23rd Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle ~ Ruis/Elder
"I'm one with the Goddess and open to Her Wisdom." 23rd Day of the 13th Lunar Cycle Ruled by Medusa Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Ruis/Elder Moon Phase: Last Quarter at 11:36AM EST Moon rises: 12:02AM EST Moon sets: 12:09PM EST Moon in Virgo v/c 5:30AM EST Moon enters the Cardinal Air Sign of Libra at 9:23AM EST Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon The Third Year of Branwen's Cycle Lunar Meditation: The dornant life of the seed. Sun in Sagittarius Sunrise: 7:38AM EST Sunset: 4:55PM EST Solar Question for the Day: "What prejudices are you holding on to?" Samhain (Calan Gaeaf) Quarter of the Year December 19th, 2008 This is Freya's Day on the old Gregorian Calendar and the 23rd Day of the Shamash Lunar Cycle - Days of the Witch Gods. There are minor magickal energies for initiate relationship endings. Since we are in the waning phases of the Moon this is appropriate spell work. Medusa, the Goddess who rules this day and the next two days is a crone Goddess, the embodiment of old wounds and fears which must be released in order for us to move on to other planes of learning. The Last Quarter Moon's keywords are realignment, revision, integration, and cleansing. It is the time in a lunar cycle to take closing action, to follow up and complete the activities begun at the New Moon phase. During this phase you become aware of what is and is not working with respect to the achievement of your goal for this cycle. The movement is toward integration. Open to your success. MANIFEST YOUR GOAL. Be responsible. "Only focused energy will result in change." Starting tomorrow, the sun will be holding its place in the sky. Daylight will be neither diminishing nor growing. Things are at a standstill, as though the world is poised for the change that is coming. We have reached the center of the spiral into darkness. For the ancients, this was a tremendously sacred time. The planet continues its annual rotation: day continues to follow night. But something deep is occurring to our planet. It has reached a significant pivot point in the annual cycle. Opposite to its parallel summer location, the earth now holds still. The soul holds still like this, just before great change occurs. It is a silence so profound that it seems as though time has stopped. In this magickal moment, we have the chance to set in motion great changes, great happenings. This is the moment when the seeds of new life, new growth, must be planted. [From "The Goddess Companion" by Patricia Monaghan] Cords "Lengths of cords have several uses in the Craft." The material used should be natural, and the ends should be secured by stitching, not by tape or knots. It is usual for all Witches to have their own set of at least 3 cords. Where a Witch wears a robe, they are normally cinched at the waist by a cord 4' 6" (1.35m) in length. This cord can then be used, with the Athame, to draw the traditional circle 9 feet (2.7m) in diameter. Many Covens allocate different colors to different degrees of Initiation. It is not uncommon for Witches to have a holder on this cord to carry their Athame. Three cords are used to bind a person for Initiation. One, 9 feet in length, is used to tie the hands behind the back, and the ends are then taken over the shoulder and knotted at the front in such a way as to restrain but not endanger. The other two are 4' 6" and one is tied around the right ankle, the other the left knee. Cords are sometimes used to raise power by binding, as restricting the flow of blood can cause an altered state of consciousness. Personally, I do not recommend this as accidents can happen and the resulting headlines can be embarrassing! Cords are also used in the Circle to raise power in dancing. Opposite pairs each take an end and then the whole Circle revolves, faster and faster, around the High Priestess who holds the center point up, until she feels sufficient energy has been created. Cords are sometimes used in knot magick, although string, thread or ribbons are also used. [From Kate West's "The Real Witches' Year"] Many types of magick are performed with the "Witches Cords or Girdle." They are used to snare (attract), bind, and loosed (release). The Witches' cords are braided from three colors, traditionally red, black, and gold. Use any colors with which you resonate. You may wish to use several combinations as they apply to sabbats or specific rituals in the applications of color symbol and magick. They should be equal to your height or nine feet in length (three times three; waxing, full waning - maiden, mother crone). The cord should have an open loop on one end and a tasseled knot on the other. An object link is required for some of these types of magick, linking by symbol or through the traces of a person's energy in a possession, photograph, or signature. Coins, for example, would be a symbol to snare or attract prosperity. To magickally ensnare, cords are wound and fastened to form a circle on the altar, this surrounds the object with your energy and intent. To draw with cord magick, as by any other means, the rites should be performed on a waxing moon. In binding, magick may be used to strengthen an existing tie. It should not be used to force another's will. The full moon is the time to bind. To bind, the symbol is placed against the bare skin of the solar plexus and it is bound there through the other rites. these may be crafted for this intent, such as hand-fastings or weddings, or the binding may simply be a 'by-product' or the moon circle or sabbat rites. Binding is also used in combination with knot magic to inweave the magick of the dancers in the sacred circle. "The Rope Dance" and "The Star Dance" are two examples. the cords are all knotted together, binding the energies of all present in the circle. Through this, the dance becomes a synergy of rhythm and motion. The cords are also used to cast the geometry of the sacred circle, with a solitary cord for personal rites or knotted together for larger gatherings. To loosen, begin the ritual with an object symbol bound against your solar plexus, while turning or twisting counter-clockwise, loosen the cords and allow the object to fall free. The circle can help by sweeping the object counter-clockwise until it is removed from the sacred radius. The besome or witch's broom, is another magickal tool of the craft. Its primary use is in the casting or creation of sacred space. This is done by sweeping away all that is 'unclean' or of negative or malicious content. [From "Tarot of the Moon Garden"]
