News From the Oracle

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News From the Oracle Volume 2 Issue 3

Featured Article: More Articles:

3 March 2022

St Patrick Leprechauns Story of Goddess Astarte The story of Tyr


Table of Contents Feature: St. Patrick

4-8

Power Items

9-44

Magical Poetry Recipes,Spells Potions

45-59

60-70

Mythology: The Story of Mars, ,Teutates, ,Tyr, Astarte, Minerva, Kuna

71-98

Classifieds 99 History of: March, ,Lucky Charms

100-107

Tarot Cards

108-109

Oracle Cards

110-111

Witchy DIY

112-116

Celebrations: Ostara Matronalia .

Mythic Creature: Loch Ness Monster, Golem, Gnome

Folk Lore:

Leprechaun, Aqrabuamelu

117-120 121-131 132-138

Spotlight on: Lady Gloriana Demons:

Oni

139

Witch Trials--The Trier Witch Trials

144-150

Astrological Sign: Pisces

151-160

Congratulations

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140-143

161

13 Sisters of Delphi


13 Sisters of Delphi Elder High Priestess

RavensThorn

Elder High Priestess

Lady Gloriana

High Priestess

Bee

High Priestess in Training Britannica Lady Belissama Lady Gaea

Lady Artemis Feronia

Mawu Cardea Wings of Tiamat

Members

Thalassadorite Morningstar Khaos

Iria Lima

Luna Rain

Lady Atira

Amphritrite

Feronia

Bella Bloodmoon

Freya Gloid

Terra Gaea Willow Yggdrasil

Rhiannon Moon

Poe Fanatic

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Sekmet

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Feature Story: St. Patrick Shared By : High Priestess, R avensThorn The Real St. Patrick Was Born in Britain

M u c h o f w h at i s k n ow n ab o u t St. Pat r i c k ’s l i fe h as b e e n i nte r wove n w i t h fo l k l o re an d l e g e n d. H i sto r i an s g e n e ral l y b e l i e ve t h at St. Pat r i c k , t h e p at ro n sai nt o f I re l an d, was b o r n i n B r i t ai n ( n o t I re l an d ) n e ar t h e e n d o f t h e 4 t h ce nt u r y.

While St. Pat r i ck ’s Day is now a s s o ci ated with wea r i ng green , p a ra d es (when t hey ’re not ca nceled ) a n d beer, t he h o li d ay i s ground ed i n h i s to r y that dates b a ck mo re than 1, 500 yea rs. The ea r li es t k nown celebrat i o ns were held i n t h e 17t h centur y o n M a rch 17, ma r k i ng t h e annivers a r y o f t h e d eath o f St. Pat r i ck in the 5t h cent ur y.

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At ag e 1 6 h e was k i d n ap p e d by I r i sh rai d e r s an d so l d as a sl ave to a Ce l t i c p r i e st i n N o r t h e r n I re l an d. Af te r to i l i n g fo r si x ye ar s as a sh e p h e rd, h e e sc ap e d b ac k to B r i t ai n . H e e ve nt u al l y re t u r n e d to I re l an d as a Ch r i st i an m i ssi o n ar y. There Were No Snakes Around for St. Patrick to Banish from Ireland

Am o n g t h e l e g e n d s asso c i ate d w i t h St. Pat r i c k i s t h at h e sto o d ato p an I r i sh h i l l si d e an d b an i sh e d sn ak e s f ro m I re l an d — p ro m p t i n g al l se r p e nt s to sl i t h e r away i nto t h e

se a. I n f ac t, resea rc h su g g e st s s na k es never o cc u p i e d the E m era l d Isl e i n t h e fir st pl a ce. Th e re are no signs o f sn ak e s in the co u nt r y ’s fossil re co rd. And water h as su r ro u nded I re l an d si nce the l a st g l ac i al p e r iod. B efore t h at, t h e region wa s cove re d i n ice a nd wo u l d h ave been too co l d fo r t he reptil es. Leprechauns Are Likely Based on Celtic Fairies

Th e re d - h aired, gre e n - c l o thed Le p re c h au n is co m m o n l y a ssoc iated w i t h St. Patr ic k ’s D ay. Th e or igina l I r i sh n am e for these f i g u re s o f fol k l ore i s “ l o b ai rcin,” m e an i n g “sm a l l b o d i e d fe ll ow.” B e l i e f i n l eprec ha uns l i k e l y ste ms from Ce l t i c b e l ief in f ai r i e s— tiny m en an d wo m e n w ho co u l d u se their

13 Sisters of Delphi


Feature Story Continued magi ca l p owers to ser ve g o o d o r ev i l. I n Celt i c fo lkt a les, leprech a uns were crank y s o uls, respo n s i b le fo r mendi n g t h e s ho es of th e o t h er f a i r i es. The Shamrock Was Considered a Sacred Plant

Three -lea f clovers symb o li ze s p r i n g. The sh a mro ck , a three -lea f clover, has been a s s o ci ated with I rela n d fo r centu r i es. I t was ca lled t h e “s eam roy ” by the Celt s a n d was co ns i d ered a sacre d p la nt t hat symb o li zed t h e ar r iva l o f s p r i ng. Accord i n g to leg en d, St. Pat r i ck u s ed t h e p la nt a s a vis ua l g ui d e wh en expla i n i n g t h e Holy Tr i ni t y. B y th e 17t h cent ur y, the sh a mro ck h a d

13 Sisters of Delphi

b e co m e a sy m b o l o f e m e rgi n g I r i sh n at i o n al i sm . The First St. Patrick’s Day Parade Was Held in America

Wh i l e p e o p l e i n I re l an d h ad ce l e b rate d St. Pat r i c k si n ce t h e 1 6 0 0 s, t h e t rad i t i o n o f a St. Pat r i c k ’s D ay p arad e b e g an i n Am e r i c a an d ac t u al l y p re d ate s t h e fo u n d i n g o f t h e U n i te d St ate s. R e co rd s sh ow t h at a St. Pat r i c k ’s D ay p arad e was h e l d o n M arc h 1 7 , 1 6 0 1 i n a S p an i sh co l o ny i n w h at i s n ow St. Au g u st i n e, Fl o r i d a. Th e p arad e, an d a St. Pat r i c k ’s D ay ce l e b rat i o n a ye ar e ar l i e r we re o rg an i ze d by t h e S p an i sh Co l o ny ’s I r i sh v i c ar R i c ard o Ar t u r. M o re t h an a ce nt u r y l ate r, h o m e si c k I r i sh so l d i e r s se r v i n g i n t h e E n g l i sh m i l i t ar y m arc h e d i n B o sto n i n 1 7 3 7 an d i n N e w Yo r k Ci t y o n M arc h

1 7 . E nt h u s ia sm for t h e St. Patr ic k ’s Day p arad e s i n N ew Yor k Ci t y, B o ston a nd o t h e r e ar l y Am er ic a n c i t i e s o n l y grew f ro m t h e re. I n 2 0 2 0 and 2 0 2 1 , p arad e s t h roughout t h e co u nt r y, inc l uding i n N e w Yo r k Cit y a nd B o sto n we re c a ncel ed o r p o st p o n ed for t h e f i r st t im e in d e c ad e s due to the o u t b re ak of the CO VID - 1 9 vir us. The Irish Were Once Scorned in America

Wh i l e I r i sh Am e r i c an s a re now p ro u d to showc a se t h e i r h e r i ta ge, the I r i sh we re not al ways ce l ebrated by fe l l ow Am er ic a ns. B e gi n n i n g in 1 8 4 5 , a d e vast ating p o t ato b l i ght c a used w i d e sp re ad hunger t h ro u g h o u t I rel a nd. Wh i l e ap p roxim atel y 1 m i l l i o n per ished, an o t h e r 2 m il l ion ab an d o n e d their l a nd

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Feature Story: St. Patrick in the la rg es t-s i n g le popu lat i o n movem ent of the 19t h cent ur y. M os t o f t h e exi les — near ly a q ua r ter o f the I r i s h n at i o n — came to t he s ho res of the U ni ted St ates. O nce t h ey a r r i ved, the I r i s h ref ug ees were lo o ked d own upon a s d i s ea s e r id d en, un s k i lled and a d ra i n o n welfare b ud g et s. Corned Beef and Cabbage Was an American Innovation

The m ea l t hat becam e a St. Pat r i ck ’s Day s t a p le a cro s s t h e cou nt r y— co r ned b eef and ca b b a g e —wa s a n Amer i ca n i nnovat i o n. While h a m a n d cabba g e were eaten in I rela n d, co r ned beef of fered a cheap er s ub s t i t ute for im p over i s h ed immigra nt s. I r i s h Amer i ca ns li v i ng i n the s lum s o f lower M anh at t a n i n t h e late 19t h cent ur y a nd

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e ar l y 2 0 t h , p u rc h ase d l e f tove r co r n e d b e e f f ro m sh i p s re t u r n i n g f ro m t h e te a t rad e i n Ch i n a. Th e I r i sh wo u l d b o i l t h e b e e f t h re e t i m e s— t h e l ast t i m e w i t h c ab b ag e — to re m ove so m e o f t h e b r i n e. The legend of Saint Patrick I t i s k n ow n t h at h e was rai se d n e ar a v i l l ag e c al l e d B an n a Ve mt a B u r n i ae b u t i t s l o c at i o n c an n o t b e i d e nt i f i e d. I t m ay h ave b e e n l ow l an d S co t l an d b u t i s e q u al l y l i k e l y to h ave b e e n Wal e s, w h i c h was u n d e r R o m an co nt ro l at t h e t i m e. Pat r i c k ’s re al n am e was p ro b ab l y M ae w y n S u cc at. H i s f at h e r, Cal p o r n i u s, was a R o m an - B r i t i sh ar my o f f i ce r an d a d e aco n . D e sp i te t h i s f am i l y i nvo l ve m e nt i n t h e c h u rc h , t h e yo u n g Pat r i c k was n o t a b e l i e ve r. H i s l i fe

was o rd i n ar y, an d co m p l etel y u n exce p t i ona l, until t h e ag e o f 1 6 . The l e g e n d o f S a int Pat r i c k h a s evol ved during the 1500o d d ye ar s since t h e m i ssi ona r y b ro u g ht C hr istia nit y to I re l an d. M uc h e m b e l l i sh e d in the te l l i n g, h i s stor y ha s b e co m e a m ix ture o f t r u t h , myth an d al l e g or y. Af te r t rai ning a s a p r i e st an d bishop, Pat r i c k ar r ived in I re l an d i n 4 3 2 AD an d i m m e diatel y se t ab o u t tr ying to cove r t t h e pa ga n Ce l t s w h o inha bited t h e i sl an d. H av i n g p re viousl y l i ve d an d wor k ed t h e re, h e wa s ver y p ro b ab l y a l rea dy aware t h at the n u m b e r t h ree hel d sp e c i al si gnific a nce i n Ce l t i c t ra dition ( an d, i n d e ed, i n m any p a ga n b e l i e fs) , a nd

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Feature Story Continued he ap p li ed t hi s k now led g e i n a clever way. He us ed t h e sham ro ck , a t hree leave d clover whi ch grows a ll over t h e is land, to exp la i n the Ch r i s t i a n concep t o f t he H o ly Tr ini t y i e t he t h eo r y that G o d t h e Fat h er, G od t he S o n a nd G od t he H o ly S p i r i t are ea ch s ep a rate elem ent s o f j us t o n e entit y. Saint Patrick’s Breastplate

Attr ib uted to St Pat r i ck , t h e poem k n own a s The D eer ’s Cr y or St Pat r i ck ’s Breast p late tells the sto r y o f how t h e saint us ed a p ower called fét h f í a d a to trans fo r m hi ms elf and h i s co mp a ni o n into wi ld d eer s o that t h ey co uld es cap e a mb us h wh i le on th ei r way to preac h at t he H i ll of Ta ra .

13 Sisters of Delphi

Th i s royal h i l l i n t h e B oy n e Val l e y was t h e an c i e nt c ap i t al o f I re l an d an d, to t h e D r u i d s, t h e sac re d d we l l i n g p l ace o f t h e i r g o d s.

S o, w h e n St Patr ic k l i t a f i re i n a dva nce o f H i g h K i ng Lao g h ai re, he wa s d e l i b e ratel y inviting at te nt i o n from the p ag an c h i e fs.

Awai t i n g t h e i r ar r i val, an d w i t h e ve r y i nte nt i o n o f at t ac k i n g o r i m p r i so n i n g t h e t wo Ch r i st i an s, t h e i r Ce l t i c ad ve r sar i e s saw o n l y a d e e r w i t h a f aw n ro am i n g ac ro ss t h e f i e l d s. As a re su l t o f t h i s p owe r, t h e m i ssi o n ai r i e s su cce ssf u l l y re ac h e d t h e H i l l w i t h o u t i n c i d e nt.

Th e d r u i d el der s we re se nt by Lao g h ai re to i nve st i g ate a nd t h e y re p o r ted ba c k t h at Pat r i c k ’s fire h ad m agi ca l power s b e c au se t hey coul d n o t p u t i t out. Th e y war ned that i f t h e K i n g did not ex t i n g u i sh Patr ic k ’s f i re, i t wo ul d b u r n fo re ver.

The magic fire Th e Ce l t i c fe ast o f B e l t ai n e ( Fe ast o f t h e Fi re s) was a m aj o r fe st i val to ce l e b rate t h e b e gi n n i n g o f su m m e r an d t r i u m p h ove r t h e d ar k p owe r s. Trad i t i o n al l y, a f i re wo u l d b e l i t by I re l an d ’s H i g h K i n g o n t h e to p o f t h e H i l l o f Tara, an d h i s f i re wo u l d t h e n b e u se d to l i g ht al l o t h e r f i re s.

K i n g Lao gha ire wa s u n ab l e to ex tinguish t h e sai nt ’s fire an d acce pted that Pat r i c k ’s ‘ma gic ’ was st ro n ger t h an h i s. Al t h o u g h he did not c h o o se to conver t to Ch r i st i an i t y him sel f, t h e K i n g e ndor sed Pat r i c k ’s mission to co nve r t t he I r ish.

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Feature Story: St. Patrick The Celtic Cross This leg en d o f S aint Pat r i ck b egi ns with t he mi s s i o n a r y preach i n g clo s e to a p a g a n s t a n d i n g ston e. Th e lat ter would have been co n s i d ered sacre d to s o m e o f his aud i en ce o f pote nt i a l co nver t s beca us e i t wa s alread y ca r ved wi t h a circle. This ma r k wo uld have b een f a m i li a r to all p a g a n s as a s y mb o l o f the sun o r m o o n god s. St Pat r i ck is cred i ted wi t h d raw i n g a C hr i s t i a n ( or Lat i n) cro s s thro ug h t h e ci rcle, and b les s i ng the sto n e. I n th i s way, i t i s said, he created t he first I r i s h Celt i c Cros s a n d s howed himself wi lli n g to ad a p t heat hen prac t i ces a nd symb o ls to C hr i s t i a n

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b e l i e fs i n o rd e r to e ase t h e t ran si t i o n f ro m p ag an to Ch r i st i an . Blackbirds on Croagh Patrick

St Pat r i c k sp e nt t h e fo r t y d ays o f Le nt ( t h e Ch r i st i an p e r i o d o f f ast i n g o r se l f - d e n i al p r i o r to E aste r ) o n a m o u nt ai n i n Co u nt y M ayo. Th e m o u nt ai n i s n ow k n ow n as Cro ag h Pat r i c k . D u r i n g t h e se d ays, h e was h arasse d by d e m o n s d i sg u i se d as b l ac k b i rd s. Th e b i rd s fo r m e d su c h d e n se c l u ste r s t h at t u r n e d t h e sk y b l ac k . B u t acco rd i n g to t h i s l e g e n d, S ai nt Pat r i c k co nt i n u e d to p ray an d ran g h i s b e l l as a p ro c l am at i o n o f h i s f ai t h .

Ch r i st i an fa ith until J u d g e m e nt Day. Banishing the snakes

Pro b ab l y as fa m ous as t h e sto r y of the sh am ro c k is the l e g e n d o f S a int Pat r i c k d r iving a l l t h e sn ak e s of I rel a nd i nto t h e sea w here t h e y d row ned. I t i s, h owe ver, ver y u n l i k e l y t here were e ve r any sna k es i n I re l an d ! This p ar t i c u l ar l egend o f S ai nt Patr ic k is e asy to t ransl ate: sn ak e s were sa c red to t h e D r uids; their b an i sh m e nt refl ec ts St Pat r i c k ’s success at re m ov i n g pa ga n i n f l u e n ce from t h e i sl an d.

I n an swe r to h i s p raye r s, an an g e l ap p e are d an d to l d h i m t h at al l h i s p e t i t i o n s o n b e h al f o f t h e I r i sh p e o p l e wo u l d b e grante d an d t h e y wo u l d re t ai n t h e i r

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Animal-

Cou g a r mea ni n g s and s y mb o li s m includ e p ro tec t i o n, agilit y, a d a p t a b i li t y, s ecrec y, b ea ut y, a nd wealth . Th e co ug a r (also refer red to as a m o unt a i n lion, pum a , o r panth er) i s nat i ve to the Amer i ca s, wi t h a range t hat s p a n s from t h e Yuko n i n Canad a a ll t he way to Tie r ra d el Fueg o in Arg ent i na . As a res ult, t h es e wi ld cats are s ub j ec t s i n the my t ho lo g y o f cultu res t h ro ug h o ut the Amer i ca s. I n this p o s t, yo u’ ll lear n a b o ut co ug a r s ymbo li s m a n d meani n g s, t he co ug a r s pir it a ni ma l, a n d cou g a r my t ho lo g y.

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Cougar

Th i s p o st w i l l al so i n c l u d e t h e sy m b o l i sm an d my t h o l o g y o f t h e m o u nt ai n l i o n , p ant h e r, an d p u m a ( t h e al te r n at i ve n am e s fo r co u g ar ) an d I m ay u se t h e wo rd s i nte rc h an g e ab l y t h ro u g h o u t t h i s p o st. What does a cougar symbolize?

• • • • • •

Pro te c t i o n Agi l i t y Ad ap t ab i l i t y S e c re c y B e au t y We al t h

Etymology of the Names for Cougar

B e fo re we b e gi n , I t h o u g ht I wo u l d m e nt i o n so m e o f t h e m e an i n g s b e h i n d t h e m any n am e s gi ve n to t h i s t aw ny- co l o re d c at. Are cougars panthers?

Wh i l e co u g ar s, m o u nt ai n l i o n s, an d p u m as are so m e t i m e s re fe r re d to as p ant h e r s, t h e wo rd “p ant h e r ” i s a g e n e ral te r m t h at c an b e u se d to d e sc r i b e l e o p ard s, j ag u ar s, co u g ar s, p u m as,

m o u nt ai n l ions, t i g e r s, an d l ions. The wo rd “p anther ” is d e r i ve d f rom L atin an d i t l o o sel y m ea ns a h u nte r ’s c atc h. What is the meaning of the word cougar?

Th e wo rd “couga r ” i s m o st- l i k el y d e r i ve d f rom I n d i g e n o us S outh Am e r i c an words for co u g ar as they were i nte r p re ted by 1 8 th ce nt u r y Frenc h a nd Po r t u g u e s e expl orer s. Th e wo rd “pum a” i s d e r i ve d from t h e I n c a ter m for “p owe r f u l ” a s wel l as K ay Pac ha , w hic h l o o se l y t ra nsl ates to “ t h i s wor l d ” or t h e “ wo r l d of the l i v i n g.” Couga r s are al so c a l l ed “c at am o u nts,” w h i c h m e ans c at of t h e m o u nta ins. H e re are deta il s on co u g ar sy m bol s a nd m e an i n g s a nd w hat t h e y m i g ht m ea n in yo u r l i fe : Protection

M o u nt ai n l ions a re f i e rce l y p rotec tive

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Power Items Animalcreatures. Wh en m a le mou nt a i n li o ns f i g ht for a ter r i to r y, i t i s of ten to t h e d eat h . Even co ug a r cub s a re feroci o us. I n f a c t, wild li fe b i o lo gi s t s s ay th ey a re nea r ly impos s i b le to t a me. Fu r th er m o re, a mother mo unt a i n lion i s es p eci a lly prote c t i ve o f her b a b i es. As an a rch et y p e for pro tec t i ven es s, the co ug a r remi nd s us th at we s h o uld never b eco m e pas s i ve when i t come s to p ro tec t i n g those we love a n d that w h i ch we ho ld d ear. Thi s ca n mea n prote c t i n g o ur f a m i ly and fr i en d s o r i t can ex ten d to o ur comm uni t i es a n d collea g ues. I t can a ls o mea n prote c t i n g n at ure o r other ca us es we ca re abou t. I n a d d i t i o n, prote c t i ven es s ca n ex tend to o ur h ea lt h ,

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Cougar

o u r c re at i ve i d e as, an d o u r h o m e s. Th e co u g ar sp i r i t an i m al re m i n d s yo u to b e f i e rce w h e n i t co m e s to p ro te c t i n g t h o se an d t h at w h i c h are i m p o r t ant to yo u. Mountain Lion Symbolism: Agility

Th e m o u nt ai n i s t h e h i k e r, t rai l r u n n e r, an d ro c k c l i m b e r o f t h e an i m al k i n g d o m . Th e y c an e asi l y sc al e ste e p ro c k s f ace s, j u m p as h i g h as 1 8 fe e t, an d l e ap d i st an ce s o f 4 0 fe e t Fo r t h e se re aso n s, t h e co u g ar i s a sy m b o l o f agi l i t y. Th e y re m i n d u s to b e qu i c k o n o u r fe e t – b o t h l i te ral l y an d f i g u rat i ve l y. I n ste ad o f b e i n g r i gi d, we sh o u l d st r i ve to b e f l ex i b l e i n m i n d an d b o d y. Th i s d o e sn’t m e an b e i n g we ak – t h e co u g ar i s any t h i n g b u t we ak . I t m e an s to b e re ad y to p o u n ce o n w h ate ve r co m e s o u r

way – w h e ther i t ’s c h al l e nges o r o p p o r t unities. Adaptability Th e co u g ar c a n l i ve i n a va r iet y o r e nv i ro n m ents, f ro m ar i d deser ts to fo re st s to high m o u nt ai n ra nges. An d w h i l e they ’re p r i m ar y d i et is d e e r, e l k , and other u n g u l ate s, the co u g ar w i ll a l so eat sm al l an i m a l s, l ik e rab b i t s and m ice, as we l l as insec ts. Wh i l e t h e couga r is n o t as o m nivorous as t h e b e a r, they d e m o n st rate a n i m p re ssi ve a bil it y to ad ap t. Th u s, t h e couga r sp i r i t an i m a l is a h e l p f u l sy m bol that re m i n d s us of how i m p o r t ant it is to b e w i l l i n g to a da pt an d t r y n e w things. Ch an g e i s inevita bl e an d re si st i ng c ha nge c an b e wor se tha n e m b rac i n g it.

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items AnimalThe co ug a r a d a p t s to sur v i ve a nd t h r i ve and yo u ca n to o. Secrecy The Nat i ve Amer i ca ns s ay the m o unt a i n lion wa lks i n mocc a s i n s t hat no on e ca n h ea r. L ik e t he t i g er a nd the alli g ato r, t he cou g a r i s a n a m b us h pred ato r. Th ey s t a lk their p rey s i lent ly, waitin g fo r t h e per fec t t i m e to atta ck . The co ug a r i s a ls o a s ymbo l fo r t h e a r t o f camo uf la g e. Co ug a r cubs h ave s p o t s fo r prote c t i o n i n t h ei r d ens. H owever, wh en the m o unt a i n li o n grows up, their t awny co at s help to ca m o uf la g e them o n ro cks a n d other la n d s ca p es s o they a re mo re s ucces s f ul h unters. As a s y mb o l o f s ecrec y, t he co ug a r is a re mi nd er o f t he

11

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i m p o r t an ce o f p at i e n ce an d d i sc re t i o n . Af te r al l, we l i ve i n a so c i e t y t h at val u e s at te nt i o n se e k i n g b e h av i o r. Th e co u g ar re m i n d s u s o f t h e ad vant ag e o f p r i vac y an d d i sc re t i o n . B u si n e ss p e o p l e u n d e r st an d t h e i m p o r t an ce o f o p e rat i n g i n ste al t h m o d e b e fo re g o i n g to m ar k e t w i t h a p ro d u c t o r i d e a. B y t h e sam e to k e n , c re at i ve p e o p l e k n ow to k e e p t h e i r i d e as u n d e r w rap s u nt i l t h e y are re ad y fo r sh ow t i m e. Th e co u g ar sp i r i t an i m al re m i n d s yo u t h at t h e b e st ap p ro ac h c an b e p at i e n ce an d se l f - co nt ai n m e nt e ve n t h o u g h yo u m i g ht want to p o u n ce. Beauty K n ow n fo r t h e i r fe ro c i t y, t h e co u g ar i s al so b e au t i f u l. Wi t h t h e i r g o l d e n - gre e n e ye s an d t aw ny co at s, t h e y si m u l t an e o u sl y m e sm e r i ze an d te r r i f y u s. Ye t t h e i r b e au t y

d o e sn’t stop at how t h e y l o o k ; it ’s a l so in h ow t h e y m ove. The co u g ar m aneuver s i n t h e i r e nvironm ent w i t h agi l i t y, st re n g t h , gra ce. As a sy m b ol of b e au t y, t h e couga r re m i n d s us that b e au t y g oes beyond t h e su p e r fic ia l. I t ’s al so i n h ow we m ove, h ow we conduc ts o u r se l ve s, a nd the ac t i o n s we ta k e. Wealth I n S o u t h Am er ic a , t h e Q u e c hua Peopl e b e l i e ve t h at seeing a p u m a i s a positive o m e n t h at w il l b r i n g g o o d for tune. Th u s, t h e Q uec hua asso c i ate the couga r w i t h we al th. To t h e n o r th, the N at i ve Am er ic a ns l e ar n e d about good h u nt i n g spots from m o u nt ai n l ions. They al so say t h ey l ea r ned h u nt i n g sk il l s from t h e co u g ar. Th u s, fo r the I n d i g e n o us Peopl es o f t h e Am e r ic a s, the

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Power Items Animalmou nt a i n li o n i s a s ymb o l o f wea lt h and p ro s p er i t y. Pop Culture Cougar: Older Women Who Date Younger Men

I n pop ula r cult ure, the te r m co ug a r has als o co m e to s ymb o li ze a wo ma n who dates a yo un g er man. S o me s ay t he ter m o r i gi n ated i n Canad a to d es cr i b e wome n i n b a rs who were “o n t h e prow l ” to f i nd a mate. While i ni t i a lly t he ter m wa s i ntend ed to be d ero g ato r y, i t s wid e us e i n p o p ula r cultu re h a s s o f tened the inten d ed i ns ult to a d egree, b ut no t by much. I n fac t, t he way the te r m i s us ed i s d isres p ec t f ul to b o t h wome n a nd mo unt a i n lions – j us t a s ca lli n g ever y m a n wh o d ates a youn g er wo ma n a “sug a r d a d d y.”

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Pe r h ap s we c an al l agre e t h at i f t wo ad u l t s are i n a co n se n su al re l at i o n sh i p i t ’s t h e i r b u si n e ss an d we d o n’t h ave to t r y to i n su l t o r hurt them with n am e - c al l i n g ? Cougar and Mountain Lion Mythology Native American Cougar Meanings

Wh i l e e ve r y N at i ve Am e r i c an t r i b e h as t h e i r ow n se t o f b e l i e fs an d t rad i t i o n s, i n g e n e ral, m o st t r i b e s re ve re an d fe ar t h e m o u nt ai n l i o n . H owe ve r, so m e t r i b e s h ave a m o re n e g at i ve v i e w w h i l e o t h e r s h ave a m o re p o si t i ve o n e. Fo r ex am p l e, t h e Ap ac h e b e l i e ve d t h e so u n d o f a co u g ar grow l i n g was an e v i l o m e n an d a h ar b i n g e r o f d e at h . Th e y al so asso c i ate d t h e co u g ar w i t h w i tc h c raf t. Th e N at i ve Am e r i c an s w h o l i ve d o n t h e E ast Co ast o f t h e U. S . , f ro m O h i o to Fl o r i d a, to l d t al e s o f an u n d e r wate r p ant h e r w h o g u ard e d wate r ways.

Th e c re at u re wa s m o st l i k e l y ba sed o n an al l i gator or c ro co d i l e, but it ’s te l l i n g t h at the t r i b e s d e sc r ibed it a s a f i e rce p a nther. Seminole and Shawnee

Wh i l e t h e S em inol e Pe o p l e sp ok e of the u n d e r wate r pa nther, t h e y, al o n g w ith the S h aw n e e, saw the co u g ar as a power ful m e d i c i n e anim a l w h o b ro u ght good l u c k i n h u nting. I n f ac t, m a ny tr ibes u se d p ar t s of the m o u nt ai n l ion, i n c l u d i n g their f u r, fo r var ious sp i r i t u al cerem onies. Shoshone

Fo r t h e S h oshone Pe o p l e, t h e couga r i s a sac re d a nim a l al o n g w i t h the b o b c at, wol f, a nd fox . I n S h oshone t rad i t i o n , these an i m al s are never to b e h u nte d. Acco rd i n g to S h o sh o n e l egends, o n ce a ve r y viol ent

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Animal- Cougar and b lo o d t h i rs t y tr ibe i nva d ed t hei r ter r ito r y. S o t h e Shos ho ne s o ug ht ou t th e h elp o f t hei r med ici ne ma n.

D u r in g a v i s i o n quest, t he med i ci ne man s p o ke to t h e cou g a r who to ld h i m that h e, t h e wo lf s pir it a n i ma l, t he fox sp i r i t, a n d t h e bobcat wo uld p ro tec t the Sho s h o ne Peo p le on th e gro un d s i f they vowed to n ever hu nt t h em . Th us, a pac t b et ween t h e Shos ho ne a nd t h es e power a n i ma ls was m a d e.

Pueblo People

For th e Pueb lo t r i b es of the S o ut hwes t, t he mou nt a i n li o n is one o f s i x d irec ti o n a l g uardi a n s : • •

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The m o unt a i n li o n is the p ro tec to r o f the No r t h. The b ea r i s t h e protec to r o f the Wes t.

• •

Th e wo l f i s t h e g u ard i an o f t h e E ast. Th e b ad g e r p ro te c t s the South. Th e m o l e i s t h e g u ard i an o f t h e i n n e r E ar t h . Th e e ag l e i s t h e p ro te c to r o f t h e S k y. Toho Spirit Guide

Th e Zu n i , M o h ave, an d H o p i t r i b e s te l l sto r i e s o f a g u ard i an sp i r i t n am e d To h o w h o t ak e s t h e fo r m o f a m o u nt ai n l i o n ( o r b o b c at. ) To h o p rov i d e s p ro te c t i o n an d g o o d l u c k i n h u nt i n g. Navajo

Th e N avaj o te l l sto r i e s o f t h e Ch an gi n g Wo m an , w h o i s a fe r t i l i t y g o d d e ss an d p ro te c to r o f t h e p e o p l e. Th e Ch an gi n g Wo m an to l d t h e N avaj o t h at co u g ar wo u l d b e o n e o f t h e p ro te c to r s o f t h e p e o p l e. Co u g ar s are k n ow n to y i e l d p ar t t h e i r p re y to b e ar s, wo l ve s, an d e ve n al l i g ato r s. Th e N avaj o b e l i e ve d t h e y wo u l d

al so l e ave pa r t of t h e i r p re y for the p e o p l e to eat. Hopi Mountain Lion Meanings

Fo r t h e H opi, the co u g ar i s a power ful an d sac re d being. Th e H o p i view the m o u nt ai n l ion a s the st ro n g e st a nd m ost fe ar l e ss h unter a s we l l as a protec tor o f t h e t r i be. Cougar Clans M o st N at i ve Am e r i c an tr ibes are b ase d a round a c l an syste m , w hic h i s a co m m unit y o rg an i zat ion that i t ro o te d in the m ate r n al fa m il y l ine. E ac h c l an is asso c i ate d w i t h a sp e c ific an i m al, i n c l uding h u m m i n g bird c l a ns, b e ar c l an s, fox c l an s, wo l f c l a ns, an d o t h e r s. Th e c l an anim a l se r ve s as a gua rdia n an d sp e c i al protec tor o f t h e m e m ber s of t h e c l an . Native Am e r i c an tr ibes w ith co u g ar c l ans inc l ude

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Animalthe C h i p p ewa , Creek , Chick a s aw, Ca d d o, Shawnee, O s a g e, and Pueb lo. Puma in Incan Mythology

For th e a n ci ent peoples o f t he And es, includ i n g t h e I nca s, the co ug a r, o r p uma , was an at tend a nt of thei r creato r d eit y Vi ra co ch a . As the creato r o f t h e Unive rs e, t h e s un , moon, a n d s t a rs, Viraco cha overs aw the th ree wo r ld s o f the g o d s, t he li v i n g, and t h e d ea d. Viraco cha i s s ome t i mes d ep i c ted with t hree g ua rd i a n anima ls : a co n d o r, a pu m a , a nd a s er pe nt. The I nca s believed t h e co n d o r comm uni cated wi t h the g o d s i n t h e up p er wor ld a nd t h e mi d d le wor ld, whi ch wa s t h e wor ld o f huma ns.

14

Cougar

M e anw h i l e, t h e p u m a, o r co u g ar, re p re se nte d t h e wo r l d o f h u m an s, w h i c h t h e I n c as c al l e d K ay Pac h a, o r t h e wo r l d o f t h e l i v i n g. Fi n al l y, t h e se r p e nt, o r sn ak e, was t h e g u ard i an o f t h e u n d e r wo r l d, o r t h e wo r l d o f t h e d e ad. Th e I n c as al so v i e we d t h e p u m a as a d o o r way b e t we e n wo r l d s. Th e y saw t h e co n ste l l at i o n t h at i s k n ow n as G e m i n i s as t wo p u m as i n t h e sk y. I n f ac t, t h e y c al l i t t h e Pu m a Yu nt a co n ste l l at i o n . Fu r t h e r m o re, t h e y sai d t h at w h e n so l ar o r l u n ar e c l i p se s h ap p e n , i t m e an s o n e o f t h e p u m as i s j u m p i n g at t h e su n o r m o o n an d t ak i n g a b i te o u t o f i t. Cougar Spirit Animal

I f a co u g ar m ak e s t h e m se l ve s k n ow n to yo u i n re al l i fe o r ar t, l i te rat u re, o r t h e m e d i a, p ay at te nt i o n . Th e re are n o co i n c i d e n ce s.

Yo u r sp i r i t a nim a l se r ve s as a guide to h e l p you on your so u l ’s j o u r ney. As sy m b o l s of p ro te c t i o n , a gil it y, we al t h , and bea ut y, t h e co u g ar spir it an i m al re m inds you t h at yo u have the ab i l i t y to ta p into t h e se at t r ibutes. I n ad d i t i o n , you have a f i e rce p ro tec tor on yo u r si d e. Cougar Power Animal

As t h e n am e im pl ies, a p owe r anim a l c a n e m p owe r you w ith t h e i r m o st dyna m ic t rai t s. S o, if you want to t ra nsfor m an are a o f your l i fe, co n si der the at t r i b u te s that yo u r p ower an i m al re presents. Fo r ex am pl e, you c an su m m on the co u g ar p ower a nim a l w h e n yo u : •

Fe e l t h at you n e e d to be m ore p ro te c tive of yo u r b ounda r ies, w h e t h er they be p hysi c a l, spir itua l,

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Animal- Cougar •

fin a n ci a l, o r ps ych o lo gi ca l. Th i nk t h ere may b e p eo p le in yo ur li fe o r yo ur co m m un i t y wh o n eed mo re protec t i o n a nd yo u wa nt to t a ke ac t i o n s to help them. Wa nt to f i nd yo ur inner ra d i a nce ag a i n. Th e co ug a r power a n i ma l rem i n d s yo u to move li ke a co ug a r – f i nd yo ur a gi li t y, s treng t h, a n d grace a n d yo ur vita li t y wi ll s hi n e.

Cougar Totem An an i ma l to tem encap s ulates t h e prote c t i ve p owers of the a n i ma l i t repre s ent s. Thus, t he mou nt a i n li o n to tem is a help f ul s y mb o l for bei ng mo re a gi le and a d a p t a b le i n you r li fe. The co ug a r to tem is also a g o o d luck s ymb o l fo r p ro tec t i o n if you’re g o i n g i nto a

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c h al l e n gi n g si t u at i o n . I n ad d i t i o n , t h e co u g ar to te m i s a h e l p f u l t al i sm an fo r l i v i n g i n a m o re b e au t i f u l way – f ro m yo u r ac t i o n s to yo u r wo rd s, h ow yo u fe e l ab o u t yo u r se l f, an d yo u r e nv i ro n m e nt. Cougar Dream Meanings

M o u nt ai n l i o n s are fe ro c i o u s c re at u re s w h o c an st r i k e fe ar i n anyo n e. H owe ve r, d re am i n g o f a co u g ar sh o u l d n o t n e ce ssar i l y b e v i e we d n e g at i ve l y o r as a b ad o m e n . I f yo u d re am ab o u t a m o u nt ai n l i o n an d yo u wo n d e r w h at t h e d re am i s te l l i n g yo u, co n si d e r t h e e m o t i o n s yo u fe l t i n yo u r d re am . Fo r ex am p l e, was i t fe ar, an x i e t y, o r wo n d e r ? D re am m e an i n g s an d i nte r p re t at i o n s are p e r so n al to e ve r y i n d i v i d u al. H owe ve r, o n e t h i n g we h ave i n co m m o n i s t h at o u r su b - co n sc i o u s wo r k s t h ro u g h o u r e m o t i o n s,

an d u n d e rsta nding o u r e m o t i ons give u s i n si g hts into w h at t h e drea m m i g ht m e a n. D re am i n g of a m o u nt ai n l ion at t ac k i n g you c a n b e a si gn that yo u’re u n prepa red fo r so m e t hing. S o, t h e d re am c a n be a wak e u p c al l to wor k o n p l an n i n g a nd p re p arat i on for a n u p co m i n g event or ac t i v i t y. The drea m c an al so mea n that yo u n e e d to be m o re p ro tec tive of yo u r se l f, a per son i n yo u r l i fe, or in a sp e c i f i c si tuation. S c ar y o r anxious d re am s c an be u n p l e asant, but t h e y are of ten gif ts b e c au se i t wa s “ just a d re am .” Ye t o u r d rea m s c a n b e o u r su bconsc ious o r su p e r- consc ious se n d i n g us m essa ges ab o u t t h i n gs that we m i g ht b e over r iding o r i gn o r i n g in our co n sc i o u s state b u t so m e thing

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Power Items Animalthat we s ho uld ad d re s s. H o p ef ully, ins ight s i nto co ug a r s ymbo li s m a n d mytholo g y ca n s hed light o n wh at yo ur d ream mea ns. Cougar Tattoo Meaning

A coug a r o r mo unt a i n lion t at to o s end s power f ul m es s a g es. I t can mea n t h at yo u are a p ers o n wh o valu es b ei ng a gi le and q ui ck o n yo ur feet. Or i t may mean t h at yo u a re a fierce p ro tec to r. A coug a r t at to o ca n als o b e a tes t a ment to your love fo r the mo unt a i n s a n d the great o utd o o rs. O bvio us ly, t at to o s a re d eeply p ers o n a l to ever y i nd i v i d ua l. And h ow yo ur t at to o ar tis t p res ent s yo ur cou g a r t at to o wi ll conve y i t s own unique mes s a g e. Hopefully lea r n i n g more a b o ut co ug a r meani n g s a n d

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my t h o l o g y w i l l ad d d e e p e r m e an i n g to yo u r t at to o. Organizations that Protect Mountain Lions

As ap ex p re d ato r s, co u g ar s f ace a n u m b e r o f t h re at s, n am e l y f ro m h u m an b e i n g s. To b e i n g, t h e y are h u nte d fo r sp o r t o r by p e o p l e w h o fe e l t h re ate n e d by t h e m , w h e t h e r fo r t h e m se l ve s, t h e i r f am i l i e s, l i ve sto c k , o r p e t s. H owe ve r, i n m o st c ase s, t h e h u nt i n g o f co u g ar s i s ove r k i l l.

t h at we p rotec t t h e m . I n wil dl ife an d b i o d i ver sit y co n se r vat ion, p ro te c t i n g a n u m b re l l a s pec ies m e an s t h at m a ny o t h e r sp e cies w i t h i n t h at a nim a l ’s e co syste m w il l a l so b e p ro te c ted. B y t h e sam e tok en, if t h at u m b rel l a spec ies d i sap p e ar s, it throws t h e e nt i re ecosystem o u t o f b al a nce. https://w w w.uniguide.com/ cougar-mea ning-symbolismspir it-animal/

I n f ac t, co u g ar s rare l y at t ac k h u m an b e i n g s. I n t h e p ast ce nt u r y, 2 7 p e o p l e h ave b e e n k i l l e d by m o u nt ai n l i o n s i n N o r t h Am e r i c a. Co m p are t h i s to ab o u t 30 – 50 people who are k i l l e d by d o g s – e ve r y ye ar. Co u g ar s al so f ace t h re at s f ro m h ab i t at l o ss an d b e i n g h i t by c ar s. Ye t, b e c au se t h e y are an u m b re l l a sp e c i e s, i t ’s v i t al l y i m p o r t ant

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Power Items Bird-Sea Eagle Continued to te m s fo r t h e m i n d t h at c an p rov i d e re l ax at i o n an d d e ve l o p se l f - co n f i d e n ce i n yo u.

A S ea E a g le i s a n amazin g a ni ma l totem fo r t h e h uma n being. Thi s a ni ma l totem i s clo s ely related to ma les a n d the ess en ce o f water. I f we co ns i d er S ea Eag le a s o ur a n i ma l totem, i t gi ves us an eno r m o us awaren es s o n h unt i ng process es a n d ecologi ca l mea s ures in our co unt r y. The s ea ea g le ha s lots of b en ef i t s li ke relaxat i o n , s t res s managem ent, b et ter concent rat i o n a nd cur ing d i f ferent d iseases. I t i s o n e of the b es t a ni ma l

13 Sisters of Delphi

I t i s se l f - d i re c te d, i t ’s j u st yo u fo c u si n g by yo u r se l f. I t i s a p ro gre ssi o n f ro m r i gi d i t y i nto f l ex i b i l i t y o n al l l e ve l s o f yo u r b e i n g m e nt al, e m o t i o n al an d p hysi c al. M e d i t at i o n c an b e co n si d e re d a te c h n i qu e, o r p rac t i ce to co m m u n i c ate w i t h t h i s b i rd. I f we t ak e a l o o k o n t h e sy m b o l i c m e an i n g re l ate d to t h e S e a E ag l e s we w i l l f i n d t h e fo l l ow i n g c h arac te r i st i c s: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Pro sp e c t s i n l i fe are p o si t i ve. D e fe n se m ay b e re qu i re d. R e sp o n si b i l i t y. S u p re m ac y. Co nt ro l. Fre e d o m . Ac h i e ve m e nt. Powe r. Tal e nt. D e te r m i n at i o n . D re am s. Fre e d o m s.

• • •

M o t i vation. J u d gm ent. Le ad e r ship.

Th e se sy mbol s show t h at a S e a E a gl e’s i n f l u e n ce our l ife. Their an i m al totem is rel ated to h ard sh ip a l ong w ith i n sp i rat i on. I f the S ea E ag l e i s your a nim a l to te m o bv iousl y you w i l l h ave the a bove c h arac te r istic s in yo u r c h ara c ter. Th e S e a Ea gl e is t h e si gn of the U SA. I n l o c al Am er ic a n t rad i t i o n s the S ea E a gl e i s co n si d e red a s bl essed as a re l i gi ous hera l d t h at c ar r i es tra nq uil l it y, f r u i t f u l n e ss, respec t, se l f - d e te r m ination, p owe r, e n l ightenm ent an d b raver y. Sea Eagle as animal totem Th e S e a Ea gl e totem te ac h e s us strength to o b se r ve the utm ost re al i t y. This bird sh ows t h i s by m a k ing e qu i l i b r i u m of the ea r th an d t h e sk y a l so of the se a an d t h e ea r th.

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Power Items Bird-Sea Eagle S ea Ea g les’ med icat i o n a ls o tells us about t h e li b er t y we have. Stamina and Energy S ea Ea g le to tem teache s s t ren g t h and power o f huma n being a s a n o ut s i d er with am a z i n g b ea ut y and loveli n es s. The peo p le who have a S ea E a g le as thei r to tem a re frequent ly enfo rced to be u n a cco mp a ni ed. Their m a s s i ve b o d i es misapp rehend t h ei r wisd om o f eleg a nt author i t y a n d their p r i d e. Animal to tem o f S ea Eag le a re n at ura lly majest i c wi t h as tonis hi n g v i s i o ns, eager a p p ro a chi n g, d ar ing s t reng t h and th e h i g h es t s ympat h et i c at t i t ud e. They rep res ent t he contr ibut i o ns o f energy a ll t hro ug h their li fe a nd t h e capabi li t y to f ly

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o n to p o f any p o ssi b l e d i f f i c u l t y. Mentor for human being Wh i l e t ak i n g a t r i p to t h e se a, t h e S e a E ag l e c an g u i d e o n e toward s t h e h i g h e st re al m s, b e c au se t h e y h ave t h e b rave r y an d re si st an ce t h ro u g h a t h r u way w h i c h t ak e s t h e m st rai g ht to t h e i r te r r i to r y. Th e S e a E ag l e to te m c an h e l p o n e f i n d a way o f re cove r i n g f ro m t ro u b l e an d c an m an ag e any al te r n ate way. Inspiration and Leadership Pe o p l e w i t h t h e S e a E ag l e to te m are sp e c i al i st s i n sp i r i t u al re cove r y. Th e y sh ow t h e i r p owe r f u l d i re c t i o n to t rai l al o n g any b ran c h e s o f st re n g t h . I t c an b e d e t ai n e d i n an o t h e r p l ace i n re al m s o f sad n e ss o r p an i c. S e a E ag l e’s sy m b o l i ze s i m m e n se co u rag e t h at m ay re g ai n o n e’s i nte l l i g e n ce o f p e r so n al i t y, e l e g an ce,

b rave r y, a scension w ith h u g e p ace & e f fe c t i ve ness. Self protection and Responsibility S e a E ag l e s a re feroc ious as g u ard i a ns of their yo u n g. Th ey gua rd their yo u n g sh ow ing them se c u r i t y, power, a syl um an d su p re m a c y to any h ar m e r s. Th i s t rai t of the S ea E ag l e s ex poses the p ro te c t i ve m enta l it y an d re sp o nsibil ities of t h e p are nt. Peopl e that h ave t h i s anim a l totem c an t ak e proper c a re of t h e i r f am i l y a nd w il l su r v i ve d anger. Sea eagle meaning in Alchemy I n Al c h e my, the S ea E ag l e re p resents the m o st i m p or ta nt subjec t, t h e b e gi n ning of al c h e m i c al process. Mayan and Aztec symbol of Sea Eagle M ayan s b e l ieve that t h e S e a E agl es c a r r y t h e c u r t ai n of da r k ness

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Power Items Bird-Sea Eagle Continued

and myster y over t he s ur v i val an d re sp o n si ve n e ss. Th e y are j o i n e d w ith the beginnin g o f s un a nd ca p a b l e o f sh i n i n g l i g ht fo r o u r e ar t h . I n Celtic my t h o lo g y, S ea E a gl e s are co n n e c te d w i t h t h e re p re se nt ation of water. Po s s i b ly b eca us e t he Ce l t i c f am i l y ex p e r i e n ce d t h e i r su p e r b fa c il it y to obser ve waters wi t h a m a z i n g c l e ar n e ss. Th i s to te m i c sy m b o l sh ows our c l ea r vision for s ucces s co ns i d er i n g t h e c l e an wate r. I n conclu s i o n, we ca n d i s clo se S e a E ag l e s as a so l e l y re l ate d an i m a l that c a n g uid e u s towa rd s s ucces s a n d e n co u rag e u s to st an d w i t h st re n g t h in c a se of any d iffi cult y. Sea Eagle shows as a spirit Guide when • As k ing fo r g ui d a nce o n li fe d e c i si o n . • Show i ng s up rema c y. • We want to i n s p i re o t h ers. • We ne ed to have t h e p owe r to w i t h st an d t r i al s. • We are s eek i ng s t reng t h. Call on Sea Eagle as a spirit guide when • You n eed to m a ke t he r i ght d e c i si o n . • You n eed to b e s up er i o r w h i l e n o t p u t t i n g t h e o t h e r s o u t si d e t h e l im el ight. • You wa nt to m o t i vate s o m e o n e. • You n eed to have t h e co u rag e to f ace p ro b l e m s. • You n eed to a d d v i g o r to yo u r l i fe. https://w w w.aunt yflo.com/magic/sea- eagle

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Power Items Stone-Aquamarine

For its b ea ut i f ul clear b lue co lo r Aquam a r i n e cr ys t a l is appreci ated a ll over th e wo r ld fo r thou s a n d s o f yea rs. Aquam a r i n e i s a s par k li n g s em i precious s to n e as s oc i ated wi t h hones t y, co mp a s s i o n , comm un i cat i o n , cou rag e, s up p o r t, healin g a llergi es, cold, fever, a nd hor mo ne p ro d uc t i o n . Since t he t i m e o f Ancie nt Eg y p t, t he R oman emp i re a nd G reek s, Aq ua m a r i ne is ass o ci ated wi t h mystica l p owers a n d energi es.

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Le g e n d s we re sp re ad ab o u t i t s p ro te c t i o n c ap ab i l i t i e s, fo r p ro te c t i n g sai l o r s on their voyag e s, t rave l e r s, c l e an i n g wate r, h e al i n g si c k , an d b r i n gi n g p ro sp e r i t y. Th e y al so b e l i e ve d t h at Aqu am ar i n e sto n e w i l l p ro te c t t h e m ag ai n st sp i r i t s an d d ar k fo rce s. Aqu am ar i n e i s b l u e to a b l u e - gre e n co l o r g e m sto n e t h at i s t h e t y p e o f B e r y l c r yst al ( l i k e E m e ral d ) . Th i s c r yst al i s we l l k n ow n fo r i t s g l ass- l i k e l u ste r. Th e sh ad e o f t h e c r yst al ran g e f ro m p al e to d ar k , k n ow n fo r i t s exce l l e nt t ran sp are n c y an d h i g h c l ar i t y. M o st d e si rab l e aq u am ar i n e c r yst al s co m e w i t h d e e p l y sat u rate d co l o r.

Quick Overview M i n e ral o gy : t ype of Beryl Co l o r : b l ue, da r k b l u e, t ran spa rent b l u e - gre e n H ard n e ss: 7 .5 - 8 M o h s sc al e S p i r i t u al i t y : co m p assi on, co m m u n i cation, i n n e r p e ace, w isdom , co u rag e E m o t i o n s: c a l m ing, fe ar, an g e r, tension M e nt al : p anic at t ac k s, stress rel ief Physi c al : i m m u n e system , h o r m o n e ba l a nce, re j u ve n at i on, throat, te e t h , al l ergy R ar i t y : R a re Meaning and Use J u st as t h e na m e o f t h i s g e mstone i m p l i e s, Aq ua m a r ine e n e rg y an d hea l ing p ro p e r t i e s a re asso c i ate d w ith t h e se a. Th is stone re p re se nt s both c al m i n g e ffec ts a nd t h e h u g e power of a t i d e. We a r ing this c r yst al w i ll hel p you ove rco m e a l l ba r r ier s

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Power Items Stone-Aquamarine in life, enco ura g e you to exp res s yo ur feelings, gi ve yo u the fre ed o m a nd ins pire t rus t, ho nes t y, and trut h . Similar to t h e reflec t i o n o f t he s ea aquam a r i n e ref lec t s hid d en t rut h. I t wi ll help yo u d i s cover you r tr ue s elf, exp lo re you r s o ul a nd h elp you face o t h ers. The clea r b lue co lo r of aqua m a r i n e cr ys t a l will he lp yo u exp lo re you r li fe, i mp rove relations wi t h o t h er people, a n d h elp yo u s peak o p enly. Ever yt h i n g i s ea s i er while wea r i n g aquam a r i n e j ewelr y as it wi ll i ns p i re commu n i cat i o n , motivat i o n, help yo u be calmer a n d rep el fear an d a ng er. Th i s cr ys tal wi ll i n s p i re you to b e m o re o p en to other p eo p le, h elp others, b e k i nd er a nd compas s i o n ate.

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Yo u w i l l j u d g e e ve r y si t u at i o n b e t te r an d m an ag e yo u r ac t i v i t i e s. Physical Healing Properties

• •

- t h e p i t u i t ar y g l an d, h o r m o n e b al an ce, sk i n i n f l am m at i o n , - the immune syste m , au to i m m u n e d i se ase, al l e rg y, b o d y re j u ve n at i o n , l owe r i n g f l u i d re te nt i o n , - te e t h p ro b l e m s, so re t h ro at, l u n g s, t hy ro i d, si n u s, co l d, b ro n c h i t i s

Aqu am ar i n e p hysi c al h e al i n g p ro p e r t i e s are asso c i ate d w i t h re sp i rato r y o rg an s, t h ro at, b re at h i n g, l u n g s, an d si n u se s. Th i s c r yst al w i l l al l e v i ate fe ve r an d co l d, h e l p w i t h b ro n c h i t i s, h e al l u n g s, an d so re t h ro at. I t i s al so co n si d e re d b e n e f i c i al fo r t re at i n g sk i n re l ate d p ro b l e m s, p so r i asi s, e c ze m a, an d sk i n i n f l am m at i o n .

S o o t h i n g proper ties o f t h e c r ys ta l w il l h e l p w i t h teeth a nd g u m i ssu es, ba l a nce h o r m o n e produc tion, grow t h , t hyroid, a nd p i t u i t ar y gl a nd. I n o rd e r to get the m o st o f t h is stone, yo u sh o u l d wea r it fo r p ro l o nged tim e p e r i o d s and pl a ce it o n t h e p robl em a rea . Emotional Healing Properties

• • •

- c al m s ner ves, so o t h i n g effec t, fe ar, an ger - te n si on a nd st re ss rel ief, inner t r u t h , rationa l it y, - co m p assion, p an i c atta c k s

Aqu am ar i n e is a wel l k n ow n c r ysta l for ce nt u r i e s a ssoc iated w i t h m any em otiona l h e al i n g p roper ties fo r i t s so othing e n e rg y. This c r ysta l w i l l h e l p you uncover d e e p e r t r u th, e sp e c i al l y probl em s t h at c au se tra um a s.

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Power Items Stone-Aquamarine While wea r i ng i t, you w i ll wa rd o f f o ld trauma s, i t wi ll help you m ove fo r wa rd without fea r. This sto ne wi ll keep yo u away f ro m abus i ve p eo p le a nd help yo u revea l t he truth h i d d en b eh i n d them. B y reco gn i z i n g har mful p at ter n s you w i ll b e a b le to live a f uller a n d happi er li fe. Throug h comm uni cat i o n that i s i ns p i red by Aquama r i ne, yo u will b e mo re rat i o n a l, compa s s i o nate a n d able to t a lk much easier wi t h fr iends, loved ones, f a m i ly, a nd bus in es s p a r t ners. Metaphysical Properties

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- m a n i fes t i ng a nd hea li ng a b i li t i es, com p a s s i o n , com muni cat i o n , inner p ea ce - m ed i t at i o n, con n ec t i o n wi t h s pi r i t s, s elf -

e m p owe r m e nt, w i sd o m , t r u t h - i m p rove s t h e m o o d, p u r i f i c at i o n , t ran q u i l i t y, co u rag e

O n a m e t ap hysi c al l e ve l, Aqu am ar i n e i s asso c i ate d w i t h h o n e st y, co m m u n i c at i o n , co m p assi o n , se l f e m p owe r m e nt, an d i nt u i t i o n . Th i s c r yst al w i l l h e l p yo u u n d e r st an d an d re so l ve yo u r ow n i ssu e s, re p e l al l b ar r i e r s an d h e al yo u r sp i r i t. R e f l e c t i ve p ro p e r t i e s o f t h i s g e m w i l l p rov i d e n e e d e d su p p o r t i n d e al i n g w i t h p e o p l e an d d i f fe re nt p ro b l e m s. I t w i l l gi ve yo u co u rag e d u r i n g a h ard t i m e. I t i s co n si d e re d a g ate way i n co m m u n i c at i o n to t h e D i v i n e. D u r i n g m e d i t at i o n , h o l d an aqu am ar i n e c r yst al i n yo u r h an d s o r p l ace i t n e ar t h e t h ro at. I t w i l l p u r i f y yo u r t h o u g ht s an d h e l p yo u co m m u n i c ate

w i t h D i v i ne Fe m i n i n e, expl or ing yo u r se l f, hel p w ith m an i fe st ation. Chakra Healing Aqu am ar i n e c r ysta l is asso c i ate d w ith the Th ro at Ch a k ra a nd H e ar t Ch a k ra . S o o t h i n g and su p p o r t i n g energy o f Aqu am ar ine c r yst al i s benefic ia l fo r t h e t h roat an d h e ar t c ha k ra . Th ro u g h better co m m u n i cation, it w i l l al l ow you to l i ve a b e t ter l ife. I t i s co n si dered as o n e o f the m ost p owe r f u l cl ea nsing an d ac t i vation c r yst al s for t h e c h ak ra s. S o m e t i m e s, the e n e rg y o f this stone i s to o st rong so sta r t m e d i t at i n g w ith it fo r a b r i e f per iod of t i m e an d gra dua l l y i n c re ase t he tim e.

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Power Items Stone-Aquamarine

Birthstone and Zodiac Aquama r i ne i s li s ted a s th e t rad i t i o n al b i r t h sto n e fo r p e r so n s bor n in O c tober a nd a s t he mo d e r n b i r t h sto n e fo r p e o p l e b o r n in M arch . I t i s a s s o ci ated w i t h t h e zo d i ac si gn o f Li b ra, Pi sce s, Virgo, and Aq ua r i us. Benefits The reco rd ed hi s to r y o f Aqu am ar i n e h e al i n g b e n e f i t s d ate s b ac k for centur i es. Fro m mys t i ca l an d m agi c al p ro p e r t i e s to i m p rov i n g per sons pers o n a l ch a ra c ter i s t i cs and t reat i ng co mmo n d i se ase s. Aquama r i ne i s us ed fo r a l o n g t i m e an d acco rd i n g to m any b o o ks, wear i n g t h i s g ems to n e w i l l b al an ce yo u r h o r m o n e s. Th i s c r yst al is benefi ci a l fo r t h e i m m un e syste m , fo r al l e rgi e s, to n g u e, te e t h , throat, and lung s.

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Power Items Flower-Daffodil •

• Daffod i ls a re b r i g ht s unny f lowers wh i ch make thei r a p p ea ra n ce r ight a ro un d t h e time o f O s t a ra , t h e s pr ing eq ui nox, whi ch falls aro un d M a rch 21 in t he n o r t her n hemisp here. I t s b r i g ht petals a re t y p i ca lly found i n s ha d es o f white, yellow o r even pale o ra n g e. The d a f fo d i l i s popu la r i n s p r i ng flower m a gi c b eca us e it is ass o ci ated wi t h love and fer t i li t y. Let ’s ta ke a lo o k at s ome da f fo d i l my t hs, magic, a nd fo lk lo re.

Did You Know? •

Daffo d i ls a re a ls o k nown a s t he narci s s us, a f ter t h e legend a r y yo un g

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Gre e k m an o f t h e sam e n am e. Th e o cc u r re n ce o f w i l d d af fo d i l s i s so m e t i m e s sai d to i n d i c ate t h e fo r m e r si te o f a sp i r i t u al h u b. Pu t f re sh d af fo d i l s i n a vase i n yo u r h o m e to b r i n g ab o u t ab u n d an ce

Lucky Daffodils I n so m e fo l k l o re, d af fo d i l s are co n si d e re d l u c k y f l owe r s. I n p ar t i c u l ar, t h e re’s a t rad i t i o n t h at i f yo u m ak e t h e d e l i b e rate e f fo r t n o t to ste p o n t h e m an d c r u sh t h e m , fo r t u n e w i l l f avo r yo u w i t h ab u n d an ce. I f yo u gi ve so m e o n e a gi f t o f d af fo d i l s, t h e y ’ l l h ave g o o d l u c k – b u t m ak e su re yo u gi ve an e nt i re b u n c h b e c au se a si n g l e f l owe r w i l l d raw p e n u r y an d i l l fo r t u n e. I n p ar t s o f t h e B r i t i sh Isl e s, i n c l u d i n g Wal e s, i f yo u’re t h e o n e i n yo u r n e i g h b o r h o o d w h o sp o t s

t h e f i r st d a ffodil of sp r i n g, i t mea ns t h at yo u’ l l see fa r m o re g o l d tha n sil ver co m e to your hom e ove r t h e com ing yea r. Daffodils in Mythology D af fo d i l s are a l so k n ow n as the n arc i ssu s, a f ter the l e g e n d ar y young Gre e k m an of the sam e n am e. N arc i ssu s wa s prett y f u l l o f h i msel f b e c au se h e ha d b e e n gi ve n the gif t o f gre at bea ut y by t h e g o d s. O n e d ay, a sweet yo u n g wo od nym ph n am e d Ec ho spotted N arc i ssu s ha nging o u t by a strea m a nd i n st ant l y fel l in l ove with him. H owe ve r, h e wa s so b u sy b e ing co m p l e te l y sel fab so r b e d that he i gn o re d Echo, a nd sh e waste d away f ro m l o n e l iness until n o t h i n g wa s l ef t of

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Power Items Flower-Daffodil Continued her but h er vo i ce. Than ks to t h i s t ra gi c stor y o f unreq ui ted love, d a f fo d i ls a re some t i mes us ed to repres ent a love t h at is on e -s i d ed. L ater, t he g o d d es s Neme s i s, a lt ho ug h i n some vers i o n s, i t ’s Venu s, g o t wi nd o f what ha d ha p p en ed to Ec h o, s o s h e d ecided i t wa s t i me to te a ch N a rci s s us a less o n . She led hi m to a stream, wh ere h e happ en ed to n o t i ce the m o s t b ea ut i f ul young ma n h e h a d ever s een – i t wa s his own ref lec t i o n, and h e wa s s o va i n that h e fell i n love with h i s own i m a g e, trans f i xed, a n d forget t i n g to eat a n d sleep. S ome o f t he o t h er god s were wo r r i ed that N a rci s s us wa s going to s t a r ve to d eat h, s o t hey tur ne d hi m i nto a flowe r, wh i ch n ow

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b l o o m s e ve r y ye ar i n t h e sp r i n g.

Daffodils in Love

D e sp i te t h e i ssu e s o f N arc i ssu s an d Ec h o, d af fo d i l s st i l l ap p e ar i n so m e fo l k l o re as re p re se nt at i ve o f h o l d i n g a l ove r i n h i g h re g ard. Th e y se n d t h e m e ssag e t h at t h i s p e r so n i s t h e o n l y o n e fo r yo u, an d yo u r fe e l i n g s are co n st ant. I n so m e M i d d l e E aste r n m agi c, d af fo d i l s are co n si d e re d an ap h ro d i si ac.

Spiritual Daffodils

O n e p ro m i n e nt l e g e n d o f t h e d af fo d i l fe at u re s i n Ch r i st i an i t y. I t i s sai d t h at o n t h e n i g ht o f t h e Last S u p p e r, t h e d af fo d i l ap p e are d i n t h e G ard e n o f G e t h se m an e to co m fo r t J e su s, w h o was sad d e n e d to k n ow o f h i s b e t rayal by J u d as Isc ar i o t.

“Theoccurrenceofwild daffodilsissometimessaid toindicatetheformersite ofareligiousfoundation. At Frittlestoke, near Torrington, Devon, it wasrecordedin1797that thepeopleofthevillage calldaffodilsbythename Gregories, a name that coincidedwiththeorderof aneighboringmonasterytheCanonsofStGregory …InbothHampshireand the Isle of Wight, it was generallysaidthatwild daffodilsindicatedthesite ofamonastery.StUrian’s Copseiswellknownforits primrosesanddaffodils. There is a tradition that daffodilsgrowinprofusion on one side of a track runningthroughthecopse becauseareligiousbuilding once stood there.”

Ant h o ny C. D we c k says i n Th e Fo l k l o re o f t h e N arc i ssu s,

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Power Items Flower-Daffodil Using Daffodils in Magic Pu t fres h d a f fo d i ls i n a vase i n yo u r h o m e to b r i n g ab o u t ab u n da nce. Place d a f fo d i ls o n yo ur a l t ar d u r i n g wo r k i n g s re l ate d to l ove, e s pec ia l l y if it ’s a new relat i o ns h i p an d yo u’re st i l l t r y i n g to f i g u re o u t h ow to navigate t he waters. Ad d po t ted d a f fo d i l b ulbs, d o n’t wo r r y i f t h e y ’re b l o o m i n g ye t, to your altar fo r s p r i n g celeb rat i o n s, al o n g w i t h o t h e r sp r i n g f l owe r s suc h a s forsyt h i a , cro cus, a nd s nowd ro p s. Wear t h i s f lower clo s e to yo u r h e ar t to d raw l ove, b u t b e c are f ul that you r love i s n o t o n e -s i d e d. https://w w w.lear nreligions.com/daffodil-magic -legends-and-folk lore -4000607

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Power Items Herb-Irish Moss I r is h M o s s h a s fan-sha p ed f ro nd s that va r y i n co lo r from green , red o r brown i s h t h at t ur n pur pl e wh en d r i ed and is nat ura lly found s p rea d i ng i n I relan d o r o f f t he coast o f Fra nce. O ther co m m o n n a mes of I r ish M o s s a re Car rag eena n o r Pea r l M os s. I t us ua lly prefers s ho reli n e and found s t i ck i n g to sub m erg ed o r inter t i d a l ro cks. The co ns um p t i o n o f I r is h M o s s a s fo o d has been li nked to i t s his tor i ca l b a ckgro und as a fa mi ne fo o d for I r i s h n at i ves o f land s a lo ng t h e N o r t h Atlant i c co a s t li n e d ur ing t h e p o t ato famin e o f t he 19th cent ur y. Throug h t h e yea rs, I r is h lo ca ls g at h ered this seaweed a nd s us tai ned t h em throug h t h e great famin e a nd b eca me

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a st ap l e fo o d i n t h e i r c u l t u re. Th e co m i n g o f I r i sh i m m i grant s i n t h e U S A p ave d a way to t h e ram p ant u se o f I r i sh m o ss as d ai l y co n su m p t i o n . I r i sh M o ss i s al so a p o p u l ar w i tc h c raf t e l e m e nt t h at m agn i f i e s g o o d fo r t u n e i n al l so r t s o f m o n e y m at te r s an d am p l i f i e s l u c k i n r i skt ak i n g an d g am b l i n g. I n fo l k l o re, i t c an al so h e l p i n gro u n d i n g an d i s d e sc r i b e d as a se awe e d t h at e nt an g l e s w i tc h e s an d b re ak s t h e i r c u r se s. I r i sh M o ss i s an i n gre d i e nt i n t rad i t i o n al Ce l t i c c h ar m s fo r m o n e y, l u c k , an d p ro te c t i o n . I t i s co m m o n l y c ar r i e d d u r i n g t i m e s o f t ro u b l e an d gi ve s yo u a ste ad y f l ow o f ab u n d an ce, p ro sp e r i t y, an d sp i r i t u al grow t h . Irish Moss’ Correspondences

Pl an e t : M o o n S i gn s: Pi sce s, Can ce r E n e rg y : Fe m i n i n e

E l e m e nt : Water D e i t i e s: Aphrodite, Lu n a, S e l e ne Irish Moss’ Magical Properties Luck

Th e re are insta nces w h e n l u c k a ppea r s to l e ave o ur sight, so i t ’s o n l y wise to a sk fo r h e l p f rom a sl ice o f n at u re. Keeping a p ac k e t o f I r ish M oss i n yo u r wal l et woul d ad d a b ar of l uc k to e ve r y witc h w ho d e si re s to w in in a l o t te r y o r ga m bl ing. Yo u c an also m a k e b l e sse d water out of I r i sh M o ss by soa k ing i t i n t h e water a nd sp r i n k l i n g it a round t h e h o u se or the p l ace w h ere you u su al l y st ay. Money

To at t rac t m oney o n yo u r d oor step, sp r i n k l e a pinc h of I r i sh M o ss on the f l o o r o f your house, o r ro l l a p rosper it y c an d l e co ated w ith m o n e y d raw ing oil in an I r i sh M oss.

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Herb-Irish Moss To ever y wi tch wh o prefers a b i z a r re way to attra c t m o ney, place I r i s h M o s s, Ced ar, a n d o t h er ess ent i a l her b s i n jars and mi x water and wh i s key. I t i s recom m end ed to place i t o n a n a lt a r or a s p o t t h at h o ld s a speci a l p la ce to you r h ea r t. Protection

To any wi tch wh o is always o n t h e g o, th e s hi eld i ng effec t o f I r i s h M o s s can b e us ed by tos s in g a s a chet o f the d r i ed h er b i nto you r lug g a g e, t h i s will ens ure yo ur s afe ret ur n f ro m a ny jou r ney. K eep i n g yo ur home s a fe a n d s o un d wou ld n eed yo u to place d r i ed I r i s h M os s un d er yo ur d oor m at s o r ca n a ls o be ins er ted un d er you r p i llow to keep ill-wis h es away f ro m you.

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Prosperity

I r i sh M o ss i s an exce p t i o n al i n gre d i e nt i n sp e l l wo r k s t h at st re n g t h e n s t h e p re se n ce o f p ro sp e r i t y i n a m o d e r n w i tc h’s h o m e o r b u si n e ss. To k e e p p ro sp e r i t y co m i n g to yo u, b u r n a m i x t u re o f I r i sh M o ss an d Ch am o m i l e o n c h arco al an d sp r i n k l e t h e ash e s aro u n d yo u r h o m e. I n se r t I r i sh M o ss u n d e r n e at h yo u r c ar p e t to se r ve as a p at hway to a p ro sp e ro u s l i fe ah e ad. Irish Moss’ Medicinal Properties Treats Urinary Infections

I r i sh M o ss i s t h o u g ht to re d u ce i n f l am m at i o n o f t h e u r i n ar y t rac t syste m an d al l k i n d s o f u r i n ar y t rac t d i so rd e r s i n c l u d i n g c yst i t i s. Moisturizes Skin

Hair Growth

I r i sh M o ss is thought to so o t h e the sc a l p an d fo r t i f y the ha ir f i b e r s. I t conditions an d st re n gthens the h ai r to k e ep it sof t an d sh i ny. Heals Ulcers

I t i s b e l i e ved that raw I r i sh M oss ac t s as an ant i co ag u l a nt a nd is al so u t i l i ze d as a m i l d l a xative t h at re l i e ves the e nt i re g astro i nte st i n al tra c ts

Relieves Pulmonary Problems

H e r b al i st s bel ieve t h at w h e n m a de into a j e l l y, I r i s h M oss re d u ce s p ul m ona r y co m p l ai nts a nd al l e v i ate s sym ptom s o f f l u.

I t i s b e l i e ve d by h e r b al i st s t h at I r i sh M o ss h as p ro p e r t i e s t h at h e al an d m o i st u r i ze t h e sk i n an d ai d s i n k e e p i n g t h e sk i n sm o o t h , su p p l e, an d hyd rate d.

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Herb-Pennyroyal Continued

G end er : M a s culi n e o r Femin i ne (d ep en d s on trad i t i o n ) Planet : M a rs o r Venus (d ep en d s o n trad iti o n) Eleme nt : Fi re o r Ear th (d ep end s o n trad iti o n) Power s : Pro tec t i o n, Peace, St ren g t h M agica l Us es a n d H is tor y : A memb er of the mi nt f a mi ly, penny roya l wa s his tor i ca lly us ed in Anc i ent R o m e and G reece a s a cook ing h er b. M any o ld reci p es ca ll for its us e a lo ng s i d e other h er b s s uch a s orega n o, co r i a n d er, and lova g e, espec i a lly i n p o r k recipe s.

13 Sisters of Delphi

I t s c u l i n ar y u se s e n d u re d i nto t h e M e d i e val p e r i o d, b u t fe l l o u t o f u se sh o r t l y af te r, m ay b e d u e to i t s l e ss t h an p l e asant t aste an d ab o r t i ve p ro p e r t i e s. H owe ve r, d u e to i t s st ro n g ab o r t i ve p ro p e r t i e s as an e m m e n ag o g u e ( a m e n st r u at i o n st i m u l ant ) , p e n ny royal i s d e e p l y asso c i ate d w i t h m i d w i fe r y. As su c h , i t c an b e u se d i n sp e l l s re l ate d to e n co u ragi n g m e n st r u at i o n , b l o o d m agi c, an d p ro te c t i o n f ro m u nwante d p re gn an c i e s, e sp e c i al l y fo r t h o se i n t h e sex i n d u st r y. D o n o t, h owe ve r, i n g e st p e n ny royal w i t h o u t p ro p e r m e d i c al g u i d an ce as t h e p l ant i s tox i c. I t s tox i c n at u re, h owe ve r, m ak e s i t a gre at h e r b fo r g e n e ral p ro te c t i o n . Th e sc i e nt i f i c n am e M e nt h a p e l u q i u m i s b e l i e ve d to o r i gi n ate f ro m t h e Lat i n p u l ex

m e an i n g fl ea , al l u d i n g to its use as a f l e a repel l ent. I t was h i stor ic a l l y r u b b e d o n the body to re p e l f l ea s a nd ha s b e e n u se d in m oder n t i m e s aro u nd the h o m e to prevent fl ea s f ro m e nte r ing. ( D o n o t spray d i re c t l y o n your p e t s o r al l ow your p e t s to i n gest the p l ant ) . Fu r ther m ore, p e n ny royal is sa id to p ro te c t aga inst the Ev i l Eye. Ch ar m s and her ba l sac h e t s o f pennyroya l we re wo r n or hung in t h e h o m e to protec t t h e we are r from il l w i l l, h exe s, an d c u r se s. Th e h e r b c a n a l so b e u se d i n hex or c u r se - b re ak ing spel l s an d t h e o i l to a noint c an d l e s for sim il a r m agi c al p u r poses. I n M e d i e va l Europe, b o u g h s o f pennyroya l we re h u n g in si c k ro o m s to hea l a nd

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Power Items Herb-Pennyroyal protec t t ho s e wi t h i n from d i s ea s e. I n oth er fo lk lo re, penny roya l wa s placed i n o n e’s s h o es pr ior to t raveli ng to protec t t he wea rer and p revent t hei r feet fro m t i r i ng. Finally, p enny roya l is ass o ci ated wi t h peace. Penny roya l car r ie d i n t h e p o cket is said to p revent quar rels wh i le hangi ng i t i n yo ur home i s s a i d to b r i ng peace, even wh en tempers run h i g h .

sp asm o d i c p ai n . I t s m ai n u se, h owe ve r, is a s an e m m e n ag o g u e to st i m u l ate m e n st r uation an d u te r i n e co nt rac t i o n s. As su c h , i t sh oul d b e avo i d e d d u r i n g p re gn an c y. D u e to its toxic n at u re, p e n ny royal o i l sh o u l d n o t b e t a k en i nte r n al l y. Preparation and Dosage: D e sp i te i t s tox i c i t y, p e n ny royal c an b e ta k en i n sm al l d o se s i nte r n al l y as a te a o r t i nc ture. H owe ve r, u se at yo u r ow n r i sk . I t s u se is highl y d i sco u rag e d by al l m e d i c al we b si te s. To c reate an i n f u si o n , p o u r o n e c u p o f b o i l i n g water over 1 - 2 te asp o o n s o f d r i e d l e ave s an d al l ow it to i n f u se fo r 1 0 - 1 5 m i n u te s. D r i n k u p to three t i m e s a d ay. As a t i n c t u re, 1 - 2 m i l l i l i te r s c a n be t ak e n u p to t h re e t i m e s a d ay.

https://w w w.flyingthehedge.com/2021/02/magical-and-medicinaluses- of- pennyroyal.html

Penny roya l ca n b e us ed i n a n umb er o f s pells i nclud i n g : • B lo o d M a gi c • Pro tec t i o n Spells • H ex & Curs e Bre a k i n g • Pea ce S p ells

Medicinal Uses:

Penny roya l i s r i ch in aromat i c vo lat i le oil wh i ch h elp s ease f lat ulence a nd abd om i na l co li c a s well a s a n xi et y a n d

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Power Items Witch Tools-Poppet Continued O n e o f my f avo r i te t h i n g s ab o u t vo o d o o / h o o d o o i s t h e gr i s gr i s b ag ak a sp e l l b ag, m o j o b ag s e tc.

I love ever y t h i n g abou t S o ut h er n Louisi a n a hi s to r y espec i a lly when i t comes to vo o d o o and ho o d o o, whi ch is ac t ua lly a reli gi o n for th o s e t hat a re not awa re. Fo r s o me reas o n I a m s t ro ng ly called to t h i s religio n a nd t r y i ng to inco r p o rate i t i nto my ma gi ca l li fe. I am i n love wi t h M a d ‘am M a r i e L avea u, the Voo d o o Q ueen of New O r lea ns a n d ever y t hi n g s he s t a n d s for. I h ave b een i n love wi t h wi tchcra f t s ince I wa s a chi ld and a s I res ea rch all that i s i n my magic a l li fe vo o d o o and ho o d o o co me up quite a b i t.

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Th e te r m gr i s- gr i s was sai d to d e r i ve f ro m t h e M an d e l an g u ag e, an d t h e We st Af r i c an te r m j u j u, w h i c h m e an s sac re d. O n e o f t h e m o st f am o u s p rac t i t i o n e r s u si n g gr i sgr i s was M ar i e Lave au, t h e Vo o d o o Q u e e n o f N e w O r l e an s i n t h e 1 9 t h ce nt u r y. Lave au was sai d to h ave i n h e r i te d h e r m agi c al p owe r s f ro m h e r Af r i c an an ce sto r s. I h ave watc h e d a to n o f v i d e o s f ro m a wo n d e r f u l wo m an w h o i s c al l e d M o m a S arah’s (Co n j u re d Card e a) an d sh e i s i n c re d i b l e as sh e d e vo te s h e r l i fe to M ad ‘am M ar i e Lave au, so i f yo u are i nte re ste d i n Vo o d o o o r H o o d o o I h i g h l y su g g e st yo u c h e c k o u t h e r v i d e o s. Gr i s Gr i s ak a t al i sm an an d i s al so sp e l l e d

gr i gr i i s a voodoo am u l e t o r iginating in Af r i c a. I t i s bel ieved to p ro te c t the wea rer f ro m e v i l or to br ing good luck. B e l i e ve i t or not i n We st Afr ic a n co u nt r i e s it is used as a m e t h od of bir th co nt ro l ( rea l l y d o n’t k n ow how t h at wo r k s but ok). Th e Gr i s Gr is consist o f a sm al l c l oth ba g, u su al l y i n sc r ibed w i t h ve r ses a nd co nt ai n i n g a r itua l n u m b e r o f sm a l l o b j e c t s, wor n on the p e r so n . ( R em em ber i t i s t h e i ntent).

https://en.wik ipedia.org/wik i/ Gr is- gr is

Th e p rac t ice of using gr i s- gr i s, though o r i gi n at i n g in Afr ic a , c am e to t he U S w i t h e n sl aved Af r i c an s and wa s q u i c k l y adopted by p rac t i t i o n er s o f Vo o d o o.

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Power Items Witch Tools-Poppet/Gris Gris I n spi te o f t he neg ati ve co nno t at i o n s of gr is - gr i s, s o ca lled G r is- G r i s d o c to rs have o p erated i n t h e Creole co m m un i t i es of Loui s i a na fo r s ome cent ur i es a n d are loo ked up o n favorab ly by the co mmuni t y. I n the 1800s, gr i s gr is wa s us ed interc h a n g ea b ly i n Louisi a n a to m ea n both b ewi tch a nd in referen ce to t he trad iti o na l a mulet. I n Afr i ca n h i s to r y, the gr i s - gr i s wa s a n amulet o r s y mb o l of g ood luck a nd s pir it ua l p ro tec t i o n . The p ra c t i ce o f us i ng a gr is - gr i s s y mb o l was bro ug ht to Amer i ca by Af r i ca n s laves nea r S en eg a l and M a li i n t h e 17t h & 18th cent ur i es. The gr is- gr i s i s a s ma ll bag fu ll o f li t t le objec t s s p eci f i c to the pers o n o r p la ce intend ed.

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H owe ve r, t h e p rac t i ce so o n c h an g e d as i t was b ro u g ht to t h e Am e r i c as, an d t h e gr i sgr i s we re t h o u g ht to b r i n g b l ac k m agi c u p o n t h e i r v i c t i m s. S l ave s wo u l d o f te n u se t h e gr i s- gr i s ag ai n st t h e i r ow n e r s, an d so m e c an st i l l b e se e n ad o r n i n g t h e i r to m b s. D u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d, t h e re we re al so re p o r t s o f sl ave s c u t t i n g, d row n i n g o r o t h e r w i se m an i p u l at i n g t h e gr i sgr i s o f o t h e r s i n o rd e r to c au se h ar m . Al t h o u g h i n H ai t i , gr i s- gr i s are t h o u g ht to b e a g o o d am u l e t an d are u se d as a p ar t o f a w i d e l y p rac t i ce d re l i gi o n ; i n t h e Caj u n co m m u n i t i e s o f Lo u i si an a, gr i s- gr i s are t h o u g ht to b e a sy m b o l o f b l ac k m agi c an d i l l - fo r t u n e o f w h i c h I p e r so n al l y d o n o t b e l i e ve, as i t i s al l ab o u t t h e i nte nt. Th e gr i s- gr i s i s t y p i c al l y u se d to so r t o u t m at te r s i n l ove, f i n an ce, l u c k ,

l e g al i ssu e s or to re ve r se a h ex. I tr ul y b e l i e ve t h at a s l o n g as you have g o o d i nte nt a l l w il l b e g o o d. I n Lo u i si ana , w here t h e p rac t i ce of vo o d o o i s wel l k n ow n , t h e gr is- gr is i s u se d as a sym bol o f b l ac k ma gic. I t i n c l u d e s t wo t ypes of m agi c, h o meopathic an d sy m p athetic. Sy m p at h e tic is a sy m b o l m a de to l o o k j u st l ik e the p e r so n i ntended. H o m e o p athic uses h ai r, c l o t hing or so m e t h i n g atta c hed to t h e su bjec t. https://black amer icaweb. com/2013/11/25/little -k nownblack-histor y-fac t- gr is- gr is/

Wh i l e m ak ing the gr is gr i s b ag o ne w il l pray ove r t h e i ngredients an d t i e t h em into the b ag, u si n g a fa br ic co l o r w h i c h a l igns w i t h t h at pur pose. Th e n yo u w il l bl ess t h e gr i s gr is ba g w ith i nte nt i o n oil s (you

13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Witch Tools-Poppet Continued can m a ke yo ur own i ntent i o n oils ) a n d fo cus o n the ba g’s i ntent i o n throug ho ut t he entire p ro ces s.

A Cr yst al - l i k e Gre e n Ave nt u r i n e o r Ci t r i n e w h i c h ac t i vate s t h e c row n c h ak ra an d i s u se d fo r f i n an c i al g ai n s an d m an i fe st i n g m o n e y.

I pers o na lly li ke to us e Cr ys t a ls, Vers us, Her bs a nd t h ei r R oots to b r i n g a b o ut g ood h ea lt h a nd o r monet a r y va lue i n one’s li fe.

O n e o r t wo o f t h e fo l l ow i n g h e r b s an d ro o t s: • S p e ar m i nt ( at t rac t i n g we al t h an d l u c k ) • Patc h o u l i ( k n ow n fo r l u c k , l u c k an d m o re l u c k ) • B asi l ( ak a t u l si w h i c h i s a sac re d p l ant i n I n d i a an d i s l i n k e d with the Hindu g o d d e ss Lak sh m i w h o i s t h e g o d d e ss o f ab u n d an ce an d h o l d s t h e f re qu e n c i e s o f p e ace, t ran q u i l i t y, su cce ss, h ap p i n e ss an d g o o d fo r t u n e ) • Ch am o m i l e ( h as b e e n u se d as a f l owe r t h at b r i n g s l u c k , p o si t i ve e n e rg y, an d at t rac t s m o n e y. ) H o n e ysu c k l e ( e n h an ce s m i n d f u l n e ss an d

O ne co uld m a ke a gr is gr i s b a g o ut o f s ome clo t h a nd s o m e thread a n d f i ll i t with what yo u wi s h for th e i ntent. I purch a s ed gi f t b a g s i.e. Org a n z a b a g s, Hemp b a g s a nd 100 % org a ni c co t to n bag s f ro m a m a zo n to make my gr i s gr i s bag s. To ma ke a M o n ey gr is gr i s b a g I wi ll most li kely us e a green b a g. A M o n ey Spell (li ke o n e yo u wou ld ma ke fo r a money j a r).

13 Sisters of Delphi

t h i s i s a k ey f re qu e n c y to at t rac t i ng any t h i ng you d e si re. ) Pi n e n e e dl es a nd t i p s, p i n e pol l en a nd p i n e re si n com bined c an b e u sed to h ar n e ss t he energy of t h e p i n e and attra c t we al t h . S p i ce s su ch a s c i n n am o n , ginger, c l ove s, an d sta r a nise c an al so be used to at t rac t m oney. A gr i s gr i s ba g sh o u l d b e c a r r ied or wo r n by i ts rec ipient. I t i s sai d that the p e r so n sh oul d never o p e n t h e i r ba g, get i t we t o r l et other s to u c h i t. The idea is t h at t h e p ower w il l “sp i l l o u t ” of the b ag i f o p e ned or gets we t, an d that a nother p e r so n m ay put the w ro n g i n f luence into t h e b ag by touc hing a gr i s gr i s that is not t h e i r ow n .

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Power Items Witch Tools-Poppet/Gris Gris I t is sa i d t hat o n occasi o n t h e gr i s gr is ba g s ho uld b e “charg ed ” h owever to d o t hi s o n e wo uld need to med i t ate a n d focus wi t h t h e i ni t i a l intent a n d re -a n o i nt with t he a p p ro p r i ate bless ed o i l f ro m t i m e to tim e. I find t hat t h i s i s d ifficult es p eci a lly when gi f t i n g t h e gr is gr i s b a g to t he recipi ent. S o, I j us t “gif t ” t h e b a g wi t h the bles s ed o i l a nd intent f ro m t h e begin n i n g a nd s end it on i t s way to the pers o n I a m gif ting t h e b a g to with i n s t ruc t i o n s from a b ove.

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Power Items Tree- Continued

Ald er t rees feat ure of ten i n Celt i c M ytho lo g y a n d Folk lore. They a re s aid to b e h o m e to fair ies, t h ey a re t h e s ymbo l o f B ra n i n Welsh M y t h o lo g y and are m o s t o f ten as s ociated wi t h water, s ecrec y, nat ure, b a d luck , s p i r i t ua li t y, and ba la nce. Associations with Water: Never f a r f ro m water, Ald er t rees ca n mo s t of ten b e fo und li ni n g the ba nks o f a s t rea m, loch, o r r i ver, o r i n bogg y wet gro und a nd s wamps. Ald er wo o d ca n s ur vive co mp letely

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su b m e rg e d i n wate r, an d was o f te n u se d fo r co n st r u c t i o n o f b u c k e t s, p i p e s, b r i d g e s ove r wate r, an d o t h e r co n st r u c t i o n i n we t co n d i t i o n s. Par t s o f Ve n i ce, I t al y are b u i l t o n to p o f Al d e r p i l e s w h i c h we re d r i ve n i n to t h e swam p. M any fo l k t al e s m ak e n o te o f t h e Al d e r co n n e c t i o n to wate r. Al d e r was t h e sy m b o l o f B ran , t h e K i n g o f B r i to n i n We l sh M y t h o l o g y, w h o m ad e se ve ral u n l i k e l y e sc ap e s ac ro ss t h e se as an d r i ve r s. The Blood of the Alder: Al d e r t re e s we re a so u rce o f gre at myste r y to t h e Ce l t s. Th e i r sap t u r n s a d e e p re d w h e n ex p o se d to t h e ai r, as i f t h e y co u l d b l e e d w h e n c u t. Th e b l e e d i n g b ar k an d af f i n i t y w i t h wate r l e d to m any n e g at i ve su p e r st i t i o n s ab o u t t h e t re e s. Al d e r s we re co n si d e re d h i g h l y sac re d, myste r i o u s an d

se c re t i ve, of ten thought o f as re p re senting n at u re i t sel f a nd co nt ai n i n g the soul s o f o u r an cestor s. For t h i s re aso n it wa s co n si d e re d ex trem el y b ad l u c k to c ut them d ow n . Secrecy, Superstition and Bad Luck: Th e t h e m e of sec rec y, b ad l u c k , and co n ce al m e nt com es u p ag ai n and a ga in in Ce l t i c M y thol ogy in re l at i o n to Al der trees. O n l y t h e H a zel Tree was co n si dered m ore u n l u c k y t ha n the Al der. Th e I r i sh figure D eirdre o f S o r rows wa s sa id to h ave h i dden in a n Al d e r wo od w ith her l ove r, f l e e ing the K ing o f I re l an d, to w hom sh e was b etrothed. Co m i n g u pon a n Al der w h e n t ravel l ing wa s co n si d e re d a ba d om en, p e r h ap s d ue to the so g g y gro und Al der s t h r i ve i n , or the thic k c an o p i e s that for m w h e n Al d er s grow

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Power Items Treetog eth er a nd b lo ck ou t th e s un li g ht. Alder Trees as a symbol of balance: L ik e As h t rees, Ald er trees p ro d uce b o t h the m a le a n d fem a le flowers. U n li ke the As h , t he Ald er prod uces o ne a f ter the o t her, i n a year l o ng reprod uc t i ve c ycle. M ale Ald er f lowers are sm a ll, s lend er catk ins, whi ch grad u a lly t ra ns i t i o n to the fem a le f lower (cone s ) i n t h e Autu m n, b efo re falling o f f a nd growi n g n ew in Spr i n g. The un i q ue t ra n s i t i o n of the f lower i n g c ycle of the Ald er t ree repres ent s b a la n ce, natu re, a n d n ew li fe. Alder in the Ogham Alphabet: I n G aeli c, t he wo rd for Al d er i s Fea r n, which ca n a ls o b e

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fo u n d i n t h e O g h am al p h ab e t.

Alder Tree Jewelry and Tattoo symbolism: Al d e r Tre e s h ave a d e e p an d r i c h m e an i n g i n Ce l t i c M y t h o l o g y an d are a b e au t i f u l t re e to co n si d e r fo r e i t h e r J e we l r y o r as a Ce l t i c Tat to o.

Alder re p re se nte d by the Al d e r t re e. Th e f r u i t s a nd l e ave s o f the Al der are u n i q u e a nd d i st i n c t i ve, a nd t h e u n co mm on t ran si t i o n from the m al e c at k i ns to the fe m al e co ne is ra re am o n g st Cel tic trees, m ak i n g a bea utiful p i e ce re p resenting m asc u l i n i t y, fe m i n i n i t y, ba l a nce an d n e w l ife. https://celticmythology. com/alder-trees-in- celtic mythology-meaning/

A t at to o o f a sp e c i f i c sp e c i e s i s m o re m e an i n g f u l i n my o p i n i o n t h an a g e n e r i c st y l i se d t re e, an d e ac h sp e c i e s h as i t s ow n u n i qu e m e an i n g s an d fo l k l o re at t ac h e d. S p e c i f i c al l y, t h e t h e m e s o f b al an ce, n e w l i fe, an d t h e so u l s o f o u r an ce sto r s are we l l

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Power Items Tree- Continued w h i te o r p i n k b l o o m s o f C. f l o r i d a. S i n ce al l o f t h e se p l ant s are re l ate d, i t ’s p o ssi b l e, e ve n p re fe rab l e, to m ak e su b st i t u t i o n s d e p e n d i n g o n w h at sp e c i e s are l o c al l y avai l ab l e to yo u.

Magical Uses and Folklore As a nat i ve Am er i ca n tree (e a s ter n U. S . and M exi co), t here’s not a l o t o f wr i t i n g on flower i n g d o g wo o d (Cor nu s f lo r i d a ) as it per t a i n s to Eu ropea n-b a s ed witchc ra f t. S ou ther n Euro p e d o es have a p la nt ca lled the Co r neli a n cher r y (Cor nu s ma s ), whi ch is in th e d o g wo o d family, a nd mo s t o f Eu rope a n d wes ter n As ia h a s t h e co mmo n d ogwo o d (Co r n us s angui nea ). C . ma s and C. s a n g ui nea b o t h flower, b ut nei t h er of these a re q ui te as show y a s t h e b i g

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D o g wo o d i s asso c i ate d w i t h l oyal t y, se c re t s, w i sh e s, p ro te c t i o n , fe r t i l i t y, d e si re, an d i l l u si o n . ( Th e i l l u si o n p ar t, i n p ar t i c u l ar, m ak e s a l o t o f se n se — t h e f l owe r s o f t h e f l owe r i n g d o g wo o d are n’t ac t u al l y f l owe r s at al l, t h e y ’re m o d i f i e d l e ave s. ) Th e d o g wo o d i s st ro n g l y t i e d w i t h Ch r i st i an my t h o l o g y, si n ce t h e f l owe r s fo r m a c ro ss sh ap e. I t was b e l i e ve d t h at t h e wo o d was u se d to fo r m c ro sse s fo r c r u c i f i x i o n , so J e su s p re ve nte d t h e d o g wo o d f ro m e ve r grow i n g l arg e e n o u g h to b e u se d fo r t h i s p u r p o se ag ai n .

An o l d fo l k rem edy fo r t re at i n g m a nge i n d o g s i nvol ved m ak i n g a decoc tion o f d o g wo od ba r k , an d wash i ng the af fe c te d a rea s w ith i t. Le ave s, ba r k , o r f l owe r s c a n be u se d as a protec tive c h ar m . As an h e r b of se c re c y, i t ’s a good i d e a to i n c l ude som e d o g wo o d l eaves in a d i ar y, gr im oire, or B o o k o f S h a dows. An o i l m ad e from the f l owe r s c an be used to d re ss a l etter a nd k e e p p r y i n g eyes off o f i t. M ak e a w i sh com e t r u e by c atc hing a d ro p o f d ogwood sap o n a c l oth on t h e e ve n i n g of M i d su m m e r, a nd w i sh i n g o n it. Ca r r y i t u nt i l yo u get your d e si re, t h en bur y the cloth. I t ’s b ad l uc k to br ing d o g wo o d fl ower s

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Power Items Treeinto yo ur h o m e, o r to bu r n t h e wo o d i n you r h ea r t h . Using Dogwood O ne theo r y fo r the et y mo lo g y o f “d og wo o d ” i s t hat the na me s tem s f ro m “d ag,” f ro m wh i ch we als o g et “da g g er.” This i s related to the s t ra i g ht n es s a nd d ens i t y o f t h e wo o d — the s t i cks a re prett y m uch i d ea l for cra f t i n g s ha f t s for too ls o r wea p o n s (Ö tzi wa s fo und with d o g wo o d ar rows ), a n d the wo o d i s d ens e enou g h to s i n k in water. I n a p ra c t i ca l s ens e, this m a kes d o g wo o d an excellent m ater i a l for cra f t i n g wa n d s o r other m a gi ca l to o ls. A lot o f d o g wo o d ’s as s oc i at i o n s f i t neatly i nto o n e anoth er. I llus i o n , prote c t i o n , a n d

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Dogwood

se c re c y al l b l e n d we l l. I p ro b ab l y wo u l d n’t u se d o g wo o d i n p l ace o f, fo r ex am p l e, c aye n n e p e p p e r as a p ro te c t i ve h e r b b e c au se t h e e n e rg y i s so d i f fe re nt. D o g wo o d i s su b t l e r — i t p ro te c t s by co n ce al m e nt. I t ’s a sm o k e sc re e n , n o t a f i e r y wal l. Eve n i t s u se as ar row sh af t s p o i nt s to a p l ant t h at ’s b e st u se d to t ak e ad vant ag e o f t h e sh ad ows! Am e r i c an f l owe r i n g d o g wo o d h as fo u r b rac t s. Fro m a n u m e ro l o gi c al st an d p o i nt, fo u r i s st re n g t h , st ab i l i t y, an d p ragm at i sm . Th i s b l e n d s n i ce l y w i t h i t s u se as an h e r b fo r p ro te c t i o n an d l oyal t y. D o g wo o d i s u se f u l i n co l o r m agi c, si n ce t h e b l o o m s c an ran g e f ro m w h i te, to ye l l ow, to p i n k , to re d. Eve n t h e l e ave s c an t u r n f ro m g o l d o r gre e n to p i n k , ye l l ow, o ran g e, o r re d. https://mar blecrowblog. com/2020/04/23/dogwoodfolk lore -and-magical-uses/

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Power Items Colort i m e. Fo u r- l e af c l ove r s we re Ce l t i c c h ar m s, p re su m e d to o f fe r m agi c al p ro te c t i o n an d ward o f f b ad l u c k .

Happy St. Pat r i ck ’s Day Wo o d la nd s ! D i d you k now t h at t h e chance o f f i n d i n g a four-l ea f clover i s 1 in 10, 000? Hu ndred s o f yea rs ag o in I rela n d, t he four-l ea f clover becam e a s y mb o l o f luck wi t h t h e fo ur leaves rep res ent i ng faith, h o p e, love, and s ucces s. The D rui d s (Celt i c pr ies t s ), i n t h e ear ly d ays o f I rela nd, believed t h at wh en they ca r r i ed a three -lea f clover or sham ro ck , t hey cou ld s ee ev i l s p i r i t s coming a nd h ave a chance to es ca p e i n

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Ch i l d re n i n t h e M i d d l e Ag e s b e l i e ve d i f t h e y c ar r i e d a fo u r- l e af c l ove r, t h e y wo u l d b e ab l e to se e f ai r i e s, an d t h e f i r st l i te rar y re fe re n ce to su g g e st t h e i r g o o d fo r t u n e was m ad e i n 1 6 2 0 by S i r J o h n M e l to n . Fast Facts About Four-Leaf Clovers

* Th e re are ap p rox i m ate l y 1 0 , 0 0 0 t h re e - l e af c l ove r s fo r e ve r y “ l u c k y ” fo u rl e af c l ove r. * Th e re are n o c l ove r p l ant s t h at n at u ral l y p ro d u ce fo u r l e ave s, w h i c h i s w hy fo u r- l e af c l ove r s are so rare. * Th e l e ave s o f fo u rl e af c l ove r s are sai d to st an d fo r f ai t h , h o p e, l ove, an d l u c k . * I t ’s o f te n sai d t h at I re l an d i s h o m e to m o re fo u r- l e af c l ove r s t h an any o t h e r p l ace, gi v i n g

Four Leaf Clover

m e an i ng to the p h rase “ the l uc k o f t h e I r ish.” * I f yo u’re l uc k y e n o u g h to find a fo u r- l e af c l over, l o o k fo r m ore! I f a c l over pl a nt p ro d u ce s a fourl e af c l over, it ’s m o re l i k el y to p ro d u ce a nother fo u r- l e af l uc k y c h ar m tha n pl a nts t h at o n l y produce t h re e - l ea f c l over s. * Th e four th l ea f c an b e sm a l l er or a d i f fe rent sha de o f gre e n tha n the o t h e r t hree l eaves S h am roc k s a nd fo u r- l e af c l over s are n o t the sa m e t h i n g ; the word ‘sh am roc k ’ refer s o n l y to a c l over w i t h t h ree l eaves. sc tlandtrust.org.

‘Ifamanwalkinginthefields findanyfour-leavedgrass, heshallinasmallwhileafter find some good thing.’ - Sir John Melton

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Power Items Symbol-Green c h ak ra, g e m sto n e, f ac t s, q u o te s, an d i d i o m s.

Where can we find the meaningofthecolorgreen? I n t he d eep green of the fo res t s o r t he br ig ht green o f t he gras s ? Per h a p s we can f i nd i t i n t h e s till growi n g green frui t s o r i n t h e d az z li n g s p a r k le o f a n emera ld ? G reen i n s p i res a n d vitali zes us i n a ll hu es. There i s a reas o n fo r t h at, and we wi ll t a lk abou t i t i n t h i s ar ticle. Na mely, we’ll t a ck le no t only the s y m b o li s m and m ea n i n g s o f green , b ut a ls o i t s most co mmo n us es, compa ny lo g o s,

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Green Color Meanings in Different Cultures Al t h o u g h we w i l l t al k t h o ro u g h l y ab o u t t h e p syc h o l o gi c al m e an i n g o f gre e n , i t ’s al so i m p o r t ant to p o i nt o u t i t s sy m b o l i sm i n d i f fe re nt c u l t u re s. I n so m e c u l t u re s, t h e co l o r gre e n h as p l e nt y o f p o si t i ve m e an i n g s, w h i c h are d e e p l y ro o te d i n i t s p syc h o l o gi c al asso c i at i o n s. H owe ve r, gre e n al so h as n e g at i ve m e an i n g s i n o t h e r c u l t u re s, as we c an se e b e l ow. • •

• •

I n I n d o n e si a, gre e n h as b e e n t rad i t i o n al l y fo r b i d d e n . I n t h e M i d d l e E ast, gre e n sy m b o l i ze s l u c k , fe r t i l i t y, an d Isl am . I n B razi l, gre e n i s asso c i ate d w i t h n at u re an d h o p e. I n I re l an d, t h e co l o r gre e n i s a sy m b o l o f

• • • •

p at r i o t ism , a nd it al so re presents St. Pat r i c k ’s Day. I n Israel, green i s a si gn of ba d n e ws. I n Eg y pt, the col or gre e n conveys h o p e and fer til it y. I n Ch i n a , green m e an s i nfidel it y. Th e co m bination o f gre e n a nd re d st an ds for Ch r i st ma s in We ste r n c ul tures. I n J ap an, the col or gre e n i s a ssoc iated w i t h e ter na l l ife.

What Does the Color Green Mean in the Bible? Co l o r s co nvey pl ent y o f m e an i n gs in the B i b l e, an d green m e an s i m m or ta l it y, re su r re c t i on, grow th, p ro sp e r i t y, a nd re sto rat i o n. The co l o r gre en i n t h e B i b le is al so asso c iated w i t h fe r t i l it y.

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Power Items Color- Green Continued Psychological Meaning of Green G reen i s a d o m i n a nt color i n o ur wo r ld. We s ee green t h e most i n n at ure. From lus h green land sca p es to p a r ks and yo ur g a rd en, the co lo r green i s ubiqu i to us. U nli ke blue, green i s groun d ed i n t h e tangi b le wo r ld, s o i t isn’t a co lo r with m a ny emot i o na l m ea n i n g s.

Color Green Meaning Th e re i s a se n se o f to g e t h e r n e ss i n gre e n t h at m ak e s i t t h e co l o r o f t h e u n co n d i t i o n al l ove o f f am i l y, n at u re, an d t h e wo r l d. An d b e c au se o f t h at, i t ’s n o t su r p r i si n g t h at gre e n i s g e n e ro u s. I t gi ve s away w i t h o u t ex p e c t i n g any t h i n g i n re t u r n .

I t is the co lo r t h at conne c t s us to M oth er Nat ure. I t ’s a relaxi n g co lo r that so o t h es us with i t s g ent le a n d peacef ul un d er to n es.

Gre e n , t h e fo u r t h rai n b ow co l o r, i s a g o o d l i ste n e r. I t l ove s to co nt r i b u te to t h e h ar m o ny an d grow t h o f t h e co m m u n i t y. Gre e n i s c al m , p e ace f u l. I t ’s a so o t h i n g co l o r t h at h e l p s e ase an x i e t y an d d e p re ssi o n , w h i c h i s w hy i t i s o f te n u se d i n co l o r t h e rapy.

G reen s y m b o li zes g ood h ea lt h a nd i t ’s als o a h ea li ng co lo r as it o f fers a b a la n ce bet ween o ur b o d y and mi nd. I t b r i n g s har m o ny. Th e co lo r green i s t he co lo r of nat ure, growt h , fres h nes s, en erg y, and fer t i li t y.

I n t h e l ast fe w ye ar s, gre e n h as b e co m e m o re t h an a co l o r. I t h as b e co m e a ve r b. To g o gre e n i s to t h i n k ab o u t t h e f u t u re. An d t h at ’s al so o n e o f t h e m e an i n g s o f t h i s co l o r. As i n n at u re, gre e n co nve ys grow t h an d

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p ro sp e r i t y, providing we al t h an d hope for a b e t te r f uture. Gre e n co nveys st ab i l i t y, e ndura nce, good luck, g e n e ro si t y, hope, h e al t h , v i gor, safe t y, an d renewa l. Th i s co l o r ha s st ro n g e motiona l co r re sp o ndence w i t h safe t y. I t e vo k e s fe el ings of ab u n d an ce w hil e p rov i d i n g a restful an d se c u re feel ing. Th at ’s b e ca use w hen yo u se e som ething gre e n , yo u k now it i s al i ve an d grow ing. Th e p re se n ce of gre e n i n d i c ates not o n l y l i fe but al so wate r, therefore, l i t t l e d an ger o f f am i n e, rea ssur ing u s o n a p r im itive l e ve l. Fo r i nsta nce, gre e n i s u sed in we b si te s and a pps i n t h e m o der n wo r l d to i n dic ate a t ran sac t i on or a c tion we nt we l l, a ga in, re assu r i n g us.

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Power Items Color- Green Continued I n the s en s e o f pros p er i t y a n d abun d a n ce, green is also a s s o ci ated with Wa ll St reet, ambiti o n , prac ti ca li t y, bank i ng, f i n a n ces, and mo n ey. St i ll, jus t li ke ever y t h i n g else i n t h e wo r ld, colors a ls o h ave their d ua li t y. When overus ed, green can ca us e p eo p le to become la z y, m o o d y, d epres s ed, p la ci d, and let h a rgi c. I n the m ea n i n g o f the co lo rs, green repre s ent s env y, greed, mater i a li s m, and p o s s es s i venes s. I t can a ls o co nvey inexper i en ce, over ly jud gi ng, and jea lo us y. Howe ver, green i s not im p uls i ve o r uptig ht. O n t h e contra r y, t h e co lo r green i s a b o ut balan ce. B eca us e green i s a res ult o f blue a nd yellow, t h i s

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co l o r i n co r p o rate s so m e at t r i b u te s o f b o t h co l o r s. I t i s a c al m i n g an d se n si t i ve co l o r l i k e b l u e. St i l l, i t h as so m e o f t h e e n e rg y, l o gi c, an d m e nt al c l ar i t y o f ye l l ow, c re at i n g t h e p e r fe c t b al an ce b e t we e n h e ar t an d h e ad. Th i s h ar m o n i o u s co m b i n at i o n i s t h e re aso n w hy gre e n i s a d ow n - to - e ar t h co l o r. I t i s t h e p e ace m ak e r o f t h e sp e c t r u m , e sp e c i al l y g o o d at m ak i n g m i n d f u l d e c i si o n s, an d i t h as a we l l - d e ve l o p e d se n se o f r i g ht an d w ro n g. As sai d b e fo re, i t i s t h e co l o r o f b al an ce, t h e re fo re, i t i s an exce l l e nt h u e to h ave aro u n d w h e n yo u want to re c h arg e yo u r e n e rgi e s af te r a ro u g h d ay at wo r k . Th at ’s al so w hy we fe e l e n e rgi ze d o u t i n n at u re. Physical Effects of Green E ac h co l o r h as p hysi c al

e f fe c t s o n us, i n c l u d i n g the col or gre e n . Gre en c a n be: • R e l ax i n g – it p ro m o tes physic a l an d m enta l re l ax at ion a s it st r i k e s the eye i n su c h a way as to re q uire n o ad j ustm ent w h at soever a nd i s, t h e refore, re st f u l, w hic h is p ar t i c u l a r l y useful fo r p e o pl e w ith d e p re ssion a nd an x i e t y. • R e v i t al i z ing – it i n st i l l s a sense o f re n e wa l an d f re shness, e sp e c i a l l y w h e n we a re e m o t i o na l l y/ p hysi c a l l y ex h au sted. • R e assu r ing – it i s a co l or deepl y asso c i ated w ith l i fe an d grow th, re assu r ing us on a p r i m i t i ve l evel. • I m p rove s cognitive d e ve l o pm ent - - - – gre e n ha s b e e n assoc iated w i t h e n ha nced

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Power Items Color- Green Continued beh av i o ra l d evelo p ment a n d red uced rate o f AD H D i n chi ld ren . Personality Color Green Is green yo ur favor i te co lo r, o r you h ave ma ny green thing s at h o m e? G reen rep res ent s g enero us a n d d iplomat i c p eo p le who e nj oy h a r mo ny. I f gre en i s i n d eed you r f avo r i te co lo r, you w i ll wa nt to rea d abou t t he p ers o na li t y color green. Meanings of Green Shades Tea green: I nexper i en ce, d epend a b le, you th f uln es s, a f res h s tar t, rela xi n g. L ight green : A s ooth i ng a nd peace f ul co lo r, li g ht green i s a n es p eci a lly calm s h a d e t hat repre s ent s ren ewa l, luck , hea lt h , a n d optim i s m.

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Tr u e Gre e n : I t i s asso c i ate d w i t h e co - f r i e n d l i n e ss b u t al so w i t h m o n e y. I t re p re se nt s h e al t h , grow t h , an d we al t h . Ye l l ow- gre e n : E ar t hy, raw, so u r n e ss, si c k n e ss, an d j e al o u sy. D ar k gre e n : I t i s d i gn i f i e d, p ro fe ssi o n al, re sp e c t ab l e, ex p e n si ve, an d so p h i st i c ate d. Th e re are a l o t o f sh ad e s o f gre e n : l i m e, fo re st, m i nt, te al, se afo am , e m e ral d, sag e, o l i ve, p i st ac h i o, b asi l, p i c k l e, c ro co d i l e, p i n e, j u n i p e r, se awe e d, c h ar t re u se, m o ss, ye l l ow, ar my, k e l l y, j ad e, j u n g l e, Pe r si an , te a, sh am ro c k , aqu am ar i n e, v i r i d i an , sp r i n g gre e n , p e a gre e n , grass gre e n , an d ap p l e. Most Common Uses of Green Gre e n i s o f te n u se d to e vo k e f re sh n e ss, e co - f r i e n d l i n e ss, agr i c u l t u re,

re c yc l i n g, ga rdening, st ab i l i t y, and p u re n e ss. • M i l i t ar y gea r • Eco - f r i e ndl y p ro d u c ts • Gre e n energy co m p anies • Cl e an i n g produc ts Companies and Brands That Use Green in Their Logo Gre e n i s com m onl y u se d to p rom ote i te m s re l ated to n at u re, e nergy, te c h n o l o gy, g ard e n i n g, c l ea nness, an d n o n - profit i n d u st r i e s. Green Chakra E ac h o f t he seven c h ak ra co l or s ha s i t s m e an i ng rooted i n t h e assoc iations o f t h o se col or s. Th e c h e st c ha k ra , An ah at a, al so k now n as gre e n c ha k ra , h e l p s u s re store t h e n o r m a l state of t h e b o d y a nd m ind, fe e l i n g m ore l ove an d e m p athy.

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Power Items Color- Green Continued Green Gemstone The green g ems to n e is u s ed to even o ut energi es, p ro mo t i ng chang e. I t a ls o s timulates growt h by increa s i n g feeli n g s o f optim i s m a n d h o p e. Facts About Green • G reen i s a s eco n d a r y co lo r m a d e by co mb i ni n g b lue and yellow, acco rd i n g to the C M YK co lo r mo d el. St i ll, green is a p r i ma r y co lo r in t h e R G B co lo r mo d el, us ed fo r T Vs a nd mo n i to rs. • O f a ll co lo rs o f the s p ec t rum , gre en h a s t h e mo s t s ha d es, ra ngi ng from yellowi s h to b luei s h . • O f a ll s o r t s o f colo r b li n d nes s, red/ green bli nd nes s co m p r i s e 99 % o f t hem . • Green i s t he mos t res t f ul a n d rel a xi ng co lo r fo r the h uma n eye.

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• •

Gre e n i s se co n d to b l u e as a f avo r i te co l o r. Th e o n l y si n g l e co l o r n at i o n al f l ag i s gre e n . I t ’s f ro m Li bya. I n t h e 1 9 t h ce nt u r y, t h e Am e r i c an g ove r n m e nt p r i nte d o n e si d e o f t h e b i l l s w i t h gre e n i n k to avo i d f rau d. S i n ce t h e n , b i l l s h ave b e e n c al l e d gre e n b ac k .

https://www.colorsexplained.com/ color-green-meaning-of-the -colorgreen/

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Magical Poetry High Priestess, R avensThorn

Song In March William Gilmore Simms

NOW are the winds about us in their glee, Tossing the slender tree; Whirling the sands about his furious car, March cometh from afar; Breaks the sealed magic of old Winter?s dreams, And rends his glassy streams; Chafing with potent airs, he fiercely takes Their fetters from the lakes, And, with a power by queenly Spring supplied, Wakens the slumbering tide. With a wild love he seeks young Summer?s charms And clasps her to his arms; Lifting his shield between, he drives away Old Winter from his prey;? The ancient tyrant whom he boldly braves, Goes howling to his caves; And, to his northern realm compelled to fly, Yields up the victory; Melted are all his bands, o?erthrown his towers, And March comes bringing flowers. 13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

I’ll Wear a Shamrock Mar y Carolyn Davies

St. Patrick’s Day is with us, The day when all that’s seen To right and left and everywhere Is green, green, green! And Irish tunes they whistle, And Irish songs they sing, To-day each Irish lad walks out As proud as any king. I’ll wear a four-leaf shamrock In my coat, the glad day through, For my father and mother are Irish And I am Irish too! 46

13 Sisters of Delphi


Magical Poetry Brittanica

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud BY WILLIAM WORDSWOR TH

I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand saw I at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils. 13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry High Priestess, R avensThorn

Ostara Ember Cooke

The year yearns listlessly for light Now warmth returns, relieving night Ostara brings Her fertile fair The precious egg, the wild hare To start again the song of spring And to our hearts fair blessings bring. Old Winter now retires to rest The passion of His storms attest The floods that fuel fresh buds renew To Winter’s effort, Spring gives due So now He slumbers, satisfied With what His watchful works provide.

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Magical Poetry High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Leprechaun. Bernard Shaw

Sitting on a toad stool at the break of dawn, Was an Irish Elf known as the Leprechaun. I listened to him singing with a voice so clear, His praise of Nature was music to my ear. He sung of flowers covered in morning dew, And of gossamer cobwebs spun in the night anew. His voice accompanied the early birds just awake, Blending well with the sweet tones that they make. The he plucked some shamrocks with four perfect leaves, These he placed carefully in his pockets and up his sleeves. He sang of his good luck and his pots of gold, That he had been saving from the days of old. Then he turned his head and saw my astonished look, Toldmetogohomeandwriteaboutthisencounterinmypoetrybook. I bid him good day and went on my way, Now that he had seen me I could not stay, So I returned home and wrote this little verse, About the Leprechaun that sung praise to the Universe.

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Magical Poetry

Shared by : Brittanica

Annie’s Song Song by John Denver

You fill up my senses Like a night in a forest Like the mountains in springtime Like a walk in the rain Like a storm in the desert Like a sleepy blue ocean You fill up my senses Come fill me again Come, let me love you Let me give my life to you Let me drown in your laughter Let me die in your arms Let me lay down beside you Let me always be with you Come, let me love you Come love me again Let me give my life to you Come, let me love you Come love me again You fill up my senses Like a night in a forest Like the mountains in springtime Like a walk in the rain Like a storm in the desert Like a sleepy blue ocean You fill up my senses Come fill me again 50

13 Sisters of Delphi


Magical Poetry Shared by : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Faery Song Lisa Thiel

Dance, dance in the month of may dance dance for the queen of fey all my sisters dance and sing dance around the faery ring La la la la la la la la celebrate the return of life dance dance in the warm sunlight all my brothers dance and sing dance around the faery ring La la la la la la la la Dance dance when the moon is bright dance dance in the pale starlight all my sisters dance and sing dance around the faery ring La la la la la la la la (x2)

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Magical Poetry Shared By : High Priestess, R avensThorn

SERENADE. BY Edgar Allan POE.

So sweet the hour — so calm the time, I feel it more than half a crime When Nature sleeps and stars are mute, To mar the silence ev’n with lute. At rest on ocean’s brilliant dies An image of Elysium lies: Seven Pleiades entranced in Heaven, Form in the deep another seven: Endymion nodding from above Sees in the sea a second love: Within the valleys dim and brown, And on the spectral mountains [[mountain’s]] crown The wearied light is lying down: The earth, and stars, and sea, and sky Are redolent of sleep, as I Am redolent of thee and thine Enthralling love, my Adeline. But list, O list! — so soft and low Thy lover’s voice to night shall flow That, scarce awake, thy soul shall deem My words the music of a dream. Thus, while no single sound too rude, Upon thy slumber shall intrude, Our thoughts, our souls — O God above! In every deed shall mingle, love. 52

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Magical Poetry Shared By : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Dear March Come in Emily Dick inson

Dear March—Come in— How glad I am— I hoped for you before— Put down your Hat— You must have walked— How out of Breath you are— Dear March, how are you, and the Rest— Did you leave Nature well— Oh March, Come right upstairs with me— I have so much to tell— I got your Letter, and the Birds— The Maples never knew that you were coming— I declare - how Red their Faces grew— But March, forgive me— And all those Hills you left for me to Hue— There was no Purple suitable— You took it all with you— Who knocks? That April— Lock the Door— I will not be pursued— He stayed away a Year to call When I am occupied— But trifles look so trivial As soon as you have come That blame is just as dear as Praise And Praise as mere as Blame—

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Magical Poetry Shared By : High Priestess, R avensThorn

To a Child Dancing in the Wind W. B. Yeats

Dance there upon the shore; What need have you to care For wind or water’s roar? And tumble out your hair That the salt drops have wet; Being young you have not known The fool’s triumph, nor yet Love lost as soon as won, Nor the best labourer dead And all the sheaves to bind. What need have you to dread The monstrous crying of wind?

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Magical Poetry Shared By : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

A Prayer in Spring Rober t Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year. Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white, Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night; And make us happy in the happy bees, The swarm dilating round the perfect trees. And make us happy in the darting bird That suddenly above the bees is heard, The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill, And off a blossom in mid air stands still. For this is love and nothing else is love, The which it is reserved for God above To sanctify to what far ends He will, But which it only needs that we fulfil.

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Magical Poetry Shared by Brittanica

“Witchcraft” -E. Merrill Root

‘Tis Salem, 1696—Beware the evil glance! The woods are deserts dim and full Of dismal circumstance. New England is the Devil’s realm, Good Cotton Mather knows— There copper demons throng the dark Amid a waste of snows. Children, infected with the night, Gibber and shriek and twitch: God save them—and God save us all!—From demon and from witch. Like beasts upon all fours they crawl; Their flesh turns blue and black; The foam is froth upon their lips; Their limbs grow numb and slack. (That hag, old Tituba, is there—The creature of the night: She hears the rustle and crepen bustle Of witches in their flight.) “ ‘Tis Goody Nurse!” the children cry, “ ‘Tis Reverend Burroughs, too!” (Upon their foreheads and their hands The sweat is ghastly dew.) Ann Putnam cries,–she is but twelve,–“His two dead brides!—they say He slew them both, he stabbed them both; And see, their cheeks are gray.” And Goodwife Putnam, like a bow Too tightly strung, is there; She sees the specters of the dark Flutter across the air. “How oft,” cries she, “how oft hath he Plagued the poor godly child!— See, yellow birds flit round his head.” Her rolling eyes are wild. “The red calf ’s head,” one child doth shriek, “Its ears are stiff and pert— See, See!” She points at vacant air; Then swoons and falls inert. “ ‘Hoccanum come!’ ” (Ann Putnam saith) “Old Goody Nurse did cry; And just that night—that very night—My father’s cow went dry.” The others pant, “The black dog runs—Yet see, it hath her head!” “She rides the water like a cork, Who should be drowned and dead.” “The white sow roots the earth in dreams…I may not sleep by night.” Haggard and hollow are their cheeks; Their eyes are thronged with fright. Why wonder then that juries pale And swoon in sympathy? Why marvel witches hang like fruit Upon the gallows tree

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Magical Poetry Shared By : High Priestess, R avensThorn

Here Comes the Sun The Beatles

Here comes the sun do, do, do Here comes the sun And I say it’s all right Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun do, do, do Here comes the sun And I say it’s all right Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here Here comes the sun do, do, do Here comes the sun And I say it’s all right Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear Here comes the sun do, do, do Here comes the sun And I say it’s all right Here comes the sun do, do, do Here comes the sun And I say it’s all right 13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry Shared By : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Ostara Ar tist: Heidevolk

Shrouded in the field, in mist and cold Shines a shimmer in the dew When the heavens color from black to blue Ostara In the East where the night begun Awakes the light of the morning sun Her morning blesses our source/spring Ostara Early, when the day begins And the sun blinds the field of stars When Spring conquers Winter Ostara By the dawn, witnessed by us Sunlight paves a path of gold Through the chilling fog banks in the woods Ostara Night and day reach balance Long-awaited return of the light When the sun rises again and the cold disappears And the light of life shines on the land Feel the warmth in the morning Lush green shoots from cold ground When the Saxon people greet the sun On the hills bathing in her glow

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Magical Poetry Shared By : Brittanica

Springtime Promises Song by Pentangle

Summertime is with us once again Flowers bloomin’ everywhere again And the cold days of winter are behind us now And the springtime promises all come true Trees and grass and bushes green again The sky so blue, I don’t remember when The cold days of winter took the sun away But the springtime promises all came true It’s summer time now so please don’t throw ‘t away Winter will be with us once again Flowers die’n everywhere again And the warm days of summer will be far behind And the springtime promises soon forgot Grass and bushes withered, and the trees are bare Dark and cloudy skies and people in despair And the warm days of summer seem so far away And the spring time promises still forgot It’s wintertime so you’ve got to wait awhile For the springtime promises to come true Now the new born year has come once more Gentle showers awake us as before1 It’s the time when all promises are now made true And the springtime sun returns anew Soon the earth will turn to green again Flowers will burst forth soon to bloom again The warm days of spring time tell us all is love Can’t you feel your promises will be true It’s spring time now

Be happy today

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Recipes Eggs in Purgatory with toast Eg g s i n Purg ato r y i s a s pi c y an d d e l i c i o u s m e at l e ss m e al t h at woul d be awes o me a ny t i me o f d ay. Eg g s are p o ac h e d i n a to m ato sau ce spik ed with p lent y o f ch i lli es a n d se r ve d w i t h st ac k s o f c r u n c hy to ast. ingredients • 1 ta b les p o o n s o li ve o i l • 1 c love g a r li c, p eeled • ¼ tea s p o o n crus hed re d p e p p e r f l ak e s • 1 red j a la p en o, ch o p p e d f i n e • 1 1 4 o unce ca n d i ced to m ato e s • ½ tea s p o o n s a lt • 4 eggs • 1 ta b les p o o n grated Par m e san c h e e se • To a s ted b rea d, to s er ve instructions Ad d yo ur o i l to a f r y i ng pan ove r m e d i u m h e at. Grate i n t h e g ar l ic c l ove us ing a mi cro p la ne o r f i n e grate r, t h e n ad d t h e c r u sh e d re d p e pper flakes a nd t h e cho p p ed jal ap e n o. Le t t h i s co o k fo r a m i n u te o r t wo or until i t b eco m es f ra gra nt an d t h e j al ap e n o st ar t s to so f te n a b i t. Ad d i n t h e to m ato es a nd sal t, an d gi ve i t a g o o d st i r. Le t t h i s cook until it comes to a b ub b le. Crack yo ur eg g s i nto fo u r co r n e r s o f t h e p an an d sp r i n k l e ove r the Par m es a n chees e. Pa r t i a l y cove r t h e p an , al l ow i n g sp ace fo r stea m to escap e, a n d let i t g ent ly b u b b l e away fo r ab o u t f i ve m i n u te s o r until the egg w hi tes a re s et. R emove f ro m h e at. S er ve i m m ed i ately wi t h l o t s o f to ast an d so m e c h i l l i o i l i f yo u wa nt a bit of ex t ra heat

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Recipes ham and potato soup Ham a n d Po t ato S o up i s c re amy, coz y, an d d e l i c i o u s. M ak e a b i g pot of this e a s y reci p e a ny t i me yo u want to fe e l war m an d h ap py. ingredients • 5 Yuko n G o ld Po t ato es o r o t h e r st arc hy p o t ato e s, c h o p p e d i nto one inch cub es • ½ s ma ll wh i te o ni o n , d i ce d • 1 m ed i um ca r ro t, d i ce d • 2 c up s cho p p ed h a m • 3-½ cup s ch i cken s to c k • S alt a n d p ep p er, to t aste • 5 ta b les p o o ns b ut ter • 1 c up f lo ur • 1 c up m i lk • 1 c up ha lf a n d h a lf o r si n g l e c re am • ½ tea s p o o n g a r li c p owd e r • ch ed d a r ch ees e a n d ch i ve s fo r g ar n i sh instructions Ad d veg et a b les a n d h a m to c h i c k e n sto c k i n a m e d i u m p o t. B r i n g to a boil and s i mmer unt i l t h e p o t ato e s are so f t, ab o u t 1 5 m i n u te s. S ea son to tas te. I n the m ea nt i m e, m elt b u t te r ove r m e d i u m l ow h e at i n a sm al l sa uce pan. Ad d f lo ur a nd wh i s k to co m b i n e. Al l ow t h i s m i x t u re to co ok for abou t 1 mi nute. Slowly whi s k i n mi lk a nd h al f an d h al f, t h e n ad d g ar l i c p owd e r. Al l ow this m i x t ure to co m e to a b o i l t h e n re d u ce to a si m m e r u nt i l i t thic k ens. O nce t h e p o t ato es a re s of t, ad d t h e m i l k m i x t u re to t h e p o t an d stir to comb i ne. C h eck fo r s e aso n i n g, an d l e t t h i s al l co o k to g e t h e r for a cou ple mo re m i n utes. Top wi t h ched d a r ch ees e an d gre e n o n i o n s, an d se r ve w i t h c r u s t y brea d.

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Recipes potato and spinach curry ingredients

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

12 oun ces b aby po t ato es, q u ar tered 1 tab lespo o n o live o il ½ o n io n , diced 1 c love gar lic, min ced ½ teasp o o n must ard powd er ¼ teasp o o n gro un d t ur me r ic ¼ teasp o o n gro un d cumin ½ teasp o o n gro un d co r ian der ½ teasp o o n garam masala ½ teasp o o n crush ed red p epper f l ak es 1 tab lespo o n b ut ter 1 c up plain Greek yo gur t 1 teasp o o n grated f resh ging er 4 oun ces f resh sp in ach leaves

instructions

Pu t your q ua r tered p o t ato e s i n a p an an d cove r w i t h co l d wate r. Pl a ce the pa n over m ed i um h i gh h e at, p u t a l i d o n t h e p an , an d l e t t he potato es co o k fo r a b o ut 1 5 m i n u te s. D rai n p o t ato e s. I f yo u’re n ot rea dy to u s e t hem yet, p la ce yo u r co l l an d e r b ac k ove r t h e p an an d covered the po t ato es wi t h a clea n towe l to k e e p t h e m war m an d al l ow t hem to contin ue s tea m i n g. Wh i le t h e p o t ato e s are co o k i n g, c h o p yo u r onion. Cook t he o n i o n i n a s k i lle t d r i zzl e d w i t h o l i ve o i l, st i r r i n g f re q uentl y for ab o ut 15 m i n utes unti l t h e y b row n . Wh i l e yo u r o n i o n s are cook ing, chop yo ur g a r li c a n d mea su re o u t yo u r sp i ce s. Yo u c an p o p t h e m a l l into t he s a me s ma ll d i s h b e c au se t h e y ’re al l g o i n g i nto yo u r f r y ing pa n tog ether o n ce t h e o n i o n s are co o k e d. Co nt i n u e to co o k g ar l i c and spices for ab o ut a mi nute unt i l i t b e co m e s f ragrant. Ad d but ter a n d p o t ato es to t h e p an . St i r to co at t h e p o t ato e s i n the s pices a nd co o k fo r a n o t h e r 1 0 m i n u te s, st i r r i n g o cc asi o n al l y. Whil e this is coo k i ng, m ea s ure o ut yo u r yo g u r t an d grate t h e gi n g e r i nto i t. You can als o a d d s a lt a nd p epp e r to t h i s. Th i s wo u l d al so b e a g o o d tim e to put a ket t le o n to b o i l. Add t h e yo g u r t m i x t u re to t h e p an , t h e n sw ish around a b i t o f water i n th e d i sh yo u h ad t h e yo g u r t i n an d t h row that in the p a n a s well. G i ve i t al l a g o o d st i r an d l e t i t co o k fo r ab o u t five minutes to t hi cken. Wh i le t h i s i s co o k i n g, p u t yo u r sp i n ac h l e aves in a coland er. Po ur water f ro m yo u r re ce nt l y b o i l e d k e t t l e ove r t h e spina c h to wilt t he leaves, t h en ru n so m e co l d wate r ove r t h e sp i n ac h to stop the co o k i ng. S q ueeze o ut any exce ss wate r an d st i r t h e sp i n ac h into the potato es. Ta s te to a d j us t se aso n i n g. S e r ve w i t h r i ce.

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Recipes bacon goat cheese & green onion biscuits ingredients • 6 sli ces b a co n, co o ked t i l c r i sp an d c h o p p e d • 3-¾ cup b rea d f lo ur • 1-½ t a b les p o o n s b a k i n g p owd e r • 1-½ tea s p o o ns b a k i ng so d a • 1 tea s p o o n s a lt • 4 ounces (1 s t i ck) uns a l te d b u t te r, co l d, c u t i nto c h u n k s • 4 ounces g o at chees e • 2 green o n i o n s, ch o p p e d • 1-¾ cup b ut ter mi lk instructions Preheat oven to 425 F (22 0 C ) an d l i n e o n e o r t wo b ak i n g sh e e ts w ith parch m ent p a p er o r a s i l i co n e b ak i n g m at. I f yo u o n l y h ave o n e sm a l l bak in g s heet, yo u ca n ma k e t h e se i n t wo b atc h e s. I f you haven’t co o ked yo u r b aco n al re ad y, d o t h at n ow. H owe ve r you lik e to co o k b a co n i s great. G e t i t c h o p p e d i nto p i e ce s to g e t fol ded into you r b i s cui t d o ug h. I n a l arg e m i x i n g b ow l, si f t to g e t h e r f l o u r, ba k ing powd er, b a k i ng s o d a , a nd sal t. Ad d yo u r p i e ce s o f co l d b u t te r, a nd use you r clea n h a n d s to s ma sh an d sm o o sh t h e b u t te r an d f l o u r to gether until co m b i n ed. Yo u’ ll have a so r t o f san d y m i x t u re. Ad d in t h e co o ked b a co n , c r u m b l e i n t h e g o at c h e e se, an d to ss the green o n i o n s i nto t h e b ow l as we l l. Fo l d al l t h i s e ve n l y t h ro u g h out your butte r y f lo ur. Fi na lly, s t i r i n t h e b u t te r m i l k u nt i l co m b i n e d. S i n ce these are d ro p b i s cui t s, t hi s wi l l b e we t te r t h an a t y p i c al b i sc u i t d o u gh. Using a q ua r ter cup m easu re o r a l arg e sco o p, p l o p 1 2 - 1 5 m o u nds of d ou g h o nto yo ur wa i t i n g b ak i n g sh e e t s. B ak e fo r ap p rox i m ate l y 1 5 minutes o r unt i l t h e to p s o f t h e b i sc u i t s j u st sh ow a h i nt o f g o l den brown a c t i o n . S er ve wa r m .

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Spells & Potions

Ostara Incense Recipe • • • •

2 t b s p. co p a l, well gro u n d 1 t b s p. d ra g o n’s b lo od, gro u n d we l l 1/ 2 t s p d r i ed v i o let pe t al s ½ t s p d r i ed ci t rus p ee l

M ix a ll i ngred i ent s well w i t h a m o r t ar an d p e st l e t h e n b u r n t h e m on incens e ch a rco a l i n yo ur ce n so r. Pe r fe c t to we l co m e t h e sp r i n g, refresh your ho m e (o p en a ll wi n d ows to b u r n w h i l e ai r i n g i t o u t ) , o r bur n it at the Os t a ra r i t ua l.

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Spells & Potions Ostara Potion for a Romantic Night: Op en a bo t t le of red win e, o r su b st it u te cra n - gra p e ju i ce for a non-a lcoholic op t io n . • • •

Ad d 3 t s p. o f ho ney Ad d 9 leaves o f lemo n b al m Ad d a s m a ll p i n ch o f d r i e d gro u n d c h i l i p e p p e r

R e - ca p the bottle, t ur n it upside - down and swir l i t c l o c k wise, cha nting:

Passions stir, inhibitions slip, the heart beguile with each sip Shareitwithyourloveronaromanticevening.

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Spells & Potions Mirror Beauty Spell All you need fo r t hi s s p el l i s a d ar k e n e d ro o m , a p i n k c an d l e, and a mir ro r. L i g ht t he ca n d le, sh u t t h e l i g ht s, gro u n d an d ce nte r yo u r sel f. M ed itate a few m o m ent s to b r i n g yo u r se l f i nto t h e al p h a st ate. Place t h e ca n d le b et wee n yo u r se l f an d t h e m i r ro r. S o f te n yo u r ga ze a nd upon yo ur ref lec t i o n, ch ant i n g :

I am she, she is me, Lovely Lady, let your beauty shine through Sit like t h i s fo r a s lo ng a s yo u c an h o l d t h e m e d i t at i o n . Yo u w i l l not notice s o m e d ra s t i c ch a n g e ; d o n’t ex p e c t m agi c al p l ast i c su rg e r y. But you r ent i re b ei ng wi ll b e gi n to g l ow w i t h an au ra o f yo u r ow n u niq ue beau t y, b r i ngi ng o ut yo u r b e st fe at u re s, b e am i n g w i t h d i v i n e e nergy.

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Spells & Potions Intention Magic: Candle Consecration Wr ite yo ur i ntent i o n o n pap e r an d p l ace an an o i nte d c an d l e i n the cand l e ho ld er. L i g ht i t, a n d say :

Blessed candle, light of the Goddess, I burn this light of[deities name]. hear my prayer, O[deities name]. Hear my need. Grant my wish and give me hope. Do so with all your grace, And magical speed. Now rea d yo ur i ntent i o n as yo u w ro te i t o n t h e p ap e r. R o l l t h e pa per into a s cro ll a nd, us i n g a fe w d ro p s o f war m wax f ro m yo u r i nte ntion cand l e, s ea l yo ur s a cred st ate m e nt. Place t he p a p er o n yo ur a l t ar o r i n a sp e c i al p l ace.

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13 Sisters of Delphi


Spells & Potions Bowl of plenty: House Magic havin g a n at t i t ud e o f a b u n d an ce l e n d s a g e n e ro si t y o f sp i r i t t h at w il l ease yo ur way t hro ug h t h e wo r l d. Take a la rg e green g la s s b ow l an d p l ace i t o n a h al l way t ab l e o r s ome where yo u p a s s by. Li g ht a gre e n c an d l e b e si d e i t an d c h a nt three t i m es :

Verdant vessel, full of grace. Bring your goodwill and gifts to this place. This money will grow and grow, abundance is for all; this I know. So mote it be. Each t i m e yo u co me ho m e, e m p t y yo u r p o c k e t s an d p u r se o f c ha nge. Whenever t h e ves s el f i lls, t ak e h al f an d t re at yo u r se l f to a sp i r i t- ra ising ind ulg en ce; t a ke t he o t h e r h al f an d gi ve i t to yo u r f avo r i te c h ar it y. Ju s t li ke p ower, g en ero s i t y o f sp i r i t grows an d re t u r n s to yo u te nfol d.

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Spells & Potions Go Sit For a Spell O n a S un d ay, o r a ny d ay yo u n e e d e n co u rag e m e nt, se t asi d e a half-h o ur o f q ui et t i me an d d re w u p so m e w i l l p owe r to h e l p you in a ny creati ve end eavo r. L ight a whi te ca n d le a no i nte d w i t h p e p p e r m i nt o i l, an d t h e n l i ght spic y incen s e(ci n na mo n wo r ks we l l, i f yo u c an g e t i t ) . t ak e a sp r i g o f mint, wa r m mi lk , a nd a c i n n am o n st i c k , an d st i r t h e m i l k c l o c k w ise with t he mi nt a n d ci n na m o n i n a w h i te m u g. S ay al o u d :

herb of menthe and spicy mead, Today is the day I shall succeed, In every word and every deed. With harm to none, so mote it be. Q u aff t h e cup a n d ” s i t for a sp e l l,” e ye s c l o se d, e nv i si o n i n g yo u r New Ho r i zo ns. Keep t he ci n na mo n s t i ck s o n yo u r al t ar as a sy m b o l o f t h e p owe r of encou ra gi n g wo rd s .

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Spells & Potions Moon Magic

thi s i s a go o d t ime o f t h e yea r to c al l u po n G aia to heal the ear th and its c re at ure s. Thi s c an b e p ar t o f a regular r itu al o r c an be per fo r m ed by its el f. Pl ace s o m e b a r l e y a nd Bay Laurel leaves in a caul dro n o n your alt ar. S et a lighted b row n c andl e behind the c au l dro n. Pl ace s to nes an d c r ys t a l s a ll a ro un d t h e cauldro n an d c andl e. B u r n ear thl y t y pe in s ens e, s u c h as ver va i n , bay be r r y, powdered o r r is ro o t, o r even patc ho u l i. I f yo u want, pu t a pic tu re o f t h e e ar th n ear by. Have an o t h er brow n c andl e ready in a ho l der. Pl ace bo th o f yo ur hand s, p alms down , o n t h e al tar. C hant:

Mother Gaia, Goddess of the Earth, The planet itself is sick. I give you honor, Donotdestroyusinordertorestorebalance. for without your care and being Ratherinspireusalltoworktogetherashealersofourworld. Come again to your children, Gaia! I would have no home. Place the candle on the altar. Stand with upraised arms. LighttheextrabrowncandleandcarryittotheEast. Awaken our minds and souls, Gaia! Awake, Earth Mother! Teach all humans to respect their home. Your winds are heavy and foul. Teachusallresponsibility,whetheritbeof chemicals or population. Sweep them clean again! Awaken us all to the needs of our earth! Carry the candle to the South. Awake, Earth Mother! Earth Mother, hear my words. I have need of your divine presence.

Yourchildrenneedyourcleansingraysoflight.Thank G aia for her p resence a n d ex t inguish t he c and les. Our atmosphere is in trouble! Go to the West. Put t he b ar ley and Laurel ou t s i de Awake, Earth Mother! offer ing to t he ear t h. Theplantsandanimalsandhumansareindanger.And

as an

d o your p ar t in healing t h e e a r t h !

Protect your children! Finally, move to the north. Awake, Earth Mother!

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Mythology The Story of Astarte

Shared by : High Priestess Lady Gloriana

Fast Facts: Pronunci at i o n : Ah-s t a r-tea O r igin : Eg y p t i a n (i n this inca r n at i o n ) O ther na mes : As htoret h As tar te i s a g o d d es s of ma ny na mes, with a s to r y t hat s pans m a ny cult ures, nu mero us p a r t s of the wo r ld, a n d almost t he wh o le o f hu ma n h i s to r y. H er influence o n mo d er n religio n s i s s t i ll felt s t ro n g ly a nd As tar te’s to uch ca n be fou nd i n s o m e s ur pr i s i n g p la ces. Who Is Astarte? As tar te i s t h e g o d d es s of war a nd, to a less er ex tent, o f love and fe r t i li t y. I n Eg y p t s he wa s t h o ug ht of as a n es p eci a lly power f ul wa r r i o r g od d e s s a nd wa s als o a s s o ci ated wi t h the mo s t p ower f ul war m a ch i n e o f the time: t h e h o rs e and ch a r i o t. S h e was e s p eci a lly fo n d

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o f p e o p l e w h o we re g o o d w i t h h o r se s, as d e m o n st rate d by o n e sto r y w h e re sh e d e l i g hte d i n t h e f ac t t h at a p h arao h’s so n was an exce l l e nt h o r se m an . Ast ar te’s c u l t was si gn i f i c ant i n Eg y p t, an d sp e c i al o b e l i sk s we re m ad e fo r t h e p u r p o se o f wo r sh i p p i n g h e r. S h e i s co n si d e re d o n e o f t h e m aj o r g o d s o f Eg y p t. Appearance Ast ar te i s u su al l y sh ow n as a b e au t i f u l, n ak e d wo m an . O f te n , sh e we ar s a se t o f b u l l h o r n s o n h e r h e ad, a si gn o f d o m i n an ce an d p owe r. M any d e p i c t i o n s al so sh ow h e r w i t h a se t, o r e ve n t wo se t s, o f w i n g s. I t ’s co m m o n fo r Ast ar te to b e sh ow n w i t h ove r l y ro u n d h i p s, w h i c h i s asso c i ate d w i t h m o t h e r h o o d an d fe r t i l i t y. S o m e t i m e s h e r b o d y i s sh ow n as an d ro g y n o u s, w h i c h si m p l y m e an s t h at i t

l o o k s n e i t her m a l e n o r fe m al e. Asta r te c an al so be show n we ar i n g a c row n. B e c au se sh e is co n si d e re d the m i st re ss of hor ses by Eg y p t i a ns, m a ny d e p i c t i o n s of her sh ow t h e goddess o n h o r se ba c k or o t h e r w i se in the co m p any of hor ses. Family D e p e n d i n g on w here i n Eg y p t you a sk ed, Ast ar te’s father wa s e i t h e r t h e sun god R a, o r P t ah , the god o f c raf t sm en. I f sh e i s a da ughter o f R a i t m e a ns that sh e i s al so the sister o f An at, an other wa r g o d d e ss. Asta r te is al so asso c iated w ith an o t h e r d aughter of R a, n am e l y Hathor. H at h o r i s a goddess o f fe r t i l i t y, w hic h is o f co u r se a n attr ibute Ast ar te i s a l so k n ow n fo r.

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Mythology

The Story of Astarte Continued Her co n s o r t wa s S eth, wh o i s (n o s ur pr i s e) a g o d o f war. H e i s a ls o g o d o f wind s, s to r ms, ev i l, chaos a n d d a r k nes s. I t see ms t h at even s ome g o d d es s es have a s o f t s p o t fo r bad boys. As tar te a ls o h a d a s on, a cco rd i ng to the Can a a ni tes, by the nam e o f H a uro n. Hau ron wa s a ls o later of f i ci a lly accepted i nto Eg ypt i a n reli gi o n. Origins and History We k n ow ver y little a b o ut As t a r te s pecif i ca lly i n h er Eg ypt i a n i nca r n at i o n , but we d o k n ow t h at s he is a no t her vers i o n of the M es o p o t a m i a n g od d e s s I s ht a r. As tar te wa s o f f i ci a lly ad opted i nto Eg ypt i a n reli gi o n d ur ing t h e 18t h Eg ypt i a n d y n a s t y. As Is ht a r, t h ere a re quite a few s to r i es

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ab o u t Ast ar te i n Th e E p i c o f Gi l g am e sh . H e re, sh e i s sh ow n to b e a b i t m o o d y an d sp o i l e d ; i n o n e sto r y, sh e g o e s to t h e g ate o f t h e u n d e r wo r l d an d d e m an d s to b e l e t i n . Isht ar was al l ab o u t l ove an d b e c am e p re t t y o b se sse d w i t h a fe w m e n w h o m sh e i n si ste d sh e wante d to m ar r y. Gi l g am e sh h i m se l f to l d h e r n o t h an k yo u, d u e to h av i n g h e ard sto r i e s ab o u t al l t h e o t h e r m e n sh e h ad l ove d an d t h e n dumped or hurt in so m e way. Wh e n Isht ar f ai l e d to g e t h e r ow n way, sh e co u l d g e t p re t t y n ast y ab o u t i t. S h e was rat h e r l i b e ral w i t h h e r d e m an d s an d c u r se s, an d was k n ow n fo r g e n e ral l y t h row i n g h e r we i g ht aro u n d. Th e p ro b l e m i s t h at, al t h o u g h Ast ar te i s d e r i ve d f ro m Isht ar, we c an’t assu m e t h at t h e Eg y p t i an fo r m o f t h i s g o d d e ss was any t h i n g l i k e Isht ar.

Isht ar an d Asta r te m ay al so be the i n sp i rat i o n for M ar y, m o ther of J e su s, i n m oder n Ch r i st i an i t y, since t h e c u l t o f I shta r sp re ad t h roughout t h e M i d d l e E a st a nd b e yo n d, re a c hing a s f ar as Eu rope. I t ’s al so p o ssi bl e that Ast ar te se r ved a s t h e i n sp i ration for t h e Gre e k goddess Ap h ro d i te, w ho bea r s m any re sem bl a nces to Ast ar te. Modern Influence As su c h as a nc ient an d i m p o r ta nt g o d d e ss, Asta r te u n d e r h e r m a ny n am e s i s of ten re fe r re d to in m edia su c h as v i deo ga m es, an i m at i o n, fa nta sy n ove l s an d fil m . As Isht ar, fo r exa m pl e, sh e i s m e ntioned in t h e S an d ma n com ic s, as we l l as in the Co n an t h e Ba r ba r ia n sto r i e s.

https://mythology.net/ egyptian/egyptian- gods/ astar te/

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Mythology The Story of Minerva Shared By : High Priestess R avensThorn Par t h e n o n , t h e sp e ar, t h e sp i n d l e, an d H e l l e b o re

R o m e an d wa s patron o f t h e Q u i nq uatra s fe st i val.

Gender Fe m al e

O r i gi n al l y, M i n e r va wa s a n I t al i an g o ddess of h an d i c raf ts c l osel y asso c i ate d to the Gre e k g o ddess At h e n a. Th e sc hol a r l y co n se n su s, however, i s t h at M i n er va wa s i n d i g e n o u s, pa ssing to t h e R o m a ns from t h e Et r u sca n goddess M e n r va, and that her n am e d e r i ves from m e m i n i sse, m ea ning ‘ to re m e mber ’.

Parents J u p i te r an d M e t i s Equivalents Greek equivalent

At h e n a G od des s o f p o et r y, med ici ne, s t rategi c war fare, co m m erce, weavi n g, t he cra f t s, wisd o m , co ura g e, ins pirat i o n , v i c to r y, war, law, ci v i li z at i o n , braver y, h ero i s m , prote c t i o n , ci t y s tate, f a mi ly, j us t i ce, mathe mat i cs, s ci ence, techn o lo g y, s t ren g t h, s trateg y, t he a r t s, and s k i ll M emb er o f t he Capito li ne Tr i a d a n d the D i i Co ns entes Symbols O wl o f M i n er va , olive t ree, s er p ent of Ju p i ter, t h e

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Etruscan equivalent

M e n r va Canaanite equivalent

An at Egyptian equivalent

Neith Celtic equivalent

B r i g ant i a M i n e r va was t h e R o m an g o d d e ss o f w i sd o m , m e d i c i n e, co m m e rce, h an d i c raf t s, p o e t r y, t h e ar t s i n g e n e ral, an d l ate r, war. I n m any ways si m i l ar to t h e Gre e k g o d d e ss At h e n a, sh e h ad i m p o r t ant te m p l e s i n

Co n si d e re d the d au g hte r of J upiter, f ro m w h o se hea d sh e was b or n, the g o d d e ss wa s fir st wo r sh i p p ed in R o m e as one of the Cap i to l i n e Tr ia d al o n g w i t h J upiter an d J u n o. I n l e g e n d, the great h e ro Ae n e a s, w ho e sc ap e d f rom fa l l en Troy, b ro ught a c ul t

13 Sisters of Delphi


Mythology The Story of Minerva s tatu e o f t h e g o d d es s to R om e. R es i d i n g within t h e Temp le o f Vesta i t wa s b eli eved that th e ci t y wo uld be s afe f ro m ha r m as long a s t he s t at ue was pres er ved. L ik e At hena , the g o d d es s wa s renow ned fo r h er chast i t y, a nd s he o n ce famou s ly ref us ed t h e amoro us a d va n ces o f M ars, t he g o d o f wa r. M iner va i s t h e protag o ni s t i n one o f t he mo s t famou s s to r i es pres ented i n O v i d ’s M etam o r p h o s es. I n the my t h, a Lyd i a n gir l na med Ara ch ne unwisely b o a s t s t h at her weav i n g s k i lls are even b et ter t h a n M iner va’s. Th e great g od d e s s wa s n o t best p lea s ed to hea r s uch cla i ms a nd s he promp t ly cha llen g ed the pres ump t uo us Arach ne to a weavi ng co mp et i t i o n .

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S e t t l i n g d ow n at t h e i r re sp e c t i ve l o o m s t h e t wo l ad i e s e ac h se t ab o u t c re at i n g a wo n d e r f u l t ap e st r y t h at wo u l d o u t sh i n e t h e i r r i val ’s b e st e f fo r t s. M i n e r va’s m aste r p i e ce sh owe d al l t h e gre at g o d s an d h ad M i n e r va h e r se l f t ak i n g ce nt re st ag e i n t h e ac t o f winning the co m p e t i t i o n w i t h Po se i d o n to b e co m e p at ro n o f At h e n s. Eve n m o re o m i n o u sl y fo r Arac h n e t h e e d g e s o f t h e t ap e st r y d e p i c te d al l t h o se m o r t al s w h o h ad i n f am o u sl y c h al l e n g e d t h e g o d s an d co m e a se r i o u s c ro p p e r. M e anw h i l e, Arac h n e’s l e ss p i o u s wo r k d i sp l aye d var i o u s g o d s t ak i n g o n d i f fe re nt fo r m s so t h at t h e y co u l d se d u ce u n su sp e c t i n g m o r t al s. Th e wo r k i t se l f was a t r u l y m agn i f i ce nt p i e ce o f we av i n g b u t, p e r h ap s p re d i c t ab l y, M i n e r va, n e ve r t h e l e ss,

d e c l are d her sel f t h e w i n n e r a nd p u n i sh e d Ara c hne fo r h e r au da c it y by h i t t i n g h e r on the h e ad t h re e tim es a nd c h an gi n g her into a sp i d e r. I t is a nother c au t i o n ar y ta l e, so co m m o n i n Greek a nd R o m an mythol ogy, of h ow u nw i se it is for m o r t al s to consider t h e m se l ve s the eq ua l s o f t h e g o ds. Pe r h ap s t h e m ost i m p o r t ant site of wo r sh i p of M iner va was o n t h e Aventine w h e re a sh r ine wa s b u i l t i n e i ther 2 6 3 or 2 6 2 B CE. Th i s p ar t i cul a r i n c ar n at i on of the g o d d e ss - Aventine M i n e r va - wa s of Gre e k o r i gin a nd t h e si te wa s a l so the l o c at i o n of a w r iter s an d ac to r s guil d a nd an i m p o r ta nt centre fo r c raf t smen. Th e g o d d ess a l so ha d a sh r i n e o n m ons

13 Sisters of Delphi


Mythology The Story of Minerva Caeliu s, o ne o f t he s even h i lls o f R o m e.

i n t h e se co n d h al f o f t h e 1 st ce nt u r y CE.

O ver t i me, M i ner va grew i n s t at ure within t h e R o m a n panth eo n a nd s he took over a s t he most i m p o r t a nt fo cus of the Q ui nq uat rus fes tiva l, p rev i o us ly the d o m a i n o f M a rs.

O n e o f t h e m o st i m p re ssi ve re p re se nt at i o n s o f M i n e r va i n ar t i s t h e 3 m e t re h i g h st at u e o f t h e g o d d e ss w h i c h n ow re si d e s i n t h e Cap i to l i n e M u se u m s i n R o m e.

The fi ve - d ay fes t i va l began o n t h e 19t h o f M arch a nd ma r ked the b egi nni n g o f t he camp a i gn s ea s o n fo r the R o m a n a r my. The g o d d es s a ls o becam e a s s o ci ated with v i c to r y, a s illu s t rated by Pompey ’s d ed i cat i o n of a temp le to t he g od des s fo llowi n g h i s s ucces s f ul ca mp a i gns in the ea s t. The em p ero r D omi t i a n a ls o claim ed t h e g o d d es s was h i s s p eci a l prote c t res s a nd h e comm i s s i o n ed a temp le to h er i n t h e Ner va Fo rum i n R o me

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D at i n g to t h e 2 n d ce nt u r y B CE, t h e st an d i n g f i g u re we ar s a c h i to n an d b e l t, an ae gi s w i t h M e d u sa, c ar r i e s a sh i e l d o n h e r l e f t ar m an d we ar s a Co r i nt h i an h e l m e t p u sh e d to t h e b ac k o f t h e h e ad. Th e st at u e, w h i c h owe s m u c h i n co m p o si t i o n to t h e co l o ssal c h r yse l e p h ant i n e st at u e o f At h e n a t h at Ph e i d i as sc u l p te d fo r t h e Par t h e n o n i n t h e 5 t h ce nt u r y B CE, p re se nt s t h e g o d d e ss i n h e r f am i l i ar g u i se as a n o b l e an d fe ar l e ss war r i o r.

M i n e r va i s the R o m an g oddess of w i sd o m . She wa s al so t h e goddess of t rad e, t h e a r ts, a nd st rate g y i n wa r. Her d o m ai n s i nc l uded m e d i c i n e, poetr y, a nd h an d i c raf ts a s wel l. S h e was i n c ha rge o f so m any things t h at O v i d c a l l ed her t h e “g o d d ess of a t h o u san d wor k s” ! M i n e r va wa s highl y i n f l u e n ce d by the Gre e k g o ddess AT H E N A . When t h e R o m ans m a de co nt ac t w i th the Gre e k s, t h ey saw their gods as b e i n g si m il a r to t h o se o f t he Greek s. I n f ac t, t h ey d e c i d e d t h at they we re t h e s a m e gods u n d e r D IFFE RE N T N AM E S . S h e was of ten p o r t raye d wea r ing a c h i to n , w h ic h i s an an c i ent Gre e k g ar ment, an d a h e l m et.

13 Sisters of Delphi


Mythology The Story of Minerva M any s t at ues o f her s how her h o ld i n g a s pear a nd a s hi eld, to repres ent her intere s t i n wa r. But s h e ca n o f ten b e found o f fer i n g a n olive b ra nch to t h e d efeated. M i n er va was a gra ci o us winne r i n wa r, who h a d s y mp at hy for th o s e h er ar mie s b eat. Af ter At h ena b eg a n to influen ce M i ner va , her s y m b o l b eca me the owl, whi ch tod ay co nt i nues to repre s ent wi s d o m . She als o g a i n ed a backsto r y wo r t hy of a co mi c b o o k . She wa s b o r n wh en her fat h er, Jup i ter, s wall owed h er mother, M et i s. He d i d t h i s b eca us e of a pro p hec y t h at his ch i ld wo uld o n e d ay d efeat hi m. While i ns i d e Jup i ter, M etis fo rg ed

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we ap o n s fo r t h e b aby M i n e r va. Th e co n st ant n o i se g ave J u p i te r a te r r i b l e h e ad ac h e. H e ask e d an o t h e r g o d, VU LC A N , to h i t h i s h e ad w i t h a h am m e r an d sp l i t i t o p e n . Al t h o u g h t h i s i s a p re t t y ex t re m e so l u t i o n fo r a h e ad ac h e, i t wo r k e d. M i n e r va e m e rg e d f u l l ygrow n f ro m J u p i te r ’s fo re h e ad. S h e h ad t h e we ap o n s an d ar m o r t h at h e r m o t h e r h ad m ad e fo r h e r.

O l i ve o i l wa s ve r y i m p o r ta nt to M e d i te r ra nea n c u l t u re s – a s we c a n se e f ro m the fa c t t h at M i n e r va wa s d e c l are d the w inner o f t h e co ntest. M i n e r va h a d m a ny t i t l e s b e c a use of her m any ro l e s. S om e of t h e se t i t l e s were: • •

As p ro o f t h at M i n e r va co u l d w i n co nte st s w i t h o t h e r g o d s, t h o u g h , h e re’s o n e m o re sto r y ab o u t h e r, ag ai n d raw n f ro m Gre e k my t h s.

Th e g o d s h ad a co nte st to se e w h o co u l d c re ate t h e m o st u se f u l i te m fo r h u m an s. N e p t u n e m ad e a h o r se – d e f i n i te l y a ve r y u se f u l an i m al fo r t h e an c i e nt s. M i n e r va, h owe ve r, c re ate d t h e o l i ve t re e.

· M i n e r va M edic a – p at ron of d o c to r s · M i n e r va Ca stitis – p at ron of ol ive t re e s · M i n e r va Lu sc i n i a – a n am e t hat m ea ns ‘n i g ht i n ga l e’, b e c au se she is sa id to h ave invented t h e f l u te · M i n e r va Ar m i p otens – p owe r f ul in a r m s an d t h e patron of st rate g y

M i n e r va wa s a c tua l l y o r i gi n al l y from the Et r u sc an s, w ho were a p e o p l e that l ived i n t h e sam e pl a ce

13 Sisters of Delphi


Mythology The Story of Minerva as R o m a n s d i d b ut before R o m e exi s ted. This an ci ent g o d d es s was c a lled M enes wa , which mea ns “s he who m ea s ures”. This or i gi n ca n b e s een i n o n e of M i ner va’s other t i t les : M iner va M ens a , “M ine r va wh o measures t i me”. M iner va wa s ver y impor t a nt to t h e R oman s. As a mat ter of fac t, s h e wa s p a r t of the “Ca p i to li ne Tr io”, wh i ch cons i s ted o f t h ree g od s t hat t h e R o ma ns cons i d ered p at ro ns of thei r ci t y. The o t her t wo g o d s were Jup i ter a n d Ju no. Th es e t h ree g od s were wo rs hi p ed on th e Ca p i to li n e H ill, w hi ch wa s a ver y i m p o r t a nt ho ly s ite in a n ci ent R o m e. As a m at ter o f f a c t, that ’s wh ere we g et the wo rd “ca p i to l,”

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as i n Cap i to l H i l l, f ro m ! S o n ex t t i m e yo u t h i n k o f Wash i n g to n , D. C. , yo u c an t h i n k o f M i n e r va. M i n e r va al so was o n e o f t h re e “ v i rgi n g o d d e sse s” i n R o m an t rad i t i o n . Th e se t h re e g o d d e sse s vowe d to n e ve r m ar r y, b u t rat h e r d e d i c ate t h e m se l ve s to t h e i r wo r k s. Ve st a an d D IAN A we re t h e o t h e r t wo i n t h e t r i o.

b e i n g p e r for m ed t h ro u g h o u t the h o l i d ay. To d ay, st atues of M i n e r va c a n of ten b e fo u n d i n sc hool s an d l i b rar ies. Even t h o u g h i t ’s been t h o u san d s of yea r s si n ce t h e R om a ns wo r sh i p e d her, M i n e r va continues to st an d for w isdom an d t h e ac t of c re at i n g t h ings.

M i n e r va was ce l e b rate d i n a var i e t y o f fe st i val s i n an c i e nt R o m e. Th e m o st f am o u s o n e m ay h ave b e e n t h e Q u i n q u at r u s, w h i c h was d e d i c ate d to M i n e r va an d MARS . I t we nt f ro m M arc h 1 9 - 2 3 . O n t h e f i r st d ay o f t h i s fe st i val, n o b l o o d co u l d b e sh e d. H owe ve r, t h e l ast d ay e n d e d w i t h g l ad i ato r i al b at t l e s. Wo m e n al so co n su l te d fo r t u n e - te l l e r s, an d t h e re we re sp e ak e r s, p o e t s, an d p l ays

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Mythology The Story of Luna Shared by Brittanica

G od ly a nces t r y wa s impor t a nt i n R o ma n religio n . Acco rd i ng to Hes i o d ’s Theo g o ny, Luna i s s a i d to b e t he d aug hter o f H y p er i o n and Thei a . H yper i o n wa s t h e Titan g o d o f h eavenly light a nd o n e o f t he t welve Ti t a n chi ld ren of G ai a (E a r t h) a n d Uranu s (S k y ). Theia wa s h i s s i s ter - a g o d d es s o f s i g ht who e n d owed g o ld, s ilver a n d g ems wi t h their b r i lli a nce a nd intr in s i c va lue.

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Th e Ti t an s we re t h e o l d e st g o d s an d p re ce d e d t h e n ex t g e n e rat i o n , t h e R o m an g o d s o f O l y m p u s. Lu n a was t h e si ste r o f S o l ( t h e m al e su n g o d ) an d o f Au ro ra ( t h e fe m al e g o d d e ss o f d aw n ) . S h e was o n e o f t h e co n so r t s o f J u p i te r, t h e g o d o f sk y, t h u n d e r an d k i n g o f t h e R o m an g o d s; t h e i r o f fsp r i n g i n c l u d e d Pard e i a, H e r se an d N e m e i a. I n ad d i t i o n to J u p i te r, Lu n a h ad a se co n d my t h i c al co n so r t n am e d Endymion. Endymion m ay h ave b e e n an ast ro n o m e r b u t i s k n ow n as a h an d so m e yo u n g sh e p h e rd, f avo u re d by J u p i te r w h o b e stowe d u p o n h i m t h e gi f t o f e te r n al yo u t h an d t h e ab i l i t y to sl e e p fo r as l o n g an d as o f te n as h e d e si re d. Lu n a i s sai d to h ave b e e n so e nt ran ce d by h i s b e au t y t h at sh e d e sce n d e d n i g ht l y f ro m h e ave n to watc h ove r

an d p ro te c t him . N o t w i t h st a nding this ‘p ro te c t i ve’ rol e Lu n a an d Endym ion h ad f i f t y offspr ing; k n ow n as ‘ The M e n ae’, t hey were t h e f i f t y goddesses o f t h e l u n ar m onths w i t h i n a four yea r O l y m p i ad ! The my t h o f E ndym ion was a p o pul a r su b j e c t fo r R om a n wal l p ai ntings. I t i s g e n e ra l l y b e l i e ve d that the c ul t o f Lu n a d ates ba c k to t h e t i m e of the K i n g s i . e. predates R e p u b l i c a n R om e. Th e my t h i c a l stor y o f R o m u l us a nd R e m u s c u l m inating i n t h e fo u ndation of R o m e i n 7 5 3 BC is we l l k n own. The c it y was su b seq uentl y r u l e d by a ser ies o f se ve n k ings, not al l o f w h o m were as co m p e tent a s R o m u l u s, the fir st K i n g o f R om e.

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Mythology The Story of Luna Event ua lly, d epos i t i o n o f t he s event h k i ng, Tarqu i ni us S up er b us, led to t h e a d vent o f the R o ma n R ep ub li c in 509 B C . When t h e f i rs t (myth i ca l) wa r bet ween R o me/ R omu lus a n d t h e S abines /Ti t us Tat i us came to a n en d t h e t wo lea d ers a greed to for m a co mp lete R oman s o ci et y ; ea ch pled ged to f ulf i l hi s religio us d ut y by ins titu t i o n o f cult s. R omu lus i n s t i t uted a sing le cult - to Ju pite r - a nd Ti t us Tatiu s i nt ro d uced a ser ies o f cult s includ i ng t h o s e to S ol and Lun a . Cons t ruc t i n g a d etail ed, no nmytholo gi ca l a cco unt of the o r i gi ns a n d impor t a n ce o f Luna is d iff i cult a s a ll ear ly wr i t i n g s were d estroyed d ur i n g t h e firs t s a ck o f R o me in 387 B C when t h e

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i nvad i n g G au l s b u r n e d an d p l u n d e re d t h e c i t y, k i l l i n g m o st o f t h e R o m an S e n ate. M any f am o u s R o m an w r i te r s an d p o e t s i n c l u d i n g Var ro ( 1 1 6 B C - 2 7 B C ) , Vi rgi l ( 7 0 B C - 1 9 B C ) an d H o race ( 6 5 B C - 8 B C ) re fe r to Lu n a b u t we re w r i t i n g ab o u t e ve nt s w h i c h o cc u r re d m any ce nt u r i e s b e fo re t h e y we re b o r n . Co n se q u e nt l y, t h e m an n e r i n w h i c h t h e y p o r t raye d ‘ f ac t s’ was co l o u re d by t h e i r ow n p e rce p t i o n s an d ex p e r i e n ce s an d by w h at t h e y d e e m e d t h e p o p u l ace o f t h e t i m e w i sh e d to h e ard an d re ad. An c i e nt R o m an h i sto r y m ay b e p re se nte d as f ac t u al b u t i s, i n re al i t y, a co l l e c t i o n o f my t h s. I n t h e ab se n ce o f w r i t te n re co rd s, i t i s d i f f i c u l t fo r u s to d e c i p h e r w h i c h p ar t s o f t h e my t h o l o gi c al w r i t i n g s re p re se nt f ac t an d w h i c h re p re se nt

e m b e l l i sh ment. What i s b e yo n d dispute h owe ve r i s that t h e m o o n occ upied a ce nt ral pl a ce in R o m an re l igion. Why Luna was worshipped

R o m an g oddesses of t h e m o o n , a nd their Gre e k co u nter pa r ts, we re sai d to be fo r m e d i n a tr ia dic m an n e r h ence Luna was asso c iated w i t h t wo fur ther g o d d e sse s, Dia na an d H e c ate. Lu n a was the goddess i n h e ave n a nd of the f u l l m o o n (Greek co u nte r p ar t being S e l e n e ) , Dia na was t h e g oddess o n e ar t h and of the h al f m o o n (Greek Ar te m i s) and Hec ate ( o r H e k ate) was t h e g o d d ess in the u n d e r wo r l d a nd of t h e d ar k moon. D i an a was or igina l l y a g o d d e ss of fer til it y an d was wor shipped by wo m e n a s the

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Mythology The Story of Luna giver o f fer t i li t y a n d easy bi r t hs. S h e was als o t he g o d d es s of nat ure a nd of hu nt i ng. Hecate wa s t he und er wo r ld g od d e s s o f ma gi c and wi tchcra f t. Var ro ment i o ns t he as s oc i at i o n o f Luna with D i a n a a n d fur the r a s s o ci at i o n with o t her g o d d es s es linked to ch a s t i t y a nd child b i r t h s uch a s Prosp er i na a n d Jun o Lucin a , a n a nci ent mater n a l ch a ra c ter. The lat ter m ay even have b een a mo re centra l f i g ure wi t hi n the tr i a d o f mo o n g od d e s s es wi t h Hecate b ei n g a later p a r t i ci p a nt. The m ult i p le f a cet s of wo men , femi ni n i t y and chi ld b i r t h were b eli eved to be as s o ci ated wi t h the pha s es o f t h e moon: t he n ew moon rep res ented the m a i d en g o d d es s,

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D i an a, al ways n e w, v i rgi n al, re b o r n an d re ad y fo r t h e h u nt w h e re as t h e wax i n g m o o n i n c re asi n g i n si ze re p re se nte d t h e fe r t i l e m o t h e r g o d d e ss, p re gn ant w i t h l i fe. Th e d ar k e n i n g m o o n re f l e c te d t h e w i se c ro n e o r w i tc h , H e c ate, w i t h p owe r to h e al an d t ran sfo r m .

‘The moon advances pregnanciesandripenstheminto birth’and‘themoonisthesource ofconceptionandbirthandof growth and maturity’. Marcus Tullius Cicero

Var ro c ate g o r i se d b o t h Lu n a an d S o l as b e i n g am o n g st t h e v i si b l e g o d s as o p p o se d to t h e i nv i si b l e g o d s, su c h as N e p t u n e, an d d e i f i e d m o r t al s, su c h as H e rc u l e s. H e i n c l u d e s Lu n a w i t h i n a l i st o f t we l ve p r i n c i p al g o d s o f R o m e ; a l i st w h i c h st ar t s w i t h J u p i te r an d Te l l e s ( E ar t h ) an d i s fo l l owe d

by S o l an d Luna , ‘ w h o se se a sons are o b se r ved at sow i n g an d h ar ve sting’. Var ro al so inc l udes Lu n a am o n gst t we l ve d e ities vita l to agr i c u l ture; ‘S ol an d Lu n a w hose co u r se s are watc h e d i n al l m an n e r s o f p l ant i n g an d h ar ve sting’. Vi rgi l al so a ssoc iated Lu n a w i t h a gr ic ul ture al t h o u g h h e q uotes a d i f fe re nt l ist of t we l ve g o ds in w hic h h e re fe r s to Luna a nd S o l as ‘c l ar issim a m u n d i l u m ina’, t h e wo r l d ’s c l ea rest so u rce s o f l ight. Th e m o o n a nd, by asso c i at i on, the c u l t o f Lu na were u n d o u b te d potent e m b l e m s of the agr i c u l t u ra l c yc l e i n an c i e nt R om e sy m b o l i si ng that ‘ j u st as se eds re awak e n a nd

13 Sisters of Delphi


Mythology The Story of Luna grow, a ll t hat d i es will b e reb o r n’. Horace, Co lumella (R oma n wr i ter AD4 - A D 70), Pli ny (R oma n wr i ter (AD23 - A D 79), Apu lei us (R o ma n wr iter A D 124 - AD1 70) a n d Cicero a ll at tes t to the im p o r t a nce o f the m o o n, at t h e hear t o f reli gi o us belief, a s m i s t res s of agr i cult ure; the ‘fi nes t a n d most p ro f i t a b le, d elig ht f ul occu p at i o n’. I n ad di t i o n to femin i n i t y, ch i ld b i r t h and a gr i cult ure R oman s b eli eved t hat the m o o n co nt ro lled many o t h er f a cet s of s ub luna r li fe includ i n g t h e wi nd, rain, ti d es, a ni ma l life, m i nera l growt h and ea r t hq ua kes. Sueto n i us (R o ma n his tor i a n A D 69 AD122) wro te ‘ Th e moon i s a great magn et o f va p o ur

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an d al l su b st an ce s c h arac te r i se d by m o i st u re. Wh e n t h e m o o n grows so d o al l f r u i t s, an d as i t was, so t h e y al so sh r i n k ’.

h e l m e te d hea d of R o m a, t h e l egend ‘ R O MA’ an d the l e t te r ‘ X ’, to i n d i c ate t hat its val u e was eq uiva l ent to 1 0 asse s.

Lu n a was al so b e l i e ve d to h ave t h e p owe r to m ask re al i t y, to p i e rce i l l u si o n , to awak e n i nt u i t i o n an d to sp ar k v i si o n s. Th i s l at te r ar i si n g f ro m asso c i at i o n o f t h e n i g ht an d t h e m o o n w i t h d re am s.

Th e re ve r se bore t h e se m i divine t w i n h o r se m en, t h e D i o sc u r i, w h o acco rding to l e g e n d ap pea red m i rac u l o usl y a nd e n su re d v ic tor y fo r R o m e dur ing a b at t l e b e t ween t h e n e w l y for m ed R o m an R e publ ic a nd t h e Lat i n l ea gues l e d by t h e a geing Tarqu i n i u s Super bus, t h e d e p o s ed a nd l a st K i n g o f R om e.

S h e was al so k n ow n as a p at ro n o f so l u t i o n s w h i c h c am e to p e o p l e i n d re am s, w h e n t h e su b co n sc i o u s m i n d p ro ce sse s i n fo r m at i o n . I n sc r i p t i o n s o n al t ar s an d b u i l d i n g s sto n e s are a val u ab l e so u rce o f e v i d e n ce w h e n re se arc h i n g R o m an h i sto r y. Tex t an d i m ag e s o n co i n s p rov i d e an o t h e r e v i d e n ce so u rce : t h e si l ve r d e n ar i u s, m i nte d f ro m aro u n d 2 1 1 B C, g e n e ral l y sh owe d t h e

Aro u n d 1 94 BC 1 9 0 B C t h e Diosc ur i we re re p l aced on a si n g l e i ssue of co i n s by Luna in a b i g a ( a t wo hor se c h ar i o t ) . El even su c h d e p i c tions a re re co rd e d with a f u r t h e r te n aro u n d 1 5 0 BC .

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Mythology The Story of Luna Diana i s a ls o record ed i n a b i g a of s tag s i n 144B C . As a p at ro n es s o f char io teers, Luna is of ten d ep i c ted as a p a le, b ea ut i f ul woman wi t h lo n g, s hinin g, b la ck h a i r r id ing i n a t wo yo ke, s ilver ch a r i o t o r biga pulled ei t her by oxen, a p a i r o f horses o r a p a i r o f s er pe nt i ne d ra g o ns. She m ay a ls o b e d epic ted r i d i ng a horse o r a b ull o r d r ivin g a fo ur-h o rs e char io t, a q ua d r i g a . She m ay ca r r y a torch o r b e p o r t rayed with t h e cres cent moon ly i ng a b ove her foreh ea d. A tem p le d ed i cated to Lun a d at i n g f ro m the 6t h cent ur y B C and at t r i b uted to S er vius Tulli us, t he legen d a r y s i x t h K i ng of R om e wh o rei gn ed from 578B C to 535BC , s to o d o n t h e Aventi ne H i ll in R ome.

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Acco rd i n g to Li v y ( R o m an h i sto r i an 6 4 / 5 9 B C - AD 1 2 / 1 7 ) , t h e te m p l e was d am ag e d d u r i n g a sto r m i n 1 8 2 B C w i t h t h e d o o r s b e i n g to r n o f f an d b l ow n i nto t h e re ar wal l o f t h e n e ar by te m p l e o f Ce re s ( an an c i e nt g o d d e ss o f agr i c u l t u re, grai n c ro p s, fe r t i l i t y an d m o t h e r l y re l at i o n sh i p s h e n ce st ro n g l y asso c i ate d w i t h Lu n a) . Fo l l ow i n g t h e Ac h ae an war i n 1 4 6 B C, t h e co n su l Lu c i u s M u m m i u s d e p o si te d so m e o f t h e sp o i l s g ai n e d d u r i n g t h e sac k o f Co r i nt h (a c i t y i n so u t h - ce nt ral Gre e ce ) i n t h e te m p l e o f Lu n a. An o t h e r f am o u s p o l i t i c i an l i n k e d to t h e te m p l e i s G ai u s S e m p ro n i u s Gracc h u s, t h e re fo r m i st t r i b u n e of 123/122BC who i s sai d to h ave b e e n i n j u re d j u m p i n g d ow n f ro m t h e te m p l e w h e n f l e e i n g f ro m h i s

e n e m i e s. The tem pl e su st ai n e d fur ther d am ag e i n 8 4 BC fo l l ow i n g a l ightning st r i k e ; t h at this l ed to p o st p o n em ent o f t h e co n sul a r e l e c t i o n s confir m s t h e i m p o r ta nce of t h e c u l t o f Luna in R e p u b l i c a n R om e. Li k e l y si t u ated at t h e n o r t h er n end of t h e Ave nt i ne nea r t h e Po r t a Tr igom ina t h e te m p l e is sa id to h ave b e e n destroyed d u r i n g t h e great fire o f R o m e i n 6 4 AD d u r i n g t h e reign of t h e E m p e ror N ero. Var ro at te sts to a se co n d tem pl e, o n t h e Palatine H i l l, w h i c h wa s i l l u m i n ated at night an d d e d i cated to Lu n a N o c til uc a ( n i g ht- sh i ner / Luna t h at sh i n es by n i g ht ) . Celebrating Luna

Fe st i val s i n honour o f Lu n a we re hel d on

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Mythology The Story of Luna M arch 31s t i n t h e Avent i ne tem p le o n the a n ni vers a r y o f it ’s fo un d i n g. O n Aug us t 24t h , s acr ifi ces to Lun a were ma d e o n the G ra eco s t a s i s - a tr i b una l o r platfor m b et ween the Co m i t i um (t h e open -a i r p ub li c s peak i n g s i te) a nd the forum ; t he Lun a e G raeco s t a s i s wa s firs t d o cumented in 30 4B C . The S o li s et Lun a e Circe n s es wa s celeb rated o n Aug us t 28th at a temp le d ed icated o n t h i s d ate to t he s un and mo o n a nd s ituated n ea r t he Circu s M a xi mus. Tacitus (R o m a n his tor i a n A D 56 AD120) refers to it as vet us a ed em , an ol d b ui ld i n g a nd the celeb rat i o n o n ly becam e i m p o r t a nt when G a m es were ad d ed to t h e a g end a

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i n t h e l ate E m p i re ( 3 rd ce nt u r y AD) . Th i s te m p l e was p r i m ar i l y d e d i c ate d to t h e su n an d a st at u e o f t h e su n d r i v i n g a c h ar i o t m ay h ave sat ato p i t. Ev i d e n ce t h at Lu n a was a v i si b l e d e i t y o u t si d e R o m e i t se l f co m e s f ro m an an al ysi s o f p i p e c l ay f i g u r i n e s re cove re d f ro m R o m an Lo n d o n . 1 6 8 su c h ar te f ac t s h ave b e e n d i scove re d w i t h i n t h e Lo n d i n i u m se t t l e m e nt f ro m a m i x o f re si d e nt i al, t rad e an d re l i gi o u s si te s. Th e f i g u r i n e s we re m o d e l l e d u si n g t wo p i e ce m o u l d s by p l aste s, c raf t sm e n , wo r k i n g f ro m o f f i c i n ae, te r raco t t a p ro d u c t i o n ce nt re s i n t h e Al l i e r Val l e y i n Fran ce. S i x t y fo u r p e rce nt (109) of the 168 f i g u r i n e s we re d e i t i e s; al l we re fe m al e an d Ve n u s was by f ar t h e m o st co m m o n ( 8 5 ) h owe ve r t h e re we re

t wo Lu n a/ Dia na f i g u r i n e s and one J u n o. Th e Luna / D i an a f i g ur ines were fo u n d b e l ow m oder n d ay Le ad e nha l l Street an d B o n d Cour t - t h e y are uniq ue as o n l y o ne other si m i l ar f i gur ine, f ro m a ce meta r y nea r N i j m e g an in The N e t h e r l an ds ha s b e e n re co rded. R o m an b e l ief that g o d s an d goddesses co nt ro l l e d ever y asp e c t o f l ife re su l te d i n countl ess d e i t i e s p residing ove r e ve r y ta sk , e ve r y o cc u pation, e ve r y ac t i on. E ac h d e i t y ha d to be wo o e d w i th prayer s, vows, d e dic ation o f al t ar s, a nim a l or b i rd sac r i fices a nd o f fe r i n g s of m il k , h o n e y, gra in, fr uit, c ak e, p e r fum es o r f l owe r s. An i m al an d bird sac r i f i ce s were

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Mythology The Story of Luna s peci f i ed by co lo ur and g en d er h ence s acr ifi ces to Lun a , cond uc ted o ut s i d e her tem p le o n t h e Avent i ne H i ll, wo uld have b een o f whi te anima ls o r b i rd s. I n 17 B C , H o ra ce, the R o m a n ly r i c p o et (65BC - 8B C ) wa s comm i s s i o n ed by t h e Empero r Aug us t us to wr i te a hy mn / od e fo r t h e o p en i n g cerem o ny o f t h e Lud i S a ecula res, t he S ecu la r G a m es. These were held o n ly once p er cent ur y and co mp r i s ed a grand fes t i va l o f g ames, s a cr i f i ces and p er fo r ma nces. Horace’s Ca r m en S aecula re (S ecula r H ymn) wa s s ung by a ch o i r o r 27 boys a n d 27 gi r ls and i nvo kes Lun a as th e s i d erum regin a b i co r ni s ( t wo hor ne d q ueen o f the s t a rs ) b i d d i n g

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h e r to l i ste n to t h e gi r l s si n gi n g as Ap o l l o l i ste n s to t h e b oys. H o race was t h e e qu i val e nt o f t h e Po e t Lau re ate an d w ro te t h i s co l l e c t i o n o f re l i gi o u s an d my t h o l o gi c al ve r se s n o t o n l y to re i n fo rce Au g u st u s’ d e si re to p ro m o te h i s n e w m ar r i ag e l aws i nte n d e d to st i m u l ate c i t i ze n’s b i r t h rate s b u t al so to p ro m o te re sto rat i o n o f t rad i t i o n al R o m an val u e s an d to e n co u rag e g l o r i f i c at i o n o f t h e g o d s. Gl o r i f i c at i o n o f t h e g o d s, p ro p e r m an ag e m e nt o f re l at i o n s w i t h t h e g o d s an d e t h i c al b e h av i o u r we re co r n e r sto n e s o f R o m an so c i e t y an d l e d to R o m an p ro sp e r i t y an d R o m an d o m i n an ce. I t was w i t h i n t h i s so c i e t al f ram e wo r k t h at t h e c u l t o f Lu n a f l o u r i sh e d. https://w w w.vindolanda.com/ blog/luna

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Mythology

The Story of Mars Shared by High Priestess, Lady Gloriana M ars wa s t he ra gi ng R oman g o d o f war fare who s e f ur y ins pired s ava g er y i n battle. Fat h er o f ci t y founders R o m ulus and R em us, M a rs was re vered n o t o n ly as a g o d o f wa r, b ut one wh o s e co nf li c t s broug ht a b o ut las ting p ea ce.

p ro d u ce d t h e st u n n i n g acco m p l i sh m e nt s o f t h e R o m an ar m s. As R o m e t ran si t i o n e d f ro m c i t yst ate to e m p i re an d ove r t l y e m b race d Gre e k c u l t u ral val u e s, M ar s l o st h i s p re e m i n e nt p o si t i o n i n t h e R o m an p ant h e o n to M i n e r va, t h e g o d d e ss o f t ac t i c al an d st rate gi c war f are.

Fu r ious M a rs wa s the R o ma n g o d of rage, p a s s i o n , d estruc t i o n , a n d wa r. As a fo un d at i o n a l d eit y, M a rs ha d a myt h o lo g y t h at was int i m ately inter t wi n ed wi t h t h e R oman ci t y-s t ate. M ars ruled ea r ly R ome a s a p a r t o f the Archa i c Tr i a d, a masculi ne ruli n g tr iumv i rate t h at a ls o includ ed J up i ter and Q ui r i nus (t he d eifie d R o mulus ).

M ar s’ i m p o r t an ce to t h e R o m an p e o p l e was e m b e d d e d i n t h e my t h i c h i sto r y o f R o m e an d t h e o r i gi n s o f t h e R o m an st ate. Acco rd i n g to R o m an my t h o l o g y, M ar s rap e d t h e i n n o ce nt R h e a S i l v i a an d si re d R o m u l u s an d R e m u s, t w i n s w h o wo u l d g o o n to e st ab l i sh t h e f ab l e d c i t y.

The ea r ly R o m a n s revere d M a rs a s a great ra gi n g g o d, whos e f ur y i n s p i red the s ava g er y of war f a re a n d

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M ar s was l arg e l y b ase d o n t h e Gre e k g o d Are s, t h e Gre e k g o d o f war, an d sh are d m u c h o f h i s my t h o l o g y. Th e t wo d e i t i e s d i f fe re d i n at l e ast o n e re sp e c t, h owe ve r—w h i l e Are s was a so u rce o f d e st r u c t i ve co n f l i c t s t h at to re ap ar t

co m m u n i ties, M a r s was a we l lspr ing o f p ro d u c tive co n f l i c t s that brought l ast i n g p e a ce. Etymology Th o u g h t he m ea ning o f t h e n am e “M a r s” re m ai n s som ew hat e l u si ve, t h e na m e i t se l f was c l ea r l y ad ap te d f rom the n am e s o f a pa ir of I t al i an d e ities. One was a p ro to - I ta l ic d e i t y c al l e d M avor s, a d e i t y o f w hic h l ittl e i s k n ow n . The other, m o re i m m ediate i n f l u e n ce wa s the Et r u sc an deit y M er is, a g o d w h o wa s o f te n d e p ic ted a s a n i n f ant an d m ay have b e e n an Etr usc a n co u nte r p ar t to the Gre e k H e ra c l es (or R o m an H erc ul es). M ar s was k now n by m any e p i t hets, ea c h re p re se nt i ng one of h i s m any per sona s. As M ar s Gra divus, or “M arc h i n g M a r s,” t h e d e i t y wa s revered fo r h i s a presence

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Mythology The Story of Mars Continued on the b at t lef i eld. G enera ls a nd s o ld i ers alik e s wo re o at hs to M ars G ra d i v us, promi s i ng to f i g ht fur ious ly i n h i s n a me. As M a rs Q ui r i nus, or “M ars o f t he Q u ir ites”, h e was celeb rated a s a br in g er o f p ea ce throug h wa r a n d a d efe n d er o f t he comm o n ma n. H e was als o M a rs Pater and M a rs Pater Vic tor, o r “M a rs t h e Father ” a nd “M a rs the Fat her t h e Vic tor i o us,” t i t les that deno ted hi s h i g h s tand i ng i n R o m a n religio n a nd a m o ng the R o m a n p eo p le. Fun Facts Who wa s t he cou nter p a r t o f M a rs in Greek my t ho lo g y ? Althoug h h e exi s ted as a foun d at i o n a l d eit y i n R o m e, m uch of the my t h o s o f M ars wa s b a s ed o n the G reek g o d o f wa r Ares.

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Wh at we re t h e sy m b o l s o f M ar s? Th e b e st k n ow n sy m b o l o f M ar s was t h e sp e ar an d t h e sh i e l d, w h i c h i n t h e i r co m b i n e d fo r m h ave f re q u e nt l y b e e n u se d to re p re se nt t h e m al e g e n d e r as a w h o l e. Wh at p l an e t was n am e d af te r M ar s? An c i e nt R o m an s n am e d t h e fo u r t h p l an e t f ro m t h e su n M ar s d u e to i t s re d d i sh co l o r, w h i c h to t h e m was re m i n i sce nt o f b o t h b l o o d an d t h e g o d ’s p assi o n ate n at u re. R o m an s al so c al l e d h i m M ar s U l to r, m e an i n g “M ar s t h e Ave n g e r ”. Th i s t i t l e gre w i n p o p u l ar i t y af te r t h e O c t av i an’s v i c to r i e s ove r Cae sar ’s assassi n s at t h e B at t l e o f Ph i l i p p i i n 4 2 B CE. Th i s was b u t o n e way i n w h i c h t h e g o d s we re u se d fo r p o l i t i c al e n d s. Fi n al l y, M ar s was M ar s Au g u st u s, m e an i n g so m e t h i n g l i k e “M ar s w h o i s Awe so m e.” Th i s q u al i f i e r was l ate r u se d by t h e R o m an e m p e ro r s to d e sc r i b e

t h e i r ow n awesom e o m n i p o te nce. Attributes M ar s co nt rol l ed wa r an d t h e p assions that f u e l e d i t. He wa s re p re se nte d both as a f u l l y m ature m al e w i t h a bea rd an d c u r l y ha ir, a nd as a yo u t h w ith sm o o t h c h eek s. He was sh ow n of ten in t h e n u d e, per ha ps a si gn o f the raw, u n ad o r n e d forces h e was t h ought to i n sp i re. When c l o t h e d, he wore a m i l i t ar y c l oa k , p l u m e d h e l m , a nd c u i rass. Th i s l ast i tem wa s o f te n ad o r ned w ith t h e g o rg o neion, a m e d u sa h e a d that was t h o u ght to wa rd o f f e v i l. H is wea pon was t h e spea r, w h i c h wo u l d be w rap p e d i n a l a urel to sy m b o l ize pea ce. Th i s sy m bol ism spok e to M ar s’s status a s t h e g o d w ho brought p e ace t h rough wa r.

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Mythology The Story of Mars Continued Family M ars wa s t he s o n o f Ju piter a n d Jun o, t he k ing and q ueen o f t he R oman d ei t i es. M a rs’ full sibli n g s i n clud ed B ellon a , a g o d d es s o f war, Vu lca n , g o d o f metalwo r k i n g a nd t h e forg e, a nd Juvent us, a god des s o f yo ut h . M ars h a d m a ny half-si b li ng s a s well thank s to hi s father ’s i n d i s cret i o ns. These ha lf -s i b li ng s includ ed M ercur y, mess eng er g o d of com m erce a nd commu n i cat i o n , Proser p i na , Ceres’ child fa mo us ly abd uc ted by Pluto, and M i n er va , g od d e s s o f wi s d o m and d efen d er o f t he R oman s t ate. A fig ure o f p r i ma l mas culi n i t y, M a rs wa s d esired by ma ny. H i s cons or t s i nclud ed B ellon a a n d N er i o, both g o d d es s es o f war ass o ci ated wi t h impor ta nt cult s in ear ly R o m e. H e

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f am o u sl y c ar r i e d o n a l o n g an d i l l e gi t i m ate af f ai r w i t h Ve n u s, t h e g o d d e ss o f l ove an d sex u al d e si re. I n a se p arate t rad i t i o n , M ar s m ar r i e d An n a Pe re n n a, t h e g o d d e ss o f t i m e an d t h e c h an gi n g o f ye ar s. Th e y p rove d to b e a f i e r y co u p l e. M ar s’ p assi o n co u l d al so b e v i o l e nt, as w h e n h e rap e d t h e Ve st al Vi rgi n , R h e a S i l v i a, a f i g u re o f i n c re d i b l e i m p o r t an ce i n t h e fo u n d i n g o f R o m e. M ar s’ c h i l d re n t h ro u g h t h e se af f ai r s we re m any. Wi t h t h e l ove l y Ve n u s, M ar s p ro d u ce d c h i l d re n asso c i ate d w i t h a ran g e o f e m o t i o n al an d p syc h o l o gi c al st ate s. H e h ad Ti m o r an d M e t u s, g o d s o f fe ar an d ab j e c t te r ro r. H e al so h ad Co n co rd i a, t h e t w i n si ste r o f Ti m o r, w h o e m b o d i e d t h e c h arac te r i st i c s o f h ar m o ny, p e ace, an d fe l l owsh i p. M ar s al so h ad a gro u p o f c h i l d re n k n ow n as t h e Cu p i d s,

w i n g e d c reatures w h o sy m bol ized a nd co nt ro l l e d va r ious asp e c t s o f l ove a nd e ro t i c d e sire. M ar s was al so the f at h e r o f R om ul us an d R e m us, w ho we re co n ceived t h ro u g h h is ra pe o f R h e a S i l via . H is f at h e r sh i p of the t w i n fo u n der s of R o m e m ade M a r s the p ro g e n i to r of the R o m an p e opl e. Mythology B i r t h an d Or igins Al t h o u g h M a r s wa s g e n e ral l y considered to b e t h e s on of both J u p i te r an d J uno, an o t h e r ver sion of h i s my t h o l ogy c a st h i m as t h e offspr ing o f J u n o al one. Acco rd i n g to the sto r y ( to l d by O vid i n t h e Fasti), J uno re se nte d the fa c t that J u p i te r h a d given b i r t h to M iner va w i t h o u t t he need of a m o t h e r.

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Mythology The Story of Mars Continued M iner va h a d b een concei ved by J up i ter and t h e Ti t a n M et i s, but when Jup i ter s wall owed t h e pregn a nt M et i s, a fully grown M i ner va burst fo r t h f ro m hi s foreh ea d. S eek i n g veng ea n ce a g a i ns t Ju piter, Jun o traveled to t h e rea lm of Flo ra , a g o d d es s of flowers, s p r i ng, and fer t i li t y. There, Ju no la i d b a re her gr ieva n ces a n d implored t he g o d d es s for he lp :

‘My grief,’quoth she,‘is nottobeassuagedwith words. If Jupiter has becomeafatherwithout the use of a wife, and unites both titles in his singleperson,whyshould Idespairofbecominga motherwithoutahusband, and of bringing forth withoutcontactwithaman, alwayssupposingthatI amchaste?Iwilltryallthe 88

drugsinthewideworld,and Iwillexploretheseasandthe depths of Tartarus.’ Fl o ra acq u i e sce d, gi v i n g J u n o a sp e c i al f l owe r t h at m ad e fe m al e c re at u re s p re gn ant without the need of a m al e. J u n o te ste d i t o n a b ar re n h e i fe r, w h i c h i m m e d i ate l y b i r t h e d a c al f. Co nv i n ce d o f i t s p owe r, sh e t h e n u se d t h e f l owe r o n h e r se l f an d co n ce i ve d M ar s. Lusty Mars A re c u r r i n g to p i c i n t h e my t h o l o g y o f M ar s was t h e af f ai r h e c ar r i e d o n w i t h Ve n u s. Th o u g h Vu l c an an d Ve n u s h ad an u n h ap py m ar r i ag e, Vu l c an st i l l to o k any af f ai r Ve n u s m i g ht h ave as a gre at o f fe n se. Wh e n M e rc u r y saw Ve n u s m ak i n g l ove w i t h M ar s i n Vu l c an’s m ar r i ag e b e d, h e q u i c k l y i n fo r m e d t h e c u c k o l d e d g o d. Th o u g h Vu l c an was e n rag e d, h e d i d n o t ac t i m m e d i ate l y. H e wai te d p at i e nt l y, an d p l o t te d h i s re ve n g e. I n

h i s wo r k sh op, Vul c a n c raf te d a n et of m ate r i al s o fine that i t co u l d n ot be seen w i t h t h e n a k ed eye. H e t h e n l aid the tra p by p l ac i n g t h e n e t over his bed. Wh e n M ar s an d Ve n u s nex t m a de l ove, t h e y bec a m e e n sn are d in the n e t an d coul d not m ove. Vu l c a n then asse m b l e d the gods to w i t n e ss the scene, an d to g e t h er they mocked t h e n ak e d l over s. An o t h e r wel l - k now n sto r y al so featured M ar s i n an il l - fated l ove af f ai r. The stor y b e g an w i t h M a r s f al l i n g i n love w ith M i n e r va, the goddess o f b o t h w isdom a nd t h e R o m an state, w h o ste adfa stl y m ai nt ai n ed her v i rgi n i t y. N ot one to b e p u t off by a v i rgi n’s w i shes, M a r s p u r su e d t he goddess any way— to no ava il.

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Mythology The Story of Mars Continued M iner va reb uked h i s ad van ces, s en d i n g M ars to s eek t h e h elp of An na Perenna , a godd es s o f t i m e. While Anna Perenna ou t wa rd ly a greed to help M a rs wi n the af fec t i o n s o f M iner va , s h e s ecret ly plotted to m a ke t he come ly g o d o f wa r her own . Put t i ng h er plan i nto mo t i o n, Anna d i s g ui s ed herself a s M i ner va and o f fered h er hand i n ma r r i a g e to M ars, wh o eager ly a ccep ted. Af ter t he ma r r i a g e had b een fo r ma li zed, Anna revea led herself to M a rs, who was di s p lea s ed. N o t only h a d he lo s t M iner va , b ut he had b een d up ed i nto unwanted m a r r i a g e. Mars and the Founding of Rome

Accord i n g to my t ho his tor i ca l a cco unt s of the fo und i n g o f R ome, M a rs wa s t he fathe r o f t h e t wi n s

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R o m u l u s an d R e m u s. Wh i l e t h i s sto r y h ad co u nt l e ss var i at i o n s, i t s co re al ways re m ai n e d t h e sam e. Af te r Ae n e as an d h i s b an d o f re f u g e e s ar r i ve d o n I t al i an sh o re s, h e e st ab l i sh e d a co m m u n i t y t h at e ve nt u al l y c am e to b e k n ow n as t h e k i n g d o m o f Al b a Lo n g a. O n e o f t h e k i n g s o f Al b a Lo n g a was N u m i to r, a w i se an d j u st m o n arc h . H i s re i gn was c u t sh o r t, h owe ve r, w h e n h e was ove r t h row n by h i s w i c k e d b ro t h e r Am u l i u s. H o p i n g to se ve r t h e royal l i n e o f N u m i to r, Am u l i u s fo rce d h i s b ro t h e r ’s d au g hte r, t h e l ove l y an d v i r t u o u s R h e a S i l v i a, to b e co m e a Ve st al Vi rgi n ; t h i s p o si t i o n c ar r i e d w i t h i t a vow o f ab st i n e n ce. Wh e t h e r t h ro u g h o u t r i g ht l u st o r t h e d e si re to p e r p e t u ate t h e l i n e ag e o f N u m i to r, M ar s v i si te d R h e a S i l v i a w h e n sh e was sl e e p i n g an d rap e d h e r. S o u n d

asl e e p, R hea Sil via d re am e d that she p l ante d seeds that gre w i nto t wo trees. Wi t h t i m e, these t re e s gre w l a rge e n o u g h to cover the e nt i re wo r l d. When sh e awo k e, R hea S i l v i a d i scovered t h at sh e wa s p re gn ant w ith t w ins, w h o wo u l d com e to b e k n ow n a s R em us an d R o m ul us. Fea r ing t h at t h e t w ins m ight c h al l e n g e his c l a im to Al b a Longa , Am u l i u s ordered that t h e y b e exec uted i m m e d i ate l y. When t h e exe c u tioner set ab o u t t h e ta sk , he to o k p i t y on the t w i n s an d sent them d ow n t h e Tiber R iver i n a b ask e t. The t w i n s e ve ntua l l y c am e to rest at a sp o t t h at woul d b e co m e R om e a nd we re n u r se d ba c k to h e al t h by a she -wol f.

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Mythology The Story of Mars Continued Mars and the Roman State Religion

M ars wa s a f i x t ure o f R oman reli gi o n a nd a k ey f i g ure i n t h e R oman p a nt h eo n. I n the ear ly d ays o f t h e R oman s t ate, M a rs was re g a rd ed a s a k ind o f s eco nd i n comm a n d to Jup i ter and o ccup i ed a for ma l s p o t i n t h e Archai c Tr i a d (o f M ars, J up i ter, and Q ui r i nus ), which wa s t h o ug ht to overs ee R o ma n pros p er i t y. I n t i m e, M ars’ p o s i t i o n i n t h e ru ling t r i umv i rate was sup p la nted by M i ner va , who embod i ed a m uch d ifferent a s p ec t of war. Where M a rs i ns p i red manly co ura g e a nd blood lus t i n b at t le, M iner va i n s p i red t h e tac tica l a nd s t rategi c thou g ht neces s a r y to conq uer p ower f ul M ed iter ra nea n powers s uch a s Car tha g e, M a ced o ni a , and E p i rus. All o f

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t h e se p owe r s fe l l to R o m e i n t h e e ar l y ce nt u r i e s B CE. M ar s was acco rd e d t h e re sp e c t owe d to a d e i t y o f h i s h i g h o f f i ce. Fe st i val s we re h e l d to h o n o r h i m i n M arc h an d O c to b e r, w h i c h m ar k e d, re sp e c t i ve l y, t h e b e gi n n i n g an d e n d o f t h e c am p ai gn i n g se aso n . H e was h o n o re d e sp e c i al l y i n M arc h w i t h a h o st o f fe st i val s, i n c l u d i n g M ar s’ d i e s n at al e s ( ‘ b i r t h d ay ’ ) o n M arc h 1 , t h e Eq u i r r i a o f M arc h 1 4 , t h e M am u ral i a o f M arc h 1 5 , t h e Ag o n i u m M ar t i al e o f M arc h 1 7 , an d t h e Tu b i l u st r i u m o f M arc h 2 3 . I n t h i s l ast fe st i val, d e p ar t i n g ar m i e s we re r i t u al i st i c al l y c l e an se d fo r t h e i r u p co m i n g b at t l e s. M ar s was fe te d at al l m i l i t ar y o cc asi o n s an d v i c to r y ce l e b rat i o n s. Th e R o m an s wo u l d t y p i c al l y o f fe r ram s an d b u l l s to M ar s as sac r i f i ce s, o r h o st i ae. O n sp e c i al o cc asi o n s,

M ar s was h onored w i t h su oveta ur il ia —a t r i p l e o f fer ing of sac r i f i c i al pig, ra m , an d b u l l. Pop Culture M ar s h as sur vived i n t h e p o pul a r l ex i co n t h a nk s to t h e var i o us c ul tura l e l e m e nt s that bea r h i s n am e. The R o m an s b e stowed h i s n am e upon the fo u r t h p l anet from t h e su n — M a r s. The gre at re d pl a net ap t l y sy m bol ized the g o d ’s f i e r y pa ssion. Fo r m any centur ies, M arc h was the fir st m o nt h o f the R om a n l u n ar ye ar. This e n d e d, h owever, w i t h t h e ca l endr ic a l re fo r m s o f the se co n d ce ntur y BC E, w h e n i t b ec a m e the t h i rd m o nth of the ye ar. https://mythopedia.com/ topics/mars

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Mythology The Story of Teutates The g o d To ut at i s occu p i es a i nteres t i ng place i n t h e G a lli c panth eo n. H i s na me, which mea ns “o f t he tr ibe,” co uld well be a ti t le, p er h a p s hid ing a n o t her n a me. Ag ain s t t hi s, however, we have many a r t i f a c t s, espeica lly r i ng s, wi t h his na me o n t h em , s ug g es t i n g i t wa s t h e comm o n ly-us ed na me for th i s g o d. He is b es t-k n own from t he R o ma n wr iter Luca n, who cou nt s Ta ra ni s, Es us a n d To ut at i s as no t a b le fo r t hei r d esire fo r b lo o d. (And p res uma b ly becau s e t h ey were major G a uli s h g od s. ) Alt ho ug h i t ’s tempt i n g to s ee t h em as a G a uli s h a ns wer to the R o ma n Jup i ter, M ars a nd Q ui r i n us, there’s n o ev i d ence to back t hi s.

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Shared By : High Priestess Lady Gloriana Tribal God U n l i k e Taran i s an d E su s, we h ave n o i m ag e s o f To u t at i s, so we c an n o t te l l h ow t h e an c i e nt G au l s o r B r i to n s saw h i m . H owe ve r, we d o h ave o t h e r e v i d e n ce : t h e n am e, t h e R o m an w r i t i n g an d h i s co m m e nt ato r s, an d p hysc i al e v i d e n ce f ro m G au l an d B r i t ai n . H i s n am e, o r t i t l e, i s b o t h sp e c i f i c an d vag u e : w h i l e g o d d e sse s l i k e B r i g ant i a o r N e m e to n a we re p ro te c to r s o f sp e c i f i c t r i b e s, To u t at i s i s “o f t h e t r i b e”. Two t r i b e s t h at l e f t b e h i n d e v i d e n ce o f t h e i r ve n e rat i o n fo r h i m , t h e G au l i sh Ar ve n i an d t h e B r i t i sh Co r i e l t au v i , m ay we l l h ave co n si d e re d h i m t h e g o d o f t h e i r t r i b e s. To u t at i s, w h o m t h e R o m an w r i te r Lu c an c al l s Te u t ate s, i s u su al l y asso c i ate d w i t h t wo o t h e r g o d s, Taran i s an d

E su s. H e mentioned t h e m to g ether in h i s Ph ar sa l ia , a n acco u nt o f J ul ius’ Cae sar ’s conq uest o f G au l. According to h i m , t h eir c ul ts we re ex t rem el y b l o o d t h i r st y : An d t h o se w ho pa c ify w i t h b l o o d a cc ur sed S avag e Te u tates, H e su s’ h o r r id shr ines, An d Taran is’ a l ta r s, c r u e l as were those Love d by Dia na , g o d d e ss of the nor th; Al l t h e se n ow rest i n p e ace. Two l ate r co m m e nt ar ies on Lu c an , f ro m the 8 t h ce nt u r y, fil l o u t o u r p i c ture of t h e se G aul ish gods. Th e B e r n e S c hol ia e q u ate d M erc ur y w i t h To u t atis, Ta ra nis w i t h D i s Pater a nd E su s w i t h M a r s. M e rc u r y, i n G a ul ish sp e e c h i s c a l l ed Te u t ate s, he w ho

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Mythology The Story of Teutates continued is hon o ured a m o ng them wi t h h uma n blood. Teut ates M ercu r i us a mo n g t h e G au ls i s a p p ea s ed thus : i n a n f ull bar re l, a ma n i s plunged h ea d -f i rs t, to suf fo cate h i m. Hes us -M a rs i s appeas ed t h us : a m a n is hung f ro m a t ree until hi s memb ers fall of f f ro m lo s s of blo o d. Taran i s -D i s Pater i s appeas ed t h ere i n t h e followi n g f a s h i o n : in a wo o d en vat, a cer tai n n umb er o f men are b ur ned. The co mment ato r als o s ays o t h er autho rs ca lled Tou tat i s M a rs a nd Hes us M ercur y. Accord i n g to them To ut at i s wa s appeas ed ei t her by blood s hed i n wa r or huma n s a cr i f i ce, while H es us wa s wors hi p p ed by merch a nt s a nd

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Taran i s, e qu ate d to J u p i te r, u se d to re ce i ve d h u m an h e ad s, b u t t h e y h ad b e e n re p l ace d by t h o se o f c at t l e. To u t at i s’ v i c t i m s d i e d by d row n i n g ; m any co n n e c t t h i s to a sce n e o n t h e Gu n d e st r u p Cau l d ro n sh ow i n g a f i g u re h o l d i n g a sm al l e r m an h e ad - d ow n i n a vat : I sh o u l d p ro b ab l y p o i nt o u t t h at t h e R o m an acco u nt s o f h u m an sac r i f i ce am o n g t h e G au l s m ay we l l b e o n l y p ro p ag an d a, si n ce i t was i n t h e i r i nte re st s to d e p i c t t h e Ce l t s as b ar b ar i an s b ad l y i n n e e d o f R o m an c i v i l i zat i o n . An d yo u co u l d al so arg u e t h at t h e m o n k i sh co m m e nt ato r s o n t h e Ph ar sal i a we re u n l i k e l y to k n ow ve r y m u c h ab o u t p ag an G au l i sh re l i gi o n o f se ve n ce nt u r i e s ag o.

Le av i n g as ide the q u e st i o n of hum a n sac r i f i ce, it a ppea r s t h at To u t atis was co n si dered e q u i val e nt to either M e rc u r y or M a r s, b o t h i m p or ta nt R o m an d e ities. B o t h we re eq uated w i t h m any different g o d s, b u t M a r s wa s k n ow n by m ore Ce l t i c n am es tha n any o t h e r deit y. Ce r t ai n l y both M e rc u r y a nd M a r s wo u l d b e fitting for a g o d “o f t h e tr ibe” ( to u t a) . Th e G a l l o R o m an M a r s. l ik e Th o r, was a protec tor ab ove al l el se. H e p ro te c ted the f i e l d s, t h e sol dier s in b at t l e, t h e sic k , a nd t h e t r i b e as a w hol e. As D e o M ec ur io p o i nt s o u t, M a r s wa s t h e p e r fe c t god to e q u ate to Toutatis, o r t h e var ious to u t ate s i f ea c h tr ibe h ad i t s own.

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Mythology The Story of Teutates continued The R o ma n M a rs was als o p a r t o f the Archa i c Tr i a d along wi t h Jup i ter and t h e mys ter i o us g od Q ui r i nus, wh i ch echoe s t h e G a uli s h tr io Luca n p ro p o s ed. (I n fac t, t h ey are ver y clo s e: a thunder- g o d, a war like p ro tec to r of the p eo p le, a n d a god a b o ut wh o m we k n ow ver y little. ) Physical Evidence: When we co m e to phys i ca l ev i d ence, there a re n o d ed icat i o ns to Tou tat i s a s M ercur y, but s evera l to M a rs Tou tat i s. A s i lver plate f ro m B a r k way in Eng la n d b o re t he followi n g i ns cr i p t i o n , to M ars To ut at i s : Anoth er a lt a r, from Ca r li s le, a ls o menti o n s To ut at i s. Althoug h o n e rea d i n g of the i n s cr i p t i o n

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was “M ar s Te u t ate s Co c i d u s” ( t h e l at te r a god of northern E n g l an d ) t h e R o m an I n sc r i p t i o n s o f B r i t ai n we b si te n ow se p arate s t h e g o d s i nto t h re e : To J u p i te r, B e st an d Gre ate st, an d to R i o c al at i s, To u t at i s, an d M ar s Co c i d i u s i n f u l f i l m e nt o f a vow Vi t al i s m ad e. A b ro n ze b l ad e f ro m H e r t fo rd sh i re was d e d i c ate d to To u t at i s i n f u l f i l l m e nt o f a vow : Ag ai n st t h at, t h e re i s an i n sc r i p t i o n to Ap o l l o To u t i o r i x i n We i sb ad e n , G e r m any, su g g e st i n g o n ce ag ai n t h at t h e n am e To u t at i s/ Te u t ate s co u l d b e a t i t l e as we l l as a g o d ’s n am e. I t m ay al so b e t h at To u t at i s, an al re ad y we l l - e st ab l i sh e d g o d, was co m p are d by t h e l o c al s to w h i c h e ve r R o m an g o d st r u c k t h e m as m o st l i k e t h e i r v i si o n o f t h e i r t r i b al g o d.

Wh e t h e r the Br itons saw h i m a s M a r s o r n o t, h e wa s a p o p u l ar g od there: t h e arc h ae ol ogist Ad am D au bney ha s a d at ab ase l isting 6 8 r i n g s i n sc r ibed TOT. Th e m o st recent f i n d t u r n e d up at t h e si te w here the p re v i o u sl y unk now n g o d d e ss S enuna wa s u n e ar t h e d, rea ding D E A TOTA / FE L I X. D au b n e y ’s pa per on t h e c u l t o f Totatis ( h i s sp e l l i ng) su g g e st s that the B r i to n s o f the 2 nd an d 3 rd ce ntur ies C E we re u si n g Toutatis as a way o f b o l ste r ing t r i b al i d e ntit y. Th e f i n d s a re m a inl y w i t h i n t h e ter r itor y o f t h e Co r iel ta uvi, on t h e e aste r n side of E n g l an d. He says that w h i l e n o nationa l su r ve y h as been d o n e, i t se em s that t h e re are fa r m ore

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Mythology The Story of Teutates continued Tout at i s r i n g s t ha n thos e o f a ny o t her d eit y, i nclud i n g t h e mos t p o p ula r R om a n o n es. I n ad d i t i o n to r ings, a p o t ter y jar at K elved o n was i n s cr i b ed “ Tout at i s” a nd a st ylus fo un d at J o r t near Ca lva d o s i n France wa s s i mi la r ly inscr i b ed : To ut at i ( to To ut at i s ) a n d the own er ’s na me. I n nor t h- ea s ter n France, at B ea ucla i r, arch a eo lo gi s t s d is covered f i ve graffi t i at t he o ld R om a n s a n c t ua r y, all s ay i ng TOTATE S , or var i a nt s o n t h at name. Th i s a rea was t he h o m e o f the G a uli s h Ar veni , who m us t h ave ack n owled g ed Tout at i s a s o ne o f their g o d s. Teutates or Toutatis? Whic h leaves us

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w i t h o n e l ast qu e st i o n : Te u t ate s, To u t at i s, o r To t at i s? Pau l M ar i e D u val, w h o w ro te a m aj o r p ap e r o n o u r t h re e d e i t i e s, l e ave s i t o p e n . I n t h e tex t s, fo l l ow i n g Lu c an’s sp e l l i n g, we h ave Te u t ate s, w h i l e t h e al t ar i n sc r i p t i o n s gi ve u s To u t at i s. An d, as D au b n e y n o te s, t h e fo r m u se d o n t h e r i n g s ( TOT ) su g g e st s To t at i s. O f co u r se, Lu c an’s i n fo r m at i o n c am e f ro m G au l, f i l te re d t h ro u g h R o m an i n fo r m ant s, w h i l e t h e o t h e r t wo fo r m s co m e f ro m n at i ve B r i to n s an d o n e G au l ( t h e st y l u s) . S o To u t at i s o r To t at i s wo u l d se e m t h e m o re l i k e l y fo r m . P S – Th e re d o e s n o t se e m to b e an I r i sh o r We l sh fo r m o f To u t at i s, b u t t h e l e g e n d ar y I r i sh h i g h k i n g Tú at h al Te c ht m ar m ay b e co n n e c te d to h i m . https://ear thandstar r yheaven. com/2018/06/14/teutates/

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Mythology The Story of Tyr Tyr ( p ro no un ced lik e t h e E ng li s h word “ t i er ”) i s a Nor s e wa r g o d, but a ls o t h e g o d who, mo re t ha n a ny other, p res i d es over matte rs o f law a n d jus tice. H i s ro le in the s ur v i v i ng Vik in g Ag e my t h s is rel at i vely s li g ht, and h i s s t at us i n the later p a r t o f t h e Vik in g Ag e m ay h ave been co r res p o n d i n g ly mino r. But t hi s wa s n’t always t h e ca s e. O ther k i n d s o f evid ence s how us that Ty r wa s o n ce one o f t h e mo s t impor t a nt g o d s to the No rs e a n d o t h er G er ma ni c p eo p les. War, Law, and Justice Tyr ’s ro le a s o ne o f the p r i nci p a l wa r g od s o f t h e N o rs e, along wi t h O d i n a nd Thor, i s well-at tes ted in so urces f ro m the Vi k i ng Ag e a nd

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Shared By : High Priestess Lady Gloriana e ar l i e r. Fo r ex am p l e, i n t h e S i grd r í f u m ál, o n e o f t h e p o e m s i n t h e Po e t i c Ed d a, t h e val k y r i e S i grd r i f a i n st r u c t s t h e h u m an h e ro S i g u rd to i nvo k e Ty r fo r v i c to r y i n b at t l e. An o t h e r Ed d i c p o e m , t h e Lo k ase n n a, co r ro b o rate s t h i s p i c t u re by h av i n g Lo k i i n su l t Ty r by say i n g t h at h e co u l d o n l y st i r p e o p l e to st r i fe, an d co u l d n e ve r re co n c i l e t h e m . S o m e ce nt u r i e s e ar l i e r, t h e R o m an s i d e nt i f i e d Ty r w i t h M ar s, t h e i r ow n p r i n c i p al war g o d. Th i s co n n e c t i o n su r v i ve s i n t h e m o d e r n E n g l i sh “ Tu e sd ay,” f ro m O l d E n g l i sh “ D ay o f Ti w ( Ty r ) ” ( Ti we sd æ g ) , w h i c h was i n t u r n b ase d o n t h e Lat i n D i e s M ar t i s, “ D ay o f M ar s.” ( Th e R o m an s’ i d e nt i f i c at i o n o f Ty r w i t h M ar s al so

re i n fo rce s the p o i nt t h at he wa s q u i te a si gnific a nt g o d ; o t h e r w ise t h e y su re l y wo u l d n’t h ave i d e nt i f i e d him w i t h o n e of their ow n m aj o r gods.) B u t Ty r i s fa r from o n l y a war god. I n f ac t, h i s p r im a r y ro l e se e m s to be t h at o f an uphol der o f l aw an d justice. Th o se R o m a n i n sc r i p t i o ns to him as “M ar s,” for ex am p l e, som etim es i nvo k e h i m a s M a r s Th i n c su s – that is, M ar s o f t he Þing, the an c i e nt G er m a nic l e g al asse m bl y. B u t t h e m ost co m p e l l i n g evidence fo r Ty r ’s rol e a s d i v i n e j u r i st – a nd a h e ro i c o ne at t h at – co m es from t h e t al e o f The B i n d i n g o f Fenr ir, t h e o n l y sur viving my t h to fe ature Tyr

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Mythology The Story of Tyr Continued promi nent ly. The d read f ul wo lf Fenr i r wa s o n ly a pup, b ut he wa s grow i ng q ui ck ly. The g o d s fea red fo r their li ves, s o t hey end eavo red to t i e up Fenr i r i n fet ters f ro m which h e co uld n’t escap e. When Fenr i r laid eyes o n t h e chain t h at wo uld event ua lly b i n d h i m, he wa s s us p i ci o us, and d ecla red t hat h e wou ld o n ly a llow t h e g od s to p ut i t a ro und him i f o ne o f t hem wou ld s t i ck a n a r m in his mo ut h a s a pled ge o f g o o d f a i t h. O nly Ty r wa s wi lli ng to d o s o. When t h e wolf fo un d h i ms elf unable to b rea k f ree, he bi t o f f Ty r ’s a r m . I n the wo rd s o f t h e esteemed s cho la r o f compa rat i ve reli gi o n G eorg es D uméz i l, Tyr, “ wi t h h i s s acr ifi ce… no t only p ro cures the s a lvat i o n o f

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t h e g o d s b u t al so re g u l ar i ze s i t : h e re n d e r s l e g al t h at which, without him, wo u l d h ave b e e n p u re f rau d.” I n t h e sam e way t h at O d i n sh owe d h i m se l f to b e t h e fo re m o st g o d o f w i sd o m by sac r i f i c i n g o n e o f h i s e ye s i n i t s p u r su i t, so Ty r sh owe d h i m se l f to b e t h e fo re m o st g o d o f l aw by sac r i f i c i n g o n e o f h i s ar m s to u p h o l d i t. Th e d i sf i g u re m e nt s o f b o t h g o d s are p aral l e l, an d d e m o n st rate so m e t h i n g e sse nt i al ab o u t t h e i r c h arac te r s. Fo r t h e an c i e nt G e r m an i c p e o p l e s, war an d l aw we re p ro fo u n d l y re l ate d to e ac h o t h e r – e ve n i n d i sso l u b l y i nte r t w i n e d. I n t h e wo rd s o f p h i l o l o gi st J an d e Vr i e s, I t sh o u l d b e n o te d t h at, f ro m t h e G e r m an i c p o i nt o f v i e w, t h e re i s n o co nt rad i c t i o n b e t we e n t h e co n ce p t s ‘g o d o f

War ’ an d ‘god of Law.’ War i s in f ac t n o t o n l y the b l o o d y m ingl ing of co m b at, b ut no l ess a d e c i si o n obta ined b e t we e n the t wo co m b at ants a nd se c u re d by prec ise r u l e s o f l aw. Th at i s w hy the d ay an d pl a ce of b at t l e are freq uentl y f i xe d i n adva nce… S o i s ex p l ained, al so, h ow com bat b e t we e n t wo a r m ies c an b e re pl a ced by a l e g al duel, in w h i c h t h e gods gra nt v i c to r y to the pa r t y w h o se r i g ht they re co gn i ze. Words l i k e S c hwe r tding [ “ t h e m e e ting o f swo rd s,” a k e n n i n g for b at t l e ] , o r Ol d N o r se váp ndóm r [ “ j u d gm e nt of ar m s” ] are not p o e t i c f i g ures, but co r re sp o nd exa c tl y to an c i e nt pra c tice.

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Mythology The Story of Tyr Continued Fu r th er m o re, t he law could b e us ed to gai n v i c to r y over an opp o nent j us t lik e wa r co uld, which ma d e t h e legal a s s em b ly a metap ho r i ca l b at t le. The No rs e/G er m a n i c war go d s ca n b e d isting ui s h ed by – amon g o t h er t h i n g s – the f a c t t hat ea ch are co nnec ted to a par tic ula r a s p ec t of war. Thor, fo r exa mp le, i s involved i n t h e b rute phys i ca l co mb at ; O d in i n t h e ma gi ca l and p s ych o lo gi ca l forces at wo r k ; and Ty r i n t h e legal d eci s i o n s a n d pr inci p les o f j us t i ce s ur round i n g wa r. Tyr’s ProtoIndo-European Predecessor B efore t h e G er ma ni c peoples h a d b eco m e a d istinc t b ra nch o f t he I nd o - Euro p ea n f a m i ly tree, t h ey wo rs hi p ed

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t h e g o d * D ye u s, w h o wo u l d l ate r e vo l ve i nto Ty r as t h e G e r m an i c re l i gi o n b e c am e m o re an d m o re d i st i n c t f ro m t h e g e n e ral Pro to - I n d o Eu ro p e an re l i gi o n . B o t h t h e n am e * D ye u s an d t h e b asi c Pro to I n d o - Eu ro p e an wo rd fo r “g o d,” * d e i wó s, are var i at i o n s o f t h e ro o t * d ye u - , “ t h e d ay t i m e sk y.” * D ye u s was t h e q u i nte sse nt i al “ S k y Fat h e r ” an d l i k e l y o n e of the chief deities o f t h e Pro to - I n d o Eu ro p e an p ant h e o n . Af te r al l, h i s n am e was e f fe c t i ve l y i d e nt i c al w i t h t h e wo rd fo r g o d h o o d i t se l f. O t h e r g o d s d e r i ve d f ro m h i m i n c l u d e t h e Gre e k Ze u s an d t h e R o m an J u p i te r ( f ro m * D ye u s Ph ate r, “ S k y Fat h e r ” ) Fasc i n at i n g l y, t h e m o d e r n E n g l i sh wo rd s “d ay ” an d “d e i t y ” b o t h co m e f ro m t h i s sam e ro o t.

Th e u se o f c l osel yre l ate d words to d e n o te b oth the n am e o f * D yeus an d “g o d ” m ore g e n e ral l y not o n l y su r v i ved into t h e Vi k i n g Age, b u t was t a k en a ste p f u r t h er. As n o te d a bove, Ty r ’s n am e is i d e nt i c al with the O l d N o r se word for “g o d,” an d the u se o f t h e com m on n o u n t ý r c a n be fo u n d i n contex ts t h at h ave nothing to d o w i t h Tyr w ith a c ap i t al “ T.” For ex am p l e, one of O d i n’s by na m es is H an g at ý r, “G od of t h e H an g ed.” As w i t h Tyr, one of * D ye u s‘s rol es wa s t h at o f a gua ra ntor o f j u st i ce, one b e fo re w h om oaths we re swo r n.

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Mythology The Story of Tyr Continued The T-rune Whil e t h ere’s li t t le to not h i n g i n t h e G er m a n i c s o urces that s p eci f i ca lly link s Ty r to t he d ayt i m e s k y, a tant a li z i ng clue t hat such a co n nec t i o n may o nce h ave existed co mes f ro m the sha p e a n d n a me of the rune us ed to wr ite t h e let ter “ T.”

i n t h e sam e m an n e r as * D ye u s? I n any c ase, i t ’s c l e ar t h at Ty r ’s h u m b l e p l ace i n re co rd e d Vi k i n g Ag e my t h o l o g y h ard l y re f l e c t s t h e h i g h e ste e m i n w h i c h h e was o n ce h e l d. I n d e e d, at o n e p o i nt, h e, o r at l e ast h i s

p re d e ce ss or, wa s as i n d i sp ensa bl e as d ay l i g ht in the m i n d s an d hea r ts of h i s wo r sh iper s.

https://norse -mythology. org/gods-and-creatures/theaesir- gods-and- goddesses/ t yr/

The run es’ s ha p es and n a mes were t h o ug ht to symb o li ze p a r t i cula r cos mi c fo rces. The T-rune’s n a me was “ Ty r ” (o r, i n ear li er t i mes, *Tiwa z , Ty r ’s old e r na me). The run e h a s t h e s hape o f a n a r row, which i s p ro b a b ly conn ec ted to Ty r ’s role a s a wa r g o d. But t he a r row i s point i n g upwa rd, a s if towa rd t h e s k y. Cou ld t h i s i nd i cate a now-fo rg o t ten ro le for Ty r a s a s k y g o d,

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Classifieds

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History of March “M arch” i s na med for the R o ma n g o d o f war, M a rs. H owever, we thi nk o f i t a s t h e beginni n g o f s p r i n g, as M arch b r i ng s t he ver nal eq ui nox, t he Fu ll Wo r m M o o n a nd the ret ur n o f D ay li g ht S aving Ti me! This wa s t he t i m e of year to res um e militar y ca mp a i gns that ha d b een inter ru p ted by wi nter. I n the ea r ly R o m a n calend a r, M a rch (o r M ar tius ) wa s t he firs t m o nt h o f t he calend a r yea r. As M arch b ro ug ht the firs t d ay o f s p r i ng with th e ver na l equ inox, i t wa s t he s tar t o f new be gi nni n g s. M arch b eca me t he third m o nt h wh en Januar y a n d Feb rua r y, which were a d d ed to the en d o f t he R o ma n calend a r a ro un d 700 BCE, beca m e t h e f i rs t and s eco n d mo nt h s around 450 B C E.

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IMartiusam!Oncefirst,and now third! To lead the Year was my appointed place; Amortaldispossessedmebya word, AndsetthereJanuswiththe double face.

i s a d ay t hat not o n l y ce l e brates t h e ac h i e vem ents o f wo m e n a nd the p ro gre ss ma de toward wom en’s r i g ht s, b u t a l so b r i n g s at te ntion to o n g o i n g s tr uggl es for e q u al i t y a round the wo r l d.

March Calendar M arc h 1 i s M ard i Gras ( ak a “ Fat Tu e sd ay ” o r S h rove Tu e sd ay ) , w h i c h i s t h e f i n al fe ast i n g d ay b e fo re t h e Ch r i st i an t rad i t i o n o f Le nt b e gi n s o n t h e fo l l ow i n g d ay, Ash We d n e sd ay.

M arc h 1 3 i s the sta r t o f D ay l i g ht S aving Ti m e, w h i c h begins at 2 : 0 0 A . M. that day. I f yo u r are a obser ves i t, d o n’t forget to “sp r i n g for wa rd ” an d se t t he c l oc k s o n e h o u r a hea d, or yo u m ay f ind your sel f an h o u r l ate to e ve r y t h i n g!

Henr y Wadswor th Longfellow, American poet

M arc h 7 i s Cl e an M o n d ay. Al so c al l e d Pu re M o n d ay, t h i s d ay m ar k s t h e b e gi n n i n g o f Gre at Le nt fo r fo l l owe r s o f t h e E aste r n O r t h o d ox Ch r i st i an Ch u rc h . Th i s d ay i s si m i l ar to Ash We d n e sd ay o f t h e We ste r n Ch u rc h . M arc h 8 i s I nte r n at i o n al Wo m e n’s D ay, w h i c h

M arc h 1 5 i s the I des o f M arc h ! Legend su r ro u n d s this il l f ate d d ay. B ewa re the Id e s o f M arc h! M arc h 1 7 i s St. Pat r i c k ’s D ay. Acco rd i n g to fo l k l o re, fol k s wea r a sh am ro ck on St. Pat r i c k ’s D ay bec a use

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History of March Continued the s a i nt us ed i t s three leaves to explai n t he Tr i ni t y. M arch 20 b r i n g s abou t t h e M a rch equ in ox— a ls o called t h e ver n a l or spr i n g eq ui nox in the N o r t her n Hemisp h ere — mar k i ng t h e begin ni n g o f s p r i n g. I n the S o ut h er n Hemisp h ere, t hi s d ate mar ks t h e a ut um na l equ in ox a nd t h e begin ni n g o f f a ll. O n th i s d ay, t he S un s tand s d i rec t ly over Ear th’s eq uato r. M arch 29-31 a re k nown a s t he B or rowi ng D ays. Accord i ng to lo re, the la s t t hree d ays of M a rch h ave a reput at i o n fo r being s to r my.

Thebrownbudsthicken on the trees, Unbound, the free streams sing, As March leads forth 101

across the leas Thewildandwindyspring. Elizabeth Akers Allen

“Just for Fun” Days

D i d yo u k n ow t h at M arc h i s N at i o n al U m b re l l a M o nt h ? H e re are so m e m o re wac k y t h i n g s to ce l e b rate t h i s m o nt h : M arc h 3 : Wh at I f Cat s an d D o g s H ad O p p o sab l e Th u m b s D ay M arc h 9 : I nte r n at i o n al Fan ny Pac k D ay M arc h 1 3 : N at i o n al E ar M u f f D ay M arc h 1 6 : N at i o n al Pan d a D ay M arc h 2 1 : Ab so l u te l y I n c re d i b l e K i d D ay M arc h 2 3 : Wo r l d M e te o ro l o gi c al D ay M arc h 3 1 : Wo r l d B ac k u p D ay

March Astronomy Th e Fu l l Wor m M oon M arc h’s f u l l M oon, t h e Wo r m M oon, re ac h e s p e a k i l l u m i n at i on on Fr i d ay, M a rc h 1 8 , 2 0 2 2 , at 3 :2 0 A.M. E DT. Lo o k for it i n t h e e ve ning of Th u r sd ay, M a rc h 1 7 , as t h e M o on r ises ab ove t h e hor izon! In Like a Leo, Out Like an Aries

Yo u m ay have hea rd t h e we at h er prover b, “ I f M arc h com es i n l i k e a l i on, it w i l l g o o u t l ik e a l am b,” w h i c h m ea ns t h at i f t h e m onth st ar t s o f f stor my, i t w i l l e n d w ith m i l d we ather. Th e re i s, h owever, a d i f fe re nt i nte r p re t ation: The co n ste l l ation Leo, the l i o n , r i se s in the ea st at t h e b e ginning of M arc h an d thus the m o nt h “com es in l i k e a l i o n ,” w hil e Ar i e s, t h e ra m , sets i n t h e we st at the

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History of March Continued end of t he mo nt h , and hence, t he mo nt h “ will g o o ut li ke a lamb.”

The Start of Spring

The M a rch eq ui nox occu rs o n S und ay, M arch 20, 2022. I n the N o r t her n Hemisp h ere, t hi s i s k nown a s t he ver na l, or spr i n g, eq ui n ox and m a r ks t he s t a r t of the s p r i ng s ea s o n. At thi s t i me, t h e S un cros s es t h e celes t i a l equ ato r o n i t s way nor th. Als o o n t h i s d ay, th e S un r i s es exac t ly i n t h e ea s t and s et s exa c t ly i n the wes t— a g o o d thing to k now i f yo u g et los t i n t h e wo o d s. Everyday Advice • Acco rd i ng to folk lo re, wea r a s pr i g o f ro s em a r y in yo ur h a i r to improve yo ur mem o r y ! H ere a re mo re Ti p s & Tr i cks to I mp rove Yo ur M e mo r y.

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M arc h b r i n g s rai n an d m u d ! S p r i n k l e sal t o n c ar p e t s to d r y o u t m u d d y fo o t p r i nt s b e fo re vac u u m i n g.

Birds & Fishing Acco rd i n g to H e n r y D av i d Th o re au, t h e c al l o f a b l u e b i rd i s a so n g t h at “m e l t s t h e e ar, as t h e sn ow.” Ch e c k b i rd h o u se s fo r d am ag e an d gi ve t h e m a sp r i n g c l e an i n g b e fo re te n ant s ar r i ve fo r t h e se aso n . Folklore for the Season

• •

• •

A we t sp r i n g, a d r y h ar ve st. O n St. Pat r i c k ’s D ay, t h e war m si d e o f a sto n e t u r n s u p, an d t h e b ro ad - b ac k g o o se b e gi n s to l ay. M arc h co m e s i n w i t h ad d e r s’ h e ad s an d g o e s o u t w i t h p e aco c k s’ t ai l s. Th u n d e r i n sp r i n g, Co l d w i l l b r i n g. S o m any m i st s i n M arc h yo u se e, S o m any f ro st s i n M ay w i l l b e.

• • • • •

I n b e gi nning or i n e n d, M a rc h its gi f t s w i l l send. B l e ak w inds assau l t us al l aro und; D an ce s a l of t, or sk i m s t he ground: S e e t h e sc hool b oy— h is hat i n h an d, Wh i l e on the p at h h e sc a rce c an st and

M arc h’s b i r th fl ower i s t h e d af fodil or j o n qu i l. Th e da ffodil si gn i f i e s rega rd or u n re q u i te d l ove. The j o n qu i l m ea ns “I d e si re a retur n of af fe c t i o n .” M arc h’s b i r thstone i s t h e aq ua m a r ine. Th i s g e m is a t ype o f b e r y l ; i ts col or c an b e p al e to da r k b l u e, gre e nish- bl ue, o r b l u e - green; deep, i nte n se b l ue ver sions are m o re va l ua bl e. https://w w w.almanac.com/ content/month-march-holidaysfun-fac ts-folk lore

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History of Lucky Charms For th o us a nd s o f years, p eo p le have utilized g o o d luck talis ma ns, ch a r m s, and a m ulet s to b r i ng for tu n e t h ei r way. Wheth er i t ’s s omet hi n g yo u’ve craf te d yo urs elf, found o utd o o rs i n natu re, o r even purch a s ed, g o o d luck talis ma ns ca n co me in hand y. Let ’s lo o k at s o m e o f the d i f ferent i tem s people a ro und t h e wor ld h ave ca r r i ed aroun d o r d i s p layed in the i r h o m es, and h ow g o o d luck char m s a n d t a li s m a n s can help yo u i n yo ur d aily li fe. Lucky Horseshoes

I n many d i f ferent folk ma gi c t ra d i t i o n s, the ho rs es ho e i s cons i d ered a s y mb o l of g o o d luck . Yo u ca n hang o ne over t he d oor to yo ur h o m e to br ing fo r t un e, a s well a s p ro tec t i o n , you r way.

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Shared By :High Priestess, R avensThorn

I n m any are as, t h e h o r se sh o e i s d i sp l aye d w i t h t h e o p e n si d e at t h e to p, to co nt ai n g o o d fo r t u n e an d k e e p i t f ro m sp i l l i n g o u t. Th e re’s a gre at sto r y ab o u t t h e o r i gi n s o f t h e h o r se sh o e as a g o o d l u c k t al i sm an . I t ’s sai d t h at S ai nt D u n st an , w h o was o n ce t h e Arc h b i sh o p o f Cante r b u r y, “n ai l e d a h o r se sh o e to t h e D e v i l ’s h o o f w h e n h e was ask e d to re sh o e t h e D e v i l ’s h o r se. Th i s c au se d t h e D e v i l gre at p ai n , an d D u n st an o n l y agre e d to re m ove t h e sh o e an d re l e ase t h e D e v i l af te r h e p ro m i se d n e ve r to e nte r a p l ace w h e re a h o r se sh o e i s ove r t h e d o o r.”

S o m e c u sto m s h o l d t h at i f yo u h an g an i ro n h o r se sh o e w i t h t h e o p e n e n d f ac i n g d ow n , i t w i l l k e e p e v i l sp i r i t s o u t o f yo u r h o m e.

A h o r se sh oe found al o n g t h e side of a ro ad i s s a id to b e p ar t i c ul a r l y p owe r f u l, a nd i s b e l i e ve d to p rov i d e p rotec tion ag ai n st d i sea se.

O bv i o u sl y, it m ay n o t b e p rac tic a l to c ar r y a h or seshoe aro u n d w i th you a l l d ay l o n g, but m a ny p e o p l e we a r sm a l l h o r se sh o e c ha r m s on n e c k l ace s, bra cel ets, an d e ar r i ngs. Lucky Four Leaf Clovers

Th e fo u r- l ea f c l ove r i s a popul a r g o o d l u c k c ha r m , e sp e c i al l y in the sp r i n g, w hen t h e re are c l over p l ant s sp routing u p e ve r y where. Fu n f ac t : the sh am ro c k a nd the fo u r- l e af cl over a re N OT t h e sam e thing – a sh am roc k onl y h as t h re e l eaves, but p e o p l e o f ten confuse i t w i t h t h e fourl e afe d var iet y

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History of Lucky Charms Continued of clover. M a ny people b eli eve t hat find in g a fo ur-lea f clover b r i n g s g o o d for tu n e to t h e p ers o n who fi nd s i t. The four-lea f clover is sim p ly a g en et i c mutat i o n o f t he nor ma l, t hree leaf va r i et y, a nd it ’s pret t y ra re a nd unu s ua l. The o d d s of find i n g o n e a re estim ated at a b o ut one in ten t h o us a n d.

Pass yo u r fo u n d fo u rl e af c l ove r o n to so m e o n e e l se, an d yo u’ l l both benefit! Lucky Crickets Cr i c k e t s are co n si d e re d bringers of good luck i n a n u m b e r o f m agi c al b e l i e f syste m s. Wh i l e yo u c an’t n e ce ssar i l y c ar r y o n e aro u n d i n yo u r p o c k e t, yo u c an ce r t ai n l y al l ow c r i c k e t s to st ay i n yo u r h o m e i f yo u h e ar o n e c h i r p i n g i n t h e co r n e r.

I n som e fo lk lo re, each o f t he fo ur leaves m ea n s s omet hi n g d i f ferent : hope, luck , f a i t h, and love. I n a few tales o f t h e B r i t i s h Isles, f i nd i n g a fo urleaf clover gi ves t he find er t h e a b i li t y to s ee th e Fa e; i n o t h er s tor ie s, i f yo u’re luck y en o ug h to f i nd one, i t m ea n s yo u’ ll meet yo ur f ut ure lover t h at s a me d ay.

S o m e p e o p l e b e l i e ve t h at i f a c r i c k e t j u m p s ac ro ss yo u r p at h , i t m e an s g o o d fo r t u n e w i l l b e j u m p i n g i n f ro nt o f yo u so o n as we l l.

Wanttodoubleyourluck?

Th i s m ay b e b e c au se t h e ar r i val o f sp r i n g c r i c k e t s i n Ch i n a te l l s

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I n Ch i n a, c r i c k e t s are sy m b o l s o f p ro sp e r i t y – a f am i l y w i t h c r i c k e t s i n t h e i r h o m e s w i l l se e f i n an c i al ab u n d an ce so o n . S o m e h o m e s h ave c r i c k e t st at u e s o u t si d e, as a way o f i nv i t i n g t h e re al t h i n g to co m e v i si t.

t h e f ar m e rs w hen to p l ant t h eir c rops. St rate gi c pl a nting m e an s an a bunda nt h ar ve st, so the c r i c k e t co ul d be seen as t i e d to a bountiful c ro p se ason. M any fo l k lor ic t rad i t i o n s, p ar t i c u l ar l y in Asia an d a n u m ber of Eu ro p e an countr ies, h o l d t h at it is ex t re m e l y ba d l uc k to k i l l a c r ic k et, so l e ave t h e m a l one! I nte re st i n gl y, there are p ar t s of S outh Am e r i c a, spec ific a l l y i n B razi l, that bel ieve c r i c k e t s aren’t good at al l – t h ey a re seen as o m e n s of death. Lucky Coins I n a n u m ber of c u l t u re s, coins of d i f fe re nt t ypes a re se e n as g ood l uc k sy m b o l s. M a ny coin su p e r st i t i ons a re t h i n g s yo u proba bl y re m e m b e r from yo u r c h i l dhood.

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History of Lucky Charms Continued For exa mp le, t h e o ld ad ag e o f “Fi n d a penny, p i ck i t up, all d ay lo n g yo u’ ll have g o o d luck ,” i s believed to ho ld t rue in many p la ces.

Do you recall making a wishwhenyouthrewacoin into a fountain? Didyourwishcometrue? O ver at Co i ns M agaz i n e, Ala n Her ber t wr i tes, “Ear ly Amer i ca n thin si lver co i n s were b ent t wi ce to ward o f f wi tches, while a s i n g le bend at tes ted to a loved o ne. A silver d i m e i n the ch ur n wo uld ens ure a p lent i f ul amou nt o f b ut ter that wa s n’t hexed. Coins h ave a lo t to d o wi t h wed d i ng s. The b r i d e s ho uld wear a co i n i n her (l ef t ) s h o e to br i n g a b o ut a luck y ma r r i a g e.

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O n e o f t h e m o re p o p u l ar co i n s fo r t h i s r i t u al i s t h e E n g l i sh si x p e n ce. Co i n s h ave an af f i n i t y fo r wate r, d at i n g b ac k to t h e p ag an s. A p o o l o f wate r i s an o p e n i nv i t at i o n to to ss i n a co i n to b r i n g l u c k .” I n m any so c i e t i e s, i t was co n si d e re d g o o d l u c k to c ar r y a co i n t h at h ad a h o l e i n i t – p ar t i c u l ar l y i f t h at co i n was m ad e o f si l ve r, an d t h e h o l e was r i g ht i n t h e ce nte r. S o m e co u nt r i e s h ave d e l i b e rate m i nte d co i n s t h at h ave h o l e s; c u r re nt l y, J ap an’s 5 -ye n an d 5 0 -ye n p i e ce s h ave h o l e s, b u t o t h e r n at i o n s h ave sto p p e d p ro d u c i n g h o l e d co i n s at t h i s t i m e. I f yo u c an f i n d o n e, c ar r y i t i n yo u r p o c k e t o r we ar i t as p ar t o f a c h ar m b race l e t to b r i n g g o o d fo r t u n e yo u r way !

I n ro o t wo r k a nd H o o d o o, t he M erc ur y D i m e i s considered a p owe r f u l am ul et to d raw p ro sper it y. Th i s i s t h e Winged Li b e r t y H ea d dim e t h at was minted in t h e U S fo r a bout t h i r t y ye ar s, from 1 9 1 6 u nt i l the end of Wo r l d War I I . I t fe at u re s the g o d d e ss Liber t y we ar i n g a w inged h e l m e t. Fi nd one of t h e se f ro m a l ea p ye ar, an d they ’re e ve n m o re power ful. Lucky Hands

Haveyoueverseenthe lucky hand symbol? Th e h am sa ha nd i s we l l k n ow n a s a p ro te c t i ve a m ul et, an d w i l l safegua rd yo u f ro m the Evil Eye. I n Ara bic, the wo rd h am sa m ea ns f i ve, w h i c h is how m any f i n ger s a re on t h e h an d.

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History of Lucky Charms Continued This t a li s ma n i s s omet i mes refer red to as t he H a nd o f Fatima . I nteres t i ng ly, in Heb rew t ra d i t i o n it is c a lled t h e Hand o f M i r i a m, o r the ha mes h, a n d s ymbo li zes t he f i ve books t hat ma ke up the To ra h, o r Pentateuch , whi ch are G en es i s, E xo d us, Leviti cus, Numb ers and D eutero n o my. I n ad di t i o n to b ei n g a protec t i ve a m ulet, the ha ms a ha n d is said to b r i ng g ood luck i n ma ny believe s ys tems, a nd is ass o ci ated wi t h for tu n e, s p i r i t ua l power, a n d s t reng t h. You c a n wea r a hamsa h a n d a s a piece o f j ewelr y, o r hang a cera mi c o ne in you r h o m e to br ing g o o d fo r t une while p ro tec t i n g those who li ve i n you r h o us e. Lucky Keys Keys play a n

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i m p o r t ant ro l e i n a n u m b e r o f fo l k m agi c t rad i t i o n s. I n so m e Am e r i c an H o o d o o b e l i e f syste m s, t h e sk e l e to n k e y co m e s i n h an d y fo r u n l o c k i n g a b ad si t u at i o n . I n an c i e nt R o m e, k e ys we re o f te n asso c i ate d w i t h t h e g o d d e ss D i an a; i n ad d i t i o n to h e r ro l e as a g o d d e ss o f t h e h u nt, sh e was k n ow n as a p ro te c t re ss o f d o o r ways an d t h re sh o l d s. S i l ve r, i n p ar t i c u l ar, was sac re d to D i an a, so si l ve r k e ys we re p owe r f u l i n d e e d. Trave l aro u n d t h e B r i t i sh Isl e s an d p ar t s o f Fran ce an d I t al y, an d yo u m ay se e t al i sm an s h an gi n g i n d o o r ways t h at i n c l u d e b o t h a k e y an d a se r i e s o f h ag sto n e s. Lucky Stars

Haveyoueverwishedupon astar,orheardsomeonesay “Thankyourluckystars”?

St ar s are considered g o o d l u c k sym bol s in a n u m b e r of c ul tures an d so c i e ties. The Gre e k m athem atic ia n P y t h ag o ra s is of ten c re d i te d with the t rad i t i o n a l draw ing o f t h e st ar that we se e to d ay, w ith its f i ve l i n e s and points. M any m o der n Pag an t raditions i n co r p o rate this into t h e p e nt ac l e a nd u se i t as a sym bol to re p re se nt the four e l e m e nt s – ea r th, a ir, f i re, an d water – a s we l l as t h e spir it or t h e se l f. I n t h e Ch r istia n b i b l e, t h e sta r of B e t h l e h e m guided t h e t h re e m a gi to the m an g e r i n w hic h the n e w b o r n Jesus l ay. S ai l o r s se e the N or th St ar as a ma r k of g u i d an ce a s wel l, an d re co gnize it a s a sy m b o l o f good l uc k . I f yo u re ad Ta rot c ard s, yo u m ay be

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History of Lucky Charms Continued famili a r wi t h t h e St a r as a ca rd t hat s hows s omeo ne wh o i s attain i n g i ns p i rat i o n and in s i g ht, h o p e and s p i r i t ua l enlightenm ent. Lucky Fish

Do you have fish in your home? They ’re co n s i d ered luck y i n a n umb er of cult ures, a n d a re of ten a s s o ci ated wi t h financ i a l fo r t une. Feng S hui E xp er t R od ik a Tchi , s ays, “I n Chi n es e cultu re t h e s ymbo l o f f i s h i s attr ib uted t wo qualiti es. The f i rs t one is t he a s p ec t of abun d a n ce (beca us e o f t h e abilit y o f f i s h to quick ly rep ro d uce in big q ua nt i t i es ). The s eco n d o n e is the f a c t t hat the Ch i n es e wo rd for fish (y u) i s pronounced t h e s ame way a s

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ab u n d an ce. S o, i t g o e s w i t h o u t say i n g t h at t h e i m ag e o f f i sh ( o r t h e ac t u al aqu ar i u m f i sh ) i s o n e o f t h e m o st p o p u l ar an d p o te nt fe n g sh u i c u re s to at t rac t t h e e n e rg y o f we al t h .” A p ai r o f k o i i s sai d to g u arante e a h ap py m ar r i ag e, an d i n g e n e ral, t h e y ’re asso c i ate d w i t h co u rag e, su cce ss, an d p ro sp e r i t y. Eve n t h e si m p l e g o l d f i sh c an b e se e n as a sy m b o l o f l u c k – so m e t rad i t i o n s say t h at i f yo u k e e p e i g ht g o l d f i sh i n an aq u ar i u m w i t h a si n g l e b l ac k f i sh , i t w i l l h e l p re p e l n e g at i ve i n f l u e n ce s w h i l e b r i n gi n g p o si t i ve o n e s yo u r way.

so m e b e l i e f system s, e ve r yo n e’s l uc k y n u m b e r i s different, an d m ay cor respond with their “ b i r t h n u mber.” I n o t h e r t ra ditions, ce r t ai n n um ber s a re co n si d e re d l uc k y no m at te r w h o you a re. I n p ar t i c u l a r, the n u m b e r s three, se ve n , n i n e, a nd t h i r te e n a re seen a s si gn s o f g ood for tune by m any peopl e, a s are d o u b l e or t r i p l e ap pea ra nces o f n u m b e rs.

Lucky Numbers N u m e ro l o g y i s p o p u l ar with a lot of members o f t h e Pag an co m m u n i t y, an d m any p e o p l e b e l i e ve i n t h e i d e a o f l u c k y n u m b e r s. I n

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Tarot of the Month Strength Keywords Upr ight : s t reng t h, cou rag e, p ers ua s i o n, influen ce, compa s s i o n. R evers ed : i nner s treng t h , s elf - d o ub t, low e nerg y, raw emot i o n. Upright Tarot card meaning General

The St reng t h ca rd repre s ent s s t reng t h, d eter mi nat i o n , a n d power-li ke the C h a r i o t. Howe ver, whi le t he char io t s i gni f i es ou ter St reng t h a nd will, the s t reng t h card s p ea ks to t h e inner s t ren g t h a nd the huma n s p i r i t ’s abilit y to overco me any ob s t a cles.

i n a way t h at sh ows yo u r co m p o su re an d m at u r i t y. Wh e n t h e St re n g t h Taro t c ard ap p e ar s i n a re ad i n g, yo u are f u e l e d by yo u r i n n e r st re n g t h , p e r so n al p owe r, st ro n g w i l l an d d e te r m i n at i o n . Yo u d o n o t r u l e by t r y i n g to co nt ro l o t h e r s; yo u q u i e t l y i n f l u e n ce an d p e r su ad e. O t h e r s m ay u n d e re st i m ate yo u r p owe r b e c au se i t i s so ’ i nv i si b l e’ - B u t yo u sh o u l d se e t h at as an ad vant ag e. Yo u c an co nt ro l a si t u at i o n w i t h o u t exce ssi ve, o u t ward fo rce. N o o n e k n ows i t ’s yo u c al l i n g t h e sh o t s. Yo u r st re n g t h gi ve s yo u t h e co n f i d e n ce to ove rco m e any grow i n g fe ar s, c h al l e n g e s o r d o u b t s.

You h ave great s t a mi na and p ers i s ten ce, balan ced wi t h und er ly i ng p at i ence and i nterco m .

Feelthefearanddoitanyway!

You are co mmi t ted to what yo u n eed to d o, and yo u g o a b o ut i t

I f yo u h ave b e e n g o i n g t h ro u g h a ro u g h t i m e an d are b u r nt

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o u t o r st re ssed, t h e St re n gth c a rd e n co u rag es you to f i n d t h e power w i t h i n yo u r sel f to p e r se ve re. you have g o t w h at it ta k es to se e t h i s si tuation t h ro u g h to its e ve nt u al e nd. Yo u’re a l oya l f r i e n d an d a sol id su p p o r te r, w il l ing to ste p u p a nd be p re se nt w hen other s are i n n e e d, a nd yo u m i g ht a l so feel co m p e l l e d to hol d sp ace fo r som eone w h o n e e d s your st re n g t h a nd suppor t. D u e to ‘ t am e’ your an i m al i n s tinc ts, g u t re ac t i ons, a nd raw e m o t i ons, a nd c h an n e l e d these i n i t i al re sponses co n st r u c t ivel y. I t ’s n o r m al for fe e l i n g s suc h a s an g e r, rage, sa dness, g u i l t o r sha m e to ar i se i n cer ta in si t u at i o n s.

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Tarot of the Month Strength Howe ver, i t ’s what you do wi t h t h es e emoti o n s t hat ma kes all the d i f feren ce. Now wa s a t i me when yo u n eed to be cons ci o us o f yo ur ins tin c t ua l urg es and b r i n g t h em i nto balan ce wi t h t h e greater g o o d. Th i s i s no tim e to a c t o ut i n rage o r hat red.

And how can you bring these aspects back into balance?

Appro a ch yo ur s ituati o n f ro m a place o f fo rgi ven es s, love a n d co mp a s s i o n . Wor k i n g wi t h t h e therap i s t m ay a ls o help yo u create copin g s t rategi es fo r what co mes up.

I n f ac t, yo u m ay h o l d m o re st re n g t h an d re si l i e n ce t h an yo u gi ve yo u r se l f c re d i t fo r- so, b e k i n d to yo u r se l f. Yo u c an al so re i nv i g o rate yo u r se l f assu ran ce an d se l f e ste e m by co l l e c t i n g e v i d e n ce f ro m yo u r p ast t h at p rove s yo u h ave w h at i t t ak e s to su cce e d an d ove rco m e t h e se te m p o rar y c h al l e n g e s.

Reversed Tarot card meaning

When t h e revers ed Stren g t h ca rd appears i n a Ta ro t read in g, t un e i nto you r cur rent levels of inner s t reng t h, confiden ce a nd s elf-beli ef.

Areyouoverflowingwithselfconfidence,orareyoudepleted?

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I f yo u h ave re ce nt l y ex p e r i e n ce d a se t b ac k , yo u m ay b e v u l n e rab l e an d l ac k i n g i n se l f co n f i d e n ce. K n ow t h at yo u r co re st re n g t h w i l l al ways b e w i t h yo u an d n ow i s as g o o d t i m e Any to re co n n e c t w i t h t h i s p owe r.

Ch e c k i n o n yo u r e n e rg y l e ve l s r i g ht n ow. Yo u m ay b e sl u g gi sh , p ar t i c u l ar l y i f yo u h ave b e e n d e d i c at i n g yo u r se l f to se r v i n g o t h e r s o r h ave b e e n p u sh i n g h ard to ac h i e ve a g o al.

Th e re ve r sed St re n g t h ca rd is your i nv i t at i o n to ta k e sto c k an d restore yo u r e n e rgy l evel s by re se t t i ng a nd w i t h d raw i ng for a te m p o rar y per iod. I t ’s v i t al t hat you t ak e c are of your sel f so yo u c an ta k e c a re o f o t h e r s. I n i t s sh adow for m , t h e re ve r sed Strength c ard c an signa l t h at yo u a re prone to ex p l o si ve b e h av i o r s, l a shing o u t at o t h er s a nd b e co m i n g a ggressive. Yo u m ay a c t w ithout t h i n k i n g and end up d o i n g so m ething you re gre t l ate r. The k ey i s n o t to repress the raw e m o t i on, but to l e ar n h ow to c ha nnel i t so i t wo n’t ha r m o t h e r s o r your sel f. S e e k a p rofessiona l to h e l p you b e t te r d e al w ith t h e se e m otions.

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Oracle of the Month The Spirit ofNatureOracle Tr u e f ate co m e s f ro m re co gn i zi n g e ac h m o m e nt fo r w h at i t co nt ai n s, an d ac k n ow l e d gi n g a f ate d o r f ate f u l c h an ce t h at b r i n g s u s c l o se r to t h e p at h we are m e ant to b e wal k i n g. f ate i s n o t w r i t te n i n sto n e, h owe ve r, fo r we h ave c h o i ce s t h at o p e n u p b e fo re u s e ve r y d ay.

Fate i s a a d o o r that c a n s wi n g i n both d i rec t i o ns. We may end eavo r to k now wh at o ur own pers o n a l f ate i s g o i n g to be, b ut to d o t hi s can b e a d o ub le ed ged s wo rd. Who h a s n o t wond ered what t h e futu re h o ld s i n s to re, only to b e b ro ug ht up sh o r t wi t h t h e thou g ht t hat to k now s uch t h i n g s chang es ever y t h i n g, effec ti vely t a k i n g away o ur f reed o m o f choice?

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N e i t h e r d o e s f ate co nt ro l w h i c h o f t h e p at h s we t ak e, fo r i t m e re l y g u i d e s u s toward t h e re al i zat i o n o f o u r p o te nt i al. to u n d e r st an d t h i s b r i n g s st re n g t h an d an ag e - o l d w i sd o m t h at te ac h u s h ow to l i ve i n h ar m o ny w i t h t h e c i rc u m st an ce s t h at f ate m ay h ave p u t i n f ro nt o f u s. I f yo u d raw t h i s c ard, t h i n k w h at i t i s t h at i s t r u l y m o t i vat i n g yo u. Oak Lore: Th e o ak h as b e e n c al l e d t h e f i r st am o n g t re e s – n o t su r p r i si n g l y, si n ce i t i s o f te n t h e t al l e st an d m o st i m p o si n g i n any

grove. I n Br ita in it is f re q u e nt l y c a l l ed the royal o ak , w hil e to t h e D r u i d s (w hose n am e m e ans “oa k w i sd o m” ) it wa s t h e ce nt ra l tree o f t h e i r myster y, ac k n ow l e dged in I re l an d as the tree sac re d to the Da gda , f at h e r g o d of Cel tic t rad i t i o n w ho, l i k e t h e o a k itsel f, n e ve r f ai l e d to give h o sp i t al i t y to a l l w ho ask e d fo r i t. Ap p e aran ces of t h e o ak i n myth an d fo l k l ore a re so n u m e ro u s that it wa s c l e ar l y re cognized a sac re d t ree from t h e e ar l i e st tim es; i n d e e d, i t wa s hel d in t h e h i g h e s t honor by t h e N o r se peopl e a nd t h e Gre e k s, for w h o m t h e oa k re p re se nted Thor a nd Ze u s, re spec tivel y. Th e u se o f oa k wood i n sh i p b u i l ding – f ro m J aso n’s great sh i p Arg o, w hic h ha d a b ran c h from the

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Oracle of the Month The Spirit ofNatureOracle s acred o a k o f D o d o n a in its hull, to t h e floating ca s t les b ui ld to d efen d B r i t a i n from t he Fren ch ar mad a – ha s a d d ed to its rep ut at i o n for s t reng t h a nd end ura nce. “H ea r t s of oak a re o ur s hips, hea r t s o f oak are o ur m en,” ru ns the o ld s o n g.

are e c h o e d i n Ce l t i c t rad i t i o n , w h i c h d e sc r i b e s a n u m b e r o f sac re d o ak t re e s, w h i c h we re o f te n ro o st i n g p l ace s fo r o rac u l ar b i rd s. t h e o ak was al so sac re d to Taran i s, Ce l t i c g o d o f l i g ht n i n g an d sto r m s, an d to t h i s d ay t h e t re e’s t r u n k i s e sp e c i al l y re ve re d i f i t i s st r u c k by l i g ht n i n g.

Oracles & Predictions: The o a k ’s a s s o ci at i o n with p red i c t i o n s eems to b e co mmo n to mos t cult ures. For th e a n ci ent G reek s, to co n s um e acor n s wa s to i mb i b e wisd o m , whi le the o a k s h r i ne at D od o n a wa s g ua rd ed by pr i es tes s es who inter p reted t he futu re f ro m t he ru s tling o f leaves o n the great t ree.

Heroes of the Oak: R o b i n H o o d, t h e se m i d i v i n e h e ro o f t h e gre e nwo o d, u se d to m e e t w i t h h i s o u t l aw b an d u n d e r t h e M aj o r O ak i n S h e r wo o d Fo re st. Th i s t re e i s st i l l st an d i n g, al t h o u g h n ow p ro p p e d u p w i t h wo o d e n st r u t s, an d w i t h a 2 0 - m e te r ( 6 5 - fo o t ) d i am e te r i t c an h o u se u nto 3 4 c h i l d re n i n i t s h o l l ow t r u n k .

the vo i ce o f t h e s acred s p r i n g t h at ros e at i t s ro o t a n d the behav i o r o f b i rd s in its b ra n ch es. All of t hes e i d ea s

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t h e Gre e n M an h i m se l f ). An o t h e r f am ous o ak , at B oscobel in S h ro p sh i re, is w idel y b e l i e ve d to have sh e l te re d the fugitive K i n g Ch al res I I from O l i ve r Cromwel l ’s so l d i e r s. E a c h yea r, O ak Ap p l e Dayis stil l ce l e b rate d in pa r ts o f B r i t ai n on M ay 2 9 , w h e n p e o pl e wea r sp r i g s o f oa k l e ave s i n m em or y of t h i s e ve nt.

https://par tingthemists.com/ tag/the -spir it- of-nature oracle/

Th e are a aro u n d H e r n e’s O ak i n Wi n d so r Gre at Par k i s st i l l sai d to e c h o w i t h t h e c al l o f t h e g o d ’s h u nte r h o r n ( H e r n e i s a sp i r i t o f t h e t re e s, an d i s al m o st as o l d as

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Witchy DIY bird feeder wishing spell • Cho o se a spr ing fr u it a n d h o llow it o u t ( gra p efru i ts are nice ). • Fill it wit h a pprop r iate h er b s a n d sto n es a n d clo s e i t u p, s ecur ing it wit h a r ib b o n o r st r in g. • Ca r ve symbo ls in t h e flesh . • Cover wit h pea nu t b u t ter a n d b ird seed s a n d h a n g i t s o me where it you r ya rd u n d er t h e fu ll m o o n . • Ever y time a bird co m es, im a gin e it is c a r r y in g yo u r w ish to the heave n s.

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Witchy DIY Plant a magical garden You’ve always meant to do it. This is the season! Ifyou’reintimidatedbythegreenarts,startsmall.Asimplewindow box will do. Chooseherbsthatareeasytogrowandmagicallyuseful.The possibilities are endless. Burygemstonesinit,choosegardenornamentsandsymbolswith meaningtoyourpracticeorcreateaspaceforyourmoonrituals.

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Witchy DIY Portable Altar All witches have some k ind of altar or shr ine in their homes. But what do we do when we have to travel for wor k or even just go on vacation? We can’t pack up the whole altar and take it with us! Well, that ’s where having a por table altar comes in handy. To make one, you’ll need a wooden or metal box that ’s no bigger than the size of your hand. Once you have that, you’ll star t by decorating it however you want to. On the one hand, you can paint the ex ter ior and inter ior of the box and add var ious sigils on top. Alter natively, you can glue some decorative paper on the inside and keep the ex ter ior bland. Whe n you decorate the box according to your specifications, you can fill it with significant objec ts. S o you can have candles, incense sticks, matches, cr ystals, feathers, a vial of salt, and so on. You c an even use air- dr y clay to make mini candle - and incense holders for your por table altar.

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Witchy DIY Wands and Brooms Wands can be really useful tools for direc ting one’s energy dur ing magical r itua ls. M oreover, ever y witch can make theirs according to their specifications. M ak ing the base out of different k inds of woods can emphasize cer tain k inds of energy. Once you have your base, you can use different colored r ibbons, cr ystals, and runes to fur ther personalize the wand. Similar ly, there are several ways to go about mak ing your witch’s broom or besom. Just remember that those are usually prett y small r itual cleansing objec ts. With that in mind, you could use pine needles for the brush itself, a wooden stick for the shaf t of the broom, and t wine to connec t the t wo. Once you have your ingredients, you can paint them whichever colors you want, attach the brush par t to the shaf t, and even add a char m or t wo into the mix. Alter natively, you can buy a small pre -made broom, and decorate it to your lik ing.

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Witchy DIY Seasonal Wreaths and Other Decorative Pieces S eas o na l wreat hs a n d h o m e d e co r, i n g e n e ral, are a gre at way to get into t h e fes t i ve s p i r i t. Af te r al l, t h e Wi cc an h o l i d ays al l h ave d istinc t vis ua l i d ent i t i es, s o to s p e ak . S o yo u r w re at h w i l l l o o k d i f fe re nt ba sed on th e s ea s o n yo u’re m ak i n g i t i n — i f yo u u se n at u ral i n gre d i e nts, of cours e. To bui ld yo ur wreat h, yo u’ l l st ar t by m ak i n g o r si m p l y b u y i n g a sturdy grapev i n e b a s e. Yo u co u l d e ve n c re ate a c re sce nt m o o n - sh ap e d ba se if you wa nted to. To f i ll u p yo u r w re at h , yo u’ l l u se se aso n al f l ower s, folia g e, a nd o t h er s y m b o l s o f t h e h o l i d ay. D ur ing O s t a ra , yo u co ul d at t ac h so m e fo am e g g s to t h e w re at h to repres ent t he reb i r t h o f n at u re. Co nve r se l y, h ar ve st fe st i val s l ik e Lu g h na s a d h , M a b o n, a n d S am h ai n m i g ht fe at u re m o re grai n , f ruits, and veg et a b les to rep re se nt ab u n d an ce. O f cours e, ma k i n g wreat h s i sn’t t h e o n l y way to g e t i nto t h e h ol iday spir i t. At Yule, yo u co uld m ak e a Yu l e l o g ce nte r p i e ce fo r yo u r ta bl e or s et t le fo r a s i mp le ci n n am o n st i c k c an d l e h o l d e r. D u r i n g I m bol c, mak i n g a B r i gi d ’s cro s s wo u l d b e m o re ap p ro p r i ate t h an h an ging a wreat h . Ad d i t i o n a lly, ma ny p ag an s m ak e B r i gi d d o l l s d u r i n g t hat seaso n , a n d co r n d o lli es fo r t h e h ar ve st.

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Celebrations Ostara

Shared By : High Priestess, R avensThorn O s tara m a r ks t he Spr ing Eq ui n ox, which h a p p en s bet ween M a rch 1923. O s t a ra i s a p a g a n celebrat i o n a nd i t is told t he o r i gi n s of the C hr i s t i a n celebrat i o n o f E a s ter. As the b egi n ni n g o f s pr ing O s t a ra i s a g ood t i me to li tera lly and fi g urat i vely p la nt s eed s fo r t he f ut ure.

Cl e an i n g i sn' t j u st l i m i te d to yo u r h o m e. Tak e so m e t i m e to d e c l u t te r an d c l e an u p are as w h e re yo u sp e n d a l o t o f t i m e, l i k e yo u r c ar, yo u r co m p u te r o r yo u r wo r k o f f i ce. O n e sy m b o l o f O st ara an d Ch r i st i an E aste r R ab b i t s, e g g s, sp r i n g f l owe r s, l am b s, c l ove r, b ask e t s. An e asy p ro j e c t fo r al l.

O s tara i s a ls o g o o d time to s t a r t t a k i ng ac tion o n t h e i d ea s and g o a ls yo u s t a r ted think i n g a b o ut around Yule a nd I mbolc. And wh at you pla nt d ur i ng O s tara wi ll b e rea d y to be ha r ves ted d ur ing t h e co m i n g s umm er mo nt h s and th e s a b b at s o f B eltan e, L i t h a a n d Lug hn a s a d h.

Crystal Eggs Yo u w i l l n e e d : • 1 C. al l - p u r p o se f l o u r • ½ C. sal t • ¼ C. c l e an san d • 1 C. u se d co f fe e gro u n d s • ¾ C. war m wate r • Cr yst al s, g e m sto n e s, trinkets • N o n - st i c k co o k i n g sp ray • Ac r y l i c p ai nt s

O s tara i s a g o o d time to f res hen up you r ho m e a nd li fe. Take ti m e to d o s o me s pr ing clea n i n g.

13 Sisters of Delphi

sp ray, an d pl a ce it i n t h e ce nter of a sm al l sco op of dough. S h ap e t h e dough aro u n d t h e c r ysta l or o t h e r t r i n ket to for m an e g g sh ape. Ba k e t h e e g g s at 3 5 0 for ab o u t 1 5 minutes, an d al l ow to cool. O n ce t h e y' ve cool ed, t h e y sh o ul d be nice an d h ard, l ik e a ro c k . Pai nt the eggs, an d al l ow pa int to d r y. Le t c hil dren or u n k n ow n a dul ts c ra c k t h e m o p e n to revea l t h e h i d d e n trea sure!

B l e n d f l o u r, sal t, san d an d co f fe e gro u n d s to g e t h e r. Grad u al l y ad d t h e wate r, an d k n e ad u nt i l yo u ' ve g o t a t h i c k , gr i t t y d o u g h . S p ray a c r yst al l i g ht l y w i t h n o n - st i c k co o k i n g

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Celebrations Matronalia

Ju no, t he wi fe o f Ju pite r a nd t h e chief g o d d es s i n t h e R oman p a nt h eo n, wa s conne c ted wi t h a ll as pec t s o f t h e li fe o f wome n . I n p a r t i cula r, in her ro le a s Jun o Lucin a , s h e wa s t h e g od d e s s o f fer t i li t y and chi ld b i r t h, and s he h a d b een wors hi p p ed f ro m t h e ver y begi n ni n g s o f antiqui t y at a grove on th e E s q ui li n e H i ll in R om e. I ntere s t i n g ly, her wors hi p wa s s a i d to have b een i ns t i t uted by Tit us Tat i us, K i n g of the S a b i nes who had ruled j o i nt ly with R o m ulus, t he founder o f R o me. The fe s t i va l o f M atron a li a wa s s aid to s y mb o li s e the pea ce t hat followed t h e f i rs t mar r i a g es b et ween the wa r r i n g R o ma ns and t h e S a b i n e wome n : m a r r i a g es which , a cco rd i ng to the my t h, were

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Shared By : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana t h e co n se q u e n ce o f t h e S ab i n e’s wo m e n ab d u c t i o n by t h e m o t l e y c re w o f R o m u l u s’ I t al i c fo l l owe r s, p re o cc u p i e d w i t h e n su r i n g t h at R o m e wo u l d l ast l o n g e r t h an o n e g e n e rat i o n . Th e M at ro n al i a was ce l e b rate d o n M arc h 1 st an d i s re fe r re d to by an c i e nt so u rce s as e i t h e r t h e K al e n d s o f M arc h o r t h e Wo m e n’s K al e n d s. I n t h e e ar l y R o m an e ra, M arc h 1 st was ce l e b rate d as N e w Ye ar ’s D ay, w h i c h ex p l ai n s w hy so m e o f t h e n am e s d e r i ve d f ro m t h e R o m an c al e n d ar w h i c h we u se to d ay are t wo m o nt h s o u t, e. g. , S e p te m b e r was o r i gi n al l y t h e se ve nt h m o nt h an d O c to b e r t h e e i g ht h . Th e fe st i val si gn al l e d a p e r i o d o f re n e wal w h e n l au re l g ar l an d s d e co rat i n g t h e h o u se s o f p r i e st s an d p rac t i t i o n e r s o f t h e sac re d r i te s we re re p l ace d.

At t h e Te mpl e of Ve st a, t h e Vesta l Vi rgi n s al so ex t i n g u i sh ed the sac re d f i re on the h e ar t h an d re - l it it. Th e fe st i val wa s o f te n re g a rded a s the fe m al e co unter pa r t o f S at u r n al ia in i t s i m p o r ta nce, an d fo c u ssed on i nte rac t i o n s bet ween m i st re sse s a nd their sl ave s, re l ations b e t we e n spouses an d t h e p roduc tion o f R o m an’s so c i e t al system’s o n l y g u ara ntee of su r v i val : l e gitim ate c h i l d re n . Th e m o st popul a r t i m e fo r R om a n we d d i n g s wa s the se co n d h a l f of J une, t h e m o nt h of J uno. Th i s m e ant that if a b r i d e h a d becom e p re gn ant shor tl y af te r m ar r ia ge (a nd J u n o Lu c i n a wa s al so c al l e d upon by n e w l y weds

13 Sisters of Delphi


Celebrations

Matronalia Continued to help t h em s ucces s f ully concei ve a chi ld ), s he wo uld b e o n t h e verge o f gi v i ng b i r t h by 1s t M a rch . Thus, i t wa s a ver y conve n i ent d ate to have a fes t i va l for th e g o d d es s o f light a n d chi ld b i r t h, combi n ed wi t h t h e bir thd ay o f M a rs, who wa s J un o’s s o n, and t h e N ew Yea r. Ju no Luci n a wa s as s oc i ated wi t h li g ht (lu x) , s p eci f i ca lly in her ro le a s prote c to r o f p regna nt wome n o r t ho s e i n child b i r t h, a s s he was th e g o d d es s who br ing s t he chi ld i nto the li g ht. This as s o ci at i o n wi t h light i s s t i ll ev i d ent in som e m o d er n R oman ce la n g ua g es. O ne exp res s i o n fo r giving b i r t h to d ay i n Spani s h i s d a r a luz , and in I t a li a n d a re alla lu ce, b o t h o f which mea n ‘gi ve to

13 Sisters of Delphi

t h e l i g ht ’. Wo r sh i p p e r s wo u l d c al l u p o n Lu c i n a fo r an e asy d e l i ve r y an d a h e al t hy c h i l d, an d t h e y wo u l d sy m b o l i c al l y l e t d ow n t h e i r h ai r an d l o o se n t h e i r c l o t h i n g i n an ac t o f sy m p at h e t i c m agi c. Th e p r i m ar y p ar t i c i p ant s i n t h e M at ro n al i a r i te s we re m at ro n ae, o r m ar r i e d, o f te n ar i sto c rat i c wo m e n . I m p o r t ant l y, yo u d i d n o t n e e d to b e a m o t h e r i n o rd e r to p ar t i c i p ate to t h e fe st i val. I n f ac t, m any i nt r i g u i n g fe m al e f i g u re s i n R o m an t i m e u se d t h i s fe st i val, m o t h e r h o o d, an d t h e p ro d u c t i o n o f l e gi t i m ate h e i r s, as an o cc asi o n to e st ab l i sh t h e i r p l ace i n so c i e t y. Fo r ex am p l e, Anto ny B i r l e y p o i nt s o u t t h at we c an b e f ai r l y ce r t ai n t h at t h e M at ro n al i a was ce l e b rate d at Vi n d o l an d a. S u l p i c i a Le p i d i n a, w i fe o f t h e co m m an d i n g o f f i ce r

Fl av i u s Ce r ia l is, wo u l d h ave l ed t h e fe st i v i ties fo r Vi n d o l a nda’s wo m e n , i n a show o f g e n e ro sit y w h i c h i s e videnced by acco u nts of ex p e n d i t u re on the K al e n d s o f M a rc h o n a w r i t i ng ta bl et, f ro m t h e h ousehol d acco u nt s of Cer ia l is. An c i e nt sources refer to fo u r m a in a spec ts o f t h e fe stiva l, t wo co m p o n e nts of w hic h we re t h e s a m e a s the S at u r n al i a festiva l h e l d i n D e cem ber : a fe ast fo r s l aves a nd a gi f t exc h ange. Th e f i r st rel igious co m p o n e nt consisted o f m at ro n a e m a k ing o f fe r i n g s to J uno Lu c i n a at her tem pl e o n t h e E squil ine H il l or other sac re d p l aces. Wo m e n o f other so c i al st atuses m ay h ave a l so at te n d e d the r ites b u t re sp o nsibil it y

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Celebrations Matronalia Continued to wors hi p J un o belon g ed to ma r r i ed wome n . I n h i s Fa s t i , O vid rep o r t s M a rs d escr i b i n g t h i s d ay, the d ate o f hi s bir thd ay : ‘I t ’s r i g ht t hat R oman mo t h ers obser ve t h at fru itful s ea s o n, Since i n chi ld b i r t h they b o t h s t rug g le and p ray. O n t h e hill that n ow has th e n a me of Es q ui li n e, A tem p le wa s founded, a s I recall, o n t h i s d ay, B y t h e R o m a n wome n i n h o no ur of Ju no. (… ) M y mother, Jun o, loves b r i d es : crowds o f mo t h ers wors hi p m e: S uch a vir t uo us rea s o n above a ll b ef i t s her and me.’ Br ing t h e g o d d es s flowers : t he g o d d es s loves f lower i n g plant s : G a r la nd you r h ea d s wi t h fres h f lowers, a n d

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say : ‘ Yo u, Lu c i n a, h ave gi ve n u s t h e l i g ht o f l i fe’ : an d say : ‘ Yo u h e ar t h e p raye r o f wo m e n i n c h i l d b i r t h .’

We c an i ma gine the exc i te m e nt there wo u l d h ave been on t h i s d ate, just a s we ex p e r i e n ce in the r un u p to N e w Yea r ’s Day.

Th e se co n d co m p o n e nt i nvo l ve d h u sb an d s p ray i n g fo r t h e we l f are o f t h e i r w i ve s an d t h e i r m ar r i ag e s, al t h o u g h i t i s u n ce r t ai n w h o t h e y p raye d to.

E nt i re h o u sehol ds wo u l d l o o k for wa rd to t h e ce re m ony, a s i t wo u l d provide a we l co m e brea k from t h e i r e ve r yday l ife.

Late r i n t h e d ay, m ar r i e d wo m e n p re p are d a h o l i d ay fe ast an d wai te d o n t h e i r fe m al e sl ave s, an d p ro b ab l y t h e m al e o n e s as we l l, al t h o u g h t h i s i s n o t c l e ar. Th e fo u r t h e l e m e nt was t h e gi f t exc h an g e. As we l l as m ar r i e d wo m e n re ce i v i n g gi f t s f ro m t h e i r h u sb an d s an d c h i l d re n , u n m ar r i e d wo m e n al so re ce i ve d gi f t s f ro m l ove r s o r m al e f r i e n d s. Th e se wo u l d t y p i c al l y b e f l owe r s, j e we l l e r y, an d swe e t s.

Fo r sl ave s espec ia l l y i t was o n e of a ver y fe w d ays i n the yea r w h e n t h e y ha d the c h an ce to rel a x a nd e n j oy t h e msel ves. H u sb an d s a nd w i ve s wo u l d pray fo r a h ar m onious m ar r i ag e, a nd h e al t hy c hil dren: b o t h o f t hese these, i n R o m an tim es, we re n o t onl y the k e y to a serene l ife an d o l d age, but a l so an i m p o r ta nt way to asse r t o n esel f i n so c i e t y. https://w w w.vindolanda.com/ blog/matronalia- celebratingthe -roman-mother

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Mythological Creature Loch Ness Monster The Lo ch N es s M ons ter i s a myth i ca l a ni ma l t h at alleg ed ly li ves i n Loch N es s, a la rg e freshwater la ke nea r I nver nes s, S co t la n d. Altho ug h a cco unt s of an a q uat i c beas t li v i n g i n t h e lak e d ate b a ck 1,500 yea rs, a ll effor t s to f i nd a ny credi b le ev i d ence of th e a ni ma l h ave failed. That ha s n’t d ampened t h e pu bli c ’s ent h us i a s m, however, fo r any n ews about “Nes s i e.” Loch N es s, lo cated in th e S co t t i s h H igh la n d s, ha s t h e larges t vo lume o f fresh water i n G reat Br itai n ; t he b o d y of water rea ch es a d ept h o f nea r ly 800 feet a n d a len g t h o f about 23 mi les. S cho la rs o f t he Lo ch Ness M o ns ter f i nd a d ozen references to

13 Sisters of Delphi

Shared By : High Priestess Lady Gloriana “ N e ssi e” i n S co t t i sh h i sto r y, d at i n g b ac k to aro u n d 5 0 0 A . D. , w h e n l o c al Pi c t s c ar ve d a st ran g e aq u at i c c re at u re i nto st an d i n g sto n e s n e ar Lo c h N e ss.

c re at u re to “go b ac k w i t h a l l sp e e d.” Th e m onster re t re ate d a nd never h ar m e d another m a n.

St. Columba Th e e ar l i e st w r i t te n re fe re n ce to a m o n ste r i n Lo c h N e ss i s a 7 t h ce nt u r y b i o grap hy o f S ai nt Co l u m b a, t h e I r i sh m i ssi o n ar y w h o i nt ro d u ce d Ch r i st i an i t y to S co t l an d.

I n 1 9 3 3 , a new roa d was co m p l eted a l ong Lo c h N e ss’ shore, af fo rd i n g dr iver s a c l e ar v i ew of the l o c h . O n M ay 2 , 1 9 3 3 , t h e I nver ness Co u r i e r re por ted t h at a l o c al coupl e c l ai m e d to have seen “an e n o r mous an i m al ro l l ing an d p l u n ging on t h e su r f ace.”

I n 5 6 5 A. D. , acco rd i n g to t h e b i o grap h e r, St. Co l u m b a was o n h i s way to v i si t t h e k i n g o f t h e n o r t h e r n Pi c t s n e ar I nve r n e ss w h e n h e sto p p e d at Lo c h N e ss to co n f ro nt a b e ast t h at h ad b e e n k i l l i n g p e o p l e i n t h e l ak e. S e e i n g a l arg e b e ast ab o u t to at t ac k an o t h e r m an , St. Co l u m b a i nte r ve n e d, i nvo k i n g t h e n am e o f G o d an d co m m an d i n g t h e

Loch Ness Monster Sightings

Th e sto r y of the Loc h N e ss M o n s ter bec a m e a m e d i a p henom enon, w i t h Lo n don n e wsp ap er s sending co r re sp o ndents to S co t l an d a nd a c irc us o f fe r i n g a 2 0 ,0 0 0 p o u n d re wa rd for c ap t u re o f the bea st.

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Mythological Creature Loch Ness Monster Continued Af ter t h e 1933 sight i ng, i nteres t stead i ly grew, es peci a lly a f ter anoth er co up le claimed to have seen t h e b ea s t o n land, cro s s i ng t h e shore ro a d. S evera l B r i t i s h news p a p ers s ent repor ters to S cot la nd, i n clud i n g Lond o n’s D a i ly M ail, wh i ch h i red big - ga me hunter M ar m a d uke Weth erell to ca p t ure the bea s t. Af ter a few d ays searchi n g t h e lo ch, Weth erell rep o r ted find i ng fo o t p r i nt s of a la rg e fo urleg g ed a n i ma l. I n respo ns e, t h e D a i ly M ail ca r r i ed t he d ram at i c h ea d li ne: “MO NS TE R O F LO CH N E S S I S NOT L E G E N D B U T A FAC T.”

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Nessie S co re s o f to u r i st s d e sce n d e d o n Lo c h N e ss an d sat i n b o at s o r d e c k s c h ai r s wai t i n g fo r an ap p e aran ce by t h e b e ast. Pl aste r c ast s o f t h e fo o t p r i nt s we re se nt to t h e B r i t i sh N at u ral H i sto r y M u se u m , w h i c h re p o r te d t h at t h e t rac k s we re t h at o f a h i p p o p o t am u s, sp e c i f i c al l y o n e h i p p o p o t am u s fo o t, p ro b ab l y st u f fe d. Th e h o ax te m p o rar i l y d e f l ate d Lo c h N e ss M o n ste r m an i a, b u t sto r i e s o f si g ht i n g s co nt i n u e d. A f am o u s 1 9 3 4 p h o to grap h se e m e d to sh ow a d i n o sau rl i k e c re at u re w i t h a l o n g n e c k e m e rgi n g out of the murky wate r s, l e ad i n g so m e to sp e c u l ate t h at “ N e ssi e” was a so l i t ar y su r v i vo r o f t h e l o n g ex t i n c t p l e si o sau r s.

Th e aqu atic p l e si o sau rs were t h o u g ht to have died o f f w i t h t h e rest of t h e d i n o saur s 6 5 m i l l i o n ye a r s a go. Lo c h N e ss wa s frozen so l i d d u r i ng recent i ce ag e s, however, so t h i s c re at u re woul d h ave h ad to have m ad e i t s way up t h e R i ve r N ess from t h e se a i n the pa st 1 0 , 0 0 0 ye a r s. An d t h e pl esiosa ur s, b e l i e ve d to be col db l o o d e d, woul d not l o n g su r v i ve in the f r i gi d water s of Lo c h N e ss. M o re l i k e l y, other s su g g e ste d, it wa s an arc h e o c yte, a p r i m i t i ve w ha l e w ith a se r p e nt ine nec k t h at i s t h ought to h ave b e e n ex tinc t fo r 1 8 m i l lion yea r s. S k e p t i c s a rgued that w h at p e o pl e were se e i n g i n Loc h N ess we re “se i ches” — o sc i l l at i o ns in the

13 Sisters of Delphi


Mythological Creature Loch Ness Monster Continued water s ur f a ce ca us ed by th e i nf low o f co ld r iver water i nto t h e s light ly wa r m er lo ch. The Search Continues Amateur inves t i g ato rs kep t an alm o s t co ns t a nt vigil, a n d i n t h e 1960s s evera l B r i t i s h unive rs i t i es la un ch ed exped i t i o n s to Lo ch Nes s, us i ng s o na r to s earch t h e d eep. Nothi ng co n clus i ve was fo und, b ut i n each exp ed i t i o n the s o n a r o p erato rs d etec ted la rg e, movin g und er water objec t s t h ey co uld not exp la i n. I n 19 75, B o s to n’s Acad emy o f Appli ed S ci ence combi n ed s o na r and und er water photo gra p hy i n a n exped i t i o n to Loch Nes s. A pho to res ulted that, a f ter

13 Sisters of Delphi

e n h an ce m e nt, ap p e are d to sh ow t h e gi ant f l i p p e r o f a p l e si o sau rl i k e c re at u re. Fu r t h e r so n ar ex p e d i t i o n s i n t h e 1 9 8 0 s an d 1 9 9 0 s re su l te d i n m o re t ant al i zi n g, i f i n co n c l u si ve, re ad i n g s. R e ve l at i o n s i n 1 9 9 4 t h at t h e f am o u s 1 9 3 4 p h o to was a h o ax h ard l y d am p e n e d t h e e nt h u si asm o f to u r i st s an d p ro fe ssi o n al an d am ate u r i nve st i g ato r s to t h e l e g e n d o f t h e Lo c h N e ss M o n ste r. Af te r t h e 1 9 3 3 si g ht i n g, i nte re st ste ad i l y gre w, e sp e c i al l y af te r an o t h e r co u p l e c l ai m e d to h ave se e n t h e b e ast o n l an d, c ro ssi n g t h e sh o re ro ad. S e ve ral B r i t i sh n e wsp ap e r s se nt re p o r te r s to S co t l an d, i n c l u d i n g Lo n d o n’s D ai l y M ai l, w h i c h h i re d b i g - g am e h u nte r M ar m ad u k e We t h e re l l to c ap t u re t h e b e ast.

Af te r a fe w days se arc h i n g the l oc h, We t h e re l l repor ted f i n d i n g fo otpr ints o f a l arg e fourl e g g e d an im a l. I n re sp o n se, the Da il y M ai l c ar r i e d the d ram at i c hea dl ine: “M O N S T E R OF LO CH N E S S I S N OT LE GE N D BU T A FAC T.”

Nessie

S co re s o f tour ists d e sce n d e d on Lo c h N e ss a nd sat i n b o at s o r dec k s c h ai r s wai ting for a n ap p e aran ce by the b e ast. Pl aster c a sts o f t h e fo otpr ints we re se nt to the B r i t i sh N atura l H i sto r y M useum , w h i c h re por ted that t h e t rac k s were that o f a h i p p opota m us, sp e c i f i c al l y one h i p p o p o t am us foot, p ro b ab l y stuffed. Th e h o ax tem pora r il y d e f l ate d Loc h N ess M o n ste r m a nia , but sto r i e s o f sightings co nt i n u e d.

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Mythological Creature Loch Ness Monster Continued A fam o us 1934 photo gra p h s eem ed to show a d i no s a urlik e creat ure wi t h a long n eck em ergi n g ou t o f t h e mur k y waters, lea d i ng s ome to s p eculate that “N es s i e” wa s a solit a r y s ur v i vo r of the lo ng - ex t i nc t plesios a urs. Th e aquati c p les i o s a urs were t h o ug ht to have d ied of f wi t h t h e res t of the d i n o s a urs 65 millio n yea rs a g o.

M o re l i k e l y, o t h e r s su g g e ste d, i t was an arc h e o c y te, a p r i m i t i ve w h al e w i t h a se r p e nt i n e n e c k t h at i s t h o u g ht to h ave b e e n ex t i n c t fo r 1 8 m i l l i o n ye ar s.

I n 1 9 7 5 , B oston’s Ac ad e my of Appl ied S c i e n ce com bined so n ar an d under water p h o to graphy in a n ex p e d i t i o n to Lo c h N e ss.

S k e p t i c s arg u e d t h at w h at p e o p l e we re se e i n g i n Lo c h N e ss we re “se i c h e s” — o sc i l l at i o n s i n t h e wate r su r f ace c au se d by t h e i n f l ow o f co l d r i ve r wate r i nto t h e sl i g ht l y war m e r l o c h .

A p h o to resul ted t h at, af te r e n h an ce ment, ap p e are d to show t h e gi ant fl ipper o f a p l e si osa url i k e c re at ure.

Loch Nes s wa s f rozen s olid d ur i ng recent ice ages, h owever, s o this c reat ure wo uld have h a d to have mad e i t s way up the R i ver N es s f ro m the s ea i n t h e p a s t 10,00 0 yea rs.

The Search Continues

And the p les i o s a urs, believed to b e co ld blood ed, wo uld no t long sur v i ve i n t h e fr igid waters o f Loch Nes s.

N o t h i n g co n c l u si ve was fo u n d, b u t i n e ac h ex p e d i t i o n t h e so n ar o p e rato r s d e te c te d l arg e, m ov i n g u n d e r wate r o b j e c t s t h e y co u l d n o t ex p l ai n .

Am ate u r i nve st i g ato r s k e p t an al m o st co n st ant v i gi l, an d i n t h e 1 9 6 0 s se ve ral B r i t i sh u n i ve r si t i e s l au n c h e d ex p e d i t i o n s to Lo c h N e ss, u si n g so n ar to se arc h t h e d e e p.

Fu r t h e r sona r ex p e d i t i o n s in t h e 1 9 8 0 s a nd 1 9 9 0 s re sul ted in m o re t ant a l iz ing, i f i n co n c l usive, re ad i n g s. R e ve l at i o n s in 1 9 9 4 t h at t h e f a m ous 1 9 3 4 p h o to was a hoa x h ard l y d ampened t h e e nt h u sia sm o f to u r i st s a nd p ro fe ssi o n a l a nd am ate u r i nvestigator s to t h e l e g e nd of the Lo c h N e ss M onster. https://w w w.histor y.com/ topics/folk lore/loch-nessmonster

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Mythological Creature Golem I n Jew i s h t ra d i t i o n, the g o lem i s m o s t wid ely k n own a s a n ar tific i a l creat ure created by m a gi c, of ten to s er ve its creato r. The wo rd “g o lem” appears o n ly once i n t h e B i b le (Ps alm s 139: 16). I n Heb rew, “g ole m” s t a n d s fo r “shapeles s ma s s.” The Ta lmud us es t h e wo rd as “un fo r med ” or “im p er fec t ” and acco rd i ng to Talmu d i c leg en d, Ad am i s ca lled “gole m ,” m ea n i n g “ bod y wi t h o ut a sou l ” (S a nhed r i n 38b) fo r t he f i rs t 12 hours o f his ex i s ten ce. The go lem a p p ea rs in oth er p la ces i n the Ta lm ud a s well. O ne leg end s ays t h e proph et J erem i a h mad e a g o lem.

Shared By : High Priestess Lady Gloriana

H owe ve r, so m e myst i c s b e l i e ve t h e c re at i o n o f a g o l e m h as sy m b o l i c m e an i n g o n l y, l i k e a sp i r i t u al ex p e r i e n ce fo l l ow i n g a re l i gi o u s r i te.

Th e S e fe r Ye zi rah ( “ B o o k o f Cre at i o n” ) , o f te n re fe r re d to as a g u i d e to m agi c al u sag e by so m e We ste r n Eu ro p e an J e ws i n t h e M i d d l e Ag e s, co nt ai n s i n st r u c t i o n s o n h ow to m ak e a g o l e m . S e ve ral rab b i s, i n t h e i r co m m e nt ar i e s o n S e fe r Ye zi rah h ave co m e u p w i t h d i f fe re nt u n d e r st an d i n g s o f t h e d i re c t i o n s o n h ow to m ak e a g o l e m . M o st ve r si o n s i n c l u d e sh ap i n g t h e g o l e m i nto a f i g u re re se m b l i n g a h u m an b e i n g an d u si n g G o d ’s n am e to b r i n g h i m to l i fe, si n ce G o d i s t h e u l t i m ate c re ato r o f l i fe. . Acco rd i n g to o n e sto r y, to m ak e a g o l e m co m e

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al i ve, o n e woul d sh ap e i t o ut of soil, an d t h e n wa l k or d an ce around it say i n g co mbination o f l e t te r s from the al p h ab e t and the se c re t n am e of G od. To “ k i l l ” t he gol em , i t s c re ato rs woul d wal k i n t h e opposite d i re c t i o n s aying a nd m ak i n g t h e order of t h e wo rd s ba c k wa rds. O t h e r so urces say o n ce t h e gol em ha d b e e n p hys ic a l l y m ad e o n e needed to w r i te t h e l etter s al e p h , m e m , tav, w h i c h i s e m et a nd m e an s “ t r uth,” on t h e g o l e m’s forehea d an d t h e g ol em woul d co m e al i ve. E rase t h e a l eph a nd yo u are l e f t w ith m e m an d tav, w hic h i s m e t, m e a ning “d e at h .” An o t h e r way to b r i n g a g ol em to l ife was to w r i te G od ’s

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Mythological Creature Golem Continued name o n p a rch m ent and s t i ck i t o n t h e g olem’s a r m o r i n h i s mou th . O n e wo uld remove i t to s to p the g o lem. O f ten i n As hkena z i Hasidi c lo re, t he g olem wo uld co m e to life a n d s er ve h i s creators by d o i ng tasks a s s i gned to him. The mo s t wellk nown s to r y o f t h e g olem i s co nnec ted to R abb i J ud a h Lo ew ben B ez a lel, t he M ahara l o f Pra g ue (1513 -1609). I t was s a i d t h at h e create d a g o lem o ut of clay to p ro tec t t he Jewish co mmuni t y from B lo o d L i b el a nd to hel p o ut d o i ng phys i ca l la b o r, s ince g o lems a re ver y st ro n g. Another vers i o n s ays it was clo s e to E a s ter, in the s p r i ng o f 1580 and a J ew-h at i n g pr ies t wa s t r y i ng to incite t h e C hr i s t i a n s ag ain s t t h e Jews.

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S o t h e g o l e m p ro te c te d t h e co m m u n i t y d u r i n g t h e E aste r se aso n . B o t h ve r si o n s re c al l the golem running am o k an d t h re ate n i n g i n n o ce nt l i ve s, so R ab b i Lo e w re m ove d t h e D i v i n e N am e, re n d e r i n g t h e g o l e m l i fe l e ss. A se p arate acco u nt h as t h e g o l e m g o i n g m ad an d r u n n i n g away. S e ve ral so u rce s at t r i b u te t h e sto r y to R ab b i E l i j ah o f Ch e l m , say i n g R ab b i Lo e w, o n e o f t h e m o st o u t st an d i n g J e w i sh sc h o l ar s o f t h e si x te e nt h ce nt u r y w h o w ro te n u m e ro u s b o o k s o n J e w i sh l aw, p h i l o so p hy, an d m o ral i t y, wo u l d h ave ac t u al l y o p p o se d t h e c re at i o n o f a g o l e m . Th e g o l e m h as b e e n a p o p u l ar f i g u re i n t h e ar t s i n t h e p ast fe w ce nt u r i e s w i t h b o t h J e ws an d n o n -J e ws. I n t h e e ar l y 2 0 t h ce nt u r y, se ve ral p l ays, n ove l s, m ov i e s, m u si c al s an d e ve n a

b al l e t we re ba sed o n t h e g o lem . The m o st f am ous wor k s w h e re g o l em s a ppea r are M ar y Shel l ey ’s Fran k e n stein, K a rel Cap e k ’s R. U.R. ( w h e re t h e word “ro b o t ” com es f ro m ) , Isaa c B ash e v i s Singer ’s Th e G o l e m a nd Th e X- Fi l e s. Th e re i s also a c h arac te r na m ed G o l e m i n J.R.R. To l k i e n’s cl a ssic se r i e s Th e Lord of the R i n g s. To day, there is e ve n a g o lem m useum i n t h e J e wish Q ua r ter o f Prag u e. S o m e t i m e s, som eone w h o i s l arge but i nte l l e c t u al l y sl ow i s c al l e d a gol em . O t h e r c i v i l iz ations, su c h as t h e a nc ient Gre e k s, h ave si m i l ar co n cepts. https://w w w. jewishvir tuallibrar y.org/the golem

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Mythological Creature Gnome The gn o m e i s a clas s o f leg end a r y creatures t hro ug h o ut Eu rop e a n d, by cultu ra l t ra ns fer, i n the U n i ted St ates that h a s t a ken o n many d i f ferent meani n g s, b ut most g enera lly refers to ver y s ma ll people, o f ten men , that l i ve i n d a r k places, es p eci a lly und ergro und, i n the d ep t h s o f fo res t s, or more recent ly in gard ens. M os t Euro p ea n et h ni c group s have h a d s ome k i n d o f gn o m e legen d s wi t h lo ca l var iati o ns. M o d er n trad iti o ns p o r t ray gnomes a s s ma ll, o ld men wea r i n g p o i nted hats an d li v i n g i n fores t s a nd g a rd ens. D es pi te va r y i n g for ms, gno m es have t he co mmo n attr ib ute o f b ei ng able to m ove t h ro ug h the ear t h a s ea s i ly as hum a n s m ove atop i t. Pa ra cels us,

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Shared By : High Priestess Lady Gloriana

a si x te e nt h ce nt u r y Sw i ss al c h e m i st i d e nt i f i e d gn o m e s as a c l ass o f n at u re sp i r i t s co m p r i si n g e ar t h e l e m e nt al s ( i n co nt rast to t h e ai r, wate r, an d f i re e l e m e nt al s) .

d e r i ve d f rom the N e w Lat i n , gnom us. I t i s o f te n c l a im ed to d e sce n d from t h e Gre e k gnosis ( “ k n ow l e dge,” ) b u t m o re l ik el y co m e s f ro m genom os “e ar t h - d wel l er.”

Th e c l ass o f gn o m e s h as b e e n co n si d e re d to i n c l u d e sat y r s, p an s, d r yad s, e l ve s, b row n i e s, an d g o b l i n s, so m e h e l p i n g p l ant s an d an i m al s, so m e h e l p i n g h u m an s, so m e re c l u si ve o n e s st ay i n g u n d e rgro u n d o r i n d ar k fo re st s, p e r h ap s h o ard i n g t re asu re, an d o t h e r s i nte rac t i n g m i sc h i e vo u sl y o r e ve n h ar m f u l l y w i t h h u m an s.

Description Th e d e p i c tion of gn o m e s h a s c ha nged q u i te o f te n over t h e ye ar s and re m ai n e d different in d i f fe re nt c ul tures.

Th e g ard e n gn o m e, f i r st ap p e ar i n g i n G e r m any, h as ap p e are d i n g ard e n s i n m any p ar t s o f t h e wo r l d an d ac h i e ve d an i co n i c st at u s i n p o p u l ar c u l t u re.

I n f ac t, t h ey were m o re ak i n to sm al l g o b lins a nd d i sf i g u re d fa er ies, an d ac te d m ore l i k e an i m al s tha n h u m an b e ings.

Etymology Th e wo rd gn o m e i s

I n co nt rast, m oder n so u rce s o f ten

O r i gi n al l y m a ny of t h e m we re conceived o f as u g l y, ground d we l l i n g creatures t h at we re l ess h u m an o i d tha n the gn o m e s o f today.

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Mythological Creature Gnome Continued d epic t gno m es a s d iminut i ve, s to ut hu mano i d s wh o wea r tall, po i nted co ni ca l caps an d d res s i n s olid co lo rs s uch a s blue, red, o r green; in this d ep i c t i o n , the m a le gn o m e always h a s a lo n g white b ea rd. They have t h e intelli g ence o f a hum a n (a re s omet i mes t h o ug ht to be wi s er), and h ave h uma n lik e pers o na li t i es. While t h ei r appeara nces m ay d iffer, t h e o ld er a n d newer t ra d i t i o n s d o s ha re a s i m i la r belief i n gn o m es’ capab i li t i es : Th ey a re s aid to m ove a s ea s i ly throug h t h e ea r t h a s hu mans wa lk up o n it, and t he s un’s rays tu r n t h em i nto s to n e. They a re i n cred i b ly s trong a nd f a s t, a nd s aid to p o s s es s a lm o s t s uper nat ura l a b i li t i es

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i n t h e m an i p u l at i o n o f n at u ral m ate r i al ( al t h o u g h t h e y al so are sai d to f i e rce l y g u ard ag ai n st any u n n e ce ssar y d am ag e to t h e e ar t h an d w i l d l i fe ) . Origin Gn o m e s f i r st ap p e are d i n t h e o ral t rad i t i o n o f N o r t h e r n Eu ro p e an fo l k l o re, an d so i t i s d i f f i c u l t to p i n p o i nt t h e i r ex ac t o r i gi n s. Gn o m e s sh are m any c h arac te r i st i c s w i t h t h e N o r se d war ve s, so m u c h so t h at i t i s su g g e ste d t h at at a t i m e i n S c an d i n av i an t rad i t i o n , t h e t wo we re ac t u al l y i nte rc h an g e ab l e. At so m e p o i nt, h owe ve r, a sp l i t b e t we e n gn o m e s an d d war ve s o cc u r re d. I t i s n o t c l e ar i f t h i s h ap p e n e d b e fo re o r af te r d war ve s we re assi m i l ate d i nto D u tc h an d G e r m an t rad i t i o n .

Wh at i s k now n is t h at t h e m oder n day d e p i c t i o n of gnom es i s m o re D u tc h tha n S c an d i n av ia n. Thus, i t i s sp e c u l ated that D u tc h t radition c re ate d gn om es a s t h e y are k now n today o u t o f N o rse dwa r ves, an d f ro m there gn o m e b e l ief sprea d to G e r m any a nd ba c k i nto S c an dinavia . I n t h e si x teenth ce nt u r y, t h e Sw iss al c h e m i st Pa ra cel sus p o p u l ar i ze d the gn o m e w h en he d e c l are d them to be t h e m o st i m por ta nt o f t h e e l e m enta l sp i r i t s. I n his view, gn o m e s re presented t h e e ar t h , spec ific a l l y sto n e an d m inera l s, an d p o sse ssed the su p e r n at ura l energies asso c i ate d w ithin t h e se m ater ia l s. Cultural variants

Li k e m any c re at u re s ba sed i n o ral t radition, e ve r y c u l t ure t h at i n co r porates

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Mythological Creature Gnome Continued gnom es v i ews t he creatures s o m ewhat d ifferent ly. B elow are des cr i p t i o ns o f the m o s t co m m o n gnom e t ra d i t i o ns found i n Euro p e. Scandinavia The t ra d i t i o n a l wo rd for gn o mes i n t h e S candi n av i a n cult ure is Tomte whi ch wa s or igin a lly co i ned by S a i nt B i rgi t t a o f Swed en i n t h e 1300s. They a re a ls o k n own as N is s e i n N o r way and D en m a r k . G nom es a re b eli eved to live fo r 400 yea rs, are ind us t r i o us, k i nd, and wi s e. Fa m i ly i s impor t a nt to t h em , and t h ey a lm o s t always mer r y. Fema le gno m es give bi r t h o n ly once, us ua lly to t wins. They a lways live in rura l a rea s, s ome t i mes even o n (or below) f a r ms, and wi ll gi ve a d v i ce to far m ers.

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Th e y are se e n as g u ard i an s o f n at u re an d an i m al s. Al t h o u g h t h e y are k i n d to h u m an s, gn o m e s are st i l l ve r y se c re t i ve ; t h e y n e ve r al l ow h u m an s to k n ow t h e l o c at i o n o f t h e i r b u r rows, n e ve r te ac h n o n - gn o m e s t h e i r l an g u ag e, an d ap p e ar o n l y w h e n t h e y want to. I n m o re re ce nt t i m e s, gn o m e s h ave b e e n sai d to b e t h e h e l p e r s o f S ant a Cl au s, an d i n S c an d i n av i a, Ch r i st m as i m ag e s u su al l y d e p i c t gn o m e s i n t h e ro l e t h at e l ve s p l ay i n o t h e r p ar t s o f t h e We ste r n wo r l d. Germany O f te n fe at u re d i n G e r m an i c f ai r y t al e s, i n c l u d i n g t h o se by t h e B ro t h e r s Gr i m m , t h e G e r m an gn o m e o f te n re se m b l e s a gn ar l e d o l d m an , l i v i n g d e e p u n d e rgro u n d, w h o g u ard s b u r i e d t re asu re. B e c au se o f t h i s, Sw i ss b an k e r s are so m e t i m e s d i sp aragi n g l y re fe r re d

to as t h e “Gnom es o f Zü r i c h .” I n d i v i d u al gnom es are n o t ve r y of ten d e t ai l e d or featured as c h arac ter s in sto r i e s, b ut in G e r m an i c fol k l ore, Rü b e zah l, the l ord ove r t h e under wor l d, was so m e tim es re fe r re d to a s a m o u nt ai n gnom e. G e r m any ma de gn o m e s f a m ous in t h e m i d - 1 8 0 0 s w ith t h e f i r st produc tion o f t h e g arden gn o m e i n the tow n o f Gräfe n roda in Th u r i n gi a, by Ph i l l i p Gr i ebel. Gr i e b e l m a de te r raco t t a a nim a l s as d e co rations a nd c re ate d t he gnom e b ase d o n l oc a l myths as a way for peopl e to e n j oy t h e stor ies o f t h e gn om es’ w i l l i n gn e s s to hel p in t h e g ard e n at night.

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Mythological Creature Gnome Continued G nome m a n uf a c t ure s pread a cro s s G er ma ny, wi t h nu mero us la rg e a n d s mall ma nuf a c t urers appear i ng, ea ch one h av i n g i t s own par tic ula r d es i gn . Netherlands K abou ter i s t he D utch word fo r gn o m e. I n D u tch my t ho lo g y and D utch fo lk lo re, k abou ters a re tiny m en wh o li ve und ergro und o r els e are ho us eh o ld s p i r i t s helpin g i n t h e h o m e. They a re g en era lly s hy of huma ns. Th e males h ave lo n g, full bea rd s (unli ke d war ves, wh o d o not always h ave full bea rd s ) a nd wear t a ll, p o i nted red hat s. I n the Leg en d o f the Wo o d en S ho es, an old D utch fo lkt a le, the k a b o uter tea ch es the D utch ma n how to m a ke wood en s ho es.

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Th e D u tc h i l l u st rato r R i e n Po o r t v l i e t p l aye d an i m p o r t ant p ar t i n K ab o u te r l o re w i t h t h e p u b l i c at i o n o f Le ve n e n we r k e n van d e K ab o u te r ( “ Li ve s an d Wo r k s o f t h e Gn o m e” ) w r i t te n by Wi l H u yg e n , l ate r t ran sl ate d i nto E n g l i sh an d p u b l i sh e d as Gn o m e s. Garden gnomes Af te r t h e f i r st g ard e n gn o m e was p ro d u ce d i n G e r m any by Ph i l l i p Gr i e b e l, t h e p rac t i ce q u i c k l y sp re ad ac ro ss al l o f G e r m any an d i nto Fran ce an d E n g l an d, w h e re ve r g ard e n i n g was a se r i o u s h o b by. Gr i e b e l ’s d e sce n d ant s st i l l m ak e t h e m an d are t h e l ast o f t h e G e r m an p ro d u ce r s, al l o t h e r s h av i n g m ove d p ro d u c t i o n to Po l an d o r Ch i n a. Trad i t i o n al g ard e n gn o m e s are m ad e f ro m a te r raco t t a c l ay sl u r r y p o u re d i nto m o l d s. Th e gn o m e i s re m ove d f ro m

t h e m o l d, a l l owed to d r y, an d t h en fired i n a k i l n until it is h ard. O n ce cool ed t h e gn o m e is pa inted to t h e l e ve l of deta il d e si re d an d sent off to d o h i s wor k in so m e o n e’s ga rden. M o re m o der n gn o m e s are m a de f ro m re si ns a nd si m i l ar m ater ia l s. G ard e n gn om es have b e co m e a popul a r acce sso r y in m a ny g ard e n s. I n cer ta in l o c al e, h owever, the g ard e n gnom es have b e co m e t h e ta rget of p ran k s: Peopl e have b e e n k n ow n to retur n g ard e n gnom es “ to t h e w i l d,” nota bl y Fran ce’s Front de Li b e rat i o n des N a ins d e J ard i n s a nd I ta l y ’s MA LAG (G a rden Gn o m e Li beration Fro nt ) . S o m e k i d n ap p e d ga rden gn o m e s h ave been se nt o n t r i ps a round t h e wo r l d.

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Mythological Creature Gnome Continued A sub - cult ure exis ts a m o ng those who co llec t g ard e n gno m es, which i s f req uent ly lampo o ned i n popu la r cult ure. G nom es have b eco me controvers i a l i n s er iou s g a rd en i n g circles i n t h e U n i ted K ing d o m , a n d a re banned f ro m t h e pres t i gi o us C hels ea Flower S h ow a s t he organ i zers cla i m t hat they d et ra c t f ro m t h e g ard e n d es i gns. G nom e ent h us i a s t s accus e t he o rg a n i zers of s nob b er y b eca us e gnom e f i g ures are po p ula r i n wor k i ng cla s s a n d s ubur b a n g a rd ens. Gnomes in popular culture

G nom es s h ow up i n many b o o ks a nd t a les in pop ula r cult ure. L . Frank B a um’s The Wond er f ul Wi z a rd o f Oz an d Th e L i fe a nd Ad vent ures o f S a nt a Claus, Oz ma o f Oz ,

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al l fe at u re d gn o m e s ( c al l e d “n o m e s” ) . Le g e n d ar y au t h o r J. R. R. To l k i e n u se d t h e wo rd “gn o m e” i n h i s e ar l y wo r k , Th e B o o k o f Lo st Tal e s, fo r t h e p e o p l e l ate r c al l e d t h e N o l d o r ( p ar t o f h i s H i g h E l ve s) . H owe ve r, h e d ro p p e d t h e te r m i n h i s p u b l i sh e d wo r k s, si n ce h e fo u n d t h e gn o m e s o f fo l k l o re to b e so u n l i k e h i s H i g h E l ve s as to co n f u se h i s re ad e r s. S o m e o f t h e m o st f am o u s wo r k s re g ard i n g gn o m e s are Gn o m e s an d S e c re t s o f t h e Gn o m e s by Wi l H u yg e n an d R i e n Po o r t v l i e t. Th e y are i l l u st rate d f i c t i o n al g u i d e b o o k s to t h e my t h i c al c re at u re s, an d re su l te d i n t h e an i m ate d se r i e s, Th e Wo r l d o f D av i d t h e Gn o m e. O r i gi n al l y w r i t te n i n D u tc h , t h e se b o o k s d e p i c t t h e K ab o u te r s ( D u tc h

gn o m e s) as a w ise, n o b l e, an d c ivil ized race w h o s e natura l e n e m i e s a re the t ro l l s, d u e to their co nt rast i n g natures. I n so m e rol e p l ay i n g g a m es, i n c l u d i n g Rune S c ap e, D u ngeons & D rag o n s, Ever Q uest, H o r i zo n s: E m pire of Ist ar i a, an d Wor l d of Warc raf t, gnom es a re fe at u re d a s a shor t race o f h u m a noids, c l o se l y re l ated to d war ve s, exce p t i o n a l l y a dept at t i n k e r i ng an d m e c h a nic s. Th e y an d their al l i e s o f te n have te c h n o l o gies not n o r m al l y found in f ant asy settings, suc h as f i re ar m s or robotl i k e au to m ata . https://w w w. new wor ldenc yclopedia.org/ entr y/Gnome

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Folk Lore Leprechaun The legend of the Leprechaun is one of the most enduring myths in Ireland and relates to a mystical type of fairy who is originally linked to the Tuatha De Danann of Irish mythology.

Accord i ng to f a b les, Leprecha uns a re tiny e nt i t i es t h at nor ma lly t a ke t he for m o f a n o ld man i n a red o r green co at. They a re k n own to be mi s chi evo us li t t le creatures t hat li ke to make s h o es a n d s tore t h ei r g old co i n s i n a pot of g o ld t h at i s hid d en at t he en d o f a rain b ow. I f you h a p p en to capt ure a Leprecha un, he will gi ve yo u t hree wishe s p rov i d ed yo u let him g o. Leprechaun Origin

M os t Lep recha un legen d s ca n b e traced b a ck to

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Shared By : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

t h e 8 t h ce nt u r y t al e s o f wate r sp i r i t s w h i c h we re k n ow n as ‘ l u c h o r p án’ w h i c h m e an s ‘sm al l b o d y ’.

I t i s sai d t h at t h e se sp i r i t s m e rg e d w i t h a h o u se h o l d f ai r y an d d e ve l o p e d a p e n c h ant fo r h e av y d r i n k i n g so n o ce l l ar was safe ! Acco rd i n g to o t h e r re se arc h e r s, t h e te r m Le p re c h au n ac t u al l y co m e s f ro m t h e I r i sh te r m ‘ l e at h b ro g an’ w h i c h m e an s sh o e m ak e r. I t i s i nte re st i n g to n o te t h at Le p re c h au n s are o f te n asso c i ate d w i t h we al t h , p ar t i c u l ar l y g o l d co i n s, b u t t h e y are ac t u al l y co b b l e r s w h i c h yo u wo u l d h ard l y p re su m e i s a l u c rat i ve vo c at i o n ! N o n e t h e l e ss, t h e my t h o f t h e p o t o f g o l d p e r si st s an d t h e re are st i l l p e o p l e w h o g o l o o k i n g fo r t h i s h i d d e n t re asu re ! The Pot of Gold Th i s i s t h e m o st

co m m o n of a l l Le p re c h au n myths w h i c h says that they f i n d g o l d coins bur ied i n t h e e ar th a nd store t h e m al l i n a pot w h i c h i s h idden at the e n d o f a rainbow. Th e f ac t t hat a rai n b ow doesn’t have a f i xe d sp ot or a re al e n d shoul d be d i sco u nte d for the sak e o f t h e stor y! Q u i te w hy Le p re c h au ns even n e e d g o l d is a nother m at te r e ntirel y since t h e y c an’t a c tua l l y sp e n d i t. S om e re se arc h e rs suggest t h at t h i s gol d is used as a m e an s of tr ic k ing h u m an s an d given t h e Le p re c ha uns’ p ro p e n si t y for t r i c k e r y, t his is e nt i re l y p ossibl e. I n m o st I r i sh fol k l ore t al e s fe at ur ing the Le p re c h au n, he is d e p i c te d a s a rogue w h o w i l l deceive w h e n e ve r he c a n. I n

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Folk Lore Leprechaun Continued rare ca s es where hu ma n s catch Leprecha uns i n tales, t h ey a re ea s i ly ou tsma r ted by t h e magic a l creat ure that of ten us es a perso n’s greed ag ain s t h i m. Unless yo u a re a n exper t i n a ll t h i n g s Leprecha un, t here are a few f a c t s abou t t h e mys t i ca l tr ickster t hat may s ur pr i s e yo u. Popular Culture The im a g e o f Leprecha uns ha s b een upd ated a nd n ow the leg en d s er ves as som et h i n g o f a tour ist at t ra c t i o n which lures a hug e amou nt o f Am er i ca n tour ist s i n p a r t i cula r to I rela n d. The Lep recha un has re a lly ca p t ured the im a gi n at i o n of Am er i ca n s a n d features a s N o t re Dame’s ma s co t a n d the s y m b o l o f Luck y Char m s cerea l.

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O f co u r se, n o t e ve r y t h i n g re l ate d to Le p re c h au n s i s f u n o r p ar t i c u l ar l y t aste f u l as c an b e se e n i n t h e aw f u l Le p re c h au n m ov i e s st ar r i n g War w i c k D av i s. I t i s f ai r to say t h at m any I r i sh p e o p l e are i r r i t ate d by t h e e t h n i c ste re o t y p e s p e r p e t u ate d by Le p re c h au n s b u t t h e re i s a t al e o f m o ral i t y t h at c an b e t ak e n f ro m t h e f ab l e o f t h e Le p re c h au n .

Did You Know? Th e m o d e r n day d e p i c t i o n of a Le p re c h au n is t h at o f a ma n c l a d e nt i re l y i n green. H owe ve r, I r ish fo l k l o re d esc r ibes Le p re c h au ns a s m en w h o wo re red outfits an d t r i - cor nered hats. I r i sh n ove l ist S a m uel Love r d e sc r ibes Le p re c h au ns a s suc h i n h i s 1 8 3 1 wor k Le g e n d s and Stor ies o f I re l an d.

Ad d i t i o n al l y, yo u sh o u l d n o t l o o k to t ak e w h at i sn’t yo u r s n o r sh o u l d yo u i nte r fe re w i t h t h i n g s b e yo n d yo u r u n d e r st an d i n g.

Acco rd i n g to Ca rol yn Wh i te’s A H istor y of I r i sh Fai r i es, there i s n o re co rd of a ny fe m al e Le prec ha uns ex i st i n g. This of co u r se m ea ns that Le p re c h au ns defy t y p i c al l aws of b i o l o g y by sur viving an d t h e re is no e v i d e n ce w hic h tel l s t h e sto r y of how t h e y b re e d.

U l t i m ate l y, t al e s o f t h e Le p re c h au n are n o t to b e t ak e n se r i o u sl y an d sh o u l d o n l y se r ve to am u se an d d e l i g ht u s.

Th e b o o k says t h at Le p rec ha uns are ac t u al l y d e fo r m e d c hil dren o f t h e f ai r ies.

Th e f ac t t h at t h e y o f te n t r i c k p e o p l e w h o se e k t h e p o t o f g o l d c an b e t ak e n as a war n i n g to p e o p l e n o t to b e i nve ste d i n ‘g e t r i c h q u i c k ’ sc h e m e s.

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Folk Lore Leprechaun Continued Thou g h t h e leg en d of the Lep recha un i s well over a t ho us a n d years o ld, t here was a ‘s i g ht i ng’ a s recent ly a s 1989 by a pu b la nd lo rd called P. J O ’ H a re in Car li n g fo rd, Cou nt y Lo ut h . O ’Hare cla i m s t hat he hea rd s crea m s from a well a nd found t he rema i n s and clo t hi n g o f a Leprech a un wh i ch i s on d is p lay i n h i s p ub !

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Th e tow n n ow h as an an n u al Le p re c h au n h u nt though the object of the g am e i s to f i n d p l ast i c ve r si o n s o f t h e f ab l e d c re at u re.

Did you know that Leprechaunsareactuallya protectedspeciesunderEU law? Car l i n g fo rd ’s S l i ab h Foy Lo o p t rai l i s o f f i c i al l y p ro te c te d l an d fo r t h e 2 3 6 Le p re c h au n s

t h at ap p arentl y l i ve i n I re la nd. A l o c al l o b byist group w h i c h co nta ins Kevin Wo o d s, a n ative of Car l i n g fo rd, m a na ged to co nv i n ce the E U t h at t h e area shoul d b e p ro te c ted a nd n ow i t i s u nder t h e Eu ro p ea n H ab i t at s Direc tive. https://w w w.celtic weddingr ings.com/celtic resources/myth- of-the leprechaun

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Ancient Legends Aqrabuamelu The Aq ra b ua m elu are mys ter i o us s cor pi o n men menti o ned i n ma ny Babyl o ni a n my t hs. They were s a i d to be g ua rd i a n s o f Sham a s h, t he g o d o f Sun tr ut h , j us t i ce a n d healin g. The s co r p i o n men a re d escr i b ed to have t h e head, to rs o, a r m s o f a man , a nd t h e b o d y of a sco r p i o n a nd were s o met i m es als o refer red to as gir t a b li lu. The exi s ten ce o f these f a s ci nat i n g beings d ates b a ck to the b egi nni n g of tim e. M yths a nd leg en d s tell th e Aq ra b ua m elu were f i rs t created by the Ti a m at i n o rd er to wa g e wa r a g a i n s t the yo ung er g o d s fo r the bet raya l o f h er mate Ap s u. Apsuwa s t he n a me for th e p r i meva l s ea

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b e l ow t h e vo i d sp ace o f t h e u n d e r wo r l d ( Ku r ) an d t h e e ar t h ( M a) ab ove. The Scorpion Men guarded the entrance to Kurnugi

We al so co m e ac ro ss t h e sco r p i o n m e n i n t h e E p i c o f Gi l g am e sh .

By : Mawa Cardea t h at to u c h the sk y. Th e y co u l d ter ror ize p e o p l e an d their g l an ce re sul ted i n d e at h . The Scorpion Men In Aztecs’ Myths Were Called The Tzitzimime

Th e i r d u t y was to g u ard o u t si d e t h e g ate s o f t h e S u n g o d S h am ash at t h e m o u nt ai n s o f M ash u.

S i m i l ar scor pion m en are al so m entioned in t h e l e g e n ds of t h e A zte c s.

Th e g ate s we re t h e e nt ran ce to Ku r n u gi , t h e l an d o f d ar k n e ss.

Th e y we re c a l l ed Tzi t zi m i m e a nd co n si d e re d to be sp i r i t s o f defeated g o d s c ast out of t h e sk y af ter they d e st roye d the sa c red grove o f f ruit trees.

Th e sco r p i o n m e n o p e n e d t h e d o o r s fo r S h am ash as h e t rave l e d o u t e ac h d ay, an d c l o se d t h e d o o r s af te r h i m w h e n h e re t u r n e d to t h e u n d e r wo r l d at n i g ht. Th e sco r p i o n m e n m u st h ave h ad t h e ab i l i t y to se e ve r y b e yo n d t h e h o r i zo n as t h e y co u l d al so war n t rave l e r s o f co m i n g d an g e r s. Acco rd i n g to my t h s w r i t te n i n t h e Ak k ad i an l an g u ag e, t h e Aqrab u am e l u h ad h e ad s

Th e Tzi t zi mim e were d e i t i e s assoc iated w i t h st ar s, espec ia l l y t h o se t h at c a n be se e n aro u nd the Sun during a so l ar e c l i pse. Th e y we re depic ted as sk e l e t al fem a l e f i g u re s wea r ing sk ir ts o f te n w i t h sk ul l a nd c ro ssb o n e designs.

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Ancient Legends Aqrabuamelu I n Pos tco nq ues t d es cr i p t i o n s t h e y are o f te n d e sc r i b e d as “d e m ons” or “d e v i ls”. As it s o o f ten i s wi t h ma ny my t h o l o gi c al b e i n g s, t h e Tzi t zi m i m e h ha d a d ou ble ro le i n t h e A z tec re l i gi o n . They were p ro tec to rs o f m an k i n d, b u t t h e y we re al so ve r y p owe r ful and d a n g ero us. https://w w w.ancientpages.com/2016/01/19/aqrabuamelu-myster ious-scor pion-men-babylonianmythology/

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Ancient Legends Melusine The s to r i es o f water nymp h s, s p i r i t s, and r i ver g o d d es s es appea r f ro m t h e d epth s o f ma ny d ifferent cult ures. M elu s i ne i s no d ifferent. S h e i s of ten d ep i c ted a s a s iren, a m er m a i d, and a s p i r i t o f water with a t a i l f ro m t he wais t d own . S ome t i mes s he come s to us f ro m Frenc h fo lk lo re. Leg en d h a s i t t h at M elus i n e , a nd h er t wo s i s ters grew up on t h e i s la nd of Ava lo n ( wh ere M org a n le Fay , The great wi tch o f Ar thu r i a n leg en d als o res i d ed ). When s he a s ked her mo t h er why they ha d f led to Avalon to li ve, her mother to ld h er t h e s tor y o f h er f at h er for th e f i rs t t i m e. M elus i n es f at her h a d broke n A p ro mi s e to M elus i n e‘s m o t her.

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By High Priestess R avensthorn S h e h ad m ad e h i m swe ar to n e ve r l o o k at h e r w h i l e i n t h e b at h . Af te r t h e n o b l e m an h ad b ro k e n h i s o at h , M e l u si n e m o t h e r h ad r u n to Aval o n , w h e re sh e rai se d h e r t h re e d au g hte r s. M e l u si n e an d h e r yo u n g e r si ste r s we’re i n rag e d w i t h t h e i r f at h e r, an d b e c au se o f t h i s t h e y so u g ht re ve n g e. Th e y c ap t u re d t h e i r f at h e r an d l o c k e d h i m away i n a towe r o n a m o u nt ai n w h e n M e l u si n e s m o t h e r d i scove re d w h at h e r d au g hte r s h ad d o n e , sh e was i n f u r i ate d w i t h t h e m fo r m e d d l i n g i n h e r b u si n e ss an d d i sre sp e c t i n g t h e i r f at h e r. B e c au se o f t h i s, t h e y we re p u n i sh e d by b e co m i n g h al f se r p e nt, o r m e r m ai d wo m e n e ve r y S at u rd ay. O n e d ay M e l u si n e was ex p l o r i n g a n e ar by fo re st, w h e n sh e ran i nto R ay m o n d o f Po i to u.

H e wo u l d l ater d e sc r i b e M el usine as si t t i n g nex t to a fo u nt ai n , donning a g l i m m e r ing w hite d re ss, w i t h gol den h ai r, an d a fa ce of i n d e sc r i b a bl e bea ut y. H e was i n s ta ntl y t ak e n by h er bea ut y an d b e g for her h an d i n m a r r ia ge. Ec h o i n g t he stor y of h e r m o t h er, M el usine agre e d, h owever, sh e to l d h im that he m u st n e ver enter the b e d ro o m c ha m ber o n S at u rd ays. Wh i l e to g ether, M e l u si n e brought h e r m agi c to the k i n g d o m . The f l owe r s b l ossom ed, t h e fo re st s were re sto re d to for m er b e au t y, c i ties were b u i l t, an d c rops we re b o u ntiful. M e l u si n e bec a m e a sy m b o l for ab u n d an ce a nd fe r t i l i t y. S he a l so g ave b i r t h to 1 0

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Ancient Legends Melusine s ons wi t h R ay m o nd. O n on e s p eci f i c S atu rd ay, R ay mo n d d isreg a rd ed h i s promi s e a n d entered her cha mb er to f i nd her h a lf a s er p ent and h a lf a woman . M elus i ne hear t s h at tered. She tra n s fo r med i nto a d rag o n a nd gi f ted R aym o nd wi t h t wo magic a l r i n g s a s par tin g gi f t s. She sa i d g o o d bye to her h us b a n d a nd vanished, never to be reuni ted wi t h h i m ag ain . A few o f h er s ons however d i d claim , hea r i n g t h ei r mothers p res en ce, s oar in g t h ro ug h t h e air aro und t h e ca s t le check i n g i n o n t h em from t i me to t i me. This i s t h e s to r y o f M elus i n e t h e water N ymp h . . .

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Spotlight On: Lady Gloriana

I grew up i n wh at i s k nown a s t he B i b le B elt a rea . Ever yo n e I k new went to ch urch ever y t i m e t h e d o o rs were o p en. From t h e t i m e I co uld talk I q ues t i o n ed those b eli efs. I believed, b ut I believed t h ere wa s more o ut t h ere t h a n the peo p le i n my li fe wou ld a ck nowled g e. M y gra n ny wa s t he only pers o n I k n ew that wa s li ke m e. S he went to ch urch o f cou rse li ke ever yo n e else in o ur a rea , b ut s he al s o t a lked wi t h me ab o ut “s p eci a l

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fe e l i n g s” an d v i si o n s. S h e al ways k n e w w h e n so m e t h i n g was g o i n g to h ap p e n .

sh e i s my co e l d e r H i g h Pr i e s tess R ave n sTh or n.

Wh at l i t t l e I l e ar n e d as a k i d, I l e ar n e d f ro m h e r. As I g o t o l d e r, I st ar te d re ad i n g e ve r y t h i n g I co u l d f i n d ab o u t m agi c.

I am k n own a s el der H i g h Pr i e s tess L a dy Gl o r i an a. We have co m e so f a r together.

Ab o u t 1 0 ye ar s ag o, I m e t so m e o n e i n an o n l i n e cove n w h o i nt ro d u ce d m e to an o t h e r l ad y i n t h at cove n . S h e to o k m e u n d e r h e r w i n g an d b e g an to te ac h m e. Wh i l e i n h e r cove n , I grad u ate d to h i g h p r i e ste ss st at u s an d m e t o t h e r b e au t i f u l l ad i e s al o n g t h e way. Wh e n h e r cove n fe l l ap ar t, a fe l l ow si ste r t h at I h ad a st ro n g co n n e c t i o n w i t h an d I d e c i d e d to st ar t o u r ow n cove n o f l ove an d l i g ht an d l e ar n i n g. Th at cove n i s n ow k n ow n as t h e 1 3 S i ste r s o f D e l p h i an d

N ow o u r coven is d o i n g gre at. We h ave o u r ow n c l a ss o f H i g h Pr iestesses i n t rai n i n g w ho w il l e ve nt u al l y hel p us te ac h o t h e r s. We al so p u bl ish t h i s m ag az ine ful l o f al l t y p es of m agi c al i nfor m ation fo r o t h e r s to rea d an d l e ar n . O u r cove n is a ve r y l ov i ng f am i l y o f bea utiful st ro n g l adies. I f yo u are rea ding t h i s an d i nterested i n j o i n i n g, l ook us u p o n Facebook a nd se n d u s a m essa ge.

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Mythological Demons Oni An oni i s a k i nd o f yōk ai , d emo n , o rc, ogre, o r t ro ll i n Japan es e fo lk lo re. O ni are m o s t ly k nown fo r t h ei r fierce a n d ev i l n at ure manifes ted i n t h ei r propen s i t y for murd er and ca n ni b a li s m . Not wi t hs t a nd i n g their ev i l rep ut at i o n, oni po s s es s intr igui ng ly co mp lex as pec t s t hat ca n no t be brus hed away s impl y a s ev i l. They a re t y p i ca lly por trayed a s h ulk i ng figure s wi t h o n e o r more ho r n s growi ng ou t o f t h ei r hea d s. Stereo t y p i ca lly, t hey are co ncei ved o f as red, b lue, b la ck , yellow, o r whi te colored, wea r i ng loincl o t h s o f t i g er pelt, a nd ca r r y i n g iron k a n a b ō club s. A creat ure i n s t i lls fear a nd d a ng er from t hei r gro tes q ue

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Shared ByMorningstar o u t ward ap p e aran ce to t h e i r w i l d an d st ran g e b e h av i o r s an d d an g e ro u s p owe r s. Th e y are p o p u l ar c h arac te r s i n J ap an e se ar t, l i te rat u re, an d t h e ate r an d ap p e ar as sto c k v i l l ai n s i n t h e we l l - k n ow n f ai r y t al e s o f M o m o t arō ( Pe ac h B oy ) , Issu n - b ō sh i , an d K o b u to r i J ī san . Al t h o u g h O n i h ave b e e n d e sc r i b e d as f r i g hte n i n g c re at u re s, t h e y h ave b e co m e t am e r i n m o d e r n c u l t u re as p e o p l e te l l l e ss f r i g hte n i n g sto r i e s ab o u t t h e m l i k e O n i M ask an d R e d O n i Wh o Cr i e d. S h u te n - d ō j i h as b e e n re g ard e d as t h e m o st f am o u s an d st ro n g e st o n i i n J ap an . Th e l e g e n d o f S h u te n - d ō j i h as b e e n d e sc r i b e d si n ce t h e 1 4 t h ce nt u r y i n var i o u s ar t s, t rad i t i o n al p e r fo r m i n g ar t s an d l i te rat u re

su c h as e m a k im ono, j ō r u r i , n o h a nd k ab u k i . The ta c hi ( J ap an e se l ong swo rd ) “ D ōjigir i ” w i t h w h i c h M ina m oto n o Yo r i m i tsu d e c ap i t ate d Shutend ō j i ’ i n t h e l egend is n ow d e si gnated a s a N at i o n al Trea sure an d o n e o f the Te n k a- G o ken (Five Gre ate st Swords U n d e r H e aven). D e p i c t i o n s of yok a i o n i var y widel y but u su al l y p or tray them as h i d e o u s, giga ntic o gre - l i k e c reatures w i t h a si n gl e hor n o r m u l t i p l e hor ns e m e rgi n g from their h e ad s, w i th sha r p c l aws, w i l d ha ir, a nd f an g - l i k e tusk s. Th e y are of ten d e p i c te d wea r ing t i g e r- sk i n l oinc l oths an d c ar r y i ng iron c l u b s c al l ed k a na bō. Th i s i m ag e l ea ds to t h e ex pression “o n i w i t h an iron

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Mythological Demons Oni club” (o n i -n i k anab), t h at i s, to be i nv i nci b le o r und efeat a b le. Their s k i n may be any numb er o f colors, b ut red, blue, a n d green a re par tic ula r ly co m m o n. They m ay s o m et i mes als o b e d ep i c ted a s black-s k i n ned, o r yellow-s k i n ned. They m ay occasi o na lly b e d epic ted wi t h a third eye o n t h ei r foreh ea d, o r ex t ra fing ers a n d to es. They a re pred o m i n a nt ly m a le but th ey ca n b e female b eca us e o f being overco me wi t h gr ief o r j ea lo us y. O ni c a n co me i n many d i f ferent s i zes rangi n g i n b o t h weig ht a n d h ei g ht Origins An old et y m o lo g y for “o n i ” i s t h at t h e

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wo rd d e r i ve s f ro m o n , t h e o n’yo m i re ad i n g o f a c h arac te r m e an i n g “ to h i d e o r co n ce al ”, d u e to o n i h av i n g t h e te n d e n c y o f “ h i d i n g b e h i n d t h i n g s, n o t w i sh i n g to ap p e ar ”. Th i s ex p l an at i o n i s fo u n d i n t h e 1 0 t h ce nt u r y d i c t i o n ar y Wamyō sh ō, w h i c h re ve al s t h at t h e o n i at t h e t i m e h ad a d i f fe re nt m e an i n g, d e f i n e d as “a so u l / sp i r i t o f t h e d e ad ”. Th e c h arac te r fo r o n i , ( p i ny i n : g u ; J y u t p i n g : g wai 2 ) in Ch i n e se al so m e an s a d e ad o r an ce st ral sp i r i t, an d n o t n e ce ssar i l y an e v i l sp e c te r. Acco rd i n g l y, Ch i n e se ( Tao i st ) o r i gi n s fo r t h e co n ce p t o f o n i h ave b e e n p ro p o se d. Par t i c u l ar l y p owe r f u l o n i m ay b e d e sc r i b e d as k i sh i n o r k i j i n ( l i te ral l y “o n i g o d ” ; t h e “ k i ” i s an al te r n ate c h arac te r re ad i n g o f “o n i ” ) ,

a te r m u se d in J ap an e se Buddhism to re fe r to Wrat h f u l D eities. Th e o n i wa s sy n c re t i ze d w ith H i n d u - B u ddhist c re at u re s suc h a s t h e m an - devour ing yak sh a an d the rak sh asa, a nd b e c am e t he oni w h o to r m e nted si n n e r s as wa rdens o f H e l l ( J i gok u), ad m i n i ste r ing se nte n ce s pa ssed d ow n by Hel l ’s m agi st rate, K ing Yam a ( E n ma Da i). Th e h u n gr y ghosts c al l e d g ak i have al so b e e n som etim es co n si d e re d a t ype of o n i ( t h e K a nji for “ k i ” i s al so rea d “o n i ” ) . Accordingl y, a w i c k e d soul beyond re h ab i l i t ation t ran sfo r m s into a n o n i af te r death. O n l y t h e ver y wor st p e o p l e t u r n into o n i w h i l e a l ive, a nd t h e se are the oni

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Mythological Demons Oni caus i ng t ro ub les amon g h uma ns as pre s ented i n folk t a les. S ome s ch o la rs h ave even a rg ued t h at the o ni wa s ent i rely a concep t o f Bud d hi s t my t ho lo g y. O ni br i ng ca la m i t i es to the la nd, b r i ngi ng abou t wa r, p la g ue/ illness, ea r t hq ua kes, and ecli p s es. Th ey have t h e d es t ruc t i ve power o f li g ht n i n g and t h un d er, wh i ch ter r ifi es p eo p le throug h t h ei r aud ito r y a n d visua l ef fec t s. O ni h ave a m a s s i ve appeti te fo r h uma n flesh a nd ca n eat a pers o n i n a s i n g le g ulp. They a re s a i d to suck i n a h uma n’s vital en erg y a n d d evour h er o r his fle s h . O ni are ca p a b le of trans fo r mi ng into b o t h ma le a nd female fo r ms at wi ll,

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an d c an c h an g e f ro m t h e i r gro te squ e fo r m to a h an d so m e m an so t h at t h e y c an g ai n t h e t r u st of their victim. Demon gate Acco rd i n g to Ch i n e se Tao i sm an d e so te r i c O n myō d ō, t h e ways o f y i n an d yan g, t h e n o r t h e aste r l y d i re c t i o n i s te r m e d t h e k i m o n ( “d e m o n g ate” ) an d co n si d e re d an u n l u c k y d i re c t i o n t h ro u g h w h i c h e v i l sp i r i t s p asse d. B ase d o n t h e assi gn m e nt o f t h e t we l ve zo d i ac an i m al s to t h e c ard i n al d i re c t i o n s, t h e k i m o n was al so k n ow n as t h e u sh i to ra, o r “Ox Ti g e r ” d i re c t i o n . O n e hy p o t h e si s i s t h at t h e o n i ’s b ov i n e h o r n s an d t i g e r- sk i n l o i n c l o t h d e ve l o p e d as a v i su al d e p i c t i o n o f t h i s te r m . Te m p l e s are o f te n b u i l t f ac i n g t h at d i re c t i o n , fo r ex am p l e, E n r yak u j i was d e l i b e rate l y b u i l t o n M o u nt H i e i w h i c h was i n t h e k i m o n

( n o r t h e aster l y) d i re c t i o n from Kyoto i n o rd e r to gua rd t h e c ap i t a l, a nd si m i l ar l y K a n’ei- ji was b u i l t towa rds t h at d i re c tion from Ed o Cast l e. H owe ve r, s k eptic s d o u b t t h i s coul d h ave b e e n the initia l d e si gn o f E nr ya k uj i te m p l e, since t h e te m p l e wa s fo u n d e d i n 7 8 8 , six ye ar s b e fore Kyoto e ve n ex i sted a s a c ap i t al, and if the r u l i n g c l ass were so fe n g sh u i - m inded, t h e su b se quent n o r t h e aster l y m ove o f t h e c apita l from N ag ao k a- k yō to Kyo to wo ul d have ce r t ai n l y been ta boo. J ap an e se buil dings m ay so m e tim es h ave L- sh a ped i n d e nt at i ons at t h e n o r t h ea st to ward ag ai n st oni. Fo r ex am pl e, the wal l s su r rounding t h e Kyo to I m per ia l

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Mythological Demons Oni Palace h ave notch ed co r n ers i n that di rec t i o n. Traditional culture

The tra d i t i o n a l b ea n throw i n g cus to m to d r i ve o ut o ni i s prac ti ced d ur i ng S ets ub un fes t i va l in Februa r y. I t invo lves p eo p le cas ting ro a s ted s oybea n s i n d o o rs o r ou t o f t h ei r ho m es and s ho ut i ng

“Oni wa soto! Fuku wauchi!”(“Onigoout! Blessings come in!”),

a c h ar m m ad e o f h o l l y l e ave s an d d r i e d sard i n e h e ad s are u se d as a g u ard ag ai n st o n i . Th e re i s al so a g am e i n J ap an c al l e d o n i g o k k o, w h i c h i s t h e sam e as t h e g am e o f t ag t h at c h i l d re n i n t h e We ste r n wo r l d p l ay. Th e p l aye r w h o i s “i t ” i s i n ste ad c al l e d t h e “o n i ”. O n i are fe at u re d i n J ap an e se c h i l d re n’s sto r i e s su c h as M o m o t arō ( Pe ac h B oy ) , Issu n - b ō sh i , an d K o b u to r i J ī san .

This c us to m ha s grown f ro m t h e med ieva l r i t ua l o f tsuina (C h i n es e: nu o) o r o n i -ya ra i , a year- end r i te to d r i ve away o n i (g h o s t s ).

Modern times I n m o re re ce nt t i m e s, o n i h ave l o st so m e o f t h e i r o r i gi n al w i c k e d n e ss an d so m e t i m e s t ak e o n a m o re p ro te c t i ve function. Men in oni co st u m e s o f te n l e ad J ap an e se p arad e s to d i sp e l any b ad l u c k , fo r ex am p l e.

R egiona lly a ro und Tottor i Prefec t ure d ur ing t hi s s ea s o n,

J ap an e se b u i l d i n g s so m e t i m e s i n c l u d e o n i f ace d ro o f t i l e s c al l e d

prefera b ly by a s trong wres t ler.

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o n i g awara , w hic h are t h o u g ht to wa rd away b ad l uc k , m uc h l i k e g arg oyl es in We ste r n t ra dition. M any J ap a nese i d i o m s an d prover bs al so m ak e reference to o n i . Fo r exa m pl e, t h e ex p re ssion “O ya n i n i nu k o wa o n i n o k o” ( Tran sl at i on: “A c h i l d t h at does n o t re se m bl e its p are nt s i s the c h i l d o f an oni.” ) m ay b e u sed by a p are nt to c ha stise a m i sb e h av i ng c hil d. Th e y c an be used in sto r i e s to fr ighten c h i l d re n i nto o b e y i n g bec a use o f t h e i r grotesq ue ap p e aran ce, sava ge d e m e an o r, a s wel l as h ow t h e y c a n eat p e o p l e i n a singl e g u l p. https://e n.wik ipedia.org/ wik i/Oni

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials The Wi tch Tr i a ls of Tr ier to o k p la ce in the i n d ep end ent Catho li c d i o ces e o f Tr ier i n t h e H o ly R oman E m p i re i n pres ent d ay G er m a ny bet ween 1581 a n d 1593, a nd were per ha p s t h e larg est d o cum ented witch t r i a l i n his tor y i n v i ew o f the execut i o ns. They fo r m ed o n e o f the four la rg es t wi tch tr ials i n G er ma ny along s i d e t h e Fuld a witch t r i a ls, t he Wü r zb urg wi tch t r i a l, and t h e B a m b erg witch t r i a ls. The p ers ecut i o ns s tar te d i n t h e d i o ces e of Tr ier i n 1581 a n d reached t h e ci t y its elf i n 1587, wh ere it was to lea d to the d eat h o f a b o ut 368 peo p le, a n d was as s uch p er ha p s the bi g g es t ma s s execut i o n i n Euro p e in pea ce t i m e. This co unt s o n ly those executed

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Shared By : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana w i t h i n t h e c i t y i t se l f, an d t h e re al n u m b e r o f exe c u te d p e o p l e, co u nt i n g al so t h o se exe c u te d i n al l t h e w i tc h h u nt s w i t h i n t h e d i o ce se as a w h o l e, was t h e re fo re e ve n l arg e r. Th e ex ac t n u m b e r o f exe c u t i o n s h as n e ve r b e e n e st ab l i sh e d ; a to t al o f 1 0 0 0 h as b e e n su g g e ste d b u t n o t co n f i r m e d. The witch trials I n 1 5 8 1 , J o h an n vo n S c h ö n e n b e rg was ap p o i nte d arc h b i sh o p o f t h e i n d e p e n d e nt d i o ce se o f Tr i e r. S c h ö n e n b e rg gre at l y ad m i re d t h e o rd e r o f t h e J e su i t s i n w h i c h h e was “ wo n d e r f u l l y ad d i c te d ” ; h e b u i l t t h e m a co l l e g e, an d as a p ar t o f h i s e f fo r t s to d e m o n st rate h i s co nv i c t i o n s, h e o rd e re d t h e p u rgi n g o f t h re e gro u p s i n so c i e t y ; f i r st h e ro o te d o u t t h e Pro te st ant s, t h e n t h e J e ws, an d t h e n t h e w i tc h e s: t h re e

ste re o t y p es of n o n co n fo r m it y. H e was t h e one re sp o n si b le for the m assac re s of Tr ier w h i c h , b e c a use o f h i s i n i t i ative, su p p o r t an d p at ro n ag e, bec a m e “o f an i m por ta nce q u i te u n i q ue in t h e h i sto r y of w i tc h c raf t ”. Th e b e gi n ning of t h e p e r se cutions wa s l ate r d e sc r ibed by a n e ye w i t n e ss; I n asm u c h a s it wa s p o p u l ar l y bel ieved t h at t h e continued ste r i l i t y o f m a ny ye ar s was c a used by w i tc h e s t hrough the m al i ce o f the D evil, t h e w h o l e countr y ro se to ex ter m inate t h e w i tc h es. Th i s m ove m ent wa s p ro m o te d by m a ny i n o f f i ce, who hoped fo r we al t h from the p e r se c u t i on. And so, f ro m cour t to co u r t t h roughout the

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials Continued towns a n d v i lla g es of all t h e d i o ces e, s cur r i ed s p eci a l accus ers, i nq ui s i to rs, notar i es, j uro rs, jud g es, co ns t a b les, d raggi n g to t r i a l and to r t ure huma n beings o f b o t h s exes and b ur n i n g t h em i n great n umb ers. S carcely a ny o f t h o s e who were a ccus ed escap ed p uni s hm ent or we re t h ere s p a red even t h e lea d i n g men in the ci t y o f Tr i er. For th e J ud g e, 2 wi t h t wo B urg o m a s ters, s evera l Co unci lo rs and As s o ci ate Jud g es, canon s o f s un d r y collegi ate churches, par is h p r i es t s, rura l d eans, were s wep t away i n t h i s rui n . S o far, at len g t h, d i d the m a d n es s o f t he fur ious p o p ula ce a n d of the co ur t s g o i n thirs t fo r b lo o d a nd boot y t hat t h ere wa s s carce ly a ny b o d y who was n o t s m i rched s ome s us p i ci o n o f this c r i m e.

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B e t we e n 1 5 8 7 an d 1593, 368 people we re b u r n e d al i ve fo r so rce r y i n t we nt y- t wo v i l l ag e s, an d i n 1 5 8 8 , t wo v i l l ag e s we re l e f t w i t h o n l y o n e fe m al e i n h ab i t ant i n e ac h . Pe o p l e o f b o t h sexe s, al l ag e s an d al l c l asse s, we re v i c t i m s; am o n g t h e v i c t i m s, 1 0 8 we re m e n , wo m e n an d c h i l d re n o f t h e n o b i l i t y, an d al so p e o p l e w i t h p o si t i o n s i n t h e g ove r n m e nt an d ad m i n i st rat i o n . M e anw h i l e n o t ar i e s, co py i st s, an d i n n k e e p e r s gre w r i c h . Th e exe c u t i o n e r ro d e a b l o o d e d h o r se, l i k e a n o b l e o f t h e co u r t, an d we nt c l ad i n g o l d an d si l ve r ; h i s w i fe v i e d w i t h n o b l e d am e s i n t h e r i c h n e ss o f h e r ar ray. Th e c h i l d re n o f t h o se co nv i c te d an d p u n i sh e d we re se nt i nto ex i l e ; t h e i r g o o d s we re co n f i sc ate d ; p l ow m an an d v i nt n e r f ai l e d - h e n ce c am e ste r i l i t y. A d i re r p e st i l e n ce o r a m o re r u t h l e ss i nvad e r

co u l d h ardl y have ravag e d t he ter r itor y o f Tr i e r t h a n this i n q u i si t i o n a nd p e r se c u t i on w ithout b o u n d s: ma ny were t h e re aso ns for d o u b t i n g that a l l we re re al l y guil t y. Th i s p e r se c ution l aste d fo r severa l ye ar s; an d som e o f t h o se who p re si d e d over the ad m i n i st ration of j u st i ce g l or ied in t h e m u l t i tude of the st ak e s, at ea c h of w h i c h a h um a n b e i n g h ad been gi ve n to t he fl a m es. O n e o f t h e vic tim s was D i e t r ic h Fl a de, re c to r o f the u n i ve r si t y a nd c hief j u d g e o f t he el ec tora l co u r t, w h o wa s in o p p o si t i o n to the p e r se c u t i ons; he d o u b te d t he use of to r t u re an d treated t h e acc u sed m il dl y, an d co n se q uentl y h e was ar rested, to r t u re d, s tra ngl ed an d b u r n e d him sel f, w h i c h m ade the w itc h

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials Continued tr ials even wo rs e a s it effe c t i vely p ut a s top to a ll o p p o s i t i o n to the p ers ecut i o n s. The Archb i s ho p had a la rg e s t a f f to par tic i p ate i n t h e mas s a cres, s uch a s his suf f ra g a n b i s h o p Peter B i ns feld, who s e ins truc t i o n s i n t h e s ubjec t, p ub li s hed i n 1589 a n d 1591, were us ed i n t h e a c t i v i t y. The m a s s execut i o ns caus ed t he popu lat i o n to s h r i nk , and t h e execut i o n er pros p ered economi ca lly, d escr i b ed a s r i d i n g abou t o n a f i ne h o rs e “ like a n o b lem a n of the co ur t, d res s ed i n s i lver and g o ld, wh i le his w i fe v i ed wi t h noblewo men i n d res s a nd luxur y.” At las t, t ho ug h t h e flames were s t i ll unsated, t he p eo p le grew i mp over i s hed, ru les were m a d e a n d enforced res t r i c t i n g the fe es a n d co s t s

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o f ex am i n at i o n s an d ex am i n e r s, an d su d d e n l y, as w h e n i n war f u n d s f ai l, t h e ze al o f t h e p e r se c u to r s d i e d o u t. The recantation of Loos

One of the people t r y i n g to p ro te st ag ai n st t h e m ass hyste r i a was Co r n e l i u s Lo o s, a sc h o l ar o f p ro fe sso r sh i p i n t h e u n i ve r si t y. Fai l i n g i n h i s ap p e al s to t h e au t h o r i t i e s, h e w ro te a b o o k to se t fo r t h h i s v i e ws, b u t t h e m an u sc r i p t was co n f i sc ate d an d Lo o s ar re ste d. H e was b ro u g ht o u t i n t h e sp r i n g o f 1 5 9 3 to m ak e a re c ant at i o n b e fo re t h e asse m b l e d c h u rc h d i gn i t ar i e s o f t h e p l ace. Th i s re c ant at i o n h as b e e n p re se r ve d by t h e J e su i t D e l r i o i n D e l r i o’s wo r k i n w h i c h h e p u b l i sh e d i n 1 5 9 9 1 6 0 0 i n su p p o r t o f t h e p e r se c u t i o n , i n w h i c h D e l r i o d e sc r i b e s t h e sce n e :

I, Co r n e l i u s Losæ us Cal l i d i u s, bor n at t h e tow n of G ouda i n H o l l an d, but now ( o n acco u nt of a ce r t ai n t reatise O n Tr i te and Fal se Wi tc hc ra f t, 1 rash l y and p re su m p tousl y w r i t te n w ithout t h e k n ow l edge an d p e r m i ssion of t h e su p e r ior s of t h i s p l ace, show n by m e to other s, an d t h e n s ent to b e p r i nted at Co l o gn e ) ar rested an d i m p r i s oned i n t h e I m per ia l M o n aste r y of St. M ax i m i n , nea r Tr ier, by o rd e r of the M ost R e ve re n d a nd M ost I l l u st r i o u s Lord, t h e Pap al N unc io, O c t av i u s, Bishop of Tr i c ar i co : w herea s I am i n fo r m ed of a su re t y t hat in t h e afo re sa id book an d al so i n cer ta in l e t te r s o f m ine on t h e sam e s ubjec t se nt c l an destinel y to t h e c l e rgy a nd tow n co u nc il of Tr i e r, an d to other s

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials Continued (for the p ur p o s e of hind er i ng the execut i o n o f jus tice a g a i n s t the wi tch es, m a le and fem a le), a re conta i n ed ma ny ar ticles wh i ch a re not o n ly er ro n eo us and s ca nd a lo us, but a ls o s us p ec ted of heres y a n d s mack i n g o f t he cr ime o f t rea s o n , a s being s ed i t i o us a nd foolh a rd y, a g a i ns t the co m m o n o p i ni o n of d eci s i o n s a n d bulls o f t h eo lo gi ca l teachers a n d t h e d ecis i o n s a n d b ulls of the S up reme Ponti f fs, a n d contra r y to t he prac ti ce a n d to t h e s tatu tes a n d laws of the m a gi s t rates and jud g es, no t o n ly of thi s Archd i o ces e of Tr i er, b ut o f other p rov i n ces a nd pr inci p a li t i es, I d o therefo re revo ke, cond emn , rej ec t, a n d repud i ate t he s a i d ar ticles, i n t h e o rd er in wh i ch t h ey a re here s ub j o i n ed.

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1 . I n t h e f i r st p l ace, I re vo k e, co n d e m n , re j e c t, an d ce n su re the idea (which b o t h i n wo rd s an d w r i t i n g I h ave o f te n an d b e fo re m any p e r so n s p e r t i n ac i o u sl y asse r te d, an d w h i c h I w i sh e d to b e t h e h e ad an d f ro nt o f t h i s my d i sp u t at i o n ) t h at t h e t h i n g s w h i c h are w r i t te n ab o u t t h e b o d i l y t ran sp o r t at i o n o r t ran sl at i o n o f w i tc h e s, m al e an d fe m al e, are al to g e t h e r f an c i f u l an d m u st b e re c k o n e d t h e e m p t y su p e r st i t i o n ; [ an d t h i s I re c ant ] b o t h b e c au se i t sm ac k s o f ran k h e re sy an d b e c au se t h i s o p i n i o n p ar t ak e s o f se d i t i o n an d h e n ce savo r s o f t h e c r i m e o f t re aso n . 2 . Fo r ( an d t h i s i n t h e se co n d p l ace I re c ant ) , i n t h e l e t te r s w h i c h I h ave c l an d e st i n e l y se nt to su n d r y p e r so n s, I h ave p e r t i n ac i o u sl y,

w i t h o u t sol id re aso n s, a l l eged ag ai n st the m agi st ra c y that t h e [ ae r ia l ] f l i g ht of w itc hes i s f al se a nd i m agi n a r y ; asse r t i n g, m o re over, that the w re tc h e d c reatures are co mpel l ed by t h e se ver it y of the to r t u re to confess t h i n g s w hic h t h e y h ave never d o n e, and that by c r u e l butc her y i n n o ce nt bl ood is sh e d an d by a new al c h e my gol d a nd si l ve r coined from h u m an bl ood. •

3 . B y t hese a nd by o t h er things o f t h e s a m e sor t, p ar t l y i n pr ivate co nve r s ations am o n g the peopl e, p ar t l y i n sundr y l e t te r s a ddressed to b o t h the m agi st ra c ies, 1 I h ave acc used o f t y ranny to t h e i r su bjec ts the su p e r i or s a nd the j u d g e s.

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials Continued •

4. And con s eq uent ly, ina s much a s t he M os t R everend a nd M os t I llus t r i o us Archb i s ho p a nd Pr in ce -E lec to r of Tr i er n o t o n ly per m i t s wi tch es, ma le a n d fem a le, to b e s ub j ec ted in h i s d i o ces e to d es er ved pun i s hm ent, b ut has a ls o o rd a i ned laws reg ulat i ng the met h o d a nd cost s o f j ud i ci a l proced ure a g a i n s t witches, I have with h eed les s temer i t y t a ci t ly ins i n uated t h e charg e o f t y ra nny ag a i n s t t he afores a i d E lec to r of Tr i er. 5. I revo ke and co nd em n, mo reover, the fo llowi n g con clus i o ns o f min e, to wi t : that t h ere a re no wi tches who ren o un ce G o d, pay wo rs hi p to t he D ev i l, b r i n g s to r ms

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by t h e D e v i l s ai d, an d d o o t h e r l i k e t h i n g s, b u t t h at al l t h e se t h i n g s are d re am s. •

6 . Al so, t h at m agi c ( m agi a) o u g ht n o t to b e c al l e d w i tc h c raf t ( m al e f i c i u m ) , n o r m agi c i an s ( m agi ) w i tc h e s ( m al e f i c i ) , an d t h at t h e p assag e o f H o l y S c r i p t u re, “ Th o u sh al t n o t su f fe r a w i tc h to l i ve” ( M al e f i co s n o n p at i e r i s v i ve re ) , i s to b e u n d e r sto o d o f t h o se w h o by a n at u ral u se o f n at u ral p o i so n s i n f l i c t d e at h . 7 . Th at n o co m p ac t d o e s o r c an ex i st b e t we e n t h e D e v i l an d a h u m an b e i n g.

8 . Th at d e v i l s d o n o t assu m e b o d i e s.

9 . Th at t h e l i fe o f H i l ar i o n w r i t te n by St. J e ro m e i s n o t au t h e nt i c.

1 0 . Th at t h e re i s n o sex u al i nte rco u r se

b e t we en the D evil an d h u ma n beings. •

1 1 . Th at neither d e v i l s nor w i tc h e s c a n rai se tem pests, rai n sto r m s, ha il sto r m s, a nd the l i k e, an d that the t h i n g s s a id a bout t h e se are m ere d re am s.

1 2 . Th at spir it a nd fo r m apa r t from m at te r c a nnot be se e n by m a n.

1 3 . Th at it is ra sh to asse r t that w h ate ver devil s c an d o, w itc hes al so c an do t h ro u g h their a id.

1 4 . Th at the o p i n i o n that a su p e r i or dem on c an c ast out an i n fe r ior is e r ro n e ous a nd d e ro g ator y to Ch r i st.

1 5 . Th at the Popes i n t h e i r bul l s d o n o t say that m agi c i ans a nd

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials Continued witches p er p et rate s uch t h i n g s (a s are ment i o ned above). •

16. Th at t he R om a n Po nt i f fs granted t h e p ower to p ro ceed a g a i n s t witches, les t i f they s ho uld ref us e they mi g ht b e unjus t ly a ccus ed of m a gi c, j us t as s o m e o f t hei r pre d eces s o rs had b een j us t ly accus ed o f i t.

These a s s er t i o ns, a ll and s i ng ula r, wi t h many ca lumn i es, fals eh o o d s, a nd s ycopha n ci es, towa rd the ma gi s t ra c y, both s ecula r a nd ecelesi a s t i ca l, s pitefully, immod es t ly, a nd fals el y p o ured fo r t h , without ca us e, wi t h which my wr i t i ng s on magi c teem, I hereby exp res s ly and d eli b erately cond em n, revo ke, and re j ec t, ea r n es t ly besee ch i n g t h e pard on o f G o d a n d

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o f my su p e r i o r s fo r w h at I h ave d o n e, an d so l e m n l y p ro m i si n g t h at i n f u t u re I w i l l n e i t h e r i n wo rd n o r i n w r i t i n g, by myse l f o r t h ro u g h o t h e r s, i n w h at so e ve r p l ace i t m ay b e f al l m e to b e, te ac h , p ro m u l g ate, d e fe n d, o r asse r t any o f t h e se t h i n g s. I f I sh al l d o to t h e co nt rar y, I su b j e c t myse l f t h e n ce fo r ward, as i f i t we re n ow, to al l t h e p e n al t i e s o f t h e l aw ag ai n st re l ap se d h e re t i c s, re c u sant s, se d i t i o u s o f fe n d e r s, t rai to r s, b ac k b i te r s, syco p h ant s, w h o h ave b e e n o p e n l y co nv i c te d, an d al so to t h o se o rd ai n e d ag ai n st p e r j u re r s. I su b m i t myse l f al so to ar b i t rar y co r re c t i o n , w h e t h e r by t h e Arc h b i sh o p o f Tr i e r o r by any o t h e r m agi st rate s u n d e r w h o m i t m ay b e f al l m e to d we l l, an d w h o m ay h e ce r t i f i e d o f my re l ap se an d o f my b ro k e n f ai t h , t h at t h e y m ay p u n i sh

m e acco rding to my d e se r t s, i n honor a nd re p u t at i o n, proper t y an d p e r son. I n te st i m ony of a l l w h i c h I h ave, w ith my ow n h and, signed t h i s my re c a ntation o f t h e afo resa id ar t i c l e s, i n p re se n ce of nota r y an d w i t n e sses. ( S i gn e d ) CO RN E LIU S LO O S ÆU S C ALLID IU S. ( an d at te sted) D o n e i n t h e I m per ia l M o n aste r y of St. M ax i m i n , outside t h e wal l s of Tr ier, i n t h e ab bot ’s c h am b e r, in presence o f t h e R e verend, Ve n e rab l e, a nd E m i n e nt Sir s, Peter B i n sfe l d, Bishop o f A zo t u s, vic a rg e n e ral i n m atter s sp i r i t u al of the M ost R e ve re n d Arc hbishop o f Tr i e r, o ur m ost e l e m e nt l ord, a nd R e i n e r u s, a bbot of t h e sai d m ona ster y, B ar t h o l o mæ us

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Historical Witch Trials Trier Witch Trials Continued van B o d eg h em , of D elf t, J. U. L . , O ffici a l o f t h e Eccles i a s t i ca l Co ur t of Tr ier, G eo rgi us vo n Helffen s tei n , D o c to r of The o lo g y, D ea n o f the Co llegi ate C h urch of St. S i m eo n i n t h e cit y o f Tr i er, a nd Joann es Co lm a n n, J. U. D., Ca n o n o f t he s aid ch urch a nd S ea lB eare r o f t h e Co ur t of Tr ier, 2 etc. , i n the yea r o f O ur Lo rd 1592. Aftermath and legacy

The Tr i er wi tch tr ials, d ue to their co lo s s a l s ize, at t ra c ted a lot of at tent i o n in contem p o ra r y Eu rop e. N ews pamp hlet s were publi s hed a b o ut i t a s far as i n D enm a r k , where t hey rev i ved the interes t i n wi tch tr ials a n d i nf luen ced the Co p enha g en witch t r i a ls, whi ch in tur n were co nnec t to the f a m o us N o r t h B er wi ck wi tch t r i a ls. https://en.wik ipedia.org/wik i/ Tr ier_witch_tr ials

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Pis ces co n s tellat i o n lies in t h e n o r t her n s k y. I t s na me m ea n s “ the f i s h” (p lura l) in L at i n . Pis ces i s o n e o f t he larg es t co n s tellat i o ns in the s k y. I t i s one o f t he zo d i a c cons tellat i o n s, f i rs t catalo g ued by t he G reek a s t ro no m er P tole my i n t h e 2nd cent ur y. Pis ces li es b et ween Ar ies co n s tellat i o n to the ea s t a n d Aqua r i us to t h e wes t. The t wo celes t i a l fish rep res ent Venus a n d Cup i d i n R oman my t ho lo g y, who t ra ns fo r med them s elves i nto f i s h in order to es ca p e the m o ns ter Ty p h o n. The Ver n a l eq ui nox, the p o i nt at wh i ch the S un moves to t h e nor ther n h em i s p here acros s t h e eq uato r ever y yea r, i s cur re nt ly lo cated in Pisces.

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Shared by : High Priestess, Lady Gloriana Pi sce s co n ste l l at i o n al so co nt ai n s a n u m b e r o f i nte re st i n g d e e p sk y o b j e c t s, am o n g t h e m t h e f ace - o n gran d d e si gn sp i ral g al ax y M e ssi e r 7 4 ( N GC 6 2 8 ) , t h e Pi sce s D war f g al ax y, t h e d o u b l e rad i o g al ax y 3 C 3 1 , an d t h e co l l i d i n g g al ax y p ai r Ar p 2 8 4 . Facts, location and map

Pi sce s i s t h e 1 4 t h co n ste l l at i o n i n si ze, o cc u py i n g an are a o f 8 8 9 squ are d e gre e s. I t i s o n e o f t h e 1 5 e q u ato r i al co n ste l l at i o n s. I t i s l o c ate d i n t h e f i r st q u ad rant o f t h e n o r t h e r n h e m i sp h e re ( N Q 1 ) an d c an b e se e n at l at i t u d e s b e t we e n + 9 0 ° an d - 6 5 ° . Th e n e i g h b o r i n g co n ste l l at i o n s are An d ro m e d a, Aqu ar i u s, Ar i e s, Ce t u s, Pe g asu s an d Tr i an g u l u m . Pi sce s b e l o n g s to t h e zo d i ac f am i l y o f co n ste l l at i o n s, al o n g w i t h Ar i e s, Tau r u s, G e m i n i , Can ce r,

Le o, Vi rg o, L ibra , S co r p i u s, S a gitta r ius, Cap r i co r n us a nd Aqu ar i u s. Pi sce s co nta ins a si n g l e M essier o b j e c t, t h e spira l g al ax y M e ssier 7 4 ( M 7 4 , N GC 6 2 8 ) an d h as ten sta r s w i t h k n ow n pl a nets. Th e b r i g htest sta r in t h e co n ste l l ation is Et a Pi sc i u m, w ith a n ap p are nt ma gnitude o f 3 . 6 2 . There is o n e m e te or shower asso c i ate d w ith t h e co n ste l l ation; t h e Pi sc i d s. Pi sce s co nta ins nine n am e d st a r s. The st ar n am e s a pproved by t h e I nte r nationa l Ast ro n o m i c a l U nion ( IAU ) are Al pherg, Al re sc h a, B él énos, Ci t ad e l l e, E bl a , Fu m al sam a k a h, Par u m l e o, R evati, an d To rc u la r. Myth Pi sce s co nstel l ation

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued is of Ba by lo n i a n or igin . The Babyl o n i a ns s aw i t a s a pair o f f i s h j o i ned by a co rd. The co n s tellat i o n i s us ually a s s o ci ated with t he R o ma n my t h of Venus a nd Cup i d, who ti ed t h em s elves with a ro p e a nd transfo r m ed i nto fish to es ca p e t he mons ter Ty p ho n. The s t a r Alp ha Pis ciu m , a ls o k n own by the t ra d i t i o na l name Alres ch a (“ t h e cord ” i n Ara b i c) mar ks t he k n o t o f the rop e. The co n s tellat i o n is ass o ci ated wi t h a s imila r s to r y i n G reek mytholo g y. Af ter t h e O lymp i a n g o d s h a d d efeated t he Ti t a ns and t h e G i a nt s, G aia, o r M o t her Ear th , co up led wi t h Tar tar us, t h e regi o n of the U nd er wo r ld where Zeus held t h e Titans i m p r i s o n ed, and t h ey h a d Ty p h o n, the s ca r i es t mo n s ter

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t h e wo r l d h ad e ve r se e n . Ty p h o n h ad a h u n d re d d rag o n’s h e ad s, w i t h f i re b l azi n g f ro m al l h i s e ye s. G ai a se nt Ty p h o n to d e fe at t h e g o d s. Pan was t h e f i r st to se e h i m co m i n g. H e al e r te d t h e o t h e r g o d s an d t h e n t ran sfo r m e d h i m se l f i nto a g o at- f i sh an d j u m p e d i nto t h e r i ve r Eu p h rate s to e sc ap e t h e m o n ste r. Th e g o atf i sh i s re p re se nte d by t h e co n ste l l at i o n Cap r i co r n u s. Th e g o d d e ss Ap h ro d i te an d h e r so n E ro s c al l e d to t h e wate r ny m p h s fo r h e l p an d j u m p e d i nto t h e r i ve r. I n o n e ve r si o n o f t h e l e g e n d, t wo f i sh e s c am e to t h e re sc u e an d c ar r i e d Ap h ro d i te an d E ro s o n t h e i r b ac k s to safe t y. I n an o t h e r ve r si o n , t h e m o t h e r an d so n we re t h e m se l ve s t ran sfo r m e d i nto f i sh . Major stars in Pisces

Al p h e rg – η Pi sc i u m ( Et a Pi sc i u m )

Et a Pi sc i u m is t h e b r i g htest sta r i n Pi sce s. I t l ies ap p rox i m atel y 3 5 0 l i g ht ye ar s away. I t is a ye l l ow gia nt of the sp e c t ral t ype G7 I I I a w i t h a m as s of a bout 3 . 7 8 so l ar m a sses an d a rad i us 2 6 .4 8 t i m e s t h at of the Sun. Wi t h an e ffec tive te m p e rat ure of 4 ,9 3 7 K , Al p h e rg is 4 5 7 t i m e s m o re l um inous t h an t h e Sun. I t ha s an e st i m ated a ge of 2 2 0 m i l l i on yea r s. Th e st ar h a s a n ap p are nt ma gnitude o f 3 . 8 3 . I t for m s a b i n ar y system w ith a f ai nte r, ma gnitude 7 . 5 1 co m pa nion. Th e syste m ha s a co m b i n e d visua l m agn i t u d e of 3 .6 1 1 . Th e n am e Al pherg co m e s f ro m the sta r ’s t rad i t i o n a l na m e, Al Ph e rg, mea ning “ t h e sp o u t ” or “ t h e o u t p our ing o f wate r.” The n am e was for m a l l y ap p rove d by the

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued I nter n at i o n a l As tro n o m i ca l U ni o n (IAU) i n 2018. Eta Pi s ci um a ls o has an o ld er trad iti o na l na me, Kullat N un u. Nun u is the B a by lo ni a n word fo r “f i s h,” and “ k ullat ” refers either to a b ucket o r the cord us ed to t i e the fis h to g et her. Piscium (Gamma Piscium)

G amm a Pi s ci um i s a yellow gi a nt wi t h t h e s tellar cla s s i f i cat i o n of G 9 I I I . I t i s t h e s econ d b r i g htes t s t a r in Pisces. I t ha s a n apparent m a gn i t ud e of 3.6 99 a n d i s approxi m ately 138 light yea rs d i s t a nt. The s t a r i s ten t i m es the s i ze o f t he S un and 61 t i m es m o re lumin o us. I t i s believed to b e a b o ut 5.5 bi lli o n yea rs o ld. The s t a r i s p a r t o f an as ter i s m ca lled the Ci rclet o f Pi s ces, which rep res ent s the he a d o f t h e

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we ste r n f i sh i n Pi sce s co n ste l l at i o n . G am m a Pi sc i u m w i l l n o t b e i n t h e S u n’s v i c i n i t y fo r l o n g. Th e st ar m ove s t h re e qu ar te r s o f an arc se co n d ac ro ss t h e sk y e ve r y ye ar. Piscium (Omega Piscium)

O m e g a Pi sc i u m i s a ye l l ow-w h i te su b gi ant st ar w i t h t h e ste l l ar c l assi f i c at i o n o f F4 IV. I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 4 . 0 3 6 an d i s ap p rox i m ate l y 1 0 6 l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant f ro m t h e S u n . I t i s t h e f i r st st ar to t h e e ast o f t h e Ci rc l e t o f Pi sce s. Th e st ar i s su sp e c te d to b e a c l o se b i n ar y syste m . I f i t i s a si n g l e st ar, i t i s 1 . 8 t i m e s m o re m assi ve t h an t h e S u n an d 2 0 t i m e s m o re l u m i n o u s. Piscium (Iota Piscium)

Io t a Pi sc i u m i s a ye l l ow-w h i te d war f w i t h t h e ste l l ar c l assi f i c at i o n o f F7 V. I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 4 . 1 3 an d i s 4 4 . 7 3 l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant f ro m

E ar t h . I t i s l a rger a nd m o re l u m inous tha n the Sun. Io t a Pi sc i u m is a su sp e c te d va r ia bl e st ar, an d i t ha s t wo l i n e - of- sight co m p an i o ns. Piscium (Omicron Piscium)

O m i c ro n Pisc ium i s a ye l l ow gia nt st ar w i t h the stel l a r c l assi f i c at ion G8 I I I . I t h as an a ppa rent m agn i t u d e of 4 .2 6 an d i s ap proxim atel y 1 4 2 l i g ht yea r s d i st ant. I n the 1 5 1 5 Al m a gest, t h e st ar wa s l isted w i t h t h e proper n am e To rc ul a r is se p te nt r i ona l is. Alrescha – Piscium (Alpha Piscium)

Al p h a Pi sc ium is a c l o se b i n a r y sta r w i t h co m ponents se p arate d by 1 .8 a rc se co n d s. The pr im a r y st ar b e l o n gs to the sp e c t ral c la ss A0 p an d h as a visua l m agn i t u d e of 4 .3 3 , an d t h e com pa nion b e l o n g s to the

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued s pec tra l cla s s A 3m and h a s a n a p p a rent magn i t ud e o f 5. 23. The s t a rs o r b i t ea ch other wi t h a p er i o d of over 700 yea rs. The p r i m a r y s t a r has 2 . 3 s o la r ma s s es and is 31 t i mes more lumi no us t h a n the Sun , whi le t he compa n i o n h a s 1. 8 times t h e S un’s mas s a nd i s 12 times b r i g hter. The na me Alres ch a (some t i m es Al R esch a , Alr i s h a , o r Alr is cha ) i s d er i ved from t he Ara b i c a lr išā, whi ch mea ns “ the well ro p e.” The s t a r i s a ls o s omet i mes k n own a s K aitai n a nd O kd a . O kd a i s d er i ved f ro m uqd ah, t he Ara b i c word fo r “ k no t.” Alpha Pi s ci um h a s a combi n ed a p p a rent magn i t ud e o f 3. 82 and is a p p roxi m ately 139 li g ht yea rs d istant f ro m t he s olar s ys tem .

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Piscium (Epsilon Piscium)

E p si l o n Pi sc i u m i s an o ran g e gi ant st ar b e l o n gi n g to t h e ste l l ar c l ass K 0 III, sl i g ht l y l arg e r an d m o re l u m i n o u s t h an t h e S u n . I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 4 . 2 8 an d i s ap p rox i m ate l y 1 8 2 l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant f ro m E ar t h . Th e st ar i s a su sp e c te d o cc u l t at i o n d o u b l e, co m p o se d o f t wo st ar s w i t h t h e sam e m agn i t u d e se p arate d by 0 . 2 5 arc se co n d. Piscium (Theta Piscium)

Th e t a Pi sc i u m h as t h e ste l l ar c l assi f i c at i o n o f K 1 III, w h i c h m e an s t h at t h e st ar i s an o t h e r o ran g e gi ant. I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 4 . 2 7 an d i s ap p rox i m ate l y 1 5 9 l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant f ro m t h e so l ar syste m . I t i s b r i g hte r, ye t co o l e r t h an the Sun. Piscium (Delta Piscium)

D e l t a Pi sc i u m i s a b i n ar y st ar w i t h an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e of 4.43. It is ap p rox i m ate l y 3 0 5

l i g ht ye ar s dista nt f ro m t h e Sun. I t l ies t wo d e grees from t h e e c l i p t ic a nd is re g u l ar l y occ ul ted by the Moon. Th e p r i m a r y sta r i n t h e system is a n o ran g e gi a nt w ith the ste l l ar c l assific ation o f K 5 III. I t is 3 8 0 t i m e s m o re l um inous t h an t h e Sun a nd h as a rad i us 4 3 .1 t i m e s so l ar. The 1 3 t h m agnitude co m p an i o n is t wo a rc m i n u te s away a nd t h o u g ht to be a K9 c l ass d war f or m erel y a st ar i n t he sa m e l i n e o f si ght. Piscium (Nu Piscium)

N u Pi sc i u m is a n o ran g e gi a nt w ith the ste l l ar c l assific ation K 3 III b. I t h a s a n ap p are nt ma gnitude o f 4 . 4 4 8 a nd is ap p rox i m atel y 3 7 0 l i g ht ye ar s dista nt f ro m t h e s ol a r syste m . Th e sta r u se d to h ave the d e si gn at i on 5 1 Ceti.

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued Nu Pi s ci um i s co o ler, yet larg er a n d mo re lumin o us t ha n t h e Sun. I t ha s a ma s s 1.9 tim es s o la r a nd a rad ius 34 t i m es t hat of the S un .

t h e S u n , af te r S i r i u s B i n Can i s M aj o r co n ste l l at i o n an d Pro c yo n B i n Can i s M i n o r. I t i s al so t h e n e are st k n ow n so l i t ar y w h i te d war f.

Fumalsamakah Piscium (Beta Piscium)

Th e ste l l ar c l assi f i c at i o n D Z8 i n d i c ate s t h at t h e st ar h as e l e m e nt s h e av i e r t h an h e l i u m i n i t s sp e c t r u m , w h i c h i s to say m e t al s.

B eta Pi s ci um i s a blue -whi te ma i n s equ en ce s t a r with t he s tella r clas s i f i cat i o n B 6Ve. I t has a v i s ua l magn i t ud e o f 4. 53 and is a p p roxi m ately 492 li g ht yea rs d istant f ro m t he Sun. Th e s t a r ’s trad iti o n a l na me, Fu mals a m a k a h , comes f ro m t he Arabi c p hra s e f um al-s am a k a h , whi ch mean s “ t h e mo ut h of the f i s h.” Van Maanen’s Star

Van M a a nen’s St a r ( Van M a a nen 2) is a whi te d wa r f with t he s tella r clas s i f i cat i o n D Z 8. I t is the t hi rd clo s es t white d wa r f to

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Th e st ar was d i scove re d by t h e D u tc h -Am e r i c an ast ro n o m e r Ad r i aan van M aan e n i n 1 9 1 7 . I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 1 2 . 3 7 4 an d i s 1 4 . 1 l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant f ro m E ar t h . Th e st ar i s l o c ate d ab o u t t wo d e gre e s so u t h o f D e l t a Pi sc i u m . Van M aan e n’s st ar h as a m ass 6 3 p e rce nt t h at o f t h e S u n an d o n l y o n e p e rce nt o f t h e so l ar rad i u s. I t s ag e i s e st i m ate d to b e aro u n d t h re e b i l l i o n ye ar s. 19 Piscium (TX Piscium)

I t h as t h e stel l a r c l assi f i c at ion of C 5 I I I an d i s ap proxim atel y 7 6 0 l i g ht yea r s d i st ant. Th e sta r h as an ap pa rent m agn i t u d e that var i e s b e t ween 4 .9 an d 5 . 5 m agnitudes. I t i s a var i a bl e c ar b o n st a r, w hic h is to say a l ate t ype sta r w i t h an atm osphere t h at co nt ains m ore c ar b o n t h a n ox ygen. 107 Piscium 1 0 7 Pi sc i u m is a m ai n se quence sta r w i t h t h e s tel l a r c l assi f i c at ion K1 V. I t i s an o ran ge dwa r f ab o u t 2 4 . 4 l ight ye ar s d i st ant from t h e so l ar system . I t i s a var i abl e sta r, ex h i b i t i n g va r iations i n m agn i t ude from 5 . 1 4 to 5 . 26 . I ts a ge i s e st i m ate d to be ab o u t 6 b il l ion yea r s. Th e st ar used to have t h e d e si gn ation 2 Ar i e t i s. I t ha s t wo v i su al co m pa nions.

1 9 Pi sc i u m i s o n e o f t h e re d d e st st ar s k n ow n .

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued 96 G. Piscium (HD 4638)

96 G. Pi s ci um i s an orang e ma i n s equ en ce d wa r f belon gi ng to t he s tella r cla s s K 2 V. I t ha s a v i s ua l magn i t ud e o f 5. 75 and is 24. 31 li g ht years d i s t a nt f ro m Ear th . I t i s a b o ut 5.4 bi lli o n yea rs old, w hi ch ma kes i t s light ly o ld er t h a n the Sun . 54 Piscium 54 Pis ci um i s a n o t her orange d wa r f i n Pis ces. I t ha s a n apparent m a gn i t ud e of 5.8 8 a nd i s 36. 1 light yea rs d i s t a nt from t he s o la r s ys tem. I t ha s t h e s tella r cla s s i f i cat i o n K0 V. Th e s t a r ha s a confir m ed p la net i n its or b i t, d i s covered in 200 2, a nd a b rown d war f wa s a ls o d iscovered o r b i t i ng i t in 200 6. 54 Pis ci um h a s 76 percent o f t h e S un’s mas s, 94. 4 p ercent o f the s o la r ra d i us, a n d

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4 6 p e rce nt o f t h e S u n’s l u m i n o si t y. I t i s ab o u t 6 . 4 b i l l i o n ye ar s o l d. Th e co m p an i o n st ar, t h e b row n d war f, b e l o n g s to t h e ste l l ar c l ass T 7 . 5 V. I t h as a m ass 5 0 t i m e s t h at o f J u p i te r, o r 0 . 0 5 1 t h at o f t h e S u n . I t was t h e f i r st b row n d war f d i scove re d aro u n d a st ar t h at h ad a co n f i r m e d ex t raso l ar p l an e t i n i t s o r b i t. Th e p l an e t h as ro u g h l y t h e sam e m ass as S at u r n an d o r b i t s t h e st ar at a d i st an ce o f 0 . 2 8 ast ro n o m i c al u n i t s, w h i c h co r re sp o n d s to t h e o r b i t o f M e rc u r y. I t t ak e s 5 2 d ays to co m p l e te an o r b i t. 6 G. Piscium (HD 217107)

6 G. Pi sc i u m i s a ye l l ow su b gi ant st ar w i t h t h e ste l l ar c l assi f i c at i o n o f G8 IV. I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 6 . 1 7 an d i s 6 4 . 8 l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant f ro m t h e S u n . I t i s o l d e r t h an t h e S u n an d h as a si m i l ar m ass; 9 8 p e rce nt t h at o f t h e S u n . Th e st ar i s

sl i g ht l y l arger, w ith a rad i u s 1 . 3 1 tim es so l ar. I t i s bel ieved to b e ab o ut 7 .7 b i l l i o n ye ar s ol d. Two p l an e ts have b e e n d e te c ted o r b i t i n g t he sta r. O n e co m pl etes a n o r b i t e ve r y 7 .1 days, w h i l e t h e other one t ak e s e i g ht yea r s to co m p l e te a n or bit. Asterisms Th e ast ro n om er J o h an n e s Hevel ius d i v i d e d Pi sces into fo u r su b d i visions in h i s Fi r m amentum S o b i e sc i anum in 1 6 9 0 : t h e N or th Fish ( Pi sc i s B o reus), the N o r t h Co rd (L inum B o re u m ) , the S o u t h Co rd (L inum Au st r i n u m), a nd t h e S o u t h Fish ( Pi sc i s Au str inus). The Circlet of Pisces

Th e Ci rc l e t aste r i sm i s l oc ated so u t h o f Pega sus co n ste l l ation, in t h e we ste r n fish of Pi sce s. I t i s for m ed

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued by the s t a rs G a m m a , K appa , L a mb d a , T X , Iota a n d Theta Pi s ci um. Testudo – The Turtle

Testu d o i s fo r med by the s t a rs 24, 27, Y Y( 30), 33 a nd 29 Pis ciu m . I n 1754, the as t ro no m er Jo hn H ill sug g es ted t h at this regi o n o f Pi s ces s hould b e a s ep a rate cons tellat i o n, ca lled Testu d o, o r t h e Tu r tle. H i s p ro p o s a l was n eg lec ted by most a s t ro n o m ers at the ti m e. Deep sky objects in Pisces Messier 74 (M74, NGC 628)

M es s i er 74 i s a s p i ra l g alax y s een f a ce - o n. I t has a n a p p a rent magn i t ud e o f 10. 0 and is a p p roxi m ately 30 mi lli o n li g ht yea rs d istant f ro m t he S un. With t wo ver y clea r ly d efined s p i ra l a r ms, M74 i s a tex t b o o k exam p le o f a gra nd d esign s p i ra l g a la x y. I t is beli eved to

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co nt ai n ab o u t 1 0 0 b i l l i o n st ar s. M 7 4 h as a l ow su r f ace b r i g ht n e ss an d o f al l t h e M e ssi e r o b j e c t s i t i s t h e o n e m o st d i f f i c u l t fo r am ate u r ast ro n o m e r s to o b se r ve. I t i s l o c ate d 1 . 5 d e gre e s e ast- n o r t h e ast o f Et a Pi sc i u m , t h e b r i g hte st st ar i n t h e co n ste l l at i o n . Th e g al ax y was d i scove re d by t h e Fre n c h ast ro n o m e r Pi e r re M é c h ai n , w h o n o t i f i e d Ch ar l e s M e ssi e r o f h i s d i scove r y. M e ssi e r su b se q u e nt l y i n c l u d e d t h e g al ax y i n h i s c at al o g u e. Two su p e r n ovae h ave b e e n o b se r ve d i n M e ssi e r 7 4 , S N 2 0 0 2 ap i n 2 0 0 2 an d S N 2 0 0 3 g d i n 2 0 0 3 . S N 2 0 0 2 ap was o n e o f t h e rare Ty p e Ic su p e r n ovae, al so k n ow n as hy p e r n ovae, d i scove re d i n re ce nt ye ar s. H y p e r n ovae are su p e r n ovae e ve nt s w i t h a su b st ant i al l y h i g h e r am o u nt o f e n e rg y t h an

re g u l ar super nova e, an d are b el ieved to b e t h e o r i gin of l ongd u rat i o n ga m m a - ray b u r st s, w hic h a re so m e o f t he m ost e n e rg e t i c events o b se r ve d in spa ce. I n M arc h 20 0 5 , an u l t ral u m inous X- ray so u rce wa s d i scove re d in M essier 7 4 w h i c h e m itted m o re X- ray power t h an a n e u tron st ar i n p e r iods of ab o u t e ve r y t wo h o u r s, i n dic ating t h e p re se n ce of a n i nte r m e d i ate - m a ss b l ac k h o l e. The su sp e c te d bl a c k hol e i s b e l i e ve d to have a m ass o f 1 0,0 0 0 Suns. Th e X- ray source is d e si gn ate d a s C XOU J 0 1 3 6 5 1 . 1 +1 5 4 5 4 7 . M74 Group

Th e M 7 4 Group (or N GC 6 2 8 G roup) i s a sm al l group of 5 to 7 g al a xies in Pi sce s co nstel l ation, t h e b r i g htest of w h i c h i s M essier 7 4 .

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued O ther memb ers o f the gro up i nclud e NGC 6 60, a p eculi a r s piral g a la x y, a nd a few sm a ller i r reg ula r g alaxi es. CL 0024+1654

CL 00 24+ 1654 i s a larg e g a la x y clus ter compo s ed m a i nly of yel low elli p t i ca l and s p i ra l g a la xi es. The clus ter len s es a gala x y lo cated behin d i t, wh i ch res ult s i n a rc -li ke images o f t h e g a la x y in the b a ckgro und. The clus ter i s approxi mately 3. 6 billio n li g ht yea rs d istant, a n d t h e g alax y b ehi n d i t i s abou t 5. 7 b i lli o n light yea rs away. NGC 7541

NGC 7 541 i s a b a r red s piral g a la x y lo cated abou t 103. 7 m i lli o n light yea rs away. I t stretch es a cro s s 125,0 00 li g ht yea rs. Togeth er wi t h t h e neighb o ur i n g s p i ra l

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g al ax y N GC 7 5 3 7 , i t fo r m s a p ai r k n ow n as KPG 578 or Holm 805 N GC 7 5 4 1 was d i scove re d by Wi l l i am H e r sc h e l i n Au g u st 1 7 8 5 . NGC 7537

N GC 7 5 3 7 i s an o t h e r sp i ral g al ax y i n Pi sce s. I t h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 1 3 . 9 . 3C 31 (NGC 383)

3C 31 is a double rad i o g al ax y ab o u t 2 0 9 m i l l i o n l i g ht ye ar s away i n Pi sce s. I t h as a q u asar- l i k e ap p e aran ce an d i s l i ste d i n Th e Ar p At l as o f Pe c u l i ar G al ax i e s. Th e g al ax y i s a st ro n g rad i o so u rce.

o f 1 3 . 4 an d is ap p rox i m atel y 2 0 9 m i l l i o n l i ght yea r s d i st ant f rom the S u n . Fo u r ga l a xies ap p e ar i n g in the v i c i n i t y – N GC 3 7 9 , N GC 3 8 0 , NGC 3 8 5 an d N GC 3 8 4 – a re b e l i e ve d to be c l osel y asso c i ate d w ith it. CGCG 436-030 (PGC 4798)

CGCG 4 3 6 - 0 3 0 is a sp i ral g al a x y in Pi sce s. I t h a s a n ap p are nt ma gnitude o f 1 4 . 9 an d is ap p rox i m atel y 4 0 0 m i l l i on l ight ye ar s d i st ant. Pisces Dwarf (PGC 3792)

3 C 3 1 i s an ac t i ve g al ax y w i t h a su p e r m assi ve b l ac k h o l e at i t s ce nt re, o n e t h at c au se s t h e g al ax y ’s j e t s to ex te n d fo r m i l l i o n s o f l i g ht ye ar s i n b o t h d i re c t i o n s.

Th e Pi sce s D wa r f is an i r re g u l a r dwa r f g al ax y t h at is a m e m b e r of the Loc a l Gro u p o f ga l a xies. I t h as an a ppa rent m agn i t u d e of 1 4 .2 an d i s ap proxim atel y 2 . 5 1 m i l l i on l ight ye ar s d i st ant from t h e so l ar system .

Th e g al ax y h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e

I t i s su sp ec ted to b e a satel l ite

13 Sisters of Delphi


Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued g alax y o f M es s i er 33, th e Tr i a ng ulum G alax y, lo cated in Tr ia n g ulum cons tellat i o n. M os t o f t h e g a la x y ’s s tars were fo r med abou t 8 b i lli o n yea rs ag o a n d t h e s t a r for mat i o n rate h a s been o n t h e d ecli n e for th e la s t 10 b i lli o n years. Yo un g h o t s tars ca n , however, be fou n d i n s m a ll clus ters i n t h e o uter region s o f t h e g a la x y. The Pi s ces D wa r f wa s d iscovered by t he Ru s s ian a s t ro n o m er Valent i n a E. K arac hent s eva in 197 6. Arp 284 – NGC 7714 and NGC 7715

Ar p 284 i s a p a i r of intera c t i ng g alaxi es i n Pi s ces, d iscovered by t he English a s t ro n o m er John H ers chel i n S epte m b er 1830. NGC 7 714 i s a s p i ra l g alax y wi t h a n

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ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 1 2 . 2 , an d N GC 7 7 1 5 i s t h o u g ht to b e e i t h e r an e d g e - o n sp i ral o r an i r re g u l ar g al ax y. A su p e r n ova, S N 1 9 9 9 d n , was d i scove re d i n N GC 7 7 1 4 i n S e p te m b e r 1 9 9 9 .

t wo g al ac tic n u c l e i o n l y 1 5 a rc se co n d s apa r t. Th e g al ax y ha s a n ap p are nt ma gnitude o f 1 5 . 2 . I t wa s f i r st d i scovered by t h e Am er ic a n ast ro n o m er Lew is Sw i f t i n 1 8 8 6 .

NGC 474

N GC 4 7 4 i s a l arg e e l l i p t i c al g al ax y. I t i s n o t ab l e fo r i t s t i d al t ai l s, w h o se o r i gi n i s u n k n ow n . Th e g al ax y i s ap p rox i m ate l y 1 0 0 m i l l i o n l i g ht ye ar s d i st ant. A Ty p e I su p e r n ova, d e si gn ate d S N 2 0 1 7 fg c, was d i scove re d i n t h e g al ax y in July 2017.

NGC 514

N GC 5 1 4 i s a n i nte r m e d i ate spira l g al ax y w i th a n H I I n u c l e u s. I t ha s a n ap p are nt ma gnitude o f 1 2 . 2 an d is ap p rox i m atel y 9 5 .9 m i l l i o n l i ght yea r s d i st ant f rom the so l ar syste m . NGC 57

NGC 520

N GC 5 2 0 i s a p ai r o f i nte rac t i n g sp i ral g al ax i e s ab o u t 9 0 . 7 m i l l i o n l i g ht ye ar s f ro m E ar t h . N GC 5 2 0 h as an ap p are nt m agn i t u d e o f 1 2 . 2 . I t h as an H II n u c l e u s.

N GC 5 7 i s a n e l l i p t i c al ga l a x y. I t h as an a ppa rent m agn i t u d e of 1 2 . 7 . A m a gnitude 1 7 su p e r n ova was o b se r ved in t h e g al ax y by K o i c h i I t aga k i on J u n e 3 , 2 01 0 .

NGC 7459

N GC 7 4 5 9 i s a t w i n sp i ral g al ax y, w i t h

NGC 60

N GC 6 0 i s a

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Zodiac Signs Pisces Continued s piral g a la x y i n Pi s ces, n o t ab l e fo r i t s u n u su al l y d i sto r te d sp i ral ar ms. D i s to r ted s p i ra l a r m s are u su al l y t h e re su l t o f i nte rac t i o n s a nd gravitat i o na l ef fec t s o f n e ar by g al ax i e s, b u t t h e re are n o g al ax i es in the vicini t y o f N G C 60 to expl ai n t h i s. NGC 6 0 h a s a n a p p a rent m agn i t u d e o f 1 4 . 8 5 an d i s ap p rox i m atel y 5 0 0 millio n li g ht years d i s t a nt. https://w w w.constellation- guide.com/constellation-list/pisces- constellation/

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Thank You

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Elder High Priestess, RavensThorn Elder High Priestess, Lady Glorianna Britannica Mawu Cardea amphritrite 161

13 Sisters of Delphi


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