January 2014 issue 18

Elemental Magick January 2014 Issue # 18

Pagan New Years Resolutions

NUMEROLOGU What does your Lifepath Numbers say about YOU

2014 The Year of the Sidhe

Witchy ways to Protect your Home

CELEBRATING The Chinese New Year Discovering the Power of Runes

January’s Wolf Moon Fall under the SPELL

The Magickal January Garden

Harmony Hearth Brooms And Faancy Hats Handmade Besoms Sacred to the Goddess and the God. Represents the Element of Water.

The Broom or Besom is a purifying and protective instrument, used to cleanse the area for magick or to guard a home by laying it across the threshold, under the bed, in windowsills or on doors.

Handmade Witch Hats Time to conjure up a new look for the stylish witch that you are! Let your spirit take flight in one of these handmade magical adornments. Boost your supernatural presence with one of these haute hats.

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Gensha Publishing Maxine Byers Lazy Witch CraftyWitch Karen Charboneau-Harrison Gertrude Moon

Eleazar Rex Lady Ti-Eagle Woods Wizard Chaos Witch

Crafty Witch Maxine Byers Janie Bass

elementalmagick@hotmail.com

Cover artwork by, http://www.soulscode.com/is-your-christmas-holiday-more-pagan-than-christian/ Contents page artwork,

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If you have something to say, we want to hear it!

Letters to the editor can be sent to elementalmagick@hotmail.com

Getting Published in Elemental is a great way to express yourself and keep connected to the Pagan community. We are currently looking for writers on Pagan pop-culture and life-style topics, music, cooking, humor, art, books, and more. We want to hear from YOU! Contact Maxine at elementalmagick@hotmail.com For more information and column description

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Where Did the Tradition of Making Resolutions Come From?

The tradition of making New Year's resolutions is seen as secular but it actually has various religious roots. The ancient Babylonians were said to have made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January got its name. In the Medieval era, the knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season each year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. At watchnight services, many Christians prepare for the year ahead by praying and making these resolutions.

Other religious traditions have a similar practice. During Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness.

People do something similar during the Catholic fasting period of Lent; however this is usually about giving up something rather than making changes. The practice of New Year's resolutions may have partially come from the Lenten sacrifices. Regardless of the religious tradition, the goal of a resolution always is selfimprovement.

Who is Baby New Year and Father Time?

The Baby New Year is a personification of the start of the New Year. He is always male and is usually shown wearing a diaper, top hat, and sash with the year on it, and holding a noisemaker or other New Year's item. He symbolizes the "birth" of the next year, and that the "old" year is gone. Baby New Year's purpose varies by myth, but he always ages into an elderly man by the end of the year. This old man is sometimes referred to as Father Time.

However many towns and cities have a real baby New Year. The first baby born at midnight or if later, closest to midnight, is honored as the official First Baby of the Year. Usually this honor is done by the local newspaper. Some may even win gifts or prizes for gaining the title. There are some superstitions that surround babies born on New Year's regardless if they are the first baby. Babies born on New Year's Day are said to be lucky for life. The family of a New Year's baby will have good luck that year. Another superstition is the baby will have great fertility and have a green thumb. New Year’s babies won't be visited by evil, and can't be drowned or hung.

The tradition of Baby New Year didn't originate in America. Some sources say it dates back as early as 600 BCE with the Greeks. The Greeks are said to have celebrated their God of Wine, Dionysus, by putting a baby in a basket and parading him around to represent the annual rebirth of Dionysus as the spirit of fertility.

Another source says it actually originated with the Egyptians. An infant 8 was a symbol already associated with rebirth but Ancient

Egypt was also the first to associate this symbol with the New Year. The baby and Old Man Time weren't separate however.

The baby was depicted as being in the lap of a bearded man.

Eventually the bearded man became "Father Time" and the myth that the child would age into an old man by December evolved. However, the baby is no longer seen in the man's lap.

Why Do We Sing Old Lang Syne?

"Auld Lang Syne" is an old Scottish song that was first published by the poet Robert Burns in the 1796 edition of the book, Scots Musical Museum. Burns transcribed it and changed it a little after he heard it sung by an old man from the Ayrshire area of Scotland which was Burns’ homeland.

However the song wasn't sung at New Year's just yet.

It was bandleader Guy Lombardo, not Robert Burns, who popularized the song and turned it into a New Year's tradition. Lombardo first heard "Auld Lang Syne" in his hometown of London, Ontario, where it was sung by Scottish immigrants. Lombardo played the song at midnight at a New Year's Eve party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City in 1929, and a tradition was born. It has been played at every New Year's Eve in America ever since.

Auld Lang Syne is a phrase that may be translated into English as "old long since", "long long ago", "days gone by," or "old times". Sometimes the phrase "For auld lang syne" is loosely translated as "for (the sake of) old times".

Despite its popularity most people don't know the actual words to the song. There are actually several verses but at New Year's it is tradition to only sing the first verse and the chorus at midnight. The English lyrics are as follows: Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

Why do we Kiss at Midnight?

According to English and German folklore, the first person you encounter in a new year and the nature of said encounter sets the tone for the rest of the year. Some people even hold the superstition that failing to kiss someone ensures a year of loneliness. However, like the folklore says this certainly sets the tone for your New Year, so perhaps it's all psychological. Not to mention the stigma of being dateless on New Year's is second only to being dateless on Valentine's Day.

New Year's Eve Ritual and Magick New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are traditionally about several things. These things include reflection on the previous year, giving thanks for the blessings of the previous year, letting go of the old, breaking bad habits, making resolutions to create new habits, setting new goals, and most of all - a chance to start over with a clean slate. Spells and rituals on any of these topics are appropriate. I personally always do a tarot reading for the coming new year.

New Year's Eve Spell Here is a simple New Year’s Eve Spell that can be performed whenever you need a renewing… performe this ritual on the First new moon of the New Year… you can also do it anytime you feel you need a renewal.

You will need:  Last year’s calendar  A black candle  A fire place or fire pit  This year’s calendar  Two pieces of paper  A white candle  Your favorite pen By the fire place or fire pit bring last year’s calendar and the black candle… Light the candle and place it in front of the fire place… Hold the old calendar above the flame and say: NO REGRETS FOR THE YEAR THAT HAS PASSED BAD MEMORIES FADE - GOOD MEMORIES LAST TAKE WHAT I’VE LEARNED AND MOVE RIGHT ALONG TO CREATE WHAT IS RIGHT AND RIGHT WHAT IS WRONG Set the old calendar aflame, toss it into the fire pit and watch it burn down… Letting the negative of the past disappear.

Meditate on the letting go.

Now light the white candle and by its flame think about what you want for this year, write down a "this year’s to-do list".

When you wrote them all out take another piece of paper and write down a “Things I’ve Accomplished” list and write all the things on your to-do list as if you’ve accomplished them already.

Now tape that list to the inside of the back page.

Now hold this year’s calendar above the white candle and say: AS ABOVE Then place the calendar under the candle and say: SO BELOW Hold your hands above the flame and say: FIRE BURN – WIND DOES BLOW - GODDESS AND GOD - PLEASE MAKE IT SO Let the white candle burn then hang the calendar in a good spot where you will see it every day… Turn the page each month on the first day of each month, first thing that morning.

This and other unique spells and rituals can be found on Madame Genevieve Serafina’s Blog of Shadows; http://genevieveserafina.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-evespell.html

A New Year’s Eve Wishing Spell The New Year is always a time of reflection….a time to think about what we want to improve about ourselves and our life going forward. It is a time to ‘clean the slate’….a time to break bad habits, rethink goals, and renew faith. Even those who don’t practice magic look at the turning of one year to the next as a special, mysterious time. It is almost as if anything is possible!

You will need:  one white candle  a cauldron or censer  a clean piece of unrecycled paper or parchment (use non-recycled so that nothing previously written on it affects your spell)  an envelope On a clean piece of paper or parchment, write your resolutions or goals for the New Year. Ask for only those things that you really need and which you can reasonably obtain without harm coming to anyone. Things such as wealth or a new car are reasonable, but if you need to quit smoking, get healthy, or take better care with your finances, those things should come first.

Prepare your space and cast your circle as you normally would.

Prepare your candle by carving your name on it, and anointing it with any oils or herbs that correspond to your desires. This spell is designed to be done at sundown on New Year’s Eve while the sun is going down and the moon is rising, but if that is not a good time, it can be done at sunrise on New Year’s Day when both can still be seen.

Speak the following: I ask in the name of (whichever deity that you invoke) that, I (your name) be granted: Turn to the North and read your wish list. After reading the list, say: While Father and Mother are in the sky, I ask, o wise ones, hear my cry!

These wishes that I give to flame, Manifest to me by name.

Give to me this blessed power, To succeed by day, and by hour.

I set this spell, three times three As I will, so mote it be.

Light the list from your altar candle and drop it into your cauldron or censer.

Place the ashes in an envelope, and keep them in a safe place.

On New Years’ Eve of the following year, bury those ashes, and repeat the spell as above. This way, the goals will continue to grow year after year, and manifest themselves fully.

This and other unique spells and rituals can be found on Mamma C’s Blog; http://blog.mamacreepy.com/?p=212

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ABOUT YOUR SIGN..

The sign Capricorn is one of the most stable and (mostly) serious of the zodiacal types. These independent, rocklike characters have many sterling qualities. They are normally confident, strong willed and calm. These hardworking, unemotional, shrewd, practical, responsible, persevering, and cautious to the extreme persons, are capable of persisting for as long as is necessary to accomplish a goal they have set for themselves. Capricorn are reliable workers in almost any profession they undertake. They are the major finishers of most projects started by the 'pioneering' signs; with firm stickto-it-ness they quickly become the backbone of any company they work for.

Capricorn make of themselves, resourceful, determined managers; setting high standards for themselves and others.

They strive always for honesty in their criticism of self, they respect discipline from above and demand it from those beneath them. In their methodical, tough, stubborn, unyielding way, they persist against personal hardship, putting their families and/or their work before their own needs and welfare to reach their objectives long after others have given up and fallen by the wayside. In fact when practical ability allied with the drive of ambition are required in employees to make a project succeed, Capricorn are the people to hire. They plan carefully to fulfill their ambitions (which often include becoming wealthy), they are economical without meanness, and able to achieve great results with minimum effort and expense. Because of their organizing ability they are able to work on several projects simultaneously.

They have a great respect for authority but may not, if they reach high rank, be willing to listen to other opinions on things they are directly responsible for. As the ranking authority figure in a given situation they expect their underlings to be as self disciplined as they themselves are, and to perform every task undertaken to the highest standard.

They are, nevertheless, fair as well as demanding. Among their equals they are not always the most pleasant of work fellows for they are reserved and too conservative, valuing tradition more than innovation, however valuable the latter, and they are often humorless. There is also a tendency to pessimism, melancholy and even unhappiness which many Capricorn are unable to keep to themselves, especially if they fail personally.

In the extreme this trait can make them a very depressed individual; ecstatic happiness alternating with the most wretched kind of misery which is so subconsciously buried that he or she should seek help if such emotions become frequent.

For the above reason, capable Capricorn should spend many hours in meditation, gathering the strength to control such inner emotions.

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The swings in mood are not the only reason some Capricorns deserve the adjective based on their name - capricious. They can be surprisingly and suddenly witty and subtle for the quiet, reserved individuals they seem to be, and they also have a tendency to ruin things by unexpected and utterly irresponsible bouts of flippancy. In certain individuals in whom the characteristic is strong, the temptation to do this has to be resisted with iron self-control. Another unexpected quality in some Capricorn is an interest in the occult which persists in spite of their naturally skeptical turn of mind.

Their intellects are sometimes very subtle. They think profoundly and deeply, throughly exploring all possibilities before deciding on a 'safe' alternative. They have good memories and an insatiable yet methodical desire for knowledge. They are rational, logical and clearheaded, have good concentration, delight in debate in which they can show off their cleverness by luring their adversaries into traps and confounding them with logic.

In their personal relationships they are often ill-at-ease, if not downright unhappy. They are somewhat self-centered but not excessively so, wary and cautious around people they do not know very well, preferring not to meddle with others and in turn not to allow interference with themselves, thus they tend to attract people who do not understand them. Casual acquaintances they will treat with diplomacy, tact and, above all, reticence. They make few good friends but are intensely loyal to those they do make, and they can become bitter, and powerful enemies. They sometimes dislike the opposite sex and test the waters of affection gingerly before judging the temperature right for marriage. Once married, however, they are faithful, though inclined to jealousy. Most Capricorns marry for life.

Their occupations can include most professions that have to do with math or money and they are strongly attracted to music. They can be economists, financiers, bankers, speculators, contractors, managers and real estate brokers.

They excel as bureaucrats, especially where projects demanding long-term planning and working are concerned, and their skill in debate and love of dialectic make them good politicians. They are excellent teachers, especially as principals of educational establishments where they have the authority to manage and organize without too much intimacy with the staff members. If working with their hands, they can become practical scientists, engineers, farmers and builders.

The wit and flippancy which is characteristic of certain Capricornians may make some turn to entertainment as a career.

January 21 to February 19

Aquarian Traits

On the dark side....

Friendly and humanitarian Honest and loyal Original and inventive Independent and intellectual

Intractable and contrary Perverse and unpredictable Unemotional and detached

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About Your Sign..

Aquarians basically possess strong and attractive personalities.

They fall into two principle types: one shy, sensitive, gentle and patient; the other exuberant, lively and exhibitionist, sometimes hiding the considerable depths of their character under a cloak of frivolity. Both types are strong willed and forceful in their different ways and have strong convictions, though as they seek truth above all things, they are usually honest enough to change their opinions, however firmly held, if evidence comes to light which persuades them that they have been mistaken. They have a breadth of vision that brings diverse factors into a whole, and can see both sides of an argument without shilly-shallying as to which side to take. Consequently they are unprejudiced and tolerant of other points of view. This is because they can see the validity of the argument, even if they do not accept it themselves. They obey the Quaker exhortation to "Be open to truth, from whatever source it comes," and are prepared to learn from everyone.

Both types are humane, frank, serious minded, genial, refined, sometimes ethereal, and idealistic, though this last quality is tempered with a sensible practicality. They are quick, active and persevering without being self-assertive, and express themselves with reason, moderation and sometimes, a dry humor.

They are nearly always intelligent, concise, clear and logical.

Many are strongly imaginative and psychically intuitive, so that the Age of Aquarius, which is about to begin, is much anticipated by psychic circles as an age in which mankind will experience a great spiritual awakening. The Aquarian philosophical and spiritual bent may be dangerous in that it can drive the subjects into an ivory-tower existence where they meditate on abstractions that bear little relevance to life. On the other hand it can help the many who have scientific leanings to combine these with the Aquarian yearning for the universal recognition of the brotherhood of man, and to embark on scientific research to fulfill their philanthropic ideals of benefiting mankind. When some cause or work of this nature inspires them, they are capable of such devotion to it that they may drive themselves to the point of exhaustion and even risk injuring their health.

Both types need to retire from the world at times and to become temporary loners. They appreciate opportunities for meditation or, if they are religious, of retreats. Even in company they are fiercely independent, refusing to follow the crowd.

They dislike interference by others, however helpfully intended, and will accept it only on their own terms. Normally they have good taste in drama, music and art, and are also gifted in the arts, especially drama.

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In spite of the often intensely magnetic, forthcoming and open personality of the more extrovert kind of Aquarian, and of their desire to help humanity, neither type makes friends easily. They sometimes appear to condescend to others and take too little trouble to cultivate the acquaintance of people who do not particularly appeal to them.

They do not give themselves easily - perhaps their judgment of human nature is too good for that - and are sometimes accounted cold. But once they decide that someone is worthy of their friendship or love, they can exert an almost hypnotic and irresistible mental attraction on them and will themselves become tenacious friends or lovers, ready to sacrifice everything for their partners and be faithful to them for life.

However, they are sometimes disappointed emotionally because their own high personal ideals cause them to demand more of others than is reasonable. And if they are deceived their anger is terrible. If disillusioned, they do not forgive.

Aquarians work best in group projects, provided that they are recognized as having a leading part in them. They have a feeling of unity with nature and a desire for knowledge and truth that makes them admirable scientists, especially astronomers and natural historians. They may excel in photography, radiography, electronics - anything connected with the electrical and radio industries - aviation and everything technical. On the arts and humanities side their progressive tendencies can be expressed in writing, especially poetry, and broadcasting, or as welfare workers and teachers.

Some have gifts as entertainers and make good character actors (having an ability to mimic) and musicians. The more psychic among them possess healing gifts, especially in curing the mentally sick.

Among the faults to which they are liable are fanatical eccentricity, wayward egotism, excessive detachment and an inclination to retreat from life and society, and a tendency to be extremely dogmatic in their opinions. Aquarians can be a threat to all they survey or a great boon for humanity in general. Circumstances - for example, continuous opposition to a cause they hold dear - may cause the atrophy of the openness of mind that is one of the Aquarian's most attractive traits. They may express a lack of integrity in broken promises, secretiveness or cunning. Simmering anger and resentment, rudeness or, worse, a tense, threatening silence which may suddenly burst out in eruptions of extreme temper, these are all part of the negative side of the Aquarian. This can also reveal itself in a sustained hatred for enemies that is capable of enlarging itself into a misanthropy toward the whole of mankind.

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The letter to the editor that was printed in the December, 2013 edition of the E.M. made me realize that something incredible is happening. I've left the past in the past. By writing my stories, not only for the E.M. but the book I'm composing, I'm pulling things out of a hidden drawer in the back of a closet that hasn't been exposed to the light for a long time. I've evidently carried the burden of the experience for a long time without being conscious of it. Many of the things I've forgotten about until something triggered my memory and brought the experience out of the dark for me to see again. The wonderful thing that is happening, though, I'm not dwelling on them. I'm looking over the circumstances and lessons, then I'm letting them go.

The Auto-biography that was published, I wrote of course, then transcribed it again to clean it up to be published. The crazy thing is that I looked it over various times and now I have no idea what I wrote because I was able to let it go. I had written a story called Destructive Energies that hasn't yet been published at this time, and that is a wonderful example.

I thought I was past the pain of something that had been done to my daughter and effected me strongly. I had a session with my teacher and he saw the huge dark shadow in my energy field that I'd been carrying for so long. I had been hanging onto that rage for so long without being conscious of it, but unwilling to let it go. He helped me to bring it up, look at it, then release it. It wasn't a painless experience, reliving the hate and anger but when I brought it up to the light and was able to release it, the difference in my entire being was amazing. It was controlling me and I didn't realize it.

I see many people suffer endlessly because they hang onto that pain like a security blanket, so scared to let go. If it's so painful, why do we insist on hanging on so tightly? Hopefully there were lessons learned then we need to release them and move on. We're not the same person we were years ago, we're not the same person we were even yesterday! Why is this such a difficult concept for us? I'm just so grateful that I've begun the healing process by pulling out the painful memories, looking at them and letting them go.

I worked in a restaurant in California for a number of years. Sometimes we'd get visitors from the East Coast and they would arrive at seven or eight in the morning quite impatient, saying "we want food right away, it's 10 (or 11) o'clock in New York. What does that have to do with life at that moment? That is not only a time in the past for them but a different place. When I travel and change time zones, while I'm in the plane and the Captain announces the time at our destination, I change my watch to the time where I'm going and that's what time it is. In California, it's irrelevant what time it is in New York, where I was in the past. We'd all be so much happier if we'd live not only in the NOW but in the HERE. Carrying the burden of what happened to us in the past is not bringing us out of the dark and into the light because it carries with it only unnecessary pain. Stop allowing the pain to control our lives. This has been a difficult lesson for me but hopefully I can help others to open the door to that closet, look at the experience then release it. It's not easy but the end result is amazing!

I may have said this before but when I was preparing to enter a silent retreat, we were instructed to state our intent for the retreat. As I was stepping out of the shower to get dressed and go to the ceremony, it came to me "My intent is to find the light within myself so I may bring that light to others and they can, in turn, bring the light to others".

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my stories, discover the light within myself so I may bring the light to others.

Blessings and Light Lady Ti-Eagle ladyti_eagle@aol.com

Follow us on f Call now ~ M-F 9AM-5PM PST 1-509-720-6249 Say Hello by e-mail SALES@VALHALLASOAP.COM

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Hello, hello, hello!!! Well, we've made it through and are now on the other side of the Holiday Season and it's time for a rest and, perhaps a little reorganization. Yes, I know this is meant to be a "Witching" column so stay with me and follow my train of thought!! The more items and "stuff" you have laying around your home and in your drawers and closets, the more of your personal energy gets caught up and even drained away from you particularly when you are working hard to perform spells and rituals. Think about it, all those unprotected and disorganized things grabbing your energy - I THINK NOT!!!!

Here's what we are going to do - we're going to get Magically Storage Organized!!!

Over the holidays (and for me, pretty much throughout the year) things tend to pile up; saving some ribbon here, some beautiful paper there and that most interesting thing that came in that wonderful big solid box from that store Great Aunt Nellie shipped. Yes, my house quickly fills up and, unfortunately my walls are not made of rubber.

One of the first lessons we are taught when learning about the Craft and learning magick is that we must be organized and keep things tidy and clean. Well, I'll be very honest, housekeeping IS NOT my favorite pastime, in fact if I had the option of going out and running a mile (you who know me KNOW I don't run) or cleaning the house, running would take first place every time (just be sure there is an ambulance following me!).

I'm always on the lookout for really cheap (free) ways to use and reuse items that come through my life every day, like packaging from the store, storage containers of all kinds, shelves and shelving units that I bought and used for other things, even clothing that I've either outgrow (yeah, right) or no longer fit into my wardrobe. As Sally Field's character said in "Murphy’s Romance", "...We've got to use it up and wear it out!� This is very much a Pagan's way of thinking as well as eco-friendly.

Okay, I'll be really honest with you, I love my conveniences, I love my food, and I'm very, very spoiled but oozing money, no, at least until Hubby hits the lottery! I do much of my craft/art shopping at thrift stores and return home with bags of unusual items but have no real storage method for it all (and my arts and crafts room looks it).

My goal for the next year is to totally organize AND label it all and clean it up enough for Hubby to put his exercise machine in it. I hope to have it done in the next month, but I'm giving myself plenty of time.

One of the handiest containers that have come my way in the last year is the plastic (yes, I know) containers that Dole and others use to put their "ready to eat" salads in. These containers are totally fantastic and so useful. Stack two of the "bowls" together and they become very sturdy for carrying up to about five pounds of things in. They are good for all sorts of items such as dried beans, dried rice, opened crackers as well as bits and

pieces found in your drawers and kitchen cabinets. The tops fit nicely so stacking one container works beautifully and you can see what is in them. HINT: these containers are very useful for the freezer to corral things like ice pops and fudge bars in the freezer as paper boxes usually become really flimsy!

Many, many of the recycles plastic containers from the store are great for assorted storage of things. I've also begun using instant coffee jars for storing cotton balls and Q-tips in the bathroom. These are wonderful as, being plastic; I don't have to worry about breaking glass or hard plastic (I have cats that are very curious about everything!). The Folgers Coffee jars are great because they have a pop-up lid which is great for things like buttons or for holding small kids' things. I even have one on my altar to use for my on-going money spell (again, the cats think their presence upon the altar is necessary for good and proper magickal practices. Who am I to argue!!)?

If you were fortunate enough to receive chocolates for the holidays or maybe getting some for Valentine's Day, use the boxes that have the formed plastic inserts to store your stones in. I've done this for many, many years and they are perfect. I recently saw this on face book and thought well; perhaps this is something not everyone has thought about. I do place either a wad of either face or toilet tissue in each hole that has small stones in them (that was if the box is tipped the stones are less likely to migrate to neighboring stones). You can also save the top paper (you know those pressed fiber sheets) to hold larger stones in place. I do either place a rubber band or tie a ribbon or string around the box to hold the top on so if dropped the lid won't go flying off (this is the Voice of Experience speaking!). The added advantage of using a chocolate box is your stones are bathed in the most marvelous aroma.

I love Russell Stover candy boxes, the rectangular ones that have two or three levels. They are sturdy and hold lots of "stuff" like threads, beads, wire, pencils/pastels, scissors, ribbons, well, you get the idea. They also make really cool present boxes by either gluing fabric, wrapping paper, wall paper or scrapbook paper on the top and side of the upper part of the box, packing your gift inside (remember the chocolate aroma) and popping the top back on. You give a gift and the box is ALSO a gift - WOW! Two pressies for the price of one!!! These decorated boxes make wonderful storage that can be left out for public view on shelves and table tops. Terrific places to store small items used on your altar. They are also a good size for the smaller altar candles.

By the way, if you are concerned about your Tarot Card box being discovered or leaving it out; why not wrap it with a nice dark fabric, wall paper or yarn to disguise the contents of the box.

Most boxes can be disguised in this manner so the item can be left in its protective boxes but left out where it can be accessible for use. You can cover file boxes (the kind you buy for a couple of dollars in a pack of 5 or so). Again really good way to have

viewable storage out in your living area.

Recently I've re-found the best way to store flat ribbons of all kinds and EVERYONE will have these - empty toilet paper tubes!! You could also use paper towel and wrapping paper tubes. I've started using them for my fabric ribbons and trims, jewelry chains for necklaces yet to be made, paper (celebration) ribbon, long fabric strips for crocheting, rug making, etc., twines and cording. Also embroidery thread.

There's nothing any worse to have such items tangled! I've often found that once I've untangled something my magick becomes stronger and more potent. That's one reason I do my best NEVER to cut a not UNLESS I'm wanting to break a spell.

Small bead storage is something that just drives me nuts. Most of the little containers you buy have tops that pop off if you breathe on them. I've begun using prescription bottles that I've washed and labels removed. The tops stay on really well and, if you want, you can drop a dab of glue on the top and press one bead into it so you know what kind of beads are within. Be sure to let the glue dry well before you store the container. Prescription bottles are also very useful for storing most small jewelry findings as well as assorted short needles and pins. These bottles store well sitting up in a box or laying on their sides in layers.

Painted egg cartons are also very good for stones, buttons and other small items. These really need something stuffed on the holes so they don't spill. Paint lightly; many coats will seal the paper the cartons are made of. Great for kids to store small items in and usually fit into their dresser drawers or under beds. Be sure to tape/seal over the holes in the tops, though, as little things tend to pop out.

This same technique for all types of mailing, electronic and really strongly constructed boxes. These boxes can also be lightly painted with acrylic paints; just do really thin coats not thick ones. Allow plenty of time for each coat to dry and for boxes with attached lids, do only a couple of light strokes of paint down that folding area. Use magickal colors for whatever you are planning to store in these boxes. Great for storage of crafts, special clothing (shawls, scarfs, bras, nylons (yeah, ok) and addition storage for fun jewelry! Some are the perfect size for storing letters and computer prints outs in. I'm notorious for printing out spells, rituals and jewelry ideas of my computer. Over the years I've found that some of those really fantastic ideas are no longer out there on the internet. I already have several dozen binders and wanted to use something a little more stackable. These are what I've used.

I did see a really interesting entry on face book last night and I believe it was on "Home Talk", the wall that has all kinds of neat home ideas. Anyway, one of the readers was needing baskets in a particular size for use on shelves but either couldn't find any that would fit. Appropriate size and weight boxes were found around her home (cookie/biscuit tins would also work well for this). Taking jute/twine, glued the outside of the boxes and wrapped the twine around the boxes.

This could be easily done with yarns (think of maybe charka colors) or maybe dried, pressed leaves and grasses. Don't forget the kids' rooms; let them cut pictures out of magazines or shopping fliers and glue them to a solid box for everything from color books and crayons to socks and underwear!!

And where are you going to store all these containers.

Well, if you are like me, I always need more shelves than I have - ALWAYS! Depending upon where you are planning on putting your shelves, here are a few ideas.

If you are using the same size "Rubbermaid" type storage bins for out-of-season clothes storage, etc., you can cover them with table clothes or fabric that match your dĂŠcor or cover them with matching vinyl adhesive shelf paper (I'd add a wide stripe of cello-packing tape to the seam so it doesn't come apart), place a shelf board or wire shelf between two bins and put two more bins on top, followed by another shelf. Yes, you will have to unstack these every time the season changes but depending on where you live and your needs, these shelves are great. I wouldn't put really heavy items on the shelves but they are great for stacking crafting items, paperback books and such on.

Did you or someone you know recently purchased a new fridge, stove or other large appliance that arrived in a heavy shipping box. These can make fantastic shelving unites.

I'm not talking wooden crates, though these are even better, but the heavy corrugated boxes. You need thin light shelving or possibly even pallets (I love pallets). Figure out how many shelves you wish to put in the box, use two wooden slats (one on the inside of the box and the other on the outside with the cardboard between the wood) and drill a screw through both wood slats. Be certain to measure accurately BEFORE drilling.

Now slide your thing shelves in. I would recommend using vinyl adhesive shelf lining over painting these because you don't want to weaken the box by getting it wet. This project usually takes at least two people to accomplish but can be a really nice unit done properly. I'm sure you can find directions on-line for this. It's better described in pictures.

Other items that can be used in a similar manner are books (particularly hard cover, very stable ones), bricks (I've often used cinder blocks for shelves), chairs (usually wooden ones with rungs, they do need to be of the same size), and just about anything that is the same height as something else with a shelf of some kind stretched across the top. Make sure these units are very stable particularly if it will be in a common living area where there is a lot of movement or children.

The very best way to find these items around your home is to "think outside the box! When you go shopping, look at the disposable packaging with the possibility of modifying it for storage or ask friends to save them for you.

I've have my work cut out for me over the next couple of months. I hope I've given you some ideas and ways to store some of your "stuff". There are many other storage ideas that can be "fancied up" for use in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, etc., just think what will be held within it, will it be exposed to heat or moisture and, if you are making it to be seen, will the REMBER TO PLACE YOUR MAGICK IN EVERY ITEM YOU CRAFT TOGETHER either by color, design, or intent. By organizing your household and storing items in containers you will improved the energy of your items as well as the energy and magick flow within your home and within your life.

Blessings for a Busy and Happy New Year!

Gertrude Moon, CC

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Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day.

New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.

A Charming New Year Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year.

Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one.

He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in horse years are cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, talented and good with their hands.

Rembrandt, Harrison Ford, Aretha Franklin, Chopin, Sandra Day O'Connor, and President Theodore Roosevelt were born in the year of the horse.

Fireworks and Family Feasts At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children "lucky money" in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck.

The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits.

The Lantern Festival In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other's homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year's Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many Chinese- American neighborhood associations host banquets and other New

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Year events.

The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon.

In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.

Chinese Zodiac Horse Personality Occupying the 7th position on the Chinese Zodiac, the Horse symbolizes such character traits as strength, energy, and an outgoing nature. Extremely animated, Horses thrive when they’re the center of attention. Always in search of a good time, Horses keep the crowds happy with their humor and their wit.

Horses are extremely intelligent so they’re able to grasp new subjects with ease. They’re also capable of multitasking however they don’t always finish what they start because they’re forever chasing the next opportunity.

Horses are honest, friendly and open-minded. They’re perhaps a bit too centered on themselves and have been known to throw tantrums when situations don’t go their way.

Health

Fire Horses – Years 1906 and 1966

Horses are very healthy, most likely because they maintain a positive outlook on life and because they’re athletic. Lead Horses to wide, open spaces and watch them run free! Horses will usually only feel ill when they’re trapped inside.

Career Horses enjoy positions in which they can interact with others. They aren’t fond of taking orders and they’ll run from jobs they consider routine. They’re able to grasp new subjects with ease making them capable of handling most any job. They’re effective communicators and they enjoy power. Good career choices for Horses include: publicist, sales representative, journalist, language instructor, translator, bartender, performer, tour operator, librarian or pilot.

Relationships Horses, being spontaneous, have a tendency to fall fast and hard for others. They tend to give themselves fully in each new relationship a quality that ends up chipping away at their inner being. Fortunately, this exhausting trait mellows with age and relationships are stronger and more stable later in life.

Compatibility Horses are compatible with a Dog or Tiger and incompatible with a Rat or Monkey.

The fire is always burning inside Fire Horses.

They love living on the edge and are always ready for change as change always is more interesting. They are incredibly opinionated and one place you’ll never find Fire Horses is standing on the fence.

Earth Horses – Years 1918 and 1978

Earth Horses will work to meet their goals, no matter how long it takes. They’ve got the ability to view situations from all perspectives and this ability is especially useful when it comes to making decisions.

They’re very adaptable and they’re funny too.

Horses and the 5 elements Metal Horse – Years 1930 and 1990 Free-spirited in every sense of the word, commitment is the easiest way to scare Metal Horses away. They prefer jumping from one relationship or job to the next. Because of this, Metal Horses make better friends than partners.

Water Horses – Years 1942 and 2002

Adaptable yet indecisive, Water Horses have a tendency to flow like the current. They have trouble making up their minds and as a result, they always seem to be confusing others. And although this behavior can be frustrating, Water Horses are fun to be around so most people just get used to it.

Wood Horses – Years 1954 and 2014

Stable and strong, Wood Horses are better able to make decisions. They interact well with others; a trait that enables them to have more successful personal and professional relationships.

Chinese New Year Dates 2013 - Feb. 10 2014 - Jan. 31 2015 - Feb. 19 2016 - Feb. 8 2017 - Jan. 28 2018 - Feb. 16

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While most of us neo-pagans, pagans, and reconstructionists are busy with Yule, Winter Solstice, and celebrating Christmas with our families, the calendar New Year is right around the corner. Some pagans have already celebrated their New Year at Samhain, and may have already made their own versions of New Year's Resolutions. If so, how are you sticking to them? If you've forgotten your plans already, don't fret. Whether you've made resolutions yet or not, you can start fresh on Jan. 1st and start sticking to your New Year's promises.

Improved diet and exercise, health issues, and better money management are all common resolutions, and even Pagans need to make a few of them every New Year. But I suggest that you - even those of you who are not Pagan, but just spiritual in whatever way you see fit make a set of resolutions about your path and where you'd like to go in 2010. This could be as simple as making a commitment to do more research into practices and ideas that interest you. Or you could start a daily routine, of prayer, meditation, devotional exercises, or just taking a walk around your neighborhood or a park to appreciate nature.

Here's a list of Pagan New Year's Resolutions to inspire your goals:  Daily practice - prayer, meditation, devotional, reading a specific book, experiencing nature, giving thanks, connecting to the Divine  Celebrating all eight holidays of the Wheel of the Year with a small ritual or other practice  Setting up an altar, creating a better or larger altar, cleaning and clearing up altars that have gotten cluttered or forgotten  Doing more research, reading books on your To Read list, exploring new spiritual interests  Committing to a new path, either through informal self initiation or a grand formal introduction  Chronicling your spiritual journey by journaling, blogging, or even scrapbooking  Renewing your spiritual practice, refreshing your regular practices that may not inspire you anymore  Committing to spiritual exploration - to boldly go where you never thought you would go before.

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I suggest picking something doable and that will fit into your already busy life. It's great to make a resolution that you'll go on a grand Pagan pilgrimage and visit every ancient site in the world, but if you've got 3 children and no extra money for airfare, that's pretty unlikely to happen in one year.

Choose goals that you can accomplish, and envision and write down the smaller steps you can take every day and week to meet your resolution.

Finally, don't be upset if you skip a day of prayer, eat something you're not supposed to, or forget to light the candles on your altar on Candlemas. The point of resolutions is to keep you motivated in the cold and dreary after-holiday season, not to make you feel bad about yourself. Share your resolutions with others, either online or in a local group, if you'd like to make a support system for encouraging each other. Or keep them private - then only you will know when you eat chocolate cake for dinner instead of a salad.

Happy Yule, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and New Years!

How we see each other I know a beautiful woman and I see her quite often. Whenever we come across each other, she always pays me a lot of compliments and even more of these pleasant words I heard from her when our second daughter was born. I have always admired her beauty, her lovely personality and a classy style. Recently, I told her about it, and I was so surprised when it turned out that she sees herself in a completely different way.

Are there many of us like this? It turned out that she thought of me as positively as I did about her, however, none of us felt that way about ourselves. What is it? Lack of self-confidence and self-esteem maybe?

Other people are always better in our opinion, more attractive, and far more successful, have better homes and generally are thousand times greater than us. Does it seem to be a rule somehow….? And a lot of us are stuck in those situations.

In my opinion it doesn’t really make sense. Why, then, compare yourself to anyone and compete with one another. I know it’s easier said than done, but I believe the systematic work on ourselves can change it. By observing our thoughts, we can eliminate those which shouldn’t be on our minds. Let them fly off.

Ladies, let’s look at each other with total acceptance the way we are without any comparisons to anybody else. Desiring to be somebody else leads to nowhere and we certainly only lose our energy. Let’s smile to ourselves in the mirror and to one another.

Welcome to Feminine Creations online boutique Each item of jewellery is hand sewn using the soutache technique, with high quality European materials and threads. All items are handcrafted with care and attention to detail to ensure a high quality product that we are able to sell with pride. We feel the time it takes us to produce our soutache style jewellery is worth the effort. Our existing customers agree, and hopefully you will too. It is no wonder that soutache style jewellery has captivated European shoppers with its unique look, vibrant colours, and light weight.

We hope you will enjoy browsing. There is much to see in our galleries - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, hair clips - all original and hand-made with designs inspired by soutache creations from Europe.

Light in weight and comfortable to wear, this style of accessories are new to Australia, and very unique. Our clients regularly receive compliments when wearing their pieces.

Designs can be varied to suit specific requests, so do take time to peruse our gallery and online store.

We look forward to your feedback, or to discuss your design requests.

http://www.femininecreations.com/

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January’s Moon is traditionally known as the Wolf Moon. These shy animals were once found all over Europe and would come closer into the villages at this time of the year in search of food. For both the wolves and humans, this made for a dangerous time and humans felt a great deal of threat from the animals. These hungry animals were often hunted and revered as monsters.

Today, we are no longer feel threatened by the wolves when we are in our cities, towns and villages. Over time we have come to appreciate their mystery, beauty, and intelligence. Many people today have statues of wolves in their home and they have become very popular animals. Wolves have also been linked with Paganism and witchcraft.

The link between wolves and witchcraft is partly because they are nocturnal animals who howl at the moon, which is also revered by Pagans. It’s also because magic practitioners were thought to be able to transform themselves into wolves during the full moon; some legends will talk about this sort of thing in the form of werewolves. Like many animals, the wolf has as many legends and meanings as it does misunderstandings.

If you would like to channel the spirit of the wolf you can start by learning about the wolf and how they live in the wild. Immerse yourself in lycanthropic lore of all types. Even though our modern day werewolf movies may not seem as a good place to start when looking into the lore of the wolf they are a starting point. From them you can do research to find the actual myths and legends that the movies are based on and where they have come from.

Although some of the Moon cycles are known by the same names through different cultural traditions and folklore, the name Ice Moon is another name commonly used for the first Moon of the year.

Today, people throughout the world mark time on the same calendar; January is the beginning of the year. In the natural world, however, January is the middle of the winter season, a time of death and desolation.

It is appropriate, therefore, that the legends chosen for the Wolf Moon are tales of both beginnings and endings.

Pawnee Native American Tribe The Pawnee Indians are one of the most honored tribes in North America. Their name is taken from the word pa’ni, which has been translated to mean wolf. This is, indeed, the tribe of the wolf. Their traditions, customs, and legendary herald the Wolf Spirit.

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Wolf Spirit Tirawa, the Great Spirit, placed Wolf Spirit in the sky to watch out for Evening Star. Tirawa placed Wolf’s animal brothers - Black Bear, Mountain Lion, and Wild-Cat - next to Wolf Spirit in attendance of the Moon.

Great was the power of Wolf Spirit and his fellows in their place in the sky. They came to be known as Black Star, Yellow Star, White Star and Red Star. These Star beasts sent animals like themselves to live upon the earth. These same animal spirits were responsible for many of the Earth’s creations. They sent clouds, thunder, lightning, and the wind.

They sent the cottonwood, elm, willow, and box elder. They created the four kinds of corn - black, yellow, white, and red.

And it was these great and powerful spirits that guarded Evening Star each night.

As great as these Star Warriors were, the power of the Morning Star, the Sun, was greater. In time, the Sun vanquished Wolf Spirit and his brothers. In honor of their greatness, Morning Star set Wolf Spirit and the other Star Beasts to hold up the four quarters of the universe. Wolf Spirit, once guardian of the Moon, now stands as devoted servant of the Sun. Yet his likeness upon the Earth is still heard howling when Evening Star rises in the sky. Could it be that the creation of Wolf Spirit yet remembers the ancient ties to the Moon? The lone wolf singing his songs to the Moon is following the ways of his ancestors who first helped the Moon to ascend to her nightly station.

As the first full moon after the winter solstice or Yule, the Wolf Moon is one of the most important of the high moons.

A full moon occurs when the sun and the moon are aligned on opposite sides of the earth. This alignment of the two celestial bodies has a strong effect on the earth. This alignment of the two celestial bodies has a strong effect on the earth, producing a time when energy is high. This is why full moon rituals can be incredibly powerful times for doing magick.

When looking through the eyes of the wolf, the idea is to perceive the true nature of people, events and experiences.

Expand your perception and awareness using the instincts of the wolf. The wolf is part of a pack that use their knowledge and wits to survive a time when the earth is cold and barren.

This is also when new patterns are conceived, setting the stage for what is to come. This is also the ideal time for foretelling the future, clairvoyance, and divination practices.

At midnight, begin by drawing a circle of light. This is done by standing at your altar and pounding the stick end of your wand on the altar nine times. Pick up you athame and point it toward the north point of your circle. Starting and ending in the north, draw a magickal circle of light clockwise around the circle. Next, call in the elements of earth, air, fire and water.

Standing in the middle of the circle, call in the powers of the wolf: On this full moon night at this hour I call now upon the ancient animal powers To guide me in the ways of the wolf Where instinct and wit prevail Through darkness, wind, rain and hail I am the wolf, the wolf is me So be it! Blessed be!

As you enjoy your evening, imagine seeing through the eyes of the wolf. Imagine dreaming with the eyes of the wolf. In the morning pull up the circle and thank the elements. Also than the wolf for its guidance and power.

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Š Copyright 2005 Jeff Harrison and Karen Charboneau-Harrison BINAH - THE GREAT MOTHER God Name - Elohim Archangel - Tzafkiel Virtue - Silence Vice - Avarice Titles - Ama, Aima, Mara, The Sanctifying Intelligence Magickal Image - Mature Woman, Vagina Gods - Saturn, Kronos, Frigg, Kali, Cailleache, Demeter Planet - Saturn Stone - Pearl Animal - Dove, Raven Herbs - Cypress, Lily Poppy Experience - the Sorrow of Life which must be transcended Symbols - Vulva, Chalice and Veil Binah is the Intuitive Self, Understanding, the Foundation of primordial Wisdom. Understanding is the essence of Binah. Wisdom suggests complete and infinite knowledge while Understanding suggests the ability to grasp the unfoldment or use of this wisdom.

She is Organization and Form as well as Female Potency. Her Yetziratic title is 'The Sanctifying Intelligence' (that which makes consecrates and makes holy) and the three other names for her signify Binah's triple aspect - Marah, the Sea from which all life has its beginnings (and which is the root for Mary, Mother of all living); Aimah, the Fertile or Light Mother and Ama, the Dark Mother and Crone. The Hebrew God-name for Binah is Elohim which is a feminine beginning ending with a male pronoun - in other words - the Gods and Goddesses to whom She gives birth. Binah is the Supernal Mother - the Feminine Aspect of God. Binah is that which brings forth the All but retains its virginity; whose creativeness does not involve it in the life of its creation, but which remains apart and behind as the foundation and basis of manifestation, the root-substance from whence matter arises. Binah, the primordial formative influence, the partner of all form is behind and beyond manifesting substance. It is this formative influence underlying all of form building, this tendency for curving lines of force to correlate and achieve stability which is Binah.

The principles of maleness and femaleness as manifested in Chokmah and Binah represent more than merely the polarity of positive and negative, activity and passivity. Chokmah, the All-Begetter, is a vehicle of primal force - the immediate manifestation of Kether

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into energy. It is, in fact, Kether in action. Chokmah is pure energy, limitless and tireless, but incapable of doing anything except radiate off into space if left to its own devices. But when Chokmah acts upon Binah, its energy is gathered up and set to work. Together, they form the duality in the tides of our lives - activitypassivity, construction and destruction.

Binah, the Great Mother, is the Mother of All Living. She is the archetypal womb through which life comes into manifestation. The Great Mother binds free moving force into the discipline of form. Form is the discipline of Force, therefore, Binah is the head of the Pillar of Severity. Binah is the primordial root of matter, but the full development of matter is not found until we arrive at Malkuth, the material universe.

The virtue of Binah is Silence. Silence invites receptivity. If we are silent, we can listen and so learn, but if we are talking the gates of entrance to the mind are closed. It is the resistance and receptivity of Binah which are her chief powers. The Vice is Avarice - greed and miserliness - as one learns and achieves a level of wisdom, the wisdom must be shared not hoarded.

Binah's symbols of the Chalice, the Vulva and the Veil show the nature of this Sephira. The Chalice is a receptacle which holds all wisdom. One can also view the Chalice as a Cauldron that transforms the ingredients it contains. Binah receives the Force of Chokmah and transmutes it into Form, allowing pure energy the opportunity to become physical as it travels down the Tree of Life. The Vulva indicates the birth of Force into Form and the Veil symbolizes the mysteries inherent in this transformation.

The Images of Binah as the Mature Woman and Vagina show Her to be the Great Mother and the High Priestess of the Tarot. Her animal symbols of the Dove and the Raven show that Binah is the Holy Spirit of the Trinity and the Shekinah, bringing the energy of pure spirit or force into being as the originator of Form which will finally be given birth in Malkuth as well as the bringer of Death and Endings as the Raven when this life is transformed back into energy. This is the Experience of Sorrow that belongs to Binah. The sorrow of pure, boundless energy bound in physical form with all of its limitations and then the sorrow of the ending of the physical experience culminating in death.

All aspects of the Goddess from innocent Persephone to terrifying Cailleache belong to Binah.

The idea of fertility is the main motif in the aspects of Binah that manifest in the world of Assiah, the material

the material level. Life not only enters into matter for discipline but it also issues forth triumphantly, increased and multiplied. The fertility aspect, balancing the Time-Death-Limitation aspect of this Sephira is essential to our concept of Binah.

Time/Death put his sickle to the wheat of Ceres and both are Binah symbols. Life and Death are two sides to the same coin. What Binah gives birth to, she also brings Death to in an endless dance of transformation.

Binah transforms pure energy into form and matter which is then re-formed back into energy at death.

As a unit, Kether, Chokmah and Binah make up what is known as the 3 Supernals, which we can split into the 3 spheres for purposes of study & meditation, but are actually considered One in their spiritual essence. Kether is the Divine becoming aware of itself; Chokmah & Binah create a reflection of this Self in terms of the opposites it contains within. The Supernals are the energies or states upon which Creation rests & manifests. Kether is thought of as The Archetype, Chokmah & Binah the movement to create from this oneness in terms impulse of Force (Chokmah) & Form (Binah). We see throughout our studies of Qabalah that the Three Supernals have their specialized expressions on a lower arc in one or another of the 6 Sephira which form the microcosm to their Macrocosm.

Binah receives the Force of Chokmah and gives it Form - the ability to manifest in Malkuth.

Binah is the Womb which receives the outpouring seed and gives it life. Binah is symbolized by the Divine Female Archetype which unites with the Divine Male producing Daath through which all life comes into manifestation. Binah is the primordial root of all matter which is expressed thru Malkuth.

BINAH Her boundless blackness swallows me whole; an endless ocean engulfing my soul.

She stands strong, he sceptre poised with power, ready to strike out and to devour the impure, the degenerate, the soulless, stripping them bare with her maternal prowess.

She laps at the shadowy shores of Malkuth; ‘ever ready to enter and to transmute the lifeless into Life; the lead into gold; begetting her daughter for us to enfold.

By men’s eyes she is unimpassioned and distant. yet she moves with a Higher Love much more persistent.

Oh, Dark Mother: tear us down to make us stronger!

Sift the chaff from the corn so we are poor no longer.

In your feminine hands we entrust our souls, so we may strive onwards to achieve sacred goals.

And in your expansive stillness and silence lies hope for an end to this earthly violence.

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God Name - YHVH - Yod Heh Vau Heh Gods - Thoth, Cernunnos, Athena, Minerva, Maat Archangel - Ratziel, guider of creative force Experience - Vision of the Gods Symbols - Phallus, Standing Stones, Bearded Male, the Wand Titles - All-Father, Abba Virtue - Devotion Vice - No Vice Stones - Star Ruby, Turquoise Scents - Musk, Amaranth Chokmah is the Creative Self, the 2nd Sephira of the Supernal Triad, with the title of Wisdom. Its influence is considered to be boundless energy and the divine stimulation of all actions. Chokmah is seen to be God in His lust for life and life giving capabilities. Chokmah is pure dynamism and pure stimulus without formed expression. Chokmah is pure force in action - Binah takes that Force and puts it into its first Form. This Sephira is the archetypal Masculine principle and is an active, spiraling force. Chokmah is the All-Father. If Kether is a Point, Chokmah is a line, the extension of the Point into Space.

Chokmah is not an organizing Sephira, but is the Great Stimulator of the Universe. It is from Chokmah that Binah receives its influx of emanation that originates with Kether and Binah is the first of the organizing, stabilizing Sephira after receiving the stimulus of energy from Chokmah. The Yetziratic title for Chokmah is 'The Illuminating Intelligence' as it receives the light from Kether and sends this light cascading down the Tree of Life in a thunderbolt. The Yetziratic text also calls Chokmah the 'Crown of Creation', thus implying that, like Kether, it is overshadowing and external to rather than imminent and absorbed in the manifested universe. Actually it is the virile force of Chokmah which gives the impulse to manifestation and thus Chokmah's force is prior to manifestation itself. This idea is further borne out in the phrase of the Yetziratic Text which speaks of Chokmah as the 'Splendor of Unity', equaling it, thus clearly indicating its affinity to Kether, Unity, rather than to the

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the planes of dualistic form. The word, Splendor, as used here indicates an emanation or shining forth and teaches us to think of Chokmah as the emanating influence of pure Being rather than as a thing in and of itself.

Symbols of Chokmah are The Phallus, Uplifted Rod of Power or Wand, Bearded Male and Standing Stones. All of these symbols being indicative of powerful masculine creative force. Chokmah is active movement toward creation but this creation must first be stabilized in Binah. Chokmah is the Primal Idea of Maleness -the vital outpouring of energy which is organized, limited and formalized by the qualities of pure femaleness epitomized by Binah.

Chokmah is known as Wisdom - this wisdom is the perfect knowledge of the Essence of Divinity, an abstract wisdom. This Sephira is pure dynamism, and is the embodiment of the Divine Will for Creation.

Binah is Form, the container of Force which is Chockmah. Together Chockmah and Binah form the Elohim - the masculine and feminine creators spoken of in Genesis. If you will, they are the Proton and Electron. Together they form the duality, the tides of our lives, activity-passivity, constructiondestruction. Understanding is the essence of Binah.

The essence of Chokmah - Wisdom - suggests complete and infinite knowledge while Understanding suggests the ability to grasp the unfoldment or use of this wisdom.

In order to contact Chokmah, we must experience the rush of the dynamic cosmic energy in its pure form - an energy so tremendous that mortals are fused into physical dissolution upon encountering it. Š Copyright 2005 Jeff Harrison and Karen CharboneauHarrison

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Welcome We believe that you are created with sacred worth. We welcome you and seek to serve you in spiritually uplifting and emotionally caring ways.

Jan 1 09:00 AM Morning Light 04:45 PM Weight Watchers 05:45 PM Community Dinner 07:00 PM Wednesday Night Program Jan 2 09:00 AM Morning Light 12:00 PM Al-Anon Serenity Seekers 07:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots 07:00 PM Dances of Universal Peace 07:00 PM Unity Choir Jan 4 04:00 PM OWWU Holiday Party 08:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots Jan 5 12:30 PM Guided Meditation Jan 6 09:00 AM Morning Light 07:00 PM Attitudinal Healing Peer Support Group Jan 7 09:00 AM Morning Light 06:45 PM A Course in Miracles Study Group Jan 8 09:00 AM Morning Light 04:45 PM Weight Watchers 05:45 PM Community Dinner 07:00 PM Wednesday Night Program Jan 9 09:00 AM Morning Light 12:00 PM Al-Anon Serenity Seekers 07:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots 07:00 PM Unity Choir Jan 11 08:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots Jan 12 12:30 PM Guided Meditation 12:30 PM IMPORTANT Town Hall Meeting Jan 13 09:00 AM Morning Light 07:00 PM Attitudinal Healing Peer Support Group Jan 14 09:00 AM Morning Light 06:45 PM A Course in Miracles Study Group Jan 15 09:00 AM Morning Light 04:45 PM Weight Watchers 05:45 PM Community Dinner 07:00 PM Wednesday Night Program Jan 16 09:00 AM Morning Light 12:00 PM Al-Anon Serenity Seekers 07:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots 07:00 PM Dances of Universal Peace 07:00 PM Unity Choir

2900 South Bernard Spokane, Wa (509) 838-6518 Jan 18 08:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots Jan 19 12:30 PM Guided Meditation 12:30 PM Oneness (Deeksha) Blessing 12:30 PM Unity Member Classes Jan 20 08:00 AM Men of Unity Breakfast of Champions 09:00 AM Morning Light 07:00 PM Attitudinal Healing Peer Support Group Jan 21 09:00 AM Morning Light 06:45 PM A Course in Miracles Study Group 07:00 PM Unity Member Classes Jan 22 09:00 AM Morning Light 04:45 PM Weight Watchers 05:45 PM Community Dinner 07:00 PM Wednesday Night Program Jan 23 09:00 AM Morning Light 12:00 PM Al-Anon Serenity Seekers 07:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots 07:00 PM Unity Choir Jan 24 05:30 PM Crosswalk Jan 25 10:00 AM Outrageous Wild Women of Unity 08:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots Jan 26 12:30 PM Guided Meditation 12:30 PM Unity Member Classes Jan 27 09:00 AM Morning Light 07:00 PM Attitudinal Healing Peer Support Group Jan 28 09:00 AM Morning Light 06:45 PM A Course in Miracles Study Group 07:00 PM Unity Member Classes Jan 29 09:00 AM Morning Light 04:45 PM Weight Watchers 05:45 PM Community Dinner 07:00 PM Wednesday Night Program Jan 30 09:00 AM Morning Light 12:00 PM Al-Anon Serenity Seekers 07:00 PM AA New Soil, New Roots 07:00 PM Unity Choir

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Mama Em's Bell Book & Candle (also known as Mama Em's World of Magick)

113 Rice St Carson City, NV 89706 (775)790-4488 http://www.mamaemsworld.com/main.sc Welcome to Mama Em's World! I have been a self-practicing Pagan and Witch for 16 years. I do things my own way, and I love to make my own products. I'm here to help bring new and unusual items to everyone, and to provide metaphysical supplies at prices we can all actually afford. If you're looking for something in particular and you can't find it, please contact me with what you need and I'd be happy to get it for you! To stay up to date on new products, contests, and weekly giveaways, like us on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/mamaemsworld and view my Youtube videos here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0RiNRgad4PjHOjOuXHvApg Follow me on Twitter: @MagickByMamaEm - Check out my blog on all things from advice to personal issues here: www.askmamaem.blogspot.com and last but certainly not least, check me out as one of the admins of this amazing group: www.facebook.com/thepaganmama

Bast or Bastet Candle Holder Statue Words can barely describe the awesome beauty of this Bast/Bastet candle holder. She holds two tapered pillar candles, or cone incense. Absolutely stunning cold cast resin. Black with gold accents including hyroglyphics around the base. Approximately 8" high by 5" wide.

Gorgeous Amber Resin Scent Pendant This small, beautifully sculpted brass ornament contains 5 grams of amber resin, to create a delightful piece of jewelry that will leave you perfumed with the sweet scent of amber. I cannot tell you how lovely this smells. It's subtle and airy, and simply intoxicating. Sure to get you a lot of attention! If you'd like this pendant blessed with spellwork to attract a lover, or to enrich your existing relationship, just ask! I'd be happy to do that for you, free of charge. Pendant comes on a black cotton cord, but can easily be transferred to a chain of your choice. I wear one of these myself and am quite smitten with it! XoXo Mama Em

Celtic Pentagram with Crystal This intricate pewter pentagram is set within a sculpted, ropelike circle with a Celtic knot work backdrop. Has cord. 1 1/4� - See more at: http://www.azuregreen.net/prodinfo.asp?number=JCELP#sthash.fVJMceaM.dpuf

Celtic Sealing Wax Kit Customize invitations, greeting cards, spells, rituals, and more with enchanting wax stamps. Boxed kit (3 1/8 x 4 1/2) includes natural wax and a metal seal.

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   Numerology is the study of numbers, and the occult manner in which they reflect certain aptitudes and character tendencies, as an integral part of the cosmic plan. Each letter has a numeric value that provides a related cosmic vibration. The sum of the numbers in your birth date and the sum of value derived from the letters in the name provide an interrelation of vibrations. These numbers show a great deal about character, purpose in life, what motivates, and where talents may lie. Experts in numerology use the numbers to determine the best time for major moves and activities in life. Numerology is used to decide when to invest, when to marry, when to travel, when to change jobs, or relocate.

How does numerology work?

The first question you may ask is why does numerology work. The second question is how does it work. Well, if we could answer these questions it wouldn't be an occult study, would it? Is it a God force? Do numbers have vibrations or something like that? Who knows?

Just be objective and give it a try.

The first consideration of numerology is often the date of birth. This date, expressed numerically, as mm/dd/yyyy, is used to determine what is called the Lifepath Number and a variety of other factors in the numerology reading. The numbers are all added together, for instance; If your birthdate is October 12, 1974 your Lifepath Number would be 1+0+1+2+1+9+7+4= 25. 2+5= 7 7 is your Lifepath Number Meaning of the Numbers in a Nutshell It is essential to understand that the root numbers used in numerology are, in their essence, all equal, one to the other.

Each of the numbers has its positive traits and likewise each number has its negative potential. Here are brief listings of traits for each number: The number 1 1 Positive Traits Initiator of action, a pioneering spirit, inventive ideas, strong leadership skills, independent, drives to attain, individualistic style, executive abilities, extraordinary will and determination, courageous.

1 Negative Traits Overly assertive or aggressive, dominating, impulsiveness, egotistic, boastfulness, willfulness.

The number 2 2 Positive Traits Cooperation, adaptability, considerate of others, sensitive to the needs of others, partnering, an arbiter or mediator, modest, sincere, spiritually influenced, a diplomat.

2 Negative Traits Shyness, timidity, fear, self-consciousness, drown in detail, depression.

The number 3 3 Positive Traits Self-expressive in many ways, verbalization, inspiration and keen imagination, artistic gifts, accurate impressions and insights, never-ending optimism, happy and fun-loving, enjoys life fully.

3 Negative Traits Scattered energies, exaggeration, unfinished projects, lack of direction, moodiness, self-centeredness.

The number 4 4 Positive Traits Strong sense of order and values, struggle against limits, steady growth, highly practical, scientific mind, attention to detail, foundation for achievement, a genius for organization, fine management skills.

4 Negative Traits Lack of imagination, caught up in detail, stubborn fixed opinions, argumentative, slow to act, too serious, confused.

The number 5 5 Positive Traits Expansiveness, new and visionary ideas, quick thinking, versatile and ever-changing, action oriented, curious and exploring, promoting, resourceful in using freedom constructively.

5 Negative Traits Restless, discontent, edgy temperament and speech, dissatisfaction, too many hasty decisions, impatience, lacking in application.

The number 6 6 Positive Traits A strong sense of responsibility, artistic, a nurturing disposition, community oriented, balanced, sympathy for others, a humanitarian, unselfishness, love of home and domestic affairs, freely renders service to others.

6 Negative Traits Self-righteousness, obstinacy, stubborn, dominates family and friends, meddling, egotistical and susceptible to flattery, outspoken.

The number 7 7 Positive Traits Skilled at analysis and research, an intelligent seeker of knowledge, scientific and inventive, studious, meditating, 32 charming personality and demeanor, love of solitude and peace,

7 Negative Traits Hidden motives and suspicions, overly reserved, arguments enjoined with silence or sarcasm, isolated, inflexible positions, overly upset by distractions.

The number 8 8 Positive Traits Executive character and abilities, political skills, expert handling of power and authority, working for a cause, achieving recognition, exercising sound judgment, decisive and commanding.

8. Negative Traits Workaholic, overly ambitious, lacking humanitarian instincts, mismanaging money, repressing subordinates, impatient with people, stressed, materialistic.

The number 9 9 Positive Traits Heartily friendly and congenial, a hail-fellow, humanitarian instincts, a giving nature, selflessness, obligations, creative expression, readily influenced to do good works, artistic and writing talents.

9 Negative Traits Self-adulation, scattered interests, possessiveness, moodiness, careless with finances, wanting peer attention.

11 See number 2.

Spirituality is emphasized more, but in essence, the 2 traits, positive and negative apply.

22 See number 4 Exceptional projects possible, but in essence, the 4 traits, positive and negative apply.

The birthday is a supporting influence added to the Life Path.

Here we are interested in the day of the month on which you birth occurred. Think of it as a modifier to the Life Path. These are traits that you brought into this life much as with the more important and dominating traits shown by the Lifepath.

About births occurring on the: 1st day of any month The number 1 energy suggests that there is perhaps more executive ability and leadership qualities in your makeup than your lifepath may have indicated. A birthday on day 1 of any month gives a measure of will power and self-confidence, and very often a rather original approach. This 1 energy may diminish your ability and desire to handle details, preferring instead to paint with a broad brush. You may be sensitive, but your feelings stay rather repressed.

2nd day of any month Your birth on the 2nd day of the month adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity, and intuition to your reading. The 2 is a very social number allowing you to make friends easily and quickly.

Yet you are apt to have a rather nervous air in the company of a large group. You have a warmhearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection. You are more prone than most to become depressed and moody, as emotions can turn inward and cause anxiety and mental turmoil. It can be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in.

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3rd day of any month Being born on the 3rd day of the month is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, sometimes "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. You are affectionate and loving, but sometimes too sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

4th day of any month Being born on the 4th day of the month should help make you a better manager and organizer. You may be more responsible and self-disciplined than your Life Path suggested because of this date. Sincere and honest, you are a serious and hard working individual. Limitations may be imposed by this 4 energy, especially if this number is active elsewhere in your reading.

Your feelings are likely to seem somewhat repressed at times.

The number 4 has something of an inhibiting effect on your ability to show and express affections, as feeling are very closely regulated and controlled. Even if it by itself, you are apt to be much more practical, rational, and conscious of details. There is a good deal of rigidity and stubbornness associated with the number 4.

5th day of any month With a birthday on the 5th of the month you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them. You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas. You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel.

You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable.

Your mind is quick, clever and analytical. A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine. You may have a tendency to shirk responsibility.

6th day of any month A birthday on the 6th of the month adds a tone of responsibility, helpfulness, and understanding to your natural inclinations.

Those born on the sixth are more apt to be open and honest with everyone, and more caring about family and friends, too.

This is a number associated with responsibility and caring, and no matter what your lifepath may be, this birthday lends a degree of concern for others.

7th day of any month Born on the 7th day of month gives you a tendency to be something of a perfectionist and makes you more individualistic in many ways. Your mind is good at deep mental analysis and complicated reasoning. You are very psychic and sensitive, and you should usually follow your hunches. You may not take orders too well, so you may want to work alone or in a situation where you can be the boss. This birthday gives a tendency to be somewhat self-centered and a little stubborn.

8th day of any month Born on the 8th day of the month, you have a special gift for business, as you can conceive and plan on a grand scale. You have good executive skills and you're a good judge of values. You should try to own your own business, because you have such a strong desire to be in control. You are generally reliable when it comes to handling money; you can be trusted in this regard.

Idealistic by nature, you are never too busy to spend some time on worthwhile causes, especially if managerial support are needed. There is much potential for material success associated with this number.

9th day of any month Your birth on the 9th day of the month adds a tone of idealism and humanitarianism to your nature. You become one who can work easily with people because you are broadminded, tolerant and generous. You are ever sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and even if the other numbers in your core makeup don't show it, you are very sympathetic and compassionate.

Your feeling run deep and you often find yourself in dramatically charged situations. This 9 energy always tends to give more that it gets.

10th day of any month Your birth on the 10th day of the month adds a tone of independence and extra energy to your Life Path. The number 1 energy suggest more executive ability and leadership qualities than you path may have indicated. A birthday on the 10th of any month gives greater will power and self-confidence, and very often a rather original approach. This 1 energy may diminish your ability and desire to handle details, preferring instead to paint with a broad brush. You are sensitive, but your feeling stay somewhat repressed. You have a compelling manner that can be dominating in many situations.

11th day of any month Your birth on the 11th day of the month makes you something of a dreamer and an idealist. You work well with people because you know how to use persuasion rather than force. There is a strong spiritual side to your nature, and you may have intuitive qualities inherent in your make up, too. You are very aware and sensitive, though often temperamental. Although you have a good mind and you are very analytical, you may not be comfortable in the business world. You are definitely creative and this influence tends to make you more of a dreamer than a doer.

12th day of any month Being born on the 12th day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, sometimes "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about. You are affectionate and loving, but very sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and 34downs.

13th day of any month Being born on the 13th day of the month should help make you a better manager and organizer, but it may also give you a tendency to dominate people a bit. You may be more responsible and self-disciplined than your Life Path suggested because of this date. Sincere and honest, you are a serious, hard working individual. Limitations may be imposed by this 4 energy, especially if there is additional indications the number elsewhere in your number. Your feeling are likely to seem somewhat repressed at times. Even if it by itself, you are apt to be much more practical, rational, and conscious of details. Your intolerance and insistence on complete accuracy can be irritating to some.

14th day of any month With a birthday on the 14th of the month (5 energy) you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them. You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas, and you are also very good at organization and systematizing. You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel. You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable. Your mind is quick, clever and analytical. A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine, and rebel against it. You have a tendency to shirk responsibility.

15th day of any month With a birthday on the 15th of any month, you are apt to have really strong attachments to home, family and domestic scene.

The 1 and 5 equaling 6, provide the sort of energy that makes you an excellent parent or teacher. You are very responsible and capable. This is an attractive and an attracting influence.

You like harmony in your environment and strive to maintain it.

You tend to learn by observation rather than study and research. You may like to cook, but you probably don't follow recipes. This number shows artistic leanings and would certainly support an talents that may be otherwise in your makeup. You're a very generous and giving person, but perhaps a bit stubborn in ways.

16th day of any month Your birth on the 16th day of the month gives a sense of loneliness and generally the desire to work alone. You are relatively inflexible, and insist on your being independent. You need a good deal of time to rest and to meditate. You are introspective and a little stubborn. Because of this, it may not be easy for you to maintain permanent relationships, but you probably will as you are very much into home and family. This birth day inclines to interests in the technical, the scientific, and to the religious or the unknown realm of spiritual explorations.

The date gives you a tendency to seek unusual approaches and makes your style seem a little different and unique to those around you. Your intuition is aided by the day of your birth, but most of your actions are bedded in logic, responsibility, and the rational approach. You may be emotional, but have a hard time expressing these emotions. Because of this, there may be some difficulty in giving or receiving affection.

17th day of any month Your birth on the 17th day of the month suggests that you are very fortune financially, because this date is very good for business interest and a solid business sense. Although you are probably very honest and ethical, this birthday enables you to be shrewd and successful in the world of business and commercial enterprise. You have excellent organizational, managerial, and administrative capabilities enabling you to handle large projects and significant amounts of money with relative ease. You are ambitious and highly goal-oriented, although you may be better at starting projects than you are at finishing them. A sensitivity in your nature, often repressed below the surface of awareness, makes it hard to give or receive affection.

18th day of any month Your birthday on the 18th day of the month suggests than you are one who can work well with a group, but still remain someone who needs to maintain individual identity. There is a humanistic or philanthropic approach to business circumstances in which you find yourself. You may have good executive abilities, as you are very much the organizer and administrator.

You are broad-minded, tolerant and generous; a compassionate person that can inspire others with imaginative ideas. Some of your feelings may be expressed, but even more of them are apt to be repressed. There is a lot of drama in your personality and in the way you express yourself to others. Oddly enough, you don't expect as much in return as you give.

19th day of any month Your birth on the 19th day of the month adds a tone of independence and extra energy to your life path. But at the same time, it poses a number of obstacles to overcome before you are able to be as independent as you would like. The number 1 energy suggests more executive ability and leadership qualities than your path may have indicated. A birthday on the 19th of any month gives greater will power and self-confidence, and very often a rather original approach; but with this, a somewhat self-centered approach to life that may be in conflict with some of the other influences in your life. This 1 energy may diminish your ability and desire to handle details, preferring instead to paint with a broad brush. You are sensitive, but your feeling stay somewhat repressed. You have a compelling manner that can be dominating in many situations. You do not tend to follow convention or take advice very well.

Consequently, you tend to learn through experience; sometimes hard experiences. The 19/1 is a loner number and you may experience feelings of being alone even if you are married. You may take on a tendency to be nervous and anger more easily than your Life Path number suggests.

20th day of any month Your birth on the 20th day of the month adds a degree of emotion, sensitivity, and intuition to your reading. The 2 energy provided here is very social, allowing you to make friends easily and quickly. Yet you are apt to have a rather nervous air in the company of a large group. You have a warmhearted nature and emotional understanding that constantly seeks affection.

You are very prone to become depressed and moody, as emotions can turn inward and cause anxiety and mental turmoil.

It can be hard for you to bounce back to reality when depression sets in. When things are going well, you can go just as far the other way and become extremely affectionate.

21st day of any month Being born on the 21st day of the month (3 energy) is likely to add a good bit of vitality to your life. The energy of 3 allows you bounce back rapidly from setbacks, physical or mental. There is a restlessness in your nature, but you seem to be able to portray an easygoing, sometimes "couldn't care less" attitude. You have a natural ability to express yourself in public, and you always make a very good impression. Good with words, you excel in writing, speaking, and possibly singing. You are energetic and always a good conversationalist. You have a keen imagination, but you tend to scatter your energies and become involved with too may superficial matters. Your mind is practical and rational despite this tendency to jump about. You are affectionate and loving, but very sensitive. You are subject to rapid ups and downs.

22nd day of any month While sometimes employing unorthodox approaches, you are capable of handling large scale undertakings, assuming great responsibility, and working long and hard towards their completion. Often, especially in the early part of life, there is rigidity or stubbornness, and a tendency to repress feelings.

Idealistic, you work for the greater good with a good deal of inner strength and charisma. An extremely capable organizer, but likely to paint with broad strokes rather than detail. You are very aware and intuitive. You are subject to a good deal of nervous tension.

23rd day of any month With a birthday on the 23rd of the month (5 energy) you are inclined to work well with people and enjoy them. You are talented and versatile, very good at presenting ideas. You may have a tendency to get itchy feet at times and need change and travel. You tend to be very progressive, imaginative and adaptable. Your mind is quick, clever and analytical. A restlessness in your nature may make you a bit impatient and easily bored with routine. You may have a tendency to shirk responsibility. Very sociable, you make friends easily and you are an excellent traveling companion.

24th day of any month Born on the 24th, you have a greater capacity for responsibility and helping others than may have shown in your life path. You may also become the mediator and peacemaker in inharmonious situations. Devoted to family, you tend to manage and protect.

This birth date adds to the emotional nature and perhaps to the sensitivities. Affections are important to you; both the giving and the receiving.

25th day of any month Your birth on the 25th day of the month (7 energy) modifies your life path by giving you some special interest in technical, scientific, or other complex and often hard to understand subjects. You may become something of a perfectionist and a stickler for details. Your thinking is logical and intuitive, 35

rational and responsible. Your feelings may run deep, but you are not very likely to let them show. This birthday makes you a more private person, more introspective and perhaps more inflexible.

In friendships you are very cautious and reserved. You are probably inventive, and given to unique approaches and solutions.

26th day of any month Your birth on the 26th day of the month (8 energy) modifies your life path by increasing your capability to function and succeed in the business world. In this environment you have the skills to work very well with others thanks to the 2 and 6 energies combining in this date. There is a marked increase in organizational, managerial, and administrative abilities. You are efficient and handle money very well. Ambitious and energetic, while generally remaining cooperative and adaptable. You are conscientious and not afraid of responsibility. Generally sociable and diplomatic, you tend to use persuasion rather than force.

You have a wonderful combination of being good at both the broad strokes and the fine detail; good at starting and continuing.

This birthday is practical and realistic, often seeking material satisfaction.

27th day of any month Your birth on the 27th day of the month (9 energy) adds a tone of selflessness and humanitarianism to your life path. Certainly, you are one who can work very well with people, but at the same time you need a good bit of time to be by your self to rest and meditate. Regardless of your life path number, there is a very humanistic and philanthropic approach in most of things that you do. This birthday helps you be broadminded, tolerant, generous and very cooperative. You are the type of person who uses persuasion rather than force to achieve your ends. You tend to be very sensitive to others' needs and feelings, and you able to give much in the way of friendship without expecting a lot in return.

28th day of any month Your birth on the 28th day of the month (1 energy) adds a tone of independence and extra energy to your Life Path. The number 1 energy suggest more executive ability and leadership qualities than you path may have indicated. A birthday on the 28th of any month gives greater will power and self-confidence, and very often a rather original approach. Unlike much of the other 1 energy, this birthday is one that endow with the ability to start a job and continue on until it is finished. You may prefer to use the broad brush, but you can handle details as well. You are sensitive, but your feeling stay somewhat repressed. You have a compelling manner that can be dominating in many situations.

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29th day of any month Your birthday on the 29th adds a tone of idealism to your nature. You are imaginative and creative, but rather uncomfortable in the business world. You are very aware and sensitive, with outstanding intuitive skills and analytical abilities.

The 29 reduces to 11, one of the master numbers which often produces much nervous tension. This is the birthday of the dreamer rather than the doer. You do, however, work very well with people.

30th day of any month Your birthday on the 30th day of the month shows individual self-expression is necessary for your happiness. You tend to have a good way of expressing yourself with words, certainly in a manner that is clear and understandable. You have a good chance of success in fields requiring skill with words. You can be very dramatic in your presentation and you may be a good actor or a natural mimic. You have a vivid imagination that can assist you in becoming a good writer or story-teller. Strong in your opinions, you always tend to think you are on the right side of an issue. There may be a tendency to scatter your energies and have a lot of loose ends in your work. You may have significant artistic talent and be very creative.

31st day of any month Your birthday suggests that you are a good organizer and manager, an energetic and dependable worker; attributes often showing success in the business world. Serious and sincere, you have the patience and determination necessary to accomplish a great deal. Your approach can be original, but often rigid and stubborn. Sensitivity may be present, but feeling are likely to be repressed. You are good with detail and insist on accuracy, but at times scatter energies. Practical thinker, but not without

Directions to the Shop 313 W Davidson is located in a residential area between Lincoln and Government Way just south the Kootenai Medical Center.

Davidson is the second left turn off Lincoln after you cross Ironwood. Then a left turn on Pansy. eclecticworldgems@gmail.com , Wand Making, pick your own stones using intuition and then making wands with those stones Wire Wrapping Stones

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The Origin of the Runes No-one knows exactly how old the runes are. Rune-like symbols appear as cave markings as early as the late Bronze Age (circa 1300 BC), and they are mentioned in the Bible, but their use in ritual and as an Oracle for consultation must certainly pre-date their use as a system of writing.

Eminent scientific runologist Dr R. I. Page of Cambridge University (An Introduction to English Runes 1973,1999 and Reading the Past - Runes 1987) notes that the runic forms were well established and gave the appearance of having been in use for some centuries before the time of the earliest written language inscriptions.

The fact that the runes were each given meaningful names confirms that they had some magical or religious significance to their users long before they emerged as an alphabet for records and messages.

The word rune itself comes from the old Norse word Runa meaning a secret or mystery, and it seems likely that the early runemasters and runemistresses were considered to have some magic or mystic power in their understanding of the runes.

The runes represent objects, gods, people, animals, concepts and occurrences. They were known by names from which their alphabetic and phonetic values were taken, but it must be remembered that the early Germanic and Norse tribes who developed them did so long before they had any need for writing messages.

It was not until about AD200, when the runemal (i.e. the art of runic interpretation) was wide-spread in Northern Europe that the runic alphabet emerged. This alphabet became known as the Futhark or Futhorc, after the names of the first 6 runes (Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raido, Kauno) and it is these 24 symbols that now comprise the rune set. Some modern diviners also use a blank to represent Odin, fate or destiny - but it is probably more useful as a spare in case of loss. A blank cannot rightfully be called a "rune" because there is no symbol on it.

And in any case, the rune Ansuz is generally accepted to represent Odin by the majority of experienced rune users.

There are very few surviving runic inscriptions and most of them are on stone or metal - the most durable of materials.

Only a handful of inscriptions carved on wood have ever been found, and none of these is from Britain.

There is sufficient evidence to show that the Ancient Pagan or Anglo-Saxon runes (known to runologists as the Anglo-Friesian runes from their geographical occurrence) are the same 24 basic runes with variations in their form due to usage over the centuries.

For example, the Hagalaz of the Norse resembled an angled H but the Anglo-Saxons added a second cross-bar.

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Variations in pronunciation can also occur. For instance, the Norsemen pronounced W as a V, but Anglo-Saxons had adapted this to the modern W sound by 600AD. There are those who suggest that many of the rune forms are copied from Roman script - the system of letters on which modern Western writing is based.

Such examples as Mannaz (M), Fehu (F), Berkanan (B), Raido (R) are obviously very similar, but it seems more likely to me that the rune symbols (although not then used as letters) are earlier in development. Or at least, they were developed from the same source as the Roman script.

Consider the technology and equipment that was necessary to undertake Roman writing. Parchment or paper with all the processing that requires - such as blanching chemicals and drying processes; the formulation of durable ink and its mass production; and not forgetting the development of a complex writing implement such as the quill pen. A civilization is hardly likely to undertake all these developments unless a suitable format for writing already existed.

Look now at the needs of the runemaster or runemistress, what did they require? Nothing more than a stick of wood and a sharp knife to incise the runes. Both of these requisites have been available to Man from the very earliest times. That runes were initially cut in wood there is no doubt. The very shape of the runes confirm this by the avoidance of the horizontal or curved line.

If you experiment with a flat wood surface you will find that it is very easy to cut straight lines across the grain. It is much more difficult to cut a curve with a straight knife blade. And it is almost impossible to cut a line horizontally along the grain - the cut closes up as the wood dries, and the line thus disappears.

The early runemasters and runemistresses therefore developed a system of writing from their existing fund of mystic or religious symbols which would endure on wood. The symbols were composed of vertical and angled straight lines that could easily be cut or burned in wood.

The later Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus (58-120AD) records a Germanic tribal Runemal in some detail in Chapter 10 of his ethnographical work Germania from about 97AD when he was Consul to the region: To divination they pay much attention. Their method is a simple one: they cut a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they mark with certain distinctive signs and scatter at random onto a white cloth. Then the priest of the community (if it is done publicly) or the father of the family (if it is done privately) after invoking the gods and with eyes raised to heaven, picks up three pieces one at a time and interprets them in accordance with the signs previously marked on them.

When the high chieftains and lawgivers of Anglo-Saxon England met in secret, their assemblies were known as The Runes: and a 4th Century translation of the Bible uses the word Runa for "mystery" or "secret proceedings".

The ancient Norse prose tales of the Edda have Odin hung on the World Tree when he spies the runes and seizes them up to gain wisdom and well-being. The Edda also mentions Bragi, master of the skalds (minstrels) and a great storyteller who reputedly had runes tattooed on his tongue - a reference to his magical gift as a raconteur.

The slightly later poem Erik the Red describes a Runemistress in full regalia.

Coming to modern references, the traditional lore of Finland as recorded in the Kalevala by LĂśnnrot in 1835 describes a confrontation of wizards where runic songs were used to cause fire and devastation.

Some modern experts allege that stones were commonly used for the Runemal, but I have found no evidence of this despite extensive research. The indications, whether from runology, known Pagan religious beliefs, or Saxon witchcraft ritual, all point to the use of wood, particularly from fruit-bearing trees.

In my efforts to accurately recreate the Ancient Runemal, my rune sets were made from Blackthorn, Ash, Beech, Birch, Chestnut, Elder, Hawthorn, Hazel, Rowan, Sycamore, Willow and a few other wild woods. In keeping with the Pagan respect for living things, I never cut from living trees, but used windfall or forested branches. Each rune set was individually dated, serial numbered and identified as to the wood and its origin.

This article is re-print from; http://www.runemaker.com/history.shtml

There are many versions of the runic alphabets. Each has variations in names, shapes, esoteric meanings and magical uses. One should not mix futharks, or the intent or meaning becomes confused. The Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, and the Younger (or Scandinavian) Futhark are the most frequently seen versions of the runic alphabets in use today.

The runes are broken into three sections or groups of eight, called aett (aettir, plural). This helps one to remember their order, and later, you will see, has significance in magical uses.

First the rune name is given, then its phonetic value, and the esoteric meaning used in divination. Rune users disagree on whether or not to place a different meaning on a rune that falls in an inverted or reversed position. Some runes look the same upside down and right side up. These cannot be "reversed". Nevertheless, any of the runes may appear as a "merkstave" (which literally means "dark stick" and implies a "dark" meaning), depending on how the runes are cast. Note that a "reversed" or "merkstave" meaning is not the opposite of its primary meaning, but usually has a more negative connotation.

Fehu: "fay-who" (F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope and plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility, creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage.

Uruz: "ooo-rooze" (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self.

Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness, callousness, violence.

Thurisaz: "thoor-ee-saws" (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict.

Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire.

Male sexuality, fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman.

Rape?

Ansuz: "awn-sooze� (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight, communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god. He always has his own agenda.)

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Raidho: "rye-though� (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of lifestyle direction.

A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

By Robert McDowell •

Kenaz: "kane-awze� (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope.

Gebo: "gay-boe" (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, oversacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery.

Wunjo: "woon-yo" (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going "over the top". If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation.

Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker.

Hagalaz: "haw-gaw-laws" (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Nauthiz: "now-these" (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength, innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of one's fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.

Isa: "ee-saw" (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Jera: "yare-awe" (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle, cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera Merkstave (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.

Eihwaz: "eye-wawz" (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose.

Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.

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Perthro: "perth-row" (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one's destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina.

Good lot, fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise.

Algiz: "all-yeese" (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

Sowilo : "soe-wee-low" (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory, health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire.

Sowilo Merkstave (Sowilo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.

Tiwaz: "tea-wawz" (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and authority. Analysis, rationality.

Knowing where one's true strengths lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: One's energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in competition.

Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly separation.

Berkano: "bear-kawn-oh" (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.

Ehwaz: "ay-wawz" (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated.

Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Mannaz: "mawn-nawz" (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.

Laguz: "law-gooze" (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing power of renewal.

Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, suicide.

Ingwaz: "eeeng-wawz" (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work.

Dagaz: "thaw-gauze" (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: "oath-awe-law" (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

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Dear Gertrude DEAR GERTRUDE I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season. Here at the cottage it has been quiet and restful - a time for reflection and recuperation.

One of the things I've been reflecting on is how I can best help people this coming year. I did take my Reiki certifications this past year and received my Reiki Master certificate but, being a teacher and Crone, I know that there are other things I must be willing to do as well as recognizing when a situation is beyond my ability for some reason. To this end I've decided to write a little on what I feel is the best way to help others.

Yes, I hear you all loud and clear out there! You are all saying, "Well Gertrude, after all you are a Crone Witch! You know or should know how to help everyone who asks and needs helps. You should be able to whisk those lottery numbers out of thin air and mend a person's health or heart."

Well, perhaps but part of being a Crone Witch is knowing not just how but when to help someone. And yes, I know it is my responsibility to help someone when asked but one of the things that many people forget is that even if I'm asked for help, for me to give the best and most effective assistance, I usually need more information than I receive. All too often relatives, friends or acquaintances want help for someone. They desire to make things "all better" and just go out with a request for assistance or help. Have you ever wondered just why all that help through prayers, chants and spells seem to fall into nothingness and the problem never really gets resolved. Here's what I think happens.

I receive dozens of requests each month that go something like this: "A friend of a friend of mine just lost her house and she (or a member of her family) is needing an serious medical attention right away. There is no job or money for food. I ask you to please pray for help for them."

Okay, most of us will pray, chant or light a candle for this family BUT just how effective will our prays, chants or spells be. Understandably no name was given, though even a first name would have been helpful or at least a location where energy could be sent. For years I was a member of a "prayer" circle that worked on such situations for individuals whose only information known was that they needed help. I think these circles are wonderful as getting a group of specific spell-crafters all focused on a particular person general works or at least helps in some fashion. And I heartily recommend them for those who wish to help in some open-ended fashion.

The request requested help because the family

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home was lost, someone was ill, in need immediate medical attention AND was out of money and food. WOW!!! Yes, this family really needs help BUT again without a little more info what truly can I or anyone else do but to toss out some energy and HOPE that it helps in some way. I must admit, I'd like to know what, if any social services they've contacted. Are they members of any local churches or organizations who could be of IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. Magick, whether by spell or prayer usually takes more time than these people have. The less information given to the spell worker(s) the longer time magick assistance will take to arrive. It's not that I don't want to help, I just need to know WHO to help.

Many years ago when I began learning how to send energy to assist individuals in need, my instructor told our class to always ask the individual for permission before sending any energy. If the individual was too ill or in some way unable to be contacted to ask permission, then we were to request permission of the person's Higher Power or Self. This I have done on many, many occasions with really good success BUT for it to work well, a name or identity is needed, even if it's nothing more than Aunt Susie's hairdresser's daughter in Wichita. At least this is a connection for my energy to be forwarded to. Think about the minimum information you need to send a letter to someone. It stands to reason that with all the people in the world and with all the people who are having similar problems, the person or family you are wanting to help needs to be identified in some manner. If your energy gets pulled away from your intended recipient will not receive what you've sent and all your efforts for this family is lost. Remember, you are working to some kind of a timeline.

Before some of you get upset with this Ol' Crone, I want you to know that I have been here and done my best to assist on cases similar to what I'm about to describe: Case #1 - Prayers/energy is requested for an individual who is addicted to drugs, alcohol or some other malady. I now ask for background history on such cases. It's not that I don't want to help someone is the addicted person asking for help OR is it a relative or friend. I am always receptive to an addict who comes to me for help for themselves. I figure if someone is willing to truly admit they need help, that's the first big step. As a food addict, a credit card spending addict and, most of all, a smoking addict, I know two of the hardest things to do is to admit to myself that I am addicted and that I do, in fact, need help from someone else. When someone asks for help for someone else, I always wonder if the addict truly wants help or is the addict just placating the relative or friend. I always ask what professional help has the addict.

gotten. Usually the response is none. What has the addict done to change/correct their problem. Again, the answer is nothing. Here's my advice to these individuals and even more so to their family and friends - GET PROFESSIONAL HELP!! If it's drugs, smoking, food, or alcohol, get to a doctor now. If it's something else such as verbal, mental, or physical abuse, you probably need both a medical doctor and a psychological advisor. For someone with credit or money addiction, I'd say at least a psychological advisor and probably a financial one as well. Yes, doctors and advisors require payment but most are willing to work with you to help get you healthy again and, after all, that is the requested outcome. If a person is willing to take these steps, I am more than happy to help in ALMOST any way I can with spells, chants and candles, all at no cost.

Case #2 - This is the individual who is constantly in need of something; money, attention, guidance for some problem, real or imagined. Bless your hearts. These individuals are in need of someone to hold their hands almost constantly and, unfortunately, most of us no longer have time (or the energy) to do this. You probably have known or know a person or two in this category as they are all around us. Often these individuals have had someone in their lives who took total responsibility for all their actions, good or bad, there was always someone there to guide them or bail them out situation. My heart goes out to them, it really does BUT these individuals need to learn to make better decisions, stand on their own two feet and face reality. Get a job, even if it's a part-time position but something in which you will begin to earn money; stop looking for that "Special Individual" who will take care of all your needs and learn that you are capable to do it for yourself, love is nice but undependable; set yourself goals which you strive to accomplish each day, small ones at first then larger and larger.

I know, there are those who through absolutely no fault of their own find themselves in need of help and I say, help them but keep these individuals in the loop so they know what you are doing for them and learn to do it for themselves. In other words ENABLE them to take care of THEIR OWN problems and not to depend on you over and over again. I'm finding more and more young individuals (ages 19 through their early 40's) that have absolutely no idea where to go for help or even to think out what kind of help they need. It breaks my heart to hear some of the stories these people come up with but all too often they are wanting someone to "fix it all" for them so they can go merrily on their way only to fall back into the same or similar problem again. My father told me many, many times that "if you give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day but if you teach him how to fish, he'll feed himself for a lifetime." This is true BUT sometimes you do have to teach him HOW to clean the fish and WHERE the best fishing is. We now live in a society that for, whatever reason, left our young without guidance and too many young individuals who have learned that if they

cry loud enough for help, someone will not only "fix" their problem but will continue to them over and over again. Be careful with these individuals. Part of being a Witch/Pagan is knowing when to help, when to teach, and when to step back. When you teach them the Craft, insure they truly understand that preforming harm to someone will, at some point, come back to the person who preformed it.

Case #3 - This is when I am asked for help for someone who has come to what is probably their current life's end. As I get older I am asked more often to help in such cases. Surely being a Crone and having a lot of wisdom, I can make someone's health better, or some other situation turn completely around by just doing a spell or saying a chant or prayer. My dears, some things are just meant to be. Over the last few years I have lost many dear, dear friends, mostly through illness and death but a few from a change of attitude, mine or theirs, it makes no difference, I have still lost someone who was and still is very important to me. There are a few of us who continue going just like the EveryReady Bunny, but most of us do wind down and wake through the veil and await the opportunity to return later. It's difficult to tell these persons you love so much or their families there is nothing more you can do for them, just make them comfortable and make their passing as emotional easy as possible and insure that the medical staff keeps the pain at bay. I receive many requests to help individuals who are passing to be revived (to take up their bed and walk again, so to speak). For these individuals I usually chant something about what will be shall be. It may seem like a really "Pollyanna" attitude but if I know the individual's name (here we go again!) I can always request energy be sent to their Higher Power/Self and that it be used in whatever way is best and I send energy to their family to get through their period of grief.

For individuals that my friendship has waned, well, I ask that their Higher Self will understand that sometimes it's necessary for friends to part to make room for someone else who need each of us more. When I can, I do my best to stay in touch with these individuals but I know there is only so much I can do from my side and hope that someday, if the situation warrants it, we come back together. If not, I know that a wonderful being was in my life for a while and I've learned something from them.

In conclusion, I guess what I'm really attempting to pass on to you is this, whenever you are asked for or offer help or assistance, do a quick Q&A with yourself. Ask yourself Who, Why, Where and How Long and do your best to get these answers. You will be better prepared to help the person needing assistance while saving their friendship (if you have one with them) and most definitely saving your own sanity. Always remember, not everyone is prepared for help and not everyone wants help. This, in itself, will help you and them.

Happy New Year and may you have a Blessed 12 months!

Sincerely Gertrude Moon, CC

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By Eleazar Rex 2013

The thought to make an attempt at working with pitch glue came from a conversation about crafting witchy items with a friend of mine. We discussed what would likely have been used in the real old days and decided to give it a whirl. I really was not into trying hide or bone glue, mostly because I don’t have a horse sized cauldron available and Llewellyns swears they are out of them after Samhain. With that realization, we knew it had to be pitch glue. I did some research and found that the recipe is very simple and particularly in the northwest, the ingredients easy to come by.

Historically pitch glue was used for all sorts of things. Birch canoes were sealed using pitch glue, arrowheads and other primitive tools were glued with pitch then bound with rawhide to their shafts or handles. Small objects were glued in place and it was a general all around sealant and sometimes used for wound binding as well.

The first things are some common tools, a couple of dowel rods or sticks, a container to melt the pitch in and a mortar and pestle. The ingredients were simple to find here in the northwest. I found plenty of charcoal from old fires and lots of oozing pitch I scraped from trees. Don’t fret harming the tree, because your not. In some instances you are actually removing destructive pests that cause the tree major damage, and if you just smear some of the remaining pitch over the wound in the tree you are helping it heal.

Trees weep pitch and when large branches break off there is often a heavy seepage of pitch. If you are careful to cover any raw wood, again, you are helping the tree heal, rather than causing damage and ‘take only what you need’ is the best rule If you think you need a lot, take a little off of a number of trees. I found enough resin in short order for this task.

Mortar and Pestle Tin cup or can (you won’t want to use it for much else after) Sticks (I cut some skewer rods I picked up at walmart) And . . . yes, I used an old mesh strainer to further sift the charcoal.

The ingredients were simple.

Pitch (pine, fir or spruce) Charcoal (ground fine) Fiber (historically grass dung was used, but someone suggested dryer lint)

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The approximate recipe is by volume, rather than weight.

Resin 2 parts Charcoal 1 part Fiber (lint, dung, shredded plant fiber) I ground and sieved the charcoal to a fairly fine powder. And set it aside for the moment.

I started with a low medium heat, about 1/3 power on an electric stove. This seemed to be just right for slowly melting the pitch. I did not want it to flash or instantly melt having never tried this before.

Using the tin cup for a melting pot it took about ten minutes for the pitch to liquefy and start simmering. You want a slow simmer rather than a boil and it will look rather like molasses at this point. Once it gets to a slow steady simmer and is completely liquefied its time to add the powdered charcoal. The pitch went from a golden brown blob to black ooze as I stirred

the charcoal in. I could feel the texture of the mix change and go from viscous to tacky. Once it starts feeling tacky, stop adding charcoal. I added a little bit too much and it became almost granular, though still liquid, so I added more pitch until it smoothed out.

For now, I am using the tin cup for storing most of it. Formerly it was stored in little bowls, or for travelling and use, a stick was dipped in the cooling pitch until the desired amount built up and the stick was set aside to cool.

I glued a couple of sticks together and found that the bond is stable. My first attempt it is a little to the brittle side, and I think that’s because I added too much charcoal. The bond itself was almost as strong as a similar bond with white glue would be. I am going to attempt to craft a wand using this glue and will experiment further with the mixture then.

Next: Crafting with Resin glue!

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By Woods Wizard

Almost everyone is familiar with the concept of a Blue Moon: the second full moon in a month as measured on the Julian calendar. Prior to universal use of the Julian calendar, a Blue Moon was the third full moon in a season that had four full moons, with seasons measured from equinox to solstice, or solstice to equinox. There is a less familiar and equally rare moon that is the opposite of a Blue Moon. When we have two Dark Moons in the same month (or four in the same season), the second Dark Moon is called a Sidhe (pronounced shee) Moon.

2014 is a very unusual year in that we will be having two Sidhe Moons in the Julian calendar year. The first is January 30; the second is March 30. In the solar calendar year, November 22 is the third of four Dark Moons in the season from Mabon to Yule and therefore is also a Sidhe Moon.

Many believe that Dark Moons are a time when magickal workings should be avoided and Sidhe Moons even more so. However, for those who believe it is appropriate to appreciate the Moon in all Her phases, the Dark Moon is as important as the Full Moon. The Dark Moon is a useful period for growth, for starting new ventures, or new beginnings. Of course sometimes to make room for new growth, something must be culled: something must die. What better time to banish the undesired?

The Sidhe The second Dark Moon in the month is named after the Sidhe. Who are the Sidhe? The Sidhe are one of many inhabitants of an "Otherworld." According to fairysource.com, Otherworlds are populated by all manner of beings, from tiny flower fairies, to taller-thanhuman elves, huge dragons, and massive mountain devas.

In every culture on Earth, there are persistent tales of Elves, Genies, Gods, Goddesses, Gnomes, Brownies, Leprechauns, Sidhe, Trolls, and many more.

The Sidhe are native to Ireland. Sidhe means “People of the Mounds.” They are associated with the many burial mounds that dot the countryside in the

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British Isles. Sidhe are descended from the "Tuatha de Danann" who conquered Ireland by defeating the Fir Bolg and in turn were defeated by the Milesians. The story of their defeat is told in the Book of Invasions (www.timelessmyths.com): On one clear day, Íth, uncle of Míl, could see the enchanting isle of Erin (Ireland) from Spain, and decided to travel and explore this beautiful, new land. Íth arrived peacefully in Ireland with his followers.

The Dananns welcomed Íth to Erin at first, but became suspicious of Íth's motives. Through misunderstanding of Íth's comment about the land, the Danann kings murdered Íth and his two brothers. The survivors escaped with Íth's body.

When his body was brought back to his family in Spain, the sons of Míl sought to avenge their uncle's death. They embarked with their warriors and families to Erin in sixtyfive ships.

The Dananns decided to avoid confrontations with the Milesians, so they used their magic to hide Erin in a fog. The Danann had also cast the spell of straying on the Milesian fleet. However, the Milesians had counter-spells and were able to guide their ships to safety, and landed on Ireland. It was said that the three wives of the three Danann kings sought out the Milesian leaders. Each queen asked the Milesians to name Ireland after her. It was Eriu who won the honor. It was the help Eriu, that the Milesians won the war against the Tuatha Dé Danann.

All three Danann kings along with their three queens were killed and the Tuatha Dé Danann were forced to retreat. They did not leave Erin, but continued to live in there, with their conquerors. Manannan, a powerful Danann wizard, placed a spell of invisibility over the many parts of Ireland; magical palaces were hidden under mounds. The places were called Sidhe. With their magic, the Dananns can appear or vanish from sight. They live among us, hidden from view under mounds and fairy raths and cairns, and also a mythical island to the west of Ireland. There they live, in a different space and time; a place where time passes different from our own. It is a place where time passes slowly compared to or world, so that the Tuatha Dé Danann appear to be immortal.

Though hidden, the Sidhe are in contact with those of us who can see past the veils that separate our realities.

You can reach out with your intuition; feel the nature spirits all around us. You can hear their voices in the wind. Use your intuition, for without it, we would have only the obvious physical world, devoid of music, art, myth and maybe even hope. It is our intuitions that will open doors to the worlds beyond our own.

Relating to the Sidhe The Sidhe are often lumped with the Fey, or fairies, but they are not the diminutive ‘Tinkerbell” fairies of popular culture. They are described as tall, richly-dressed and very comely of appearance. Their feast halls are richly decorated and full of food and drink. But that doesn’t mean they don’t like sharing ours! After every ritual, share some of the cakes and mead with the Otherworld Beings that frequent your home. Leave them periodic offerings of milk and honey.

It is good to leave them offerings, for while they are generally benign, they can be demanding, and will even steal or hide things until they get their way. They are mischievous, kind, helpful, a little arrogant, and can be beastly if you get on their wrong side. Ignore their “requests” at your own peril! If you damage or destroy something under their protection, expect retribution.

Yet they can also be friendly, giving protection, healing and even teaching some of their skills to us.

Most of the time, the Sidhe appear as white lights or dark shadows at the edge of our peripheral vision. Only rarely can you see them while looking right at them. Some are social; some are solitary. Those that are social live in groups and often can be heard singing in your gardens. If you are lucky enough to have Sidhe in your garden, provide them with a clean bird bath.

Not all are so nice to have around. Sidhe may ride out to hunt, or stir up an eddy of dust, or engage in battles, or steal children, or prevent butter from forming in the churn. The Irish Banshee can foretell death; her cries are of mourning – a keening first used by Brigit upon learning of the death of her son. The washer at the ford – the Bean Nighe – washed the blood from the clothes of those who are about to be slain. Some Sidhe have been accused of stealing babies, leaving their ugly changeling children in their stead. Then there is the Ankou – the fairy version of the Grim Reaper.

The Sidhe ride out on Midsummer's Eve or Samhain on a Wild Hunt. Seeing the Wild Hunt was thought to presage some catastrophe such as war or plague, or at best the death of the one who witnessed it.

Mortals getting in the path of or following the Hunt could be kidnapped or forced to join.

Celebrating the Year of the Sidhe You can celebrate the Year of the Sidhe as simply or as extravagantly as you wish. The Sidhe are associated with the Dark Moon: the time of new beginnings. Yet they are not Dark Beings. Like us, they are a mixture of Light and Darkness; of Creative and Destructive energies. We shouldn’t be afraid of their Dark side, or of our own.

Embrace the Dark as you do the Light. They define each other. To acknowledge the Sidhe, take extra time to leave out offerings. Milk and honey is the fairy path tradition, but the Sidhe like ale, mead, wine, and good food. Share some with them. Put a bird bath in your garden to attract them.

Celebrate the Dark Moon as you do the New Moon.

There are after all, a number of important Dark Moons this year as well. Here are some important ones: 

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January 1 – the first Dark Moon of the Year.

Welcome the Year of the Sidhe with merry-making, and don’t forget to include an offering to them!

Make some resolutions as to what spiritual seeds you will plant this year.

January 30 – the first Sidhe Moon according to the Julian calendar. Hold a brief ceremony to honor the Sidhe and Brigit (Imbolc is February 2). Write your resolutions on birch paper if you can find some) and make an oath to carry them out. Burn the paper in a sacred fire.

March 30 – the second Sidhe Moon on the Julian calendar. This will be an excellent time for a ceremony to charge talismans or to cull that from your life that is no longer needed, making room for new growth.

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April 28 – the probable date for Burning Man at Greyhaven, but a great time to celebrate Beltane no matter where you are. It is said that the Sidhe cannot have normal children, which is why some steal babies. Incorporate placating the Sidhe into your Beltane rituals.

June 21 – This is the first Wild Hunt. Be careful about calling to the Sidhe this night!

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September 23 – Mabon is on a Dark Moon this year. Share part of your harvest bounty with your Otherworldly neighbors.

October 19 – The likely date for Squirrelly’s third annual Witch’s Ball. The theme will be “The Wild Hunt!”

October 31 – The second date of the Wild Hunt.

Be careful about calling to the Sidhe this night!

November 22 – This is a Sidhe Moon according to the Solar Calendar. It is also a moon of healing.

December 21 – Yule falls on a Dark Moon this year, so a festival of returning light is doubly important as both the Sun and the Moon begin to gain in strength.

However you decide to celebrate, 014 is a good year to reconnect with the Otherworlders all around us, to reconnect with the Elemental Powers of the Universe and to reconnect with that magickal presence in ourselves. Have a happy Year of the Sidhe!

SPOKANE PAGAN VILLAGE COMMONS http://www.spokanepagans.com/index.html January 1, 2014 - Spokane Pagan Meetup New Moon Gathering This will be an informal gathering where various spiritual/occult topics may be discussed also reiki and readings may be available. Basic fellowship and sharing at the time of the New Moon.

Location & Time: 2102 W 1st Ave #9, Spokane, WA

January 5, 2014 - Squirrelly Productions - Topical Discussions Come by and discuss topics of interest to pagans!

Location & Time: Reboot Cafe, 501 South Thor, Spokane 11:00 a.m.

46 January 8, 2014 - Spokane Pagan Meetup Monthly Meetup Location and Time: Riverpark Square, Kress Gallery 808 West Main Avenue, Spokane, WA 6:00 p.m.

January 11, 2014 - Spokane Witches Meetup - Monthly Meeting Location and Time: Riverpark Square, Kress Gallery 808 West Main Avenue, Spokane, WA 12:00 p.m.

January 17, 2014 - Squirrelly Productions - Pagan Pizza Join your fellow pagans for a jolly good time with pizza and your favorite beverage. Bring your minions!

Location and Time: 1908 West Francis Avenue, Spokane, WA 4:00 p.m.

January 19, 2013 - Spokane Pagan Meetup Reiki & Potluck Dinner Potluck dinner for those who wish to bring something to share. Reiki available to whomever is in need of healing.

Location & Time: 327 N. Stanley Street, Medical Lake, WA 4:00 p.m.

January 25, 2014 - Squirrelly Productions - Dream Dabbling with Shade Grown Coffee Come in and have a latte and discuss and interpret dreams!

Location & Time: Reboot Cafe, 501 South Thor, Spokane 11:00 a.m.

Metaphysical Research Society 2nd Thursday of month, 7:30 pm Center for Spiritual Living, 33rd & Regal, Spokane, WA PO Box 4061, Spokane WA 99220 PUBLIC INVITED. 509-838-8155 Membership $25 per year, first visit FREE Or $5.00 each meeting

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The January Garden

By Lazy Witch

Ok, so you've got a foot and a half of snow on the ground and you're running around in knee socks, warm slippers, sweat pants and three shirts and here I am talking about "Gardening". Let me tell you, it's NEVER too early to plan your Spring and Summer Garden and plantings simply because what better time than now to sit back with all those seed and plant catalogues you find in your mail box or on-line!! I love this time of year because these catalogues let me know that there is really light at the end of the Winter Tunnel!!!

For those of you who are subsistence gardeners (heavy into canning and storing what you grow), you probably already know exactly what and where you are going to grow your garden. You've planned your planting schedule with an eye on the Farmer's Almanac and you've probably decided what type of seed, new hybrid or old heirloom seeds. Your gardening patch is probably already pre-dug and covered with either marsh hay or straw just waiting for you to return when the snow melts. You are the "stuff" dreams are made of.

For the many of us, we're happy to just put up a few pots on the front porch, a balcony or patio. Container gardening is fun and you can produce a goodly amount of food from these plants depending on what you plant and the size of your containers. You can also get beautiful flowers for inside and magnificent display outdoors!

I love container gardening because I find it far less time consuming, it normally takes less water and I can usually place containers up a little higher so I don't have to get down on the ground. Container gardening is wonderful for older gardeners, disabled gardeners and children who are just learning. Growing in containers is the answer to most of you who live in apartments and other forms of rental housing. Most containers are or can be made fashionable and mobile.

Another nice thing about container gardening (at least for me) is I can focus my magickal energies on what I want each container for much more easily. If I want to have some plants on either side of my front door that will focus on protection/negativity blocking, it just that easy. Say I'm wanting more love in my bedroom, a grouping of "love plants" placed under my bedroom window will do the trick!!! And wouldn't it be really fun to have the kids to have a box container under their bedroom window for them to watch and work, something that contains plants the carry knowledge, patients, and happiness. I'm also far more apt to place energy stones in the pots and water with Moon Blessed Water which all help to increase their potency.

A few things to take into considerations when selecting what plants or seeds you are thinking of planting particularly in containers:

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1) Your Planting Zone. You should be able to easily find this online or on the back of most seed packets. Keep in mind these zones do vary somewhat so do your research. Check with your local Gardening Club or perhaps one of your librarians. I know my growing conditions are one set lower than the US Ag Department says. Container gardens tend to warm up faster in the Spring and Summer and, depending upon how they are prepared burn plant roots if not protected in the Summer. If the container base is well protected, you may find that you have veggies and flowers later into the Fall as long as you cover them when the temperature drops and the danger of frost begins.

2) How much sun do the areas you wish to plant receive? Is it under trees or over roof overhangs? Does the space get morning or afternoon sun (morning sun is usually not as hot and destructive as afternoon sun) It's important to understand that when growing in containers you MUST water your plants every day and sometime for some plant containers, twice a day.

3) What kind of growing medium are you using? If you are planting a traditional garden, most likely you will need to amend your soil with mulch and compost. If you are using containers you will need to use a container mix made for growing vegetables in (not all pot mixes are suitable for veggies!). Most pot/container soil mixes contain synthetic fertilizer so be careful if you are or find yourself sensitive to chemicals! DO NOT USE REGULAR SOIL IN POTS OR CONTAINERS! Most plants will do ok but the nutrients are missing and when the container is watered, the soil compacts killing any worms and critters crawling around to help keep the soil aerated.

4) Take a few hours and read through some witching herbals to see what plants might be more magickally beneficial for you and where you should place them for their best result. These herbal grimories normally don't give you hybrid names but you will get some really good plant ideas.

5) Once you have your plants list, look into companion planting. Insure that the plants you are wanting to plant together for that beautiful or yummy container or garden area will grow well together. Do they require the same amount of sun every day, and how about the amount of moisture they require?

Do those plants carry the same or complementary energies?

This is very important.

6) Matching containers to plants. Of course seeds and seedlings don't usually require anything really deep to begin with BUT any plant that requires deep rooting or grows tubers (potatoes are an example) it's necessary that there is plenty of bottom space.

Also, if you are planning on planting lots of plants or different plants in a container, make use there will be enough room for each plant to spread as it grows.

7) Look into how to plant container gardens in books or on-line.

This is very important because it's really disheartening to go through the time and expense of planting something only to have it sprout and grow a few inches, have it fall over and die. To be really honest, this is why I now use only good starts from the garden center. I've never been any good with seeds or seedlings so I tend to go for the starter plants. I can buy just a few (three or four) and put them in a pot the same day (weather permitting).

This year I'm doing hanging tomatoes which require a few more techniques than the instructions give. I've read a lot about these interesting planting bags and want to keep my babies going all summer! I just love fresh tomatoes!!!

8) Put your larger containers on wheels!! If you are putting medium to large or barrel containers on solid porches or patios, put them on a wheel base BEFORE you fill them with potting soil!!

When I put containers out in the yard on the ground, I prefer to place them on a weed barrier, positioning them where I want them and, after planting the plants in the containers, spread bark or chip to cover the rest of the exposed weed barrier. The bark/chip helps maintain humidity around the pots. (In some areas of the country, dried, brown pine needles and crunched pine cones can serve the same purpose as the more expensive bark). I usually group three, five OR seven pots together if I'm going for a flower garden look. It's visually pleasing and I love the magick of the numbers. Large containers and planting barrels I usually stick in threesomes, space permitting. You might want to place a couple bricks or 2x4s under these larger containers and planters to help prevent rotting, pot break down and better air flow and evaporation in case of over watering of plants (it's hard to over water containers in a hot summer but not unheard of).

9) You can "build" special garden areas in your yard using containers. Think about a White Flower Moon Garden or a wonderful Walking Spiral or Labyrinth. What about special planters or containers in the children's play area and let them help water and care for the plants. Children' play spaces are terrific areas for Fairy Gardens because the Fae love to hear children laugh! In placing containers in different areas of your yard, you and the family will be drawn around into nature more without the draw back of weeding and digging that you may not have time for.

You will also get a much better idea of what plants grow best where and you'll be a much more aware of the actual growing conditions in your yard should you ever wish to plant in ground.

You'll be able to "feel" if a certain area of your yard just isn't right for planting in. I have one of these under the power line that connects our house to the service line. I've allowed the serviceberry bushes to take over that area and they are in the process of building a very nice bushy fence for me!

10) Remember, there are some really beautiful plants that you may not want up front and center, so to speak. Rose plants grow beautifully in containers as well as the ground BUT did you know that those thorns can emit a very prickly atmosphere to visitors as well as the family. You might want to move them and any other prickly or thorny plant back away from the door if you are wanting a welcoming entrance. By the way, in milder climates roses do very well in containers with a good sunny balconies or small patios. Many vining plants make a wonderful entry plants encouraging love to stay within the home. I like to plant green vines and pink and purple plants around my front door. I always feel the love ooozzzze out!!

If you look around on-line you'll find lots of ideas of how to set up container gardens as well as starter in-ground gardens and what grows best but don't be limited to what you read. Be bold, plant a tree in a barrel or deep container or red cabbages with salad greens on your steps! Run an old rain gutter along that long empty side of the house or on the fence and put trailing vines and trailing nasturtiums in it. Be brave, inventive and, most of all MAGICAL this Spring but begin your planning now! Your garden will be better for it and it will help chase away those Winter Blues.

Happy Magickal Growing!

LazyWitch

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The Astrological Moon North Star Astrology By: Ingrid Jeffries AAFA

Ingrid Jeffries is a counseling astrologer, writer, teacher, and retreat facilitator working in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area.

She's provided individual, relationship and career counseling for over 20 years. She teaches classes on Astrology, Tarot, Dream Interpretation and Carolyn Myss’ Sacred Contracts. She offers phone and in office sessions. For more information on her classes or sessions go to:

Winter 2014 Practical Wisdom, Practical Magic By: Ingrid Jeffries

As we move through the final days of this year and prepare for the New Year many of us reflect on what we have and have not accomplished. We live in interesting times. The planetary alignments we are presently experiencing were not previously known to man. Today’s astronomy is able to view the dynamics of our solar system and far universes as never before.

The alignments of Pluto, Neptune, and Uranus cannot be seen with the naked eye, so to astronomer / astrologers of the past they were unknown. It was only in the previous century that we gained the technology to view them. With this technology, life on our planet has changed radically as has our human consciousness. There have been gains and losses. In general, we humans know more about Life, yet seem to value it less. Paradox and disharmony are the norm, while peace and order seem in short supply.

The winter solstice and new year’s charts for 2014 indicate that the themes of, authority, deep powerful relations, self discipline, change, and cooperation are active. The status quo is being challenged to accept; new ways of partnering, new ways to distribute resources, business that is more ‘family friendly’, and innovative solutions for peace. The signs of prominence over the winter quarter are Capricorn, Scorpio, and Libra. These are social signs and associated with the earth based wisdom of the ‘old ones,’ shamans and magicians, faerie and elementals.

Often politicians, engineers, comedians, healers, and therapists will have these zodiacal sign prominent in their natal chart. Ritual is an important part of these traditions. It is imperative for each of us to look at the daily ‘rituals’ that do, or do not, support personal well being and peace of mind.

The, New Years Day, New Moon in Capricorn at 4:15 AM MST finds Mars the planet of speed and war actively involved with this New Moon’s energies.

Accidents and mishaps can be more prevalent now.

Pay active attention when driving for the week following this new moon. The Sun, Moon, Pluto and Mercury are within 2* of each other in Capricorn. This means their energies are working together. The Sun symbolizes our sense of Self, the Moon symbolizes our needs and our comfort zone, Mercury describes how our minds work and our communications skills, while Pluto assures us that change and transformation will happen. Pluto opens us to Divine Will, and Cosmic Law. It, and Saturn, are mostly commonly associated with karmic lessons and wisdom. As we let go of our ego’s selfish will, we learn to surrender to Divine Will. Pluto’s influence moves us through any obstacles to a larger vision, forcing us to give up control over our lives and embrace the Divine plan for each of us. We have the Power to be a Divine channel of infinite possibility once our attachment to a specific outcome is released. Align with the Divine for the most beneficial outcome.

What is the reality you want to create? Tell yourself and the world a new story. 2014 will provide us all with some unique opportunities, personally, professionally, socially, and globally.

As Aunt Francis said in 'Practical Magic'.. “My darling, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage." Alice Hoffman Key Thoughts for the Signs 2014 Aries: 2014 can be a wild ride but your adventuresome spirit is up for it. Family will provide stability and support should you get in a bind. Be aware that angry impulses will have lasting ramifications.

Taurus: This is a year to evaluate commitments. More work is not necessarily better unless you enjoy it. Time away with a friend or sibling can create balance and be especially relaxing.

Gemini: All that juggling you do so skillfully can pay off and one of your projects will add some cash to your bank account. Just make sure to remember who the boss is.

Cancer: Explore new horizons, and allow the space for a new dream to emerge. You have the time to make the right decisions for yourself. Have faith and step into your future.

Leo: Your pride may take some hits this year but only if you lack flexibility and adhere to rigid thinking. Embrace the spiritual and creative aspects of your life to find the real gold in 2014.

Virgo: The element of progressive change is marching through your life. Friends, lovers, and children are all expanding your horizons. Pursue your creativity; it could bring a new love to you.

Libra: “Hurry up and wait” will be your motto for the first half of the year, but you are making head way and getting noticed for all that you do. Just be sure it is for the right actions.

Scorpio: Commitment is a thorny issue but remember the rose involved. Valuable decisions based on the reality of what will or will not work for you are made this year. Know thyself.

Sagittarius: Joint ventures may provide unexpected dividends and transform finances for the better if you have done some traditional planning. An unexpected new love may turn your life around.

Capricorn: Transformation is a slow process but yours is a sign of patience well equipped to emerge the butterfly. Take a risk in a new relationship, love and family will be the benefits.

Aquarius: This year favors exploring new ways of thinking about your job and health. Work may provide more opportunities for travel and/ or expansion. Dietary changes could have great benefits.

Pisces: Your expanded sense of creativity can be further harnessed through a class or transformational group experience. Education and travel are favored. A new mentor will enter you life.

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Witchy ways to protect the home

By Chaos Witch

It's been a while since I wrote about something truly witchy, but I thought it was time to make a post about different strategies one can use to protect their home, both within and without, from malefic influences (and mundane ones). These techniques work and I can attest that I have yet to experience any violation of my home boundaries and I have a few of these practices established, especially when I move into a new place. Some of them are not necessarily witchy or even pagan and can be found in many religious and magical practices - which goes to show that what works, works :) The importance of cleansing First of all, it makes good and proper sense to cleanse your home of any negative influence before you start protecting it. Your wards and protections could simply be forming a trap for things that are already present within your boundary if you don't clean up first. Cleansing is a whole 'nother post, but I can't emphasise enough the spiritual benefit of scrubbing the shit out of any house that you move into, and doing so again at on a regular basis. Once you have thoroughly cleaned your house, using mundane AND magical methods (and to some, there is no difference), you are ready to set up your protections.

Ugh, annoying. Someone forgot to ward their home. Illustration by Arthur Rackham 56

Smoke, salt and water can all have a role to play in your cleansing of your home and the boundaries. The process of cleansing can also reveal any weaknesses in your boundaries or thresholds that can provide a hole for nasties to get in. Cleansing is like the scale & clean your dental hygienist does to your teeth and gums before your dentist comes along so she can check out what the damage is.

White lighting it It sounds cheesy, and a little bit New Age or Charmed, but simply the best and easiest way for a witch to protect her home is to use the power of white protective energy.

Why white? White reflects light and energy. It literally bounces energy back and it is therefore the most effective barrier for protective purposes. It is the easiest 'colour' for most people to manipulate and envision. If you want to mix some other colours in, blue is also extremely protective. If you are experienced with coloured energy manipulation (again, a whole 'nother post,) you can add different streams of colour in, but white is simple and effective - the original and the best.

Begin by grounding and centering yourself. Envision a ball of pure, white energy streaming down from above, from the a pure source of your choosing - it could be God or Goddess, it could be the Sun, the Moon, or simply a pure, universal white light. Imagine that pure energy gathering in your solar plexus, right behind your navel into a glowing ball. Expand that ball and let it grow until it forms a protective sphere. Breathe deep breaths, and with each breath out, let that ball further expand. Let that shimmering, glowing sphere keep growing until it encompasses your whole home, right up into the outer boundaries. It could be your driveway, or your front door if you live in an apartment building. It's best to keep the boundaries to your own territory - expanding it much further is bad manners and doesn't suit your purposes.

Once you have your sphere expanded, keep breathing until you feel that it is strong and impenetrable. When you are ready, let the sphere gently drop, a bit like a bubble laying to rest. It might need a bit of reinforcement now and then, but I found the memory of the protective sphere tends to stick around making it easy to rejuvenate.

An alternative to this method is when you are establishing a protective circle for a regular working (if that is part of your practice), you can then extend the circle boundaries to surround your property instead of closing it fully, and allow it to rest. It is important to only do this if the energies of the circle suit this re-appropriation. I have done this after holding a group ritual with close friends sometimes it feels right to extend the circle and allow it to settle as a protection circle rather than to close it. A little unconventional, but it works nicely too.

Oil, water and smoke Using smoke, water and/or oil to protect an area is a slightly different process than cleansing. Often water and smoke is used in a dual manner for both cleansing and protection, but if you want your agenda of protection to be really clear, it is good to engage with separate processes for each.

When cleansing with smoke, use herbs and botanicals such as eucalyptus, rosemary, bay, lavender and sage. Personally, I think it is better to make bundles of herbs for cleansing yourself from plants that are already situated within your boundary or in your neighbourhood. I live in a temperate climate so I have all of these plants ready on hand. I think purchasing 'smudge sticks' from occult stores or online should be a last resort. White sage and palo santo is magnificent but have some awareness about where your burnt offerings are coming from as in some countries it is becoming scarce due to over harvesting. This isn't really a worry in Australia as we have most of the stuff we need growing in our gardens already - but always try to have some awareness about where your bits are coming from. Local is best for many reasons. Additionally, you can also light a collection of incense sticks together and use those for smoke cleansing. The ones you find in hardware stores for mosquito repellant is also very useful for this. Local jumbo repellant sticks made from sandalwood also double as amazing smoke cleansers on both the spiritual and insect planes ;) Protecting and cleansing with smoke is not exactly a delicate art. Light your dried and tightly bundled fronds or your sticks and then stub them out. Wave them around all of your boundaries and in the nooks and crannies of your house. Don't forget doorways, cupboards, windows and archways, as well as under the house - as these can be portals on multiple realms. I use an open palm to wave the smoke in a pushing motion away from my body. Just watch the dropping ash and embers - you don't want to scorch yourself or start a small fire. Speaking of which, lighting fires on the boundaries are also good protective measures. If you live on a country property, burning off dead materials is probably a part of your property management already and can double as a protective ritual, and establishing firebreaks on your property can also double as establishing a protective boundary.

Asperging with water is another classic way to cast protection. Salt water is best. Simply dip a front of rosemary into salt water and sprinkle the water in the same way and in the same spots as described above for smoke cleansing. You can also use Florida Water or Indigo Water if you are looking for more elaborate waters and again, recipes are out there, but I prefer simple, easy to access solutions.

You can use oil as protection and anoint doorways and windows with it. Virgin Olive Oil is good for this, but recipes for Home Protection Oil are out there. Google is your friend!

Jars, bottles, and statues If you want to start getting fun there's some additional solutions if you think your protection needs further oomph.

Sprinkle rice around your boundaries or keep a jar of rice by your door. The rice is absorbent and will absorb any negative energy. Throw the rice out when you're done and NEVER cook with it - don't even bring it into the house.

Witch bottles are an old fashioned and kickass way to repell negativity. These bottles are usually buried at the outer boundaries of properties. Personally I think they are better off at the boundaries only but they can be hidden between walls or under homes. Out of sight is best. These can be filled with tacks, nails and sharp, shiny objects. Yucky, repellant stuff. Then filled with vinegar or pee. The goal here is to repell, people. Of course, simply peeing on your boundaries works too - there's a reason why dogs do it! Ahem.

How about some good ol' gargoyles? What a fabulous way to protect your space. They look great and will keep watch for you.

Servitors Constructing a servitor is a useful way to enlist a protective energy. Conjuring a servitor and binding it to an object, such as a statue, doll or even a rock, is a good way to give you some extra eyes on your space. Be clear with your servitor as to what it's job is and don't forget to feed it every now and then.

Fences and Shrubbery!

There's a reason those Knights of Ni wanted a shrubbery! Shrubbery is a palpable barrier for stopping stuff getting in. Roses are great as they are thorny, and every witch loves a good thorny bramble. Decent fencing is also a good way to stop stuff getting in. At this point you are probably thinking DUH... but it is amazing what a great job regular muggle techniques do. While you're at it, do you have, or are you in the position to, install security such as alarms or security barriers onto your windows? I don't have any of these things but they are a definite turn-off for would-be intruders on multiple planes.

Wards Last of all, if the above techniques don't work you can cast a protective ward on your home. Wards are, once again, a whole 'nother post! But they are an excellent method for protecting space. Wards can vary between simple castings and sigils, to elaborate ritual constructs which take time and effort, and perhaps an experienced practitioner depending on the ward, to prepare. They can be inscribed onto a window with soap or written using chalk on pathways, or even painted on for permanent solutions.

Wards can also be woven into decorative items such as wreaths, or charmed so that they attach to items. If you are serious about protection of your personal space, wards are the way to go as they afford peace of mind and provide powerful protection that other solutions might not solidify.

And finally All of these methods are enhanced with a little rhyming chant. Using your breath to set your intention with words of power reinforces your mission. Write one yourself, enlist your token forces, deities, faeries, demons or totems - whatever suits your practice. Seal the deal with a little "so mote it be" ;) One last note on protection - it's a good idea, if possible, to get all residents of the household involved in the protective process. It could be that they participate in constructing fences, planting shrubs, or picking out gargoyles - fairly innocuous activities, but this process helps ensure they are part of the process of protecting and sealing your boundaries.

Good luck, and have fun!

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Happy New Year From all of us here at Elemental Magick