprinted without express permission
Artwork by Wang Chang-Ming

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

15a.: The Gift

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:55 pm (PDT)

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (3)
15b.: Re: The Gift

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:53 pm (PDT)

This didn't come through for me Lady N. :(

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

--- On Sun, 6/19/11, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com> wrote:

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (3)
15c.: Re: The Gift

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:26 pm (PDT)

This didn't come through for me Lady N. :(
I'm trying to resend it with a different program.

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (3)

16a.: What People in 1910 Thought the Year 2000 Would Be Like

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:08 pm (PDT)

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (4)
16b.: Re: What People in 1910 Thought the Year 2000 Would Be Like

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:59 pm (PDT)

Those are interesting....... I like the art work.

May I share this with my Cat and Bunny groups and a few friends? Please...

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

--- On Sun, 6/19/11, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com> wrote:

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (4)
16c.: Re: What People in 1910 Thought the Year 2000 Would Be Like

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:06 pm (PDT)

May I share this with my Cat and Bunny groups and a few friends? Please...

Certainly

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (4)
16d.: Re: What People in 1910 Thought the Year 2000 Would Be Like

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:29 pm (PDT)

TY Lady N. You're a great group Mom.... :)

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

--- On Sun, 6/19/11, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com> wrote:

May I share this with my Cat and Bunny groups and a few friends? Please...
Certainly

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (4)

17a.: Re: [13Witches] Fun Friday - Fw: Noo Simon's Cat: �

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:22 pm (PDT)

Funny cat video for Fun Friday. :) :)

That cat found a lot of stuff, LOL!

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (3)
17b.: Re: [13Witches] Fun Friday - Fw: Noo Simon's Cat: "Hi

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:12 pm (PDT)

Have you looked under your fridge lately Lady N. ?
I have 3 cats......I'm scared to look under mine! That goes for under the stove as well!!
hahahahahaa

Beth
Blessed, Mystical, Magickal Cats
&
Curious, Creative, Clever Bunnies

--- On Sun, 6/19/11, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com> wrote:

Funny cat video for Fun Friday. :) :)

That cat found a lot of stuff, LOL!

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (3)

18.: Clarence Clemons Dies at 69

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:43 pm (PDT)

Rest in Peace Clarence. We loved you well.
Blessed Be,
Lady N

Clarence Clemons Dead: Bruce Springsteen's 'E Street Band' Saxophonist Dies At 69

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Clarence Clemons, the saxophone player in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, died on Saturday, according to media reports, almost a week after he had a stroke at his Florida home. He was 69.
The New York Times said Clemons' death was confirmed by a spokeswoman for Springsteen. Reuters could not immediately confirm the reports.
Clemons started playing with Springsteen in 1971, and had notable solos on such tunes as "Born to Run," "Thunder Road" and "Badlands." He was dubbed "Big Man," which was also the title of a 2009 memoir he co-wrote with Don Reo.
Away from the E Street Band, Clemons enjoyed a hit single in 1985 with "You're a Friend of Mine," a duet with Jackson Browne. He also dabbled in acting, and worked with other artists including Ringo Starr, Aretha Franklin and Lady Gaga.
Clemons underwent double knee-replacement surgery in 2008, and walked for the first time in three months when Springsteen and the E Street Band played the Super Bowl early in 2009.

The light of a hundred stars cannot equal the light of the Moon.

Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WhisperingWitches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MagickalMeals/
http://groups.yahoo/group/NightshaydesNews

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

19.: **Topic Tag**, 6/19/2011, 12:00 am

Posted by: "13Witches@yahoogroups.com" 13Witches@yahoogroups.com

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:02 pm (PDT)

Reminder from: 13Witches Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/13Witches/cal

**Topic Tag**
Sunday June 19, 2011
All Day
(This event repeats every week.)

Notes:
It's Topic Tag again. Whoever posed the last question for Topic Tag needs to tag someone else today.

All Rights Reserved
Copyright � 2011
Yahoo! Inc.
http://www.yahoo.com

Privacy Policy:
http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy/us

Terms of Service:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Back to top
Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post
Messages in this topic (1)

Create New Topic | Visit Your Group on the Web

Messages | Files | Photos | Links | Calendar

Material submitted to this list is for your own personal use and is not to be forwarded without the express permission of the poster.

Community email addresses:
Post message: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Subscribe: 13Witches-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe: 13Witches-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
List owner: 13Witches-owner@yahoogroups.com

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for non-profit research and educational or criticism purposes only, and is NOT an infringement of copyright.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html

MARKETPLACE

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Find useful articles and helpful tips on living with Fibromyalgia. Visit the Fibromyalgia Zone today!

Stay on top of your group activity without leaving the page you're on - Get the Yahoo! Toolbar now.

Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Individual | Switch format to Traditional
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe

sâmbătă, 18 iunie 2011

[13Witches] Digest Number 7457

Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)

Messages

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:09 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:34 am (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:49 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:50 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:51 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:51 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:53 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:56 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:56 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 5:59 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:07 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:29 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:36 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:37 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 6:55 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:53 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:26 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:08 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:59 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:06 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:29 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:22 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Beth Patterson" purrrpaws4444@yahoo.com purrrpaws4444

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:12 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99

Sat Jun 18, 2011 7:43 pm (PDT)

Posted by: "13Witches@yahoogroups.com" 13Witches@yahoogroups.com

Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:02 pm (PDT)

Niciun comentariu:

Trimiteți un comentariu

Arhivă blog