With a rich history of mysticism in our folkloric history, Viking stones and their decorative runes are part of our heritage.
In modern times, the Völvas – ancient fortune telling Viking women –are replaced with the ever popular horoscope apps. Here, we explain how to tap back into history with Viking Birth runes to tell our past, present, and Humansfuture:have always read their fate by the stars. Your birth rune is the caretaker of your destiny. Unlike your zodiac sign, birth runes are not meant to tell you your fate, or what month will bring you love or money. Rather, it is a specific set of energies that express
themselves through your character and events in your life. The runes are calculated according to your birth date. Each rune carries a deeper meaning. Using runic astrology you can discover which of the 24 runes were woven into your soul tapestry at the time of your birth. Birth runes are unique and deeply personal. Knowing your birth runes can help you face difficult decisions when you least expect them.
The mythology behind the birth runes Nordic mythology believes the God Odin found or created the runes. When a child is born, the Nornir and Dissir (goddesses and spirits of time) weave all aspects into the destiny of the child, including the good and the bad. They stretch threats out across the land which fix in place aspects of that child’s doom. The runic astrology assumes this is an analogy for the position of the stars and planets.
How to calculate your birth runes If it sounds like determining your birth runes sounds difficult, we promise it isn’t. There are a few ways to calculate your birth runes. Some even use a birth chart analysis.
The most common are tables that calculate your solar birth rune and your birth hour rune. This can be compared to the Sun sign and our Rising sign in our astrology. The set of rune stones, sometimes cards, is composed of 24 symbols and was also used as an alphabet for communication. Dividing them into the 12 months of a year, each rune governs half a month.
Your first rune - The solar rune Find your birthdate and your first rune below:
• 29th June – 14th July –Fehu
• 14th July – 29th JulyUruz
• 29th July – 13th August - Thurisaz
• 13th August – 29th August - Ansuz
• 29th August – 13th
September – Raidho
• 13th September – 28th
September – Kenaz
• 28th September – 13th October – Gebo
• 13th October – 28th
October - Wunjo
• 28th October – 13th November – Hagalaz
• 13th November – 28th November – Nauthiz
• 28th November – 13th December – Isa
• 13th December – 28th December – Jera
• 28th December – 13th
January – Eihwaz
• 13th January – 28th
January – Perthro
• 28th January – 13th
February – Algiz
• 13th February – 27th
February – Sowilo
• 27th February – 14th
March - Teiwaz
• 14th March – 30th
March -Berkano
• 30th March – 14th
April – Ehwaz
• 14th April – 29th April
– Mannaz
• 29th April – 14th May – Laguz
• 14th May – 29th May –Ingwaz
• 29th May – 14th June –Othala
• 14th June – 29th June – Dagaz
Your second rune - The birth hour rune
The 24 runes are equivalent to 24 hours in a day. Find your birth hour rune by finding your birth hour below:
• 23:30-00:30 – Jera
• 00:30-01:30 – Eihwaz
• 01:30-02:30 – Perthro
• 02:30-03:30 – Algiz
• 03:30-04:30 – Sowilo
• 04:30-05:30 – Teiwaz
• 05:30-06:30 – Berkano
• 06:30-07:30 – Ehwaz
• 07:30-08:30 – Mannaz
• 08:30–09:30 - Laguz
• 09:30-10:30 – Inguz
• 10:30-11:30 – Dagaz
• 11:30-12:30 – Othala
• 12:30-13:30 – Fehu
• 13:30-14:30 – Uruz
• 14:30-15:30 – Thurisaz
• 15:30-16:30 – Ansuz
• 16:30-17:30 – Raidho
• 17:30-18:30 – Kenaz
• 18:30-19:30 – Gebo
• 19:30-20:30 – Wunjo
• 20:30-21:30 – Hagalaz
• 21:30-22:30 – Nauthiz
• 22:30-23:30 – Isa
Now you have two runes and each is a puzzle to your personality. Here is what they mean:
Rune 1 – FEHU Fehu is all about success and all the winnings you
deserved to receive. It represents the reward for your hard work and all of your efforts.
Rune 2 – URUZ Uruz predicts good health and physical condition. It means that you have great inner strength.
Rune 3 – THURISAZ Thurisaz is ruled by Thor, the God of Thunder. Although it does offer protection, this rune asks for caution. Some important decisions will head your way and you need to wait for the right moment to act.
Rune 4 – ANSUZ
Ansuz represents spoken communication and what we learn from others. It indicates that you should spend more time with older and wiser people, listening to some important advice.
Rune 5 – RAIDHO
This rune is about the constant evolution and your journey. Think of your goals and all the steps you need to follow in order to achieve them. It also indicates changes and travels.
Rune 6 – KENAZ
Kenaz is a symbol of our intuition. This rune gives clarity in situations.complicatedYoumight not have been aware of the light, but this rune gives you hope that you will soon find a solution.
Rune 7 – GEBO
Gebo relates to our relationships and reminds you that we always should give in order to receive. It reflects the need for living in harmony with yourself, so you can do the same with others.
Rune 8 – WUNJO Wunjo lets you enjoy the basic pleasures of life. It andpredictsandhappiness,representssatisfactionwellbeing.Thisruneaperiodofcalmpeace.
Rune 9 – HAGALAZ
Hagalaz is symbol of confusion and catastrophe. Think of destroying bad old habits and changing for the best.
Rune 10 – NAUDHIZ
Naudhiz asks you to stay on alert. You might have been passing through difficult times and now is when you should pay more attention to what is happening. You should be patient and have no fear to face what it has to come.
Rune 11 – ISA Isa is also about patience. It predicts a period when you can’t see a lot of progress. Take your time to breathe and don’t make hasty important decisions.
Rune 12 – JERA Jera is a symbol of karma. This rune is about what you have been planting and harvesting good
fortune. The reward will come, even if there is a delay.
Rune 13 –EIHWAZ
This rune offers you protection while you fight for your personal goals. Your imagination will be an important ally.
Rune 14 – PERTHRO Perthro symbolizes what is hidden. Secrets, revelations and mysteries will be the subject of this period. You might see some surprises.
Rune 15 – ALGIZ
This is another rune that gives you protection. Algiz predicts a good and happy season, but be aware of evil, too. Lean on old and new friends in times of need.
Rune 16 – SOWILO
Sowilo is closely related to our body and health. You need to relax and not worry about issues, otherwise, your body will be the first to feel the tension.
Rune 17 – TIWAZ
This rune stands for success, and victory. It is about fighting for what you want because you will achieve these easily. Besides will power, is also a symbol of romance. A new affair with good intentions might appear in your life.
Rune 18 – BERKANO
Berkano symbolises family and a strong feminine presence. It predicts family events such as weddings and births. Everything that is new has a good chance to grow.
Rune 19 – EHWAZ
This is one more rune that relates to movement and changes. It is a symbol of travel, new jobs and new homes. Trust that the changes will be for the best.
Rune 20 – MANNAZ
Mannaz means teamwork. It shows that you will receive help and support from others. Think of building partnerships and expanding your contacts.
Rune 21 – LAGUZ
This is one more feminine rune. It relates to our intuition and imagination. You will easily feel connected to the Divine, being able to handle anything.
Rune 22 – INGWAZ
Ingwaz is an important rune that conclusion.symbolisesItmeans that you are ready for closure and to move on in a new direction. You will not feel anxious about it, on the contrary, you will feel fulfilled.
Rune 23 – DAEG
Daeg relates to uprising and constant growth. A new and strong time will
come, full of hope and optimism.
Rune 24 – OTHALA
The last rune represents material goods and heritage. This heritage can be physical or character traits. Old people and an old friend can come into your life to give you advice and help you out.
articles/learn-how-to-read-your-viking-https://www.voguescandinavia.com/birth-runes
mobilizing pastoral and agricultural communities.
They could travel easily over long distances, and even two of the first Egyptian pharaohs valued them enough to give them honorable burials.
importantly – can’t) do. As humans learned to trust Donkey’s intuitive senses it often kept them out of trouble. The lesson here from the animal spirit guide world is one of caution. When we have a challenge, look for a safe means of resolving it rather than simply running right ahead.
Having trouble standing your ground? Are your burdens heavier than you can handle? Donkey as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal can help! Donkey teaches you how to balance your responsibilities and to remain surefooted when expressing your opinion. Dig deeply into Donkey symbolism and meaning to discover how this animal spirit guide can support, strengthen and inspire you!
Historians believe that Donkeys were domesticated by Nubians around 4,500 years ago. In that region they took over for the Ox as an important pack animal. This position in life lead to Donkey becoming an integral participant in
So it’s not surprising to see Donkey symbolism and meaning tied together with the growth of civilization, travel, trade and general service. Their versatility and being a beloved beast of burden is legendary.
In the 2nd millennium BCE, Donkey made its way into Europe. In Greece, Donkey had quite the raucous God looking over him, namely Dionysus the God of wine. From the ancient Grecian hub, Donkeys made their way into Spain, France and Italy. Romans continued distributing Donkey throughout the realm. No matter the region Donkey’s somewhat stubborn nature was actually an asset. This creature does not move if they perceive any danger. Donkey knows well what he can (and more
Donkey arrived in America on the 2nd voyage of Columbus in 1495. In the early 1500s Donkey’s came into Mexico where they became a proverbial landmark for missions and mines. Early prospectors depended on Donkey to reach potential digging places during the Gold Rush. Here we can see Donkey playing a role in both adventure and prosperity. Along the route Westward, many Donkeys escaped, which allowed them to establish themselves in a variety of places.
A Donkey’s ears are funnel like. They can hear sounds quite a distance away. For us, that represents active listening skills, clairvoyance and generally keeping our senses honed in so that we know what’s ahead.
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Donkey Spirit Animal Donkey as a Spirit Animal may saunter into your life when you have taken on too much responsibility. This animal ally naturally wants to help, but when you put too much on their backs they will fail physically.
In human terms this also translates to emotional and spiritual damage.
Learning to say no is an art form that honors your sacred self.
On the flip side, Donkey may be challenging you to become more responsible to yourself, others and/ or a specific situation. If you’ve been shirking, Donkey will be happy to give you a push. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of a Donkey kick knows full well that this Spirit Animal is strong and well-aimed.
Donkey Spirit may also bray at your side with words of warning. Donkey sees and senses danger. You need to stop, reassess
your surroundings and reconsider before taking any further action. No need to run head-long into trouble. Tune in those instincts and trust yourself more.
Despite what many people think, Donkey is smart. He loves to learn and may become a guide to students, particularly younger ones whose playful spirit attracts him. Here Donkey has come offering Donkeyperhapsyousexual,morehintingthisassociationBecausedeterminationconfidence,andfocus.ofDonkey’swithDionysus,SpiritAnimalmaybeattheneedtogetintouchwithyoursensualself.Aretoowithdrawn?Or,toooverbearing?helpsyousort
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If you have been born with a Donkey totem there is no question that you have a stubborn streak a mile wide, but it’s for good reason. You learned early on that you must stand your ground, particularly if you think something or someone isn’t as it appears on the surface. When need be you have no problem courageously biting or kicking yourself out of harms’ way.
Donkey people tend to be independent and smart. They don’t suffer the company of fools well, if at all. Nor do they have patience for cruelty.
Donkey Totems seek out gentleness in people. Kindness is a virtue, and they have a soft spot for anyone who is frail or small and unable to
provide sound advice on improving your self-care.
In many instances Donkey people are unsung heroes who are not wholly understood by their peers. Your dedication is noble and your ability to navigate unusual situations quite impressive. Sometimes people perceive your slow, cautious approach as lackadaisical but nothing could be further from the truth. In time, your naysayers will see that yours is the path of safety and survival.
Call on Donkey as a Power Animal when you need to stick to your decision. This creature provides support to stand true, refusing to move when you know full well so doing would be harmful. In the same vein, Donkey teaches you how to say “no” and mean it. When your burdens seem to heavy to bear, Donkey can be a great helpmate. She will gently take some of that weight for you. This animal spirit guide stays nearby until you come to a place where you are finally free.
If you find that you constantly ignore your gut instincts and pay the price, Donkey is your goto Power Animal.
Donkey spirit calms your spirit and teaches greater self awareness. In that stillness listen to your Higher Self and begin believing in your psychic perception. This is particularly true for those who have ongoing abusive or toxic relationships. Learning Donkey’s self-preservation skills goes a long way in every situation in life.
Finally, a Donkey’s bray is LOUD and youDonkeyunmistakable.absolutelyInvokemedicinewhenneedtobeheard!
Because Donkey was an animal brought into the Americas, we don’t see much about this Spirit Animal in Northern Tribes. We did find one story about Donkey’s protective nature. It begins with a chief’s daughter who had a wonderful family. After
having children of her own, her grandmother made the children saddle bags and bought them a donkey. The grandmother wanted the children to carry the babes in his saddle bags on each side of his back. Unfortunately, the children’s father had other notions. He got a pony, put the saddle bags on it and commanded that the donkey carry the pots and pans. The woman complied.
She began piling kettles, and tent poles and all manner of household goods on the donkey’s back. The donkey did not like this and began to bray and kick. The grandmother saw this and chastised the young man.
some enemies. The man slapped the ponies who fled. The battle was long but eventually the enemy fled as well. However, no one could locate donkey and the children. After much searching, they returned to the village in mourning. Much to their surprise, the good donkey seeing danger had taken the babes to the wise grandmother’s tepee where they remained in safety.
Donkey as a Celtic Animal Symbol
She fetched the packs with the children and returned them to the Donkey who immediately calmed. The day after they began traveling they were set upon by
The Irish have a strong relationship with Donkeys. These creatures were central to the rural life of many people. Donkeys cleared fields, ground corn, transported people and even became family pets. Even into the 20th century many Irish homes depend on Donkeys for these tasks due to the lack of piped water, electricity and cars. In this way, Donkey has come to represent survival and adaptation. In Scottish heraldry the Donkey (Ass) represents humility and patience.
Donkey Dreams Dreaming of the Donkey represents a process that you must work through
“I told you the donkey was for the children of the chief. He will not be dishonored with pots and kettles.”
until it is done. There is, however, a cautionary message here that you not take on too much at once.
If the Donkey in your dream has a rider, there is someone in your life who is letting everyone else do the work for them. If you are the rider, it symbolizes that you are humble, gentle and Sometimesmodest.a
Donkey dream implies you being stubborn in some way. The question to ask yourself is if you need to give a little more or stand your ground. A braying Donkey may mean that someone is insulting you publicly using lies and deceit while pretending to be a friend.
Donkeys were common in Northern China as they transported goods and plowed fields. In this region the Donkey represents the ascetic hermit who is determined and steadfast. Stories tell of the Daoist Immortal Zhang Guo Lou as riding
on a paper Donkey (being so made he could easily fold it up into his traveling bag).
A Korean Folk Tale: Yun’s Donkey
A government minister known as Mr. Yun was ready to retire. He left the capital city to move to a local province where he grew up. In this travels he met an elderly man trying to sell his Donkey.
The price of a thousand coins was Yun’stow.towncontinuingSoelderlytheitone-eyedman,haveMr.wasthingdangertohemanhadconsideringexorbitantthecreaturebutoneeye.TheoldpleadedsayingthatneededthemoneyrescuehissonfromandtheonlyhehadofvaluetheDonkey.YuncouldnotbutsadnessfortheoldsoheboughttheDonkeyfeelingwouldnotonlysavesonbutalsothisfellow.offMr.Yunwent,tohishomewiththeDonkeyinSomeyearslaterMr.sonhadtotravel
back to the capital for an exam using the one-eyed Donkey for transport.
Along the way there was a big house that gave him a resting space over night. When the owner saw the Donkey he wondered at such a strange steed, so of course Mr. Yun’s son retold his father’s tale.
Upon rising the homeowner came to the son and apologized. He said the Donkey ran off in the night and offered the boy his horse instead. The homeowner only asked that he bring the horse back after his test. So, after taking his exam the young man returned.
As he approached there he saw the Donkey and his father with Mr. Yun. The homeowner cleverly had the Donkey, which he hid, took him to Mr. Yun and brought him back for a allcouldYunhomeownerfororiginally.YunelderwasYoucelebration.see,thehomeownerthesonofthefromwhomMr.boughtthedonkeyIngratitudethatkindnessthegiftedMr.agreatsumsohelivecomfortablyhislife.
Animal- Donkey it that appearances aren’t everything. The one-eyed Donkey was quite the hidden gem.
Do you need a boost of confidence? Are you hiding your most authentic self? Is time management challenging for you? Rooster as a Spirit, Totem, and Power Animal can help! Rooster teaches you how to awaken you inner strength and how to stand confident when sharing your voice. Delve deeply in Rooster symbolism and meaning to find out how this animal spirit guide can animate, motivate, and support you.
There is a reason for the term “cock of the walk” . Roosters are almost impossible to intimidate and truly believe they are “all that and a bag of chips”! And, who can blame them? This barnyard
fowl can have such magnificently colored plumage they really have no choice but to strut their stuff. Rooster is a very popular symbol throughout China and Japan. By crowing come the dawn, the Rooster Spirit chases away evil spirits. The Chinese assign the Rooster as a proverbial mascot to the five virtues – civil responsibility, marital fidelity, DivinethoughtsettingsemblemRoosterworld.bringingoutwhousJapanesetheaforRoosterpractitionersandmeaningsgivesdependabilityThiskindness,courage,andconfidence.creature’satdawnittheadditionalofpunctualityconstancy.Fengshuipaintaredonahouse’swallsprotectionfromfireorwhiteonetosafeguardhomefromdemons.mythologytellsofthebraveRoosterenticedAmaterasuofhercave,therebysunbacktotheAmongTaoistsisaluckyandinsomeRoostersaretoactasmessengers.
Portuguese folklore tell of a miraculous rescue made by a cooked Rooster. The story goes that a man was accused of theft. When he faced his accuser he claimed that the Rooster on the table intended for the banquet would crow as soon as they put a noose around his neck. The judge ignored the warning and took him to hang nonetheless. True enough, the Rooster stood up and crowed, telling the judge of his terrible error. Thankfully a poorly made knot kept the accused from dying and he was given his freedom to travel in peace. Thus in this region the Rooster represents truth and equity, particularly in matters of Astrologicallylaw.Orion has a Rooster companion that communicates messages to the Gods. Rooster is also one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. These kinds of associations may have been part of the reason that Rooster divination (Alectryomancy – also called alectoromancy or alectromancy) evolved. In this form of fortune telling, a diviner would interpret the
message or symbolism stemming from what grains the Rooster would peck (including timing, order, etc.) . Hence, Rooster symbolizes the extra characteristic of calledthatTheyoftheJewishPrognostication.traditionposesRoosterasanemblemgallantryandhonesty.weresoreveredtempleofficerswere “Rooster” as one of their titles.
The Old Testament speaks of the officers has having a “cock girded about the loins” . Zoroastrianism adds even more honor to the Rooster considering it a symbol of the victory of light over darkness.
There’s a reason the saying, “Rise and Shine!” is always associated with the Rooster. When Rooster (Cock or Cockerel) struts in as one’s Spirit Animal, the mind, body, and spirit can be on their way to great improvement. After all, who can feel poorly in
the presence of so much splendid color and Roostersunlight?asan animal spirit guide teaches you the lesson of using your voice for great good. Those who are timid find confidence, candor and old-fashioned gusto in this
Roosterbird.entering your life means that you have something to accomplish and the time to “rise and shine” is now! Selfempowerment begins with that first brave step into the dawning of a new day. Be prepared and look for unexpected possibilities and opportunities!
Rooster Totem Animal
If Rooster (Cock or Cockerel) is your Totem Animal, you are comfortable and in touch with your fiery side, especially in terms of passion/sexuality. As the herald of dawn, Rooster also gives you hope and mental keenness. Those who carry Rooster medicine inside rarely find themselves depressed or lacking energy. Rooster fills your aura with enthusiasm and a renewed sense of wittiness.
Keep a Rooster Totem near when starting on a new task, particularly one that seems problematic. Because it only takes one Rooster to fertilize an entire barnyard of hens, Rooster is the perfect animal totem for those whose powers of creation seem larger than life to the rest of us mere mortals. Rooster spirit draws good luck, prosperity and overall health to both you and your situation or projects.
Finally, Rooster as a Totem Animal helps you to be a potent protector who is adept at keeping negative energies and evil away with your the solar
light which burns brightly in your aura.
Rooster Power Animal Invoke Rooster as your Power Animal when support is needed to reach your highest potential. When this brilliantly colored bird heralds in the new day, his crow reminds us that we have much to be grateful for.
As Rooster arches his neck up to the heavens and lets loose his sacred song, our attention is called to the fact that we are alive to witness the power emanating from such a small and relatively fragile creature.
If such a tiny soul believes he is entitled to touch the stars, so can you! In meditations, the Rooster teaches you selfprotection and vigilance. This Spirit Animal also mingles with your auric field to cleanse negativity.
Roosters are the timekeepers of our world. If you are finding it challenging to keep your life in order and on track, call upon Rooster. He can
help you keep your own barnyard organized and peaceful.
Native American Rooster Symbolic Meanings
Native protectionsun,asdesignateAmericansRoosterasymboloftheresurrection,andfertility (particularly for men).
Rooster as a Celtic Animal Symbol
In an odd divergence from global symbolism, the Celts saw the Rooster as a messenger to the underworld. As he traveled, his caw called forth souls of the brave who died in battle.
Gaulish depictions of the god Mercury (the god of messages and abundance) shows him with a sacred Rooster companion. Throughout the legends of the Celts, the Rooster has the power to banish ghosts and other unhappy spirits when he caws come the dawn.
Rooster Dreams Dreams of Roosters represent pride,
potentially to the point of showing off. Watch how loud you crow and make sure it’s with good cause. Roosters fighting in a dream represent angry rivals.
Rooster is one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals as well as a Chinese New Year Animal. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac Sign of Rooster are here to strut their stuff! Flamboyant and goodnatured this Zodiac Sign symbolizes good fortune and major success!
When it comes to precious gemstones, blue sapphires have long been sought after, as they carry significant meaning.
These stones have been associated with royalty for several centuries already. The sapphire blue colour is also looked to as a symbol of energy and healing in many circles. They are a representinggemorder, likely owing to their ties to royal families across the world throughoutandhistory.
These beloved blue gemstones have long been a representation of mental focus, inner vision and sapphiresdictatesChakraawareness.psychictheorythathave healing properties and help open the third eye to deepen insight. They also open the throat chakra, which allows for much easier communication with others and helps avoid miscommunication and unresolved conflict.
The deep sapphire blue colour is also thought to be celestial and to bring about a connection to prophecy and Divine favour. The jewel is steeped in religious history and folklore all across the world. Blue sapphires signified the height of celestial faith and hope in the ancient and medieval worlds. They were also believed to have properties of
protection, bringing spiritual insight, and good Thesefortune.precious stones remain a strong symbol of strength, power, kindness and good judgement in this day and age.
Blue sapphires and their deep, mystifying colours have represented numerous meanings over the course of history.
These beautiful stones are thought to release their bearers from any kind of spiritual confusion, mental depressiontension,and unwanted thoughts in more modern times. They are also a representation of the restoration of balance within one’s body, helping to align spiritual, mental and physical planes, and bring about peace of mind and a sense of serenity.
Sapphires have been identified with repentance, chastity and piety for as long as historical records dictate. They have represented sincerity, and in many societies, have served as a symbol of justice.
Blue is the most commonly associated colour with this stone, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all sapphires are of the same hue.
The stone’s colour depends on the percentage of iron and titanium present during its Theformation.stone’scolour can deepen if there’s more iron and titanium present. The sapphire blue colour can range from what’s known as Kashmir blue to royal blue, cornflower blue and light blue.
The colour of the sapphire can take on a different hue if elements such as chromium are present during its formation – it can take on an orange or red tint. Other rare sapphire colours include pink, yellow, green and Sapphirepurple.blue stones are representative of romantic love and devotion too. The gems mark one’s faith, hope and joy in
their romantic partners, keeping their thoughts pure and heavenly.
How Much Is A Blue Sapphire Worth? Sapphires can range in price depending on a number of factors. Sapphire blue stones are the most valuable naturally colour,dueTheygemstonesblue-colouredintheworld.aresoughtaftertothedepthoftheirtheirhardness
(which is second only to that of diamonds), their durability and their ability to sparkle in the light – a phenomenon known as lustre.
Sapphires are sold from anywhere from US $25 per carat to well over US $11,000 per carat depending on colour and inclusions. The stone’s prices are quality,determinedgenerallybasedonmeaningthat a larger, lower-quality stone could be much cheaper than a smaller one that’s of a higher quality.
The most expensive sapphire ever sold on record cost an incredible US $17,305,996. The ‘Blue Belle of Asia’ sold at a Christie’s auction in Geneva in November 2014. It weighed in at a whopping 392.52 carats!
Sapphire Blue Colour
The colour ‘sapphire blue’ actually gets its name from the gemstone, and not the other way around, as many people think. Sapphires are named after the Latin word saphirus and the Greek word sapheiros, both of which mean blue.
Sapphires have been prized as precious stones since as far back as 800 BC. Ancient Persian rulers believed that the sky had been painted blue by the reflection of sapphire blue stones. The gemstone was described by a poet as “the blue of a clear sky just minutes after sundown”.
Gemstones are widely used to celebrate wedding anniversaries by year. In fact, there are two different lists – one known as the ‘modern’ list and the other known as the ‘traditional ’ list – of gifts made of
different materials, fabrics or jewels and gemstones that represent each anniversary a couple celebrates.
The sapphire is the gift for a 45th wedding anniversary. This is because, for centuries, sapphires have been known to be a symbol of innocence, longevity and a talisman for good health. The stone represents prosperity, beauty and inner peace – all of which are wonderfully symbolic gifts to wish upon a couple after 45 years of marriage.
Many believe that the depth of sapphire blue is representative of the deep love shared between a couple after four and a half decades of marriage. The sapphire is well known within royal circles, making it the perfect gemstone to honour such a big milestone in a marriage.
Over the course of history, the beliefs surrounding blue sapphires may have been altered ever-soslightly here and there. While the sky may not be blue because of the reflection of these stones, there’s no denying the natural beauty and allure of these gems. They add a touch of sophistication to almost any piece of jewellery, owing mainly to the fact that they’ve been associated with royalty for so long. However, they’re also valuabletheyjewelleryexcellentsapphiresattachedsignificanthuesWithindescribablyalmostbeautiful.thedeepest,bluestandwonderfullymeaningstothem,bluearenotjustanadditiontoanycollection,areincrediblytoo.
color will carry its own deep symbolism, from nobility to friendship and even purity.
Aster flowers are an enchanting perennial loved for their colorful hues and elegant style. They also carry deep meaning and symbolism spanning numerous cultures over the past few centuries and are as popular as ever today in gardens and floral design.
Here we’ll take you through everything you need to know about Aster flower meaning, their history, and origins, the most popular Aster varieties, as well as our top tips for gifting and caring for these beautiful flowers.
Aster flowers symbolize love, wisdom, patience, faith, elegance, and beauty. Each variety of
About the Aster Flower Once upon a time, there used to be well over 600 species of Aster that were native to Eurasia and North America. After a little research conducted in the 1990s, it was determined that the North American species were better classified under the genera Almutaster. That left us with approximately 180 true genuine Aster species today. Despite the changes, many varieties that are grown throughout the New and Old World still go by the name of ‘Aster’ or “Michaelmas daisies” today.
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There’s a wide selection of aster varieties to pick
from today covering a diverse and interesting color profile. They’re famed for their range of purple hues, but there are lots of options for those partial to softer pinks, whites, and blue tones. Some of the most popular varietals include:
• New England Aster (Aster
• New York Aster (Aster novi-belgii)
• Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius)
• Lava Aster
• Siberian Aster (Aster sibiricus)
• Korean Aster (Aster koraiensis)
• White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)
• Blue Wood Aster (Aster cordifolius)
• White Wood Aster (Aster divaricatus)
• Smooth Aster (Aster laevis)
• Beggarten tongolensis)(Aster
• Symphyotrichum Carlow’
Aster is a genus of herbaceous perennial flowering plants that have late-season blooms. This type of plant has
groups of flowers, also known as heads, that sit within a small basket of surrounding leaves. The colorful blooms vary from white and yellow to pastel pinks, blues, purples, while some varieties are vibrant and contain vivid hues.
They grow in a bushlike fashion and can be anywhere from one to six feet in height, while their width can be one to four feet total. How large asters grow will depend on the variety since they are quite diverse. These plants also grow well in pots for those looking to keep them contained.
The Chinese aster variety is native to China and comes in various colors similar to other species. They differ slightly in shape and petal arrangement and carry other hues like peach, yellow, and cream in addition to the whites, pinks, purples, reds, and blues.
Pollinators like bees and butterflies love these
abundant flowers since they are nectarnecessarybloomerslate-seasonandprovidepollenandforthemlater in the year. While other garden flowers have died off, asters continue to bloom well into the fall, making them necessary for pollinating insects.
Typically, aster flowers bloom from August through until the first frost, usually in late October or November. Some varieties could have blooms in early spring, but they are not representative of the majority of asters.
They fare well in numerous USDA plant hardiness zones across the country, including zone 3 to zone 8, but can thrive in zones 9 and 10, depending on other factors. Asters prefer full sunlight with cooler temperatures. The surrounding soil should be kept moist and have ample drainage.
Asters are not toxic to family pets or humans and are edible in
various ways. They have medicinal properties that many people have found helpful in the past, andtreatingincludingheadachesconstipation.
One known fact about these cheerful blossoms is that Thomas Jefferson took a liking to the China aster varieties, cultivating them on his estate. Asters have also been noted in books, including The Flower Garden from 1851.
The Hungarian Revolution on October 31, 1918, is also known as the Aster Revolution. This is because of the Budapest protestors who donned this flower. Wearing this
flower in their hats, these individuals helped to seize public buildings in Budapest. Of course, that was long after asters became part of Greek mythology, in a way historyshapingthemselves.
The Aster flower name comes from the Greek word ἀστήρ (aster) , which translates to Aster in English. Aster means star-like and is fitting since the multi-colored aster flower blooms resemble stars.
It is relatively common for populations worldwide to have used plants and flowers for a variety of reasons throughout time. Several uses, including medicinal, dietary, and ornamental, have occurred in many cultures and continue even today.
Medicinal
One prime example of a medicinal plant is the New England aster. Research suggests that this late-blooming plant is beneficial for the lungs
and aids in respiratory health. Individuals who have chronic lung conditions, like asthma, or those battling a cold, will find relief with a tincture made from this Someflower.civilizations used the aster plant to treat venereal disease. Chinese medicine, along with other cultures, have been using the aster root for centuries in various ways. The root aids in minimizing headache pain and can help work as a laxative. Other ailments, including hangovers and epilepsy, have been treated with the use of this flowering plant.
Dietary
Both leaves and flowering tops of the aster plant are edible and can be used in salads as greens or as a garnish. Several parts of the entire plant, including root, leaves, and flowers, can be made into tea or tincture.
Because of its deeprooted meaning from the Greek culture, the aster
flower can be prevalent in many tattoos symbolizing love. In modern culture, it is the birth flower of September and can represent when the individual was born.
Just as it is with many other flower species, the aster flower carries different symbolism and meanings. When examining the aster flower, be aware that it is also associated with these meanings:
• Patience
• Daintiness
• Elegance
• Afterthought
Popular Aster Flower Colors: Meaning & Symbolism
Each variety of color also is seen with its own symbolism and meanings. Purple asters are considered a royal color and symbolize wisdom, beauty, and nobility. They are the most popular color of this flowering plant.
The white aster boasts spirituality, innocence, purity, and faith, as many white flowers do
in modern culture. Red aster flowers represent eternal devotion and deep passion. Pink asters bring with it a symbolism of love, kindness, and sensitivity. A blue aster flower represents faith, stability, and depth.
Ancient Greece
The ancient Greeks believed that the aster flower was extremely beneficial to have. They were considered to scare away snakes and evil spirits around the house.
When exploring Greek mythology, asters were introduced when the goddess Astria looked up to the sky and could not see any stars. She was overcome with sadness that she started to weep, and her tears fell to the ground. From these tears, the star-shaped flowers that we know as asters
of the story tells of the goddess Astria asking to be turned into a star when Jupiter, the god of thunder, sent
a flood to the earth. After this happened, she became so sad that she cried, and her tears fell to the ground, sprouting aster flowers in its place.
Some descriptions state that Astria, in fact, did become a star but was filled with sadness and cried tears to earth. These tears grew into asters across the world. One alternative story depicts Virgo scattering stardust across the earth. As it fell, asters grew, covering the world.
In ancient Roman culture, burning aster leaves was common practice because
people believed doing so would drive away evil spirits and serpents that may be roaming about. They were considered sacred flowers of the Greek and Roman gods. Romans and Greeks would decorate their altars with these popular flowers.
Within Native American culture, asters came about because of two girls who got lost in the woods. They were found by an elderly herb lady who could foresee their futures and chose to turn them into flowers to save their lives. One of the girls who wore a blue dress was the aster flower.
When turning to the Chinese culture, they have their own variety of asters native to their land. These flowering blooms represent faithfulness and devotion.
Many communities believe that the aster flower possesses magical powers. Individuals often used them in many potions with a variety of uses. Victorians also used flowers as a means to
send hidden messages.
Asters in a bouquet during those times meant spontaneity and variety.
The Zodiac flower for Capricorns is the aster, given its symbolism of grace and wisdom. Capricorns are goaldriven, ambitious people who apply wisdom and logic to their decisionmaking process. The connection between aster flowers and wisdom stems from Greek mythology. The myth says that when the Greek goddess Astraea cried, asters grew where her tears landed on the earth. This goddess represents justice and precision, two values that Capricorns hold dear.
During World War II, asters were part of a ceremonial act of placing on French soldier’s tombs. This was to symbolize that they wished things would have turned out differently for the Asterssoldier.have been depicted in many works of art for
centuries, including books and paintings.
Claude Monet painted a bountiful bouquet of asters back in 1880, and Vincent van Gogh used Chinese asters in several of his artwork creations.
The aster is the official birth flower for the month of September. It is the perfect bouquet to bestow on someone born during this month. They carry a symbolism of wishes and good luck for the receiver.
These flowering plants are a popular choice for a couple who are celebrating their 20th wedding otherthoseidealandSymbolizinganniversary.love,faith,wisdom,thisistheblossomtogifttocommittedtoeachforalifetime.
Since asters are available in a wide variety of colors, they are suitable for almost any event. From can&celebrations,anniversaries,birthdays,weddings,sympathycondolence,astersfindtheirwayinto
several bouquets. When deciding on asters, take into account the color as each hue will carry different symbolism.
Asters are terrific flowers to give as a cut bouquet since as they can still look grand for up to three weeks in a vase. They can also be combined in many hues together or added to a diverse flower arrangement. These flowering plants grow well in pots and can be given as gifts as a potted plant for many events as well. They can either remain in the pot for indoor enjoyment or replanted outdoors as part of the yard landscape.
https://www.petalrepublic.com/aster-flowers/
Water Hemlock (a poisonous plant).
A member of the Parsley family, Angelica is known in magickal herbalism as a powerful guardian. It is said to banish negativity and attract positive energy. Angelica grows in tall, blossoming stalks— but typically only the root portion is used in Angelicaspellwork.isa staple of American folk magick or rootwork, but it probably acquired its holy reputation hundreds of years ago, in medieval Europe. Angelica was used to ward off disease, cure poisoning, and bring blessings upon the home.
Culpeper’s 17th century herbal almanac recommends making a candy of the roots and stalks to be eaten when ill or fasting. Angelica is said to be one of the flavoring ingredients in the virtuesAngelica’sandliqueursherbalBenedictineChartreuse.magickalarelinkedto its robust stature, pleasant aroma, and association with the Archangel Michael. Legend has it that the angel appeared in a dream to a monk, showing him the herb that could cure the plague in Europe. Traditionally, Angelica blooms on the feast of the Apparition of the Archangel Michael, May 8. Angelica is also known as Holy Ghost Root, Archangel Root or Dong Quai.
Angelica root is available in dried form, and also as an essential oil. It grows wild in many places, but is not extremely heat tolerant. Use care when wildcrafting, as it resembles both Queen Anne’s Lace (a benign wild carrot) and
Magickal uses of Angelica In Wicca and witchcraft, Angelica is regarded as a powerful protective ingredient. Angelica is incorporated into spells to ward off evil and bring good fortune. It is associated with personal courage, when that courage is based in moral uprightness. Angelica is said to bring blessings of emotional temperance and harmonious home life.
Angelica archangelica is native to Europe, and is the species most often used in magick. There are other types of Angelica native to North America and Europe.
Correspondences of Angelica Angelica corresponds to the Sun and the element of Fire. Angelica is a tall, fast-growing plant that does well in warmer climates. (Both attributions are probably related to Archangel Michael, who is the angel of Fire.) Whether harvesting or working with Angelica, it is traditional to use do so on the day and in the hour of the Sun.
Carry a piece of Angelica root to bring strength and ward off hexes. Put the root in a white mojo bag for protection, or a yellow one for courage. Angelica is an ingredient in a Hoodoo working known as the Fiery Wall of Protection. Add the dried root to incenses, floor washes, and baths to break jinxes and purify the home. Use Angelica to consecrate amulets of Archangel Michael and all Solar charms.
Angelica is regarded as safe to use as an incense or ritual ingredient. People taking the takeessentialcautionhaveherbalist,consultmedicinallyherbshouldadoctororasitmaysideeffects.Usewhenhandlingoils,andnevertheminternally.
Scent Profile: Woody, Peppery, Earthy, Green
Correspondences: Sun, of herbs are provided for historical interest only, and no outcome is guaranteed. Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly.
https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/magickal-properties-of-angelica
FEHU Fehu
name: Fehhu
• Fehu name:Anglo-SaxonFeo,Feoh
• Fehu Old Celtic name: Feum
• Fehu Old Icelandic name: Fé
The main message of Rune Fehu is acquiring of something new or a consolidation of the resources already in your possession. This does not only apply to finances or monetary possessions but to any area of life you are inquiring about, be in love life or health matters. But the answer it gives will always be connected to the material world and decisions made with clear mind rather than heart.
Modern meaning of Fehu is prosperity, money, and property. It is the Rune of creation & destruction, energy and fertility. It is the true Rune of abundance through EFFORT and perseverance. It will not tolerate lazy and reckless behavior, as well as greed. Rune Fehu will aid with obtaining a favorable outcome of a project,
task, any new beginning. It gives a power to obtain something new, as well as helps to preserve what you already have. It will help in a situation where you are at competition or Youopposition.canusethis Rune when making a purchase, going for a job interview or in general, when dealing with any financial matters. This Rune is also connected to the wellbeing of the soul, it aids in creative projects where you express yourself and use your talents.
One more point that should be mentioned about the interpretation of Fehu is what a person is going to do with their “wealth” a.k.a. their acquired material possessions. There is a reason why this Rune means “cattle” . It does not directly mean money or Cattlehouse.isnot only a possession but also a continuous source of production. This metaphor asks a person to take a closer look at what they are currently doing
to expand and grow. Many people lose all the money when they win a lottery or receive an inheritance. It is an ability to amplify that is important.Fehu IS read reversed, so be mindful when doing any Viking or Ásátru style Runic tattoo that includes Fehu.
Rune Advice: you need to stop dreaming and get back on Earth. Start working on your goals and do what it takes to get where you want to be. Be realistic but also passionate. You get out what you put in.
Fehu is of course a great Rune to use in monetary and abundance Rituals or simply to wear as a powerful talisman. Fehu is usually used to attract wealth and success, to get a promotion and achieve abundance.
Wear it as a talisman daily to simply attract money and remove any blockages or obstacles that prevent you from achieving financial success. The Rune will
also fill you with ideas and inspirations to improve your financial situation.
Fehu + Uruz will work great as a Bindrune if you are looking for inspiration in your work (especially if it is both your hobby & your source of income), as it not only gives the inspiration but through those Runes creation persists. In meditation, Fehu asks you to seek answers to the following questions:
actually the Rune of fertility due to the presence of the Forces of Creation that act through this Rune. Otherwise, the health meaning of Fehu is quite potentialandyoucombinationisReversedsystem,toPayreturnsituationworseningFehu,goodrecoveryapositiveUprightstraightforward:FehuisaveryRunethatmeansquickandsuccessfuland,ingeneral,health.Reversedinturn,meansofthehealthorpossibleofoldillnesses.acloserattentiontheupperrespiratoryjointsandbones.Fehu+Thurisazaverypowerfulthatrequirestopayattentionbewarnedoftraumas.
Even though Fehu does not directly deal with love and relationship matters, as mentioned above, Fehu represents abundance and fertility. The abundance comes in many forms and for some, it is the family that is the most fulfilling part of life.
How can you expand on a material level?
Do you know not only how to earn but also how to keep your earnings?
Despite strong material association, Fehu is
In a love or relationship reading, Fehu will almost always be the positive Rune. It will signify the beginning of something new in your relationship but most often on a material level (such as buying a house or moving in together).
Fehu says that it is the time to make a move or think of the next step in your relationship. It may be the time to get the courage and finally message the person you have feelings for or even propose, if you are already at that stage of your union. In general, it is the Rune of a very good potential when it comes to love life.
Fehu + Gebo bring some good and joyful news, can mean proposal or marriage. Fehu is read reversed and you should pay a close attention at the nearby Runes.
ForReversedexample,Fehu + Isa require you to take a close look at what is going on in your relationship because it
may be at its breaking point. Reversed Fehu + Tiwaz can indicate a divorce that will also drag down with legal procedures which can be quite costly. If you in a process of a divorce, see how you can avoid this and seek settlement.
Fehu + Raidho means that the job may involve a great deal of travel. You may even be asked to move and there is no need to be afraid of this. The Rune
Itsasduecanuncertainties.financialmeanoftheftgreed,veryFehufinancialthebettertherefore,inabundance,representsparticularlythematerialworld,thereisnoRunetouseinachievementofgoals.reversedadvisesstronglyagainstmoneymisuse,oranykindsfraud.ItmayalsoaperiodofdifficultiesandTheRunemeanfinanciallossestoactivitiessuchgambling.meaningwillbe
Fehu is a very positive Rune in career. It means that things are really picking up for you. Look out for opportunities and accept any new tasks, challenges or offers. If inquiring about a new job, it really is a “yesyes” Rune that promises a good income, success and career growth.
“softened” with the Runes like Dagaz, Laguz and Ingwaz and ask not to make any radical changes at this time.Wear it as a talisman daily to simply attract money and remove any blockages or obstacles that prevent you from achieving financial success. The Rune will also fill you with ideas and inspirations to
improve your financial situation.
Fehu IS read reversed, so be mindful when doing any Viking or Ásátru style tattoo that includes this Rune, as you don’t know how the shadow side of the Rune will play out in a particular moment.
Fehu is quite a materialistic Rune, so when talking about the shadow side, we would be able to see how it can affect the monetary possessions and decisions.
The Rune also does not tolerate any fraud and shady activities for improving income or business, so if you want to have this Rune tattooed, do a reality check of what kind of person you are and what kind of business you conduct.
In general, if you have any money channel blockages due to past life or current life circumstances, Fehu can help with clearing those up. Many choose the amulet with three Fehu
Runes, which is said to substantially increase its influence.
If you drew this Rune as a part of divination work, it signifies financial and material success, as long as everything is thought through and planned.
It is not the time to get lazy, to give up or to dream and lose a contact with reality. If you are in business, strengthen the existing bonds with your partners, take a good look at how your business is operating.
It is important now more than ever that you do.
As we discussed above, Rune Fehu strongly advises against any excess material behaviour. This includes greed, gambling, fraud and other “shady” behaviour. This basically
means that the reversed meaning of Fehu comes out of the upright position. It says that a person may lose their wealth, abundance and stability by playing against the Rules of Fehu.
The Rune advises not only on the right use and expansion of your wealth but also on knowing how to protect it. Do not get involved in any kind of investments if you don’t have a clue what you are doing. Always seek advice and guidance from professionals.
https://www.zoryawellness.com/fehu
According to legends, she fed young apples to the other deities to help them remain immortal. At one point, Loki the trickster fooled her into turning over her magical apples and so the other gods and goddesses lost some of their power; they got it back when Loki returned the apples to Idunn.
back by doing everything in her power to see Troy destroyed in the war—all over a golden apple.
Apples are found in the mythology and legends of many cultures around the world. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, since apples have been around for a very long time—petrified apple fragments dating back as far as five thousand years ago have been discovered! According existencethousandscenturies,treestheirwhopomologists—scientiststostudyapplesandgrowth—mostappleliveabouttwoandthereareofvarietiesintoday.
In Norse mythology, apples were connected to the goddess Idunn, a spring goddess who was associated with springtime blossoms.
For the ancient Greeks, apples were to blame for most of the Trojan War. Eris, the goddess of choas, did not receive an invitation to a banquet with the rest of the gods and goddesses of Olympus. She decided to crash the event, and brought a fancy golden apple with her.
It was decreed that the apple would go to whichever goddess—Hera, Aphrodite, or Athena— was judged the fairest by Paris, a prince of Troy. Paris chose Aphrodite as the fairest goddess, and she offered him the lovely Helen of Sparta, wife of King Menelaus, as a thank-you gift. Hera was displeased, so she decided that to pay Paris
If you’ve read any of the Arthurian legends, you probably know that Avalon means the island of apples, and it’s the place where some pretty significant events take place. The mighty sword Excalibur is forged on Avalon; it’s also where Arthur returns to when he’s mortally wounded by his illegitimate son Mordred.
• In many forms of folklore, apples are associated with divination, eternalunderworld,theandlife.
• There are a number of deities connected to apples, including Eris, the goddess of discord, and Pomona, who watched over orchards.
• The apple is a symbol of abundance and bounty in willrestapplecultures—amanyplentifulcropmeanstheofyourharvestbeprosperous.
Apples have always been popular tools for
foretelling the future.
There are a number of traditional methods in folklore for seeing who one’s lover might be.
• Peel the apple, keeping the peel in one long piece. When the peel comes off, drop it on the floor. The letter it forms is the first initial of your true love’s name.
• Wait until midnight and cut an apple into nine pieces. Take the pieces into a dark room with a mirror (either hanging on the wall or a hand-held one will do) . At midnight, begin eating the pieces of apple while looking into the mirror. When you get to the ninth piece, throw it over your shoulder. The face of your lover should appear in the mirror.
• If a girl has more than one potential lover, peel an apple and pull out the seeds. Place a wet seed on your cheek for boyfriend.eachThe last one left stuck to the skin represents the suitor who is the true love.
Because of its associations with the harvest, the apple is perfect for Mabon magic. Try the Apple Harvest rite, or honor the goddess Pomona at the harvest.
Mabon Apple Harvest Rite:
This harvest ritual is designed with solitary Wiccans and Pagans in mind, and uses the apple and its five-pointed star as the focus. Honor the ancient gods at Mabon with this harvest ritual.
Pomona, Goddess of Apples: Pomona was an obscure Roman goddess, but she still has significance when it comes to the blooming of orchards and fruit trees in the fall.
Magic of the Apple Blossoms: The apple is associated with immortality, but is also considered a food for the dead, which is why it often makes its appearance at Mabon celebrations.
To include apples in your magical spells and rituals, consider adding them to your fall altars, placing
them around your home in bowls and baskets, or cooking some of your favorite apple dishes to serve at mealtimes.
Use the wood from an apple tree to craft runes, Ogham staves, or a wand or staff. If you’re lucky enough to have a bit of land for planting, consider adding a few apple trees to your property; they’ll start producing fruit when they’re a few years old, and you can take advantage of their magic all year long!
https://www.learnreligions.com/the-magical-energy-of-apples-2562299
“Nothing gives more yet asks for less in return, than a tree: particularly, the apple”
Johnny Appleseed
“As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my loved one among the sons. I took my rest under his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”
The Song of Solomon
Nearly everyone knows about apples, but often, the common experiences with apples are what people see in the grocery store–a select number of perfectly waxed and shiny believeregularlythinginapplespiecevarietiesThesegrannydelicious,varieties–goldengala,orsmith.commercializedareonlyatinyoftheincrediblethatyoucanfindthewild.AnotherthatI’veheardisthatpeoplethatcrabapples (and wild apples in general) are poisonous and cannot be eaten.
There is nothing further from the truth–wild apples are wonderful, rich, sometimes tart, sometimes mealy, but often a surprise and delight to those who seek them out. Apples of all kinds are easy to find, abundant, and–this time of year–completely free!
Apples will typically bear every two years (biennially) while other apples are bred to offer fruit every year. In the
spring, apple blossoms fill the air–each mature apple can produce anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 blooms, which can be smelled up to 1/3 a mile away.
These blooms offer a critical early nectar source for bees and other insect life. Less than 5% of those blooms will ever set fruit; some are unpollinated and others don’t form properly.
Sometime in June, the “june drop” occurs when the tree drops any fruit that isn’t set properly. By late August or early September, the tree fruits and the fruits grow ripe and sweet.
Of Apples and Ancestors John Eastman, in Field and Forest, has much to share about the apple tree. he notes, as any wild food forager will attest, that commercially grown apples are grafted and carefully managed, those growing in the wilds offer much wider variety.
He notes that orchards allowed to go wild or otherwise abandoned will, over time, change their apple composition and may end up “reverting to more ancestral types of fruit.” Apples offer us much in terms of ancestral traditions.
One ancestral tradition closely tied to the apple here in the US was Johnny Appleseed, a historical and legendary figure who spread apples all over the US. Eastman notes that some crab apples do appear native to the US, but nearly all of the apples we have were spread by Appleseed and others looking to make “cider” .
In Eric Sloane’s A Reverence for Wood , Sloane writes about the important place of apples in Colonial America. Because the early colonists were told not to drink any of the water, they depended on drinking cider (the alcohol of which would be safe) . Even small children were raised drinking apple cider as their primary beverage.
Even late into the winter, apples from root cellars
were brought out and made into many things–this made the apple one of the primary foods and drinks. Unlike today’s limited varieties, Sloane notes that in the 1700s, there were close to 2000 known varieties of apples. Most orchards were planted with many varieties to ensure an extended harvest, and different kinds of apples had different purposes (cider apples, storage apples, fresh eating apples). Special care was taken both in the harvesting and preserving of apples; Sloane notes that special apples were often hung carefully by their stems in the house or packed away in straw for the winter months.
And of course, one of the longstanding ancestral traditions is the wassail. Because of the importance of the apple as a staple food and drink crop, people would go out to the trees in January 6th or 17th (old 12th night, depending on how you calculate it) to bless the trees, make offerings to the trees, and drive evil spirits away from the
trees in order to ensure an abundant harvest for the coming season. Make no mistake–these wassail traditions were magical traditions focused on bringing good health, fertility, and abundance to the land–and they are very old ancestral magic that has begun making its way back into our modern era.
Wild Apple Foraging Sometimes, you can still come across these old and abandoned apple orchards and have a very good time as a wild food forager, harvesting hundreds of pounds of apples of all shapes, colors, and varieties. Apples are easiest to spot when they are in bloom in their swath of pink, red, or white Harvestingblossoms.apples is simple–as soon as the tree is ready to give you its fruit (as in, the fruit is easy to pull from the tree and ready to drop) the apple is ready to eat. Try many apples in the wild–you will find some incredible varieties and tastes!
Some of the wild apples can certainly be tart, however, in “Stalking the Wild Asparagus” Euell Gibbons offers a suggestion of waiting till frost sets in for some wild apple varieties, as the frost will sweeten their otherwise tart taste. Good, tart crab apples will sweeten when cooked (and make some of the more delicious apple pies or sauces that you will ever eat!)
Gibbons suggests the following recipe for wild apple jelly. He suggests gathering up wild apples and quartering them, removing any insect damage, worms, etc. Put these apples in a pot and cover with water, simmering for 20 min with the lid on. Let this cool and strain the juice. This juice can be used to make jelly.
If you do come across an old apple tree or old orchard in the US on the East Coast, look around nearby. You will almost always find an old foundation from the people who likely planted that apple tree.
We have many references to the apple in present society–people are either good apples or bad apples. One bad apple will spoil the bunch.
Newton was apparently hit on the head with an apple and that led to his insight on the theory of gravity. The Buddah gained enlightenment under an apple tree–as did the Merlin in some Arthurian folklore.
Snow white was, of course, seduced with a poison apple. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. In this folklore, good apples are tied to insight, fertility, and health, while bad apples will lead to ruin and poor health.
“An Apple a Day keeps the doctor away” is a common saying–but this saying has quite a bit of truth. As far back as Culpepper, we have records of apples being used for a variety of
healing uses. Culpepper offers a range of uses, from using them to soothe “hot and bilious stomachs” , to roasting them and adding frankincense to a poultice to address pain in the abdomen or side.
He notes their generally cooling quality. He also notes that an apple syrup will surely assist with melaoncholy.”palpitations,“faintings,and
It seems there is very little that those in the western world in the middle ages and EarthwiseMatthewofrecognizeToday,Reniassance.likewise,herbaliststheimportanceapplestohealth.Wood,inhisHerbal (Old World Plants) notes that apples are a “true folk medicine” in that accounts of what apples can do in terms of health vary widely.
Each herbalist, therefore, had his or her own personal experience with how to use the apple. However, Wood notes some consistencies–
apples are cooling and moistening, apples, before they are ripe, have an astringent quality (making your mouth pucker) . Therefore, herbalists today use apples for a variety of “hot” conditions such as burns, fever, headaches, and kidney strain/pain.
Apple in the Western Esoteric Traditions
The Apple has a privledge place in the Western Esoteric Traditions and has a wide and varied interpretation of its magical powers and uses. Here are some highlights:
Love magic:
In the Encyclopedia of Natural Magic, John Michael Greer notes that apples are in the sign of Venus (in Libra) and that they were most typically used in love magic (love drawing) .
This association goes back to at least Roman times, according to this source, where figs (known as “love apples”) eventually had their meanings transferred to apples on trees.
This is also consisten from the American Hoodoo tradition, where Cat Yronwode says
that apple is used as a “sweetener” to atract someone to love, but also for sweetening up customers or bringing in business.
Expelling evil.
In “Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland” from 1887, a spell about apples and elder is written,
“IT is said by time-wise women and fairy doctors that the roots of the elder tree, and the roots of an apple tree that bears red apples if boiled together and drunk fasting, will expel any evil living thing or evil spirit that may have taken up its abode in the body of a man.”
Apple as a Magical Key or Gateway.
In “The Mountain”Glassfrom The Yellow Fairy Book, a book of Celtic fairy tales, there is a golden apple tree that sits on top of a glass mountain. This apple grants people entrance into a splendid castle with stores of food, riches, and a princess waiting to be rescued by a valliant
knight. The apple tree’s apples are guarded by an eagle. A young man makes it up to the apple tree and battles the eagle; he wins but sustains a wound.
He places the peel of one of the golden apples on his wound and then goes to the castle to claim his Thisbride.isbut one of many Celtic tales that demonstrate the apple as a gateway; the very famous Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries also describes apple branches as gateways to the otherworld.
Eternal Youth and Eternal Life. In the Norse tradition, there is an apple tree in Asgard that offers eternal youth to any who eat of its fruit. Iduna, a Goddess, tends the tree–and only with her tending do the apples grow.
Apple and Healing Long Lost Friend (an American Grimoire of PA Dutch Folk Magic) suggests that the roots of an apple tree are good for curing a toothache, by way of using a
needle, blood, and some transference magic. This is but one of many ways in which the apple is seen as a healing tool for both mundane and magical reasons.
Apple’s Protective Nature. As nearly every pagan can attest, cutting the apple in half horizontally reveals a pentacle. Apple carries so much magic within her that it is literally reflected both in her fruit and in the blossoms–which form five petals.
A lot of Native American lore involves apple trees, but not necessarily their magical qualities of them. I think that this was partially true because apple was brought to the New World long after many of the mythologies were present,Thereestablished.areafewthingshowever:
Apples as a fragrant blessing. One legend, from an unknown tribe, surrounds the fragrance of apple blossoms and flowers. In this story, a baby is carried by a panther under blooming apple
trees, a baby who turns into a woman that “falls from heaven.” The villagers take her in, and she loves the flowers and blooms more than anything. She dies and plans on moving onto the little people, but decides to first bless her village that gave her so much–so she makes the blooms, including the apple blooms, more fragrant.
Apple as a Gateway to the World.
In another legend from the Huron tribe, the world is divided into two parts.
One part is the “sky world” where the people lived, and the second world is the lower world, which was all water, where the animals lived.
A girl who lived in the sky world was tired and went to take a nap underneath an apple tree. A hole appeared under the tree and she fell through along with the apple tree to the lower world below. She is caught by two swans, and then big turtle brings all of the animals together.
They decide to bring the soil up from the depths
of the water to create an island for her to live on. This doesn’t work well, but eventually, the animals spread seeds and dirt onto big turtle’s back, and the girl lives there. Now, the whole world rests on big turtle’s back, which is why this land is called “turtle island.”
Apple’s Magic and Apple’sMeaningsBlessings.
Apple offers blessings, abundance, fertility, and magic in nearly every story she shows up in. Apple’s blessings are apparent from her giving nature–apples can sustain people through difficult winters, they can be baked, fermented, dried, and made into wonderful and delicious foods that nurture and heal as much as they sustain.
Apple offers us a connection to our ancestors and our future through her nurturing spirit, blessings, and wisdom.
Apple as Healing and Life-Giving. The “Golden Apples”
present in so much of the magical lore demonstrate the life-sustaining and longevity properties of apples. Magical golden apples offer keys to eternal youth, eternal life, and healing.
Apple as a Gateway. Like her sister the hawthorn (although to a lesser extent) , apple trees can be gateways to other realms and experiences–the holes that open in the ground, the apple as a key to the castle, the sleeping person under the apple that is transported to a new place. Apple offers us these journeys and experiences–in a much more gentle way than Hawthorn.
apples-medicine-magic-mythology-and-com/2018/09/30/sacred-tree-profile-https://thedruidsgarden.meanings/
Much smaller in stature than the White Poplar, slender in growth on a tall, slim trunk, they spread easily by means of underground shoots and so are often found growing close together in little groves.
The roundish toothed leaves sprout on flattened stalks, each one unusually long and flexible. These are a soft, rusty colour in spring before maturing to a uniform mid-green. Aspens seem continually on the move which gives the tree its nickname of the ‘Quaking Aspen’ or ‘Shivering tree’.
The Aspen, being closely related to the White Poplar, often the names of the two trees are used interchangeably. Also called the “Whispering Tree” , the Aspen is representative of the Autumn Equinox, 21st September and is the fourth vowel of the Ogham alphabet –Eadhadh, and it is the 19th Ogham of the alphabet. The Aspen is not a Celtic Birth Tree Calendar tree, therefore there isn’t an “Aspen zodiac” reading.
However, the Ogham itself has meaning and if you were born on the Autumn Equinox, it would be a special Ogham for you, in addition to your birth tree for your place in that month.
Lore and legend is associated with these quivering Aspen leaves, and it’s no wonder. When you have the first opportunity, observe the aspen leaves in action
– loosen your body and mind and really watch these amazing trees.
Their stark, white bodies ascending to their shimmery leaves will keep you spellbound. It is, as many trees are, quite sacred to the Druids.
The Aspen is felt to be a tree of rebirth. It is also thought of as a tree of overcoming death. The writer, Nigel Pennick in Magical Alphabets sees the Aspen as a resistor of inhospitable conditions.
On the other hand, the Aspen is also seen as dark and evil as per its role in the Bible as the betrayer of Christ. In France, it was a religious belief that the leaves shook with fear because Christ’s cross was made from Aspen wood.
In Germany, it was legend that the Aspen was the only tree that refused to acknowledge him, so Jesus had placed a curse on the Aspen – which caused the tree to tremble in fear. Any way you look at Aspen, it has a connection with death.
Early folk healers in England would tell a palsy patient to pin a lock
of her hair to an Aspen tree and repeat:
They were to walk home in silence from there [or they risk breaking the spell, and the cure would fail.
forward into the next new year. Plant an Aspen tree on your property to prevent thieves from robbing your home.
Mercury Element: Air Symbolism: Ascent, Protection, Overcoming fear.
Stone: Black Opal
Birds: Mourning Dove, Swan
Colour: Grey Deity: Persephone, Hades
Sabbat: Mabon, Autumn Equinox
Folk Name: European Aspen
The bark of the Aspen tree contains an analgesic and early Native American women would brew a tea of the bark and leaves to relieve menstrual cramps, and other pains.
Magick Burn incense made of powdered Aspen bark on charcoal disc at Samhain to protect you from unwanted spirits and to help you release old fears as you move
Thomas Moore, Lalla Rookh, Light of the Harem
https://speakingofwitchwands.net/2017/10/26/the-magick-of-aspen/
“My aspens dear, whose airy thequenchedQuelledquelled,cagesorinleavesleapingsun...”
Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1879Medicine
“And the wind full of wantonness Woos like a lover The young Aspen trees Till they tremble all over.”
Because “Below” and “Within” are generally hidden from sight, they allude to the unseen Realms of Faerie. The land of Faerie is usually said to exist either in the imagination (within) or in a hidden place, perhaps in Underworldthe(below)
.
The Faery Star Is a magical symbol that has been around for a long time. It can be used alone or with the pentagram for protection purposes, focal point for mediation or accessing other realms.
The seven-pointed star reflects planetary (celestial) magic, while the encompassespentagrammagicof the elements and the Earth.
It is also referred to as the fairy star and/or a septagram. The number seven is important to many traditions and may represent the seven
directions (North, South, East, West, above, below, and within) , the seven planets, the seven colors—or any of the many sacred things that come in groups of seven. The odd number of points can be traced in a continuous line. Its unbroken form helps give the star its identity as a symbol of Eternity.
The Faery Star expands our awareness of directionality from five to seven (North, South, East, West, Above, Below, and Within)
.
Faerie or Elven Star as a gateway to the Otherworld; each point of the Star is one of the entrances to the Faerie Realm, a pathway, or the 7 rays of manifestation of the Higher Self, as follows.
•
1st point – Power, Personal Will Determinationand
• 2nd point Unconditional– Love, Wisdom, and Growth
• 3rd point – Knowledge and Intelligence
• 4th point – Harmony and Tranquility
• 5th point – Powers of Mind and Science
• 6th point – Devotion and Honesty
• point – Magic
The color blue is the color of both the sky and the sea. It is calming and serene and at the same time mysterious. It is cool and calm and all business, except its most electric shades.
Blue is a great color for the bedroom because it is relaxing or the bathroom because it is soothing. Wearing blue makes you look calm, intelligent and in charge, especially darker shades. Lighter shades are good for sleepwear. Too much blue can evoke feelings of lethargy and sadness.
The color blue symbolizes the sky and the realm of heaven as well as the sea.
Correspondences for the Color Element:Blue
Water
Direction: West
Planet: Neptune, Mercury Chakra: throat
Deities: Mary Aphrodite Tools: wand, cauldron, chalice
Tarot: Heirophant, Cups Stones: azurite, turquoise, blue opal, tanzanite, lapis lazuli, sapphire, aquamarine, blue topaz
The Color Blue in Magick
The energy of the color blue can be added to a magic spell by using a blue altar cloth or other altar decorations, blue candles or blue stones or flowers. The energy of the color blue can be carried with you by wearing blue clothing, a blue crystal or creating an amulet using a blue cloth bag.
The color blue can also be used on your altar to represent the element of Thewater.color blue is associated projection,sincerity,healing,guidance,thebabyfemininity,intelligence,wisdom,commitment,constancy,confidence,withloyalty,spiritualreliability,faith,heaven,gentlelove,boys,employment,corporateworld,understanding,devotion,astralprophetic
dreams, protection during sleep, justice, truth.
Haint blue is a pale, sky blue obtained from the indigo plant combined with milk paint. It is a traditional color for painting porch ceilings in the Southern USA.
The tradition seems to have originated with the reasonitcannotwhichcrosssky,remindsaswindowsillsbydetercolorpeopleGullah/Geecheewhousethetoconfuseorunfriendlyspiritspaintingceilings,anddoorjamswell.Thecoloreitherthehaintsoftheencouragingthemtooverorofwater,theytraditionallycross.Orperhapsworksforsomeotheraltogether.
https://witchipedia.com/book-of-shadows/blue/
Shared by High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan
Shared by Bella Bloodmoon
Shared By:Bella Bloodmoon
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Shared by: Brittanica
Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan
Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan
Shared By: High Priestess, Gloriana Danu
Shared by Brittanica
Shared By: High Priestess, RavensThorn Morrigan
somewhat cautiously. After this festival, the daylight hours will begin to wane, meaning wise prudence is called for.
So while we reap Autumnus’s bounty from the sowing season, we also begin prudently planning. Decorate your dining table or sacred space with colorful autumn leaves today.
Autumnus’s themes are the harvest, theisInseasonalblossomingpowerfulandwiththeleftofWhileautumnpersonificationitems.fallAutumn.wisdom,thankfulness,abundance,balance,foresightandHissymbolsareleavesandharvestedThisistheRomanoftheseason.theactualgenderthisbeingisoftentotheimagination,strongconnectiontheharvest,wines,fruitsintimatesaearthGod,withHisarray.magictraditions,todayatimetoappreciateearth’sabundance
Enjoy as many harvested fruits and vegetables (perhaps from a farmer’s market) as possible to internalize Autumnus’s prosperous, wise energy. Leave out a libation of wine or grape juice for the God to please Him and to encourage continuing providence when His stores begin to wane.
For children, today is a perfect time to have a leaf-raking party in which they figuratively gather what they need from the God, then play happily in His energy afterward by jumping in the piles.
The word autumn comes from the Old French word autompne (automne in modern French) , and was later normalised to the original Latin word autumnus.
Autumnus was defined as andportrayed“personification;asmaturemanly.” wordpress.com/2012/09/22/autumnus/https://journeyingtothegoddess.
yet slept three nights at his mother’s side, suckling at her breast and nuzzling into her arms, when he was stolen away into the darkness! When Modron awoke to find her beloved son gone, and no one who could tell her who had stolen him away, she mourned and wept, and her tears swelled and flowed like a great ocean.
Once, a long time ago when this ancient world was still very new, there was a mother. Her name was Modron, which means Great Mother, for she was beautiful and strong, and her love shone from her as light from a great sun.
And Modron had a son whose name was Mabon, which means Great Son. Mabon glistened and glimmered with his mother’s love, and within him, his own heart also shone with love in return.
Those who looked upon him were dazzled by his great youth and energy. But when he was still just an infant, a tragedy occurred. Mabon had not
For a Mother’s sorrow, too, can be great as her love.Many years passed without sight or sound of Mabon, and all this time Modron continued to grieve and hope. Then, one day, a king arrived seeking to speak to Modron of her son.
The king’s name was Arthur, and he came with a retinue of skillful and courageous knights following behind him.
King Arthur and his knights had been set an impossible task: to hunt the huge and terrible boar called Twrch Trwyth. This boar was so strong, and so fast, and so tough, that no hunter in the world could track him down and kill him, save for
the greatest huntsman of all. No one knew who this huntsman might be, but rumor in the land whispered Mabon’s name, the Great Son who had once shone with such energy even when just a babe. The people said that if Mabon still lived and could be found, surely he could kill the boar. And so King Arthur had come to Modron, to ask her if she knew where her son might be Thefound.question pierced her heart and made her laugh through her sorrow. “Do you think I have not wondered that myself, all these long years? And yet, though my sorrow is as great as the deepest ocean, as vast as the darkest expanse of sky on a moonless night, I have never been able to discover where he is, or if he is even still alive. You have come a long way, King Arthur, but I cannot help you. You may as well ask the blackbird where the boy is hidden!” she added with a sad, helpless wave of her hand.
King Arthur, too determined to give up, went and did just that. He and his knights searched out the Blackbird, an old creature who had long guarded the gateway into other realms on the edge of dawn. “Blackbird,” Arthur called, “We are looking for Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen from his mother’s side three nights after his birth. Do you know where he may be hidden?”
The Blackbird peered down at Arthur and his knights with quick, obsidian eyes. “I am old, as you well know,” he said at last. “You see this dusty spot here where I sit? When I first was born, there used to stand here a smith’s anvil, the biggest you might ever see, made of the hardest iron. Yet no hammer ever touched this anvil, except that I pecked at it with my beak gently every day. Now, nothing is left of it but this dust beneath my feet. That,” said
the Blackbird, stirring the dust with his wings, “is how old I am. And yet I have never seen nor heard of Mabon, son of Modron. But,” the Blackbird continued, “I know of one who is even older than I am, and I will take you to him.”
Arthur and his knights thanked the Blackbird for his kindness, and followed his lead. He soon led them to the bright Stag of the forest, whose old coat glistened as with midday sunlight. “Stag,” called Arthur, “We are
looking for Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen from his mother’s side three nights after his birth. Do you know where he may be hidden?”
The Stag lowered his huge, antlered head and gazed at Arthur and his knights with ancient amber eyes. “I am old, as you well know,” he said at last. “You see this massive oak tree beneath which we stand? When I was first born, this oak tree was barely a sapling sprung up from its acorn, and yet now it is the biggest tree in the forest, thick with years of growth, its heavy limbs stretching wide in all directions, and the prongs of my own antlers number just as many as its branches. That,” said the Stag, swinging his head with pride, “is how old I am. And yet I have never seen nor heard of Mabon, son of Modron.”
“But,” the Stag continued, “I know of one who is even older than I am, and I will take you to her.”
Arthur and his knights thanked the Stag for his kindness, and followed his lead. He soon led them to the Owl, whose rippling, moonshine eyes had watched the comings and goings of night for kindness.withArthuronnowagesunknownandlookedKingplacid
The Owl adjusted her silent wings and turned her haunted, blossomy face towards Arthur and his knights. “I am old,
as you well know,” she said at last. “You see this ancient forested valley in which we stand? When I first was born, there stood a forest here even older and more wild than this one, and I watched as the people of the land moved in and cut it to the ground; yet as the people slowly abandoned the land for more fertile soil, another forest grew up in its place and that, too, became wild and strange with age, until again the tillers of soil moved through slashing and ripping up the roots from the earth, and the
forest withered and disappeared and the valley became like an empty bowl beneath the sky.
But the lives of people are passing, so easily will they go to war against each other, so quickly do they drain the sacred land dry—and so again human beings left this valley to the gods of wild places, and this is the here.wildernessgrowwatchedforestancientthirdIhavetoThat,” said the Owl, her low pools,likeshimmeringeyesdeep
“is how old I am. And yet I have never seen nor heard of Mabon, son of “But,”Modron.”
the Owl told Arthur, “I know of one who is even older than I am, and I will take you to him.”
“Owl,”
Arthur,called “We are looking for Mabon, son waswhoModron,ofstolen
from his mother’s side three nights after his birth. Do you know where he may be hidden?”
Arthur and his knights thanked the Owl for her kindness, and followed her lead. She soon led them to the noble Eagle, who held his head aloft and flourished a beak and talons so sharp and true they might slice the air itself in two.
“Eagle,” called Arthur, “We are looking for Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen from his mother’s side three nights after his birth. Do you know where he may be hidden?”
The Eagle regally preened a few stray pinfeathers into place and blinked at Arthur and his knights with benevolent, piercing eyes. “I am old, as you well know,” he said at last. “You see this tiny rock I clutch between my talons? When I first was born, there stood here a mighty standing stone, so lofty that it towered above every mountain, and I could sit upon it every night and lift my head to strike my beak against the upper limits of the black sky,
and each peck pierced the darkness and became a star. And yet the stars you see now are numerous, beyond counting, and I made every one; and the standing stone that thrust up from the earth met wind and rain, the elements of air and water, and together the three joined in a dance that wore the stone away, until now all that remains is this mere pebble at my feet. That,” said the Eagle, clacking his beak that had made the stars themselves, “is how old I am. And yet I have never seen nor heard of Mabon, son of Modron.”
By now, as you can imagine, King Arthur was beginning to despair that he would ever find Mabon, the Great Son of Modron, to help him hunt the wild, terrible boar.
His face was haggard with searching, his eyes sunk deep from sleepless nights and long journeying to these ever more ancient beings, none of whom
seemed able to help him. His knights, though loyal and trusting in their king, were beginning to tire as well, and being a good king to his people and friend to his companions, Arthur knew he must soon call off the search for their sake if not his own. The Eagle, whose keen mind could read the fatigue and stress in Arthur’s expression, had sympathy for the weary king. “But let me tell
you a story,” he said to Arthur.
“This story begins: Once, a long time ago when the world was new.... There was a great famine in the land. I was still young then, and had my fair share of suffering and hunger. One day, I had flown far from my usual hunting spots in search of something to eat, when I spotted far below me, in a small pool shaded by nine hazel trees, the quick shimmer of a fish in the water.
Without second thought, I dove! I clenched onto the fish with both feet, sinking my talons deep determined to catch the thing, for if I didn’t I would surely starve before nightfall. But the fish was blessed with an almost finallytheswirlingintodowndraggedstrength,monstrousanditmeunder,anddownthespiraling,darknessofpool.IfIhadnotrelinquished
the thought of my own hunger gnawing within me and released my quarry, I would have drowned.”
“This creature, I learned later, was the ancient Salmon of Wisdom, even older than I, who had lived for ages upon ages in the sacred pool, feeding on the hazelnuts which fell into the pool from the surrounding grove.
Hazelnuts, they say, are food for the gods, and I would not be surprised if the Wise Salmon herself were a goddess dwelling in that strange and mysterious place.
A mere king like myself,” said the Eagle, “could never presume to capture a goddess against her will!
But let me tell you, Arthur—if the Salmon of Wisdom still dwells within that pool, I can take you to her. Although all the oldest creatures of the land could not tell you where
to find Mabon, son of Modron, certainly she will know and she will help! And if she cannot, then your quest truly is beyond all hope.”
And so, with new hope and fresh energy, Arthur led his knights with the Eagle as their guide far across the land, over gentle green downs and through dark twisting woods, until at last they came to the sacred pool in the hazel Exhausted,grove.King Arthur knelt by the side of the pool. Its surface moved in subtle wavelets from where a small stream fed into the pond, weaving and trickling between the roots of the trees.
It seemed to Arthur, as he looked upon the water, that there in the reflection of shading branches he could see the ancient, sparkling eyes of a goddess smiling at him—then they were gone! In a flash, the silver body of a fish flickered by, and Arthur called out, “Salmon of Wisdom! We have come a long
way to seek your help. We have spoken to the Blackbird, and the Stag, and the Owl, and the Eagle, and of all these ancient beings, none could lead us to what we seek. We are looking for Mabon, son of Modron, who was stolen from his
“Well, yes!” Arthur said, “But she said she did not know!”
Sad laughter bubbled up from the glimmering darkness. “Modron’s sorrow over the loss of her son is as great as an ocean, and as obscure,” saidSalmon,the “but pooltoreturnyearEverymyasitssecretsknowandmyoceantheishome,ItheofdepthsIknowown.Ithisand
“Do you think, Wise Salmon, that this sorrowing sound may be of the Great Son?”
“I have no doubt,” said the Salmon firmly. “And I will take you to him. You may ride upon my back as I swim—but, I can only carry two. So you must come alone, Arthur, so that when you have freed the son from his captivity you may both ride back together.”
So King Arthur took leave of his knights, who saw their king off with a mixture of courage and trepidation, and he clambered aboard the long, slippery back of the Salmon of Wisdom.
mother’s side three nights after his birth. Do you know where he may be hidden?”
From the depths of the pool there came a lovely, watery voice, distinguishablebarelyfrom the bubbling of the stream.
“And did you ask his mother?”
follow the stream far into the hills of this country, all the way to spring in the courtyard of the Castle of Light. And I tell you, Arthur, that for many years now I have heard the weeping and sorrow of one lost and alone when I have come there.”
Quick as light glinting over the water, the Salmon swam with Arthur astride her, and it seemed the countryside sped along on either side of them with a magical speed so that in almost no time at all they were approaching the place where the stream began its journey, the spring by the great Castle of Light.
Now the Castle of Light was strangely named, for in fact it was a dark and forbidding place, overgrown and halfrotted and ruined from long neglect. As the Salmon of Wisdom drew closer to the fortress, Arthur too could hear the weeping and sorrowing sounds echoing from within its mossy stone walls. Leaping from the Salmon’s back, he charged into the dim courtyard of the castle and battered the hilt of his sword against the inner door.
But the door was old and spongy with rot and gave way before him, and he thrust it open, following the sobbing noises down and down into the dripping dungeons of the Castle. There, at last, he came upon the hunched, weeping figure of a man huddled in a corner.
At the noise, the man looked up, and though his eyes were red from crying, his face was radiant and youthful beneath the grimy streaks of tears.
“You there,” Arthur said, with the command
of a king in his tone, “Are you Mabon, the Great Son of the Great Mother, Modron?”
The young man sniffled and wiped his nose with the back of his hand, straightening up. “For sure I am, sir, and I’ve been locked in this dreadful dungeon for ages upon ages.”
“Well,” said Arthur, “the doors have rotted and the walls have crumbled, and I have need of a great huntsman to stalk the wild, terrible boar called Twrch Trwyth. So I have come to set you free. Will you come?”
“Of course!” Mabon said, and followed Arthur swiftly from the black of the dungeons up into the wan sunlight above. Together they mounted the Salmon of Wisdom, who looked on the young man with secret gentleness and did not strive to keep the King and his huntsman dry on their return journey home.
Waters from the stream splashed and danced against their sides as the Salmon leapt and plunged, her glistening body writhing with the joy of dodging rocks and limbs, and soon all the dirt and strife of years in the dark had washed from Mabon’s face and his whole being seemed to shine, strong and healthy again.
And this was how he came to his andhuntsmanwasFor,ArthurwithgesturedlastwithThenthethanocean,wasandanshefollowingandbygleaming,Modron—brightmother,andaccompaniedthemajestyofArthurallhisbraveknightsbehind—andswepthimupinembraceofgratitudehappinessthatgreaterthanthegreatereventhesunlightandsunitself.shereleasedhim,asmileandonethankfulkiss,andthathecouldgo,herblessing,tohelphunthisuglyboar.itturnsout,heindeedthegreatestinalltheland,hemadeaswiftend
to the huge boar that had eluded so many before him. Then, there was a great feast and celebration afterwards, which I assume Modron and Mabon both attended with pleasure, seated honorably at the King’s own table. And that is as good a place as any for the story to end.
http://meadowsweet-myrrh.blogspot.com/2009/09/tale-of-mabon-bedtime-story.html
So, taking the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body and breathing life into it, she created Ganesha, declaring him to be her own loyal son.
plan. She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that Ganesha be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.
Parvati was at home on Mt.Kailash preparing for a bath. As she didn’t want to be disturbed, she told Nandi, her husband Shiva’s Bull, to guard the door and let no one pass.
Nandi faithfully took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes. But, when Shiva came home and naturally wanted to come inside, Nandi had to let him pass, being loyal first to Shiva. Parvati was angry at this slight, but even more than this, at the fact that she had no one as loyal to Herself as Nandi was to Shiva.
The next time Parvati wished to bathe, she posted Ganesha on guard duty at the door. In due course, Shiva came home, only to find this strange boy telling him he couldn’t enter his own house! Furious, Shiva ordered his army to destroy the boy, but they all failed! Such power did Ganesha possess, being the son of Devi Herself!
This surprised Shiva. Seeing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight him, and in his divine fury severed Ganesha’s head, killing him instantly.
When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy the entire Creation! Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic
Shiva, having cooled down by this time, and realizing his mistake, agreed to Brahmaconditions.Parvati’sHesentoutwithorders to bring back the head of the first creature he crosses that is laying with its head facing North.
Brahma soon returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Breathing new life into him, he
If we don’t honour the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is receiveofTherefore,unsanctioned.insteadpropitiatingeachGanainordertotheirblessings,webowtotheirLord,SriGanesha.
declared Ganesha to be his own son as well and gave him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the ganas (classes of beings) , Ganapati.
At first glance, this story just seems like a nice tale that we might tell our children or a myth without any real substance. But, it’s true mystical meaning isveiled. It is explained thus:
Parvati is a form of Devi, the Parashakti (Supreme Energy) . In the human body, She resides in the Muladhara chakra as the Kundalini shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves, ridding ourselves of the impurities that bind us, then the Lord automatically comes. This is why Shiva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was bathing.
Nandi, Shiva’s bull, who Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperament. Nandi is so devoted to Shiva that his every
thought is directed to Him, and he is able to easily recognize the Lord when He arrives. This shows that the attitude of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the kundalini shakti’s) abode.
One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi alone grants. After Nandi permitted Shiva to enter, Parvati took the turmeric paste from Her own body, and with it created Ganesha.
Yellow is the colour associated with the Muladhara chakra, where the kundalini resides, and Ganesha is the deity who guards this chakra. Devi needed to create Ganesha, who represents the earthbound awareness, as a shield to protect the divine secret from unripe minds. It is when this awareness begins to turn away from things of the world, and toward the Divine, as Nandi had, that the great secret is revealed.
Shiva is the Lord and Supreme Teacher. Ganesha here represents the egobound Jiva. When the Lord comes, the Jiva, surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually doesn’t recognize Him, and maybe even ends up arguing or fighting with Him! Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of the Guru, to cut off the head of our ego!
So powerful is this ego, however, that at first, the Guru’s instructions may not work, as Shiva’s armies failed to subdue Ganesha. It often requires a tougher approach,
but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His wisdom finds a way.
Devi threatened to destroy the whole Creation after learning of Ganesha’s demise. This indicates that when the ego thus dies, the liberated Jiva loses interest in its temporary physical vehicle, the body, and begins to merge into the Supreme.
The physical world is here represented by Devi. This impermanent and changeable creation is a form of Devi, to which this body belongs; the unchanging Absolute is Shiva, to which belongs the Soul. When the ego dies, the external world, which depends on the ego for its existence, disappears along with it. It is said that if we want to know the secrets of this world, which is a manifestation of Devi, then we must first receive the blessings of Ganesha.
Shiva restoring life to Ganesha, and replacing his head with an elephant’s, means that before we can leave
the body, the Lord first replaces our small ego with a “big” or universal ego. This doesn’t mean that we become more egoistic. On the contrary, we no longer identify with the limited individual self, but rather with the large universal Self.
In this way, our life is renewed, becoming one that can truly benefit Creation. It is however only a functional ego like the one Krishna and Buddha kept. It is like a thin string tying the liberated Consciousness to our world, solely for our
processes. If we don’t honour the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to their Lord, Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, we receive the grace of all. He removes any potential obstacles and enables our endeavours to succeed.
Such is the greatness of Sri Ganesha! Jai Ganesha!
https://www.amritapuri.org/3714/ganesha.aum
have been found. Many scholars believed Danu to be a representation of the Danube River.
The roots of the name Danu remain a matter of some debate among etymologists. Scholars who have connected her name to the Danube River point to other Indo-European languages where the word danu means “to flow.”
sovereignty and power, Danu would grant gifts to rulers and those of noble birth. Though such gifts varied in value and substance, it is nevertheless clear that the kings, chiefs, and Ollam of the Tuatha Dé Danann all drew their power from her. The Tuatha Dé Danann were creative, crafty, and skilled; it has been theorized that Danu was the source of such talents.
Danu was the Celtic “Mother Goddess,” an ancestral figure, matriarch, and namesake of the Tuatha dé Danann. The source of power and nobility for her offspring, Danu’s own origin is shrouded in mystery.
The Irish mother goddess Danu was the ancestor from which all Tuatha Dé Danann claimed descent. Despite her importance to Irish mythology, Danu largely remains a mystery. She was an ancient deity, and made no appearances in the larger Celtic mythos. Though scholars have frequently sought answers regarding this mysterious matriarch, few definitive details
Danu may be a loanword from the ancient Scythian language, in which it meant “river.” It has also been suggested that the name Danu came from the Proto-Celtic duono, or “aristocrat,” itself derived from the ProtoIndo-European dueno, meaning “good.”
Though Danu was the mother goddess and namesake of the Tuatha Dé Danann tribe, much about her remains shrouded in mystery. Danu was the source of the tribe’s common heritage, as well as its nobility, unity, and power. As a goddess of
As a mother goddess, Danu was believed to have suckled many of the gods and instilled in them a sense of wisdom. Given the migratory nature of the Tuatha Dé Danann, it has been speculated that she was a wind or earth goddess as well.
All things in Ireland depended upon her blessings. Her connection to the earth also tied her to the fairies, fairy mounds, and the many standing stones and dolmens of Ireland.
Many scholars have theorized that Danu was a great river goddess. In many parts of the Celtic
world, the most powerful mother goddesses had ties to major bodies of water. The River Danube, one of Europe’s longest rivers, may have been one of many rivers named in Danu’s honor.
This theory has been challenged as scholars continue to debate the potential migration patterns of Celtic people and their useslateandDanuneopaganslittleindependently.withbothastraditionIrishpresentmythosaddedNeopaganquitenevertheless,culture;itremainspopular.traditionhasmuchtoDanu’sthatwasnotintraditionallore.Theneopaganreveresheratriplegoddess,inassociationtheMorríganandThereisconsensusamongastowhatrepresents,however,sheislargelyablankforpractitionerstoastheywish.
Of all of Danu’s features, the most wellestablished was her family. All members of the divine Tuatha
Dé Danann descended from her in one way or another. Kings, warriors, craftsmen, musicians, tricksters, judges, poets, and athletes all hailed from a single source: Danu. While her husband unknown,remainsthematter is largely irrelevant.
Irish tradition holds that Danu was the tribe’s ancestor of note, rather than any husband or father she might have had.
Mythology Eriu, though it should
reach a road-end, Banba, Fotla, and Fea, Neman of ingenious versicles, Danann, mother of the gods.
Lebor Gabála Érenn Danu did not appear in Celtic or Irish myths, and was known only through the name Tuatha Dé Danann, or “Children of the goddess Danu.” She was described as the mother of the gods in the Lebor Gabála Érenn, though this was her sole appearance in medieval Irish literature. Despite the lack of goddess’someattemptedhaveinformation,availablescholarsneverthelesstoderivesenseofthebeing.
Other than naming her the mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann, medieval Irish lore made no mention of Danu. No description existed as to the type of goddess she was or her place of origin. It is known only that she was an ancestral linkedandIndo-Europeanmother.languageCelticstudieshaveDanutoother
goddesses, such as the Hindu goddess of the same name. She has also been connected to popular Celtic concepts such as the importance of Onewaterways.ofDanu’s strongest connections was to the River Danube, a major European river that Celtic tribes would have followed during their migrations. The river’s name was believed to be Celtic or Scythian in origin, lending credence to this theory.
Many believe that Danu was both a representation of and callback to this ancient river, which the Celtic tribes may have considered an ancestor.
Danu’s lack of a definitive mythos suggests she was an ancient goddess, and some believe that her name—much like that of the Cailleach—was a title that could have belonged to any number of individuals.
Danu has been connected to a number of important Celtic deities both within
and outside of Ireland. Similarities between the name Danu and the name Anu (or Annan) , have led some to believe that this face of the Morrígan was in fact the mother goddess Danu.
She may also have been connected to the Welsh god Dôn, mother goddess of the Mabinogi; Dôn’s gender has never been specified, however, and it is possible that Dôn was a male deity entirely unrelated to Danu.
There are many goddesses outside the Celtic world to whom Danu may have been linked. The Celtic Danu may have had a connection the Hindu river goddess of the same name.
Many scholars believed that this connectionIndian-Irishindicated the existence of a (unless Danu is a title) .
The goddess’ characteristics,power,and
personality have little consistency within neopagan traditions, and few myths are attested to her.
Danu has appeared in several pieces of popular culture, including: In the television series Sanctuary, Danu appeared as the most prominent member of the ThisMorrigan.iteration
of Danu was able to learn English by touching the forehead of Will, one of the members of Sanctuary with whom she shared an intense—if brief— connection; In the 2000 AD comic series Sláine, Danu appeared as the mother goddess worshiped by the Sessair, the tribe of the namesake character. Though she was capricious and fickle, she ultimately battled primeval forces to defend the world of men; The name of the Irish folk band Danú may be a reference to the goddess and the Tuatha Dé Danann.
https://mythopedia.com/topics/danu
Related words in Etruscan are cele “large, tall, grown” , celthi celebration”“augmentation, and celutule developed”,“grown,giving Her name the rough meaning of “The Earth That Causes Growth”
.
Cels is an Etruscan earth Goddess Who makes the grain grow tall. As is not uncommon among earth Goddesses specifically or Etruscan Deities in general, She has connections with the Underworld and with fate.
She is also mentioned as a sun Goddess in some sources; what is clear is that She is the Etruscan forerunner of the Roman grain Goddess Ceres. Her name means “Earth, Ground, or Soil”, and comes from an Etruscan root kel- or kil-, “to grow”
.
She was also known as Cel Ati, “Mother Earth” , and She was worshipped at the town named after Her, Celthi, on the northern shores of Lake Trasimene, the modern Lake Trasimeno or Lake Perugia. There is a bronze statue dedicated to Her from Castiglione del Lago, on the western shore of the same lake; whether it came from Her sanctuary at Celthi or from another nearby town is not known.
The Etruscan readygraintheGoddess,asnamedRomancorrespondingmonthtotheSeptemberwasCeliusafterCelsearthandharvestandindicatestimeofyearwhentheisgrownorripeandtobecut.
Cels also had a role as a Goddess of the Underworld in the interpretation of omens. The Etruscans were famed for their working knowledge of divination and augury, and in taking omens divided the sky into four regions, along a north-south line (called by the Romans the cardo) , and an east-west line (the Roman decumanus) .
The cardo and decumanus were incidentally later inherited into Roman ritual and were the first things marked out when establishing new towns in a proper and auspicious manner.
In Etruscan augury, the diviner would stand in a sacred space and imagine himself at the crossing of these imaginary lines. He (or she, as Tanaquil can attest) would then face south and observe in which region of the sky the portents (which could be the flight of birds, lightning strikes, &c) were located.
The four main parts of the sky were further subdivided to make sixteen regions in all. Behind the diviner was the region called the pars postica (the “back part”), the section of the sky ruled by the Deities of the Underworld and fate; in front of him/her was the pars antica (the “front part”) , where the Gods and Goddesses of the earth and nature made their home.
To the diviner’s right (the west) was the pars hostilis (the “enemy part”, unlucky)considered and to his/her left the pars familiaris (the “friendly part”, lucky). The quarters made where the Deity and luck halves overlaid each other had varying degress of auspiciousness: the southwestern quarter was believed to be the most unlucky space, and was called the regiones dirae or “the fearful regions” . In this region Cels or Cel Ati ruled over one part of the sky.
What that means for Her personality I’m not sure; grain Goddesses are usually considered benevolent, though even Demeter has Her dark side as Underworld Goddess. Perhaps Her position in that section of the sky is meant to indicate that portents from that region are to be interpreted as bad luck for the crops or growing grain.
An antefix (a decoration affixed on the roofline of a temple) from Velsna (Latin Volsinii, modern Bolsena), shows two Goddesses who are labelled Mera (Menrfa) and Cilens. Mera is clad in Her usual helmet and breastplate; the figure of Cilens, though missing
Her head and left hand, is heavily draped in chiton and himation, much like the typical portrayal of Demeter, the Greek grain Goddess. Cilens or Celens may be a variation of Cels’s name; alternately, She may be a seperate deity (having, like Cels, connections to the Underworld) or,
as on the Piacenza liver, “Cilens” may even an epithet of Tinia (Jupiter) !
Alternate names: Cel, Ati Cel. Also sometimes Apa Cel, or Father Earth, so S/He could go by either gender.
She is closely related to the Oscan earth Goddess Kerri. Celsclan, an Etruscan giant identified with Hercules, is Her son.
http://www.thaliatook.com/OGOD/cels.php
famous secret religious festival in Ancient Greece.
Demeter’s Name Demeter’s name consists of two parts, the second of which (-meter) is almost invariably linked with the meaning “mother,” ofdebatesHowever,mother-goddess.Demeter’sconvenientlywhichfitswithroleasatherearestilloverthemeaningthefirstpart
containing her daughter Persephone, who is almost always in her vicinity. The goddesses – as they were endearingly called – even share the same attributes and symbols: scepter, cornucopia, ears of corn, a sheaf of wheat, torch, and occasionally, a crown of flowers.
Demeter, the middle daughter of Cronus and Rhea, was the Ancient Greek goddess of grain and agriculture, one of the original Twelve Olympians. Her grief over her daughter Persephone – who has to spend onethird of the year with her husband Hades in the Underworld – is the reason why there is winter; her joy when she gets her back coincides with the fertile spring and summer months.
Demeter and Persephone were the central figures of the Mysteries,Eleusinianthemost
(De) , which most scholars associate with “Ge,” i.e., Gaea (making Demeter “Mother Earth”) ; others, however, prefer to link it with “Deo,” which is a surviving epithet of Demeter and may have been, in an earlier form, the name of one of few grains.
Demeter’s Portrayal and Symbolism Demeter is usually portrayed as a fullyclothed and matronlylooking woman, either enthroned and regally seated or proudly standing with an extended hand. Sometimes she is depicted riding a chariot
Demeter’s Epithets Demeter was known mostly as the Giver of Food and Grain, or “She of the Grain,” for short (Sito) . However, since she presided over something as vital as the cycles of plants and seasons, the Ancient Greeks also referred to her as Tesmophoros, or “The Bringer of Laws,” and organized a womenonly festival called Tesmophoria to celebrate her as such.
Other epithets include: “Green,” “The Giver of Gifts,” “The Bearer of Food,” and “Great Mother.”
Demeter’s Family Demeter was one of the six children of Cronus and Rhea, their middle daughter, and their
second child overall – born after Hestia, but before Hera and her brothers: Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus. Just like all of her siblings, she was swallowed and later, following an intervention by Zeus, regurgitated by her father.
Demeter’s Consorts: Iasion, Poseidon, and Zeus Demeter didn’t have many partners and was rarely portrayed with a male consort. The mortal Iasion and her brothers Poseidon and Zeus are the most noteworthy – if not the only – exceptions.
Early in her life, Demeter fell in love with a mortal named Iasion. She seduced him at the marriage of Cadmus and Harmonia and lay with him in a thrice-plowed field. Zeus didn’t think appropriate for such a respected goddess to have a relationship with a mortal, so he struck Iasion with a thunderbolt. But, by then, Demeter was already pregnant with twins: Ploutos and
Philomelus, the former the god of wealth, and the latter, the patron of plowing.
Demeter and Poseidon
Next, brotherDemeter’sPoseidon forced himself upon her (once transformed into a stallion) , and the goddess, once again, became pregnant with two children: Despoena, a nymph, and Arion, a talking horse.
Demeter and Zeus Finally, Demeter became Zeus’ fourth wife. From their union, Demeter’s most well-known child was born, Persephone.
Demeter and Persephone
The most important myth involving Demeter concerns her daughter Persephone’s abduction by Hades and Demeter’s subsequent wanderings.
The Abduction of Persephone Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, fell in love with Demeter’s virgindaughter and decided to take her into marriage. So, one day, as she was
heradartingsuddenlyhisherthennarcissus,beautifulinexpressiblyfragrantasidehegirlfriends,withflowersgatheringherluredherusingaandandsnatchedupwithchariot,outofchasmunderfeet.
Demeter Finds Out brokenheartedwasn’tstory.confirmedofAll-SeeingHelios,hadherHecatetenththen,avail.–herdayswideearthwalkedDemeterInconsolable,thefarandforninetofinddaughterbuttonoAndontheday,toldwhatsheseenandtheGodtheSun,herDemeterjust
throughout.aidedandoperationtheapprovedso,claimedrumorswho,withEspeciallyeverybody!AndasnowSheanymore.wasangrywell.withZeusthehadwholeevenHades MetaniraandDemophon,·MysteriesEleusinianofInstitutionThetheIambe,
So, Demeter left endedwoman.asdisguisedmortals,amongdaughtergrieveandOlympusMountwenttohertheanoldSheupat
the court of King Celeus of Eleusis, where his wife Metanira hired her to be the nurse to her baby son, Demophon. Iambe, the old servant woman of the house, cheered her with her jokes, and Demeter laughed for the first time in many weeks. In gratitude for the kindness, Demeter devised a plan to make Demophon immortal, so she started bathing him in fire each night, thus, burning away his However,mortality.one day, Metanira witnessed the ritual and, not realizing what was happening, started screaming in panic and alarm. This disturbed Demeter’s strategy, so she revealed herself at once and told Metanira that the only way that the Eleusinians will ever win her kindness back is by building a temple and establishing a festival in her glory.
The Return of Persephone and the Establishment of the Cycles King Celeus did just that, and Demeter spent a whole year living in
her newly built temple, grieving, and, in her grief, neglecting all her duties as a goddess of fertility and agriculture. As a consequence, the earth turned barren, and people started dying out of hunger. After unsuccessfully sending all the gods, one by one, to Demeter with gifts and pleas, Zeus realized that he would have to bring Persephone back to her mother if he didn’t want to see humanity wiped out from the planet.
So, he sent Hermes to Hades, and the divine messenger fetched back Persephone to her mother. However, the gods soon realized that Demeter’s daughter had already eaten one seed of pomegranate in the Underworld, which obliged her to remain in the withthethewouldatowouldn’tKnowingUnderworld.thatDemeterallowsuchthinghappen,Zeusproposedcompromise:Persephonespendone-thirdofyearwithHadesandothertwo-thirdsDemeter.
The former, the period during which Demeter is grieving, corresponds to the winter months of the year when the earth is infertile and bare; the latter, when she rejoices, overlaps with the abundant months of our springs and summers.
The myth likewise explains the growth cycle of the plants. The grain, just like Persephone, must die and be buried under the earth in order to bear much fruit above it.
The best sources for the principal myth of Demeter are the “Second Homeric Hymn,” and the fifth book of Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” where, naturally, the names of the main protagonists are changed to their Roman counterparts: Ceres, Pluto, and Proserpine.
Source: greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Demeter/demeter.htmlhttps://www.
September’s name comes from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven.” This month had originally been the seventh month of the early Roman calendar.
September Calendar
• September 5—the first Monday observeDay.September—isinLaborCanadiansalsoLabourDay.
What happens in the month of September?
There’s a little for everyone: the last days of summer and the first days of fall. September, in Old England, was called Haervest-monath (Harvest Month). This is the time to gather up the rest of the harvest and prepare for the winter months.
There are flowers enough in the summertime, More flowers than I can remember— But none with the purple, gold, and red That dye the flowers of September!Mary Howitt
• September 11 is Patriot Day, held in honor and remembrance of those who died in the September 11 attacks of 2001.
• September 11 is also Grandparents Day this year. Honor your grandparents today— and every day!
• September 17 is Constitution Day. This day celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, which occurred Septemberon17, 1787.
• September 21 is recognized as the annual International Day of ObservancesPeace.range from a moment of silence at noon
to events such as peace walks, concerts, and volunteering in the community.
• September 22 marks the start of fall! This year’s Autumnal Equinox occurs at 9:04 P.M. EDT on Thursday, September 22. On this date, there are approximately equal hours of daylight and darkness.
• September 25 is the start of Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday that marks the beginning of the new year.
• September 29 is MichaelmasMichaelmas.isan ancient Celtic “Quarter Day” which marked the end of the harvesting season and was steeped in folklore.
“Just for Fun” Days
Have fun with these strange celebrations in September!
• September 11: National Hug Your Hound Day
• September 13: Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day
• September 24: National Punctuation Day
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Also known as the Moon Festival, this holiday has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years and is said to be the second largest festival in China after the Chinese New ObservedYear.
on the 15th day of the eighth month of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, it can occur in either September or early October in the Gregorian calendar.
This autumn festival occurs during the full Moon nearest the fall equinox, which is traditionally said to be the brightest and roundest. Local festivities might involve brightly colored lanterns, dances, games, and other
entertainments. Families and friends celebrate into the evening to give thanks for the harvest and for being together, offering each other wishes for happiness and long life and remembering loved ones who live far away.
Celebrants may make offerings to the Moon goddess Chang’e or share traditional mooncakes by moonlight. These round pastries, which symbolize the full Moon and reunion, are often filled with red bean or lotus seed paste surrounding a salted egg yolk in the center.
September’s zodiac signs are Virgo (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) and Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)
.
Full Harvest Moon
September’s full moon, the Harvest Moon, reaches peak illumination on Saturday, September 10, at 5:58 A.M. EDT.
This month’s Night Sky
Map highlights Pegasus in the stars above.
The garden may be winding down, but there’s still plenty left to do!
• Correct any soil deficiencies you’ve noticed; healthy soil is crucial to healthy plants.
• Compost should be watered during dry periods so that it remains active.
• Onions are nearly ripe when the tips of the leaves turn yellow.
• Fall is the time to plant garlic. Got your cloves ready?
• Sunflower seeds are best dried while still in the plant.
• If you’re running out of ideas on where to store your crops, try using a root cellar.
1. Heavy September rains bring drought.
2. September dries up ditches or breaks down bridges.
3. September blow soft, till the fruit’s in the loft.
4. Married in September’s golden glow, smooth
and serene your life will go.
5. If the storms of September clear off warm, the storms of the following winter will be warm.
6. Fair on September 1st, fair for the month.
September’s birth flowers are the aster and the morning glory. The aster signifies powerful love, and the China aster expresses variety or afterthought in the language of flowers. The morning glory symbolizes affection. It can also mean coquetry, affectation, or bonds in the language of flowers.
The September birthstone is the sapphire, which was once thought to guard against evil and poisoning.
• Sapphire is a form of corundum that is typically blue, a color caused by tiny bits of iron and titanium; the vivid, medium blues are more valuable than lighter or darker forms.
Due to various trace elements, sapphires also appear in other colors. Those with red colors are called rubies.
• Sapphires were thought to encourage divine wisdom and protection. They wouldwithwerebelievedandpurity,symbolizedtruth,trust,loyalty.Somethatiftheyplacedinajarasnake,thesnakedie.
• The sapphire, along with the related ruby, are the second-hardest natural gemstones, with only the diamond being harder.
September 12: Choices
On this day in 1962, President John F. Kennedy went to Rice University in Houston, Texas, to make a speech justifying his proposed $5.4 billion space program. He had called on Congress in the previous year to fund a massive project to put a man on the Moon and bring him home safely before the end of the decade.
Toward that end, he asked his vice president, Lyndon Johnson, to make it happen. Johnson, a Texan, was happy to oblige.
The plan was to establish a Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, upon land that had been made available by Rice University (which had received it from Humble Oil and Refining Company) .
If that happened, federal money would flow to that city and to Rice, a university distinguished for its scholarship, if not for its football. In football, the University of Texas was king, although Rice gamely played Texas every big:footballsweltering35,000Kennedyyear.challengedlisteners,intheRicestadium,tothink
“But why, some say, the Moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask, Why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic?” he asked.
Then he added another impossible goal, one he had jotted in the margin only minutes earlier: “Why does Rice play Texas?”
The line drew a huge laugh and added a touch of humor and humility to the soaring rhetoric. His speech continued, soon issuing the now famous lines, “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard … .”
Kennedy eventually got his moonshot, although he did not live to see Neil Armstrong’s 1969 moonwalk. And, three years after the speech, in 1965, Rice beat Texas. It would be 28 years before that happened again.
https://www.almanac.com/content/month-september-holidays-fun-facts-folklore
Hebrew. Jerome also wrote commentaries which are a great source of scriptural inspiration for us today. He was an avid student, a thorough scholar, a Augustinebishop,consultantletter-writerprodigiousandatomonk,andpope.Saintsaidofhim,
“What Jerome is ignorant of, no mortal has ever known.”
In order to be able to do such work, Jerome prepared himself well. He was a master of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldaic. He began his studies at his birthplace, Stridon in Dalmatia.
Most of the saints are remembered for some outstanding virtue or devotion which they practiced, but Jerome is frequently remembered for his bad temper!
It is true that he had a very bad temper and could use a vitriolic pen, but his love for God and his son Jesus Christ was extraordinarily intense; anyone who taught error was an enemy of God and truth, and Saint Jerome went after him or her with his mighty and sometimes sarcastic pen.
He was above all a Scripture translatingscholar,mostof the Old Testament from the
Saint Jerome is particularly important for having made a translation of the Bible which came to be called the Vulgate. It is not the most critical edition of the Bible, but its acceptance by the Church was fortunate.
As a modern scholar says, “No man before Jerome or among his contemporaries and very few men for many centuries afterwards were so well qualified to do the work.” The Council of Trent called for a new and corrected edition of the Vulgate, and declared it the authentic text to be used in the Church.
After his learningRome,education,preliminaryhewenttothecenterofatthattime, and thence to Trier, Germany, where the scholar was very much in evidence. He spent several years in each place, always trying to find the very best teachers. He once served as private secretary to Pope Damasus.
After these preparatory studies, he traveled extensively in Palestine, marking each spot of Christ’s life with an outpouring of devotion. Mystic that he was, he spent five years in the desert of Chalcis so that he might give himself up to prayer, penance, and study. Finally, he settled in Bethlehem, where he lived in the cave believed to have been the birthplace of Christ.
Jerome died in Bethlehem, and the remains of his body now lie buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.
Jerome was a strong, outspoken man. He had the virtues and the unpleasant fruits of being a fearless critic and all the usual moral problems of a man. He was, as someone has said, no admirer of moderation whether in virtue or against evil.
He was swift to anger, but also swift to feel remorse, even more severe on his own shortcomings than on those of others. A pope is said to have remarked, on seeing a picture of Jerome striking his breast with a stone, “You do well to carry that stone, for without it the Church would never have canonized you”
Saint Jerome is the Patron Saint of:
• Librarians
• Scholars
• Translators
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-jerome
that humans (the triangle) are bound by the Earth and natural law (square). The angel balances between one foot on the rocks, expressing the need to stay grounded, and one foot in the water, showing the need to be in flow. She pours water between two cups, symbolic of the flow and alchemy of life.
recover your flow and get your life back into order and balance.
UPRIGHT: Balance, moderation, patience, purpose
REVERSED:
Imbalance, excess, selfhealing, re-alignment
The Temperance card shows a large, winged angel who is both masculine and feminine.
She wears a light blue robe with a triangle enclosed in a square on the front, representing
In the background, there is a winding path up to a mountain range, reflecting the journey through life. Above the mountains hovers a golden crown encased in a glowing light, a symbol of taking the Higher path and staying true to one’s life purpose and meaning.
NOTE: The Tarot card meaning description is based on the Rider Waite cards.
Temperance Upright Temperance is the card for bringing balance, patience and moderation into your life. You are being invited to stabilise your energy and to allow the life force to flow through you without force or resistance. It’s time to
This card calls on you to remain calm, even when life feels stressful or frantic. Maintain an even temperament and manage your emotions. You have learned to keep composed in stressful situations. Little things don’t get to you, thanks to your seemingly abundant source of patience. Your respect for balance and tranquillity is what will help you achieve and experience fulfilment in your Temperancelife.
asks you
to take the middle path and accommodate all perspectives. Now is not the time to be highly opinionated or controversial. Be the peacekeeper and take a balanced and moderate approach, avoiding any extremes. Include others and bring together diverse groups of people to create harmony and cooperation. By working together, you will collectively leverage the right mix of talents, experiences, abilities and skills.
There is alchemy within Temperance. This Tarot card is about blending, mixing, and combining diverse elements in a way that creates something new and even more valuable than its separate parts. ‘Blending’ can take on many forms; for example, a blended family, an artist who blends different materials or techniques, a bartender who mixes new and exciting cocktails, or a chef who combines different cuisines and cooking styles.
The Temperance card shows that you have a clear, long-term vision of what you want to achieve. You are not rushing things along; instead, you are taking your time to ensure that you do the best job you can. You know you need a moderate, guided approach to reach your Finally,goals.this card reflects higher learning. You are learning a great deal where you are now and are at peace with what you are doing – it is all coming together well. Your inner voice is
guiding you to the right outcome, and you are patiently listening and following.
If you have recently experienced a period of isTemperanceexcess,Reversedyourinvitation (or sometimes, your warning signal) to restore balance and moderation as soon as Youpossible.mayhave been overeating, regularly drinking, buying things you can’t afford, arguing with loved ones, or engaging in negative thought patterns. These activities are taking you further away from who you are and what you are here to do. So, it is time to stop. As they say, “Everything in moderation!” Or, you may find you need 100% abstinence to break this negative cycle and bring your life back into balance Temperanceagain.Reversed can also be a sign you sense that something is ‘off’ in your life, creating stress and tension. Life is not
flowing as easily as you had hoped or there’s a niggling voice from within going, “Wait a second! This doesn’t feel right!” You can ignore it and carry on with life as usual. But, heed Temperance’s warning: If you stay in this state for too long, that voice will just get louder and louder until you pay attention. Or, you can listen to it now and make the necessary adjustments to find your flow once again. Focus on your long-term vision and higher purpose and seek to align your daily activities with this Temperancevision.
Reversed may reflect a period of selfevaluation in which you can re-examine your life priorities. Internally, you may feel called in one direction, but your daily life may not match up to what is emerging. See this as your opportunity to align your higher vibration with your outer world.
You may need to change your living dailyrelationships,arrangements,career,andhabitssoyoucan
cultivate more balance and purpose in line with your new priorities.
Don’t be surprised if you run into tension or even conflict as you align your inner and outer worlds; it’s a natural part of the process of levelling up and
tragedies, as much as triumphs and Whereveradventures.you find yourself at the moment, life is coaxing you to keep your heart open no matter how much it unfold.Tohurts.continuallyTolet life crack you open.
cracked you open because the world needs you open.
Now is the time to go gently. To treat yourself like a tender, sweet baby. To wrap yourself in a blanket and trust that the Mother has you cradled in her Thearms.seas
The challenge of life is to keep your heart open when you most want to close it.
To let life crack you open. To open through hurt and loss. To allow what is falling away to fall Beingaway.human is a courageous act. A life well lived is full of losses and
Perhaps you are going through a difficult time right now. Instead of cursing the difficulty, see it as a Toblessing.openyourself up
to the truth that, perhaps, as hard as it may be, life is happening for you, Andtonotyou.one day, in the brokeblessfuture,not-too-distantyoumayjustthethingthatyoudownand
may not all be smooth sailing, but you are safe and you are held. One day, not too far from today, you will look back at the transformation and be blown away by the poetry of life.
Everything is going to be OK.
Soul Inquiry: Everything is going to be OK. Let it crack you open.
Materials Needed
3-5 Oranges/Citrus of your choice
15 Bay leaves
Dried Apples
1 bag of Cinnamon sticks
Arms length of Organic cord or twine
Large Embroidery needle
Foil (Optional)
Cookie Sheet
An Oven
5 1/2 Hours too spare
Instructions:
1. Get your Apples and Oranges together and preheat your oven to 235 Degrees
2. Whispering your Intentions into the fruit during the drying process only charges the spell and works more. Think of it as breading before you bake the oranges and let all that energy soak into them.
3. Start Slicing em! Get them pretty thin but enough so when you thread the twine through it wont just fall apart. Make sure too use a sharp knife because oranges are NOT forgiving.
4. Once I finished Cutting them all up I pressed every one for the excess juice came out too make drying a little faster.
5. By now your oven should be a dragons belly ready to fire up these magical fruits! Lay them all out on a sheet and slide them in, turning them every half and hour or so too prevent burning. (same for the apples)
6. While those dried I found myself wanting to add even more too the garland. With that in mind I found these scrap birch wood branches from a job site. Perfectly sourced wood for a perfect occasion! I proceeded to drill two holes in the top and bottom too be able to thread the twine through and began too carve in some protection ruins for the home ill be sending this gift too. (This step is totally optional but I like too be more than most.)
7. Once the Oranges come out of the oven and theyre ready, gather all the materials and line them up! Most wrap the cinnamon but I like too pierce through it then wrap it just to secure it. Other than that you’re free too add whatever youd like however many times youd like. for this specific garland I was called too follow a loose 3 pattern
Supplies Needed:
• 13 Wine Corks
• Hot Glue Gun & Hot Glue Sticks
• Markers, Paint, or Ink Pad in desired color
• Mod Podge & Glitter (optional)
• Decorative Ribbon
Directions:
1. Use a marker, paint, or ink pad to color both ends of wine corks.
2. Hot glue corks into a grape cluster shape.
3. If using glitter, paint the ends with Mod Podge and dust with glitter. Let dry.
4. Attach ribbon to the top using hot glue. Use a piece for the bow and a piece for a loop so ornament can be hung.
1. Pull shucks to the back of corn.
2. Secure them by tying with twine.
3. Cut a stripe of hot glue on the back of corn and adhere to your cylinder vase. Hold for a few seconds and continue with each.
4. Secure by tying a piece of twine tightly around the corn to the vase. Add your ribbon if desired!
a good time to reflect on the Wheel of the months.pastduringservethatofandyourrecognizingYear,successeslettinggothethingsdidnotyouthetwelve
baby Mabon was said to have been held hostage as a baby in the underworld, similar to the story of Persephone and Demeter.
Indeed, the Greek goddess Demeter is much more closely associated with the Autumn harvest, as it was her grief at losing her daughter that turned the earth from lush abundance to barren cold.
Known as the pagan Thanksgiving, Mabon marks the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are equal, making it a time of balance, equality and harmony. In ancient times Mabon was a celebration of the second gatheredfirst)(Lughnasadhharvestwasthewhenfarmersheartyfoods like gourds, pumpkins, grapes and celebrationsModernapples.Mabonare a time to give thanks for the abundance of Mother Earth - both literally and spiritually. It’s also
A HISTORY OF MABON Modern Pagans began celebrating Mabon as the last of the eight Sabbats in the 1970s, but its roots as a harvest festival go back to ancient times.
Named after the ancient Welsh hero named Mabon ap Modron, which means Son of Mother, Mabon is the second of three harvest festivals that take place in the Wheel of the Year (Lughnasadh is the first and Samhain is the third) .
Similar to Apollo, the figure of Mabon was depicted as a handsome youth with a lyre. As a
As the Wheel of the year comes to an end, Mabon is a good time to set intentions that involve decrease and reduction such as ending bad relationships, unhealthy habits or destructiveselfbeliefs.
Symbols: Cornucopia (horn of plenty ), pinecones, seeds
Colors: Orange, red, yellow, brown, copper, dark yellow, dark green
Foods: Corn, beans, squash, apples, pumpkins, cider, root pomegranate,vegetables,wine
Herbs: Yarrow, rosemary, sage, mugwort, rosehips,
Stones: Amber, citrine, cat’s eye, sapphire,aventurine,jasper
Flowers: Sunflowers, thistle, marigolds
Deities: Mabon, Green Man, Demeter, Persephone, Morgan, Pomona, Inanna
Animals: Owl, blackbird,stag, salmon
One of the easiest (and most fun) ways to celebrate Mabon is decorating your home for autumn. I like to bring in both fresh and dried flowers and gourds to place throughout my kitchen and other living spaces. I’m lucky to have
my own cutting flowers and trees to collect acorns and pinecones from. If you don’t have access to your own greenery, a visit to the local farmer’s market or even a short walk in the woods can provide plenty of Mabon decorations for your home.
For many families Mabon falls right at the start of the school year and it can be hard to plan a big celebration, especially if it falls during the mid week. If that’s the case with your family, know that there is nothing wrong with celebrating Mabon with a simple family meal at the end of a busy day.
You can dress up your table with a bouquet of fresh flowers or some candles. Take turns saying what you are grateful for and what you hope to accomplish in the coming year.
If you opt to celebrate Mabon by yourself, try finding a quiet space outside to mediate and journal before treating yourself to a nice meal.
Mabon is a great time to release the baggage of the past year and set some new personal goals.
• Host a bonfire for friends and family
• Decorate your porch or entryway with traditional autumn greenery
• Write down all your blessings from the past year in a journal
• Go apple picking
• Have a picnic
• Clean your house and get rid of stagnant or negative energy
• Host a potluck Mabon dinner with your favorite people
Mabon House Tip: Who needs another busy holiday to stress over?
A simple celebrationMabonyou can do at bedtime is light a candle,
close your eyes and breathe deeply for five minutes, giving thanks for all your blessings.
https://www.mabonhouse.co/mabonMabon is the last sabbat in the Wheel of the Year, marking the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Celebrated during the autumnal equinox, Mabon occurs around September 21st in the northern hemisphere and March 21st in the southern hemisphere.
The history of Mabon stretches back to ancient Celtic times, though Mabon as a sabbat holiday really took root in the 1970s. One of the lesser known sabbats, Mabon is gaining popularity as more people turn toward nature as a guide for their spiritual path.
The name Mabon comes from a medieval Welsh myth, the Mabinogion. This oral narrative, which is along the lines of Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey, tells four different stories featuring
a cast of characters.recurringMabon, who is often portrayed as a young man or warrior, is the cultural hero of one of these myths.
He is born a Divine Child and his birth is associated with some kind of miracle, like immaculate conception, similar to the stories of Jesus, Buddha and the Aztec man-god Quetzalcoatl.
As a baby Mabon is kidnapped and taken to the otherworld (AKA underworld) and is eventually rescued, echoing the story of Demeter and Persephone, who are two figures from Greek mythology closely associated with the autumn and spring equinoxes.
Mabon as the name of a specific holiday did not take hold until the 1970s. But the celebration of the autumn equinox is as old as humanity. So while ancient Celts may not have celebrated Mabon, per se, they most certainly celebrated the autumn equinox, rejoicing in the near end of the
Good question! Despite hundreds of years of Christianity in Europe, there remained a keen interest in ancient pagan rituals and celebrations.
The fear that surrounded paganism in the 17th and 18th centuries (think Salem Witch Trials) gave way to a more academic interest during the Age of Enlightenment.
Ancient paganism was further mythologized by writers of the Romantic period of the late 18th century (think classic fairy tales). Throughout the 19th and 20th century a neopagan movement gained traction with many different sects popping up throughout Europe and North America.
So, if Mabon wasn’t an ancient holiday like Yule or Samhain, when did it start?
The White Goddess by Robert Graves was one of many 20th century writings that helped popularize the concept of eight holidays based on the agrarian and seasonal cycles of the British Isles, blending the ancient Celtic fire festivals and the solstices and equinoxes.
By the mid-20th century, the Wiccan religion had been established in North America. In the late 1960s, Aiden Kelly, a neopagan writer who helped establish Wicca, is credited with shaping the eight pagan festivals into what would become known as the Wheel of the Year. He is also credited with coining the name Mabon for the autumn equinox celebration, marking the last sabbat holiday in the Wheel of the Year.
For modern witches, since Mabon marks the end of the Witch’s Year, it is a good time to let go of things that no longer serve you. Cast spells for decreasing or ending old habits, meditate on what
you would like to let go, and give thanks for the good things you have in life.
In her book The Modern Witchcraft Guide to the Wheel of the Year, author Judy Ann Nock likens the season of Mabon with the transition from Virgo to Libra. She explains that this is a time from moving outward during the season of Virgo and the fullness of summer to a time of introspection. The Libra, with its focus on balance and harmony, is a turning point in the Wheel of the Year.
The second of the three harvests, Mabon is often equated with Thanksgiving and seen as a time by Wiccan and Witches (as well as those who don’t identify with any spiritual label) to reflect and thank the earth for its bounty. While our modern Thanksgiving holiday in the United States often focuses on excessive amounts of
food, football and getting a jump on the holiday shopping,
LankfordDemystified,Inthebetweenandthewerethanksgivinghistoricalcelebrationsrootedincelebratingeffortsofone’slabortheconnectionpeopleandearth.hisbookWiccaauthorBryanexplains
https://www.mabonhouse.co/new-blog/a-history-of-mabon
“To understand this sabbat, celebrationhowyouoveryouwastoThanksgivingpictureandadditthefactallfoodgrownyourself…wouldnotstarvethewinter.Thenwillunderstandimportantthiswas.”
Haustblót was a time of harvesting crops and preparing for winter.
This was a critical time of year for our ancestors. The harvest was important so that people could survive during the cold short days of winter.
during the Haustblót celebration and things we can do as well.
Haustblot is often a very localized or regional celebration that differs on location. It is also seen as a time to have family get together for a feast.
Haustblót is the Norse fall equinox feast. Also referred to as Winter Finding, this feast celebrates the beginning of AutumnoccursTypicallyautumn.Haustblotaroundtheequinoxor the first full moon following. However, the holiday is somewhat fluid based on the location and harvesting calendar.
Like many of our ancient celebrations, this one revolves around the agricultural calendar.
As the God of harvests, Freyr plays a large role in worship during this season. He is the God of sunshine, rain, and prosperity. He is often depicted with his boar Gullinborsti.
SKADI Skadi is the Norse goddess of winter and the hunt. I often see her described as honorable and very powerful. She was married to Ullr, the Scandinavian God of snowshoes and skiing.
Bonfires, dancing, feasting, and honoring the Gods were all important
Check out your local farmers’ market or even your own garden to get some traditional fall foods. Squashes, apples, nuts, and root vegetables are all popular fall foods.
A fun family activity is to go to a pick your own farm and pick apples or fall Foragingpumpkins!forwild edibles can bring you closer to Mother Earth and her cycles. This is a good time to look for wild fruits such as crab apples, walnuts, and pawpaws.
Use a good guidebook such as The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants, Mushrooms, Fruits, and Nuts: Finding,
Identifying, and Cooking. Or take a class at your local extension office. Make sure to set a place for the ancestors and spirits.
One of the things that our ancestors would have done during this time is to care for their livestock. Animals would have been brought down from summer grazing areas to be closer to shelter and safe from winter storms.
Taking care of your own pets during this time can honor that tradition. Make sure your fourlegged friends (or no legs if you have snakes) are in good health and take them to the veterinarian for any needed care.
Do you have an outdoor fire pit? This is a great time of year to enjoy roasting marshmallows or dancing around the Enjoyfire.sitting
outside on a cool fall evening and
looking up at the stars.Make sure your area is not under a fire advisory first.
ALTAR
Refresh your altar for Haustblot. Add some fall vegetables and grains and offer thanks to local farmers. Honor the Gods. Light a green candle and give thanks and ask for farmers to have abundant crops.
https://www.celebratepaganholidays.com/fall/haustblot-norse-fall-feast
A griffin is a legendary beast believed to be the offspring of a lion and an eagle, depicted in various ways by many different human cultures in different places throughout antiquity.
It is usually depicted as having the back legs, tail and body of a lion, with the head of an eagle, sometimes having projecting ears. It is usually shown with eagle wings, but sometimes is wingless and sometimes has eagle talons on its forefeet. The eagle part was sometimes covered
in feathers while the lion part had fur.
The lion was considered to be the king of the beasts, while an eagle was the king of the birds. The griffin, as a hybrid of these two, inherited the qualities of both, making it very powerful and the king, or ruler, of all creatures. Griffins were also known by a number of other names including ‘griffon,’ ‘griffon,’ or ‘gryphon.’ They were often depicted as having wings, but sometimes found wingless, as in the fine example found in the Palace of Knossos.
The Palace of Knossos was the ancient ceremonial and political centre of the Bronze Age Minoan civilisation on Crete, described as the earliest in Europe, indicating the age and importance of the griffin motif.
Guardians of Treasure Griffins were often seen as the guardians of treasure and priceless objects. They were associated with gold and said to guard gold mines, and often appear on tombs as guardians.
Griffins in Mythology Depictions of griffins are found in the art and mythology of many diverse ancient cultures, including sevenhimrodemanagedthrone.andcapturedAlexanderOneforcarryingprotectorsNemesisthroughwiththeyassociationhoundsandApollochariotswereInEuropean,Anatolian,Iranian,Egyptian,andIndian.earlyGreekarttheyshownpullingtheofthegodsandNemesis,weresaidtobetheofZeus.BytheirwithApollobecameassociatedthesun,andtheirservicetobecameknownasandguardians,outretributioninjusticeonoffenders.legendtellshowtheGreattwogriffinschainedthemtohisHeeventuallytotameoneandonitsbackasitflewaroundhisrealmfordays.
According to Pliny the Elder, griffins laid eggs in burrows in nests lined with gold nuggets. Other accounts say griffins built a nest like an eagle’s and lay eggs of agate, which is a semi-precious stone.
The Arimaspi Aristeas of Proconnesus, a semi-legendary Greek poet, tells of a tribe of one-eyed people known as the Arimaspi. They dwelt in northern parts of Scythia in the foothills of the legendary Riphean Mountains, said to be situated between the cave of Boreas, the Greek god of the north wind, and the Hyperborean region of the world.
The Arimaspi were reputed to steal the gold from the griffins, resulting in battles which were often depicted in works of art. The Arimaspi rode horses in their attacks on the griffins, and from this evolved the enmity of the griffin for horses. They were often depicted attacking and killing them.
On rare occasions griffins mated with horses, and their offspring were known as a hyppogriff or hippogryph. These had the foreparts of an eagle and the hind parts of a horse, and were said to symbolise love as the horse and the griffin were natural enemies.
Scythians living north of the Black Sea tattooed their bodies with images of griffins, but these showed them to have no wings. Instead, they had a large frill on the back of their necks and resembled what a beaked dinosaur called Protoceratops, whose fossilised remains are found in the region, possibly looked like.
Although not universally accepted by all scholars, the classical folklorist and historian of science Adrienne Mayor proposes that griffins were derived from these fossilised remains. These may also have been seen by travellers or traders in regions of Scythia and interpreted as belonging to griffins. Word may also have been put about to keep prospectors from known gold mining areas.
Symbolism and Allegory There were many different kinds of legendary, mythical or fabulous creatures that were hybrids or composite of two or more animals. As well as bearing the
physical features of the actual animal they also carried the characteristics such as boldness, speed, and grace. A legendary beast that was a combination of two or more different animals would possess the combined attributes and strengths of all those Furthermore,animals.they became symbols representing the virtues and attributes in an iconic, allegorical form, which expressed, to those who possessed certain knowledge, a greater meaning.
Before the ability to read and write became widespread the use of symbols was, and still can be, an elegant form of language, giving out peopleSinceinformation.ancienttimes,haveneeded to identify themselves and pass on information for many reasons such as in warfare, business, or for religious and social reasons. Images and symbols were chosen to represent individuals and organisations and their
personal qualities and attributes, and the griffin was a popular choice for many.
As such, the griffin had the traditional attributes such as the strength, courage, and ferocity of a lion together with the speed, vision, and intelligence of the eagle, and these were qualities that were attractive to leaders in war, religion, and politics.
In the fine arts of Europe, the griffin appeared in works such as tapestries and illustrations and began to take on Christian symbolism. Griffins were believed to remain with
one partner for life and would not take a new mate even if their partner died, hence the Church saw them as being symbolic of marital Furthermore,fidelity.as a fusion of a bird of the air and a creature of the earth, it was seen as a symbol of Jesus who was both human and divine.
In Christian symbolism, they represent divine power and guardianship of the divine and are often depicted in churches calmly and patiently on guard.
Traditionally, there were two main types of griffin: the Hyperborean, or northern griffin, and the Indian griffin. The Hyperborean griffin was found in the forested hills and mountains that once existed in north-eastern parts of Europe and Russia. It was said to be between two to three feet in height, or roughly the size of a mountain lion.
The Indian griffin had its range in the areas of the Middle East and North-Eastern India. It had more lion attributes than eagle ones. It was held to be sacred to the sun, and although it could fly was not adept at it despite having wings. Nevertheless they were formidable enough to defeat dragons and elephants.
The claws of a griffin were believed to have therapeutic or curative properties for health, and blindness could be cured by its feathers. In the courts of medieval Europe, goblets made from antelope horns
were passed off as being made from the claws of griffins and ostrich eggs passed off as griffin eggs. Both were considered highly desirable objects. It was also believed the claw could detect poison by changing colour and offered protection against illness.
In medieval heraldry the griffin intelligence,militarystandsandthecombinesTheindominantthecreaturesbetweenthereTheremostbirdkingwhileothermorekingtreasure.andwatchfulness,symbolisedcourage,wastheguardianofThelion,astheofthebeasts,isseenfrequentlythananyanimalinheraldrytheeagle,theofthebirds,isthethatisfoundtheoften.isanideathatwasarivalrythesetwothatparalleledfrictionbetweenpoliticalpowersmedievalEurope.fusionofthetwothepoweroflionandtheeagletheresultinghybridforstrength,power,courage,and
leadership. In heraldry, for unknown reasons, the male griffin is presented without wings.
Instead it has sharp ray-like spikes from different parts of its body representing sun rays, and sometimes is given two tusks or horns. Sometimes they are known as a ‘keythong,’ which were also known as an ‘alce. ‘ However, there is also a view that saw the keythong as a separate creature.
Today, griffins appear on many coats of arms and shields in heraldry, and their image is used in the iconography of many organisations, businesses, and Griffinassociations.imagescan be found carved or depicted on many different types of buildings, such as banks and museums, and remains a popular motif with many establishments.educational https://folklorethursday.com/legends/mythical-beasts-the-griffin-the-legendary-king-of-all-creatures/
a myth, ancient cultures wrote of it as a real animal. In fact, it was included in many natural history books of the time.
In the depths of the forest a creature emerges from behind a tree. Beautiful in radiance and with a shining white coat of fur, this awe-inspiring creature trots briskly between the trees. One single horn protrudes from the center of its head, standing tall and proud. You try to chase after it, but give up after a short while, knowing that you’ll never be able to overcome the prideful beast. The unicorn is too fast to be caught by man.
A unicorn is a legendary creature that is known to possess magical abilities. Though in modern day this creature is thought to be nothing more than
The most EuropeanbyunicorndepictionspopularoftheareknownGreekandaccounts and mythology, though there are similar unicornlike creatures that have been recorded throughout the world. There were many interpretations of the beast – some saw it as the incarnation of purity and grace. Some believed that the horn of the beast had the power to provide cures for sickness and the ability to serve as an antidote for poison.
Because of its supposed magical abilities, the unicorn and its horn was greatly sought after by anyone with means in the early ages. It was common for those of great wealth or nobility to attempt to procure a horn to protect themselves against attacks or to extend
their lifespan in general. In fact, many ‘horns’ were sold by traders who came from the north and south. While these were not unicorn horns (they were either rhinoceros horns or narwhal horns) , they sold for many times their weight and gold and proved to be a very profitable industry.
In Chinese mythology, there are many accounts of a creature that is known as the qilin. This creature is often thought to be the Chinese equivalent of a unicorn, though it also has the properties of a chimera.
The qilin is known to have the body of a deer, a lion head, green scales, and one long horn that was its defining characteristic. There is also a Japanese beast of similar makeup that is called the kirin, but it is known that this creature is based off of the qilin.
The qilin are peaceful creatures and are known to be very magical and powerful. The qilin are thought to be able to walk upon grass without disturbing a single blade. However, since these creatures did not want to harm the ground, they were often thought to walk on clouds or water instead. They were also thought to be good judges of character. Many ancient stories show these creatures as being able to know if a person was good or evil just by looking at them. They are peaceful in nature and only punish the wicked.
Also similar to unicorn mythology, qilin are often seen as a symbol of fertility. Although they were not hunted for their horns, they were often
shown in art work as bringing infants to families.
In Kongo oral traditions, there is a creature called the Ababda that is very similar to a unicorn. This creature is known to be about the size of a donkey and is said to have the tail of a boar. While it is known to have two horns instead of one like a unicorn, the horn of the Ababda is known to serve as a cure for many illnesses. Perhaps most importantly, however, the Ababda horn is known to be an antidote to many poisons.
South American Unicorn
The legend of the unicorn can be found in South America as well –specifically the country of Chile. This creature is called the camahueto and is known to possess many of the qualities of the unicorn. The camahueto is a creature that is very similar to a calf or bull. However, instead of having two horns, it only has one. The camahueto is known to be hunted by
the machis (medicine woman) because their horn is known to possess the cures to illnesses. The machis are known to stalk the camahueto until she is able to capture it with a lasso and tear out its horn. After she has caught it, she bandages the opening and lets the beast continue on its way.
One of the most common uses for the camahueto horn is to scrape off shavings from the horn and mix them with sea water and apple cider. This combination was thought to cure impotency and restore vitality in older men. It was also believed that the machis would plant small pieces of the horn back into the ground to allow other camahuetos to grow.
The unicorn captured the minds and hearts of many in the European culture, especially because of the unique properties it supposedly possessed and the connection that was later made to Christianity. The unicorn was often portrayed as a magical white horse or goat-like creature with a long horn that rose from the center of its head. It was often thought to be a woodland creature that was difficult to capture and full of grace and majesty.
The unicorn was also thought to have cloven hooves and was known to possess powers that were invaluable for the time
other things, the unicorn was thought to hold the cure to many sicknesses, the ability to purify water, and the antidote to poisons in its horn. Because it was so innocent and full of purity, it was commonly believed that only a virgin would be able to capture the creature.
It was also commonly sought after by nobility and royalty. There were many who were known to pay an impressive sum of money for the opportunity to possess the fabled horn.
Though no real unicorn horns have been found to date, unicorns were thought to be a living creature that was easily found in early cultures. There was no speculation as to whether the creatures might be fictional – they were often included in natural history textbooks.
The first mention of the unicorn comes from the Greek writer Ctesias. They are mentioned in his work entitled ‘Indika’ (meaning ‘On India’) . He describes the unicorns as being a breed of wild ass that was incredibly fast and light on its feet. Its defining feature, of course, was a horn that was about 28 inches in length that grew from the center of its head.
Unlike the later tales of unicorns, however, these
horns could be white, red, or black instead of the white color that is characteristic of the modern day understanding of Ctesiasunicorns.supposedly got his information from his time in Persia. Aristotle also gives a similar description of two such beasts that come from the same region – the oryx and the ‘Indian ass’ .
It is thought that there were many others who drew their descriptions of unicorns from this area as well. In fact, carvings of unicorns have been found on a sculpture at the ancient capital of Perspolis.
There is also an account on the power of unicorns that was found by Cosmas Indicopleustes – a merchant from Alexandria that shed many insights on early India.
While visiting the King of Ethiopia he saw four brass statues that portrayed the unicorn and wrote an account of what he had learned. He claimed that
all the strength of the creature could be found in the horn. He also noted the tremendous ability of the creature and it’s tendency to throw itself from a high cliff rather than to be captured. It was supposedly able to absorb all the impact with its horn and escape safely.
During the Medieval Ages, the image of the unicorn grew into the fantastic image that we now recognize the creature by today. This is partially due to the adaptation of the story by the Christian Church. The claiming of the creature by the Church allowed many artists to portray it in a wide variety of artwork.
Because there was a great emphasis on religion during this time period, this enabled artists to work with mythology without being prosecuted by the church. The unicorn was also seen in a new light in mythology. The beast was still seen as largely unconquerable –but with a few exceptions.
The unicorn was known to be a mighty beast that was a creature of the woodlands and largely unconquerable by man. However, there was one important exception to this rule – the unicorn could not resist its urge to be drawn to a virgin maiden. When hunters would go out in search of a unicorn, it was often thought that the prideful creature would pause every now and then instead of simply escaping to taunt the hunters.
To take advantage of this weakness, lore states that a virgin maiden was sometimes told to wait underneath a tree and wait for the unicorn to gallop by. When the unicorn saw the maiden, it would inevitably be drawn in and lay its weary head in her lap. When it fell asleep, the hunters would gather round and trap the creature.
There were also connections that were drawn between the tale
of the unicorn and the romance between men and women in the courting process. Many 13th century French authors liked to make the analogy that just as a unicorn is attracted to the virgin so is a lover attracted to his woman. There were also similar comparisons that sought to speak of the unicorn as a symbol of chaste love and faithful marriage.
had a black horn in the middle of their heads that could only be described as being similar to a boar.
He also noted that they enjoyed basking in mud and slime – a far cry from the pure nature that was characteristic of the beast at the time.
of Christ and the Passion of the Christ.
The Virgin Mary and the Incarnation of Christ
Although there are many different interpretations of the throughoutunicornsthe Medieval
Ages, many of these descriptions echoed the magical awe of the beast. Marco Polo’s account, however, leaves much to be questioned.
He describes the creatures as being close in size to elephants and hair similar to that of a buffalo. They
He was shocked to note that the beasts were noticeably different from the enchanting creatures that could be captured by virgins. His obvious description of a rhinoceros in his writings leads many to wonder if he was mistaken in his identification of the creature or if he was alluding that the beast was an over exaggeration of the rhinoceros.
The unicorn enthusiasticallywas adopted by the Christian Church who appreciated the many allegories that could be used to symbolize the creature’s connection to Christ. The two most popular expressions of this idea were used to describe the incarnation
One of the most popular ways in which the legend of the unicorn was used to relate to Christianity was with the Incarnation of Christ. This version compares the unicorn approaching the virgin as the process that was undergone to allow the Virgin Mary to become impregnated by Yahweh. It is thought that this reference could clearly be seen by the unicorn laying its head down on the virgin’s lap – in close proximity to the womb.
Another interpretation of Christianity’s connections to the unicorn come in the form of the passion of the Christ. The hunters represent the sinners who sought to overcome Christ. The unicorn (Christ) was able to outrun the hunters easily because he was the embodiment of all that is pure and good.
However, because of his great desire to save those who are pure of heart (the virgin) the unicorn goes to the virgin maiden and lays his head in her lap, selflessly sacrificing himself.
This interpretation can possibly be seen in the seven panel tapestry piece entitled, ‘The Hunt of the Unicorn.’
This series depicts a unicorn that is pursued by many noblemen. They are unable to capture the creature until it goes to rest in the lap of a virgin.
They appear to kill the creature, but the last panel shows a resurrected unicorn that lives happily in field of flowers.
The Value of the Unicorn in Early Cultures
The unicorn was highly sought after in many cultures – especially European cultures that hoped to gain some of the mythical powers of the Manybeast.accounts from early times claim that the secret to the unicorn’s power is hidden in its horn. The horn itself
to cure impotency and give the owner the ability to purify water and protect against poisons.
The horn was greatly desired by many royals and nobles. In fact, it was common practice for nobility to use alicorn to create ceremonial cups that were used by high ranking members of society. The protective abilities of the horn would prevent one from dying even if their cup had been spiked with poison.
The horns were also desired as decorative fixtures as well. The Throne Chair of Denmark was thought to have been made of unicorn horns for many years. In reality, these horns are likely narwhal horns that were sold by traders from the north.
The Europeans were not aware of the narwhal and its unique horn – as a result, it was very easy for northern traders to scam the Europeans with fake horns that were sold for much more than their weight in gold.
It’s likely that the mythical beast is no more than a misunderstanding of the natural wildlife of ancient worlds. It is extremely likely that the beast was created by European merchants and travelers who studied the drawings, statues, and paintings of the cultures they visited on their trading routes.
While it is possible that there was, indeed, a horse-like or goatlike creature called the unicorn it is doubtful the creature existed into modern day.
It was likely wiped out by hunters who hoped to use its horn to make an impressive profit.
One of the most logical answers to the question of the existence of unicorns comes from the rhinoceros. Many people point to the creature
not only because of its characteristic single horn, but also because of the account of Marco Polo. In his writings, Marco Polo claims to have encountered a unicorn during his travels.
However, the brutish account of the beast and the single black horn that protruded from its head was more characteristic of a rhinoceros than a magical unicorn.
This leads many to believe that the original unicorns were rhinoceros’ that were over exaggerated by travelers and merchants looking to make a profit from their stories.
There are also those who believe that the aurochs of Europe could have been the inspiration for the tale. The aurochs are an extinct species of cattle that are known to have been very large. As an ancestor to domestic cattle, it is thought that creature could have inspired many stories because of its great power and strength.
When drawn from the side (as many creatures were in early cultures) it may have appeared that the aurochs was a single horned creature. As many years passed by, it would have been possible for the early cultures to think that the images referenced a strange and mythical creature. Additionally, the established sightings in history could have explained why this unknown creature was recorded in natural history instead of mythology.
The Narwhal
One of the perpetratorsbiggestofthe myth was likely the northern hunters and traders that decided to pass off narwhal horns as unicorn horns. These hunters knew that the European population had never seen a narwhal and wouldn’t be able to tell the difference.
In fact, there was often speculation as to what a unicorn horn could look like until the narwhal horn was introduced into trade. Previously, a unicorn horn could be long or short and many different colors.
When narwhal horns were introduced into trade however, they set the standard for what was considered to be a proper horn. They passed all the tests that were in place to check for fake horns because they were made of real Additionally,horn. their long length and spiraled texture was quickly adopted as the norm for what a unicorn horn should look like and
was adopted into what is now the modern day understanding of unicorns.
Genetic Engineering
Still many wonder,
perhaps the best answer we have to how the unicorns of early cultures came into intobroughtindeed,certainofpopularRegardlessexistence.ofwhattheopinionis,manyZell’sfollowersarethatheis,awizardandhastheunicornbackexistence.
https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/unicorn/
Those who look to Oberon Zell-Ravenheart would say yes. Zell – a selfproclaimed wizard – has been pursuing magic and the secrets of the past for many years.
It was this obsession, along with appreciation for the book, ‘The Last Unicorn’, that inspired Zell to experiment with genetically manipulating goats so that they displayed only one horn.
Many who look at his successes are quick to call out the experiment as the phony replication of a unicorn. Others argue, however, that results are results and the creature is
is it possible that a unicorn did exist?
And if so, could it be brought into existence again?
the arrival of the hero Bellerophon, a son of Poseidon. Riding the winged horse Pegasus, Bellerophon tracked down the Chimera, fought it, and killed it.
The Chimera was a monster with a hybrid body: part lion, part snake, and part goat. The hero Bellerophon tracked the Chimera to its remote mountain lair and killed it with the help of his winged steed Pegasus.
The Chimera, one of the terrifying offspring of Typhoeus and Echidna, was a hybrid monster made up of the body parts of a lion, a goat, and a snake. Many sources claimed that it also breathed fire. For years, the Chimera terrorized the inhabitants of the foothills where it had made its home—a reign that only ended with
The Chimera’s name comes from the Greek word chimaira, meaning “one-year-old animal” or, more specifically, “she-goat.” It is related to other Indo-European words for baby livestock, such as the Old Norse gymbr (“young sheep”) . The name “Chimera” may also be related to the Greek cheimōn/ cheima and the IndoEuropean ǵ-ei-m-, meaning “winter.”
The Chimera was said to have lived in the mountains of Lycia, an ancient kingdom on the southwest coast of modern Turkey. The geographer Strabo traced the Chimera to an even more specific location: Mount Cragus on the coast of Lycia.2 In Virgil’s
Aeneid, the Chimera came to live at the gates of the Underworld (in the company of many other mythical monsters) after it was defeated by Bellerophon.
The Chimera was a hybrid monster, comprising parts of a lion, a goat, and a snake. The earliest description of the creature comes from Homer’s Iliad, where it is said that the Chimera was “in the fore part a lion, in the hinder a serpent, and in the midst a goat, breathing forth in terrible wise the might of blazing fire.” Hesiod gives the same description, as do all major thespecifiedHesiodbreathedTheliterarysubsequentsources.Chimeraalsofire,thoughandlaterwritersthatitwasonlygoat’shead (the middle one) that held this power.
In the visual arts, the Chimera was commonly represented with the head of a lion in front, the head of a goat in the middle, and a serpent tail. There were some small theorcouldexample,variations—fortheChimeraberepresentedwithwithoutamane,withforelegsofagoat (in addition to a goat’s head) , or even without any serpent tail.
The Chimera was the child of Typhoeus and Echidna, monsters born soon after the creation of the cosmos. Typhoeus and Echidna thetowithThethetwo-headedsiblingsChimera’swell.werecreaturesmulti-headed,wereserpentinewhoseoffspringmulti-headedasHesiodnamesthefearsomeasthedogOrthus,Hydra,andCerberus.Chimera,togetherOrthus,gavebirththeNemeanLionandSphinx.
The origins of the Chimera are obscure. Ancient sources agreed that the hybrid monster was the offspring of Typhoeus and Echidna and lived somewhere in AccordingLycia. to Homer’s Iliad, the Chimera was raised by a certain Amisodarus to be “a bane to many men.” Beyond this detail, the Chimera only shows up in the mythology of Bellerophon. In the common Proetus,theBellerophontradition,hadincurredunjustangerofthekingofArgos
(who wrongly believed that Bellerophon had seduced his wife) . Proetus wanted Bellerophon dead but was unwilling to carry out the deed himself.
Thus, he sent Bellerophon to his friend Iobates, king of Lycia, with a letter. Unbeknownst to Bellerophon, the letter contained instructions that the bearer was to be killed straight away. When Iobates read the letter, he withwingedablehowThefavorgodwhohero.toexpectingthewhichtosendingupHeworktounderstandablywashesitantcarryoutProetus’dirtyhimself.thereforecamewiththeideaofBellerophonfighttheChimera,wasterrorizingcountryside,fullythemonstereasilykillthemortalButBellerophon,wasasonoftheseaPoseidon,hadtheofthegods.poetPindartellsofBellerophonwastotametheimmortalhorsePegasusthehelpofAthena
Family Tree Parents EchidnaTyphoeus Siblings HydraOrthusCerberus Consorts Orthus Children Nemean Lion Sphinxand the prophet Polyidus.
Soaring atop Pegasus, Bellerophon tracked down the Chimera and attacked it from above. According to one tradition, transmitted by a relatively late source, the hero came up with a clever strategy to kill the Chimera: he attached a ball of lead to the end of a spear, which he then thrust into the monster’s fire-breathing mouth. The Chimera choked on the molten lead.
The Chimera has made numerous appearances in modern popular culture, though liberties are often taken. There is a kind of Chimera in the 2012 film Wrath of the Titans, though it differs considerably in appearance from the traditional Chimera of Greek myth (for example, instead of having the heads of a lion, a goat, and a snake, this Chimera has two heads and the wings of a bat).
In the 2000 film Mission: Impossible 2, the name
Chimera is given to a fictional virus produced by a pharmaceutical company in order to generate demand for its antidote (appropriately called Bellerophon) .
The Chimera frequently appears in literature as well. In the first installment of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Percy Jackson fights the Chimera and its mother, Echidna, on top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. There are also references to Chimeras in some fantasy novels, such as J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
Finally, the Chimera has been adapted as a monster in various television shows, including Super Sentai/ Power Rangers, Mon Colle Knights, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, as well as numerous video games and video game franchises, including Warcraft, Final Fantasy, and Age of Mythology.
powerful practitioner of dark magic. She also had a controlling and violent streak. As the story goes, she murdered not only John, but two subsequent husbands. She also had a habit of taking male slaves as lovers and then murdering them when she tired of their service.
According to some people, there are terrible secrets lurking behind the beautiful facade. Local legend holds that Rose Hall is haunted by its former mistress, the “White Witch” Annie Parker.
Annie Palmer was born in Haiti. Her parents died of yellow fever and she was raised by a woman who taught her witchcraft and voodoo. She moved to Jamaica and married John Palmer, the owner of Rose UnfortunatelyHall.
for Palmer, his new wife was a
Her reign of terror did not come to an end until she crossed another powerful magician, a slave named Takoo. In one variant of the legend, Annie cursed Takoo’s intended son-in-law. In another, she cursed Takoo’s own child. All versions of the story agree that Takoo murdered Annie Palmer using a combination of black magic and physical violence.
Annie Palmer is supposedly buried in a tomb on the grounds. Local lore says that her tomb was meant to be sealed with a Voodoo ritual that would have kept her spirit imprisoned forever. However, the ritual was never
completed. Annie Palmer’s ghost roams free at Rose PeopleHall.claim to have witnessed Palmer’s ghost riding her horse around the plantation. She is also sometimes seen on the balcony. Ghost hunter Hans Holzer claims that Palmer’s ghost once took over the body of trance medium Eileen Garrett.
Unfortunately for those who love a good ghost story, recent research has cast a lot of doubt on the Annie Palmer legend. Skeptic Benjamin Radford discovered that much of it was lifted from a novel called The White Witch of Rosehall, written in 1929 by Herbert G. de Lisser.
Travel writer Polly Thomas suggests the Annie Palmer legend is partially based on the life of Rosa Palmer. Rosa was the first mistress at Rose Hall and had four husbands.
However, she had a reputation for great virtue and was never suspected in their deaths.
The real Annie Palmer married John Rose Palmer in 1820. He died in debt a few years later. Annie had no legal right to the plantation, so she had to leave. She died in relative obscurity in 1846.
Are you a believer or a skeptic? Either way, a visit to Rose Hall is a wonderful way to experience the history and culture of Jamaica. You can arrange for a day or night tour. Even if you don’t see the White Witch, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories while walking the beautiful grounds and taking in the amazing views.
https://www.thepalmsjamaica.com/annie-palmer-white-witch-rose-hall/
The Fates were originally called Moirai in Ancient Greece. The word moira means “share” or “portion” of something, whether meal, land, or victory spoils (compare this with the English word “merit” from the Latin meritum, “a reward”) . By extension, Moirai means Apportioners,”“Thei.e., the ones who give to each his own (portion of life) .
Atropos (literally “The Unturning” or, more freely, “The Inflexible”) .
The Fates – or Moirai – are a group of three weaving goddesses who assign individual destinies to mortals at birth. Their names are Clotho (the Spinner) , Lachesis (the Alloter) and Atropos (the Inflexible) . In the older myths, they were the daughters of Nyx, but later, they are more often portrayed as the offspring of Zeus and Themis. In Orphic cosmogony, their mother is said to have been Ananke or Necessity. Either way, they had enormous power and even Zeus was unable to recall their decisions.
The Moirai’s Roman counterpart were the Parcae, probably because the Romans confused the origin of their name, thinking it stems from pars which is the Latin translation of moira; it’s actually derived from parere, “to bring forth,” which explains why the Parcae were initially birth spirits, and also why the Romans weren’t so far off when they merged them with the ThereMoirai.were three Fates. Their names were: Clotho (meaning “The Spinner”) , Lachesis (or “The Alloter”) and
The Fates have at least three genealogies,differenttwoof which go way back to Hesiod. In his “Theogony,” the poet first informs us that the Fates are the fatherless daughters of Nyx, the Night, only to later describe them as daughters of Zeus and Themis, and, thus sisters of the Horae, Eunomia, Dike, and Eirene.
Both genealogies make sense: in the first case, the Moirai are linked through Nyx with Death, and in the second they are clearly associated with the unchanging order of things. At a later date, in the Orphic cosmogony, the Fates got a new mother: Ananke, or Necessity.
Consistently portrayed as three women spinners, each of the three Fates had a different task,
revealed by her very name: Clotho spun the thread of life, Lachesis measured its allotted length, and Atropos cut it off with her shears. Sometimes, each of the Fates was assigned to a specific period of time: Atropos – the past, Clotho –the present, and Lachesis – the future.
theseen–thread.asalmostAnyastheywomen,depictedwerearts,theThus,portrayed.theythroughthedependedthatandthroughevolvedofrepresentationThetheFatestime,itseemsitoftenonmediumwhichwereinvisualtheyusuallyashandsomebutinliterature,areoftenimaginedbotholdandugly.case,theyarealwayspicturedweavingorbindingSometimes,oneorall–ofthemcanbereadingorwritingbookoffate.
Relationship with Zeus Zeus Powerless: Sarpedon and Hector
It’s difficult to say whether Zeus had anything to say in the matters of the Fates, but, to the Ancient Greeks, it seems that even he wasn’t able to overrule their decrees.
scales and learns the outcome, as opposed to having any control over it.
Thus, even though at one point during the Trojan War he is aware that his beloved son Sarpedon will die at the hands of Patroclus, Zeus can do nothing to save him.
Just as well, before the duel between Hector and Achilles, the All-Powerful God merely weighs their destinies on his golden
The Fates Helping Zeus: The Giants and Typhon However, the Fates and Zeus seem to have an understanding between each other at all times, their friendship going way back to inconvincingpersuadedwhichweakeningsomeintoTyphoeustheymoreZeusTheybronzetoclubbingandGiantsFatesDuringGigantomachy.theit,thekilledtheAgriusThoas,themdeathwithcudgels.helpedevenwhentrickedeatingpower-fruits,theysuccessfullyhimtodobyhimtobelievetheopposite.
The Fates in Particular Myths
The Fates do not appear that frequently in myths. True, they are usually
portrayed attending the births of both mortals and gods, but, all in all, they rarely need to intervene in anyway whatsoever. There are, however, two interesting exceptions.
The only time the Fates said anything to a mortal was at the birth of Meleager when they informed his mother Althaea that her son would live until a log, then burning in the hearth, was burnt entirely to ashes. Naturally, Althaea put the log away in a chest and kept it safe for many years. However, when Meleager murdered her brothers (i.e., his uncles) after a quarrel over a boar skin, she threw the log into the fire, thus killing her son. Afterward, out of remorse and despair, she killed herself as well.
The Fates – Tricked for Once Only once were the Fates deceived by someone, and that someone was none other than Apollo. Upon learning that Admetus, his favorite, was destined
to die, Apollo got the Fates drunk and persuaded them to spare Admetus’ life if he was able to find a substitute. He didn’t. But Admetus’ wife, Alcestis, ever the epitome of faithfulness and love, voluntarily stepped forth and ultimately saved her husband’s life.
https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Fates/the_fates.html
pulled me in with visuals and the community I thought was out there.
I wanted to have psychic powers and manifest anything, connect on a deep level with animals, etc. I remember I saved up money and went to the bookstore in the mall and bought a couple of magic books and hid them in my Whileroom.Iwas
like Western and Chinese astrology. With numerology I like by finding your life path number could provide so much information and another opportunity to learn.
I’m not sure if there was a specific time when I thought I was a witch. When I was a child and teenager I was interested in witches and pretty much anything and everything supernatural. TV shows and movies
excited to have this information available to me I also found it overwhelming, I wasn’t able to connect to the words and found trying to gather athames, etc unrealistic for me since I had no money and didn’t know where to buy them. Keep in mind the information and tools weren’t as available back then as they are now. Eventually, these books got put away because I wasn’t ready.
My interest soon turned towards astrology and numerology. I was interested in finding out who I was. Luckily my parents were open to buying me astrology books of various kinds
In middle school my English teacher had the class pull Oracle cards from Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals and photocopied the meanings and taped them on the walls for us to read. This deck became my first Oracle deck. It was when I turned into an adult that I really started to invest my time and money into witchcraft, mediation, energy, Currently,etc.I am working on lessons to become a high priestess with my coven. I do a lot of candle magic, working with herbs and sigils, learning tarot and Oracle, energy work, developing my intuition, and working with my guides. I would like to learn and practice more energy work and shamanism.
to mind? If it’s vampire, demons, and succubi, then getbecausecongratulations,thosecanallsmashedtogether in one terrifying entity, and that’s the Empusa. The Empusa, the Lamiai, and the Mormolykeiai have pretty much the same thing going on, but there are some important differences.
Then, there’s thebogeymanwouldfemaleandversionMormolykeiai.theThistargetedchildren,wassaidtobeademonwho—likeademonic—preyonyoung.
Empusa was just one of the names for the demonic women who stalked the night, looking for victims. They were called the Empousai, the Empusae, and they were also associated with a sort of sub-group called the Lamiai (or Lamiae) . It’s possible to go even one step further — they were also connected to creatures called the Mormolykeiai (or Mormo) , and who were they
some of the most terrible monsters in the world. What are the first things that come
The Empusa had a pretty distinct appearance: Instead of hair, they had fire wreathing their heads. They also had one brass leg, and the other was that of a donkey. Terrifying? Definitely: These creatures were dispatched from the depths of hell to literally prey on unwary travelers.
Lamiai, too, were ghastly specters unleashed on the unwitting of the world. The stories of these women developed a little later in history and grew out of the tales of the Empusa, and it was these creatures that laid the groundwork for our modern vampires.
Tracing the genealogy of the Greek gods isn’t so much looking at a family tree as it is a family briar patch, but the origins of the Empusa are rarityHekatedaughterstillherself,incarnationsayentourage.Hekate,companionthat10thtoLexiconThemythologyasstraightforward.prettyWell,straightforwardasgets.ByzantineGreek—whichdatessometimeinthecentury—saystheEmpusawastheofthegoddesstravellinginherOthersourcesthatshewasanofthegoddesswhileotherssaythatshewastheofHekate.wasabitofainthepantheon.
While many of the gods had power over one area or realm — Poseidon and the sea, for example — Hekate had dominion over everything from the heavens to the deepest, darkest depths.
She was the daughter of two Titans (or sometimes, of Zeus and one of his many, many conquests) , and the goddess of things like witchcraft and magic, necromancy, the night, and the spectral forms that crossed between the living and the dead.
She’s sometimes a virgin goddess associated with Artemis and Demeter, but given her dominion over the otherworldly, it’s easy to see how she became associated with the demonic, spectral, everhungry Empusa.
Some super interesting things were going on in the first century, including the spread of Christianity and Judaism. According to
Murdoch University’s William Loader, these new religions took the moral high ground over what they viewed as the sexually and morally loose believers in the old Greco-Roman traditions.
And here’s where the Empusa comes in.
evident in her legs: They were the legs of a donkey.
When asked who she was, she responded: “I am called Onoskelis ... who lurks in holes on earth ... my ways are varied. Sometimes I choke a theirpervertsometimesman:Ithemfromnature.”
Onoskelis’ origin story is told in Pseudo-Plutarch, and it’s dark stuff. She’s the daughter of a man named Aristonymos of Ephesos, who hated women so completely that he refused to have anything to do with them, and instead, used a donkey to fulfill his carnal Onoskelisurges.was
In The Testament of Solomon, Solomon asks the devil to show him a female demon, and he summons one from the depths. She was breathtakingly beautiful, but her true nature was
the result of that disturbing union, and would later be used to show just hot barbaric and depraved believers in the old ways were. There was thought to be some hope for her, though... sort of. She was blessed by Solomon and ordered to spin hemp for God. She’s been doing it ever since.
An Empusa, one shows up in Aristophanes’ play “The Frogs” ... maybe. The short version of the story is that it’s the tale of Dionysus and his slave Xanthias, who are heading into the Underworld on a mission to rescue Euripides. After asking Heracles for some advice, they head down to Hades.
After crossing Charon’s lake, it’s only Xanthias who sees the horrible figure of the Empusa. He describes it as “the most ferocious monster,” and narrates her shapechanging to the god. She changes from a bull to a mule and into a beautiful woman, then into a dog, and then, Xanthias says, “Well, its face is all ablaze with fire.”
He adds that yes, there’s one copper leg and “one of cow dung,” and Dionysus pleads with his servant to protect him. Xanthias tells it to go away, and it does. A petrified Dionysus makes Xanthias swear three times on Zeus’ name that
it’s actually gone, and here’s the question: Was it there in the first place?
An interpretation of the work by professors at the GC Women University Sialkot suggests that it was just one more of Xanthias’ tricks — which he plays throughout the comedy, all at the expense of Dionysus. It had the dual purpose of reinforcing the fact that all of Heracles’ warnings
about the Underworld needed to be taken very seriously.
Now, here’s some good news: For anyone who was brave enough to keep their wits about them when faced with the ghastly visage of the Empusa, it was easy enough to scare them away.
The tactics were shared by the 1st century AD teacher and philosopher Apollonius of Tyana. His life and wisdom were the subject of a work by the ancient writer Philostratus, and Livius says that all included how to vanquish the Empusa. Apollonius was reportedly traveling through the Caucasus with a group of companions when an Empusa ambushed them on the road. He knew what the ghostly figure was immediately, as her form flickered and changed, startedThat’sdisappearingoccasionallycompletely.whenApolloniustoinsulther.
Instructing everyone else to do the same, they hurled abuse and insults at the creature until it fled into the night, screams trailing in its wake. So, while the Empusa might be a monstrous nightmare of a ghoul, it’s easy enough to get rid of — if you’re brave about it, and have some insults at the ready.
Greek mythology can get a little confusing. According to Theoi, the Empusa were one of a group of female demons who fed on humans. While the Empusa had mismatched legs, the closely related Lamiai had “legs” that were a snake’s tail. To make things more complicated, there were a few different versions of the Lamiai, so let’s talk about the one that’s going to sound familiar to anyone who’s a fan of modern day horror movies.
These Lamiai were illusionists who could use their magic to hide their true forms. They would shapeshift into beautiful women, and select their target, which was usually a young man.
After seducing him, they would drink their blood and feed on their flesh, because everyone knows that it’s the flesh and blood of the young that is the most delicious — it’s Vampire 101.
This all sounds familiar for a good reason:
The Lamiai were early vampires, particularly one named Philinnion’sPhilinnion.story is a heartbreaking one, and according to Theoi, it’s often said to be the first vampire story. It starts with her untimely death, and her subsequent return as an undead corpse. Finding a young man staying with her parents’ home, she hooks up with him.
It was a love that wasn’t meant to be, though, and when her mother confronts her, she dies again. The townspeople clearly don’t want her to rise again to finish the job and drink the man’s blood, so they burn her very lively remains.
One of the most detailed stories of the Empusa is the tale of the Lamiai Korinthia, retold by Philostratus. It started with Menippos, the handsome young philosopher and student of Apollonius of Tyana.
He was walking alone one night when the specter of a woman appeared to him, telling him that she had been admiring him from afar long enough to fall in love with him, and if he was interested, he really should go to find her. He followed her directions, went to her home, and found himself falling in love with her, too.
He started visiting her regularly, and when his teacher asked him if he planned on marrying the mysterious woman, he said, “Sure, how about tomorrow?” The whole thing was going to go through, but on the day of the wedding, Apollonius confronted her: “You may realize the truth of what I say, this fine bride is one of the Lamiai.”
She tried to deny it, but even as Apollonius continued to talk, everything around them — from the food and wine to the servants — disappeared. Now cowering before the onslaught of truthful accusations, she admitted
that yes, she was one of the Empusa, and her interest in Menippos had been purely culinary. Apollonius was able to save his student, but it’s also implied that there were others that he couldn’t save.
Theoi says that in addition to the generic, vampiric Lamiai, there was also a woman named Lamia — and her story is a little different. As the daughter of Poseidon, Lamia was both a demigod and a queen of Libya.
Unfortunately, she was also one of the many women who caught the lusting eye of her uncle Zeus, who pursued her and ultimately had at least one child with her, the future shark-seademon, Akheilos. She was also the mother of at least three others (including Skylla, the sea-demon who staked out a claim near the whirlpool Kharybdis) , and here’s where things get dark.
Stories vary, but it’s generally agreed that when Hera found out that she’d hooked up with Zeus, the queen goddess got her revenge by kidnapping Lamia’s children. The act sent her into a spiral of madness: Seized by grief, she gouged out her own eyes.
It’s then that Zeus intervened, with the kind of solution that only a Greek god could come up with. He not only gave her eyes back, but for whatever reason, gave her the power to remove and reinsert them at will.
He also gave her a monstrous appearance — she’s described as sharklike — and the power to get revenge for the loss of her own children. She became known as a shedemon who wandered the earth, stealing the children of others and killing them — sharing the pain that Hera had given her.
The Empusa may have originated in ancient Greece, but oddly, it’s incredibly easy to trace her evolution right up into one of the most popular series on Netflix.
According to research from the University of Silesia, Katowice, the term “gello” was one of a number of nearly-
forgotten Greek words preserved in a 5th-century dictionary written by a scholar called Hesychius of Alexandria. It was defined as a demon that not only kidnapped children, but was something of a child itself: It was a baby Empusa.
The word “Gello” also shows up in Byzantine stories, where it was the proper name of a particular demon. She did the usual child stealing and eating, but she was also said to kill by tearing out their livers, and when John of Damascus started writing about these terrible creatures, he called them striges.
From there, striges (or strix, or striga) evolved into comesmonstersbutofNotwouldimmediately,children.thecondemnedlife,whoresurrectiontothemoreMythologyEncyclopediasleepingdemonsshape-shiftingthatkilledchildren.TheofVampiregetsalittledetailed,sayingthatstrigawasbelievedbethedemonicofawomanhadbeenawitchinandindeath,wastofeedonfleshandbloodofSomewoulddiewhileotherswasteaway.onlyisthisaversionmodernvampires,it’salsooneofthethatGeraltface-to-facewithin
“The Witcher” — which brings us to the promised Netflix series.
Mythology and religion are often a brilliant tapestry of stories, with all kinds of threads that weave around each other. The Empusa is certainly no different, and stories of this ancient Greek demon end up winding their way into early
Christian tales. Empusas, says Katarzyna Wojcik-Owczarek of the University of Silesia, Katowice, were adopted into Byzantine lore as the child-destroying demon called Gello. Gello — or Gyllou, and also Gellou — was said to have stolen the seven children of a woman named Melitene.
Not wanting the demon to steal her eighth child, she sealed herself in a fortress. When her brothers came to visit, though, she allowed them in — and in doing so, she allowed Gello in as well. The demon had shapeshifted into dust, and ultimately killed the newborn baby.
Melitene’s brothers were the saints Sisinnios and Sisinnodoros, and God answered their prayers. Giving them a divine blessing, they headed out in search of the demon. They eventually caught her and convinced her to give back the seven original children. They also convinced her to promise not to harm any children from families who paid her homage, and kept a charm inscribed with her names.
The charms still exist: According to the Harvard Art Museum, they’re called Holy Rider Amulets, and they date back to between the 5th and 7th centuries. In addition to an image of St. Sisinnios impaling the demon on a spear, they typically also feature the demon’s 12 names, and bridge the gap between ancient mythology and early Christian saints’ tales.
https://www.grunge.com/656798/the-myth-of-the-empusa-explained/
the Papepnheimer family and another occurred in Sweden in which 15 children were sentenced: The trial of the witches of Mora . On this occasion we wanted to approach another case from the same period, the terrible ones Witch trials in Würzburg and its region in which more than 1,000 people were killed .
hysteria that unleashed witch trials carried out in the south of the country led to the events that occurred during The Witch Trials of Wurzburg .
Between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries what was known as “was carried out in central and northern Europe” Witch hunt On some occasions it was not the church that promoted the trials for witchcraft, but also participated in them, but they were civil trials. If you thought that the Inquisition In Spain it was fearsome, the European Witch Hunt was terrifying.
In Supercurioso we saw one of the worst cases in which a family living near Munich known as
The terrible witch trials of Würzburg It is considered that witch trial of Würzburg is one of the worst that took place in Germany during the Modern Age. It took place in the city of Würzburg between 1626 and 1631 and in the city itself it is believed that more than 200 people were killed and in the vicinity of the town and its region about 900 Duringmore.the first decades of the century,seventeenthmanyplaces in Germany fought against Protestantism and in favor of the Catholic Church. This fact together with the collective
The main instigator and the one that was most active was the Bishop Philipp Adolf von Ehrenberg of Würzburg. During the eight years in which he led the bishopric, he burned 900 people, including 19 Catholic priests, his own nephew and about 400 children since he was three or four years old.
He managed to confess that they had treated him carnal with the devil. The people, subjected to terrible tortures, began to accuse their neighbors and acquaintances of having committed sacrileges and witchcraft acts.
Priests, doctors, mayors, officials, students and even nobles joined in the bonfires to beggars and orates who admitted to having agreed with the devil and even the notary
of the city was tortured and confessed. Bishop von Ehrenberg wrote in a letter that he believed that a third of the inhabitants of the city were involved in the plot and that he was looking for a book that included the names of 8,000 people who had participated in a black mass.
In July 1631 Bishop Von Ehrenberg died, but the deaths only ceased when the city was conquered by the King of Sweden Gustavus Adolphus in that same year. During the witch trials of Würzburg only the voice of a Jesuit, Friedrich Spee, was heard against the persecutions since he had been the confessor of the condemned and saw only tortured beings who had been forced to confess to get rid of the pain. His thoughts during that terrible time of the witch trials of Wurzburg They were published in a book called “Cautio Criminalis”. the
constellation of Libra. In Greek mythology, Astraea, after leaving Earth, when overcome by her loathing of the unfairness and injustice that went on there, was transformed into the constellation of Virgo, according to legend, when the Golden Age comes again, Astraea will return to the Earth.
“The circle of animals” meaning all living creatures) , related to one of the four elements: earth, air, fire and water and identified with twelve constellations, seen in the night sky at different times of the year.
The ‘maiden’ of the Virgo symbol is Astraea; the Star Maiden, goddess of innocence and purity, is only one of the various Greek myths behind Virgo and is also linked to Libra as she was the Goddess of Justice who once carried a pair of scales with which she weighed up the rights and wrongs of any Astraeadispute.represents natural law, not the shineNowaccordancetheupholdsasunderstandinghumanofjusticefoundinLibra,shethebalanceofseasonsandlivinginwithnature.Astraea’sscalesnexttoVirgoasthe
Ancient Greeks and astrology
The mysterious night sky thrilled the ancient Greek astrologers who played a huge role in what we now know today about the shape and size of the Earth, the moon, the position of constellations and how they move, the orbital paths of planets and their correlation with the stars around them.
They were able to use this information to make detailed predictions, what we know of today as horoscopes.
In ancient Greece, each one of the twelve signs of the zodiac (the word zodiac comes from a Greek word meaning,
With the exception of Libra, each zodiac sign relates to a Greek myth concerning animals or humans, telling how each group of stars arrived in the heavens.
The twelve zodiac signs and their symbols
Aries – Ram.
March 21 – April 19
Taurus – Bull. April 20 – May 20
Gemini -The twins. May 21 – June 20
Cancer – Crab. June 21 – July 22
Leo – Lion.
July 23 – August 22
Virgo – Virgin.
August 23 – September 22
Libra – The scales.
September 23 –October 22
Scorpio – Scorpion. October 23 –November 21
Sagittarius – Centaur. November 22–December21
Capricorn – Goat. December 22 – January 19
Aquarius – Water bearer. January 20 – February 18
Pisces –FebruaryFish.19–
The Zodiac Sign of Virgo
• 6th sign of the zodiac
• August 23-September22
• Symbol: Maiden
• Element: Earth
• Ruling planet: Mercury
Virgo is the largest of the 12 zodiac constellations and covers 1294.43 square degrees of the southern sky; it is also the second largest of all 88 constellations, only slightly smaller than Hydra, the largest constellation.
The ancient Greek myths surrounding the zodiac sign of Virgo
Of all the twelve zodiac
signs Virgo is maybe the most misunderstood, owing to the confusion of the translation of the word virgo, which, in Latin, means self-contained or self-sufficient and originally applied to unmarried women, including mothers.
The word Virgo should not be interpreted as a woman who is a virgin but more as a nurturing woman; mother to all of the Earth.
The following excerpt, taken from the gnostic text, ‘The Thunder, Perfect mind’, where the Greek goddess of wisdom, Sophia, states who she is, goes along way in helping to clear up the misinterpretation of the word virgo, or virgin and shows us that being a virgin has nothing to do with chastity :
A virgin; in the ancient sense of the word, is a free woman who follows her own moral code or integrity – not the laws forced upon her by Thissociety.alsogoes for the harlots in the temples of ancient Greece; women who belonged to no man but who were free and unattached.
The goddesses associated with Virgo are thought to be fertility goddesses or goddesses of the
‘For I am the first and the last. I am the honoured one and the scored one.
I am the whore and the holy one.
I am the wife and the virgin. I am the mother and the daughter. I am the members of my mother.
I am the barren one and many are her sons.
I am she whose wedding is great, and I have not taken a husband. ‘
harvest which ties in with the Greek myth of Demeter; Greek goddess of the harvest, as the constellation Virgo is thought to be a woman holding a spike of corn, so resonating with the Harvest Mother myth.
The myth of the Greek goddesses Demeter and Persephone
The myth goes as follows; the goddess of the Spring, Persephone is kidnapped by the god of the Underworld Hades, Persephone’s mother, Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, in a fit of madness and despair over the loss of her daughter, decides to ruin the harvest.
After much deliberation, bargaining and arguing between Demeter and Hades, Persephone is allowed to return to Earth for six months of the year, to help her mother Demeter with the harvest.
This corresponds with the constellation Virgo being visible for only six months of the year, from March to August.
The Myth of Erigone, daughter of Icarius, king of Attica (Athens)
Another Greek myth identifies Virgo as Erigone; the daughter of Icarius of Attica.
The story goes that unbeknown to Erigone her father was murdered and buried by drunken shepherds. Erigone set out with her dog, Maera, to find her father; the missing king but instead, came upon his grave,and in her grief hung herself from a
ancient Greek myths associated with the star sign of Virgo, the story of Astraea, told in the creation myth, is the one I prefer.
The creation myth; the story of how the world began, tells us how Zeus, king of Greek gods, sent Pandora down to Earth as a punishment to man.
Not being able to resist her curiosity; Pandora opened the box which she had been warned not
to. As soon as the box was opened out flew all manner of abominations: evilness, hate, crime, war, poverty, pain, disease, hunger, hatred, causing Earth to become unbearable.
One by one Zeus ordered the gods to leave Earth and return to the heavens. Astraea, daughter of Zeus and Themis, goddess of innocence and purity, was the last to leave.
Astraea remained, hoping that she could teach humans to become better people. Alas, the humans only became worse, so she also returned to heaven where the other gods already resided.
As reward for her good works Zeus transformed her into the constellation of Virgo. Legend has it that when the Golden Age comes again; Astraea will return to the Earth.
Personality traits of Virgo Virgo people are said to be analytical, kind, hardworking and practical.
Virgos are perfectionists; meticulous and singleminded in their pursuit of improvement, which also makes them extremely dedicated to the people in their lives and helps them find professionally.successThey are practical, sensible and loyal and make excellent friends and partners.
Virgos have a dynamic personality and their traits manifest in both positive and negative ways. A Virgo’s thinking skills and independence will take them a long way but in some instances those same strengths hold them back if not properly
Virgos have lots of love to give and traits that make them the perfect partner for Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, or Capricorn.
As a naturally shy and reserved sign, Virgos have a hard time opening up and making new friends. However, once they do they’re amazing friends who should always be the first call for anyone in need, or just if you need a good talk about life. Virgos love connecting with others, and this applies in their friendships and with family members, too.
Virgo is an earth-sign which is demonstrated in their practical and logical tendencies. Some of their best qualities are because they’re such well-groundedthoughtful,people.
Virgos know that hard work pays off. They aren’t afraid to throw themselves into a project, no matter what it takes, and may even go some sleepless nights.
Creative Virgos throw themselves into their creativity as much as their other passions. Their creativity is always flowing and they use mediums like art, dance, and writing as an outlet.
Reliable You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone more responsible and reliable than a Virgo. When left in charge, Virgos are sure to take their responsibilities seriously, and they’ll always show up when you need them to.
While no one is infinitely patient, Virgos are more patient than others. They’re always willing to see the best in people, and are willing to give people time when they need it to shape up their act.
Virgos are also humble and affectionate. Along with their desire to see the best in people, they are unfailingly kind and are always willing to help others.
Of course, Virgos aren’t all perfect, and like most signs, some of their biggest strength can also be points of weakness.
Critical Virgos are hard workers and great at what they do, but these high standards can also make them overly judgmental and critical towards others.
Stubborn Virgos can be especially set in their ways. Since they’re so dedicated, they often think that they know best, and are reluctant to change their minds or change their ways.
As critical thinkers, Virgos can also be chronic overthinkers, their minds are so busy all the time, constantly thinking about things they need to do or how they can get ahead on their next project. This means they also overthink emotions and relationships.
Picky Again, Virgos are pretty set in their ways and are
not easily convinced to try something new. They also run the risk of being critical about others’ choices when they’re not the Virgo’s first choice.
Overthinking and worrying are classic Virgo traits. They are bothered by lots of little things and are often told by friends that they need to chill or relax. Lots of Virgos are classed as type A personalities (outgoing, ambitious, rigidly organized, highly timeandanxious,conscious,status-impatient,proactiveconcernedwithmanagement.)
People with Type A personalities are often rememberthingsOneandmorepersonalitiesPeopleandandthemselvesworkaholics;high-achievingtheypushwithdeadlineshatebothdelaysambivalence.withTypeAexperiencejob-relatedstresslessjobsatisfaction.ofthemostimportantforaVirgotoistorelax;take
a step back from work and remember to enjoy the little things. Try to schedule time for breaks well in advance, and stick to Surroundit. yourself with people who can help you access your emotions but understand your intellectualism. It’s best to have friends who are different from one another so that you can feel balanced and respected. Try to remember that not everyone takes criticism well and that you’re not always right.
What works for you may not work for someone else; practice taking a beat and thinking before you speak to ensure you don’t hurt feelings by accident. Channel that famous work ethic into projects that bring you happiness. You’ll work hard at everything you do but you don’t have to always grind away at Youwork.can help friends and family, volunteer and work on your art. Use that natural creativity (one
of the most common Virgo traits!) to tap into your Practicalityemotions.can come across as cold, so practice connecting with your emotional side with the added benefit of working on the things you care about. Bonus points if you do these activities with friends or a romantic interest. which-portrays-the-zodiac-sign-of-virgo.com/2020/09/the-ancient-greek-myth-https://greekerthanthegreeks.html
