Loreena McKennit - The Wind That Shakes the Barley

My absolutest, favourite-est musician in the whole wide world, is in the process of releasing her new album.
You can hear sample songs here:
The Wind That Shakes The Barley

Of course.....being in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, I would have to wait a while before it gets here........Amazon should be shipping it now!

Nothing's Brewing

See it.....empty eh??

Absolutely nothing is brewing in my mind. Its Another Period of Self Analysis People!!!!! Goddess help me. Nothing learning, nothing creating, nothin magicking.....nothing.

I am in a rutt....which happens occasionaly.  I have to do something absolutely new and exciting.....hmmmm lets see what mischief I can get up to?????
Tell you soon!

Uranus Magick- attempting real change : Explore the power of Uranus magick and its associations in attempting real change. Discover the transformative energy of Uranus and how to harness it in your spellwork.

Uranus, the planet of change.

In all honesty, real change in any one's life is difficult to do for yourself. The other day I looked at some old journals, about five years back, and realized that my issues are still the same. Back then, as is now, I felt like other people were in control of my life and I was not following my dharma. Although I believe I am closer to where I want to be these days, I would still love to reach a particular point of success by next year.

The question also came up with some "over drinks" conversation. "What does it take to really drastically change your life?" This was in reference to our local lotto piling up to a 7 million jackpot....but the question stuck in my head. I decided to look into a few things using the Planetary Magick model.

No where could I get information as to sigils, magick squares or any such thing about Uranus. All the planetary Magick information I had stops at Saturn......bummer........guess I'll have to make up me own! :)

The following is what I could find:


Uranus aspects- change, associated with principles of genius, new ideas, discoveries and inventions. It moves the soul out of its rut and into what it needs to be. It is a catalyst for transformation of one's life. It is also associated with upheaval and destruction of old patterns set up by Saturn.

Rules Over - Aquarius (that quirky, change loving energy that is always on the fringe s of the new dawn!)

Element - Air

Magick Number - Some books said nine or four...but I followed my suspicions that it should go beyond 9 and sure enough, found a reference book that also lists 12 (Pythagoras will be pleased. He thought that 12 was Divine)
Symbol :

which has no real esoteric meaning as it was comprised of the H for Herchel (discoverer of the planet) wrapped around a globe....how magickally unexciting.

Going into my little meditation on these matters as I do I think that the following would be appropriate objects associated with Uranus:

Wands
Genie Bottles
Magick Lamps

Any object that can cause change, but is not affected by the change itself...a catalyst if you will.

Animals : Dragonflies and Butterflies (transformative)

So now that I have worked out this little bit of information, how do I go about creating a ritual to cause change in my life? Before I do any such magick I always look at the cons....can I deal with upheaval? More importantly, is the cost of the upheaval worth the profit of the change??? (economic types'll love that phrase)

I'll let you guys know what happens.......

Follow up on this issue here:Uranus Magick Posts

Elemental Orbits and spiritual evolution

I had been reading a book on the origins on Pagan and Christian creeds and symbols, and the information there ping-ed one of those Golden Threads in my mind which I had to pick up and begin to follow.
So we all know the earth travels in one orbit, and the zodiac comes into view in a particular order, as the Sun appears to be in that Zodiac.
However, the other eliptical orbit that is not so obvious, is that of our immediate solar system, which seems to travel in the opposite direction. This is evidenced by, every two thousand years or so, the Vernal Equinox is seen to happen in a new sign, the direction going the opposite way.

In the book "Pagan and Christian Creeds" By Edward Carpenter, he mentions the cult of the Bull, which was prominent at the time the Vernal Equinox rose in Taurus- then points out that two thousand odd years later the Vernal Equinox rose in the constellation of Aries. The religious symbols shifted from the slaying of the bull (Mithra Cults) to the Sacrificial Lamb (early Christian and Jewish cult as in the Old Testament).
Now isn't it interesting that as the Vernal Equinox rose in the constellation of Pisces, that we have the New Testament symbols being the fish (the feet another Pisces Symbol are also associated with Jesus Christ)

Of course there is a whole other direction which I can go to investigate evidence of a Gemini cult, to which there are stories of twin gods. Interestingly, the story of the Birth of Rome, speaks of Twin brothers Remus and Romulus who had a falling out (separation) and one of them goes on to be the Founder of Rome. Is this a story of the demise of a Gemini cult which led to a separation of two leaders, and in this division the Empire of Rome was founded? Worth looking into!!!!

However, what also caught my attention, is that our little Solar System is travelling through an Elemental Cycle, of Air, Earth, Fire, Water.
If we were to further investigate the qualities of this journey, we may find that the development of mankind, his evolution in mind and spirit; have had qualities linked to the very same journey that out solar system is going through.
There is the calculation that the ages shift every 2,150 years approx. This is called the Procession of the Equinoxes. The age of Aquarius (and all the others) is based on an Astrological fact, and not New aged thinking or religious superstition. At what point did we enter or are to enter the Age of Aquarius? There is much debate. But I am moving away from the point I want to make about elemental cycles in Man's development.

Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Air Earth Fire Water, and so we move on. If we are in the Age of Aquarius, elementaly our development would be centered around aspects with Air qualities.

An Aquarian does not readily express his feelings, and he appears to be detached from the world, or from reality itself.  He has a contemplative and reserved demeanor.


Detachment from the world? We have seen a rise in virtual worlds online, which the younger among us are growing quite comfortable with. There is much debate too, about the systems and organizational structure of the world.

An Aquarian is motivated by a quest for moral perfection.  His expression is serious and tranquil.He often pursues spiritual goals.

Such has been the case. We are seeing upheavals in world belief. People seem to be interested in living in harmony, and seeking a deeper meaning of existance. There seems to be a turning away from the current consumeristic behaviour.

Then there are the AIR qualities. 

Air, the element symbolizing interchange, mobility, and diffusion, is associated with Aquarius.  It is specifically represented by Aquarius' position within the zodiacal cycle.  Among the triplicity of air signs, the fixed air of Aquarius, embodying a tendency to perceive things intuitively instead of through logical deduction, with the result that its natives are confident about their opinions, is situated between the cardinal air of Libra, representing sentimental attachments, and the mutable air of Gemini, representing friendship.  In terms of attributes, Aquarians are intuitive, expressive, and extremely sentimental.

There have been debates worldwide about things which have not been previously challenged. Our entire way of life is currently under question. What we consume, how we interact with each other, the polarities of right and wrong, what we believe- they are all coming under question. The trend is to favour intellectual deduction over passionate emotionally driven conclusions. 

At the end of this Age there may be little about how we live, which resembles the nineteenth century culture. And perhaps we may enter into the Age of Capricorn, associated with the Earth, and will be marked by setting down New Roots (finding a new habitable planet...LOL okay going overboard there) and planting the foundations for the new age of Man.

But I am just traveling in my mind...... Blessed be.

  

Lunar Eclipse - December 21st 2010.

I admit...I missed it. A friend of mine described it as life-changingly beautiful....and how close to the truth she was.

Lunar eclipses of this nature greatly affect issues in your life. To see which issue, you have to know your Natal Chart.
Get Free Natal Report here

This Lunar Eclipse was in Gemini. Check your Natal Chart, see what houses/planets were in Gemini at the time of your birth, and you will know what to expect. I have Gemini in my twelfth house..... I am truly in for loads of changes.

Witch News/Pagan News

Was searching for news related to Pagan Happenings or Witchy News internationally. You know...something along the lines of events, studies, breakthroughs in magickal discussions, general happenings among the pagan community.

Unfortunately all I find are negatives. The mainstream media still follows the stereotypically "shock and horror and awfullness associated with witchcraft and practice.
What was found here:
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/category/witchcraft

was all negative, still showing the fear that the world has of Witches. Is there a site?
I know Witchvox, but it is less news, and more essays about persons living in the craft........ If anyone has a link...point it out to me please.

Yule Decorations

In putting up our tree this year I looked at our decorations and saw the lack of yule icons for decorations. The only two I had was this Sun symbol...and the moon pictured below:

Made me yearn for some other decorations for the tree, which were more in keeping with the solstcie and pagan themes for YULE.
So I went one to ETSY...my favourite place for things hand made; and found this :

Which can be found here :

http://www.etsy.com/listing/64020521/charmed-triquetra-celtic-knot-gemstone?ref=sr_gallery_8&ga_search_query=yule+decorations&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[0]=tags&include

And then there was this:

Which can be found here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62788815/yule-ornaments-trio?ref=sr_gallery_31&ga_search_query=yule+decorations&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&filter[0]=handmade

I always like handmade ones the best!!!!! For the more elegant artsy type.......


   

Planetary Magick Poem- Pushing back Saturn

A few years ago on reading up about Planetary Magick, I penned this little poem. Although I remember the vibration of what I wanted to say....well the muse has left me...and I can no longer catch her Golden Thread......anyway...the poem:

Born I was with Saturn's Sight

And I too young to know this plight

Did wander round in restless night

His walls which kept me in.

I'd push until I could push no more

Rebelious and stifled

at Saturn's door

my mind will be trapped my emotions sore

My inner self just screaming

And Saturn taunted me

He teased me

Every where I turn to escape

Like some dreaded warden

he'd show me the bars which stopped

and blocked and limited my flight.

I'd befriended the aura of Venus fair

And so Saturn hated her there

He'd block and bar my lady fair

from showing me more minds

In my limited darkness I'd be in pain

bewildered and hopeless

and almost insane

the boundaries around me I pushed in vain.

And Venus would try to save me.

She'd send me gifts

and Saturn would block them.

Relationships and wealth were not to be mine.

He showed me their limits all of the time.

But Venus, being of quick mind

whispered a plan to me

We'd do a spell to push Saturn back

Enlist the help of Jupiter of expansive energies.

Jupiter! Thou expansive beast!

Neither light nor dark discerns.

And I got stuck here....ah well!

Snap, crackly, popply

Move over Bertie Bott's Jelly Beans (of Harry Potter Fame)!!!! Cadbury's has come out with their own spark!

Its MAGICAL ELVES!


*loud applause to be heard*




Had one just a few minutes ago for the first time, and then had one again. You get the smooth Cadbury Chocolate, and......a sparkly, crackly feeling as the magic crackles in your mouth....I swear! It is awesome. I think Cadbury has hit on something the kids would love....yummmmmmmmm chomp chomp.....well...if the get to taste them....chompy chompity...yummmmmmmmmmmm.

Puttering along

Sometimes I wonder what I can add to this blog to make it more interesting for people. I really didn't want it to be a resource for learning about witchcraft. I really wanted it to be fun and wacky with a witchy theme. But my stats tell me that the most looked at pages are the serious stuff that I wright when I am in the nether zones thinking away.

I don't post these things there because I want to instruct....I just post my thoughts. They seem to be a lot clearer when I blog them....than when I think them.

Sometimes I want to re-create the world, and let people invent themselves and their surroundings. I think we should all enjoy our time on this earth, and this is my way of doing it.

Right....so coming into 2011, my goal is to get 200 people per day on my blog...and I have no clue how I am going to do that!  Any suggestions?

Herbal Cupboard Make-over

Yes...I know...I have a warped sense of humour. But a witches Herbal Cupboard needs to have eerie things of fantasy fauna and witchy lore....or else its...well...boring.

So I dreamed up a bunch of labels and a nice collection of bottles, all the same size.

 So ..."ahem".... I have managed to collect a bit of "Dried Fairy Wings" taken from the donations of a special family of Fairies who shed their wings once per year. (so I told my daughter) and I have also managed to collect and dry some Toad Skin, which was then chipped up for easier use.

They are actually dried hibiscus petals (wings) and dried orange peel (toad skin)...LOL.... but these labels are waaaayyyy more fun, and they freak the hell out of people. My son had a good laugh.  I have also managed to collect a stash of "Road killed Newt Eyeballs" all flattened nicely...(pumpkin seeds), but still have to make the label for those.

Here is a tea which is good for gas, and bloated tummies:

TOAD TEA


Two tablespoons of Toad Skin Chips (Full moon alchemists brand)
One table spoon grated ginger


Boil with three cups of water and sweeten with brown sugar. 
Drink for bloated tummies, or gassy stomachs. Makes a great morning tea to wake up digestion.

Creepy short film from Pixar's Rodrigo Blaas

Heh heh heh........

Ark

Sharing a short Clip I found on you tube...can't find the creator's Name though.