News From the Oracle Volume 2 Issue 7

News From the Oracle Volume 2 Issue 7

Featured Article: More Articles:

3 July 2022

The Great Fire of London Thor’s Hammer

Essex Witch Trials

The Legend of Julius Caesar

13 Sisters of Delphi Elder High Priestess

RavensThorn Morrigan

Elder High Priestess

Gloriana Danu

High Priestess

Bee

High Priestess in Training

Britannica Lady Gaea Sekmet

Lady Artemis Amphritrite Namaka Frejya Glod 2

Mawu Cardea Wings of Tiamat

Members Rhiannon Moon Lozen Spirit Ashley

Thalassadorite Morningstar Khaos

Iria Lima Lady Atira Bella Bloodmoon Terra Gaea 13 Sisters of Delphi

Feature Story

The Great Fire of London Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan pl ac e s , a n d t h e c i t y wa s bu zz i n g wi t h p e o p l e .

L ots o f a n i m a l s l i ve d L ond o n t o o – t h e r e w ere n o c a r s , b u s e s o r l orrie s b a c k t h e n – s o a s w el l a s h o u s e s , t h e c i t y w as f u l l o f s h e ds a n d y ard s p a c k e d h i g h wi t h London in 1666 B ack in th e 1660s , pe op le were not as awa r e of th e d a nger s of f i re as t h e y a r e to d ay.

B uildings were mad e o f timber – c ov ered in a fla mmabl e substa nce c al l ed pitch , r oofed w ith t h a tch – a n d tigh tl y pa cked tog eth er w i th little r ega rd for pla nning.

About 3 5 0 ,000 pe op le live d i n L ondon jus t bef ore t h e Gr ea t F i re, it w as o ne of th e l arges t ci ties in Europe.

Homes a r ch ed ou t o ve r th e st reet bel ow, almost touc h ing i n

13 Sisters of Delphi

In 1666, a devastating fire swept through London, destroying 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, The Royal Exchange, Guildhall and St. Paul’s Cathedral. So how did it happen? f l amm a b l e h a y and s t r a w.

Fol l ow i n g a l o n g , dr y s u mm e r t h e c i t y wa s s u f f er i n g a dr o u g h t .

Water wa s s c a r c e a n d th e wo o de n h o u s e s h a d d ri ed o u t , m a k i n g t h e m eas ie r t o b u r n . . . i t wa s a rec i p e f o r di s a s t e r.

The fire that changed our city forever...

T h e Gr e a t F i r e o f

L o n do n s t a r t e d o n S u n da y, 2 S e p t em b er 1 6 6 6 i n a b a k e r ’s s h o p o n Pu ddi ng Lane belonging to Th o m a s Fa r y n o r (Fa r r i n e r ).

Al t h o u g h h e c l ai m ed t o h a ve e x t i n g ui shed t h e f i r e , t h r e e ho urs l a t e r a t 1 a m , h is h o u s e wa s a b l a z i n g i n f e r n o.

At f i r s t , f e w we re c o n c e r n e d – f i res we r e s u c h a c o mm o n o c c u r r e n c e a t t he t i m e . H o we ve r, t he f i r e m o ve d qu i ckly do wn Pu ddi n g Lane a n d c a r r i e d o n do wn F i s h H i l l a n d t owards t h e Ri ve r Th a mes.

I t s p r e a d r a p i dly, h e l p e d b y a s t r ong Did you know?

“In 1666 there was no organised fire brigade. Firefighting was very basic with little skill or knowledge involved. Leather buckets, axes and water squirts were used to fight the fire – but had little effect. “

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Feature Story:

The Great Fire of London wind fr om th e eas t.

Wh en it r e ac h ed t h e Th a mes i t h i t wa r eh ouse s s toc k ed with combus ti bl e pr oducts inc l u d i ng as o i l a nd ta llow.

For tuna te ly, th e f ire d idn’t sp r e ad s ou th o f th e r ive r – bu t o nly beca us e a maj or b la ze in 1 6 33 h ad alr e a dy de s troyed a section o f L ondon Br id ge.

Samuel Pepys observed first hand...

Sa mue l Pe pys , a man wh o lived at th e t ime, ke pt a d iary t h a t h a s been w el l pr eser ved. H e w as a C ler k to t h e Royal Na vy wh o obs erv ed t h e fir e .

He r ecomm end ed t o th e King th at b uildings were pu l l ed d own – many th ou gh t it w a s th e o nl y w ay t o stop th e f ire.

Th e M a yor w as o rde r e d to u s e f i re hooks to pu l l - d ow n

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bu rni n g b u i l di n g s b u t th e f i r e c o n t i n u e d t o s prea d. Pe o p l e f o r c e d to ev a c u a t e t h e i r h o m e s c h os e t o b u r y o r h i de w h at va l u a b l e s t h e y c ou l d n ’ t c a r r y. Pe p y s h i ms e l f b u r i e d h i s ex pen s i ve c h e e s e a n d w ine, a n d c a r t e d h i s oth er b e l o n g i n g s o f f t o Beth n a l G r e e n .

So how did they put out the Great Fire of London?

Pepys s p o k e t o t h e A d mi r a l o f t h e N a vy and a g r e e d t h e y s h o u l d From the diary of Samuel Pepys, Monday 3 September 1666:

About four o’clock in the morning, my Lady Batten sent me a cart to carry away all my money, and plate, and best things, to Sir W. Rider’s at Bednall-greene. Which I did riding myself in my night-gowne in the cart; and, Lord! to see how the streets and the highways are crowded with people running and riding, and getting of carts at any rate to fetch away things.

blow up houses in t h e p a t h o f t h e fi re.

Th e h o p e wa s t hat b y do i n g t h i s t h e y wo uld c r e a t e a s p a c e t o st o p t h e f i r e s p r e a di ng f r o m h o u s e t o ho use.

Th e N a vy – wh i ch had been using g u n p o wde r a t t he t i m e – c a r r i e d o ut t h e r e qu e s t a n d t h e f i r e wa s m o st ly u n de r c o n t r o l b y We dn e s da y, 5 S e p t e m b e r 1 6 6 6.

H o we ve r s m a l l fi res c o n t i n u e d t o b reak o u t a n d t h e g r ound remained too hot to wa l k o n f o r s e v eral da y s a f t e r wa r ds .

Pe p y s r e c o r de d i n hi s di a r y t h a t e ve n t he K i n g , C h a r l e s I I, was s e e n h e l p i n g t o put out the fire.

What happened after the fire?

L o n do n h a d t o b e a l m o s t t o t a l ly r e c o n s t r u c t e d.

Te m p o r a r y b u i l di ng s we r e e r e c t e d t hat we r e i l l - e qu i p ped,

13 Sisters of Delphi

Feature Story

The Great Fire of London From the diary of Samuel Pepys, Wednesday 5 September 1666:

Lord! what sad sight it was by moone- light to see, the whole City almost on fire, that you might see it plain at Woolwich, as if you were by it. d isea se sp read eas i l y, and ma ny p eopl e d ied fr om t h i s and t h e h a r sh w inter th at followed th e f i re.

As well a s l os s of life , th e financ ial costs wer e sta gger ing. 13,200 house s, 8 7 pari s h chur ch e s, T h e Royal E xch a nge , G u il d h al l and S t. Pa u l ’ s Ca th edr a l – bu i l t d ur ing th e Mi d d l e Age s – wa s total l y d estr oye d. T h e c os ts wer e e stimated at £1 0 million.

f i nan c i a l l o s s e s b y e m p l o y i n g m e n t o e x t i ng ui sh f i res : t h e f i r s t f i r e b r i g a de s we r e f o r m e d. T he s tory c o n t i n u e s o n t h e e a r l y f i r e b r i g a de s page – f i n d o u t a b o u t t h e s e b r i g a de s , h o w t hey w orke d, a n d wh e r e b e e r t o k e n s c a m e f r o m.

A fresh start for London

Sir C h r i s t o p h e r Wr e n p l a n n e d t h e n e w c i t y and th e re b u i l di n g o f L o n do n t o o k o ve r 3 0 y e ars.

T h e si t e wh e r e t h e f i r e f i r s t s t a r t e d i s n o w marke d b y a 2 0 2 - f o o t m o n u m e n t b u i l t b e t ween 1671 a n d 1 6 7 7 . https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/museum/history-and-stories/thegreat-fire-of-london/

The cost of the fire was estimated to be £10 million

Sh or tly a fter, c l ev er b usine ssme n s potted an op por tu ni ty to pr ovide th e s u rety o f insur a nc e, th ou gh re duced th ei r ri s k of

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Power Items

Animal- Moose

w orth y t o n o t e t h a t s ome o f t h e i de a s a b o u t Moose m i n g l e wi t h t h e s torie s o f l a r g e D e e r.

Symbolism & Meaning

“I’m a big brown moose, I’m a slumberous moose, I’m a moose with a warm, snuggly hide; and I bask in the moon as the coyotes croon, with my moose-mama close by my side.”

Joyce Sidman

Moose ma k es i ts home in th e North ern par ts of C a nad a and t he Unite d States .

The y a r e a l s o know n in Eur ope, bu t by th e na me Elk. The two cr eatu res have minor diffe r e nce s , bu t t hey’r e lumped t ogeth er w h en t alking a bo u t symbolism and me a ning. It’ s al s o

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I f th e r e i s a wo r d th at s u m s u p M o o s e E nerg y, i t wo u l d b e impos i n g . D i g n i f i e d and m o n u m e n t a l M o o s e s tand s s o m e s i x f e e t t a l l and we i g h s u p t o a h al f- t o n !

O nl y t h e m a l e o f t h e s pec i e s s p r o u t s h o r n s , s ome t i m e s h a vi n g a s pan o f f i ve f e e t wi de — th is m a k e s f o r qu i t e th e im p r e s s i ve e n t r a n c e f or M o o s e , b u t t h o s e h orns h a ve a s p e c i f i c pu rpo s e . Th e y ’ r e h a n dy again s t p r e da t o r s , b u t mal e M o o s e , t h e B u l l s , f igh t e a c h o t h e r du r i n g matin g s e a s o n f o r r i g h t s to a f e m a l e s o r C o ws .

In human terms, this s peak s o f y o u r p r e s e n c e and h o w y o u e n g a g e oth er s . N o t e ve r y t h i n g h as to b e a b a t t l e , b u t h av in g s e l f- c o n f i de n c e c erta i n l y h e l p s wh e n you st a n d t o e - t o - t o e w i th a f o e .

E ve n wi t h o u t h o r n s , t h e f e m ale M o o s e i s s t r o n g and i n t i m i da t i n g . I f t hei r b a b i e s a r e i n dang er, t h e C o w wi l l p r o t ect t h e c u b s . L i k e m any o t h e r m a m m a l s , t hi s s y m b o l i z e s f a mi ly a n d s a f e t y o f t ho se y o u h o l d de a r.

Th e c o m f o r t i n g f a m i l y u n i t , h o w ever, i s t e m p o r a r y. Aft er a b o u t a y e a r, t he young go out on t h e i r o wn . S o me stay in nearby f e e di n g a r e a s , but t h e y r e m a i n b l i ssful a n d u n i n t e r e s t ed i n e a c h o t h e r —t hi s r e p r e s e n t s a u t ono m y and spirited de t e r m i n a t i o n .

M o o s e i s a n a dept s wi m m e r. Th e c r e a t u r e c a n m o ve t h r o u g h wa t e r as fast a s s i x m i l e s p e r ho ur.

So, the creature has ties to the Wa t e r E l e m e n t and a l l i t g o ve r n s .

As y o u m i g h t i m a g i n e , M o o s e has t o e a t qu i t e a l o t t o s u s t a i n t h a t f r am e. As

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Animalher bivor e s, th ey need not ea t other A nimal s in ma inta ini ng th eir hea lth . T h es e are t he e quiva l ents of v ege ta r ia ns i n th e Anima l Kingd om.

In na tur e , Moos e is also fa ster th an y ou migh t e xpec t. T h ey ca n r un twi c e as f as t as a h uma n f or s h ort stints, up t o 35 mph .

Don’t ch a se th em and neve r th ink y ou ’ l l o utr un th e m— i t’ s a race you’ll l os e ever y time.

Ke ywor ds and ch a r a cte r is ti c s associa te d w i th Moose S pirit inc l u d e power, courage, speed, a nd agil ity.

Moose e mb od ies g r a ce a nd repres ents ada p ta tion, ene r gy, str e ngth , and movement.

The Anima l i s also a symbol of inde pende nc e, s el festeem, a nd w is d om.

Rocky and Bullwinkle

All symboli s m and mea nin g c an

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Moose

c h ang e wi t h t i m e . S o , you c a n ’ t l e t a n e n t r y abou t M o o s e g o b y w i th o u t m e n t i o n i n g t h e A d v en t u r e s o f Ro c k y and B u l l wi n k l e . Th e s eri es p r e m i e r e d i n Nov em b e r 1 9 5 9 a n d w ent t h r o u g h va r i o u s titl e i n c a r n a t i o n s o ve r th e ye a r s .

Roc k y i s a n anth r o p o l o g i c a l f l yi ng S qu i r r e l wh o s e h u mo r o u s s i de k i c k is Bul l wi n k l e , t h e Moose . Th e o t h e r k e y c h ara c t e r s i n c l u de B o r i s and N a t a s h a (t h e b a d g uys ). S u p p o r t i n g c h ara c t e r s i n c l u de D u d l e y D o - Ri g h t (t h e g oo d g u y ) a n d Mr. Pe a b o dy, a D o g w h ose b o y t r a ve l e d th roug h t i m e .

Foc u si n g o n y o u r M o o s e f ri end , B u l l wi n k l e i s not the b r i g h t e s t f l o we r in th e f o r e s t , b u t h e d oes b r i n g a l o t o f l au gh t e r i n t o t h e s h o w, s ome t h i n g ve r y s u i t e d to Mo o s e S p i r i t .

H is b a l a n c e t o t h e brai n y Ro c k y wa s

e s s e n t i a l a s i t sho wed t h e wo n de r s o f a f r i e n ds h i p b u i l t o n g o o d m o r a l s a nd o p t i m i s m (a lo ng w i t h a f a i r a mo unt o f m o xi e ).

B u l l wi n k l e wa s i m m u n e t o G o of Gas, p u l l e d Ra b b i t s o ut o f h i s h a t , a n d h e co uld r e m e m b e r e ve r yt hi ng h e e ve r a t e . Whi le not a perfect r e n de r i n g o f t he M o o s e S p i r i t A ni m al, it is a peek into a t i m e l y de p i c t i o n o f t h e g o o d- b a d di c h o t o m y a n d a b i t of magic.

Moose Spirit Animal

Wh e n M o o s e S p i ri t c o m e s t o c a l l , i t ’s i m p o s s i b l e t o i gno re i t . Th e p o we r i n t hi s c r e a t u r e vi b r a t e s wi t h i n t e n t . Th ere a r e t wo p o t e n t ial reasons for the An i m a l ’ s vi s i t .

M o o s e S p i r i t may offer you courage f o r f a c i n g a di f f i cult s i t u a t i o n , e ve n p e r h a p s a f i g h t t hat y o u ’ d r a t h e r a vo i d.

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

AnimalMoose ma y as k i f you a r e usi ng you r physica l na tu re as a th r ea t, ev en u nw ittingly. I f peopl e sh y a wa y from y ou , t his ma y be w h y.

Autonomy i s anoth er me ssa ge fr o m th e Moose Anim al Spi rit.

Are you too concerned with those around you and what they may think?

Time to tur n d ow n t ha t dimme r s w i tc h .

The r e a r e m any mome nts wh en you h a ve to l i v e for your se l f, y ou r v i sion, or y ou r passions. Don’ t giv e in to outsid e pres s u re w h en you k now th e advice is w rong.

Moose M ed ic ine w or ks w ith th e s ens e o f smell. Moos e arr ive s to t el l y ou w h en some th i ng doesn’t seem righ t.

It’s time to f ol l ow your nose ; Smel l ignite s memories and t hough ts that h el p you sor t th ings ou t.

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Moose

E ac h e y e o n t h i s c reat u r e m o ve s ind ep e n de n t l y, m e a n i n g th ey c a n k e e p a n e y e o n th e p r i z e . Th e An i m a l ’ s ex c ep t i o n a l vi s i o n i s s ome t h i n g y o u c a n t u r n to w he n a s i t u a t i o n c al l s f o r h e i g h t e n e d aw are n e s s . M o o s e arri v e s wh e n y o u n e e d to tak e a c l o s e r l o o k arou n d t o s e e wh a t i t i s you ’ v e b e e n m i s s i n g .

Moose m a y a p p e a r a s a Spiri t A n i m a l wh e n y o u need t o t a k e b e t t e r c a r e of y o u r s e l f, p a r t i c u l a r l y regar di n g y o u r di e t . Fo r mos t p e o p l e , i t ’ s n o t l ike ju s t t u r n i n g o f f a s w i tc h . Yo u m i g h t n e e d s ome g o o d g u i da n c e to get a l l t h e r i g h t nu tri e n t s a n d t h e ri gh t a m o u n t s f o r s tay i n g h e a l t h y.

Moose ’ s l a r g e a n t l e r s res em b l e a s a t e l l i t e d i s h . Th e s u r f a c e o f th e an t l e r s a r e a l s o s ens i t i ve . S o , t h e Moose ’ s a dvi c e i s to k ee p y o u r i n n e r s atel l i t e t u n e d t o v i bra t i o n s a l l a r o u n d you . D o n ’ t i g n o r e y o u r

g u t i n s t i n c t s o r t he p s y c h i c i m p r e s si o ns you pick up.

Moose Totem Animal

Pe o p l e b o r n wi t h a M o o s e To t e m Ani m al f e e l b i g n o m a t t er t h e i r a c t u a l s t a t ure.

Th e y va l u e a s ense o f i n n e r s t r e n g th a n d o f f e r p r o t e ct i o n t o t h o s e i n n e e d. A M o o s e Pe r s o n i s a jo y f u l , n o t b e c a use t h e y wa n t t o b e t he c l a s s c l o wn , b u t because they know t h a t l a u g h t e r h eals.

I f M o o s e i s y o ur B i rt h To t e m An i m a l , y o u h a ve a h e a ds t r ong n a t u r e b u t b a l ance y o u r s t u b b o r n ness wi t h a f a i r a m ount o f wi s do m . Wi t h g o als, y o u s h o w di l i g ence i n t h e p u r s u i t . Mo o se a l s o b r i n g s o u t a fai r a m o u n t o f f e m ini ne e n e r g i e s i n y o u.

Wh e n Wa l k i n g wi t h M o o s e , y o u f i n d t hat you learn how to n a vi g a t e e ve n bi g s i t u a t i o n s r e l a t i vely unseen. Moose is a natural master of c a m o u f l a g e . Wit h M o o s e , y o u c a n learn

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Animalt hr ough out you r l i f e how to h a nd l e th i ngs w h en you w ant people to see y ou , and wh en y ou need t o cloa k yo u rs el f.

One of th e Moos eb or n peop l e’ s od d dich otomie s is th at t hey h a ve c h arm and gr a ce b u t are clumsy. Moos e Peopl e sometime s f eel l ike t hey h a ve sh oes o n tw o size s too b ig. Ove r ti me th at ease s, your natu ral senses p r ov id e a l ot o f infor ma ti on th at help s keep y ou s tabl e and sta ndin g on y ou r o wn two fe et.

Rega r ding s ens es , people bor n w ith th e Moose Tote m d epend o n th eir h earing and sense of smel l , ev en as M oose does in na tur e. Oth er s ens es come into p l ay, bu t none so str ong as t hese two. Tru s t w h a t you g ath er fr om th e m.

With M oose c omes a ba la nce b etw een

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Moose

wh a t y o u are missing.

y ou r p o we r a n d y o u r s of t s i de . M o o s e people o f t e n m o ve i n t o ex tra o r di n a r y t i m e s . As y ou r a du l t a n t l e r s g r o w, so does the information and t a l e n t s y o u amass . An d wi t h t h o s e anten n a e o n y o u r h e a d, y ou ha ve a s m o o t h c onne c t i o n t o t h e U niv e r s e ; t h i s m e a n s th at a f a i r p e r c e n t a g e o f Moos e p e o p l e de ve l o p ps yc h i c a b i l i t i e s .

M o o s e i s t h e i deal Po we r An i m a l w hen y o u wa n t t o t a ke a b r e a t h e r a l o n e.

M o o s e l i k e s s o l i t ude, a n d t h e r e a r e p hases i n e ve r y o n e ’ s l i fe wh e n t h e y n e e d rest b u t m a y f e e l g ui lt y wh e n t a k i n g a break.

M o o s e s a y s , J u s t do i t ! Tr y g o i n g s olo fo r a da y o r e ve n a we e k u n t i l y o u r thoughts settle.

Moose Power Animal

An o t h e r t i m e t o wo r k wi t h M o o s e as y o u r Po we r A n im al i s wh e n y o u a r e trying to protect t h o s e y o u l o ve .

Yo u f e e l s m a l l and we a k , b u t M o o se i s a n y t h i n g b u t f r ag i le.

Moose Energy i n s p i r e s de f i a n c e a n d s t a n di n g y o ur g r o u n d. Yo u wi ll grow three feet t a l l e r wo r k i n g wi t h M o o s e ’ e n e r g e t i c s i g n a t ure.

I nv ok e M o o s e o r E l k a s a Pow e r A n i m a l wh e n y ou w a n t t o g e t o u t o f th e s p o t l i g h t . Wh a t e ve r i s h ap p e n i n g , y o u wa n t to tu r n a t t e n t i o n a wa y f rom y o u r s e l f a n d o n t o s omet h i n g e l s e . Yo u a r e ou t o f y o u r de p t h h e r e .

L et M o o s e b r i n g y ou b a c k i n t o t h e s h al l o w wa t e r s .

Cal l o n M o o s e Po we r A ni m a l wh e n y o u need t o s e e t h i n g s f rom di f f e r e n t a n g l e s .

Reme m b e r t h a t Moos e ’ s e y e s m o ve i nd ep e n de n t l y f r o m eac h o t h e r. L o o k th rou g h t h e m a n d s e e

Ada p t i n g t o challenges and new situations is n o t a l wa y s e a s y.

Th e o n l y t h i n g y o u

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Animalcan depend on is cha nge . As a Pow er Anima l, M oos e h el ps you figur e ou t h ow t o h a ndle wh at’ s coming with s trength and a ssur a nc e.

Ca ll on M oos e as a Pow er Animal w h en you know s ometh i ng is a foot but c an’ t quite figur e i t ou t.

Moose h e lp s you calm your s el f s o you can tune in to y ou r heigh te ned s ens es and get a b ead on t h e ma tte r. Af ter t h a t, you c an ac t and t idy up loo s e end s .

De fining you r soul’s pur p os e in t h is inca r n ati on i s someth ing Moos e c an help you ac c ompl i s h .

Moose h a s s trong t ie s with the E arth , but a lso w ith Spiri t.

You wer e b rou gh t her e for a reas on.

Know ing th e reas on ma ke s a ll t h e d iffer e nce i n t h e wor ld.

Moose

Native American Moose Symbolic Meanings

I n No r t h A m e r i c a , t h e Cree c o n s i de r M o o s e a s s y mbo l i c o f s u r vi va l a n d s tami n a . M o o s e a l s o h a s bec om e a C l a n An i m a l .

Tri be s , i n c l u di n g t h e Ch ipp e wa a n d t h e Meno m i n e e , h a ve Moos e C l a n s .

Des pi t e t h e g r e a t i mpor t a n c e o f M o o s e t o Nati ve p e o p l e i n C a n a da and t h e N o r t h e r n U n i t e d State s , t h e An i m a l d oes n ’ t p l a y a m a jo r rol e i n N a t i ve Am e r i c a n f ol kl o r e . I n O ji b we and C r e e t r a di t i o n s , Moos e a r e s y m b o l s o f end u r a n c e a n d s u r vi va l .

I n Wa b a n a k i f o l k l o r e o f northe r n N e w E n g l a n d and t h e M a r i t i m e s , s ome l e g e n ds s a y M o o s e w as o n c e a m o n s t e r d ef ea t e d b y t h e c u l t u r e h ero, G l o o s k a p . O n e Nati ve s t o r y f r o m th e Po t a wa t o m i Tr i b e s u gge s t s M o o s e p l a y s an i n t e g r a l r o l e i n c reati n g h u m a n k i n d.

T h ere we r e n o p e o p l e on E a r t h b u t f o r o n e

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Po t a wa t o m i wo m an de s p e r a t e f o r companionship.

Th e r e we r e p l e n t y o f A n i m a l s , s o s he p o n de r e d t a k i n g o n them to be her l i f e - m a t e . S h e a nd t h e c h o s e n A n i m al wo u l d c r e a t e a ll h u m a n s f r o m t hat p o i n t f o r wa r d.

Th e wo m a n s e nt o u t a m e s s a g e t o all t h e f o r e s t c r e a t ures expressing her de s i r e f o r a s u i t ab le h u s b a n d a n d mat e.

Many creatures came to her for c o n s i de r a t i o n , b ut none of them seemed right.

Th e n , o n e da y, t he wo m a n wa s wa lki ng a n d f o u n d h e r s elf f a c e - t o - f a c e wi t h t h e m i g h t y M o o se.

I n t h e m a l e M oo se s h e s a w t h e qu ali t i es s h e h o p e d f o r, so she a s k e d t h e c r e a t ure t o m a r r y h e r. M o o se a g r e e d. To t h i s day, h u m a n s c a r r y so m e M o o s e wi t h i n t hem .

Moose as a Celtic Symbol

S a dl y, t h e E l k di ed

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Animalo ut in C elt i c regions in a bout 2 5 00 B CE .

Accor ding to f os s i l re cor ds, Ir e l and holds th e di s ti nc tion o f h a ving th e l arges t E lk e ve r to l iv e on E a r th , w ith antl ers t welve feet l ong.

Th e cr e a ture l i v ed o ve r 7 ,0 0 0 y ears ago and inh a bi ted regions ra nging fr o m I rel and t o Russia . Tal es indica te the c reatu re could be twic e th e huma n’s size, w h il e o th er stor ies s u gges t t h e y gr ew up to seven feet tal l .

Moose

s u gge s t s t h a t y o u , t o o , n e e d t o l i s t e n t o th os e a r o u n d y o u more c a r e f u l l y.

Moose Symbolic Meanings Key

• • • • • • • • • •

Agility A ut o n o m y Co n n e c t i o n t o t h e U n i ve r s e De f e n s e Imposing Powe r Se l f- C o n f i de n c e Spe e d Spi r i t e d D e t e r m i n a t i o n Str e n g t h https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animalmeanings/mammals/moose-elk-symbolism-meaning/

Moose & Elk Dreams

Moose dr e ams w arn o f unpr e dic tabil ity in life. Keep th os e hoove s fir m l y pl anted and keep watc h .

If th e M oos e i s running a w ay, i t may re pr e sent a l ac k of b ackbone o n your pa r t.

Moose doe s n’ t s eek fi gh ts but d oes n’ t ru n from th e m ei th er. A Moose th a t appears t o be listeni ng

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items Bird-Eagle I f you h a ve a dr e a m , i f you d e s i r e t o a c h i e ve a goal t h a t wi l l m a k e y o u r s ou l f e e l m o r e “ f u l l ” , tak e y o u r c u e f r o m t h e al l - c o n f i de n t E a g l e a n d “ k n o w ” y o u r a i m wi l l be s tr a i g h t a n d t r u e .

Be ca use the E agl e i s one of th e h i gh es tflying bir d s , H e i s conside r e d Ch i ef of all flying c reatu res ; t h is ce r ta inl y al s o connects E agl e w i th t h e Air e le ment.

He a lso r ul es ov er t h e Ea ste r n q u arter of cr e a tion, w h ic h re pr e sents renew al and th e se as on of sp r ing.

O ne of my f av ori te t e a ch ings of E agl e is “ believe in yo u r ability to sat isfy th e hung er ” .

Me a ning, E agl es are so a dept a t h u nting t h e y spend v ery l i ttl e t ime doing it. T h ey exe r t only a s mal l amount of ef f ort fi nding a nd c l aimi ng t h a t wh ich “ fills th e em p ty spa c es wit h in .”

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E gypt i a n s r e g a r de d t h e E agl e a s s y m b o l i z i n g both t h e G r e a t S p i r i t and t h e s u n a t n o o n .

T h ey s a w t h e E a g l e a s ri s i ng o ve r m u n da n e res tra i n t s i n t o t h e real m o f m y s t i c a l aw are n e s s a n d s p i r i t u a l progr e s s . Th e N a t i ve A mer i c a n s a g r e e wi t h th is a s s e s s m e n t .

To th e a n c i e n t Ro m a n s and G r e e k s , t h e E a g l e w as s a c r e d t o J u p i t e r / Z eu s . Th e Ro m a n s u s e d an E a g l e t o r e p r e s e n t Roma n e m p e r o r s , wh i l e th e Gr e e k s s a i d Z e u s c ou l d t a k e t h e f o r m o f an E a g l e t o t r a n s p o r t h is l o ve r t o M t .

O l ym p u s . H i t t i t e s u s e d th e im a g e o f a t wo h ead e d E a g l e i n a battl e t o p r o t e c t t h e m f rom s u r p r i s e s .

F r o m h i g h a b o v e, t h e E a g l e s y m b o li z es a n a wa r e n e s s o f t h o s e m y s t e r i e s t hat h u m a n s f i n d di f fi cult t o g r a s p . E a g l e ’s va n t a g e p o i n t a llo ws h i m t o di s c o ve r p a t t e r n s t h a t g ui de u s t o wa r d g r e a t er s p i r i t u a l k n o wl edg e.

Eagle Spirit Animal

Th e s o a r i n g o f an E a g l e i n s p i r e s a we.

F r o m i t s p l a c e in t h e h e a ve n s , t he E a g l e S p i r i t A ni m al c a n wa t c h o ve r us a s a g u a r di a n , b ear m e s s a g e s t o a n d fro m t h e D i vi n e , i n s pi re i n s i g h t , m a n i f e st we l l - b e i n g , a n d o ffer u s wi s do m .

E a g l e , a s a S p i ri t An i m a l , p u t s y ou o n n o t i c e t h a t t h e wi nds o f c h a n g e a r e headed y o u r wa y. S o m e t y pe o f r e b i r t h o r r e newal i s a b o u t t o h a p p en, a n d E a g l e p r e p a res y o u f o r t h a t c h ang e b y s h o wi n g y o u how to tap your inner strength a n d f o r t i t u de .

S t a n d u p t a l l , wrap c o u r a g e a r o u n d y o ur

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items w a ist, a nd s tay tru e t o your se lf.

This is a tim e f or self-discove ry.

You ma y ne ed to t ake a r etr e at to g e t your mi nd and spir it togeth er and inte r na l ize t he dr a ma tic t ra nsfor mation on your door step. E agl e is a mover and s h ak er w h o str e tches y ou r l imits to ne w h ei gh ts .

Ea gle a s a n A ni mal Spir it Guide of ten sh ows up wh en w e fa ce ch a lle nges . O n hi s wings, h e bears de ter mina t ion and t he la se r -sharp f oc u s t o ge t th r ou gh to th e o th e r side of o ur p r oblems .

Some of th i s symbolism and me a ning h a s to d o w ith a ncie nt l ore rega r ding t h e E agl e flying so cl os e to th e sun. As a m etaph or, “we m u st b e willin g to g e t a l ittle sc orc h e d i f we ar e t o

13 Sisters of Delphi

Bird-Eagle ac h ie ve g r e a t nes s ” .

A d d it i o n a l l y, E a g l e a s a Spi r i t A n i m a l s a y s , “ lo o k f o r w a r d . ” D o n ’ t gi v e up o n y o u r qu e s t , bu t e m b a r k o n i t wi t h u pri g h t n e s s i n y o u r s ou l . To a c c o m p l i s h th i s , y o u h a ve t o b e read y t o s t o p o u t m o de d h abi t s o r i de a s t o embr a c e s o m e t h i n g n e w and w o n de r f u l .

Eagle Totem Animal

T h os e b o r n wi t h a n E agl e t o t e m wa n t t o ex per i e n c e e ve r y t h i n g th ey c a n . Th e y s p r e a d th ei r wi n g s f u l l y on eve r y p r o je c t o r ad v en t u r e , y e t n e a r l y al w ay s m a n a g e t o k e e p one f o o t o n t h e g r o u n d.

Reme m b e r, E a g l e s f l y h i gh e r t h a n a n y o t h e r bird . Th e h e i g h t s o f s u c c e s s t h a t t h o s e wi t h th e E a g l e To t e m A ni m a l c a n a c h i e ve i s as t o u n di n g .

Bu t n o b i r d c a n s t a y i n th e a i r f o r e ve r. Th e y mu s t c o m e b a c k t o earth . E a g l e s h a ve f o u r toes . I n N u m e r o l o g y, 4 is t h e n u m b e r o f “ so li d f o u nd a t i o ns ” .

I n t h i s , E a g l e s tay s g r o u n de d t o M o t her E a r t h ju s t a s we ll as i t s o a r s t o wa r d t he h e a ve n s . Th i s i s no m i n o r a b i l i t y. I t i s t o b e r e c k o n e d wi t h as f e w c a n a c h i e ve t hi s r e m a r k a b l e f e a t.

B e c a u s e o f t h e Eag le people’s ability to f l y s o h i g h y e t st ay g r o u n de d, t h e y’re great at global t h i n k i n g a n d, as s u c h , m a k e p o t ent l e a de r s a n d t e a chers.

G e n e r a l l y, t h o s e wi t h E a g l e a s a To t e m An i m a l a r e s t r ong , b r a ve , c r e a t i ve , and insightful.

Know that as an E a g l e Pe r s o n , others may find y o u r p e r s p e c t i v es a l i t t l e da u n t i n g . Yo u s e e m o r e t h a n the a ve r a g e h u m a n. Yo ur p e r s p e c t i ve f r o m t h e s k y p r o vi des s o l u t i o n s t h a t ot hers c a n n o t s e e b e c ause t h e y ’ r e t o o c l o s e.

Th i s To t e m A n i m al a l s o m e a n s t h a t S pi ri t o f t e n g u i de s y our a c t i o n s a n d wo r ds, e ve n u n wi t t i n g ly.

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Power Items B e a w a r e o f th at sacr e d duty and endea vor t o s peak with love. O th erw is e, you could bec ome ha r sh with you r beak and h ur t so meone with out r e al izi ng it.

Eagle Power Animal

Ca ll on Ea g l e as a Power Animal w h en you ne ed to i mprov e your per sp ec ti v es from a h igh er v a nta ge p oi nt. W h en you fa ce st ru ggl es in your job or re la tionsh i p, E agl e Sp ir it conti nu es to give you ins igh t as well a s th e abi l i ty to ma ke sound c h oic es .

Hint: S ince E agl e loves h e ights , you ma y h a v e gr ea te r suc c es s in conta cting H i m f rom a h igh pla c e ( hil l , mountaintop) .

O ne of th e mos t pr ofound m ed ic ines t h a t Ea gle energy can h e lp us w ith is knowing w h en t o sp ea k a nd h ow “for c efu lly.” W h il e

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Bird-Eagle E agl e s a r e n o t ve r y v oc al , t h e i r ja ws a n d beaks a r e i n c r e di b l y s tron g . Wh e n y o u n e e d h el p de c i di n g wh a t t o s ay a n d h o w t o s a y i t , E agl e S p i r i t c a n h e l p .

W h i l e O wl m e di c i n e i s l egen da r y a s a s p i r i t u a l ai d f o r ‘ c l ea r s ee i ng ’ or ‘ b e i ng a b l e t o s ee t h at w h i c h h a s b ee n h idd e n’ – E a g l e a s a Pow er An i m a l c a n h e l p us see into the past, pres e n t , a n d f u t u r e .

T h e E a g l e ’ s vi s i o n i s eigh t t i m e s g r e a t e r th an h u m a n s .

While there are many E agl e t r a i t s o n e c o u l d inv ok e du r i n g t i m e s of ne e d, o n e o f t h e m mu s t b e u s e d wi t h g r e a t c au ti o n . A B a l d E a g l e c an s t r i k e t h e i r p r e y w i th t wi c e t h e f o r c e o f a bu ll e t f r o m a r i f l e .

Some t i m e s i n l i f e , n o matte r h o w p e a c e f u l a path we ’ ve c h o s e n to w a l k , we h a ve t o “ st r i k e a t a r g e t ” .

Now, t o b e ve r y, ve r y c l ear, I ’ m n o t t a l k i n g abou t u s i n g a g u n o r

h a r m i n g a n y l i v i ng t h i n g . B u t , l e t ’ s say y o u wa n t t o l a unch a b u s i n e s s a n d b ui ld a wo r l dwi de b r and, e x i t a n a b u s i ve wo r k o r p e r s o n al relationship, g r a du a t e wi t h h o n o r s , g e t y o ur child or pet the t r e a t m e n t t h e y need.

Wh e n a n a c h i e v em ent we wa n t t o m a k e is sacred to us, s o m e t i m e s we need t o b e f o r c e f u l – we n e e d t o ‘ s t r i k e’ wi t h t h e a c c u r a c y, s peed, and impact of a m e t a p h o r i c a l b ullet .

Ag a i n , I ’ m not speaking of real bullets.

U s e wi s do m a n d g o o d ju dg m e n t wh e n y o u t a p i n t o t h i s e n erg y.

B e ve r y s u r e t hat y o u c a n h a n dl e t h e t r a je c t o r y o n c e y o u ’ ve s e t i t in motion.

Re m e m b e r, a l l a c t i o n s h a ve c o n s e qu e n c e s .

H o we ve r, u s e d a p p r o p r i a t e l y, a nd wi t h n o i l l - wi l l

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items intende d – th i s part o f Ea gle a s a Pow er Anima l ca n s erv e you well.

Native American Eagle Symbolic Meanings

N a tive Ameri c an t ra dition e mbrac es b oth th e Go l d en Ea gle a nd th e Bal d Ea gle a s sa c red cr ea tur es. D epend ing o n th e tr ibe , E agl e rep r e sented brav ery, w isdom, forte, and as t he bea r er of prayers t o th e S pir i t real m.

The fea th e rs of th es e b ir ds w er e u s ed i n council meetings , and one my th tel l s u s t ha t th e S u n Bri nger, an Ea gle opened h is w ings to r e v eal th e sun a nd clos ed th em t o br ing da rk nes s .

Eagle as a Celtic Animal Symbol

Thr ee C elti c G od s has Ea gle s as s oc iated w ith th e m. L l ew ( Wel s h) a nd O d in ( Scandina via n) b oth h a ve t h e abil ity t o tr a nsfor m i nto an Ea gle.

13 Sisters of Delphi

Bird-Eagle

Mean wh i l e , i n G e r m a n t r a di t i o n E a g l e repre s e n t e d Wo da n c h i e f o f t h e g o ds .

Eagle Dreams

Dream s a b o u t E a g l e s c a n h a ve s e ve r a l mean i n g s . An E a g l e i n f l i g h t o f t e n t a l k s a bo ut taki n g a di f f e r e n t p e r s p e c t i ve o n a s i t u a t i on th at’ s e l u de d y o u . I t m a y a l s o b e a m e s s a g e f rom t h e U n i ve r s e t o p a y c l o s e r a t t e n t i o n t o y ou r i n n e r vo i c e a n d t r u s t i t .

Far Eastern Eagle Symbolic Meanings

I n Fen g S h u i , i m a g e s o f E a g l e p l a c e d i n th e N o r t h a n d E a s t s e c t i o n o f a h o m e b r i n g s l u c k , l o ve , a n d a c o m m i t t e d r e l a t i o n s h i p .

Be c e r t a i n , h o we ve r, t o m a k e s u r e t h e s e i mag es l ook a s i f t h e y a r e f l y i n g t o wa r d y o u r h o u se fo r great e s t s u c c e s s . E a g l e i m a g e s a r e a l s o s a id t o be go o d f o r b u s i n e s s a n d a c t a s a g u a r di a n o f th e p r e m i s e s .

Bald-Eagle Symbolic Meanings Key

• • • • • • • • • •

Div i n e M e s s a g e s F re e do m Great Spirit H i g h e r Pe r s p e c t i ve I nd e p e n de n c e Kee n - S i g h t Liberation Powe r Ps y c h i s m Vi s i o n Q u e s t s

https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animalmeanings/birds/eagle-symbolism-meaning/

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Power Items Stone-Ruby

Ruby Meaning The r uby is a l ustr ous, deep red stone t h at h as ac cr ued spec i al and symbolic m eaning t hr ough time.

Thr ough the ages , t he r uby h a s rep r e sented nobi l i ty, pur ity, a nd pas s i on.

From a ncie nt ti mes t hr ough th e mod ernda y, r ubie s h av e been v alue d by c u l tu res around th e w orl d .

Spiritual Meaning

The r uby is k now n as a p r otec ti v e stone th a t c an b r ing h a p pines s and passion int o th e l i f e o f th e wea r er. A part fr om its r e d c ol or, t his is w h y th e ru by ma ke s a p erf ec t gi f t for a love d one or o n occa sion s s u c h as Vale ntine’s Day or an a nniver sary.

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Bec aus e t h e r u b y ’ s h u e is close to the color of bl ood , wh i c h c a r r i e s ox yge n t o a l l p a r t s o f th e b o dy, t h e g e m s t o n e al s o r e p r e s e n t s vi t a l i t y and v i g o r ; i t i s b e l i e ve d th at t h e s t o n e h a s t h e pow e r t o a l i g n a n d l e n d energ y t o t h e b o dy. Th e ru by i s a l s o b e l i e ve d t o prote c t t h e we a r e r f rom n e g a t i ve e n t i t i e s th at le a c h p o s i t i ve energ y, p r o m o t i n g s piri t u a l vi t a l i t y a n d w el l n e s s o ve r a l l .

Emotional Meaning The ruby has long been r e p r e s e n t a t i ve o f roman t i c l o ve . I t i s s a i d to ins p i r e de vo t i o n a n d f aith f u l n e s s wi t h i n a roman t i c r e l a t i o n s h i p .

I n f ac t F r e n c h je we l e r s i n th e 1 8 0 0 s r e f e r r e d t o th e rub y a s t h e “ de a r l y l ov ed s t o n e . ” Th e f i e r y red c o l o r a n d s p a r k l e c an i n s p i r e s e n s u a l i t y i n th e we a r e r.

Roma n t i c c o n n o t a t i o n s as id e , t h e r u b y i s a beau t i f u l , ve r s a t i l e s tone f o r a n y o n e t o w ear. I t i s s a i d t o promo t e s e l f- c a r e i n t h e

we a r e r a n d i n s p i re c o n f i de n c e t o t ackle a l l a s p e c t s o f l i fe.

Th e r u b y i s o f t en sai d t o de c r e a s e a n x i et y a n d s e l f- do u b t . T he r u b y i s a g e m s t o ne that encourages t h e we a r e r t o l i ve f u l l y a n d e m b r ace wh a t e ve r h a p p ens.

I t a l l o ws t h e we arer t o s e e t h e i r s t r e ng t h and potential from t h e p e r s p e c t i ve o f t h e i r o wn h e a r t .

Th e r u b y i s o f t en g i ve n a s a g i f t f o r 1 5 t h o r 4 0 t h we ddi ng a n n i ve r s a r i e s .

Emotional Meaning

Th e r u b y h a s l ong b e e n r e p r e s e n t at i ve of romantic l o ve . I t i s s a i d to i n s p i r e de vo t i o n and faithfulness wi t h i n a r o m a nt i c r e l a t i o n s h i p . I n fact F r e n c h je we l e r s i n t h e 1 8 0 0 s r e f e rred t o t h e r u b y a s the “ d e a r l y l o ved s t o ne . ” Th e f i ery r e d c o l o r a n d sparkle c a n i n s p i r e s e n suali t y i n t h e we a r e r.

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Roma ntic connota tion s aside , th e r u by i s a b e a utiful, vers ati l e stone for a nyone to w ea r. It is s aid to promote se l f- c are in th e wea r er and inspir e con f id enc e t o ta ckle a l l as pec ts o f life .

The r uby is of ten s aid t o de cr ea se anx i ety and se lf-dou bt. T h e ruby is a ge ms tone t ha t encourages t he wea r er to l iv e fully a nd embrac e w h a te ve r h appens .

It a llows the w earer t o see th e ir s trength and p ote nti al f rom t he p er sp ec tiv e of t heir own heart. T h e ruby is often giv en as a gift for 15th o r 4 0 th w ed d i ng anniver sa r i es .

Wellness Meaning

In cr ysta l heal i ng, t he r uby is u s ed to alle via te bod y pai n and h e lp wi th bl ood and cir cula tory problems, low energy, hea r t p r oblems , and de toxifica tion. I n hi stor y, r ubi es w ere rubbed on th e s k i n t o pr omote v i tal ity

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Stone-Ruby and y o u t h . Ru b y i s s aid t o p r o m o t e o ve r a l l w el l n e s s i n t h e s e a r e a s and i n s p i r e b e t t e r h eal t h . Ru b y B i r t h s t o n e A l th o u g h i t c a r r i e s s pec i a l m e a n i n g f o r many p e o p l e , Ru b y i s es pec i a l l y va l u e d a s a bi rt h s t o n e f o r t h o s e born i n J u l y.

T h is b i r t h s t o n e i s s a i d to bri n g g o o d l u c k a n d prote c t i o n , a n d i t s f i e r y c ol or c o m p l e m e n t s t h e ou tgo i n g a n d p a s s i o n a t e pers o n a l i t i e s o f t h o s e born i n t h i s m o n t h .

Moreo ve r r e p r e s e n t pas s i o n , p o we r, c ou ra g e , a n d l o ve .

Bi rths t o n e s we r e ori gi n a l l y b a s e d u p o n rel igi o u s / s p i r i t u a l s i gnif i c a n c e s . Th i s mean i n g c h a n g e d i n th e We s t e r n wo r l d. I n 1912, b i r t h s t o n e s we r e s tanda r di z e d, g i vi n g u s th e ex p a n s i ve l i s t we k now t o da y.

Origin & Formation Ru bie s a r e m a de f r o m th e m i n e r a l c o r u n du m or al um i n u m o x i de .

Wh e n r u b i e s a re t r e a t e d t o e x t r em e h e a t a n d p r e s s ure, they are formed u n de r t h e e a r t h’s s u r f a c e . C o r u n d um i s m a de o f de n sely p a c k e d o x y g e n and a l u m i n u m a t o ms.

Ty p i c a l l y, t h i s r e s u l t s i n a c o l o rless s u b s t a n c e . H o wever, wh e n s o m e o f t he a l u m i n u m a t o ms are replaced by other minerals or s u b s t a n c e s , t h e st o ne c a n t a k e o n o t her c o l o r s . Th i s i s ho w t h e r u b y i s f o r m ed a n d g e t s i t s de ep red hue.

S p e c i f i c a l l y, t h e p r e s e n c e o f c h r o m i um c r e a t e s a de e p red c o l o r. Ra r e o r a n g e a n d p i n k s h a de s o f ruby are created by the presence of c h r o m i u m a n d ferri c i r o n . I f 1 % o f t he a l u m i n u m a t o ms are replaced by c h r o m i u m a t o m s, t he r u b y f o r m s a deep r e d c o l o r.

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items H oweve r, the pre sence of s i l i c a o r ir on pr e v ents t he for ma ti on of a ruby. S ince th es e are b oth ver y c ommonl y pre sent in th e earth ’ s cr ust, r ubies are rare t o find. To ad d to t ha t, cor und u m i s also a r a r e mineral .

The ma jor ity of ru by de posits a r e f ou nd in Asia in c ou ntries including M yanmar, Tha ila nd, I nd i a, Pa kista n, a nd Nepal .

Rubies a r e f ou nd along th e s tretc h o f la nd th a t b or der s H imal ay an mounta in range.

As th e cont inents of Asia a nd the I nd i an subcontine nt c ol l id ed w ith e a ch o th er, th e immense p res s u re and p r e senc e mine r a ls cr eated de posit of r u bi es .

The for ma tion of rubie s da te s bac k t o 5 0 million y ears .

Additiona l ru by de posits ca n al s o found Ma dagas c ar, Ma cedonia , Montana.

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Stone-Ruby T h e m a jo r i t y o f r u b i e s h av e i m p e r f e c t i o n s th at a r e f o r m e d natu r a l l y wh e n t h e ru by i s de ve l o p i n g w ith i n t h e e a r t h . Th e s e c h ara c t e r i s t i c s a r e c omm o n l y r e f e r r e d t o as ru t i l e n e e dl e s o r s i l k .

T h es e r u t i l e n e e dl e s a r e a distinguishing factor betw e e n n a t u r a l a n d l ab- c r e a t e d r u b i e s .

P ri z ed a s o n e o f t h e mos t va l u a b l e a n d s tu nn i n g g e m s t o n e s , ru by h a s a l o n g a n d r i c h h i s to r y a s s o c i a t e d wi t h i t. W he t h e r i t ’ s a m a z i n g mini n g l o c a t i o n s , i nc l us i o n i n r o y a l j ew el s o r m y t h i c a l l o r e , ru bi e s h a ve b e e n i n t h e l i meli g h t f o r many c e n t u r i e s .

Rubies In History Ru bie s h a ve b e e n treas u r e d b y b o t h anc i e n t a n d m o de r n c u l tu r e s a s a p r e c i o u s gemst o n e k n o wn f o r i ts be a u t i f u l r e d h u e and p a s s i o n a t e s p a r k l e .

Ru bie s h a ve b e e n as s oc i a t e d wi t h p a s s i o n , l ov e a s we l l a s b e a u t y and w i s do m . I n a n c i e n t

I n di a , r u b y i s i n fact called t h e “ r a t na r a j” o r t h e “ k i ng of p r e c i o u s s t o n e s .”

Ru b i e s a r e k n o wn fo r t h e i r h a r dn e s s and de n s i t y wh i c h makes t h e m a va l u a b l e a ddi t i o n t o je w elry.

H o we ve r, s o m e a n c i e n t c u l t u r e s also used rubies in other forms or to s y m b o l i z e o t h e r.

Fo r e x a m p l e , i n B u r m a (n o w c alle d M y a n m a r ), warri o rs carried rubies, m a k i n g t h e m s e e t hat t h e y we r e i n vi nci b le i n b a t t l e . Th e y di d s o b y i n s e r t i n g t hem into their flesh b e f o r e l e a vi n g ho m e.

An c i e n t h i n du s also b e l i e ve d t h a t t ho se i n p o s s e s s i o n o f a rub y wo u l d b e a f f o r ded p r o t e c t i o n a n d safet y.

Th o s e wh o o f f e red r u b i e s a s g i f t s to t h e g o ds wo u l d b e b l e s s e d wi t h a hi g h p o s i t i o n i n t h e ir next life.

H i s t o r i c a l r e c o rds i n di c a t e t h a t r ub i es

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

w er e being s ol d along th e S il k rou te in C h ina a s earl y as 200 B.C . C hines e w a r r ior s a dorned t heir sw or d s w i th rubie s for p rotec ti on.

The y w er e al s o pu t in th e foun d ations of b uildings t o ens u re prosper ity.M any ancient p eopl es al s o b e lie ve d th at th e ruby h a d my s ti c al proper tie s w h en w orn o n th e left s id e of t he body.

Stone-Ruby

O v ert i m e , m a n y l a r g e r u b i e s we r e m i n e d a nd ac q u i r e d b y r o y a l f a m i l i e s a r o u n d t h e wo r ld.

T h es e wo u l d i n c l u de t h e , B l a c k Pr i n c e Ru by and th e B u r m e s e Ru b y Ti a r a f o r Q u e e n E l i z a b e t h.

T h e n a m e o f t h e r u b y c o m e s f r o m t h e wo r d “ru be r ” wh i c h m e a n s r e d. Th e wo r d e vo l ve d to be c o m e r u b y o ve r t i m e . Ru b i e s h a ve n o w bec om e o n e o f t h e b i g t h r e e g e m s t o n e s (ot h e r s a re e m e r a ld a n d s a p p h i r e ). Th e y a r e used ex ten s i ve l y t o c r a f t je we l r y a r o u n d t h e wo rld. ack/withclarity.com

This w ould al l ow t he wea r er to l iv e pea ce fully and be sa ved fr om al l peri l s .

Thr ough the ages , people beli ev ed th at rubie s h a d magi c al power s. In th e Mid d l e Age s, peop l e bel i ev ed t ha t ge ms f ou nd w ith ca r ved ima ges ex is ted t ha t w a y na tu ral l y.

W h ile th e r ed c ol or o f r uby wa s f amou s for ma ny ce ntu ries , it wa s not s eparated fr om oth er red g e mstones l ike g a r ne t, tourmal i ne and sp inel pri or to t he 1 8 0 0 ’s.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Flower-Larkspur

Consolida aj ac is and Consolida ambigu a Some folk names f or la r ksp ur : l ark’ s h eel , la r k’s toe, l ark ’ s c la w, knigh t’ s s pu r, sta gge r weed General La r ksp ur is an annua l me mber of t h e butter c u p f ami l y Ra nuncula c eae ( of which a l l memb ers , to my knowl edg e, are toxic) .

It is na tive to A s i a, Eur ope, a n d th e Me dite r r a n ean re gion but h as na tur a lized t h r ough out th e c ivilize d w orl d d u e t o its pop u l ari ty as a ga r den p la nt.

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I t gro ws t o 2 - 4 f e e t tal l w i t h l o o s e s p i k e s of bl u e , p u r p l e , p i n k or w hi t e f l o we r s t h a t appea r i n t h e s u m m e r bu t f a de i n e x c e s s i ve h eat. Th e f l o we r s a r e partic u l a r l y i n t e r e s t i n g .

T h ey h a ve 1 p i s t i l a n d s ev er a l s t a m e n s , f o u r petal s , t wo o f wh i c h are f u s e d a t t h e t o p and 5 s e p a l s .

Fou r o f t h e s e p a l s l o o k like petals and the f i f th l o o k s l i k e a s p u r ex ten di n g f r o m t h e bac k o f t h e f l o we r, t h u s th e c o m m o n n a m e . Th e f i nel y c u t , f e r n - l i k e l eav e s a r e a l s o v ery a t t r a c t i ve .

T h ere a r e a b o u t 4 0 s pec i e s o f l a r k s p u r a n d h u nd r e ds o f c u l t i va r s c reate d f o r a n d by h o r t i c u l t u r i s t s .

Growing Larkspur in the Garden

L ark s p u r i s ve r y e a s y to gro w i n a s u n n y s p o t w ith r i c h , we l l - dr a i n e d s oil . Th e y a r e e a s i l y s tarte d f r o m s e e d a n d d o no t t r a n s p l a n t we l l , s o s ow t h e m r i g h t i n y ou r g a r de n a s s o o n a s

t h e da n g e r o f f ro st h a s p a s s e d.

Th e y e n jo y c o o l we a t h e r a n d wi ll b e g i n t o f a de i n t he s u m m e r h e a t . Yo u can de a dh e a d t h e m at t h i s p o i n t o r l e t t hem seed out so they return the f o l l o wi n g y e a r.

L a r k s p u r i s t o x ic s o i t wi l l n o t b e b o t h e r e d b y r a bb i t s o r de e r. I t i s e nj o y ed b y b u t t e r f l i e s a nd b u m b l e b e e s , h o wever.

Some Larkspur History and Folklore

Th e n a m e C o n s o li da i s f r o m t h e L a t i n “to c o ns o l i d a t e ” .

Greek mythology-

Aja x s l e w h i m s e lf a f t e r h e di s h o n o red h i m s e l f i n a t e mper wh e n h e di d n ot r e c e i ve t h e a r mo r of Achilles and l a r k s p u r s p r a n g fro m h i s b l o o d. I t i s sai d t h a t AI c a n b e seen t h e p e t a l s o f t he l a r k s p u r, t h e G reek c r y o f m o u r n i n g.

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items La r ksp ur may h av e ha d a tr a ditional u s e among soldiers to help contr ol body lice .

La r ksp ur is one of t h e bir th flow ers f or t h e month of J u l y Craft Uses for Larkspur

La r ksp ur is a l ov el y cut flower f or bouquets.

Magical Uses for Larkspur

La r ksp ur c arri es feminine a nd re sona tes wi th th e pla ne t Venu s and th e Wa te r ele ment.

Be ca use of its associa tion w ith Aja x, a h ero of th e Tr oja n w a r, as w el l as h ea ling w ou nd s on th e ba tt l ef i el d and h e lp ing to f i gh t lice infestations among th e troops , la r ksp ur is a s u i tabl e addition to any spe ll r ela ted to th e pr ote ction, c omf ort and ca r e of s ol d iers and oth er h ero ty pes . ( pol ice of f icers ,

13 Sisters of Delphi

Flower-Larkspur

f iref i g h t e r s , a i d vo l un t e e r s , e t c . ).

I t is a l s o p a r t i c u l a r l y appro p r i a t e f o r ri tu als t o h o n o r t h e h eroi c de a d.

A c c or di n g t o Cu nn i n g h a m ’ s E nc y c o l o p e di a o f Magi c a l H e r b s , L a r k s p u r h el ps k e e p a wa y g h o s t s , s c orp i o n s a n d o t h e r v enom o u s c r e a t u r e s .

P l ant a r o u n d y o u r h ome t o k e e p a wa y d ange r o u s c r e a t u r e s a n d u nf ri e n dl y s p i r i t s . O r w ear l a r k s p u r t o p r o t e c t you rs e l f f r o m t h e m .

L arks p u r h a s b e e n u s e d th roug h o u t E u r o p e in v ar i o u s p r o t e c t i o n s pel l s . B u n c h e s m a y be h u n g i n t h e s t a b l e to pre ve n t t h e a n i m a l s f rom t h e f t o r p r e da t i o n ( jus t k e e p i t o u t o f the an i m a ls ’ r e a c h a s l a r k s p u r i s t o xi c ).

g a i e t y, l e vi t y, and purity of heart.

Healing Uses for Larkspur

H i s t o r i c a l l y b e en used to treat h e m o r r h o i ds , c o li c i n c h i l dr e n a n d wounds.

I n t e r n a l u s e i s no t r e c o m m e n de d d ue t o t o x i c i t y.

A t i n c t u r e o f t he s e e ds i s i n s e c t i ci dal a n d t r a di t i o n a l ly u s e d f o r h e a d l i ce a n d b o dy l i c e .

Larkspur’s Toxicity

Th e l e a ve s a n d seeds contain the toxin de l p h i n i n e , wh ich i s t o x i c a n d h a s b een k n o wn t o p o i s o n g r a z i n g l i ve s t o ck.

Some people e x p e r i e n c e c o n t act de r m a t i t i s a f t e r h a n dl i n g l a r k s p ur. https://witchipedia.com/ book-of-shadows/herblore/ larkspur/

E ith e r t h e dr i e d o r f r e s h f l ow e r s m a y b e u s e d.

I n th e l a n g u a g e o f f l ow e r s , l a r k s p u r m e a n s

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Power Items Herb-Chervil Cu l pe p e r wo u l d d es c r i b e t h e h e r b as h a vi n g s t o m a c h w arm i n g m e di c i n a l prope r t i e s . H e a l s o c l ai m e d t h a t i t wa s a rem e dy f o r c l o t t e d bl ood a s we l l a s f o r ki d ne y s t o n e s .

Th e C h er vi l pl ant o rigina ted i n E as tern E ur ope a nd w ou l d la te r be dis pers ed by colonizing Romans .

Th e h e r b was a familia r one to th e Ancie nt Romans , Gr e eks a nd Ch ines e.

Th e Roma n s w ere pa r ticula r ly f ond of it for fla vori ng f ood .

Its cultiva tion and u se gr e w wi th th e Roma n Empire.

Th e 1 st centu ry Roma n schol ar P l i ny b elie ve d th at c h erv i l wa s a diur eti c and in t h e medie v al period , it w a s be lie v ed to cle a nse th e bod y o f imp ur iti es .

In th e 1 7 th c entu ry, b ota nist Ni c h ol as

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T h e L a t i n f o r c h e r vi l mean s “ l e a ve s o f j o y.” Ak a Au t h r i s c u s c eref o l i u m a n d i s o f t e n ov erl o o k e d c o m p o n e n t of f i n e h e r b s b u t i s s tron g l y f l a t t e r i n g t o s ome f o o ds . C h e r vi l i s not a n h e r b f o r dr y i n g bu t th e f l a vo r r e c a l l s mi l d p a r s l e y wi t h a n anis e t i n g e .

Ch erv i l , s o m e t i m e s c al l ed F r e n c h p a r s l e y or ga r de n c h e r vi l , i s a d el i c a t e a n n u a l h e r b rel ate d t o p a r s l e y. I t w as f o r m e r l y c a l l e d my rhi s du e t o i t s v ol ati l e o i l wi t h a n arom a s i m i l a r t o t h e res i n o u s s u b s t a n c e of my r r h .

Ch erv i l ’ s t a s t e i s b e s t d es c r i b e d a s a t o n e d d ow n , f i n e de l i c a t e v ers io n o f a c r o s s

b e t we e n t a r r a g o n a n d p a r s l e y wi t h a note of anise or m i n t wi t h o u t e it her o f t h o s e f l a vo r s c o m i n g t h r o u g h.

Th e a p p e a r a n c e o f C h e r vi l i s s l i g h t ly p a l e r m o r e de l i cat e and more finely shaped flat leaf p a r s l e y. Th e e d g es o f t h e l e a ve s a r e f r i l l i e r a n d t h i nner.

S o m e t i m e s b u nches o f c h e r vi l wi l l have l e a ve s t h a t a r e qui t e t i g h t l y c l o s e d, alm o st f l o we r l i k e . Avoi d c h e r vi l wi t h a c tual b l o s s o m s a t t a c hed t o i t – t h a t u s u ally means the herb wi l l h a ve t u r n e d a b i t b i t t e r.

C h e r vi l i s a s p r i ng h e r b . L i k e p a r s ley a n d c i l a n t r o , h e at wi l l c a u s e c h e r vi l t o b o l t , g o t o s e e d , and t u r n b i t t e r.

C h e r vi l i s n ’ t a s c o m m o n a s p a r sley o r c i l a n t r o , h o wever, s o y o u wi l l p r o bab ly n e e d t o h u n t i t do wn

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items Herb-Chervil

at specia lty s tores or f armers m a r k e t s .

Ch e r vil Is p artic u l arl y d el ic io u s wi t h e g g s i n va r i e d f o r m s a n d i t can br ing a fr es h ki c k w h en ad d e d t o l i g h t l y dr e s s e d s a l a ds . C h e r vi l also goe s w el l with cr e a m ed s ou ps and s au c e s .

Wh en you c annot l oc ate c h ervi l , y o u c a n u s e a c o m b i n a t i o n o f t a r r ag o n and p a r sle y. Ch iv es or d il l w h i c h a l s o p a i r we l l wi t h e g g s c a n wo r k well in pla ce of c h erv il , ev en th ou g h t h e t a s t e wi l l b e quite different. https://www.thespruceeats.com/all-about-chervil-4114753 https://artofeating.com/chervil/ https://www.spiceography.com/chervil/

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Witch Tools-Scourge

“But ever mind that as water and salt purifies the body, so the scourge purifies the soul.

So mote it be!”

Ma ny diffe rent ty pes of S cour ges c an be see n — some w ith t e eth a tta c h ed to t h e e nd. S ome w i th iron cuttings . Some with bla de s .

De vout C h ri s ti ans use th e scou rge to re live th e p ain th at J esus fe lt pri or to his cr ucifix i on at th e ha nds of th e Romans .

It is sa fe t o sa y th a t w h at J esus unde rw ent w as t r uly h or r if ic .

Th e use of s c ou rging wa s w ide ly ac c epted in th e C h r i s tian wor ld a s both a

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pu nish m e n t a n d a l s o a w ay o f p u r i f i c a t i o n .

To ma k e t h e m s e l ve s s pi rit u a l l y c l e a n t h e willing use of the Sc ou r g e b y p r a c t i t i o n e r s in orde r t o b r i n g th ems e l ve s c l o s e r t o th eir G o d t o m e i s m o r e an ac t o f s e l f- h a r m d riv en b y de vo t i o n .

Ch ris t i a n i t y do e s h arbo u r a de e p s h a m e c omp l e x s o t h e u s e o f th e S c o u r g e c a n b e s een a s a s y m b o l o f s el f- lo a t h i n g .

The Scourge symbolises pow e r a n d do m i n a t i o n .

Now t h e f i r s t t h i n g many wo u l d t h i n k a b o u t is BD S M . Th e S c o u r g e in th i s r e s p e c t i s u s e d f or er o t i c p l e a s u r e b u t th at’ s n o t m y b a g .

Pow er a n d do m i n a t i o n c an b e u s e d f o r g o o d and f o r i l l . I wi e l d th e p o we r i n t r u t h and i n t h e b e l i e f t h a t w h at I a m do i n g i s i n c onj u n c t i o n wi t h m y h igh e r s e l f a n d wi t h h arm t o n o n e . A s a s ymbo l o f p o we r, t h e Sc ou r g e c a n b e u s e d o n

s o m e b o dy e l s e and used out of term. I vi e w t h e S c o u r ge, h o we ve r, a s a sy m b o l o f s e l f- di s c i p l i n e and p e r s o n a l p o we r.

I need to take control and full responsibility for m y s e l f. I n e e d t o e va l u a t e m y a c ti o ns a n d t h o u g h t s a nd know the real m e a n i n g b e h i n d why I s a y o r do a c e rt ai n t h i n g . B y wo r k i ng t o h a r n e s s m y own p o we r a n d u s i n g i t wi t h o u t e g o i t w i ll enable me to not only see past my o wn i n di vi du a l a b i l i t y b u t b e a b le to see and truly a p p r e c i a t e t h e ab i li t y a n d p e r s o n a l p ower in other people.

Th e S c o u r g e also symbolises k n o wl e dg e a n d c h a n g e . K n o wl e dg e comes through s u f f e r i n g . I n m any f a i t h s a n d c u l t ures p a i n i s n e c e s s a ry for the soul to be r e b o r n . D i f f i c u lt

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Witch Tools-Scourge

l if e e xper ie nc es yie ld wisdo m and w e e me r ge f rom t ha t suffer i ng w ith a de eper und ers tand i ng about th e wh y and h ow a nd w e hopefully learn fr om th a t.

Suffer ing is a key motiva tor t o w ant to ma ke ch a ng es .

The S cour g e bri ngs me closer to th e Spir itua l. To D i v ini ty.

For a moment w h en t he S cour ge tou c h es t he body it al l ow s you to h a ve a s pec i al dir ect experi enc e of t he Divine.

U nlike th e fla gella tion i n Chr istia nity, th e Sc our ge in Wi c c a inflicts no pain b ut ser ves to giv e u s a lesson , I t’ s a reminde r th at pai nf u l t hings h a p pen in l if e a nd w e need to ac ce pt th a t and l ike t he ‘pa in’ f rom th e Sc our ge , it pas s es and lea ves u s w i th u nde r sta nd ing and

13 Sisters of Delphi

w i s d o m . U l t i m a t e l y, t h e tru e s p i r i t u a l a s p e c t of th e S c o u r g i n g i n th e C i r c l e i s t h e f a c t th at Pu r i f i c a t i o n o f th e S p i r i t i s a b l e s s i n g bes to we d u p o n u s b y th e S c o u r g e .

I may b e wr o n g b u t I v i ew t h e S c o u r g e (a n d its p u r i f y i n g f a c e t ) as bei n g t h e b a l a n c i n g tool . I n t h e Q a b a l a h th ere a r e 3 p i l l a r s — Merc y, B a l a n c e a n d Sev er i t y. Th e S c o u r g e i s th at m i ddl e p i l l a r.

I s ee t h e S c o u r g e a s eq u at i n g t o t h e e l e m e n t of F ir e . I f e e l t h i s c onne c t i o n du e t o t h e use of the Scourge s ti mul a t i n g t h e s k i n a n d mak i n g t h e b l o o d r u s h to th e s u r f a c e .

The Scourge has 8 tail s wh i c h I b e l i e ve repre s e n t t h e E i g h t f o l d path o f Wi c c a n Po we r ou tl in e d b e l o w – • T he F i r s t Pa t h : I nt e n t i o n a n d c on c e n t r a t i o n o f i nt e n t . M e n t a l imagery or v is u a l i z a t i o n .

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

M e di t a t i o n .

Th e S e c o n d Pat h: Ri s i n g u p o n t he Pl a n e s u s i n g t h e m a n y t r a nce states, better k n o wn t o da y as “altered states of c o ns c i o u s ne s s ” Pr o je c t i o n o f t he a s t r a l b o dy.

Th e Th i r d Pa t h: Th e k e y s , r i t es, r i t u a l s , c h a n t s, spell casting, r u n e s , c h a r m s, a m u l e t s , t a l i sm ans, a n d t h e Ar t Magical.

Th e Fo u r t h Pat h: Ri t u a l wi n e s , b e ve r a g e s , c akes, incense.

Th e F i f t h Pa t h: Th e da n c e s a nd k i n dr e d p r a c t i ces t o r a i s e t h e co ne o f p o we r.

Th e S i x t h Pat h: Wa r r i c k i n g , b r e a t h c o n t r o l and k i n dr e d p r a c t i ces.

Th e S e ve n t h Pat h: Th e An c i e n t Ri t e of scourging to p u r i f y.

Th e E i g h t h Pat h: Th e G r e a t Rit e.

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Power Items

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T h e p h ysi c al and spir itua l u nion of ma le a nd f emal e to cr ea te lif e.

Ea ch ta il can be knotted w ith 5 knots w h ich symbol i s e th e Fi ve -fold K is s .

“Blessed be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways Blessed be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar Blessed be thy [womb/ phallus], without which we would not be Blessed be thy breasts, formed in [beauty/strength] Blessed be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names.”

The S cour g e i s pre sented as a tool for th e 2 nd D egree b e ca use th e I nitiate w ill now be abl e to g o for th a nd ini ti ate o th e r s. Th is th en t akes us ba c k to th e u se of th e S c ou rge for Pur ifica ti on and Enligh te nment bu t also for Pow er and Domina tion.

26

A s w e k n o w, t h e Sc ou r g e i s a s y m b o l o f l ov e a n d c o m p a s s i o n and a s a n i n i t i a t o r we must temper the Sc ou r g e wi t h l o ve . Th e Ki s s i s g i ve n a n d i s a c ontr a s t t o t h e S c o u r g e .

W h il e t h e S c o u r g i n g i s th e Pe r f e c t Tr u s t a s p e c t , th e K i s s i s t h e Pe r f e c t L ov e. Th e S c o u r g i n g t h e ou ter p u r i f i c a t i o n a n d th e K i s s t h e i nner p u r i f i c a t i o n .

The final part is important…

The Scourge is the u l ti m a t e s y m b o l o f l ov e, e m p a t h y a n d c omp a s s i o n . Th e Sc ou r g e r e m i n ds m e o f th e n e e d t o t r e a t p e o p l e w ith l o vi n g k i n dn e s s .

A s an e m p a t h , t h i s g i f t c an b e b o t h a b l e s s i n g and a c u r s e b u t b e c a u s e of it I h a ve c o m e t o u nd er s t a n d t h a t we are a l l e qu a l a n d t r u l y i nterc o n n e c t e d. We a l l w ant t h e s a m e t h i n g s .

We ar e a l l m o t i va t e d by ma n y o f t h e s a m e need s . B y t r u l y c a r i n g abou t o t h e r p e o p l e a n d

b e i n g wi l l i n g t o st ep i n t o s o m e b o dy else’s shoes and being wi l l i n g t o e x p e r i ence wh a t s o m e b o dy e l s e i s f e e l i n g is a p o we r f u l a c t o f e m p a t h y.

Yo u b e c o m e o n e i n t h a t m o m e n t wi t h s o m e b o dy. Th i s i s do n e wi t h o u t e g o and do n e f o r n o r e w ard o t h e r t h a n wa nt i ng t h e ve r y b e s t f or t hat person.

Th e S c o u r g e i n t erm s o f l o ve , e m p a t hy and compassion is b e s t de s c r i b e d as “ Pe r f e c t L o ve an d Pe r f e c t Tr u s t .”

Th e D e s c e n t o f t he G o dde s s i s wh y I a t t r i b u t e t h e S co urg e wi t h l o ve . Th e G o dde s s jo u r n e y s t o t h e U n de r world i n o r de r t o u n de r s t a n d D e at h a n d t h e s u f f e r i ng o f Her people.

Th e r e s h e u n de rg o es a s e r i e s o f o r de als a n d t h e n D e a t h asks

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t h e Goddes s to k neel in ord er t o b e s c o u r g e d.

Wh en be ing s c ou rged , th e G o dde s s c r i e s “ I k no w t h e p a ng s o f l ove .”

Th e Goddes s gav e of H ers el f f o r t h e p e o p l e . A t r u e a c t o f c o m p a s s i o n.

Th e Goddes s in l ov i ng H er pe o p l e wa n t e d t o di r e c t l y e x p e r i e n c e what t h e y fe lt a n d d id s o ou t of l ove . Th i s i s a n i m p o r t a n t l e s s o n .

Th e De sce nt s h ow s th e G od d e s s p e r f o r m a n a c t o f s e l f- s a c r i f i c e a n d t he Scour ge r emind s me th at I ne e d t o r e l i n qu i s h wh a t n o l o n g e r s e r ves m y gr ea te r good in ord er to be th e c h a n g e I wa n t t o s e e i n t h i s wo r l d .

Yet w e mus t not s ac rif ic e ou r h i g h e s t i de a l s a n d dr e a m s f o r a n y o ne else.

I will do a ll I c an to be th e be s t I c a n b e a n d I wi l l h o n o u r t h e G o ds and Godde sses as a P ri es tes s w ith p r i de , s t r e n g t h a n d vi g o u r. https://medium.com/@ashmcauliffemusic/pondering-the-scourge-c4416fad6260

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Power Items Tree- Holly

H olly is a n anc i ent and la sting s y mbol o f h ope for Chr istma s and pagan mid-w intertime.

The r e ’s som eth i ng de eply ma g ic al and ch e er ful a b ou t th e g listening green holly le a ves , s o per fe ct for s h ow i ng o ff th e br ig h t red b e r r ies, both s h ini ng and cur va ceou s .

Roote d in t h e mis ts o f time wh en peopl e held da ngerou s spir its a nd d ark nigh ts a t bay w ith its mir a culou s w i nter g r eener y a nd th e spa r king h o pe of l onge r, br ig h ter d ay s t o come . Unl ike much of our magic al hi stor y, h ol l y s ti l l holds swa y ov er ou r ima gina tion s tod ay.

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ABOUT HOLLY H ol l y i s t h e U K ’ s m o s t c omm o n e ve r g r e e n . I t ’ s as h a p p y i n t h e f o r m of a s h r u b b r i g h t e n i n g u p the da r k c o r n e r s of w o o ds a l l o ve r t h e c ou nt r y. H o l l y i s k n o wn f or h e r b e a u t i f u l b u t tou gh a n d s p i k y l e a ve s , bu t ha ve y o u n o t i c e d th at t h e l e a ve s h i g h e r u p ar e l e s s s p i n y ?

T h e sp i n e s s t o p brow s i n g a n i m a l s s u c h a s de e r, c a t t l e and s h e e p f r o m e a t i n g th em b u t h i g h e r u p t h e ani ma l s c a n ’ t r e a c h a n d th e l e a ve s do n ’ t n e e d th e s a m e p r o t e c t i o n .

T h ere a r e o ve r 2 0 0 c u l ti va t e d va r i e t i e s o f ou r n a t i ve h o l l y a n d w h il e t h e L a t i n n a m e , I l ex a qu i f o l i u m , m e a n s ‘ w ith p o i n t e d l e a ve s ’ , not a l l o f t h e m are p r i c k l y.

H ol l y i s di o e c i o u s th i s m e a n s u n l i k e mos t o f o u r p r e vi o u s I ntree du c i n g t r e e s w h ic h h a d b o t h m a l e and f e m a l e p a r t s o n th e s a m e t r e e , a h o l l y pl ant i s e i t h e r m a l e o r

f e m a l e . Th i s m e ans t h a t b u s h e s wi t h b e r r i e s a r e a l way s female and both m a l e a n d f e m a le plants need to be in t h e a r e a f o r c r osspollination to happen.

B o t h t h e m a l e s and f e m a l e s p r o du ce r e d b u ds wh i c h de ve l o p s m a l l whi t e f l o we r s i n M a y. Frui t de ve l o p s i n J u ly, but remains hard a n d g r e e n u n t i l t he n e x t s u m m e r. Ho lly t r e e s a r e p o l l i nat ed b y i n s e c t s , a n d seed s p r e a d b y b i r ds, passing through their guts before germination.

To f i n d o u t t h e sex of a holly plant you h a ve t o wa i t u nt i l the plants begin f l o we r i n g , u s u a lly b e t we e n 4 a n d 1 2 years of age. In m a l e s p e c i m e n s, t he f l o we r s a r e y e l lo wi sh a n d a p p e a r i n g ro ups.

In the female, f l o we r s a r e i s o lat ed o r i n g r o u p s o f t hree

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Power Items and a r e sm al l and wh ite or sligh tly pink.

Holly a s a tree i s not a ma ssive g i ant, i t gr ows to 1 0– 25 m t a ll with a w ood y ste m a s w id e as 40– 80 cm. Th e l eav es ar e 5 –1 2 c m l ong and 2 –6 cm broad ; t h e y a r e e v ergreen, la sting a bo u t f iv e yea r s, a nd are d ark gr een on the u pper sur fa ce a nd l igh ter on th e unders id e, ova l, le a thery and wa xy.

In th e youn g and in t h e lower branc h es of ma tur e trees , th e lea ves h a ve th ree to fi ve sh a r p s pi nes on ea ch side , pointi ng alter na tely u pw ard and downw ard . With a str a igh t tru nk and pyr a mida l c row n br a nch ing f rom th e ba se, it gr o w s s l ow l y.

It ca n live 500 y ears , but usua lly d oes not re a ch 1 0 0 .

It is ver y a d aptabl e t o differ e nt conditions and is a

13 Sisters of Delphi

Tree-Holly

pione e r s p e c i e s t h a t repop u l a t e s t h e m a r g i n s of f or e s t s o r c l e a r c u t s .

I t w as p o p u l a r wi t h th e Vi c t o r i a n s , u s e d i n earl y f o r m a l g a r de n s and v a l u e d f o r i t s tol era n c e t o p o l l u t i o n i n indu s t r i a l a r e a s ; i t ’ s v ers a t i l e a s we l l as bea u t i f u l .

H ol l y, o r E u r o p e a n h ol l y a s i t s o m e t i m e s k nown , o c c u r s n a t u r a l l y in western, central and s ou the r n E u r o p e . I t a l s o oc c u r s i n N o r t h Af r i c a , i n Mo r o c c o , Al g e r i a a n d Tu nis i a , a n d f u r t h e r eas t, i n t h e C a u c a s u s Mou n t a i n s a n d n o r t h e r n I ran. I t h a s a l s o b e e n i ntrod u c e d t o a n u m b e r of oth e r c o u n t r i e s , i nc l udi n g N e w Z e a l a n d, tempe r a t e p a r t s o f A u s tr a l i a a n d t h e Pa c i f i c Northwe s t o f N o r t h A mer i c a , i n a l l o f wh i c h i t h as c a u s e d p r o b l e m s as an i n va s i ve s p e c i e s .

HOLLY AND NATURE H ol l y n o t o n l y p r o t e c t s i ts el f b u t o t h e r c reatu r e s t o o . Th e s p i k y tangl e s a r e a r e f u g e f o r

b i r ds wh o n e s t and roost there s a f e f r o m p r e dat o rs.

S o m e t i m e s a n i mals i n c l u di n g de e r may use Holly as a shelter in wi n t e r s t o r m s .

Th e b r i g h t b e r ri es are an important s o u r c e o f f o o d fo r m a n y b i r ds a n d wi ld a n i m a l s e s p e c i a lly du r i n g wi n t e r ’ s t i m e o f s c a r c i t y. H o lly i s ve r y c l e ve r and a r r a n g e s t h e t i m i ng e x a c t l y t o c o n t ro l h o w i t s s e e ds a r e di s p e r s e d.

I n a u t u m n a n d early wi n t e r t h e f r u i ts a r e h a r d a n d b it t er b e c a u s e o f m i l dly t o x i c c o m p o u n d s.

Re p e a t e d wi n t e r f r o s t s b r e a k do wn these compounds m a k i n g t h e b e r ri es tastier in late wi n t e r a n d e a r ly s p r i n g wh e n m ost o t h e r b e r r i e s h a ve long gone.

B u t t h e y a r e s t ill slightly toxic so

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Power Items crea tur es wi l l only ea t a f ew at a t ime. T h is l ead s to frequent vis its and see ds a r e spread i n d r oppings in l ots of d iffer e nt p l ac es ov er a long per i od of time.

Unlike oth er nati v e shr ubs, h oll y l eav es ar e ver y to u gh and unp a latabl e to inse cts. H o l l y l eav es pr ovide foo d f or j u s t 29 sp ecie s of ins ec ts , comp a r ed to nearl y 20 0 for h aw th orn and ove r 260 for bla ckthorn.

Th e inse cts th at d o fe ed on h ol l y include th e beau tif u l holly blue bu tterf l y, wh ose ca te rpi l l ars feed on sof ter parts like flow ers , y ou ng be r r ies a nd y ou ng lea ves. H oll y l eaf mine r s fe ed f or mu c h longer on eac h bu s h .

As ne w leav es u nf u rl in Apr il a nd May, fema le lea f mi ners la y th e ir eggs on th e unde r side of l eaf sta lks or th e bas e of

30

Tree-Holly

th e m i dr i b . Th e l a r va e f eed s wi t h i n t h e m i dr i b , mov in g t o wa r ds t h e l eaf- t i p , u n t i l J a n u a r y, w h en i t e m e r g e s i n t o th e l e a f b l a de a n d mak e s a t u n n e l t h r o u g h th e c e n t r e o f t h e l e a f.

Adults emerge the f ol l owi n g M a y o r J u n e .

T h e f l o we r s a r e attrac t i ve a s n e c t a r s ou rc e s f o r i n s e c t s s u c h as bee s , wa s p s , f l i e s , and s m a l l b u t t e r f l i e s .

HOLLY USES I t ma y s u r p r i s e u s tod ay b u t b e t we e n th e th i r t e e n t h a n d ei gh te e n t h c e n t u r i e s , bef or e t h e i n t r o du c t i o n of tu r n i p s , H o l l y wa s c u l ti va t e d f o r u s e a s w inte r f o dde r f o r c a t t l e and s h e e p . L e s s s p i n y v arie t i e s o f h o l l y we r e pref e r r e d, a n d t h e l e s s s piny l e a ve s g r o wi n g near t h e t o p o f t h e t r e e w ere u s e d. M a n y u p l a n d w ood s , e s p e c i a l l y i n north- we s t E n g l a n d s ti l l h a ve a s t r o n g u nd er s t o r e y o f h o l l y bec au s e o f t h i s .

F u r n i t u r e m a k ers h a ve p r i z e d t h i s wh i t e s t o f wo o d s and used it for c e n t u r i e s . I t s d ense a n d f i n e l y t e x t ured wo o d wa s p o p ular i n de c o r a t i ve m a r q uet ry a n d i n l a y wo r k . It s p a l e wo o d m a d e i t easy to stain.

Used as an inlay i n E l i z a b e t h a n o ak f u r n i t u r e l a t e r i n t he 1 7 t h c e n t u r y i t was u s e d t o f o r m l i g ht er b a n ds o f c o l o u r o n wa l n u t - ve n e e r e d furniture. During the second half of t h e 1 8 t h c e n t u r y, holly appeared m o r e e x t e n s i ve ly i n f a s h i o n a b l e neo c l a s s i c a l f u r n i t ure, e i t h e r i n i t s n a t ural wh i t e f o r m o r s t a i n e d wi t h c o lo urs.

H o l l y ’ s h a r d, c lo seg r a i n e d wo o d wa s a l s o u s e d t o m a k e c h e s s p i e ces a n d t o o l h a n dl es.

Fo l k l o r e s u g g e s t ed t h a t t h e wo o d had an affinity for c o n t r o l , e s p e c i a lly

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Power Items o f h or ses, and mos t wh ips for p l ou gh men and h or se -d raw n coa ch es were mad e from cop pic ed h ol l y, wh ich a cco u nted for h undr ed s of t h ousa nds of ste ms dur ing th e eigh teenth c entu ry.

Th is ver sa ti l e w ood also h a d a mu s ic al t a le nt, H oll y w as o nce one o f th e t r a ditiona l w ood s for Gr e a t H i gh l and b agp ipes bef ore t a stes tur ned to imp or ted d ens e t r op ica l w ood s such a s coc u s w ood , ebony, a nd Afr ica n bla c k w ood .

As well a s i ts d ecor a tive u s es , h ol l y wood bur ns h ot and long, ma kin g it a pe r fect fir e f u el on cold, w inter nigh ts .

In tr a ditional me dicine, h ol l y i s suppose d to be a d iur e tic, a rel ief f rom feve r, a nd a l ax ativ e.

Th e ber r ies are t h ough t to be tox i c t o h uma ns. T h ey are

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Tree-Holly

emeti c , p o s s i b l y du e t o th e c o m p o u n d, i l i c i n .

MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION

A nd n o w t o t h e f u n part. C h r i s t m a s w ou l dn ’ t b e c o m p l e t e w ith o u t t h o s e s h i n y, d ark g r e e n l e a ve s and b r i g h t b e r r i e s i n w reat h s a n d g a r l a n ds .

T h is t i m e o f y e a r b r i n g s w ith i t m a n y t r a di t i o n s and i t i s p r o b a b l y t h e one ti m e wh e n m a n y of u s s t i l l p r a c t i c e a t l eas t a f e w o l d f o l k l o r e c u s to m s t o da y. An d h e r e i s w he r e H o l l y ’ s m a g i c s h i ne s t h e b r i g h t e s t , i t h as a r i c h a n d va r i e d s tore o f s t o r i e s a n d as s oc i a t i o n s b o t h l o c a l and m o r e wi de s p r e a d.

I n f ac t t o o m a n y t o i nc l ude t h e m a l l h e r e !

I n ma n y We s t e r n Ch ri s t i a n c u l t u r e s , h ol l y i s a t r a di t i o n a l Ch ri s t m a s de c o r a t i o n , u s ed e s p e c i a l l y in wreaths and illustrations, for i ns tan c e o n C h r i s t m a s c ard s. I t u s e d t o b e ref err e d t o b y t h e n a m e Ch ri s t ’ s t h o r n .

Ado p t e d a s a s y m b o l o f C h r i s t ’ s c r o wn o f t h o r n s ; t h e c r i mso n berries a symbol of his blood and t h e e ve r g r e e n a m e t a p h o r f o r l i fe a f t e r de a t h .

H o l l y wa s s o strongly linked wi t h C h r i s t m a s t hat in some parts of B r i t a i n h o l l y was j ust c a l l e d C h r i s t m a s, a n d i n p r e -Vi c t ori an times ‘Christmas t r e e s ’ m e a n t h o lly b u s h e s . E ve n t he original yule log b u r n t a t C h r i s t m as wa s h o l l y. S o m uch o f C h r i s t m a s a s we k n o w i t s t e m s f ro m Holly’s magic.

S i n c e m e di e va l t i m e s t h e p l a n t has c a r r i e d a C h r i s t i an s y m b o l i s m , e ve n e x p r e s s e d i n s ong t h r o u g h t h e we llk n o wn C h r i s t m as c a r o l “ Th e H o l ly a n d t h e I vy ” . Yet e ve n h e r e t h e r e f e r e n c e t o t h ese t wo p l a n t s r e f e rs t o a p r e - C h r i s t ian

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Power Items cele br a tion, w h ere a boy w ould be d r e ssed in a s u it of holly lea ves and a gir l simila r l y i n iv y, t o p a r a de a rou nd t h e villa ge, bri nging Na tur e th r ou gh th e d a r ke st p a r t of th e yea r to r e-emerge for a noth er yea r ’s fe r ti l i ty.

Th e use of H ol l y as a str ong s ymbol goes ba ck mu c h fur th er th an Ch r istia nit y. Pagan D r uids be li ev ed th at lea ves of h ol l y w ere sacr e d a nd of f ered pr ote ction agai ns t evil spir its and w ore holly in th eir h air.

Wh ile oth er pl ants wilte d in winter wea th e r, h o l l y re ma ined green and str ong, its berri es a b righ tly co l ou red re d in th e hars h es t o f conditio ns .

Th ey be lie v ed H ol l y’ s ability to k eep i ts lea ves wa s magi c al and ga ve hope f or n e w life in th e s pri ng and a r eturn of th e

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Tree-Holly

w ani n g s u n ’ s p o we r s .

T h ere wa s a s t r o n g as s oc i a t i o n b e t we e n H ol l y t r e e s a n d t h e rebirt h o f t h e s u n a t t h e mi d w i n t e r S o l s t i c e .

A n in t e r e s t i n g c u s t o m which could perhaps h av e a m o de r n ve r s i o n tod ay wa s , wh i c h e ve r of pri c k l y - l e a ve d o r s moo t h - l e a ve d h o l l y w as b r o u g h t i n t o t h e h ou s e f i r s t di c t a t e d w h eth e r t h e h u s b a n d o r w i f e r e s p e c t i ve l y we r e to ru le t h e h o u s e h o l d f or the c o m i n g y e a r.

Mu c h f u n a n d m i s c h i e f to be h a d t h e r e !

I n Ce l t i c m y t h o l o g y, th e Ho l l y K i n g wa s s ai d t o r u l e o ve r h a l f of th e y e a r f r o m t h e s u mm e r t o t h e wi n t e r s ol s ti c e , t h e n t h e O a k King de f e a t e d t h e H o l l y King t o r u l e u n t i l t h e s u mm e r s o l s t i c e a g a i n .

T h es e t wo a s p e c t s o f th e N a t u r e g o d we r e l ater i n c o r p o r a t e d into M u m m e r s ’ p l a y s trad i t i o n a l l y p e r f o r m e d arou n d Yu l e t i de .

Th e H o l l y K i n g wa s de p i c t e d a s a p o we r f u l g i a n t o f a m a n c o ve r e d i n ho lly l e a ve s a n d b r a n ches a n d wi e l di n g a ho lly bush as a club.

H o l l y t r e e s we re t r a di t i o n a l l y k n o wn f o r p r o t e c t i o n f ro m l i g h t n i n g s t r i k es and s o we r e p l a n t e d near houses.

In European m y t h o l o g y, h o l ly wa s a s s o c i a t e d wi t h t h u n de r g o ds s uch a s Th o r a n d Ta rani s.

We n o w k n o w t hat t h e s p i n e s o n t he di s t i n c t i ve l y s h aped h o l l y l e a ve s c a n act as miniature l i g h t n i n g c o n duct o rs, protecting the tree and other n e a r b y o b je c t s .

M o de r n s c i e n c e occasionally c a t c h e s u p wi t h an e x p l a n a t i o n f o r what m a y p r e vi o u s l y have b e e n di s m i s s e d as s u p e r s t i t i o u s l o re!

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items Tree-Holly

Though mo s t of th es e s tories a n d s y m b o l i c a s s o c i a t i o n s h a ve f a de d o r g one, H olly s ti l l c h arms u s w i t h h e r de a t h - de f y i n g vi b r a n c y, g l o wi n g red and gr e en e v en i n th e mi d s t o f wi n t e r s b l e a k de p t h s .

H er pr e senc e a l if e af f i rmi ng r e m i n de r o f n a t u r e ’ s c y c l e s a n d o u r p lace in th e m. Wh y not go f or a w in t e r y wa l k a n d de c k y o u r h o u s e wi t h b ough s of hol l y. Tel l s ome tal l s t o r i e s wr a p p e d u p wa r m a n d s n u g t o ke ep th e fairi es h appy.

And br ing on th e mid - w inter c e l e b r a t i o n s , l e t ’ s c h e e r t h e f a di n g s un b a ck into lif e and bri ng s ome m a g i c i n t o o u r o wn l i ve s . C e l e b r a t e t he w onder of H ol l y th e magi c i an ! https://www.treesforcities.org/stories/intreeducing-holly-the-magician

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Power Items

Tree-Sycamore

About The Sycamore Tree

The Sycamore is a d ec id u o u s t r e e wi t h mapl e - l i k e l e a ve s a n d pink - b r o wn wo o d. Th e y l i v e up t o 4 0 0 y e a r s b u t take a p a r t i c u l a r l y l o n g ti me t o r e a c h m a t u r i t y.

Sy ca mor e t ree symbolism originates in Egypt a nd t he M iddle E as t.

H oweve r, with th e ri se of C h r is tianity in th e western w or ld a nd th e tree’ s intr oduction to Eur op e e ith er by t he Roma ns or th e Crusa de r s, a ric h s et o f mea ning s has a r ise n arou nd t he wor ld.

The p r ima r y symbolism sur r ounding th e Sy ca mor e r el ates to l ove , pr otec tion, and fer tility. I t h as str ong links to natu re and th e e le mental for ces, espec i al l y resista nce a gains t t he mor e de str uctive ones .

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Bef or e m a t u r i t y, t h e y h av e s m o o t h t r u n k s , rema i n i n g s u p p l e and a da p t a b l e u n t i l f u l l y g r o wn . At t h e poi nt o f m a t u r i t y, t h e tru nk b e g i n s t o f o r m s c al e s a n d t u r n s t o a more g r e y i s h c o l o r.

T h ey a r e r e n o wn e d f or th e i r a b i l i t y t o w ith s t a n d p u n i s h m e n t .

T h ey a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y res is t a n t t o s t r o n g w ind s, r e s u l t i n g i n th ei r a p p e a r a n c e a l o n g c oas t l i n e s a n d i n t h e Sc otti s h H i g h l a n ds due to their ability to rema i n s t a n di n g wh e r e oth er s wo u l d f a l l .

A l th o u g h t h e y we r e rare i n E u r o p e b e f o r e th e m i ddl e a g e s , a t s ome p o i n t t h e y we r e brou g h t o ve r f r o m t h e A rab Pe n i n s u l a r a n d

s h o r t l y s p r e a d acro ss t h e wh o l e c o n t i nent .

Th e i r h a r di n e s s , f e r t i l i t y, a n d a bi li t y t o g r o w i n h i g h salt soils helped them to s p r e a d l i k e wi l dfi re.

To da y t h e y a r e o ft en p l a n t e d a l o n g c o ast s a s wi n db r e a k e rs a n d a s s t r e e t t r ees.

Th e r e a s o n t h e y are so popular i n t o da y ’ s a g e o f e n vi r o n m e n t a l i sm is that they are p a r t i c u l a r l y a de pt a t a b s o r b i n g a nd b r e a k i n g do wn p o l l u t a n t s i n t he ai r.

F i n a l l y, t h e wo o d o f t h e S y c a m o r e has l o n g b e e n u s e d fo r c r a f t i n g a n d c a rvi ng .

Th e f i n e g r a i n and b e a u t i f u l c o l o r i ng a r e h i g h l y a p p e ali ng t o wo o dc r a f t e r s and c a r p e n t e r s , wi t h a n e s p e c i a l l y l o ng t r a di t i o n i n t h e We l s h va l l e y s .

Symbol Of Protection

Th e S y c a m o r e h a s a l wa y s b e e n c o n s i de r e d a s ym b o l

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items o f pr otectio n, ev en from th e e arl ies t me ntions in huma n h ist ory.

Per h a p s th e f irs t famous a ppearanc e o f th is tr ee is in t h e Bible. Mary and Joseph are said to h a v e s ou gh t pr ote ction f rom th e eleme nts und er th e cove r of a Syc amore.

Th is th e me is ec h oed in ma ny w ritings from a r ound th e t ime, sugges ting th at it w a s a w el l - k now n sy mbolic meani ng of t h is tr e e.

Th is wa s fa r f rom th e la st time it w ou l d be t outed a s a s ymbol o f pr otectio n. A s f ar b ack a s th e 1600s , t h e p eop le of th e Scottish H i gh l and s wer e p la nti ng Syca mor e ’s i n areas t h a t w er e p artic u l arl y v ulne r a ble to t h e wind.

As gusts can reac h d izzying sp eed s t h r ough the v al l eys and mount ai nou s

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Tree-Sycamore

regi o n s – n o t t o ment i o n b y t h e c o a s t – it w a s a n i m p o r t a n t s t e p f or l o c a l t o wn s p e o p l e to pro t e c t t h e i r wa y of l i f e wi t h n a t u r a l w i nd b r e a k e r s .

T h ere a r e s i m i l a r s t o r i e s f rom Wa l e s a n d t h e e a s t c oas t o f E n g l a n d, a s w el l a s a c r o s s I t a l y a n d s ou th e r n F r a n c e .

More r e c e n t l y, a f amou s S y c a m o r e wa s res po n s i b l e f o r t h e prote c t i o n o f S t Pa u l ’ s Cath e dr a l i n N e w Yo r k on Se p t e m b e r 1 1 , 2 0 0 1 .

Af ter t h e a t t a c k s o n t h e Worl d Tr a de C e n t e r t h e tow er s f e l l a n d l ittere d t h e s u r r o u n di n g c ity b l o c k s wi t h bu rni n g de b r i s .

The large Sycamore th at s t o o d o u t s i de o f th e c a t h e dr a l di d n o t s u rv i ve t h e i n i t i a l bl as t, b u t i t di d b l o c k a s eri o u s a m o u n t o f d ama g e t h a t wo u l d h a ve been do n e t o th e bu i l di n g .

As a c o n s e qu e n ce, t h e c a t h e dr a l was able to be used as a refuge for s u r vi vo r s , o n who m the Sycamore tree symbolism of p r o t e c t i o n wa s surely not lost.

Symbol Of Love G i f t s h a ve l o n g b een a p a r t o f da t i n g .

To da y y o u m i g ht p r e s e n t je we l r y o r f l o we r s t o t h e p erso n y o u a r e c o u r t i ng .

I n Wa l e s , du r i n g t he m i ddl e a g e s , y ou wo u l d p r e s e n t t h e m wi t h a “ L o ve S p o o n” .

Th e s e we r e c r a ft ed f r o m t h e wo o d o f t h e S y c a m o r e t ree, f a vo r e d a s i t was b y wo o dc a r ve r s and artisans.

O r n a t e l y de c o r at ed wi t h s y m b o l s o f l o ve a n d n a t u r e, y o u wo u l d p r e sent a r o m a n t i c p r o spect wi t h a L o ve S p o o n i n o r de r t o s i g n a l y o ur i n t e n t a n d wo o t hem .

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Power Items This pr a cti c e l ikely ste ms f rom t he S yca more’ s associa tion w ith fe r tility a n d th e inter e sting w ay it r epr oduc es .

Ma ny p eop l e w ill r eme mber pla ying w ith th e “h elic opte r s” f rom Sy ca mor e t rees – th e w inge d seed s th at spin gently to th e g r ound a s t h ey dr op fr om th e t re e’s br a nc h es .

Tree-Sycamore

al w ay s a t e n de n c y f o r th e j o y s o f c h i l dh o o d to pl a y a s y m b o l i c p a r t of th e t r a n s i t i o n t o ad u l t h o o d r e p r e s e n t e d by ro m a n c e .

The playfulness and i nnoc e n c e o f y o u t h m a y h av e i n f l u e n c e d t h e c h oic e o f t h e S y c a m o r e f or th e c a r vi n g o f L ov e S p o o n s .

For the t r e e , i t i s a n i nc redi b l y e f f e c t i ve wa y of rep r o du c i n g . Th e s eed s c a n t r a ve l m i l e s i n h ig h wi n ds , wh i c h i s of c o u r s e wh e r e t h e trees do m i n a t e m o s t of th e l a n ds c a p e . I t i s l i k el y t h i s l i n k wi t h f ertili t y c o n t r i b u t e d t o th e p r a c t i c e , t o o .

Symbol Of Resilience

Alth ough th ey h av e g one by ma ny names b e for e , th ey h av e alw a ys been a s ou rc e o f e nter ta inment for ch ildr en. T h ere is

36

The reason this tree matu r e s s o s l o wl y i s ad apt a b i l i t y. We h a ve al rea dy t a l k e d a b o u t h ow t h e s e t r e e s c a n s u rv i ve e ve r y t h i n g t h a t natu r e t h r o ws a t t h e m , and t h i s h a s b e c o m e a s y mbo l o f r e s i l i e n c e i n th e f a c e o f natu r a l f o r c e s .

Th e m o s t da n g ero us n a t u r a l f o r c e s fo r t r e e s a r e o f t e n t he we a t h e r, e s p e c ially e x t r e m e e ve n t s .

Wh i l e t h e s e a r e da n g e r o u s f o r us t o o , t h e r e a r e m o re p r e s s i n g da n g e rs for us.

Fo r t h i s r e a s o n , t h e S y c a m o r e t ree s y m b o l i s m g a i ned a reputation as a s y m b o l o f r e s i l ience a g a i n s t di s e a s e s – both physical and mental.

Its bark has va r y i n g l y b e e n used in teas and brews t o t r e a t a va r i e t y of ailments, and t h e b r a n c h e s h ave often been used to “ w a r d o f f t h e e vi l s p i r i t s t h a t bri n g t e m p t a t i o n i nto t h e m i nd s o f m e n” .

Th a t m a y h a ve b e e n t h e dr i vi ng f o r c e b e h i n d t he i n t r o du c t i o n o f t hi s tree to Europe if it

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items

Tree-Sycamore

wa s done b y th e Cru s ad ers . T h i s i s b a c k e d u p b y t h e n u m b e r o f t h e m found in ch u rc h y ard s d ating b a c k t o t h e m i ddl e a g e s . Wh a t e ve r t he case ma y b e, th is tree h as h eld s y m b o l i c m e a n i n g f o r m a n y p e o p l e fo r centur ie s. A s more and more a r e p l a n t e d t o h e l p t a c k l e p o l l u t i o n in ma jor citie s , perh aps th i s s acr e d s y m b o l o f p r o t e c t i o n c a n h e l p p r ot ect Moth er Ea rth f rom th os e th at do i t h a r m . https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/sycamore-tree-symbolism/

13 Sisters of Delphi

37

Power Items

Symbol-Thor’s Hammer

It was also a focal point f or oa t h s , s o i f s o m e o n e w as g o i n g t o p r o m i s e o r s w ear “ b y t h e g o d s ” or “ by Th o r ” , t h e y c ou l d s we a r o n t h e H amm e r, s i m i l a r t o h o w Ch ri s t i a n s m i g h t s we a r on th e C h r i s t i a n B i b l e .

Thor ’s H a mmer ( Mjöl nir) i s a symbol of p rotec tion and ble ssings .

It wa s a common symbol ofev eryd ay people , w orn by people of al l l ev el s o f socie ty.

Thor is th e peopl e’ s g od. H e is th e b ig, fr iendly, and power ful protec tor o f th e gods , and so by e xtens ion is considered th e protector of man.

The H a mmer w as u sed to pr o tec t and b less th e commu ni ty and wa r d of f evil spir its.

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Mj ol n i r m e a n s “ t h e g r in d e r ” . I t i s s o name d b e c a u s e i t i s pow e r f u l t o g r i n d do wn mou n t a i n s o r s m i t e ev en t h e m o s t p o we r f u l enem y wi t h o n e b l o w.

I t w as a g i f t t o Th o r f rom t h e dwa r ve s , t h e bes t c r a f t s m e n i n a l l o f th e re a l m s . An y t h i n g th at w a s m y s t i c a l , magi c a l o r o f e x qu i s i t e q u al i t y wa s s a i d t o b e mad e b y dwa r ve s .

Tw o d wa r ve n b r o t h e r s c reate d t h e h a m m e r as pa r t o f a c o m p e t i t i o n w ith a r i va l dwa r ve n h ou s e . L o k i wa s do i n g h i s be s t t o p r e ve n t t h e m f rom e ve n c r e a t i n g i t , bec au s e h e wa n t e d t h e oth er h o u s e t o wi n , b u t i n th e e n d t h e i r c r e a t i o n end ed u p b e i n g t h e amaz i n g “ g r i nd e r ” ,

de s p i t e a l l o f L o ki ’s a t t e m p t s t o p r event its creation.

D u r i n g t h e y e a rs wh e n t h e Vi k i n g r e l i g i o n wa s o ve r l a p p i n g wi t h C h r i s t i a n i t y, i t was wo r n i n a s i m i lar way a s t h e c r o s s - - it m ay h a ve b e e n c o - o pt ed as a cross-symbol s u r r o g a t e f o r p eo ple wh o we r e c u l t urally b o t h Vi k i n g a n d C h r i s t i a n , e s p e c i ally s i n c e t h e t wo s hapes h a ve a s i m i l a r f o rm .

I t m a y a l s o h a ve c o m e i n t o f a s h io n i n r e a c t i o n t o a nd i n de f i a n c e o f t he c r o s s e s t h a t were b e c o m i n g p o p u larly wo r n b y C h r i s t ians.

I t b e c a m e a s y mb o l o f b o t h c o m m o n r e li g i o n a n d c o m m o n c ult ure t o t h o s e wh o wo re i t . https://celticknotworks.com/ blogs/celtic-inspiration-blog/ viking-symbols-thors-hammermjolnir

13 Sisters of Delphi

Power Items Color- Red

f ortu n e a n d i s o f t e n th e c h o i c e f o r b r i de ’ s to w e a r o n t h e i r w ed di n g da y.

Th e color r ed is bol d , b righ t a nd energeti c .

It evoke s im ages of pa ssion a nd v iol enc e.

It is th e col or of th e sweet r ed ros e and o ur ver y lif ebl ood .

Red is use d i n magic for pur ifyin g th e b lood, for i nd u c i ng lust a nd pas s ion, t o incr e a se energy, pow er, courage, even violenc e.

We a r r ed or d ec orate with r ed to s ti mu l ate ene r gy, enth u s ias m, and confid enc e and t o dr a w a ttention.

Use th e color red t o h igh ligh t a f oc al point in yo u r h ome o r ga r de n.

In Ea ster n c u l tu res , t h e color r ed t ypica lly sy mbol izes j oy, luck, a nd good

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I n I ndi a , a r e d m a r k w orn o n t h e f o r e h e a d i s s aid t o b r i n g g o o d l u c k .

I n Ch i n a , t h e L u n a r New Ye a r i s c e l e b r a t e d by d e c o r a t i n g wi t h r e d, h angi n g r e d b a n n e r s , and g i vi n g c h i l dr e n “ lu c ky m o ne y ” i n r e d env el o p e s . A m a n - e a t i n g c reatu r e , t h e N i a n i s af raid o f l o u d n o i s e s and t h e c o l o r r e d.

Correspondences for the Color Red

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Num b e r : 1 Z o di a c S i g n ( s ) : Ar i e s Planet(s): Mars Element: fire Dir e c t i o n : S o u t h Se a s o n : S u m m e r Da y : Tu e s da y H o l i da y s : B e l t a n e , Yu l e , L u n a r N e w Ye a r R it e o f Pa s s a g e : Bi r t h , D e a t h , Ma r r i a g e Cha k r a : F i r s t , r o o t chakra F ra g r a n c e s : B a s i l , Cin n a m o n , D r a g o n ’ s Bl o o d, Pi n e Herbs: Cayenne,

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C h i ve s , C r a nesb i ll, C r o wf o o t , H i b i s c u s , H oly Th i s t l e , H o p s, O n i o n , n e t t l es, S u n f l o we r, Ro s e , To b a c co , Wo r m wo o d.

An i m a l s : A l l i g at o r, An t , B e a r, B a dg er, B e e t l e , C h i c ken, L i o n , Ra m , Ti g er, Wo l f S t o n e s / M i n e rals: Ag a t e , G a r n et , Ru b y, S p i n e l , Red To u r m a l i n e , Red To p a z , Ru b e lli t e, Rh o do c h r o s i te, Re d J a s p e r Ta r o t : c u p s , Fi ves Po l i t i c s Th e c o lo r r e d i s a s s o c i a t ed wi t h c o m m u ni sm .

It is also associated with t h e Re p u b l i c an p a r t y i n t h e Uni t ed States.

S y m b o l s : Th e co lo r r e d m e a n s S TOP i n We s t e r n c u l t ure.

I n t h e U S ’ s co lo rc o de d t e r r o r ist t h r e a t s y s t e m , t he c o l o r r e d m e ans “ s eve r e ” .

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Power Items Color-Red

A r e d cr oss s y mbol izes med i c a l p e r s o n n e l . I n t h e We s t , t h e Re d C r o ss i s a huma nita r ian organization th a t p r o vi de s di s a s t e r r e l i e f. Th e Re d C rescent is a simila r and partner organ i z a t i o n h e a dqu a r t e r e d i n t h e M i ddl e East .

Magical Intents:

Action, bir t h , c h ange, c ou rage , l u s t , p a s s i o n , l i f e , e x c i t e m e n t , e n e rg y, celebr a tion, bl ood and h eal ing a n d p u r i f i c a t i o n o f b l o o d a n d p h y s i cal b ody, se xual h eal i ng, s ex , inf l a m m a t i o n s , vi o l e n c e , s t i m u l a t i o n , p a s si o n i n l o ve , tr a nsf ormati on, w il l , pass i o n i n l o ve a n d b e a u t y. https://witchipedia.com/book-of-shadows/symbols/red/

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan

“Heal yourself with the light of the sun and the rays of the moon. With the sound of the river and the waterfall.

With the swaying of the sea and the fluttering of birds.

Heal yourself with mint, neem, and eucalyptus. Sweeten with lavender, rosemary, and chamomile. Hug yourself with the cocoa bean and a hint of cinnamon. Put love in tea instead of sugar and drink it looking at the stars.

Heal yourself with the kisses that the wind gives you and the hugs of the rain. Stand strong with your bare feet on the ground and with everything that comes from it. Be smarter every day by listening to your intuition, looking at the world with your forehead. Jump, dance, sing, so that you live happier. Heal yourself, with beautiful love, and always remember...you are the medicine.”

María Sabina a Mexican healer and poet.

Ed Binkley ~ Artist

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry

Shared by Bella Bloodmoon

Rhiannon

by Fleetwood Mac

Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night And wouldn’t you love to love her?

Takes to the sky like a bird in flight And who will be her lover?

All your life you’ve never seen Woman taken by the wind Would you stay if she promised you heaven?

Will you ever win?

She is like a cat in the dark And then she is to darkness She rules her life like a fine skylark And when the sky is starless All your life you’ve never seen Woman taken by the wind Would you stay if she promised you heaven?

Will you ever win?

Will you ever win?

(Rhiannon) (Rhiannon) (Rhiannon) (Rhiannon) She rings like a bell through the night And wouldn’t you love to love her?

She rules her life like a bird in flight And who will be her lover?

All your life you’ve never seen Woman taken by the wind Would you stay if she promised you heaven?

Will you ever win?

Will you ever win?

(Rhiannon) (Rhiannon) (Rhiannon) Taken by taken by the sky (Ah-ah) Taken by taken by the sky (Ah-ah) Taken by taken by the sky (Ah-ah) Dreams unwind Love’s a state of mind Dreams unwind Love’s a state of mind

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry Shared By:Bella Bloodmoon

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry

High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan

Echoes (Soul Cry)

by Mithra

Turn away to ruins Of broken minds And memories Light shined from the sky And will soon to be Ghost of all decisions Of your life And suffering Our soul cry At fate, given all the roads All the options all the chores A slice, of the killer cold Raining down Chilling all the shores No ships will sail away No memories will stay Given all the roads given all the chores Listen, hear the voice of our souls Too cold Uneasy chord Freeze my conscious Becoming all my loss Echoes of my loss Our life, have been too long Didn’t find the safe Didn’t find the rope Our fate, is sealed away Behind the silence Behind the hate No ships will sail away No memories will stay Given all the roads given all the chores Listen, hear the voice of our souls Too cold Uneasy chord Freeze my conscious Echoes of my loss

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry

High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

“The Old Ways”

by Loreena McKennitt The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you On a dark new year’s night On the west coast of Clare I heard your voice singing Your eyes danced the song Your hands played the tune T’was a vision before me We left the music behind as the dance carried on As we stole away to the seashore We smelt the brine, felt the wind in our hair And with sadness you paused Suddenly I knew that you’d have to go Your world was not mine, your eyes told me so Yet it was there I felt the crossroads of time And I wondered why As we cast our gaze on the tumbling sea A vision came o’er me Of thundering hooves and beating wings In clouds above As you turned to go I heard you call my name You were like a bird in a cage spreading its wings to fly “The old ways are lost,” you sang as you flew And I wondered why The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you The thundering waves are calling me home, home to you The pounding sea is calling me home, home to you

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry

Shared by: Brittanica

Witch Queen of New Orleans

by Redbone

She’ll put a spell on you (Marie, Marie La, Voodoo, Veau) She’ll put a spell on you (Marie, Marie La, Voodoo, Veau) She’s the Witch Queen ah, of New Orleans Of New Orleans I’m gonna tell you a story Strange as it now seems Of zombie voodoo, gris gris and The Witch Queen of New Orleans She lived in a world of magic Possessed by the devil’s skew From a shack near the swampland With a mud-pie brick Marie stirred her witch’s brew She’ll put a spell on you (Marie, Marie La, Voodoo, Veau) She’ll put a spell on you (Marie, Marie La, Voodoo, Veau) She’s the Witch Queen ah, of New Orleans Of New Orleans Dime or a nickel any one could buy Voodoo of any kind She had potions and lotions, herbs and tanna leaves Guaranteed to blow your mind Early one mornin’ into mucky swamp dew Vanished Marie with hate in her eye Though she’ll never return all the Cajuns knew A witch queen never die She’ll put a spell on you (Marie, Marie La, Voodoo, Veau) She’ll put a spell on you (Marie, Marie La, Voodoo, Veau) She’s the Witch Queen ah, of New Orleans Of New Orleans

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry

Shared by: High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

Sisters of the Moon

by Fleetwood Mac

Intense silence As she walked in the room Her black robes trailing Sister of the moon And a black widow spider makes More sound than she And black moons in those eyes of hers Made more sense to me Heavy persuasion It was hard to breathe She was dark at the top of the stairs And she called to me (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) And so I followed as friends often do I cared not for love nor money And I think she knew Well, the people, they love her And still they are the most cruel She asked me, “Be my sister Sister, sister of the moon” (Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh) (Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh) Some call her sister of the moon Some say, illusions are her game They like to wrap her in velvet Does anyone, ooh, know her name?

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry

Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan

Witch’s Rune

by S.J. Tucker

Darksome Night and Shining Moon Balance of the dark and light Hearken ye our Witch’s Rune As we perform our sacred rite!

With earth and water, air and fire By blade and bowl and circle round We come to you with our desire: Let all that is hidden now be found!

With censor, candle, book and sword And ringing of the altar bell We tie a knot within our cord To bind our magic in a spell

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry

Shared By: High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

Witch’s Promise

by Jethro Tull

Lend me your ear while i call you a fool.

You were kissed by a witch one night in the wood, And later insisted your feelings were true.

The witch’s promise was coming, Believing he listened while laughing you flew.

Leaves falling red, yellow, brown, all are the same, And the love you have found lay outside in the rain.

Washed clean by the water but nursing its pain.

The witch’s promise was coming, and you’re looking Elsewhere for your own selfish gain.

Keep looking, keep looking for somewhere to be, Well, you’re wasting your time, they’re not stupid like he is.

Meanwhile leaves are still falling, you’re too blind to see.

You won’t find it easy now, it’s only fair.

He was willing to give to you, you didn’t care.

You’re waiting for more but you’ve already had your share.

The witch’s promise is turning, so don’t you wait up For him, he’s going to be late.

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Magical Poetry

Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan

Witch-Wife Edna St. Vincent Millay

She is neither pink nor pale, And she never will be all mine; She learned her hands in a fairy-tale, And her mouth on a valentine.

She has more hair than she needs; In the sun ‘tis a woe to me!

And her voice is a string of colored beads, Or steps leading into the sea.

She loves me all that she can, And her ways to my ways resign; But she was not made for any man, And she never will be all mine.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry

Shared By: High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

Witch Burning

by Silvia Plath In the marketplace they are piling the dry sticks.

A thicket of shadows is a poor coat. I inhabit The wax image of myself, a doll’s body.

Sickness begins here: I am the dartboard for witches.

Only the devil can eat the devil out.

In the month of red leaves I climb to a bed of fire.

It is easy to blame the dark: the mouth of a door, The cellar’s belly. They’ve blown my sparkler out.

A black-sharded lady keeps me in parrot cage.

What large eyes the dead have!

I am intimate with a hairy spirit.

Smoke wheels from the beak of this empty jar.

If I am a little one, I can do no harm.

If I don’t move about, I’ll knock nothing over. So I said, Sitting under a potlid, tiny and inert as a rice grain.

They are turning the burners up, ring after ring.

We are full of starch, my small white fellows. We grow.

It hurts at first. The red tongues will teach the truth.

Mother of beetles, only unclench your hand: I’ll fly through the candle’s mouth like a singeless moth.

Give me back my shape. I am ready to construe the days I coupled with dust in the shadow of a stone.

My ankles brighten. Brightness ascends my thighs.

I am lost, I am lost, in the robes of all this light.

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry

Shared by Brittanica

Her Kind

by Anne Sexton

I have gone out, a possessed witch, haunting the black air, braver at night; dreaming evil, I have done my hitch over the plain houses, light by light: lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind.

A woman like that is not a woman, quite.

I have been her kind.

I have found the warm caves in the woods, filled them with skillets, carvings, shelves, closets, silks, innumerable goods; fixed the suppers for the worms and the elves: whining, rearranging the disaligned.

A woman like that is misunderstood.

I have been her kind.

I have ridden in your cart, driver, waved my nude arms at villages going by, learning the last bright routes, survivor where your flames still bite my thigh and my ribs crack where your wheels wind.

A woman like that is not ashamed to die.

I have been her kind.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry

Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan

Vampires

by Michael R. Burch

Vampires are such fragile creatures; we dread the dark, but the light destroys them ... sunlight, or a stake, or a cross—such common things.

Still, late at night, when the bat-like vampire sings, we shrink from his voice.

Centuries have taught us: in shadows danger lurks for those who stray, and there the vampire bares his yellow fangs and feels the ancient soul-tormenting pangs.

He has no choice.

We are his prey, plump and fragrant, and if we pray to avoid him, the more he prays to find us ... prays to some despotic hooded God whose benediction is the humid blood he lusts to taste.

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Magical Poetry

Shared By: High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

Alone

by Edgar Alan Poe

From childhood’s hour I have not been As others were; I have not seen As others saw; I could not bring My passions from a common spring.

From the same source I have not taken My sorrow; I could not awaken My heart to joy at the same tone; And all I loved, I loved alone.

Then—in my childhood, in the dawn Of a most stormy life—was drawn From every depth of good and ill The mystery which binds me still: From the torrent, or the fountain, From the red cliff of the mountain, From the sun that round me rolled In its autumn tint of gold, From the lightning in the sky As it passed me flying by, From the thunder and the storm, And the cloud that took the form (When the rest of Heaven was blue) Of a demon in my view.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Magical Poetry

Shared By: bella bloodmoon

The Wild Hunt

by Michael R. Burch

Our Halloween is an inheritance from the ancient Celts. The Celts believed that the “otherworld” can sometimes merge with the “real world,” so that elves, fairies, witches, warlocks and other fantastical entities are able to either help or harm human beings.

Near Devon, the hunters appear in the sky with Artur and Bedwyr sounding the call; and the others, laughing, go dashing by.

They only appear when the moon is full: Valerin, the King of the Tangled Wood, and Valynt, the goodly King of Wales, Gawain and Owain and the hearty men who live on in many minstrels’ tales.

They seek the white stag on a moonlit moor, or Torc Triath, the fabled boar, or Ysgithyrwyn, or Twrch Trwyth, the other mighty boars of myth.

They appear, sometimes, on Halloween to chase the moon across the green, then fade into the shadowed hills where memory alone prevails.

13 Sisters of Delphi

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Recipes

Drunk Witch Recipe To m a k e o n e D ru n k Wi tc h c o c k ta i l y o u wi ll n ee d 2 o unce s e ac h o f v odk a , gr en a di n e, a n d Blu e C u r a ca o . Yo u w i l l al s o n eed so me Spr i te to to p off yo ur d r i n k an d a m ara sc hi n o c her r y f o r ga r n i s h.

How to Make a Drunk Witch • Ad d yo u r v odk a, gren a di n e, a n d Blu e C u r a c ao to a co ck t ai l s h aker wi th i c e • Gi v e i t a goo d s h ak e u n ti l well mi xed a n d i cy co l d • Str a i n i n t o a gl as s tu mb ler f i lled wi th i c e • To p w i t h S p ri t e an d ga r n i sh wi th a c her r y How to Serve Se r v e you r dru n k w i t c h i n a gla ss tu mb ler o ver l ots o f i c e an d garn i sh wi th a c her r y.

Hosting for a crowd?

Up th e i n gre di e n t s (equal par t s vo dka, gre n a d ine, a nd B l ue Cur ac ao ) to ser ve a s a punch.

To m a k e t h e great green r i m o n thi s dr i n k , di p the g la s s fi rs t i n c o rn s y ru p a n d then i n gr een su g ar.

Gr a b the gre at s t ar sp r i n k les her e.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Recipes

Wicked Witch Cupcakes Ingredients Chocolate Cupcakes • 6 tablespoo ns unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s • 1 cup sugar • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt • 4 tablespoo ns (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled • 1/2 cup milk, room temperature • 1 large egg, lightly beaten, room te mperature • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract • 1/2 cup boiling water Buttercream Frosting/Decorations • 1 1/2 pounds (6 sticks) butter, softened • 1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract • 1/4 teaspoon salt • Red and green food coloring • 24 brown mini candy-coated chocolates, such as mini M&Ms, plus more for filling(optional) • 12 candy corn pieces • 1 pound black licorice laces, cut into 1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, and 2-inch lengths • 12 chocolate sugar cones Directions Chocolate Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in center. Line cupcake tins with 12 paper liners; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine cocoa, sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add butter, milk, egg, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for two minutes. (Alternatively, combine ingredients in a large bowl, then beat with a hand-held electric mixer.) Add boiling water and beat to combine (batter will be thin). Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners. Bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Buttercream Frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Begin beating on low speed, increasing to high for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Using food coloring, tint the icing dirty green.

Using a melon baller, scoop out the center of each cupcake, and fill with candy-coated chocolates, if desired. Cover the tops of each cupcake with a generous mound (about 1/3 cup) of buttercream. Insert one candy corn into each cupcake to form a nose. Insert two candycoated chocolates into each cupcake to form eyes. Place two 1/2-inch lengths of licorice above the eyes to form eyebrows for the witch. Place the 1/4-inch licorice lengths above the eyebrows to form bangs. Place an inverted cone on top of bangs, pressing gently into buttercream to adhere. Place the 2-inch licorice lengths under the cone hat to form the hair. Decorated cupcakes can b e stored up to 1 day at room temperature.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Recipes Witch’s Brew Brownies WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Br own i e m ix – You ’ l l need th e i n g r e di e n t s l i s t e d o n b a c k o f b o x ( e g gs, oil , and w a ter u s u a l l y) and y o u ’ l l f o l l o w t h e b a k i n g i n s t r u c t i o n s as well.

L ef tov e r H a l l o w een c a n d y – A n y c a n dy wi l l wo r k ! I t h i n k c h o c o lat e b a sed ca ndy i s bes t, th ings th a t J o l l y Ra n c h e r s , a n d g u m m y b e a r s , do n’t m ix a s w ell w ith ooey gooey b r o wn i e s , b u t y o u c a n a dd a n y t h i n g y o u li ke!

Ed i bl e E y e s – We l ov e th es e l i t t l e c a n dy e y e s a n d t h e y a r e t h e p e rfect addition to any rec ipe i ns tantly t r a n s f o r m i n g i t i n t o H a l l o we e n ! Yo u can u sua lly find th em at Wal mart, Ta r g e t , a n d M i c h a e l s (o r a n y c r a f t st o r e ) in th e ba king s ec ti on.

How to Make

M ake th e brow ni es . Mi x th e br o wn i e s u p a c c o r di n g t o t h e p a c k a g e instr uctions. Pou r th e brow ni e m i x i n t o a g r e a s e d p a n a n d t o p wi t h half o f your ca ndy. T h e c and y tend s t o s i n k a s t h e b r o wn i e s c o o k s o I s a ve t he o t he r h a lf of th e c and y u ntil t h e l a s t 5 m i n u t e s o f b a k i n g .

B a ke . Ba ke th e brow ni es ac c or di n g t o t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s o n t h e b a c k o f t he p a cka ge . 5 minu tes bef ore t h e b r o wn i e s a r e f i n i s h e d b a k i n g p u ll t he b row nies ou t of th e ov en and a dd t h e r e s t o f t h e c a n dy t o t h e t o p o f t he b row nies, pres s ing i t d ow n i nt o t h e b r o wn i e s l i g h t l y. F i n i s h b a k i n g .

Add th e e ye s . W h en th e brow n i e s c a m e o u t o f t h e o ve n a dd t h e e di b le ey es a nd le t th em c ool a bit be f o r e s e r vi n g .

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Recipes Werewolf Chow HOW TO MAKE

• In the microwave melt chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Cook for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each, until smooth.

• Place rice cereal in a large bowl and pour the peanut butter chocolate mixture over it. Stir gently until well coated.

• Place brownie mix in a large plastic bag (I used a gallon freezer bag), add the chocolate-coated cereal, and shake, shake, shake! Until it is coated in the powder.

• Once you’re made your brownie mix werewolf chow it’s time to add the candy that is going to take it from puppy to werewolf. Since the werewolf chow is made with peanut butter and chocolate I added peanut butter candies, and mini peanut butter cups. To give it some crunch I added caramel popcorn, and to finish it off I added edible candy eyes, because seriously guys, candy eyes make everything bet ter.

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Spells & Potions

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology

The Story of Sunna

Shared by: High Priestess Gloriana Danu

To s h i e l d t h e e a r t h f r o m th e f i e r c e f i r e , bu t s t i l l g i ve i t l i g h t and wa r m t h , t h e y f as h i o n e d a g l o wi n g s h iel d t h e y c a l l e d Sv al i n n (c o o li n g ).

Sunna , is t h e Su n pe r sonifie d i n Nor se M ythol ogy.

Unlike ma n y oth er ci viliza tion s , to t h e a ncie nt Nord i c pe op le s th e Su n is fema le a nd th e Moon ma le ; a br o th er and siste r tea m know n as Má ni, a nd Su nna.

Accor ding to Nors e lege nd, th e G od s fash ione d th e Su n o ut of glow ing ma tter th a t f l ew f rom Músp ell, th e w orl d ’ s end. T h ey pl ac ed th i s glowing ba l l on th e b ack of a c h ariot and t a ske d tw o h ors es , Ár va kr (Earl y -ris er) and Alsviðr ( Al l swift) to draw it d a ily a cr os s th e s ky.

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O ne da y, t wo c h i l dr e n w ere b o r n t o a m a n name d M u n di l f a r i a n d h is w i f e , a b o y a n d a girl . To h i s e y e t h e y w ere s o b e a u t i f u l t h a t h e na m e d t h e m f o r th e tw o m o s t b e a u t i f u l th ing s h e k n e w, t h e S u n and t h e M o o n .

H ow e ve r, t h e G o ds we r e not q u i t e s o p l e a s e d th at a m o r t a l wo u l d d are g i ve h i s c h i l dr e n such grand names s o th e y s we p t b o t h c h il d r e n u p i n t o t h e H eave n s , p l a c i n g t h e m w i th t h e i r n a m e s a k e s a s a w ar n i n g .

Su nna wa s p l a c e d o n th e c ha r i o t o f t h e S u n and h a n de d t h e r e i n s o f th e ho r s e s t h a t dr o ve th e S u n a c r o s s t h e s k y ev ery da y. I t ’ s b e l i e ve d th at t h e s p e e d t h e S u n mov e s a c r o s s t h e s k y

i s s e t b y t h e wo lf S k ö l l (t r e a c h e r y) wh o da i l y c h a s e s h e r c h a r i o t . S u n na dr i ve s f a s t e n o ug h t o e va de c a p t u r e b ut n o t s o f a s t a s t o t i re Á r va k r a n d Al s vi ðr, t h e h o r s e s t h a t draw h e r. H e r b r o t h er M á n i , b e c a m e t he m o o n , f o r e ve r c hased h i s o wn wo l f Hat i H r ó ð vi t n i s s o n .

S u n n a i s k n o wn by many names in m y t h o l o g y, de pendi ng on the story she is a p p e a r i n g i n . O ft en s h e i s s i m p l y S ól (S u n ), s o m e t i mes she is Daughter o f M u n di l f a r i o r S i s t e r o f t h e M oo n.

Sometimes she is k n o wn a s Wi f e o f G l e n r, h e r b e t r o t hed b e f o r e t h e G o ds s we p t t h e m i n t o t h e s k y.

B e c a u s e s h e dr i ves t h e f i e r y c h a r i ot of the sun she is s o m e t i m e s c a l l e d Fi re o f H e a ve n a n d o f t h e A i r ; o r A l f r ö ðull

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology

The Story of Sunna Continued (El f- beam) . A nd s ometi mes, D va l i n n ’ s Pl a y m a t e a n d D e c e i ve r o f Dva linn for th e d w arf w h o cr a f t e d t h e r u n e s a n d g a ve t h e m t o t h e dw a r ve n r ac e. L i k e al l d w arv e s , h e l i ve s u n de r g r o u n d a n d i f t o u c hed by th e S un’ s rays w il l tu rn to s t o n e .

M ost of us i n th e mod ern w e s t a r e u s e d t o vi e wi n g t h e m o o n a s feminine a nd w orki ng w i th t h e e n e r g y o f h e r wa x i n g a n d wa n i n g cycle s. With Su nna w e c an m a r r y t h e c o n s t a n t f i e r y e n e r g y o f t h e sun w ith t h e c reati v e mani f e s t i n g p o we r o f t h e G o dde s s . Th i s c a n b e e specia lly u s ef u l f or any mag i c de s i g n e d t o b r i n g s o m e t h i n g p o s i ti ve into your l i f e. https://www.zinzeudo.com/blogs/zinzeudo-blog/sunna-norse-goddess-of-the-sun

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Auxo Shared By: High Priestess RavensThorn Morrigan

Auxo or Aux es i a ( m eaning “ G row th, Increas e” ) , w as t h e Gr eek god d es s o f Gr ow th . Sh e i s conside r e d both one o f th e H or a e and o ne of th e G rac es . I n some ca se s , A u x es ia/ Auxo w a s a ti tl e o f Per se ph one, th e goddess of Sp r ing Gr ow th .

Myths & Legends Auxo is a g od d es s wh o gr a nts grow th and p r osperity to fi elds. S h e w as pr ima r ily w ors h ipped ar ound Athens , and in th e A rgol is re gion (conta inin g

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the c i t i e s o f A r g o s , Tro eze n , a n d E pida u r u s , a m o n g o ther s ). I n At h e n s s h e wa s wo r s h i p p e d al ong s i de H e g e m o n e and C a r p h o , wh i l e i n A r g o l i s s h e wa s pai re d wi t h D a m i a (o f the L a n d ). A r g o l i s ( s pec i f c a lly t h e Arg iv e s ) de s c i r b e d th e two a s C r e t a n mai d e n s , p r o b a b l y pri es t e s s e s , wh o m a y h av e b e e n e l e va t e d t o d iv i n i t y f o l l o wi n g t h e i r marty r do m a t t h e h a n ds of l oc a l p e a s a n t s .

Origins A c c or di n g t o a l e g e n d i n Tro e s e n , t h e r e wa s onc e a n i n s u r r e c t i o n .

Tw o C r e t a n m a i de n s , name d A u x e s i a a n d Dami a (t h e la t t e r perh a p s r e p r e s e n t i n g Dem e t e r ) we r e s tone d t o de a t h .

Af terwa r ds , t h e Troez e n i a n s p a i d di vi n e h onour s t o t h e m , a n d i ns tit u t e d t h e f e s t i va l of th e L i t h o b o l i a ( m ea n i n g “ S t o n i n g ” ).

Famine in Epidaurus

L o n g a g o , t h e p eo ple o f E p i da u r u s we re u n a b l e t o g r o w any f o o d. A s s u c h , t hey we n t t o t h e o r acle at Delphi, asking wh a t t o do , a n d she t o l d t h e m t o s e t up statues of Damia a n d Au x e s i a . When t h e y a s k e d wh a t t he statues should be m a de o f t h e p r i est ess t o l d t h e m t o m ake i t o u t o f o l i ve woo d.

As s u c h , “ t h e me n of Epidauros (E p i d a u r u s ) as ke d t h e At h eni a ns to p e r m i t t h e m to cut d o w n s o m e o l i ve trees, supposing t h e o l i ves t h ere t o b e t h e h o l i e s t.

I nd ee d i t i s sai d t h a t a t t h a t t i me t h e r e w e r e no o l i ves a ny w h ere s a ve a t At h en s .”

Th e p e o p l e o f At hens a g r e e d t o g i ve t he t r e e s , s o l o n g as t h e y p a i d y e a r ly t r i b u t e t o At h e n a

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Auxo and Er e ch t h eu s ( a king of At hen s in G reek m ytho l og y) .

Agr eeing to th e d ema nd, the E pida ur ia ns w ere able to make th e woode n sta tu es .

Afte r setting u p Da mia a nd A u x es i a, t h e ir la nd brou gh t for th fr uit.

Theft of the Statues

Th e p eop le of A egina ( an is l and s ittin g between E pida urus and Athen s ) w ere subject to E pi d au ru s , but a fter bu il d i ng t h e ir own s h i ps th e Aeginia ns rev ol ted from th e m. Du ri ng t h is r e volt th ey s tol e t h e sta tues of D ami a and Auxe si a and pu t t h e m in the mi d d l e of th e ir own h ome, t h e n fulfilled c ertai n rite s to tr y and ga in th e fav or of t h e godde s s es .

s teal t h e s t a t u e s b a c k f r o m Ae g i n a i n o r de r t o retu r n D a m i a a n d Au x o t o E p i da u r u s (s o t h at the t r i b u t e w o u ld b e p a i d a g a i n ).

H ow e ve r, wh i l e t r y i n g t o dr a g t h e s t a t u e s ou t th e At h e n i a n t h i e ve s we r e s t o p p e d b y an earthqu a k e a n d a t h u n de r s t o r m . Th e y we re th en c o n s u m e d b y m a dn e s s , a n d a l l di e d but one. Th e A e g i n e t a n s a dde d t o t h i s l e g e n d, t hat th e s t a t u e s , wh i l e t h e At h e n i a n s we r e dr a g g i ng th em do wn , f e l l u p o n t h e i r k n e e s , a n d t h at t hey remai n e d i n t h i s a t t i t u de e ve r a f t e r. https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Auxo#:~:text=Myths%20%26%20 Legends%20Auxo%20is%20a%20goddess%20who,cities%20of%20 Argos%2C%20Troezen%2C%20and%20Epidaurus%2C%20among%20 others%29.

With th e st atu es stole n, th e E pida ur ia ns s topped pa ying tr ibu te to Ath ens, w h o tried to

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Alectrona Some b e l i e ve d w h ol e h e a r t e dl y t h a t s h e w as t h e c a u s e o f m e n w aki n g f r o m t h e i r s l e e p ev ery m o r n i n g .

H er f a t h e r wa s H E L I O S , Ti tan l o r d o f t h e s u n (and the patron g od o f t h e I s la n d of R h o d e s ), a n d h e r mothe r wa s Rh o de ( o r R h o d o s ), a n y m p h f rom t h e s a m e i s l a n d.

Sh e wa s a s i s t e r t o th e He l i a da e , t h e s ev en s o n s o f H e l i o s and Rh o do s .

Ale ctr ona ( a l s o known as El ectryone o r El ectryo) w as th e gr eek goddes s of t h e sun.

It is th ought th at she migh t h av e al s o b een th e god d es s of mor ning or ‘ w ak in g fr om slu mb e r ’ .

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H er s e ve n b r o t h e r s we r e known t o b e s k i l l e d i n al l m a n n e r o f s e a f a r i n g and a s t r o l o g y a n d t h e y w ere t h e o n e s wh o s tarte d t h e t r a di t i o n o f of f eri n g s a c r i f i c e s t o th e g o dde s s ATH E N A .

U nf or t u n a t e l y, n o t mu c h i s k n o wn a b o u t A l ec tr o n a , t h o u g h s h e d i d h a ve a t e m p l e bu i l t i n h e r h o n o r w i th s p e c i a l r u l e s a n d regu l a t i o n s t o b e r e a d bef or e e n t e r i n g . S h e d i ed a vi r g i n a n d i t is s ai d t h a t a f t e r h e r

‘ d ea t h ’ s h e was h o n o r e d a s a h ero i ne on the Island of Rh o de s . Th e c ause o f h e r de a t h i s u n k n o wn , t h o u g h t h e r e i s s p e c u l at i o n t h a t s h e wa s k i lled du r i n g a wa r b e t we e n t h e g ods.

Th e n a m e ‘ E l ec t r y o ne’ means ‘ a m b er, s h i ni n g, i r i d e s c e nt ’ , a fitting name for a g o dde s s o f t h e sun and morning.

Th e ‘A l ec t r o na’ form of her name i s a l s o ve r y s i mi lar t o t h e wo r d f o r ‘ r o o s t e r ’ in ancient Greek.

Th i s f u r t h e r c e m ent s the belief that A l e c t r o n a wo k e t he s l e e p i n g p o p u l a ce e ve r y m o r n i n g – ju s t l i k e a r o o s ter i s p r o n e t o do !

ALECTRONA: HTTPS://GREEKGODSANDGODDESSES.NET - Greek Gods & Goddesses, June 10, 2018

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology

The Story of Freyr Shared by Bella Bloodmoon

w i th a p h a l l i c s t a t u e i n th e Te m p l e a t U p p s a l a .

A c c or di n g t o S n o r r i Stu rlu s o n , F r e y r wa s “ t h e m o s t r eno w ne d of the Aesir “, and w as v e n e r a t e d f o r g o o d h arv e s t a n d p e a c e .

Fr e yr (Ol d N ors e: ‘L ord’), someti mes anglicize d as F rey, i s a w ide ly a ttes ted god in Nor se m y th ol ogy, associa ted w ith sacr a l king s h i p, fer tility, p eac e, pr osp er ity, and v ir ility, with sunsh ine a nd f ai r wea th e r, a nd w i th good h a r ves t.

Fr e yr, sometimes re fe r r ed to as Y ngv iFr e yr, w a s es pec i al l y associa ted w ith Swede n a nd s een as an a ncestor of th e Swedish r o yal h ou s e.

Accor ding to A d am of Br e me n, F reyr wa s a ssoci ated w i th pe a ce a nd pl eas u re, and wa s r e pres ented

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I n th e m y t h o l o g i c a l s torie s i n t h e I c e l a n di c book s t h e Po e t i c E dda and t h e Pr o s e E dda , F rey r i s p r e s e n t e d a s one o f t h e Va n i r, t h e s on o f t h e g o d N jö r ð r and h i s s i s t e r - wi f e , a s w el l a s t h e t wi n b r o t h e r of th e g o dde s s F r e y ja .

T h e g o ds g a ve h i m Á l f h e i m r, t h e r e a l m o f th e El ve s , a s a t e e t h i n g pres e n t . H e r i de s t h e s h ini n g dwa r f- m a de boar G u l l i n b u r s t i a n d pos s e s s e s t h e s h i p Sk í ðb l a ð n i r wh i c h al w ay s h a s a f a vo r a b l e breez e a n d c a n b e f ol d e d t o g e t h e r a n d c arri e d i n a p o u c h wh e n it is n o t b e i n g u s e d.

F rey r i s a l s o k n o wn t o h av e b e e n a s s o c i a t e d w i th t h e h o r s e c u l t . H e al s o k e p t s a c r e d h o r s e s

in his sanctuary a t Tr o n dh e i m i n N o r wa y. H e h a s t he s e r va n t s S k í r n i r, B y g g vi r a n d B e y la.

Th e m o s t e x t e n si ve s u r vi vi n g F r e y r m y t h r e l a t e s F rey r’s f a l l i n g i n l o ve w i t h t h e f e m a l e jö t u nn G e r ð r. E ve n t u a lly, s h e b e c o m e s h i s wi fe b u t f i r s t F r e y r has t o g i ve a wa y h i s s wo rd wh i c h f i g h t s o n i t s o wn “ i f w i s e be he w h o w i el d s i t.”

Al t h o u g h de p r i v ed o f t h i s we a p o n , F r e y r de f e a t s t he jö t u n n B e l i wi t h an a n t l e r. H o we ve r, l a c k i n g h i s s wo rd, F r e y r wi l l b e k illed b y t h e f i r e jö t unn S u r t r du r i n g t he e ve n t s o f Ra g n arö k.

F r e y r i s o n e o f t he m o s t i m p o r t a n t and wi de l y wo r s h i ped g o ds o f t h e N o r se pantheon. He is wi de l y c o n s i de red e qu a l t o O di n and Th o r. Th i s m a k e s s e n s e wh e n y o u

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Freyr conside r th e reac h o f th e a nci ent Nors e, and th e va r yi ng re giona l bel ief sy stems th at w ere la te consol id ated t o cr e a te a s ingl e ( m ore or l es s ) myth ology. “ F r e yr ” – me a ning “ Lo r d” – is mor e a t itl e th an a na me. F reyr is descr ibe d as re ma r ka bly h and s ome and is cons id ered alongside hi s s i s ter.

Fr e ya a deity of love, sexual ity and fer tility, r epres enting ma sculine potenc y.

Ma ny a r ch a eol ogi c al ar tifa cts h av e been found de pic ti ng Fr e yr, a nd th ere are n umer ous p l ac en a me s h onoring him spa nni ng t h r ough out Norw ay, t h e N eth erl and s and S w ede n, fur th er a tte s ti ng t o h is w ide s pread imp or ta nce. H e ru l es o ve r th e r ain and th e shining of th e s u n, and th e r e w i th al th e fruit of th e earth ;

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and i t i s g o o d t o c a l l o n h im f o r f r u i t f u l s e a s o n s and p e a c e . H e g o ve r n s al s o t h e p r o s p e r i t y o f men.

H e own s t wo o f t h e s i x magic a l t r e a s u r e s o f t h e god s , m a de b y D wa r f mas te r s m i t h s . Th e 1 s t is G ul l i n b u r s t i , a s u n l ike g o l de n b o a r t h a t s erv e s a s h i s m o u n t , and wh i c h c a n r u n th roug h t h e s k y a n d ov er l a n d. Th e 2 n d is Sk i db l a dn i r, a s h i p mad e o f g o l d t h a t c o u l d s ai l wi t h o u t wi n d a n d w h i c h f o l de d u p t o f i t in h i s p o c k e t .

F rey r wa s s u c h a n impor t a n t de i t y t h a t i t w as c o m m o n t o f i n d h i s l iken e s s b e s i de O di n and Th o r o n a l t a r s i n th e Vi k i n g Ag e . H e i s a k i n g i n h i s o wn r i g h t and i s c o n s i de r e d t o be a g o d o f k i n g s h i p and s o ve r e i g n t y. Ada m of Br e m e n , a l t h o u g h Ch rist i a n i n b i a s a n d tri v ia l i z i n g o f p a g a n bel i ef, n o t e d t h a t t h e Sw ed e s wo r s h i p e d a onc e-h u m a n k i n g n a m e d

F r e y r, a n d c o n cluded t h a t t h i s i s t h e o ri g i n o f t h e g o d.

H i s r e i g n wa s a g o l de n e r a , s u ch t h a t t h e y ve n e r at ed h i m a f t e r de a t h.

Th e c o n t e x t B r e m en misses is one in wh i c h p a g a n c ult ures ve n e r a t e k i n g s b o t h a f t e r de a t h a n d du r i n g l i f e .

Bremen is likely c o n f u s i n g wo r s hi p o f a de a d h u m a n gi ven t h e t i t l e “ L o r d” (F r e y r ), wi t h an o n g o i n g t r a di t i o n o f ve n e r a t i o n o f k i ng s wh o we r e s e e n t o b e a l i vi n g e m b o dim ent o f t h e g o d.

Associated Names:

F r e y, Y n g vi , Y n g vi F r e y r, I n g u i , I n g , F r a wja z , F r i c c o , Frø , F r e o , I n g a wz .

One of the most f r e qu e n t l y r e t o ld m y t h s s u r r o u n d i ng F r e y r i s t h e a c co unt of his courtship and marriage.

S n o r r i S t u r l u s o n, i n t h e Pr o s e E d da,

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Freyr d escr ibe s t h i s ev ent b eginning wi th th e god’s 1 st gl i mps e of his e ve ntual brid e.

It ch a nce d one d ay t h a t F r eyr h ad gone t o H lidskjá l f and ga ze d over al l th e wor ld; but w h en h e looke d over i nto th e n or th e r n r e gion, h e saw on a n es tate a h ouse gr e at and fair. And to w ard th is house went a w oman; wh en sh e r ais ed h er ha nds a nd opened t h e door be f ore h er, b righ tne ss gl eamed from h e r h and s , both o ve r sky a nd s ea, and all th e wor l d s w ere illumined of h er.

Th e woma n w as Ger ðr, a beau ti f u l J otun (gia n tes s ) .

Fr e yr imme d iatel y fell in love w ith her a nd bec ame d epr e ssed, f eel i ng t h a t h e wou l d d i e if h e could not be u nite d w ith h is b elove d. Af ter a pe r iod of fru itl es s b rooding, h e f i nal l y

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rev ea l e d h i s r o m a n t i c w oes t o S k í r n i r, h i s f oot- p a g e . Af t e r bemo a n i n g h i s b r o k e n h eart e d s t a t e , t h e g o d entre a t e d h i s s e r va n t to go f o r t h a n d wo o t h e giant e s s i n h i s s t e a d.

Sk i rn i r a g r e e d b u t noted t h a t h e wo u l d req u i r e h i s m a s t e r ’ s h ors e a n d s wo r d t o brav e t h e da n g e r s betw e e n t h e i r h o m e a n d th e g i a n t e s s ’ s a b o de .

T h en S k í r n i r a n s we r e d th u s : h e wo u l d g o o n h is er r a n d, b u t F r e y r s h ou l d g i ve h i m h i s ow n s wo r d- wh i c h i s s o good t h a t i t f i g h t s o f its el f; - a n d F r e y r di d not re f u s e , b u t g a ve h i m th e s w o r d. Th e n S k í r n i r w ent f o r t h a n d wo o e d th e w o m a n f o r h i m a n d rec ei ve d h e r p r o m i s e ; and n i n e n i g h t s l a t e r she was to come to the pl ac e c a l l e d B a r r e y, a n d th en g o t o t h e b r i da l w i th F r e y r.

T h e E ddi c p o e m Sk í rn i s m á l p r o vi de s f u rth e r i n s i g h t i n t o t h e mean s o f p e r s u a s i o n

e m p l o y e d b y S k i rni r t o e n c o u r a g e t he g i a n t e s s t o r e t urn wi t h h i m t o h i s m a s t e r. Wh e n s he r e f u s e d h i s g i f t s and entreaties, Freyr b e g a n t o t h r e a t en h e r wi t h m a g i c a l curses until she r e l e n t e d a n d a g reed to the marriage.

Th e l o s s o f F r e y r ’ s s wo r d wa s n o t wi t h o ut c o n s e qu e n c e s . Fo r instance, a later a c c o u n t de s c r i b es a b a t t l e b e t we e n Frey r a n d B e l i (a g i ant ), wh o t h e we a p o n less g o d e n de d u p slay i ng wi t h a n a n t l e r. Mo re s i g n i f i c a n t l y, t he l o s s o f h i s s wo r d i s s a i d t o b e o ne o f t h e r e a s o n s t hat F r e y r f a l l s t o S urt r a t Ra g n a r ö k (t h e b a t t le a t t h e e nd o f t i m e ).

Freyr - Wikipedia http://ydalir.ca/norsegods/ freyr/ https://www. newworldencyclopedia.org/ entry/Freyr#The_Marriage_ of_Freyr

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Mithra s c h ola r s h i p h a s n o t e d d is s im i l a r i t i e s b e t we e n th e Pe r s i a n a n d Ro m a n trad it i o n s , m a k i n g i t , at mo s t , t h e r e s u l t o f Roma n p e r c e p t i o n s o f Z oroa s t r i a n i de a s .

Mith r a commonl y known a s M eh r, is t h e Ir a nia n d ei ty o f cove na n t, l igh t, o ath , justic e and th e sun. In a ddition to b eing th e di v ini ty o f contr a ct s , Mi th ra is a lso a ju d i c i al fi gur e, a n al l - s eei ng pr ote ctor of Tru th , and th e guard ian of cattle , th e h arv es t, and of th e Waters .

Th e Roma n s attr ibute d th eir Mith r a ic m y s teries t o “Per sian ” ( i.e., Z oroas tria n ) sour ce s r el ating t o M ith r a . Sinc e t h e e a r ly 1 970s , t h e dominant

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Etymology Toget h e r wi t h t h e Ved i c c o m m o n n o u n mitra , t h e Ave s t a n c omm o n n o u n m i θr a d eri ve s f r o m Pr o t o I nd o-I r a n i a n * m i t r á m ( M it ra ), f r o m t h e r o o t * m i - “ t o b i nd ” , w ith t h e “ t o o l s u f f i x ” - tra- “ c a u s i ng t o ” .

Thus, etymologically mi tra / m i θr a m e a n s “that which causes b in d i ng ” , p r e s e r ve d in th e Ave s t a n wo r d f o r “ C o ve na nt , Co nt r a c t , O at h ” . I n M i ddl e I rani a n l a n g u a g e s ( Mid d le Pe r s i a n , Pa rth i a n e t c . ), m i θr a bec am e m i h r, f r o m w h i c h N e w Pe r s i a n m e h r and A r m e n i a n m i h r / meh r u l t i m a t e l y de r i ve .

In scripture L ike m o s t o t h e r D i v in i t i e s , M i t h r a is not m e n t i o n e d b y

n a m e i n t h e G a t has, t h e o l de s t t e x t s o f Z o r o a s t r i a n i sm a n d t r a di t i o n a l ly attributed to Z o r o a s t e r h i m s e lf, o r b y n a m e i n t he Ya s n a H a p t a n g hai t i , a s e ve n - ve r s e s ect i o n o f t h e Ya s n a l i t urg y t h a t i s l i n g u i s t ically a s o l d a s t h e G a t has.

A s a m e m b e r o f t he I r a n i a n a h u r i c tri ad, a l o n g wi t h A h ura M a z da a n d A h ura B e r e z a i t i (A p a m Na p a t ), M i t h r a i s a n e x a l t e d f i g u r e.

To g e t h e r wi t h Ra s h n u “Ju s t i ce ” and Sraosha “ O b ed i enc e ” , Mithra is one of t h e t h r e e ju dg es at t h e C h i n va t B r i dg e, the “Bridge of S ep a r a t i o n” t hat a l l s o u l s m u s t c ro ss.

Unlike Sraosha, Mithra is not, h o we ve r, a psychopomp, a g u i de o f s o u l s t o t he p l a c e o f t h e de a d.

Should the Good

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Mithra Though ts, Word s , and Deeds outwei gh th e B a d, S r a osha al one conve ys th e Sou l ac r oss th e Bri d ge.

As th e Divi nity of Contr a ct, Mith ra is undece iv abl e, infa llible, eternal l y w a tch ful, and nev erresting. Mith ra i s additiona ll y th e protector of c attl e, and h is stoc k epith e t is “ o f Wide Pastu r es.” H e i s G ua r dia n o f th e w a te r s a nd ens u res t ha t th ose pas tu res receive e nou gh of i t.

The la ck of Mith ra’ s pre sence in th e tex ts w a s once a c au s e of some const ernation amongst Iranians .

An ofte n-r e peated specula tion of th e fir st h a lf of th e 20th ce ntur y was th at th e l ack of a ny menti on ( i.e., Zoro a s ter’ s sil ence) of Mith ra in t hese te xts impl ied t ha t Z or oa s ter h ad rejecte d Mith ra.

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This ex silentio s pec u l a t i o n i s n o l o n g e r f ol l ow e d. B u i l di n g on tha t s p e c u l a t i o n w as a n o t h e r s e r i e s o f s pec u l a t i o n s , wh i c h pos tul a t e d t h a t t h e reas o n wh y Z o r o a s t e r did not mention Mithra w as t h a t t h e l a t t e r wa s th e s up r e m e G o d o f a bl oo dt h i r s t y g r o u p of d ae va - wo r s h i p e r s th at Z o r o a s t e r c ond e m n e d. H o we ve r, “no satisfactory e v ide nc e h a s y e t b e e n a d d u c ed t o sho w t h a t , b e for e Zo r o a s t e r, t h e c o nc e p t o f a su p re m e g o d e x i s t e d amo n g t h e I r a ni a ns , o r t ha t a m o ng t h e m M it hr a – o r a ny o t h e r d i vi ni t y – eve r e n j o y e d a s ep a r a t e c u lt o f h i s o r h e r o w n o u t s i d e e i t h er t h e ir a nc i ent o r t h e ir Zo r o a s t r i a n p an t h eo ns . ” T h e Ave s t a n H y m n t o Mith r a (Ya s h t 10) is th e l o n g e s t , a n d o n e of th e b e s t - p r e s e r ve d, of th e Ya s h t s . M i t h r a

i s de s c r i b e d i n the Zoroastrian Ave s t a s c r i p t u r e s as “Mithra of Wi d e Pa s t u r es , o f t h e Th o u s a n d E a r s , a nd o f the Myriad Eyes,” “ t h e L o f t y, a nd t h e E ve r l a s t i n g... t h e P r o vi nc e R u l e r, ” “ t h e Yaz ad (D i vi ni t y ) o f the S p o k e n N a m e” and “ t h e H o l y, ” Th e K h o r da Ave st a (B o o k o f C o mmo n P r a y e r ) a l s o r e fer to Mithra in the L i t a n y t o t h e S un, “Homage to M i t h r a o f Wi d e Ca t t l e Pa s t u r es ,” “ W h o s e Wo r d i s Tr u e , w h o i s of t h e A s s e m b l y, Who h a s a Th o u s a n d E a r s , t h e We l l S h a p e d One, Who h a s Ten Th o us an d E y es , t h e E x al te d One, W h o h a s Wi d e Kno w l ed ge , t h e H el p f u l On e , W h o S l ee p s Not, t h e E ve r Wa k e f ul .

We s a c r i f i c e to

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Mithra Mith r a, T h e Lo r d of all c oun t r ie s, W hom Ah u r a Maz da c r e at e d t h e most g lor io u s, O f th e S u p er n at u r al Yaz ads. So may th er e c om e t o us for Aid, B o t h Mith r a a n d A h u r a, th e Two Exalt e d O n es,” “I sh all sa c r ific e t o h is ma c e, well-aime d ag a inst the Sk u lls of the Dae v as” Some r ece nt th eories ha ve cla imed Mi th ra re pr e sents th e Su n itse lf, but th e Kh ord a Ave sta r e fe rs to th e Sun a s a separate entity – a s i t d oes with th e M oon, with wh ich th e Su n ha s “the B e st o f Fr iendshi p s,” In inscriptions Alth ough th ere is n o known M ith raic ic onogr a p h y i n t h e Ach a e menid pe r iod, th e d eity i s invoked in s ev eral roya l Ach a emenid inscr ip tion s :

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I n A rt a x e r x e s II’s trilingual ins c ri p t i o n a t S u s a and H a m a da n wh i c h h av e t h e s a m e t e x t , th e e m p e r o r a p p e a l s to “A h u r a m a z d a , A n ah i t a , a nd M i t h r a p r o t e c t m e a g a i ns t all e vi l , ” a n d i n wh i c h h e be s e e c h e s t h e m t o prote c t wh a t h e h as b u i l t .

A l th o u g h t h e B e h i s t u n ins c ri p t i o n o f D a r i u s I inv o k e s A h u r a m a z da and “ t h e Ot h e r G o ds w h o a r e ” , th is i n s c r i p t i o n o f A rtax e r x e s I I i s remar k a b l e a s n o A c h ae m e n i d k i n g b e f o r e h im h a d i n vo k e d a n y bu t Ah u r a M a z da a l o n e by na m e . B o y c e s u g g e s t s th at t h e r e a s o n f o r t h i s w as t h a t A r t a x e r x e s h ad c h o s e n An a h i t a a n d Mith r a a s h i s p a t r o n / prote c t o r D i vi n i t i e s .

Mith r a h a s i n vo k e d again i n t h e s i n g l e known i n s c r i p t i o n o f A rtax e r x e s I I I , f o u n d at Per s e p o l i s . I n t h a t ins c ri p t i o n , t h a t

e m p e r o r t o a p peals t o “A h u r a m a zd a a nd t h e G o d M i t h r a p r es erve m e , m y c o u ntry, a nd w h a t h a s be e n built by me.”

In tradition I n t h e Z o r o a s t r i an c a l e n da r, t h e s i x t e e n t h da y of t h e m o n t h a n d t he s e ve n t h m o n t h o f t he y e a r a r e de di c at ed t o a n d a r e u n der t he p r o t e c t i o n o f Mi t hra.

Th e I r a n i a n c i v i l c a l e n da r o f 1 9 2 5 a do p t e d Z o r o a s t ri an m o n t h - n a m e s , a nd a s s u c h a l s o h a s t he s e ve n t h m o n t h o f t he y e a r n a m e d “ Mi hr”.

Th e p o s i t i o n o f t h e s i x t e e n t h day a n d s e ve n t h m ont h r e f l e c t s M i t h r a ’s rank in the hierarchy of t h e D i vi n i t i e s ; the s i x t e e n t h da y a nd s e ve n t h m o n t h are r e s p e c t i ve l y t h e fi rst da y o f t h e s e c ond h a l f o f t h e m o nt h a n d t h e f i r s t m o nt h o f t h e s e c o n d half o f

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Mithra t h e yea r. T h e d ay on wh ich th e d ay - name and month- name d edica tions i nters ec t is (l ik e all other such inter s ection s ) d edica te d to th e d ivinity of th at d a y/month , and is cele br a t ed w i th a Ja sh a n (f rom Av es tan Ya s n a , “ Wors hip” ) in honor of that Divinity. In th e c as e of M ith r a , th is w as J ash a n-e M i h ragan, or just M ih ragan for sh or t.

In Z or oa stri an sc r ip tur e , Mith ra is distinct f rom th e d ivinity of th e Su n, Hva r e -kh shaeta ( l iteral l y “ Ra dia nt Sun”, from w hich t he Middle Pers ia n w ord K hors hed f o r t he Sun).

Howeve r, i n Zor oa str ia n t r a dition, M ith ra evolve d fr om being an a ll-se eing f i gu re ( hence va g u el y as s ociated w ith

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the S u n ) i n t o a di vi n i t y c o- i de n t i f i e d wi t h t h e Su n i t s e l f, e f f e c t i ve l y tak i n g o ve r H va r e kh s h a e t a ’ s r o l e .

I t is un c e r t a i n h o w and wh e n a n d wh y th is o c c u r r e d, b u t i t i s c omm o n l y a t t r i b u t e d to c o n f l a t i o n wi t h th e B a b y l o n i a n s u n god S h a m a s h a n d/ or th e G r e e k de i t y A pol l o , wi t h wh o m Mith r a s h a r e s m u l t i p l e c h ara c t e r i s t i c s s u c h a s a judicial function and as s oc i a t i o n wi t h t h e Su n. Th i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c is par t o f M i t h r a ’ s I n do inh er i t a n c e i n t h a t t h e I nd ic Ri g ve da h a ve s o l a r d i v ini t i e s t h a t a r e n o t d i s ti n c t f r o m M i t h r a / Mitra a n d M i t r a i s as s oc i a t e d wi t h s u n r i s e in th e At h a r va ve da . S u n Sal u t a t i o n i s a da i l y yogic a c t i vi t y wo r l dwi de ev en i n c u r r e n t t i m e s and i s p r e c e de d b y c h ant i n g “ OM M i t r a y a N am a h a ” , wh e r e “ M itr a y a ” i s o n e o f th e 1 0 8 N a m e s f o r L o r d Su rya / S u n G o d.

Ro y a l n a m e s incorporating M i t h r a ’ s (e . g . , “ M i t h r a d a t e s”) appear in the dy n a s t i e s o f Pa rt hi a, Ar m e n i a , a n d i n An a t o l i a , i n Po nt us a n d C a p p a do c i a .

Th e y o u t h f u l Ap o l l o n i a n - t y p e Mithra is found in i m a g e s f r o m o t her c o u n t r i e s o f I r ani an culture in the Pa r t h i a n p e r i o d, s u c h a s C o m m ag ene i n t h e Ro m a n Pa r t h i a n b o r de r a n d t h e Ku s h a n E m p i r e o n t h e I ndo I r a n i a n b o r de r.

In Manichaeism Pe r s i a n a n d Pa r t h i a n - s p e a k i ng M a n i c h a e a n s u sed t h e n a m e o f M i t hra current in their time (M i h r y a zd , q . e .

M i t h r a - y a za t a ) f o r t wo di f f e r e n t M a n i c h a e a n a n g els.

Th e f i r s t , c a l l e d Mihryazd by the Pe r s i a n s , wa s t he

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology The Story of Mithra “Living Sp ir it ” ( Aram aic ra yy) , a sa vior -figu re w h o rescues th e “ F ir st M an ” fr om th e de monic Dark nes s into w h ich h e had plunged .

The se cond , know n as M ih r or Mih r Yaz d among th e Parth i ans , is th e “Me sse n g e r ” ( Aram aic z g a dd) , l ikew ise a sav i or figur e , but one conce r ne d w ith setting up th e str uctur e s t o l iberate t he Ligh t los t w h en t he F ir st M an h ad b e en defe ated .

The se cond f igu re me ntione d abov e, t he Th ir d M es s enger, w a s th e h e l per and redeeme r o f mank i nd , and identif ied w ith anoth er Z oroas trian divinity, N ari s af ( deriv ed from Pahl avi N a rs h from Av esta n N airy.s ah, m eaning ‘Potent Utterance ’ , the name of a Ya z a ta ) .

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Citing B o y c e , S u n de r m a n n r e m a r k s , “ I t was amo ng t h e Pa r t h i a n M a ni c h ea ns t h a t M it h r a a s a S u n Go d s u r p a s s ed t h e imp o r t a nc e o f N a r i s a f a s t h e c o m m o n Ir an i a n i m a g e o f t h e Th i r d M es s e ng er; amo ng t h e Pa r t h i a ns t h e d o m i na nc e of M it h r a w a s s u c h t h a t h i s i d ent i f i c a t i on w it h t h e Th i r d M es s e ng er l e d t o c u l ti c e mp ha s i s o n t h e M i t h r a i c t r a i t s i n t he M an i c h a e a n Go d . ” U nrel a t e d t o t h e s e M i h r s a r e Pa r t h i a n a n d Sogd i a n M y t r o r M y t r g . Al t h o u g h s h a r i n g l i ngui s t i c r o o t s wi t h t h e n a m e M i t h r a , We rner Su nde r m a n n e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t t h o s e n a m e s d enot e M a n i c h e a n i s m ’ s e qu i va l e n t o f M a i trey a.

In literature A c c or di n g t o B o y c e , t h e e a r l i e s t l i t e r a r y ref ere n c e s t o t h e m y s t e r i e s a r e b y t h e L a t in poet S t a t i u s , a b o u t 8 0 C E , a n d Pl u t a r c h . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology

The Story of Ra

Shared by High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

to R a , t h e g r e a t e s t g o d of anc i e n t E g y p t .

In a nor th wes tern q ua r ter of s u bu rban Cair o, covered by 20 me ter s of earth , de ve lopme nt and th e l ost e ch oes of h i s tory, is a ncie nt Iw n, th e city th a t wi tnes s ed t he cr e a tion of t he univer s e.

This city, la ter c al l ed H eliopolis ( city o f t he s un- go d) by th e G r e eks a nd l ater A i nSha ms (eye of the sun) by th e A rabs , i s proba bly on e of th e o lde st r elig i ou s s ites in th e wor l d . W h i l e its une xca v ated remna nts li e u nd er ce ntur ie s o f f iel d s and se ttle ments , t he p la ce r emains a symbolic m onu ment

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The origin story of h ow R a s p a wn e d al l th a t i s k n o wn i s both f a s c i n a t i n g a n d il l u m i n a t i n g : Bef or e c r e a t i o n , ac c or di n g t o E g y p t i a n my th o l o g y, o n l y D ark n e s s e m b r a c e d t h e P rime va l O c e a n o u t o f w h i c h l i f e wo u l d c o m e .

W h en t h e b r e a t h o f l i f e w as st r o n g a n d r e a dy, th e e n t i t y c a l l e d At u m d ec i de d i t wa s t i m e f o r Creat i o n t o b e g i n . An is l and e m e r g e d f r o m th e w a t e r t o s u p p o r t th is d i vi n i t y, wh o mani f e s t e d i t s e l f i n t h e f orm o f Ra , t h e s u n g o d of E g y p t .

O n a Pr i m e va l h i l l , Ra c reat e d o u t o f h i m s e l f th e f i r s t g o ds , S h u ( Dryn e s s a n d A i r ), and h i s p a r t n e r Te f n u t ( Hu m i d i t y ), wh o w ou l d e n g e n de r o t h e r god s t o c o m p l e t e t h e Cos m o s : G e b t h e E a r t h god a n d N u t t h e S k y god d e s s . I n t u r n , t h e s e

t wo b i r t h e d t h e Pr i n c i p l e s o f l i fe, n a m e l y O s i r i s t he Pe r f e c t B e i n g , who e ve n t u a l l y wo uld r u l e o ve r t h e r e st o f t h e wo r l d— wh ich Ra wa s b u s y c r e a t ing b y n a m i n g t h e e l e ment s.

An d b y t h e wa y, h u m a n k i n d h a ppened out of the tears of h i s e y e s . O s i r i s was a k i n d a n d wi s e ruler wh o t a u g h t h u mans agriculture and c i vi l i z a t i o n . Wi t h hi s s i s t e r / wi f e I s i s , who h e l p e d h e r h u s band wi t h c r e a t i vi t y and m a g i c , t h e y f o r m ed t h e p e r f e c t c o u ple.

Th e i r b r o t h e r S et h wa s s t r o n g b u t u n r u l y, t h e o p p o si t e o f h i s b r o t h e r. I n f a c t , S e t h e n vi ed O s i r i s s o m u c h t hat he killed him so he could inherit his throne and r u l e E g y p t t h e way h e wa n t e d. S e t h’s sister/ partner N e p h t h y s c o u l d no t s t o p t h e m u r de r

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology

The Story of Ra Continued d espite h e r l ov e f or t h e ir siblings .

K illing Osir i s tu rned o ut not suc h a b ad ide a . He w as re sur r ecte d th rou gh t h e ma gic of h is wife long e nou gh t o impr e gn ate h er with son Horu s , wh o w ould l ater avenge h is f ath er and re ca ptur e t h e th rone o f Egyp t. T h en O s iri s d epa r ted to th e O th e r wor ld to ru l e o ve r th e dec eas ed , t h us ensur i ng re sur r ectio n and th e cycle of life.

Yet th e myt h s d o not end th e r e . W h i l e th e aging R a w as f i net uning h is c reations , huma nity rebel l ed aga inst h im. T h e god de cided on exte r mina t i on, as ki ng his te a r -givi ng eye aga in for h el p.

To fulfill her tas k, t h e e ye tr ans f ormed her se lf into a fi er ce lione s s and b ega n sla ugh teri ng huma nity, del i gh ted

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in h er f e e di n g . Wh e n Ra s aw t h e c a r n a g e , h e f e l t s orry f o r t h e b e l o ve d c h il d r e n wh o , l i k e tears , ‘ c a m e o u t o f h is e y e . ’ He stopped the mas s a c r e b u t r e f u s e d to l i ve m o r e a m o n g h u ma n s . Th i s l e d t o h is j o u r n e y t o t h e O th er wo r l d, wh e r e Ra c reat e d t h e 1 2 h o u r s of d ay b y s a i l i n g t h e s ky f r o m t h e E a s t e r n h oriz o n t o t h e We s t , il l u m i n a t i n g t h e w orl d a n d a l l o wi n g al l c r e a t i o n s t o f l ou ri s h u n de r h i s rays . Re a c h i n g t h e Wes te r n h o r i z o n , Ra th en l e f t t h e e a r t h i n d ark n e s s f o r 1 2 h o u r s of nig h t wh i l e h e s ai l ed t h e U n de r wo r l d, il l u m i n a t i n g t h e de a d, d es tr o y i n g t h e e n e m i e s of c re a t i o n , a n d regen e r a t i n g h i m s e l f i n a u ni o n wi t h O s i r i s , t h e god o f r e s u r r e c t i o n .

W h en Ra a p p e a r e d a t d aw n i n t h e E a s t e r n h oriz o n , h e t o o k t h e f orm o f a f a l c o n , k n o wn as H o r - a k h t y, o r H o r u s

o f t h e H o r i z o n , t he f a l c o n wh o f l i e s hi g h i n t h e s k y (H o rus = one who is high u p . ) B u t Ra h a d o t h e r f o r m s . H e also c o u l d b e r e p r e sent ed a s a s c a r a b c a l led k h e p e r (t h e o n e who comes into b e i n g )— a n a n a lo g y based not only on t h e p u n b e t we e n t he n a m e o f t h e s c arab a n d t h e ve r b “ to h a p p e n’ , b u t a lso b e c a u s e t h e s c a rab , wh o a r i s e s f r o m de s e r t s a n ds a t t he f i r s t r a y s o f t h e sun, p u s h i n g a b a l l of du n g c a r r y i n g hi s e g g s , wa s b e l i e ved t o b e s e l f- c r e a t e d.

B y m i dda y t h e s ung o d wa s a g a i n R a and represented b y t h e s u n - di s k. At s u n s e t h e b e c a me At u m , a n o l d m an wh o h a d c o m p let ed h i s l i f e c y c l e a n d was r e a dy t o di s a p pear t o b e r e g e n e r a t e d fo r a n e w da y.

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythology

The Story of Ra Continued Give n th is s tory, t h e S un Go d R a h as alw a ys been th e gr ea te st god in Egyp t.

In th e Old Kingdom, wh en E gypt e sta b l i s h ed its institutions and e xpr e s s ed its roya l ide ology, th e d ivinized k i ng of E gypt wa s c ons id ered t h e son of th e Sun God. Dur ing a co ronation, t h e king’s name as son of Ra w as inscr ibed on a car touch e nex t to one na min g h i m as King of Upper and Lower Egyp t.

Kings e r e ct ed t e mp le s for h im, endowing th es e t e mp le s wi th l and s and cle r gy to s erv e his cult, a nd th ey adde d sun god cha pels to th eir own memo ri al t e mp le s throu gh ou t t h e countr y.

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By th e N e w K i n g do m th e c ul t o f A m u n , th e p o l i t i c a l g o d o f th e Em p i r e , t r i e d to ov e r s h a do w Ra ’ s impor t a n c e . B u t th e ki n g s o f th e 1 8 t h dy n a s t y reac t e d s t r o n g l y.

T h e de c o r a t i o n s o f t h e i r tombs i n t h e Va l l e y o f th e K i n g s i n We s t e r n T h ebe s s u p p o r t t h e s u pre m a c y o f t h e s u n god , i n wh o m k i n g s merg e d a f t e r de a t h t o parta k e i n e t e r n a l l i f e .

I n th e b r i e f ‘ mo n o t h ei s t i c e p iso d e ’ o f Ak h e n a t o n , th e k i n g de n i e d a n y g o d bu t the s u n g o d h i m s e l f and w r o t e h y m n s t o t h e god s o m a r ve l o u s t h e y w ere l a t e r e c h o e d i n th e b i b l i c a l p s a l m s o f Ki ng D a vi d.

c o n qu e s t b e f o r e t he c u l t o f Ra de c l ined.

An d y e t , e ve n t o day, i n a m o de r n E g y pt entranced by its a n c i e n t c i vi l i z at i o n, t h e t a l e e n du r es.

Re f l e c t i o n s o f R a a r e s t i l l h e a r d in f o l k l o r e a s h i s fi ery e y e i s e vo k e d i n p o p u l a r s o n g s and l o c a l e x p r e s s i o ns.

Th e wo r d Ra also appears in e ve r y t h i n g f r o m H o l l y wo o d f i l m s t o vi de o g a m e s . C learly, the resurrection of t h i s g r e a t e s t a n ci ent God continues as p r e di c t a b l y a s the sun rising in the east. https://www.arce.org/ resource/ra-creator-godancient-egypt

E v en a f t e r t h e r e i g n of A k h e n a t o n , m o s t of E g y p t ’ s g r e a t g o ds s y nthe s i z e d wi t h Ra a s A mon - Ra , K h n u m - Ra , Sobek - Ra , a n d s o f o r t h .

It would take yet more c entur i e s a n d Ro m a n

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Classifieds RavensThorn Email: axel1963@live.com Magical Gifts & Supplies

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History of July

Shared By:High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

c el eb r a t e t h e a do p t i o n of th e D e c l a r a t i o n o f I nd ep e n de n c e i n 1 7 7 6 .

Don’ t f o r g e t t o r a i s e th e f l a g !

J uly is na m ed af ter Roma n dictator J ulius C a es ar ( 1 0 0 B.C.–44 B.C.) .

Ca esa r dev el oped t h e p r e cur s or to th e Gr e gor ia n c al end ar we use tod ay.

July Calendar July 1 is C anad a D a y, a C a na d ian fede r a l h oli d ay t h a t cele br ates t h e cr e a tio n of th e D ominion o f Canad a in 1 8 6 7 .

J ul y 1 4 i s B a s t i l l e D a y, w h ic h c o m m e m o r a t e s th e s t o r m i n g o f t h e Bas ti l l e a n d t h e s t a r t o f th e F r e n c h Re vo l u t i o n .

J ul y 2 9 m a r k s I s l a m i c New Ye a r, wh i c h b e g i n s w ith t h e f i r s t s i g h t i n g of th e c r e s c e n t M o o n af ter t h e n e w M o o n i n th e m o n t h o f M u h a r r a m .

T h is e ve n t s i g n a l s t h e s tart o f t h e I s l a m i c l u nar c a l e n da r y e a r.

“Just for Fun” Days

J ul y 1 1 : I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tow n C r i e r s D a y J ul y 1 7 : Wo r l d E m o ji Day

July Weather S u m m e r 2 0 2 2 w i ll s t a r t o f f wi t h w arm t o h o t t e m p e r a tures and isolated t h u n de r s t o r m s a c r o s s m o s t o f the U n i t e d S t a t e s , ex cept f o r c o o l a n d we t c o n di t i o n s o ve r t he Ap p a l a c h i a n s a nd O h i o Va l l e y. As fo r t h e r e s t o f s u mm er, t h e U n i t e d S t a tes i s i n f o r a n o t h e r seaso n of high heat.

July’s full Moon, t h e f u l l B u c k Mo o n, o c c u r s o n We dnesday, J u l y 1 3 . I t r e a ches peak illumination a t 2 : 3 8 P. M t h at e ve n i n g , r i s i n g ab o ve t h e h o r i z o n ju st aft er s u n s e t . Pl u s , i t ’s t he b i g g e s t a n d b r i g ht est supermoon of t h e y e a r.

July 3 br ings th e sta r t of th e h ot and sultr y Dog D ays of Summe r !

J ul y 2 2 : S p o o n e r ’ s D a y J ul y 2 3 : N a t i o n a l D a y of th e C o wb o y

Fi r s t Q u a r t e r : July 6 , 1 0 : 1 4 P. M . E DT

July 4 is Independe nc e D ay ( U.S.). On th e four th of Ju l y, w e

J ul y 2 7 : Ta k e Yo u r H ou s e p l a n t s f o r a Wal k D a y

Fu l l M o o n : J u l y 1 3 , 2 : 3 8 P. M . E D T

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July’s Moon Phases

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History of July Continued

L ast Q uarter: J u l y 20 , 1 0 :1 9 A.M. E DT New Moon : J u l y 28, 1:5 5 P.M . E D T Other Astronomy Highlights

J uly 4 is th e time of ap h elion, w h en E arth is th e fa r th es t it w i l l ge t fr om th e Su n f or t h e e ntir e y ear— spe cifica lly, w e’ l l be 94 ,5 0 9 ,5 9 8 mil es awa y fr om ou r b righ t sta r !

Anoth e r h igh l igh t o f th e July s k y is th e “S u mme r Tr ian g le.”

July Gardening D e a dh ea d y ou r flow er s, r emov i ng fade d blooms f rom your spr ing perenni al flow er s suc h as pe onie s, be ard ed iri s , and Asia tic l il ies .

Ha r ve st dail y as v ege ta ble s al w ays t a ste better w h en young a nd tend er.

Sta y on top of pes ts with da ily w al k s of your ga r den.

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Mu l c h , m u l c h , m u l c h !

Retai n m o i s t u r e a n d s u ppr e s s we e ds w ith m u l c h .

L ook t o y o u r g a r de n s ; s ee th a t y o u de s t r o y a l l k i nd s o f we e ds b e f o r e th ey g o t o s e e d.

Folklore for the Season

• Ne ’ e r t r u s t a J u l y s k y.

• If ant hills are high i n J u l y, t h e c o m i n g w i n t e r wi l l b e h a r d.

• A s J u l y, s o ne x t J a n u a r y.

• No t e m p e s t , go o d J u l y, • L es t t h e c o r n l oo k r u e l y.

• W h a t e ve r J u l y a n d A u g u s t do n o t b o i l , Sep t e m b e r c a n no t f r y.

J u l y’ s b i r t h f l o we r s are the l a r k s p u r a n d w ater l i l y. Th e l a r k s p u r, es pec i a l l y wh i t e f o r m s , gener a l l y i n di c a t e s l igh the a r t e dn e s s ; p i n k , f ic kl e n e s s ; p u r p l e , f irs t l o ve .

T h e wa t e r l i l y s ymbo l i z e s p u r i t y of h ea r t .

July Birthstone Th e J u l y b i r t h s t o ne i s t h e r u b y, wh ich i s b e l i e ve d t o p r o t ect i t s we a r e r f r o m evi l.

• “ R u b y ” i s d eri ved f r o m t h e L a t in r u b e u s , wh i c h m e a n s “ r e d .”

• Th i s g e m i s a red f o r m o f c o r undum ; a l l o t h e r c o l ors a r e s a p p h i r e s. T he r u b y ’ s c o l o r i s due t o t h e p r e s e n ce o f c h r o m i u m , whi ch a l s o m a k e s t he g e m s u b je c t to cracks.

• H i g h - qu a l i t y rub i es a r e a t r a n s p arent , vi b r a n t , p u r p li sh r e d; c l o u di e r s a m p l e s , o r ones c o n t a i n i n g bro wn, o r a n g e , o r p i nk t o n e s , a r e l e ss va l u a b l e . M any r u b i e s n o wa day s a r e h e a t - t r e a t ed t o i m p r o ve co lo r s a t u r a t i o n a nd t r a n s p a r e n c y.

• Th e r u b y, a l o ng wi t h t h e r e l at ed s a p p h i r e , a r e t he s e c o n d h a r de st n a t u r a l g e m st o nes,

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History of July Continued

w ith onl y th e d iamond bei n g h a r de r.

• T h e gem w as onc e th ou gh t t o p r o t e c t wa r r i o r s i f wo r n o n t h e i r arm o r or e mbed d ed in th eir ski n.

• C onside red th e k i ng of gem s , th e r uby s y mbol izes l ov e, p a s s i o n , e n e r g y, a n d s u c c e s s .

July Zodiac & Astrology

J uly’s zodi ac s igns are Canc e r (Ju n e 2 1 t o Ju ly 2 2) a n d Leo (J ul y 2 3 to Augus t 22 ) . https://www.almanac.com/content/month-july-holidays-facts-folklore

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History of

Hanging Bottles in Trees Shared By: high priestess gloriana danu

The folklore of the bottl e t r e e i s ve r y intere s t i n g . A c c o r di n g to s to r i e s p a s s e d do wn th roug h g e n e r a t i o n s , th e bo t t l e s we r e h u n g u ps i de do wn t o e n t i c e th e c ur i o s i t y o f ev i l s p i r i t s .

A dr ive th r ou gh Ame r ica ’s o l d s ou th will lea d you to encounte r a trad ition kept a live t h rou gh o ur Gulla h f ri end s .

B ottle tr ees are pla ced in t h e y ard s of ma ny a south erner, b ut th eir r o ots d ate b ack deepl y i nto Afr ica n cul tu re.

Tra ditiona ll y, bottl e t r ees a r e cobal t b lue . T h e b ottl es wer e p la ce d on th e b ra nch es of d ead t r ees or r od s th at wer e stuck i nto t h e gr ound .

Th ese tr ees h av e b een ma de i n th e south for h u nd red s o f ye a r s.

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D rawn b y t h e r i c h , c obal t c o l o r, t h e s p i r i t s w ou l d e n t e r t h e b o t t l e s and b e c o m e t r a p p e d.

T h e e vi l s p i r i t s wo u l d be d e s t r o y e d wh e n th e s un r o s e t h e f ol l ow i n g m o r n i n g .

I f a b o t t l e h u m s wh e n th e w i n d b l o ws , y o u know t h e r e ’ s a n e vi l s pi rit t r a p p e d i n s i de .

The folk-art legend of th e bo t t l e t r e e b e g a n in th e C o n g o du r i n g th e n i n t h c e n t u r y. B l u e bottl e s we r e h u n g u ps i de do wn o n t r e e s and h u t s a s t a l i s m a n s t o w ard o f f e vi l s p i r i t s .

Bottl e s we r e a l s o t i e d to tre e s n e a r i m p o r t a n t l oc ati o n s s u c h a s meeti n g p l a c e s o r c ros sr o a ds t o t r a p a n y

spirits that we r e t r a ve l l i n g .

Th e t r a di t i o n f o und i t s wa y t o Am e ri ca wh e n s l a ve t r a de began in the 1 7 t h c e n t u r y.

S l a ve s wo u l d p lace bottles on crepe m y r t l e t r e e s . Thi s c o u l d p o s s i b l y be t i ed t o t h e B i b l e ’ s O ld Te s t a m e n t m e n t i o n o f t h e t r e e r e p r e s e nt i ng f r e e do m a n d e scape f r o m s l a ve r y.

C o b a l t b l u e i s t he m o s t p o p u l a r a nd t r a di t i o n a l c o l or fo r bottle trees.

I t i s b e l i e ve d t hat t h i s r i c h c o l o r has h e a l i n g p o we r s .

Th e c o l o r h a s also b e e n a s s o c i a t e d wi t h g h o s t s a n d s p i r i t s.

G l a s s b o t t l e s h ave also been placed in wi n do ws a n d u sed a s “ p o o r m a n’s s t a i ned g l a s s ”.

Colored bottles h a ve a l s o b e e n used

13 Sisters of Delphi

History of

Hanging Bottles in Trees t r a ditiona l l y to l ine f l ow er be ds . To da y b o t t l e t r e e s c a n b e s e e n a c ro ss t h e south i n a mu l ti tu d e of b r i g h t c o l o r s .

Hollow gla s s bottl es w ere ma de a s e a r l y a s 1 6 0 0 B . C . i n E g y p t a n d Me sop ota mia. Peopl e s oon be g a n t o b e l i e ve t h a t s p i r i t s c o u l d l i ve i n t he bottle s. One pos s i bl e reas on c o u l d b e du e t o t h e s o u n d c r e a t e d when wind pa sse s ov er th e mou th o f a b o t t l e . https:southcarolinalowcountry.com/blue-bottle-trees/

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Tarot of the Month The Hanged Man s u gge s t i n g t h a t h e i s i n th i s h a n g i n g p o s i t i o n by h i s o wn c h o i c e . H e h as a h a l o a r o u n d h i s h ead , s y m b o l i z i n g n e w i ns ight , a wa r e n e s s and e n l i g h t e n m e n t .

Keywords UPRIGHT:

Pause , sur r end er, letting go, new pe r sp ectives REVERSED:

D e la ys, r es i s tanc e, sta lling, in d ec is ion DESCRIPTION Th e H a nge d Man shows a man suspende d f rom a T-sh a ped cr os s mad e o f living w ood .

He is h a nging u pside-dow n, v i ew ing t h e wor ld f rom a comp le tely d if f erent pe r sp ective, and h is facia l expres s ion is calm a nd serene,

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H i s ri g h t f o o t i s b o u n d to th e t r e e , b u t h i s l e f t f oot r e m a i n s f r e e , b e n t at th e k n e e a n d t u c k e d i n beh i n d h i s r i g h t l eg. H i s a r m s a r e b e n t , w ith h a n ds h e l d b e h i n d h i s ba c k , f o r m i n g a n i nv er t e d t r i a n g l e .

T h e m a n i s we a r i n g red p a n t s r e p r e s e n t i n g h u ma n p a s s i o n a n d t h e ph ys i c a l b o dy, a n d a bl u e ve s t f or k n o wl e dg e .

T h e Ha n g e d M a n i s th e c a r d o f u l t i m a t e s u rre n de r, o f b e i n g s u s pe n de d i n t i m e and o f m a r t y r do m a n d s ac ri f i c e t o t h e great e r g o o d.

Upright T h e Ha n g e d M a n remi n ds y o u t h a t s omet i m e s y o u h a ve t o pu t e ve r y t h i n g o n h o l d bef or e y o u c a n t a k e

t h e n e x t s t e p , or t he U n i ve r s e wi l l do i t o n y o u r b e h a l f (and i t m a y n o t a lways b e a t t h e m o st c o n v e n i e n t t i me ! ).

Yo u m a y h a ve heard t h e s a y i n g , ‘ W hat g o t y o u h e r e won ’t g e t y o u t h er e ’, and t h a t i n de e d i s a t play i n t h i s c a r d.

Th e H a n g e d Man calls you to release the old m e n t a l m o de l s and b e h a vi o u r a l p a tt erns t h a t n o l o n g e r serve y o u s o y o u c a n see y o u r wo r l d f r o m a n e w p e r s p e c t ive a n d e m b r a c e n ew o p p o r t u n i t i e s t hat wo u l d h a ve o t herwi se b e e n h i dde n f r o m y o u i f y o u di dn ’t hi t the brakes.

H e r e ’ s t h e t h i n g.

Th e s e ‘ p a u s e s ’ c a n b e vo l u n t a r y o r i n vo l u n t a r y. I f yo u’re i n t u n e wi t h y o ur i n t u i t i o n , y o u ’ l l st art t o h a ve a s e n s e fo r wh e n i t ’ s t i m e to h i t t h e b r a k e s a nd

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put th ings on h ol d – b efor e th in gs get o ut of h a nd .

B ut if you’r e ou t o f a lignment and o blivious to th os e intuitive si gns , t h e Univer s e w il l pr oba bly p u t th ings o n h old for you , in t h e for m of c onti nu ed o bsta cle s, i l l - h eal th , and br e a kd ow ns .

Wh en you s ens e th e ‘p au se’ comi ng, pa y a tte ntion to it; oth e r wis e th e Unive r se wi l l tu rn u p t h e volume u ntil you can’t ignore it any longer.

Wh en Th e H anged Ma n a ppears i n a Ta r ot r ead i ng, your pr oje c ts and activitie s m ay b e coming to an u ne xpecte d and abr up t h a lt .

D on’t ke ep pu s h ing for wa r d, h o ping th at mor e for ce w i l l d ri v e you to wh ere y ou wa nt to go.

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I ns te a d, s u r r e n de r to th e o p p o r t u n i t y t o pau s e a n d vi e w i t a s y ou r c h a n c e t o r e a s s e s s and r e - e va l u a t e wh e r e y ou a r e o n y o u r p a t h .

Some t h i n g n e w i s emerg i n g , a n d y o u w on’ t b e a b l e t o s e e i t u nl ess y o u a l l o w t h e ti me a n d s p a c e f o r i t t o c ome t h r o u g h .

T h e Ha n g e d M a n i s y o u r i nv i ta t i o n t o we l c o m e th es e ‘ p a u s e s ’ w ith o p e n a r m s a n d s u rre n de r t o t h e ‘ w h a t is’ – e ve n i f i t i s d if f er e n t f r o m wh a t y ou e x p e c t e d.

Tak e t i m e a wa y f r o m y ou r r o u t i n e t o c o n n e c t w ith a n e w wa y o f th i nk i n g a n d s e e i n g .

Su re, y o u m i g h t h a ve t o pu t im p o r t a n t p r o je c t s on h o l d wh i l e y o u do th i s (a n d i t m i g h t b e s u pe r i n c o n v e n i e n t ) bu t tr u s t m e , i t ’ l l b e w orth i t .

T h is i s t h e U n i ve r s e ’ s w ay o f h e l p i n g y o u s e e new p e r s p e c t i ve s a n d prepa r i n g y o u f o r t h e

n e x t u p l e ve l l i n g that is happening in your life.

If you push or r e s i s t , y o u wi l l m e e t m o r e o b s t acles a l o n g t h e wa y ; i n s t e a d, ‘ a l l o w’ t h e o p p o r t u n i t i es t o f l o w s m o o t h l y a nd e f f o r t l e s s l y t o yo u.

Th e H a n g e d M a n can s o m e t i m e s r e f l ect t h a t y o u a r e f e e li ng s t u c k o r r e s t r i ct ed i n your life.

What is holding you in this ‘stuck’ position?

What is preventing you from moving forward?

O n o n e l e ve l , T he H a n g e d M a n i s aski ng y o u t o s u r r e n der a n d l e t g o . I n s t ead o f i n ve s t i n g i n s p e c i f i c o u t c o m es o r r e s i s t i n g y o u r c urrent c i r c u m s t a n c e s , accept them and allow yourself to flow wi t h l i f e .

O n a n o t h e r l e vel, y o u a r e b e i n g c alled to change your

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Tarot of the Month The Hanged Man cont.

per spective and s h if t your ener gy and may find th a t se parati ng your se lf fr o m y ou r ever yda y li f e i s help ful, w h eth er it’ s g oing for a w al k i n na tur e, going on a retr ea t or m ov i ng to a ne w coun try.

are as k i n g y o u t o s l o w d ow n , b u t y o u r m i n d keeps r a c i n g .

Cha nge up y ou r routine so y ou c an sta r t to sh i f t y ou r ene r gy a nd f l ow more fr eely a ga in.

So, as s o o n a s y o u h e a r th e c a l l , c l e a r y o u r s c h ed u l e a n d m a k e t h e s pac e s o y o u c a n t u n e in and l i s t e n .

Reversed The up r igh t H anged Ma n encourages you to p a use f or a moment a nd see th ings f rom a diffe r e nt p ers pec tiv e.

You m a y a l r e a dy b e in a p o s i t i o n wh e r e ev ery t h i n g h a s b e e n pu t o n h o l d, m u c h t o you r f r u s t r a t i o n .

Reve r se d, t h is c ard ca n sh ow that y ou know you need to h i t t he p a use b u tton, bu t you a r e r es is ting i t.

Instea d, yo u f il l you r da ys w ith t as ks and proje cts, keepi ng b usy a nd d i s trac ti ng your se lf fr o m th e ac tua l issue th at needs your attenti on.

Your spir it and bod y

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Stop a n d r e s t b e f o r e i t ’ s too l a t e . Th e U n i ve r s e w i l l o n l y di a l u p t h e v ol u m e i f y o u i g n o r e i t , and a s a r e s u l t , y o u m a y end up c r a s h i n g .

T h e r e ve r s a l o f Th e H ang e d M a n c a n ind ica t e a t i m e wh e n you ’ re g e t t i n g b l o c k e d, s tu c k o r r e s t r i c t e d bec aus e o t h e r p e o p l e or oth e r c i r c u m s t a n c e s h av e l e f t y o u o n h o l d.

While you feel resistant, it’ s im p o r t a n t t h a t y o u s u rre n de r t o ‘ wh a t is ’ an d l e t g o o f y o u r attach m e n t t o h o w th ing s s h o u l d b e .

B e i n f l o w wi t h l i f e , e ve n i f i t ’ s no t as you expected it (s e r i o u s ly, w h e n d o e s i t e v e r go e xa c t ly a s y o u e xp e c t e d ! ? ), and l o o s e n y o u r g r i p.

If your life has a l r e a dy b e e n o n p a u s e f o r a p e ri o d, Th e H a n g e d M a n Re ve r s e d m a y c o m e a s a p o s i t i ve s i gn that you can now m o ve f o r wa r d wi t h a n e w p e r s p e c t i ve a n d a r e n e we d sense o f e n e r g y.

Yo u m a y f i n d t hat e ve n t s l i n e u p w i t h m o r e e a s e a n d flo w, and you’re ready to go again.

Th e r e m a y h a ve been a breakt h r o u g h o r s t a rk r e a l i z a t i o n a b o ut h o w y o u n e e d t o do t h i n g s di f f e r e n t ly.

Yo u ’ r e p r e p a r e d t o m a k e t h o s e c h ang es a n d m o ve a h e a d wi t h a n e w m i n ds e t .

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Tarot of the Month The Hanged Man cont.

In a r e a ding w h ere a rel ation s h i p i s o n h o l d, Th e H a n g e d M a n Re v ersed suggests that you are c ontent t o wa i t a r o u n d… t o a p o i n t . Yo u r e a li z e t h a t th is r e l ations h ip w il l ev o l ve a n d, du e t o i t s c o m p l e x i t i e s , y o u cannot r ush it. H ow ev er, y ou a l s o do n o t wa n t t o wa i t f o r e ve r, a n d y o u acknow le dg e th at th ere w il l c o m e a t i m e wh e n y o u m u s t de c i de .

Th e H a nge d Man Rev ers ed c a n a l s o s i g n a l t h a t y o u a r e s t a l l i n g a d ecision or ac ti on. You may th i n k y o u ’ r e wa i t i n g u n t i l y o u f e e l 1 0 0% re a dy – but gu es s w h at? You ’ r e p r o b a b l y n e ve r g o i n g t o b e 1 0 0 % r eady.

So, w h a t a r e you w aiting f or? Ta k e t h e l e a p ! M a k e t h a t de c i s i o n ! Do i t b efor e th e U ni v ers e d ec id es i t c a n ’ t wa i t f o r y o u . https://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/hanged-man/

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Oracle of the Month Enchanted Map Oracle t r u ly m a ni f es t y o u r dr e a m s a nd t h a t yo u r g o a l s a r e i n sig h t . D o no t r e ma i n s m a l l an d c o nt r a c t e d .

In st e a d , e x p a nd y o u r h o r iz o ns b ey o nd w h at y o u b el i eve t o b e you r l i m i t a t i o ns .

Yo u ha ve a u ni q u e v o ic e t h a t nee d s t o b e e x p r es s e d i n t h e w o r l d . Th e u ni ve r s e is su p p o r t i ve o f n e w i d e a s a nd ap p r o a c h es a t t h i s t ime, s o s p e a k u p an d s p e a k o u t . ” Wide Open: “ You a r e fr e e to exp r ess yo u r un iquene ss t o t h e wor ld an d sh ar e i n all th e b o u n t y of life’s en dle ss possibilitie s.”

“All man n e r o f op p or tunit ie s ar e pr esented t o yo u at th is tim e . T h e Wide Ope n c ar d i s a sig na l t h at you ar e a b le t o

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T h is c a r d i s t h e s i g n o f th e m a ve r i c k wh o f r e e l y roams t h e wi de o p e n s pac e o f p o s s i b i l i t y.

A l l ow f o r a g r e a t e r v is ion t o r e p l a c e o l d i d eas a s y o u dr e a m a grand e r dr e a m .

If this card comes to you as challenger:

c l o s e d o f f, u n abl e to remain open t o new i d ea s o r i nt i m a c y.

H ee d t h e g e n tl e w a r ni ng t h a t too t i g h t a h o l d on w h a t o r w h o y ou l o ve , o r w h a t y ou a s p i r e t o , w i ll c h o k e t h e l i f e out of that which y o u d es i r e .

Op e n y o u r h e art a nd l o o s e n y our grip, for what is t r u l y y o u r s c an neve r b e w i t hhe l d from you.

I f a no t h er i s s h u t t i ng y o u d o w n, l et t h at p e r s o n b e . D o n ot t r y t o f o r c e a d oor – o r a m i nd – t o o p e n. ” * ~ By Colette BaronReid

“ En v y, jea l o u s y a nd p o ss e s s i venes s a r e t h e ch a r a c t er f l a w s t o b e c a r ef u l o f a t t h is t i m e. Yo u o r so meo ne e l s e i s

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Witchy DIY Witch’s Apothecary Bottles Ma de fr om pl as ti c med i c i ne a n d vi t a m i n b o t t l e s , a n d a s p i c e t i n . Wi t h t h e se p otio n bottl es , I h ot- gl ue d t h e wo r ds a n d p i c t u r e s , t h e n a dd ed a few ch a lk paint c ol ors . T h e re a l l y a we s o m e p a r t a b o u t n e w s p i c e t i ns, i s t h a t th e p la s tic l id s c an be po p p e d o f f f a i r l y e a s i l y s o t h e t i n c a n b e repur pose d! F irs t c l ean ou t th e c o n t a i n e r s t h o r o u g h l y, i f y o u wi s h t o use it to h old s pic es , etc ., and rem o ve p a p e r l a b e l s . Ro u g h u p t h e o u t si de with sa ndp aper to tak e th e pa i n t b e t t e r, a n d t o g i ve i t t e x t u r e .

D r a w your d es i gn and w ord s e i t h e r di r e c t l y o n t o t h e b o t t l e , o r o n t r a cing pa p er f irs t, th en w i th t r a n s f e r p a p e r u n de r n e a t h . N e x t , f o l lo w your dr a wi ng w i th th e gl u e gu n . Th i s i s o n e t i m e wh e n y o u n e e dn ’t wor r y a bou t remov ing th e h ot g l u e s t r i n g s t h a t a l wa y s h a p p e n wi t h a glue gun. T h e s tri ngs at tex tu r e .

Now for the pai nt. For th es e b o t t l e s , y o u p a i n t t h e da r k f i r s t , a n d y o u won’t be wipi ng of f any c ol or. C o a t t h e e n t i r e b o t t l e wi t h b l a c k c halk pa int a t ful l s trength . O nc e th e b l a c k p a i n t i s dr y, da b o n da r k b r own, t h e n r ust, th en a pal e orange- y e l l o w. Th e s e l a y e r e d c o l o r s s h o u l d b e wa te r e d do w n a bit, s o th at w h e n a p p l i e d wi t h a s m a l l s p o n g e o r li t t le mop br ush ( l ike a n eye s ha d o w b r u s h ), t h e r e wo n ’ t b e a n y o b vi o us b rush or sponge mark s . T h e li g h t e r t h e p a i n t , t h e m o r e i t wi l l h i g hli g ht t h e wor ds, and gi v e ev en mor e c o n t r a s t t o t h e da r k c r e vi c e s .

If you w a n t th e paintw ork to l a s t , y o u ’ l l wa n t t o s e a l i t wi t h m a t t e cle a r coa t. O nc e th at’ s al l d on e , y o u c a n h a ve f u n p l a y i n g wi t h va r i o us stopper op ti ons . For th e l as t b o t t l e a n d s p i c e t i n , I h o t - g l u e d b a r k t o cor k, for th e u l timate in w ood s y. For the cork on the spice tin, I didn’t have any big chunks of cork available, but I did have some ¼” cork tiles. I cut 3 pieces a hint larger than the tin opening, glued them together, then sanded the edges till it fit easily into the tin. When using cork for this project, always darken them with art markers.

L ast but not l eas t, bec au s e th e s e c o n t a i n e r s a r e l i g h t we i g h t , t h e y b ecome top- h eav y onc e th e s t o p p e r i s a dde d, a n d c a n e a s i l y f a l l o v er.

So a t th is point, y ou need to f i l l t h e m wi t h y o u r de s i r e d c o n t e n t s , o r add w eigh t w ith s and , u nc ook e d b e a n s , m a r b l e s , e t c . , t o k e e p t h e m sta ble .

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Witchy DIY Portable Altar 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 start by decorating it however you want to.

On the one hand, you can paint the exterior and interior of the box and add various sigils on top. Alternatively, you can glue some decorative paper on the inside and keep the exterior bland.

When you decorate the box according to your specifications, you can f ill it with significant objects. In the video we have linked to, you’ll see that the objects in question can represent the four elements. So you can have candles, incense sticks, matches, crystals, feathers, a vial of salt, and so on. You can even use air-dry clay to make mini candle- and incense holders for your portable altar.

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Witchy DIY Seasonal Wreaths Seasonal wreaths and home decor, in general, are a great way to get into the festive spirit. After all, the Wiccan holidays all have distinct visual identities, so to speak. So your wreath will look different based on the season you’re making it i n — if you use natural ingredients, of course.

To build your wreath, you’ll start by making or simply buying a sturdy grapevine base. You could even create a crescent moon-shaped base if you wanted to. To fill up your wreath, you’ll use seasonal flowers, foliage, and other symbols of the holiday.

During Ostara, you could attach some foam eggs to the wreath to represent the rebirth of nature. Conversely, harvest festivals like Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain might feature more grain, fruits, and vegetables to represent abundance.

Of course, making wreaths isn’t the only way to get into the holiday spirit. At Yule, you could make a Yule log centerpiece for your table or settle for a simple cinnamon stick candle holder. During Imbolc, making a Brigid’s cross would be more appropriate than hanging a wreath. Additionally, many pagans make Brigid dolls during that season, and corn dollies for the harvest.

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Witchy DIY No Sew Gnome

It • • • • • • • • • • • • •

doesn’t tak e mu c h to c reate t h e s e c u t e l i t t l e g u y s .

M en’s sized bl ac k c rew s oc k s f o r g n o m e b o dy Ta n colored nyl on s toc ki ng s f o r n o s e s Poly-fill s tu f f ing f or nos es 9 x1 2 C raf ti ng f el t s h eets f o r h a t s S h a ggy f abri c f u r f or w i z ar d b e a r d & m u s t a c h e 3 /4 Woo d en bal l s f or w iza r d n o s e s Rice to f i l l bod y: 1- 3 c u ps p e r g n o m e La r ge gl as s to h ol d ric e H ot glue gu n Rubber b and s S ew ing Sc is s ors Utility knif e Acce ssor ies : ri bbon, pl as ti c s p i de r s , b r o o m s t i c k s , o r c r y s t a l b a l ls

1. F ill th e G nome Soc k Bod y U s e o u t da t e d r i c e f r o m y o u r p a n t r y o r p ick it u p i n bu l k . T h e eas i e s t wa y t o f i l l t h e s o c k b o di e s i s t o a dd 2 cups of ric e to th e gl as s , s t r e t c h t h e s o c k o ve r t h e t o p o f y o u r g lass, th e n tur n i t u ps id e d ow n. E a s y p e a s y. N o s p i l l s .

2. Rubber Band Soc k and Trim U s e a r u b b e r b a n d t o c l o s e u p t h e so ck body a n d if you u s e a men’ s c r e w s o c k , y o u ’ l l n e e d t o t r i m t h e to p.

3. Glue S oc k Bod y to Sec u re 4. S lice th e Beard E v ery one k n o ws t h e b e a r d i s wh a t g i ve s a g n o me i t ’s ma gica l pow ers . So y ou ’ v e g o t t o m a k e s u r e t o g e t t h i s s t e p r i g ht !

Use a sim pl e tri angl e and t r a c e o n t o t h e b a c k s i de o f y o u r c h o s en fur r y ma teri al . P l eas e make s u r e y o u p l a c e y o u r p a t t e r n wi t h t he p oint in th e d i rec tion of th e h a i r. U s i n g a u t i l i t y k n i f e c a r e f u l l y cut th r ough th e f abri c bac k i ng a n d S TO P. Th i s i s o n e f a b r i c y o u D O NOT cut with s c i s s ors .

5. Glue Gn ome Beard T h e be a r d wi l l wr a p a r o u n d m o s t o f t h e g n o m e body, if you w ant to s ee mo r e b o dy … a dd a ddi t i o n a l r i c e f o r a t aller gnome. U s ing y ou r gl u e gu n c a r e f u l l y a t t a c h t h e b e a r d i n a c i r cle ne a r th e top.

6. Glue Gn ome Nos e 7. Tr a ce a nd Cu t H at 8. Roll H a t 9. S tuff H a t and G l u e

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Celebrations Independence Day

Shared By: High Priestess RavensThorne

met i n Ph i l a de l p h i a a n d f orme d a c o m m i t t e e w h ose e x p r e s s p u r p o s e w as d r a f t i n g a d oc u m e n t t h a t wo u l d f orma l l y s e ve r t h e i r t i e s w i th G r e a t B r i t a i n .

“Taxa tion w it h o u t rep r esentat io n ! ” wa s th e battl e c ry in Ame r ica’ s 13 Colonies, w h i c h wer e for ce d to pay t a xes to Engl and ’ s K ing Ge or ge I I I d espite h a v i ng no re pr e senta t ion in th e B ritish Pa r l i ament.

As dissa tisf ac tion gr ew, Br itish troops wer e se nt i n to q u el l t h e e a r ly m ov ement t ow a r d r e bel l ion.

Repea te d attempts by t h e C olonis ts t o r esolve t h e crisis with ou t milita r y co nf l ic t pr oved fr ui tl es s .

O n June 1 1, 1776, t h e C olonie s ’ Sec ond Continental Congres s

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T h e c o m m i t t e e i n c l u de d T h om a s J e f f e r s o n , Benj a m i n F r a n k l i n , J o h n A d am s , Ro g e r S h e r m a n and Ro b e r t R . L i vi n g s t o n .

J ef f er s o n , wh o wa s c ons i de r e d t h e s tron g e s t a n d m o s t el oq ue n t wr i t e r, c raf te d t h e o r i g i n a l d raf t do c u m e n t .

A tot a l o f 8 6 c h a n g e s w ere m a de t o h i s dr a f t and t h e C o n t i n e n t a l Congr e s s o f f i c i a l l y ad opt e d t h e f i n a l v ers io n o n July 4, 1776.

T h e f o l l o wi n g d ay, c o p i e s o f th e D e c l a r a t i o n of I nd e p e n de n c e w ere di s t r i b u t e d, and o n J u l y 6 , Th e Pennsy l va n i a E ve n i n g Pos t b e c a m e t h e f i r s t

n e ws p a p e r t o pri nt t h e e x t r a o r di n a ry do c u m e n t . Th e Declaration of I n de p e n de n c e has since become o u r n a t i o n ’ s m o st c h e r i s h e d s y m bo l o f l i b e r t y.

Bonfires and Illuminations

O n J u l y 8 , 1 7 7 6, the first public r e a di n g s o f t h e D e c l a r a t i o n we re h e l d i n Ph i l a de lphi a’s I n de p e n de n c e S quare to the ringing of b e l l s a n d b a n d m usi c.

O n e y e a r l a t e r, o n J u l y 4 , 1 7 7 7, Ph i l a de l p h i a m a rked I n de p e n de n c e Day b y a djo u r n i n g C o ng ress and celebrating wi t h b o n f i r e s , bells a n d f i r e wo r k s .

Th e c u s t o m e ve n t u a l l y s p r e ad t o o t h e r t o wn s , b ot h l a r g e a n d s m a l l, wh e r e t h e da y wa s m a r k e d wi th p r o c e s s i o n s , o r at o ry, p i c n i c s , c o n t e s ts, games, military

13 Sisters of Delphi

Celebrations Independence Day

d ispla ys a n d f i rew ork s . O bs er va t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e n a t i o n b e c a me even mor e c ommon at th e end o f t h e Wa r o f 1 8 1 2 wi t h G r e a t B r i t a i n.

In June of 1826, T h omas J ef f e r s o n s e n t a l e t t e r t o Ro g e r C . We i g h t m an, d eclining an i nv i tation to c om e t o Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . t o h e l p c e l e b r at e t h e 5 0 th a n ni v ers ary of th e D e c l a r a t i o n o f I n de p e n de n c e .

It w a s th e l as t l etter th at J ef f e r s o n , wh o wa s g r a ve l y i l l , e ve r wr o te. In it, Je ffer so n s ays of th e d oc u m e n t :

“May it be to the world, what I believe it will be … the signal of arousing men to burst the chains … and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form, which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. …For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.”

Thomas Jefferson Monticello

Congr ess e s tabl i s h ed I nd epen de n c e D a y a s a h o l i da y i n 1 8 7 0 , a n d i n 19 3 8 C ongres s reaf f irmed i t a s a p a i d h o l i da y f o r f e de r a l e m p l o y e es.

Toda y, com mu ni ti es ac ros s the n a t i o n m a r k t h i s m a jo r m i ds u m m e r holida y w ith parad es , f i rew or k di s p l a y s , p i c n i c s a n d p e r f o r m a n c e s o f “Th e S ta r -Sp an g le d B an n er ” a n d m a r c h e s b y J o h n Ph i l i p S o u s a. https://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/history-independence-day/

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Mythological Creature Werewolf Shared By:

Th e wer e w ol f is a myth olog ic al anima l a nd th e subject of m any stor ie s th r ou gh ou t t h e wor ld— and mor e th a n a few nigh tmares .

We r e w olve s are, accor ding to s ome lege nds, p eopl e w h o mor p h into v ic iou s , pow er ful w ol v es .

O th e r s a r e a mu tant combina tio n of huma n a nd w ol f. Bu t all a r e blood th i rs ty b ea sts w h o c annot contr ol th ei r l u s t for killing peopl e and a nima l s .

Early Werewolf Legends

It’s uncle a r ex ac tl y wh en a nd w h ere th e wer e w olf le gend

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origin a t e d. S o m e s c h ol a r s b e l i e ve t h e w erew o l f m a de i t s d ebu t i n Th e E p i c o f G il ga m e s h , t h e o l de s t known We s t e r n p r o s e , w h en G i l g a m e s h ji l t e d a pote n t i a l l o ve r bec aus e s h e h a d t u r n e d h er p r e vi o u s m a t e i n t o a w ol f.

Werewo l ve s m a de anoth e r e a r l y appea r a n c e i n G r e e k my th o l o g y wi t h t h e L egen d o f Ly c a o n .

A c c or di n g t o t h e l egen d, Ly c a o n , t h e s o n of Pel a s g u s , a n g e r e d th e g o d Z e u s wh e n h e s e r ve d h i m a m e a l mad e f r o m t h e r e m a i n s of a sa c r i f i c e d b o y.

A s pun i s h m e n t , t h e enrag e d Z e u s t u r n e d Ly c ao n a n d h i s s o n s into w o l ve s .

Werewo l ve s a l s o emerg e d i n e a r l y N o r di c f ol k l o r e . Th e S a g a o f th e Vo l s u n g s t e l l s t h e s tory o f a f a t h e r a n d s on w h o di s c o ve r e d w ol f p e l t s t h a t h a d t h e pow e r t o t u r n p e o p l e

i n t o wo l ve s f o r t en da y s . Th e f a t h e rs o n du o do n n e d t he p e l t s , t r a n s f o r m ed i n t o wo l ve s a n d went o n a k i l l i n g r a mpag e i n t h e f o r e s t . Thei r r a m p a g e e n de d when t h e f a t h e r a t t a c ked his son, causing a l e t h a l wo u n d. T he s o n o n l y s u r vi ved b e c a u s e a k i n d raven g a ve t h e f a t h e r a leaf wi t h h e a l i n g p owers.

Infamous Werewolves

Many so-called we r e wo l ve s f r om c e n t u r i e s a g o w ere i n f a c t s e r i a l k i llers, and France had its f a i r s h a r e . I n 1 52 1 , F r e n c h m e n Pi e r re B u r g o t a n d M i c hel Ve r du n a l l e g e dly s wo r e a l l e g i a n ce t o t h e de vi l a n d c lai m ed t o h a ve a n o i n t m ent that turned them i n t o wo l ve s . Af t er c o n f e s s i n g t o brut ally m u r de r i n g s e ve ral c h i l dr e n , t h e y w ere both burned to de a t h a t t h e s t ake.

(B u r n i n g w a s

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythological Creature Werewolf

t hought to be on e o f the few w a ys to kil l a werew o l f.)

Gile s Ga r ni er, know n as th e “ Wer e w o lf o f D ole,” was anoth er sixte enth -c entu ry Fr e nch ma n w h os e cla im to fa me w as also a n oin tment with wolf-morph i ng abilitie s. A c c ord ing t o lege nd, as a w ol f he viciousl y k i l l ed childr en a nd ate t h e m. H e to o w as b ur ned to d eath at t h e sta ke for h i s monstr ous c rimes .

Wh eth er Burgot, Ver dun or Garni er wer e mental l y ill, a cte d u nd er t h e influe nc e of a h a llucinogeni c substa nce o r w ere simply cold - bl ood ed ki ller s is up for de ba te.

B ut it like l y d idn’t ma tt er t o sup er sti tiou s E ur opea ns d u ri ng t h e 1 6 th ce ntu ry. To t h e m, such h ei nou s crime s coul d onl y be

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c omm i t t e d b y a h orri f i c b e a s t s u c h a s th e we r e wo l f.

The Bedburg Werewolf

Peter S t u b b e , a we a l t h y, f i f tee n t h - c e n t u r y f a r m e r i n Be db u r g , G e r m a n y, may b e t h e m o s t notor i o u s we r e wo l f o f th em a l l . A c c o r di n g t o f ol kl o r e , h e t u r n e d i nto a wo l f- l i k e c reatu r e a t n i g h t a n d d ev our e d m a n y c i t i z e n s of Be db u r g . Pe t e r wa s ev ent u a l l y b l a m e d f o r th e gr u e s o m e k i l l i n g s af ter b e i n g c o r n e r e d b y h u nte r s wh o c l a i m e d th ey s a w h i m s h a p e s h i f t f r o m wo l f t o h u ma n f o r m .

H e ex p e r i e n c e d a gris l y e x e c u t i o n a f t e r c onf e s s i n g u n de r tortu r e t o s a va g e l y killing animals, men, w ome n a n d c h i l dr e n — and e a t i n g t h e i r rema i n s . H e a l s o d ec l a r e d h e o wn e d a n enc h a n t e d b e l t t h a t gav e h i m t h e p o we r t o transf o r m i n t o a wo l f a t w il l . N o t s u r p r i s i n g l y, th e b e l t wa s n e ve r

f o u n d. Pe t e r ’ s gui lt i s c o n t r o ve r s i a l s i n c e s o m e p e o ple b e l i e ve h e wa s n ’t a killer but the vi c t i m o f a p o l it i cal wi t c h h u n t — o r p e r h a p s a we r e wo lfh u n t . E i t h e r wa y, t h e c i r c u m s t a n c es s u r r o u n di n g h i s li fe a n d de a t h s t o k e d r a m p a n t f e a r s a t t he t i m e t h a t we r e w o lves we r e o n t h e l o o se.

The Shape-Shifter as Werewolf

S o m e l e g e n ds m a i n t a i n we r e wo lves shape-shifted at wi l l du e t o a c urse.

O t h e r s s t a t e t h ey t r a n s f o r m e d wi t h t he h e l p o f a n e n c hant ed s a s h o r a c l o a k m ade o f wo l f p e l t . S t i ll o t h e r s c l a i m p e o ple b e c a m e wo l ve s aft er being scratched or b i t b y a we r e wo lf.

I n m a n y we r e w o lf stories, a person only turns into a wo l f wh e n t h e r e’s a full moon—and that theory may n o t b e f a r - f e t c hed.

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Mythological Creature Werewolf

Accor ding to a study cond u c ted at Austr a lia ’s Cal v ary Ma ter Ne w c as tl e hosp ita l, a f u l l moon br ings ou t th e “beast” in many huma ns. T h e s tu d y found th a t of th e 91 violent, ac u te b eh a vior in c i d ents at t h e h ospital betw een August 2 0 08 and J u l y 20 0 9 , 2 3 p erc ent ha p pened d u ring a full moon.

Patie nts a ttac ked sta ff a nd d is pl ayed wolf-like beh av i ors such a s bit ing, spitting a nd sc r a tch ing. A l th ou gh ma ny w er e u nd er th e influe nce o f d ru gs or alcoh ol a t th e ti me, it’s uncle a r w h y th ey b eca me int ens el y v iolent wh en th e moon w a s f u l l .

Are Werewolves Real?

Th e wer e w ol f ph e nomenon may ha ve a med i c al exp la na tion. Take Pete r th e Wil d Boy, for insta nce. I n

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1725 , h e wa s f o u n d w ande r i n g n a k e d o n a l l f ou rs t h r o u g h a G e r m a n f orest . M a n y t h o u g h t h e w a s a we r e wo l f o r a t l eas t r a i s e d b y wo l ve s .

Peter a t e wi t h h i s h a n ds and c o u l dn ’ t s p e a k . H e w as e ve n t u a l l y a do p t e d by th e c o u r t s o f K i n g G eorg e I a n d K i n g G eorg e I I , a n d l i ve d o u t h is d a y s a s t h e i r “ p e t ” in E n g l a n d.

Res ea r c h h a s s h o wn Peter l i k e l y h a d Pi t t H opk i n s s y n dr o m e , a c ond i t i o n di s c o ve r e d i n 1978 t h a t c a u s e s l a c k of s pe e c h , s e i z u r e s , d i s ti n c t f a c i a l f e a t u r e s , difficulty breathing and i n t e l l e c t u a l c h al l e n g e s . O t h e r med ic a l c o n di t i o n s t h a t may h a ve e n c o u r a g e d w erew o l f- m a n i a th roug h o u t h i s t o r y a r e : • l yc a n t h r o p y (a r a r e , ps y c h o lo g i c a l co n d i t i o n t h a t ca u s e s p e o p le t o be li e v e t h e y’ r e ch a n g i n g i n t o a w o lf o r ot h e r a n i m a l) • f oo d p o i s o n i n g

• h y p e r t r i c h o s i s (a r a r e , g e n e ti c d i s o r d e r c ausi ng e xc e s s i v e h ai r growth) • rabies • h a l l u c i n a t i o n, p o s s i b l y c a u sed b y h a l l u c i n o geni c herbs Th r o u g h o u t the centuries, p e o p l e h a ve u s e d we r e wo l ve s a n d other mythic b e a s t s t o e x p l a in t h e u n e x p l a i n a b le.

I n m o de r n t i m e s, h o we ve r, m o s t b e l i e ve we r e wolves a r e n o t h i n g m ore than pop culture h o r r o r i c o n s , m ade famous thanks to H o l l y wo o d’ s 1 94 1 f l i c k , Th e Wo l f Man. S t i l l , we r e wo l ves h a ve a c u l t f o l lo wi ng , we r e wo l f s i g h t ing s a r e r e p o r t e d e a ch y e a r, a n d we r e w o lf l e g e n ds wi l l l i k ely c o n t i n u e t o h a unt t he dr e a m s o f p e o p l e t h r o u g h o ut t h e wo r l d. https://www.history.com/ topics/folklore/history-of-thewerewolf-legend

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Folk Lore

Setting off Fireworks Shared By:High Priestess, Gloriana Danu

Ma ny h istori ans b elie ve th a t f irew orks o rigina lly w ere d eve loped i n th e second centu ry B.C. in a ncient L i u y ang, Ch ina . It is bel iev ed t h a t th e firs t natu ral “fir ec r ac k e r s” wer e ba mboo s tal ks t h a t wh en th row n in a fir e, w ou l d exp lode wi th a b ang be ca u s e of th e o ve r h e a tin g of th e hollow a ir poc k ets in th e ba mboo. T h e Ch ine se bel i ev ed t h e se na tural “fir ec r ac k e r s” would w a r d of f evil spir its.

Some time du ri ng t h e p er iod 60090 0 AD, le gend h as it th a t a C hines e

13 Sisters of Delphi

al c h e m i s t m i x e d potas s i u m n i t r a t e , s u l f ur a n d c h a r c o a l t o prod uc e a b l a c k , f l a k y pow de r – t h e f i r s t “ g u n p o w d er ” . Th i s pow de r wa s p o u r e d i n t o h ol l o we d o u t b a m b o o s tic ks (a n d la t e r s t i f f pa pe r t u b e s ) f o r m i n g th e f i r s t m a n mad e f i r e wo r k s .

F i rew o r k s m a de t h e i r w ay t o E u r o p e i n t h e 13th c e n t u r y a n d b y th e 1 5 t h c e n t u r y t h e y w ere wi de l y u s e d f o r rel igi o u s f e s t i va l s a n d pu bl i c e n t e r t a i n m e n t .

T h e I t a l i a n s we r e t h e f i rs t Eu r o p e a n s t o manuf a c t u r e f i r e wo r k s and Eu r o p e a n r u l e r s w ere e s p e c i a l l y f o n d of th e u s e o f f i r e wo r k s to “ e nc h a nt t h e i r su b j e c t s a nd illu m i na t e t h e i r c ast l e s o n i m p o r t a nt o c c a s i o ns . ” E arl y U . S . s e t t l e r s brou g h t t h e i r l o ve o f f i rew o r k s wi t h t h e m to th e N e w Wo r l d a n d f i rew o r k s we r e p a r t

o f t h e ve r y f i r s t I n de p e n de n c e Day – a t r a di t i o n t hat c o n t i n u e s e ve r y 4 t h o f J u l y wh e n w e c e l e b r a t e a s J o hn Ada m s h a d h o ped “with pomp, p a r a d e … . b o nf i re s a nd i l l u m i na ti on s f r o m o ne e nd of t h i s c o nt i ne n t t o t h e o t h e r. ” Americans’ spirit of c e l e b r a t i o n c o nt i nued t o g r o w a n d i n t he l a t e 1 8 t h c e n t u ry, politicians used di s p l a y s t o a t t r a c t c r o wds t o their speeches.

Wh i l e J u l y 4 t h i s s t i l l t h e “ b i g d ay ”, A m e r i c a n s c o n ti nue t o u s e f i r e wo r ks year-round to c e l e b r a t e a t f e st i vals, s p e c i a l e ve n t s , and s p o r t i n g t r a di t i o ns s u c h a s t h e O l y m pi cs a n d S u p e r B o wl.

F i r e wo r k s entertainment g e n e r a t e s do l l ars a s we l l a s s m i l es.

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Folk Lore

Setting off Fireworks Th unde r Ov er L ou is v i l l e i s on e o f t h e c o u n t r y ’ s l a r g e s t f i r e wo r k s d ispla ys a n d an ec onomi c s tu dy c o n du c t e d b y t h e D e r b y Fe s t i va l d eter mined th at T h u nd er gen e r a t e s m o r e t h a n $ 5 6 m i l l i o n f o r t h e loca l e conomy.

B ut mor e t h an any th i ng el s e, wh e n y o u t h i n k o f t h e f i r e wo r k s , y o u t h ink of th e Fou rth of J u l y an d t h e c e l e b r a t i o n o f o u r c o u n t r y ’ s Independe nc e. F irew orks h av e b e e n wi t h Am e r i c a n s s i n c e o u r n a t i o n’s b eginning a nd th at i s w h y th e A PA wi l l c o n t i n u e i t s wo r k t o Pr e s e rve and Pr omote an A meri c an Tra di t i o n ! https://www.americanpyro.com/history-of-fireworks

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Ancient Legends Julius Caesar

By: High Priestess Ravensthorn Early Life of Gaius Julius Caesar

J ulius C a es ar w as a renow ned general , politicia n a nd s c h ol ar in a ncie nt Rome w h o conquer e d th e v as t region of Gau l and help ed initiate th e end of th e Roman Republic w h en h e b e ca me dic tator of t he Roma n E mpi re.

Despite h is bri l l i ant milita r y prow es s , hi s p olitica l s k i l l s and h is pop u l ari ty w ith Rome ’ s l ow erand middle - c l as s , hi s r ule was c u t sh or t wh en o p pone nts — t hr ea tene d b y h is r isin g p ower — b ru tal l y assa ssina ted h i m.

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G aiu s J u l i u s C a e s a r w as b o r n o n o r a r o u n d July 13, 100 B.C., to h i s f a t h e r, a l s o n a m e d G aiu s J u l i u s C a e s a r, and hi s m o t h e r Au r e l i a Cotta . H e wa s a l s o t h e neph e w o f t h e f a m o u s Roma n g e n e r a l G aiu s M a r i u s .

Caes a r t r a c e d h i s bl ood l i n e t o t h e o r i g i n s of Ro m e a n d c l a i m e d to be a de s c e n da n t of th e g o dde s s Ve n u s th rou g h t h e Tr o ja n pri nc e A e n e a s a n d his son Iulus. Despite h i s all e g e dl y n o b l e h erita g e , h o we ve r, Caes a r ’ s f a m i l y wa s not we a l t h y o r partic u l a r l y i n f l u e n t i a l i n Ro m a n p o l i t i c s .

Did y o u k n o w?

U nl ik e i n t h e Sh ak e s p e a r e p l a y, Caes a r ’ s l a s t wo r ds w ere n o t “ E t t u , B r u te ? ” . I n s t e a d t h e y w ere r e p o r t e d a s “ Yo u , too, my child?”

Af t e r h i s f a t h e r di e d s u dde n l y i n 8 5 B . C . , C a e s a r b e cam e h e a d o f h i s f a mi ly a t a g e 1 6 — r i ght i n t h e m i ddl e of a c i vi l wa r b e t ween h i s u n c l e M a r i us a n d t h e Ro m a n ruler L u c i u s C o r n e l i us S u l l a . I n 8 4 B . C., he m a r r i e d C o r n e li a, t he da u g h t e r o f a n ally o f M a r i u s . C a e sar a n d C o r n e l i a h ad o n e c h i l d, a da ug ht er named Julia.

I n 8 2 B . C . , S u l la wo n t h e c i vi l war a n d o r de r e d C a esar t o di vo r c e C o r neli a.

C a e s a r r e f u s e d and we n t i n t o h i di ng . Hi s f a m i l y i n t e r ve n ed a n d c o n vi n c e d Sulla t o s p a r e C a e s a r ’s l i f e ; h o we ve r, Sulla stripped Caesar of his inheritance.

D e s p i t e t h e r e p ri eve, C a e s a r l e f t Ro me, jo i n e d t h e a r m y and earned the p r e s t i g i o u s C i vi c C r o wn f o r h i s c o u r a g e a t t h e S i eg e

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o f Mytilene in 80 B .C . After Su l l a’ s d ea th in 7 8 B.C., Ca esa r r etu rned to Rome a nd bec ame a successful pros ec u tor wide ly know n f or h i s o ra tor y ski l l s .

Pirates Capture Caesar

In 7 5 B.C ., as h e crosse d th e A egean Se a in r out e to Rh odes to stu d y ph ilosoph y and o ra tor y, murd erou s pir a te s ca p tu red Ca esa r. Re ported l y, Ca esa r a cte d more like a domineering lea der w ith th e pir a te s th a n t h e ir ca ptiv e.

Afte r h is r ans om w as pa id, th e p i rates l et him go. But Caes ar hir e d a pr i v ate f l eet t o h unt th em d ow n and h a d th e pi rates crucified fo r t h e ir cr ime s .

Political Rise

Ca esa r soon began his p olitica l c areer i n ea r ne st. H e bec ame milita r y tr i bu ne and th e n qu aes tor

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of a Ro m a n p r o vi n c e i n 69 B . C . , t h e s a m e y ear h i s wi f e C o r n e l i a d ied . I n 6 7 B . C . , h e marri e d Po m p e i a , a grand da u g h t e r o f S u l l a and r e l a t i ve o f G n a e u s Pomp e i u s M a g n u s ( Pom p e y t h e G r e a t ), w ith wh o m h e f o r m e d an i m p o r t a n t a l l i a n c e .

I n 65 B . C . , C a e s a r bec am e a e di l e — a n i mpor t a n t Ro m a n magi s t r a t e — a n d prod u c e d l a vi s h g a m e s i n th e C i r c u s M a x i m u s w h ic h e n de a r e d h i m t o th e p u b l i c b u t t h r e w h i m he a vi l y i n t o de b t .

Tw o y e a r s l a t e r, h e w as e l e c t e d Ponti f e x M a x i m u s .

Caes a r di vo r c e d Pomp e i a i n 6 2 B . C . af ter a p o l i t i c i a n i n c i t e d a maj o r s c a n da l b y d is gui s i n g h i m s e l f a s a w om a n a n d m a k i n g h i s wa y i n t o a s a c r e d w ome n ’ s f e s t i va l h o s t e d

by Po m p e i a .

The First Triumvirate

O ne y e a r l a t e r, C a e s a r bec am e g o ve r n o r o f Spain . A s e r i e s o f

s u c c e s s f u l m i l i tary and political m a n e u ve r s , a l o ng wi t h t h e s u p p o r t o f Po m p e y a n d M arcus L i c i n i u s C r a s s us (k n o w n a s t h e richest man in Ro m e ), h e l p e d C a e s a r g e t e l e ct ed as s e n i o r Ro m a n co nsul in 59 B.C. C a e s a r, C r a s s u s and Po m p e y s o o n f o rm ed a n i n f o r m a l a l l i ance (s t r e n g t h e n e d b y the marriage of C a e s a r’ s d a u gh t e r Ju li a t o Po m pe y) k n o wn a s t h e Fi rst Tr i u m vi r a t e . The union terrified t h e Ro m a n S e n at e wh o k n e w t h a t a p a r t n e r s h i p b e tween t h r e e s u c h p o werful m e n wo u l d p r o v e u n s t o p p a b l e . They we r e r i g h t , a n d t he t r i u m vi r a t e s o on c o n t r o l l e d Ro me.

Caesar in Gaul

C a e s a r wa s a p p o i nt ed g o ve r n o r o f t h e va s t r e g i o n o f Gaul (n o r t h - c e n t r al Eu r o p e ) i n 5 8 B .C.,

13 Sisters of Delphi

Ancient Legends Julius Caesar

wh er e h e c ommand ed a la r ge a r m y. Du ri ng t h e subsequ ent Ga llic Wa r s , Caes ar conducted a s eri es of b rillia nt ca mpai gns t o conque r and sta bilize the region, ea r ning a r epu tation as a for mid abl e and r uth le s s milita r y le ad er.

Ca esa r buil t a b ridge a cr os s th e Rh ine Rive r i nto Ger ma nic t erritories and cr ossed th e E nglish C h annel into Br ita in. Bu t h is gr ea t succes s es i n t h e r egion c au s ed Pompey to res ent him a nd compl ic ated t h e a lr ea dy- s trai ned re la tionsh i p betw een Pompey a n d Cras s u s .

As C a e sa r c onq u ered Ga ul, th e p ol i ti c al situa tion in Rome b eca me inc reas ingl y v ola tile, w i th Pompey its lone con s u l .

Afte r th e death s of Pompey’s wi f e ( a nd C aes ar’s da u g hter) J ulia in 5 4 B.C. and Cr a ssus in 53 B.C.,

13 Sisters of Delphi

Pomp e y a l i g n e d wi t h Caes a r ’ s o p p o n e n t s a n d ord er e d h i m t o g i ve u p h i s ar m y a n d r e t u r n to Ro m e .

Caes a r r e f u s e d a n d, i n a b o l d a n d de c i s i ve mane u ve r, di r e c t e d h i s ar m y t o c r o s s t h e Ru bic o n Ri ve r i n t o I t a l y, trigge r i n g a c i vi l wa r betw e e n h i s s u p p o r t e r s and t h o s e o f Po m p e y.

Caes a r a n d h i s a r m i e s pu rs u e d Po m p e y t o Spain , G r e e c e a n d, f i nal l y, E g y p t .

Julius Caesar and Cleopatra

H opi n g t o p r e ve n t Caes a r f r o m i n va di n g E gy pt , t h e c h i l d ph ara o h Pt o l e m y V I I I h ad Po m p e y k i l l e d o n Septe m b e r 2 8 , 4 8 B . C .

W h en C a e s a r e n t e r e d E gy pt , Pt o l e m y g i f t e d h i m Po m p e y ’ s s ev er e d h e a d.

Caes a r s o o n f o u n d h i ms e l f i n t h e m i ddl e of a c i vi l wa r b e t we e n P tol em y a n d h i s E gy pt i a n c o - r e g e n t Cl eop a t r a . C a e s a r bec am e h e r l o ve r a n d

p a r t n e r e d wi t h her t o o ve r t h r o w Pt o l e m y a n d m a k e h e r ruler o f E g y p t . Th e pai r n e ve r m a r r i e d b ut t h e i r l o n g - t e r m affai r p r o du c e d a s o n, Pt o l e m y X V C a esar, k n o wn a s C a e s ari o n.

Dictatorship

C a e s a r s p e n t t he nex t f e w y e a r s wi p i ng o ut h i s e n e m i e s a n d what r e m a i n e d o f Po m pey ’s s u p p o r t e r s i n t he M i ddl e E a s t , Af ri ca and Spain.

I n 4 6 B . C . h e w as m a de di c t a t o r o f Ro m e f o r t e n y e a r s , o u t r a g i n g hi s p o l i t i c a l o p p o nent s a n d s e t t i n g t h e st ag e f o r t h e e ve n t u al e n d o f t h e Ro man Re p u b l i c . C a e s ar b e g a n m a k i n g several dr a s t i c r e f o r m s t o b e n e f i t Ro m e ’ s lo wera n d m i ddl e - c l a ss, i n c l u di n g : • r e g u l a t i n g t he di s t r i b u t i o n o f s u b s i di z e d g r ai n • i n c r e a s i n g t he si z e of the Senate to

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• • •

• •

r e pr e sent more peop le r e ducing gove r nm ent d ebt suppor ti ng milita r y v eterans gr a nting Roman citizensh ip to peop l e in Rome’s f ar- f l u ng ter r itor ies r e for ming th e Roma n tax c od es cr ea ting th e J u l ian ca le nda r

Julius Caesar Quotes

Ma ny peop l e s ti l l conside r C a es ar a gr ea t le a der w ith keen insigh ts i nto huma n na tu re. O v er t h e centur i es , many o f h is wor d s h av e b ecome fa m ou s quote s, suc h as :

• “I c ame , I saw, I c onque r e d.”

• “Ca esa r ’ s w ife m u st be ab o v e su spic io n .”

• “Th e die h as been c ast .”

• “If I fa il, it is only be c au se I ha ve to o mu c h pr ide an d a mbition .”

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• “ In t h e e nd , i t is i m p o s s i b l e to become what o th er s b el i eve y o u are. ” • “A s a r u l e , m e n worry more about w ha t t h ey c a n’ t se e t h a n a b o u t w ha t t h ey c a n. ” • “ No o ne i s s o b ra ve t h a t h e i s n o t d i s t u r b ed b y s o m e t h i ng u n ex p e c t ed . ” • “ T h e e vi l t h a t me n d o l i ves a f t er t hem ; t h e g o o d i s o ft i nt er r e d w i t h t hei r b o ne s . ” • “ T h e r e a r e no t r i c k s i n p l a i n a nd sim p l e f a i t h . ” • “Which death is p r e f e r a b l e t o e ver y o t h er ? Th e u n ex p e c t ed . ” • A s s a s s i na t i o n Caes a r de c l a r e d h i m s e l f d i c ta t o r f o r l i f e i n 44 B. C . H o we ve r, h i s c ru s a de f o r a b s o l u t e pow e r di dn ’ t g o o ve r w el l wi t h m a n y Ro m a n pol iti c i a n s . Fe a r i n g h e w ou l d b e c o m e k i n g , a gro u p o f s e n a t o r s c ons p i r e d t o e n d h i s

l i f e . O n t h e I des o f M a r c h (M a r ch 15, 44 B . C . ), t h e s e n a t o r s , l ed b y G a i u s C a s s i us L o n g i n u s , D e c i m us Junius Brutus Al b i n u s a n d M arcus Junius Brutus, stabbed Caesar 23 t i m e s , e n di n g b o t h h i s r e i g n a n d hi s li fe a s h e f e l l b l e e d i ng o n t o t h e S e n a t e flo o r a t t h e f e e t o f a st at ue o f Po m p e y.

Caesar’s assassination at a g e 5 5 m a de h i m a m a r t y r a n d i n c it ed a c y c l e o f c i vi l wa r s r e s u l t i n g in t h e do wn f a l l o f t he Ro m a n Re p u b l i c and t h e r i s e t o p o wer o f h i s g r a n dn e p h e w and h e i r G a i u s O c t a vi us (O c t a v i a n ) — lat er k n o wn a s A u g ust us C a e s a r — t o e mpero r o f t h e Ro m a n Em pi re. https://www.history.com/ topics/ancient-history/juliuscaesar

13 Sisters of Delphi

Spotlight On: Bella Bloodmoon

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13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythological Demons Berith Shared By: High Priestess Gloriana Danu

B er ith a lso k now n as B aa l-Be r ith ( “ B a a l o f the Coven a n t” ) wa s th e god of th e Ca na a nite c ity, wh o la ter c ame to b e view ed as th e d emon Ba a l beri th b y C h r istia n d emonolog y.

Accor ding to th e B ook of Jud ges , h is t e mp le wa s d es troyed wh en Abimel ec h quelled th e ris ing o f h is subje c ts . T h e n a me denotes a f orm o f Ba ’a l-wors h i p pr eva iling in I s rael , accor ding to th e B ook of Jud ges , and p a r ticul arl y in S h e ch e m.

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The term “Ba’al” i s s h o wn b y t h e eq u iv a l e n t “ E l - b e r i t h ” to me a n “ t h e G o d o f t h e Co ve na nt . ” T h e ‘ Co vena nt ’ ( Heb r e w : B e r i t h ) to w hi c h t h i s r e f e r s may r e f e r t o t r e a t i e s s u c h a s o n e wi t h t h e Canaa n i t i c l e a g u e o f w h i c h S h e c h e m wa s t h e h ead , o r t h e c o ve n a n t betw e e n I s r a e l a n d t h e peopl e o f S h e c h e m .

T h e t e r m i s c o n s i de r e d by s o m e t o b e t o o abs tra c t t o h a ve b e e n oc c as i o n e d b y a s i n g l e s et of c o n di t i o n s .

More o ve r, t h e t e m p l e of th e g o d i n S h e c h e m impl i e s a p e r m a n e n t es tab l i s h m e n t . Pr o b a b l y th e n a m e a n d t h e c u l t w ere wi de s p r e a d a n d anc ie n t , t h o u g h i t i s ment i o n e d o n l y i n c onne c t i o n wi t h t h e af f air s o f S h e c h e m .

Etymology Beri th i s t h e H e b r e w w ord f o r c o ve n a n t , it w a s o r i g i n a t e d f rom t h e Ak k a n a di a n

(B a b y lo n i a n ) wo rd ‘ B i r i t u ’ wh i c h m eans t o ‘ f e t t e r ’ o r ‘to b o nd ’ . B a a l B eri t h wa s a f o r m o f Baal wo r s h i p e d i n B e ri t h (B e i r u t ), Ph o eni ci a.

He is also called B e a l , B e r i t h i , B o fry, B o l f r y a n d B o l fri b y necromancers. In Al c h e m y B e r i t h was t h e e l e m e n t wi th wh i c h a l l m e t a ls c o u l d b e t r a n s mut ed i n t o g o l d, s u r e ly de r i ve d f r o m t he name of the de m o n B e r i t h .

Rank B e r i t h i s a G r e at D u k e o f J i n n e s t an, p o we r f u l a n d terrible, and has Twe n t y - S i x l e g i o ns o f de m o n s u n de r h i s c o m m a n d. He i s a l s o o n e o f t he S e ve n t y -Two s pi ri t s o f S o l o m o n a n d o ne o f t h e de m o n s at t h e L o u vi e r s possession case.

Appearance B e r i t h a p p e a r s as

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythological Demons Berith

a soldie r d res s ed in r e d, r idi ng a red hor se a nd w earing a golden cr ow n on h is hea d; a ccord ing to o th er gr imo i res h is sk in is r e d too.

Powers B er ith a nswers tru l y o f th ings pres ent, pa st, a nd t o c ome b ut h e is a ls o a l iar.

B er ith a lso h as th e pow er to trans mu te all ba se metal s i nto gold. Lur e d by a ha ndsome rew ard , h e will e nsur e th at great public dign i ti es and ma nifold r i c h es are b estowed u pon t h e conjur o r.

Fina lly, h e pos s es s es t h e r a th e r s i ngu l ar pow er or lend i ng cla r ity of s ou nd and ea se of eloc u ti on t o th e voices of singer s. Th e magi c i an must use a ri ng to ma gica lly div ert th e fla ming, nox i ou s fumes fr om th e mouth of th e d emon.

Accor ding to s ome d emonolog is ts f rom

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th e 1 6 t h c e n t u r y, h i s pow e r i s s t r o n g e r i n J u ne, m e a n wh i l e t o Sebas t i a n M i c h a e l i s h e s ug g e s t s m u r de r and b l a s p h e m y a n d h i s ad v er s a r y i s St. Ba r n a b a s .

In “Le tresor d’ A lb e r t Pe t i t ” , a meth o d o f c o n ju r i n g h im u n de r a f o r m res em b l i n g c a n b e f ou nd . O n a M o n da y ni gh t a b l a c k c h i c k e n is bl e d a t a c r o s s r o a ds .

O ne m u s t s a y :

‘Berith will do all my work for twenty years and I shall recompense him.’

O r els e o n e m a y wr i t e th e s p e l l o n a p i e c e o f v irgi n p a r c h m e n t wi t h th e c h i c k e n ’ s b l o o d.

T h e d e m o n t h u s e vo k e d w il l a p p e a r t h e s a m e d ay, a n d p u t h i m s e l f c omp l e t e l y a t t h e c onj ur o r ’ s di s p o s a l .

Bu t a f t e r t we n t y y ears , B e r i t h wi l l c l aim h i s r e wa r d f o r s erv i c e s r e n de r e d. I f ou nd m y s e l f, h e s a i d, i n a h o u s e wh e r e a

f a m i l i a r s p i r i t had m a n i f e s t e d f o r si x years taking car e o f wi n di n g t h e c l o c k a n d c u r r y i ng t h e h o r s e s . I wa s c u r i o u s o n e m o rni ng to examine these p r o c e e di n g s : m y a s t o n i s h m e n t w as g r e a t t o s e e a curry c o m b r u n n i n g over t h e h i n dqu a r t e rs o f a h o r s e wh i ch a p p e a r e d t o b e do ne b y n o vi s i b l e h and.

Th e g r o o m t o l d m e t h a t t o a t t r a ct t h e f a m i l i a r t o hi s s e r vi c e , h e h a d t a k e n a s m a l l b lack c h i c k e n , wh i c h he h a d b l e d a t a g reat c r o s s r o a d; t h a t wi t h its blood he had wr i t t e n o n a s c rap o f p a p e r : ‘ Be r i th w i l l c o m e t o my a i d f o r t w enty y ea r s , a nd I w i l l r ec o m p en s e h i m ; ’ nex t h a vi ng b u r i ed t h e c h i c k en a f o o t d e e p i n the e a r t h , t h a t s a me d a y t h e f a m i li ar h a d t a k e n c a re o f t h e c l o c k an d s o m e h o r s es , an d

13 Sisters of Delphi

Mythological Demons Berith

th at fr om t ime to tim e g a me t h e gr oom th in g s wh ic h wer e w o r t h som ethin g ... -

Le tresor d’Albert Petit

In Rabbinical Literature

Th e idol Baal berith , wh ich th e Jew s wor sh ipped af ter th e d ea th of Gi d eon, w as identica l, a c c ord ing t o th e Ra bbis , w i th B aa l-ze bub , “ t h e ba’a l of flie s,” th e god of Ekr on.

He wa s w ors h ipped in th e sh a pe of a fly; a nd Jew is h t r a dition states th at so a ddicted w ere th e J ews to h is c u l t th at t h e y w ould c arry an ima ge of h im i n th eir pockets, prod u c i ng it, a nd kissi ng it f rom t ime to tim e.

B aa l-ze bub is c al l ed B aa l-be r ith bec au s e such Jew s migh t b e sa id to mak e a cove na nt of d ev otion with th e idol , bei ng u nwilling to part with it for a s ingl e

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mome n t . A c c o r di n g t o anothe r c o n c e p t i o n , Baal - b e r i t h wa s a n obs c e n e a r t i c l e o f i d ol a t r o u s wo r s h i p , pos s i b l y a s i m u l a c r u m pri ap i . Th i s i s e vi de n t l y bas ed o n t h e l a t e r s i gnif i c a n c e o f t h e w ord “ b er i t , ” m e a n i n g c i rc um c i s i o n .

Baalberith in Christian demonology

Baal b e r i t h wa s t h e c h i ef s e c r e t a r y o f t h e U nd e r wo r l d, h e a d o f i ts pub l i c a r c h i ve s , a n d th e de m o n wh o t e m p t e d men t o b l a s p h e m y a n d mu rde r. Wh e n s e a t e d amon g t h e p r i n c e s o f th e U n de r wo r l d, h e w as u s u a l l y s e e n a s a ponti f f. H e t e l l s t h i n g s of th e p a s t , p r e s e n t and f u t u r e wi t h t r u e ans we r s ; h e c a n a l s o tu rn a l l m e t a l s i n t o gol d , g i ve di g n i t i e s to me n a n d c o n f i r m th em . H e h a s a l s o b e e n c omp a r e d t o Pa l l a s and D i a n a .

Fa t h e r S e b a s t i e n M i c h a e l i s i n 1 61 2 , Baalberith once possessed a nun in Ai x - e n - Pr o ve n c e. I n t h e p r o c e s s o f t he e x o r c i s m , B a a l beri t h vo l u n t e e r e d n o t o n l y h i s o wn n a m e a n d t h e n a m e s o f all t h e o t h e r de m ons p o s s e s s i n g h e r, b ut t h e n a m e s o f t he s a i n t s wh o wo uld b e m o s t e f f e c t i ve i n opposing them. https://genies.fandom.com/ wiki/Berith

H e wa s a l s o qu i t e a v ol u b l e s o r t : a c c o r di n g to th e A dm i r a b l e H i s to r y wr i t t e n b y

13 Sisters of Delphi

Historical Witch Trials The Essex Witches

Shared By: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

A nd E s s e x p r o s e c u t e d u p to 6 0 p e r c e n t o f s u ppo s e d wi t c h e s .

Betw e e n 1 5 7 0 - 1 6 0 9 , 5 3 E s s ex ‘ w i t c h e s ’ we r e h ange d a g a i n s t a t o t a l of 64 e x e c u t i o n s a c r o s s al l th e h o m e c o u n t i e s .

Around 200 men and women were held in Colchester Castle, many of whom died E ssex h a s a l ot to b oa st a bout - be it fanta stic hi k i ng t r a ils or a r eas of Roma n sign if ic anc e.

B ut not a ll of E s s ex ’ s accola de s a re n e ce ssa r ily ones to cele br a te , in pa r ticula r i ts d a r k h istor y of b ur ning a n d ha nging ‘wit c h e s’ .

B etw een 1 556- 1589, if you w er e f ou nd guilty of witc h c raf t you wer e hanged .

13 Sisters of Delphi

T h i s wa s a n ex tra o r di n a r i l y h i g h nu mb e r, e s p e c i a l l y a s onl y a r o u n d o n e qu a r t e r of th o s e t r i a l l e d w ere h a n g e d.

O ne o f t h e p l a c e s wh e r e th e ac c u s e d we r e h e l d w as C o l c h e s t e r C a s t l e , a f av o u r e d s p o t o f w i tc h h u n t e r M a t t h e w H opk i n s , a n d i n t h e 16th a n d 1 7 t h c e n t u r i e s it h eld o ve r 2 0 0 wo m e n and m e n .

A l o t o f p e o p l e di ed wh i l e wa i t i n g fo r t h e i r t r i a l , a n d m uch o f t h e e vi de n c e wa s b a s e d on superstition and ignorance.

To r t u r e wa s i l l eg al i n t h o s e da y s , s o i t f o r c e d H o p k i n s t o use s l e e p de p r i va t i on and f o r c e d s t a n di n g .

In fact, some of t h e a c c u s e d we re ‘ s w a m ’ , wh i c h i n c l u de d wo m e n b e i n g t i e d u p and t h e n t h r o wn i n to wa t e r. Th e l o g i c b e i n g i f s h e s a n k, t he wa t e r t h e n c l e a nsed t h e s u s p e c t , b ut i f s h e f l o a t e d, t he wa t e r h a d r e je c t ed t h e s u s p e c t a n d she wa s f o u n d g u i l ty.

To t h i s da y, a plaque m a r k s t h e h i s t o ry o f t h e c a s t l e . I t r eads “ I n m em o r y o f t h e vi c t i m s o f t h e ‘ E s s ex Wi tch H u nt ’ w h o w ere i m p r i s o ne d i n Co l c h es t er Cas tl e .

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“In the 16 t h an d 1 7th c entu r ie s, over 200 w o me n and m en w e r e held in the c e lls of Colc h est e r Castle on c h ar g e s of witc h c r aft .

“Man y die d w h ile awa iting t h e ir tr ia l. M u c h o f th e eviden c e was based o n super stiti o n , i gnor a n c e , an d hy ster ia.

“Th e pla q u e i s pla c ed as a mem or ia l t o t h e m all an d in t h e hop e of a n e n d t o per sec utio n an d i ntoler an c e .” https://www.essexlive.news/ news/essex- news/dark-sideessexs-history-dozens-5215045

If you ima gi ne a witch , wh at d o you se e? A n ol d b ent woman w ith a wa r t on h e r nos e? a pointy bl ac k h at wh o is a ccompani ed b y a bla ck c at? th e ste r e otypic al image t h a t comes to mi nd

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w h en t h e wo r d Wi t c h is me n t i o n e d. Th e bent p a r t i s s l i g h t l y ac c u r a t e a s t h e wo r d its el f de r i ve s f r o m t h e Cel ti c wo r d Wi c c a t o tw i s t o r t o b e n d. To da y th e w o r d i s u s u a l l y u s e d to d e s c r i b e a f e m a l e w h o ha s r e c e i ve d s u per n a t u r a l p o we r s mos t o f t h e t i m e f r o m th e D e vi l .

Why female? Of c ou rse , t h e r e h a ve been m a l e wi t c h e s , s ome r e f e r r e d t o a s w i z ar ds o r wa r l o c k s .

H ow e ve r, t h r o u g h o u t th e c e n t u r i e s , t h e wo r d w i tc h h a s c o m m o n l y been l i n k e d wi t h t h e f emale s e x . ev ery o l d wo m a n wi t h a w rink l e d f a c e , a f u r r ’ d brow, a h a i r y l i p , a gobbe r t o o t h , a s qu i n t eye, a s qu e a k i n g vo y c e , or a s c o l di n g t o n g u e , h av in g a r u g g e d c o a t e on h e r b a c k , a s k u l l c a p on h e r h e a d, a s p i n dl e in h er h a n d, a n d a D o g or Ca t b y h e r s i de ; i s not o n l y s u s p e c t e d, b u t prono u n c e d f o r a wi t c h .

J a m e s V I o f S c ot s said in his book on D e m o n o l o g y “ But b e f o r e y ee g oe f u r t h e r, p er mi t m e e I p r a y y ou t o i nt e r r u p t y ou o ne w o r d e , whi ch y ee h a u e p u t me e i n m e m o r i e of, b y s p e a k i ng of Wo m e n. W h a t can b e t h e c a u s e that t h e r e a r e t w e n ti e w o m e n g i u e n to t h a t c r a f t , w he re t h e r i s o ne man ?

Th e r e a s o n i s e a s i e , f o r a s that s ex e i s f r a i l er then man is, so i s i t ea s i e r t o be i nt r a p p e d i n the s e g r o s s e s na r e s o f t h e D eu i l l , as w a s o u er w e l l p r o u e d t o b e true , b y t h e S e r p e n ts d e c ei u i ng o f Eua a t t h e b e g i nn i n g, w h i c h m a k e s hi m t h e h o m e l i er with that sexe s ens i ne . ” H m m m s o , wo m en we r e p e r c e i ve d t o b e t h e we a k e r s ex therefore, more

13 Sisters of Delphi

Historical Witch Trials The Essex Witches

like ly to suc c u mb to t h e devil. A nu mber o f th e wom en pe r se cute d as w i tc h es wer e some times th os e wh o lived ou ts i d e t h e a cceptabl e norms o f society – th e ol d widow s wh o s poke t h e ir mind, th e s ingl e moth er s, the ones t h a t h a d di s abil ities o r defor mities on t h e ir bodie s . 90% o f th e a ccu s ations ma de wer e tow ard s women. If a w oman d id not kno w h er pla ce did s h e d es erv e t h e h a r sh pers ec u ti on and p unish ment th at wa s de livered w h en accuse d of being a witch ? No! Mor e witches h av e b een h ung i n th e county of Es s ex t h a n a ny oth er in al l o f Engla nd . I n th e assizes fr om 156016 8 0 , 5 4 5 peopl e wer e a ccus ed of witch cr a ft. T h ere ar e 4 2 4 vil l ages in E ssex of w h i c h 227 ha ve a con nec tion with th e p ers ec u ti on o f w itch e s. O ne

13 Sisters of Delphi

h u ndr e d o f t h e s e s o c al l ed wi t c h e s we r e s ente n c e da t C h e l m s f o r d, w h i c h wa s a c c r u e d t h e h igh e s t de a t h t o l l o f w i tc h e s a n y wh e r e i n E ngl a n d i t s e l f.

Many o f t h o s e i n th e ye a r s 1 6 4 4 - 4 7 w ou l d h a ve b e e n t h e h and i wo r k o f t h e s e l ftitl ed Wi t c h f i n de r G ener a l , M a t h e w H opk i n s . B o r n i n Wenh a m , S u f f o l k a r o u n d 1619 M a t h e w H o p k i n s w as a n u n r e m a r k a b l e l aw ye r u n t i l 1 6 4 4 . H e s ai d t h a t h e o ve r h e a r d a d i s c u s s i o n o f wi t c h e s a t h is l o c a l p u b t h e Th o r n I nn in M a n n i n g t r e e wh o w ere t r y i n g t o k i l l h i m .

H e d e c i de d t o l e a ve h i s l aw p r a c t i c e a n d t o o k i t u pon h i m s e l f t o r i d t h e c ou nt r y s i de o f wi t c h e s .

Wi th h i s r i g h t - h a n d m a n J oh n S t e r n e , t h e y wo u l d trav el t o vi l l a g e s a n d h u nt do wn t h e wi t c h e s , f or a f e e o f c o u r s e !

Aside from his knowl e dg e o f t h e l a w and r e a di n g a b o u t w i tc h e s f r o m J a m e s I ’ s bo o k D e m o n o l o g y

H o p k i n s h a d n o o t her e x p e r t i s e i n what he wa s do i n g . Th i s di d n o t s t o p h i m g i vi ng himself the title of Wi t c h f i n de r G e neral a n d c l a i m i n g t hat he h a d b e e n a p p o i nt ed b y Pa r l i a m e n t . T hi s wa s n o t t r u e b ut p e o p l e b e l i e ve d h i m n o n e t h e l ess e s p e c i a l l y wh e n he s a i d h e p o s s e s s ed t h e ‘ D evi l s L i st’ – wh i c h s u p p o sedly h a d a l l t h e n a mes o f t h e wi t c h e s in E n g l a n d. I n a dd i t i o n to John Sterne, H o p k i n s wa s a l so a i de d b y ‘ g o o d’ Ph i l l i p s , E dwa rd Pa r s l e t , a n d Frances Mills H o p k i n s wa s n o fo o l.

H e k n e w wh a t was n e e de d t o g e t p eo ple t o s e e k h i s a i d. He used the mood of u n c e r t a i n t y a n d fear t o h i s a dva n t a ge.

Ti m e s we r e t o ug h a n d du e t o t h e o u t b r e a k o f t h e Ci vi l Wa r, t h e m o o d o f t he c o u n t y o f E s s e x was o n e o f di s t r u s t . He

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also kne w how to b end th e law to get confe ssions , by u s i ng t e ch nique s, w h ic h wer e not deemed as ‘tor tu r e’, – s l eep d epr iva tion, and solitude conf inement.

Most of th e time th e accuse d w ou l d be t a ke n to so mew h ere pr iva te a nd d ark like a dungeon.

Colch ester Cas tl e wa s such a l oc ation.

Th er e th e p ri s oner would be t h row n into th e iso l ated c el l , str ipped nak ed , and b ea te n. T h ey w ou l d also be sta rv ed and pr eve nted f rom s l eep.

Afte r th is, H opki ns would mov e onto pr icking. Hopki ns ha d a sp eci al j abbi ng n e edle to do th is , a t h r ee in on e s pike, wh ich r e tr a c ted wh en p ush ed agai ns t t h e skin so th e woma n w oul d f eel n o p a in, theref ore, conde mnin g h er. I f n o so-ca lled w i tc h es ma r ks wer e f ou nd t h e p r isoners w ou l d t h e n be for c ed to

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s it c r o s s e d l e g g e d o n a tabl e o r s t a l l b o u n d and l e f t a l o n e f o r 2 4 h ou rs. Af t e r t h i s , t h e y w ou l d t h e n b e f o r c e d to w a l k n a k e d, b a r e f o o t u p an d do wn u n t i l t h e i r f eet b l i s t e r e d a n d b l e d – eno u g h f o r a n y o n e t o c onf e s s t o a n y t h i n g ju s t to get i t t o s t o p o r e ve n d riv en m a d.

T h e f i r s t t o f a l l vi c t i m to H o p k i n s wa s a o n e l egge d wo m a n n a m e d E l izab e t h C l a r k . J o h n R i v et h a d a c c u s e d h er o f p l a c i n g a s p e l l on h i s wi f e c a u s i n g h er to g e t i l l . C l a r k e w as p l a c e d u n de r t h e ‘ c ar e ’ o f H o p k i n s a n d h i s i n h u m a n m e t h o ds u ntil s h e c o u l d t a k e no m o r e a n d t o l d h i m w h at h e wa n t e d t o h e a r al ong wi t h n a m i n g anothe r 5 p e o p l e . Th i s ‘ w it c h h u nt ’ s o o n grew t o i m p l i c a t e 3 8 pers o n s , o f wh i c h 1 7 w ere h u n g , 6 r e p r i e ve d i n pri s o n (w i t h 4 o f them d y i n g w h i le in ca r c e r a t e d ) a n d 2 ac qu i t t e d.

H o p k i n s wo u l d b e i n vi t e d t o u s e C o l c h e s t e r C a s tle as a b a s e t o i n t e r r o g at e t h e Wi t c h e s t h at we r e a c c u s e d i n M a n n i n g t r e e . At t i m e s , t h e wo m en wo u l d b e h e l d there f o r u p t o s i x m o nt hs wh i l e a wa i t i n g t ri al and four of the 33 wo m e n h e l d di e d du e t o t h e h o r r i b le c o n di t i o n s t h e re.

M o r e o ve r, a s t hey h a d n e ve r b e e n fo und g u i l t y t h e y n e ver r e c e i ve d a p a r d o n, wh i c h t h o s e who we r e f o u n d g u i lt y b y H o p k i n s di d.

In 2018, John Wo r l a n d, a f i l m m aker s u c c e s s f u l l y r a ised f u n ds t o h a ve a p l a qu e p l a c e d in t he r o s e g a r de n s o p po si t e t h e e n t r a n c e t o t he C a s t l e t o r e m e mb er t h e vi c t i m s o f t h e wi t c h h u n t s . “ We a r e , s t r a ng e l y, l i vi n g i n t i m es w h ere t h e r e a r e p a ral l e l s w i t h t h e p l i g ht

13 Sisters of Delphi

Historical Witch Trials The Essex Witches

of women b ac k th en ,” sa y s J oh n. “T h r o u gh socia l medi a, w e see h yster i a and misr epr e sentation, wh er e nobo d y rel ies o n fa cts or ev id enc e, and th is ca n tri gger ha te cr imes . T h is is wh a t h a p pened to ma ny w omen 400 yea r s a go a nd th e significa nce of th is shouldn’t b e s w ept u nder th e c arpet.”

Ch e lmsfor d in E ssex would be th e loca tion for many pe r se cutions of witch e s. T h e l oc ati on o f th e site of th e exe cution t od ay is belie ve d to be P rimr ose Hi l l . Not all th ose se ntenc ed t h e r e would be f rom t h e tow n. Ch el ms f ord would be t h e l oc ation for th e fir s t f u l l trial and e xecut ion of a witch in Engl and in 15 6 6 wh er e A gnes Wa te r h ouse w ou l d b e e xecute d as a witch . S h e and t wo oth e r w omen – E liza beth Franc es

13 Sisters of Delphi

and J o a n Wa t e r h o u s e ( da u g h t e r o f A g n e s ) w h o a l l l i ve d i n H a t f i e l d Pev er e l i n E s s e x . Al l th at l i n k e d t h e m wa s a w h i te s p o t t e d c a t c a l l e d Sath a n , wh i c h wa s bel i eve d t o b e th eir f a m i l i a r.

F ranc e s wa s a c c u s e d of h a vi n g b e wi t c h e d a bab y b e c a u s e i t h a d bec om e f r i a l a n d we a k .

Sh e wo u l d c o n f e s s to th e c r i m e a l o n g w i th a l s o c o n f e s s i n g to mur de r, a b o r t i n g , and h a vi n g i l l i c i t s e x .

Sh e s a i d s h e h a d b e e n tau gh t t o b e a wi t c h by h e r g r a n dm o t h e r w h o i n t r o du c e d h e r t o Sath a n t h e c a t . S a t h a n prom i s e d h e r t h a t she would be rich is s h e f o l l o we d h i s wi l l .

F ranc i s wa s f o u n d gu il ty o f b e wi t c h m e n t and wa s s e n t e n c e d t o a year i n p r i s o n .

I t tu r n e d o u t t h a t F ranc i s wo u l d m e e t A gne s o n e da y a n d o f f e r Sath a n i n e x c h a n g e f o r a c ak e . S h e s a i d t h a t he was something that w ou l d i m p r o ve h e r l i f e

m a s s i ve l y t o whi ch Ag n e s a g r e e d. A g nes wa s a c c u s e d o f b e wi t c h i n g Wi l li am F y n e e wh o we n t o n t o di e i n N o ve mb er 1 5 6 5 . L i k e F r a nci s, Ag n e s t o o wo u ld c o n f e s s , t o n o t o nly t o t h i s c r i m e b ut also o n e de s t r o y i n g her n e i g h b o u r s c a t t le and g e e s e . S h e a l s o sai d t h a t s h e h a d s e nt her da u g h t e r J o a n to t he h o m e o f Ag n e s B ro wn a 1 2 - y e a r - o l d g i rl f o r c a k e a n d c heese.

Ag n e s B r o wn e r e f u s e d a n d f o und a f e w da y s l a t e r that h e r r i g h t l e g a n d arm b e c a m e ‘ d ec r epi t’.

J o a n we n t h o m e a n d c a l l e d o u t fo r S a t h a n wh o m s he had h e a r d h e r m u m call f o r. Wh e n h e t urned up she asked him t o m a k e t h e y o ung g i r l a f r a i d, i n t urn, S a t h a n s a i d t h at he wa n t e d J o a n ’ s m i nd and soul.

J o a n wa s t r i e d fo r b e wi t c h i n g b r o wn b ut wa s f o u n d n o t g ui lt y.

H e r m o t h e r, h o w ever,

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wa s sentenc ed to d ea th by h a ngi ng and wa s ex ec u ted on J uly 2 9 th . F ranc es Wa te r h ouse i n 1579 wa s a ccuse d agai n o f be ing a w i tc h and t h is time was not s o lucky a nd was h u ng.

Afte r be ing h u ng t h e bodies of th e suppose d w itc h es could not b e bu ried in consecr ated h ol y gr ound. Mos t w ere pla ced in unmarked gr a ves a nd s ome even a t cr o s s road s .

Some time s th ei r re ma ins were humilia te d ev en more b y th e p la c i ng of sta ke s in eac h h and t o p r e ve nt th e w i tc h ever r ising. T h i s w as t h e ca se with U rs u l a Kemp in S t O syth 1 5 8 2.

In tota l, thi rteen wer e a ccus ed of b eing w itches , 10 o n th e ch a r ge of b ew itch ing peopl e t o dea th . O f th es e 10 , six were f ou nd guilty but onl y tw o sente nce s c arried ou t

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– E l iz a b e t h B e n n e t wh o c onf e s s e d t o m u r de r and U r s u l a Ke m p .

Kemp wa s a wo m a n of po o r m e a n s wh o mana g e d t o s u r vi ve by d o i n g m i dwi f e r y and r e m o vi n g b a d s pel l s f r o m p e o p l e .

W h at b r o u g h t h e r i n t o th e w i t c h - h u n t wa s a f al l i n g o u t wi t h G r a c e T h ru lo we wh e r e Ke m p e h ad t h r e a t e n e d h e r w i th l a m e n e s s . J u s t i dl e th rea t b u t u n f o r t u n a t e l y f or Ke m p e Th u r l o w wa s s oon o ve r c o m e wi t h s ev er e a r t h r i t i s i n h e r l egs a n d de c i de d t h a t i t w as a c u r s e f rom Ke m p e .

W h at m a de h e r c a s e ev en m o r e da m a g i n g w as he r 8 - y e a r - o l d s o n who was encouraged to tel l da m n i n g s t o r i e s again s t h i s m o t h e r.

Kemp e wo u l d c o n f e s s bu t o n l y wi t h t h e prom i s e d o f l e n i e n c y is s h e c o o p e r a t e d a n d name d o t h e r s . Th i s s h e did but the promise of l en i e n c y wa s f a l s e .

T h e f i n a l c h a r g e wa s bew it c h i n g t h r e e p e o p l e

t o de a t h b e t we e n 1580 and 1582.

B u t Ke m p e ’ s s t ory do e s n o t e n d t here.

I n 1 9 2 1 , t h e r e mai ns o f t wo s k e l e t o ns we r e u n e a r t h e d i n t h e g a r de n o f M r B r o o k e r i n S t O sy t h.

O n e o f t h e s k e let o ns wa s b a dl y da m a g ed b u t t h e o t h e r was s t i l l i n a r e a s o n ab le c o n di t i o n . I t was t h e n de du c e d t hat i t m u s t b e t h e bo dy o f U r s u l a , a n d the o t h e r … M r B r oo ker u s e d t h i s di s c o v ery t o m a k e s o m e mo ney a n d a l l o we d p e o ple t o vi e w t h e s k e let o n f o r a s m a l l f e e . T hen i n 1 9 3 2 , t h e h ouse b u r n t do wn i n an u n e x p l a i n e d f i re and t h e b o dy o f U r sula wa s r e b u r i e d. It was di s t u r b e d a g a i n i n t h e 1 9 6 0 s du r i ng s o m e r e de ve l o p m ent b u t t h i s t i m e t he b o dy o f U r s u l a wa s s o l d t o t h e Wi t c h c r a f t M u s eum i n B o s c a s t l e . F inally i n 2 0 0 7 f i l m m aker J o h n Wo r l a n d a nd

13 Sisters of Delphi

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o th er s ma naged to ge t Ur sula bac k to St O syth a nd rebu ri ed in unconsec rated la nd with b oth re pr e senta t iv es of th e Ch r istia n and Pagan re ligions. M ay s h e n ow r est in peac e.

I n 1 7 3 5 th e Witch cr a ft A c t w h i c h J ames VI h ad pas s ed in1 6 0 4 w a s repeal ed as most p eopl e b elie ve d w i tc h c raf t t o not be p os s ibl e.

B ut not a ll w ou l d be convinced. T h ere are still stor ies i n ou r histor y of s u ppos ed witch e s, ev en in E ssex such as Sarah Moor e fr om L ei gh on Se a w h o lived in th e 19 th C entu ry.

Sa r a h wa s a l oc al woma n w h o i s said to h a v e l i v ed in a cotta ge of Victor ia W h arf. I n ap pea r a nce, s h e i s said to h a v e been wea th e r -beaten, ha d a h ook ed nos e and a h a r e l i p. T h e lege nd goes th at Sa r a h would c onf ront

13 Sisters of Delphi

ex pec t a n t wo m e n i n L eigh t e l l i n g t h e m t h e s ex of t h e i r c h i l d a n d th at i t wo u l d h a ve a h ar e l i p .

The story also goes th at s h e wo u l d o f t e n of f er c h a r m s t o p e o p l e and b l e s s s a i l o r s t o g e t good wi n d. O n e da y a Capta i n f o r b a de h i s m e n f rom g i vi n g h e r a n y mone y, wh i c h i n f u r i a t e d Sarah. S h e c o n ju r e d u p a h u g e s t o r m . Wh e n h e go t f u r t h e r o u t to s ea t h e wi n d g o t s tron g e r a n d h e g o t into d i f f i c u l t i e s . Th e s ki pp e r t o o k a c t i o n a n d w i th a n a x e c u t do wn h is ri g g i n g o r m a s t .

Wi th t h e t h i r d s t r i k e , th e s t o r m s e e m e d t o c eas e . Wh e n we g o t bac k t o s h o r e , h e h e a r d th at S a r a h wa s f o u n d d ead wi t h a g a s h o r a x e w ou n d t o h e r f o r e h e a d.

A gre a t t a l e t o t e l l b u t it is j u s t t h a t . A wo m a n name d S a r a h M o o r e di d ex is t a n d t h e r e we r e ru mo u r s o f h e r b e i n g a Wit c h b u t t h e y we r e just that.

To da y t h e r e a r e m any l e g e n ds a n d s t ori es a r o u n d wi t c h e s i n E s s e x . Ta l e s o f g ho st s c o m i n g b a c k f r om t h e g r a ve t o a ve ng e t h e i r wr o n g s o r j ust t o vi s i t u s . C a newdo n h a s s u c h f o l k l o re b e h i n d i t t h a t e very H a l l o we e n i t i s sai d t h e p o l i c e h a ve t o r o p e t h e C h u r c h o ff t o s t o p p e o p l e go i ng t h e r e a n d s e e i ng i f t h e s t o r y i s t he s t o r y. Th e r e a r e m a n y ve r s i o n but all i n vo l ve wa l k i n g o r r u n n i n g a r o u n d t he c h u r c h t o we r. I f y o u wa l k a r o u n d i t at m i dn i g h t , y o u wi ll b e f o r c e d t o da n c e wi t h wi t c h e d, i f y o u run a r o u n d i t b a c k wards t h r e e t i m e s y o u wi ll s e e a g h o s t a t t he t o p o f t h e t o we r i f y o u r u n t h r e e t i m e s ant i c l o c k wi s e a p o rt al wi l l s e n d y o u b ack i n t i m e . O n H a l l o ween i f y o u wa l k a r o und i t 7 t i m e s y o u wi ll see a wi t c h , 1 3 t i m e s, y o u wi l l b e c o m e i n v i si b le, a n d a n t i - c l o c k w i se o n H a l l o we e n i f y o u run

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ar ound it th e d ev i l will a ppear. A v ery super na tural s i te it seems.

It is a lso s aid th at t h e r e will al w ays be six w itc h es in Ca new dow n, th ree of silk a nd th ree of cotton a nd th at wh eneve r a s tone falls fr om th e c h u rc h t ow er a w itc h h as died but a n oth er will a lwa ys take h er pla ce. H op ki ns nev er visited C a new d on; did h e fe el i t w as not wor th th e v is it? Was it too fa r t o trav el or wa s h e a fr ai d of th e c oven th a t i s s aid to alw a ys live th ere?

Wh o know s ?

h ad o b t a i n e d b y s o r c e r y. H e wa s t h e n s wu m i n Mi s tl e y Po n d b y a n a n g r y m o b wh e r e h e e i t her d row n e d o r f l o a t e d a n d h u n g . A s u i t a b l e f at e f or s u c h a m a n i t s e e m s . B u t n o r e r e c o r d o f th i s e x i s t s , wh a t do e s e x i s t i s a r e c o r d i n Mi st ly c h u rc h i n 1 6 4 7 o f h i s b u r i a l a n d a s t a t e m e nt

by St e a r n e t h a t “ h e d i ed p e a c ef u l l y a t M an n i ng t r e e , a f t e r a l o ng s i c k nes s of a c o n s u m p t i o n, a s m a ny o f h i s g e ner a ti on s h ad d o ne b e f o r e h i m , w i t h o u t a ny t r o u b l e o f c o ns c i enc e f o r w h a t h e h ad do n e , a s w a s f a l s el y r ep o r t e d o f h i m .”

A l th o u g h t h e Wi t c h - h u n t s i n E n g l a n d b e g a n t o d ie d o wn a f t e r H o p k i n s ’ de a t h a c r o s s t h e po nd i n A m e r i c a , t h e y we r e b e g i n n i n g t o b o i l o v er. I n 1692, E s s e x C o u n t y t h e i n f a m o u s S a l e m Wi t ch trial s h a d ju s t b e g u n . http s://fortheloveofhistoryhome.wordpress.com/2019/10/31/herebe-witches-essex-and-witchcraft/

Eve n H opk i ns d oes not e sca pe th e accusa tor y f i nger of being a w itc h .

Willia m An d rew s , a 1 9 th -ce ntu ry wr ite r sta t ed in Bygone Ess ex th at in 16 4 7 , H op ki ns w as accuse d of being in le a gue wi th th e devil h imsel f, and t h e De vils book h e

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Zodiac Signs Cancer

Shared by: High Priestess, Lady Gloriana

Ca nce r, wh i c h i s L atin for cr ab, i s th e d immest of th e 13 constella tio ns of th e Zodia c, h a ving onl y t wo sta r s a bov e th e four th ma gni tu d e.

Locating Cancer the Crab

Ca nce r lie s betw een L eo, th e lion, and Gemini, th e tw i ns . I t is a lmost impos s ibl e t o se e C a nc er as a cr a b with th e n a ke d eye or ev en b i nocula r s. I t l ook s mor e like a f aint, u pside-dow n Y. Ca nce r is vi s i bl e in th e N or th ern Hemisp h ere in th e ea r ly spr in g. I t can be se en in th e South er n H emi s ph ere d ur ing a utu mn.

13 Sisters of Delphi

The Cancer c ons t e l l a t i o n o c c u p i e s an ar e a o f 5 0 6 s q u ar e de g r e e s .

a r e a o f 1 . 5 s qu are de g r e e s , o r t h r ee t i m e s t h e s i z e of t he full moon.

• Right ascension: 9 h ou r s • Declination: 20 d eg r e e s • Be s t s e e n b e t we e n l at i t u de s 9 0 de g r e e s an d m i n u s 6 0 de g r e e s • Visi b i l i t y i s b e s t during March at 9 p.m .

Th e c o n s t e l l a t i o n’s o t h e r M e s s i e r ob j ect , M 6 7 , i s a n o t h e r o pen s t a r c l u s t e r.

Canc e r c o n t a i n s t wo Mes s i e r o b je c t s , a s et of a s t r o n o m i c a l obj ec t s f i r s t i n 1 7 7 1

by F r e n c h a s t r o n o m e r Ch arl e s M e s s i e r i n 1771 . C a n c e r ’ s m o s t f amou s M e s s i e r o b je c t i s M44, a l s o k n o wn a s t h e Beeh i ve C l u s t e r, wh i c h is a s m a l l s t a r c l u s t e r th at r e s e m b l e s a s wa r m of be e s . M 4 4 c o n t a i n s abou t 5 0 s t a r s , t h e bright e s t o f wh i c h a r e of th e s i x t h m a g n i t u de . ε Cnc i s t h e b r i g h t e s t memb e r a t m a g n i t u de 6.3. P r a e s e p e i s a l s o one o f t h e l a r g e r vi s i b l e open c l u s t e r s wi t h a n

β C n c i s t h e b r ig ht est s t a r i n C a n c e r at m a g n i t u de 3 . 5 . I t i s a n o r a n g e - h u e d g i ant s t a r a b o u t 2 9 0 li g ht y e a r s f r o m E a r t h.

Th e s t a r α C n c (A c u b e n s ), whi ch m e a n s “ t h e c l a w,” i s a do u b l e s t a r wi t h a p r i m a r y o f m a g n i t u de 4 . 3 , 1 7 3 light-years from Earth.

O t h e r n o t a b l e s t ars i n c l u de t h e γ C nc (A s e llu s B o r e ali s), t h e “ no r t h er n d o nk e y, ” a whi t eh u e d s t a r (1 58 li g h t - y e a r s ), and δ C n c (A s e llu s A u s t r a li s ), “southern d o nk e y, ” an

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or a nge-h ued gi ant sta r (136 light-years ) .

Exoplanets Per h a ps the mos t famous e xopl anet i n t h e conste l l ati on i s 55 C a ncr i e, a s u perE a r th th a t w as ( f or a time) id enti f i ed as a “diamo n d wor ld.” T h e ori gi nal obser va tions i n 2010 suggested th at th e host sta r had more car bon th an ox ygen in its inte ri or. A subse quent 2012 study th en mod el ed 55 C a ncr i e’ s mas s and r a dius, bas ed on th e com pos ition of its pla net s tar, and sugge s ted th is pla ne t h a d a graph i te sur fa ce ove rl yi ng a ma ssive lay er of d ia mond und erneath .

Howeve r, a f ol l ow up study in 2013 suggested th at th ere is fa r less c arbon in th e p la net th an or igina lly env i s i oned — so “dia mo n d” ma y be a m i s nomer.

Th e h ost st ar of th e

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pl ane t o n l y h a s a b o u t 25 pe r c e n t more o x y g e n t h a n c arbo n , t h a t r e s e a r c h team s u g g e s t e d.

Mean wh i l e , t h e S p i t z e r Spac e Te l e s c o p e wa s u s ed t o m o n i t o r t h e h eat e m i s s i o n s f r o m 5 5 Canc r i e . E a r l y 2 0 1 3 res u lt s s u g g e s t e d t h a t th e p l a n e t c o u l d b e v ery wa r m a n d we t , w h il e 2 0 1 6 f o l l o w- u p s rev ea l e d t h a t t h e p l a n e t is scorching hot and c ou l d b e o o z i n g l a va .

Res u l t s r e l e a s e d f rom S p i t z e r i n 2 0 1 6 s h ow e d t h a t da y t i m e tempe r a t u r e s o n 5 5 Canc r i e c a n r e a c h a s h i gh a s 4 , 0 0 0 de g r e e s Fah re n h e i t (2 , 427 deg r e e s C e ls i u s ) a n d abou t h a l f a s m u c h a t nigh t — 2 , 0 2 5 F (1 , 107 C.) Th e n a t u r e o f t h e s u rf ac e i s s t i l l u n c l e a r, bu t re s e a r c h e r s di d s e e a h ot s p o t a b o u t m i dwa y betw e e n t h e da y a n d nigh t s i de s t h a t i s s t i l l poorl y e x p l a i n e d.

C a n c e r r e p r e s e nt s t h e g i a n t c r a b t hat a t t a c k e d H e r c u les du r i n g t h e s e c ond of the 12 labors he performed as p e n a n c e f o r k i l li ng h i s f a m i l y. I t wa s s e n t b y t h e je a lo us g o dde s s H e r a t o t h wa r t H e r c u l e s as h e b a t t l e d t h e wat er s e r p e n t H y dr a , b ut h e k i l l e d i t wi t h his club.

I n a s t r o l o g y, whi ch i s n o t a s c i e n c e, C a n c e r i s t h e f ourt h s i g n o f t h e Z o di ac a n d r e p r e s e n t s t ho se b o r n b e t we e n June 20 and July 22. It is c o n s i de r e d a wa t er sign and is one of t h e f o u r c a r di nal s i g n s , wh i c h a re s i g n s t h a t i n di cat e a c h a n g e o f s e a so n wh e n t h e s u n makes i t s a n n u a l p a s s ag e into them. https://www.space. com/16970-cancerconstellation.html

Mythology The constellation of

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