Thursday, January 28, 2010

Celtic Tree Month of Rowan from "Love of the Goddess"

The Celtic Tree Month of Rowan began on January 21st. Like all cultures around the world since the beginning of time, the Celts had a calendar of their year. It was a lunar calendar with 13 months with each month representing a sacred tree. Each tree for each month corresponds to a letter of the ancient Celtic alphabet.

The current cycle we are in starts today with the Rowan tree (also known as mountain ash). The Rowan tree was believed to be a magical tree which grew red berries that were said to be food for the Gods. It is associated with Brighid , a Celtic fire Goddess of hearth and home. Known by the Celts as Luis, the Rowan tree is associated with healing, personal power, divination and success. A spell carved into a bit of a Rowan twig will protect the wearer from harm. The Norse culture was known to have used Rowan branches as rune staves of protection. In some countries, Rowan is planted in graveyards to prevent the dead from lingering around too long.

To celebrate the Rowan in its sacred month, pray to the Goddess Brighid on her sabbat Imbolc on Feb 1.

Blessings )O(

To read more postings like this, please visit: Love of the Goddess

Friday, January 22, 2010

Tree Magick


The World Tree

This symbol of "All The Worlds" connects the land of the living with the Above and Below worlds. We can see this as Heaven and Hell, Future and Past, or as the Higher Realms and the Lower realms of the Earth Elementals. Either way we look at it, we can use this concept in Magick.

We can work with the beings in the Upper or Higher realms, as well as with the beings or Earth Elementals like Gnomes, in the Lower realms. Perceiving it as Past and Future, it can be helpful in reminding us to always consider the lessons of the Past, and to consider the effect on the Future, of any Magickal act we undertake. It is also a reminder that we are not the only Realm, we are not alone.

To see the World Tree is to see it's branches reaching far up into the sky worlds. I see the reaching of these branches as an example of how we, too, can reach for the sky, while remaining grounded here on Earth. The roots of the World Tree, reach far down into Mother Earth, which is a reminder to sink our own roots deep into Mother Earth, and find that Fire at Her center, and pull healing energy up into our lives and our world.

Trees as Symbols

Trees are great symbols, in many areas, not just as a reminder of "All The Worlds". We can emulate them when we ground ourselves, sinking our own roots deep into the Earth. We can work with them, and the Elements they embody, Air and Earth, to work Magick. There are also many lessons we can learn from Trees.

One in particular that comes to mind for me is the lesson I learned from a Pecan tree. This Grandfather taught me that a tree can lose a limb, and still carry on as before. This loss does not affect it's ability to provide for those who call it home, such as the birds, squirrels, and other creatures. We could learn a lot from that! Pecans, or any nut for that matter, are symbols of Wisdom, so much contained in such a small space. The ancients believed that one could absorb some of that wisdom by ingesting the nut, or working with it magically. Nuts are a favorite offering on Winter Solstice and Yule, because they embody the wisdom we'd like to bring into our lives, during the going within period of the Winter months.

Trees work with the Wind Brothers, a part of the Air element. To work with the wind magically, can assist us in blowing away the things in our lives we no longer need, in releasing injuries and illnesses, and to ask for help in bringing much needed rain, among other things. Trees are the doorway to these magickal workings, and working with them can only increase our abilities.

Tree Types

Different trees have different meanings for us. The Oak is a majestic provider, steeped in history, from the Druids to the present. Strength is one of it's many assets. Growing on the Oak, we find Mistletoe, another Winter offering. Sacred to the Druids, Mistletoe is a parasite, meaning, it feeds completely on, and is totally dependent upon, the tree in which it grows, in this case, the Oak. Druids worshipped in Sacred Oak Groves. I can't dispute the power of this, I've tried it. An Oak Grove is a very sacred place!

Cottonwoods are a favorite tree of mine. Here in the desert, they are sacred, as seeing one let's you know that there is water available there. Cottonwood is the western form of Cypress, magically. Little people live in and around these sacred trees. Hopi carvers use Cottonwood root to make their sacred Katchina dolls, and Pueblo Peoples often use their wood for drum making. These majestic creatures live for a hundred years or more. I've learned quite a lot from Cottonwood. I've always respected the trees by asking for their help, and making offerings to them, when I asked anything of them. They work well with us, when treated in this manner.

Here's a site with more Cottonwood info:
Shamanista: Spirits of Trees and Other Plants

Many trees are considered sacred by different people. The Celtic Zodiac uses trees as their symbols. Here's a great site depicting each of these sacred tree signs:

The Celtic Zodiac

Trees are also used to make wands, as incense, to construct shelters, altars, furniture, to build fires, and provide us with the oxygen we need to breathe. So not only can they be used magically, they are a necessity of life on this planet.

Here is a site that protects the rainforest that I hope you will check out:

Click to give at the Rainforest site


And there are many other organizations out there that plant trees and protect forests. Give them a hand any way you can.

To work with a tree magically, begin by getting to know the tree. Spend time with it, talk to it, make offerings of tobacco or other sacred herbs to the tree. Ask for its permission to use parts of it to make your magickal tools or to gather it's wood or leaves for a magickal act. Tell it why you need parts of it. This will help the tree to understand your intentions. Give thanks to the trees. And always ask the Grandfather's permission before entering it's sacred space. When we begin by showing respect to the tree, it is more than willing to work with us.

Seasonal Trees

Trees change with the seasons. We see them bloom in the Spring, when our lives are starting to move forward again after the Winter months. In the Summer, they are full of leaves, full of energy, and home to many creatures. In the Autumn, their leaves change color, as if they are getting dressed up in all their glory, before going away in the Winter. But it is the state of the tree in the Winter that can teach us the most. Trees, like many animals, hibernate in the winter time. They pull their energies inward, keeping to themselves. In the winter months, we, too, have the ability to go inward, delving down deep within ourselves, to find that which we will pull out of ourselves come Spring Equinox, and release. Finding those parts of ourselves we no longer need, lessons and teachings that no longer work for us, or never did, digging out the pain of the past, healing it, so we can move forward in our lives, lighter and healthier, each time we go through the cycle.

Other trees stick around in the winter, like Cedar, another sacred tree. This tree, when burned like incense, can remove negative energy from a space, and will then bring in good vibrations. The berries of a Cedar will keep evil spirits away. Wearing or carrying parts of the Cedar on one's person, will keep negative energy away from you.

Pine is a favorite altar offering for Winter Solstice, or Yule. It's evergreen qualities represent eternal life and immortality. The White Pine is called the Peace Tree by Native Peoples. To sit under it is to find the peace one needs in one's life. And Pinecones, let's not forget their importance. They represent fertility, and the Spiral of Life.

It is said that we can learn everything we need from Nature. The energies of trees can teach us much, if we but pay attention to them. There is much I could tell you about my lessons from trees, but then, you wouldn't have the pleasure of learning those lessons for yourself :) Get outside, ground yourself, and sit and watch some trees, and see what they would like to teach you.

Walk in Beauty,
Michelle

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

That subtle, inner voice

Do you trust your intuition? Do you listen to that voice inside you?

It's a fact of modern life that most of us don't. It's 2010...why listen to your inner voice when we have all kinds of dependable information about the world all around us?

Yet, our ancestors learned how to trust that feeling of danger, the hair rising on the back of the neck when an unseen predator lurked nearby. They could feel the adrenaline rush as they approached the habitat of the prey they depended on to feed themselves and their families.

Although modern man has better information to aid in his survival, we should still trust and use that gift of intuition we are born with. There are many exercises we can use to develop that gift to illuminate the world around us and develop our psychic selves:

  • Your phone buzzes; you have a new text message or a phone call. Before picking it up, use your intuition and announce who it is. If you are correct, reinforce the feeling you got when your intuition spoke to you. If you guessed incorrectly, try to figure out how the experience felt differently from a correct guess. Did you maybe suppress a thought about the actual caller?
  • Instead of pondering over which movie to see, or what entree to choose on the dinner menu, let your intuition take over and make a quick choice. Spontaneity and intuition go hand in hand.
  • As you browse the bookstore or the library, ask a question, then allow your intuition to guide you through the shelves to a book. Open the book to a random page and realize the answer to your question. I can tell you first hand, this really works.
  • As you drive, allow your intuition to influence your route. If your inner voice hints that something worthwhile awaits at the next left turn, go for it.
Exercises like these go a long way toward learning to trust yourself and your inner voice, and to developing the psychic ability we all were given.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

How To Use A Pendulum

Pendulum Divination (also known as pallomancy, rhabdomancy or dowsing), is divination by utilizing human sensitivity to the subtle energies emitted by any source living or inert via the pendulum.

The pendulum is a simple tool. The basic design is a weight (bob) suspended on a length of chain approximately 20 – 30 cm. Any small weight can be used for a pendulum: a pendant, a ring, a washer anything that holds weight and can attach to a chain. Quartz crystal is believed to make a powerfully accurate pendulum.
~ Before using it should be cleansed in whatever manner you feel most comfortable with: charge it under a full moon or during noonday sun, smudge it, cleanse it with salt water, bless it with a prayer or charge it with crystals.

Personally, I cleanse my pendulum with the elements during an Esbat ritual and I charge it periodically by placing it on my altar next to a large crystal cluster.

~ It is important to attune yourself to your pendulum. You can successfully do this by carrying it with you in a velvet or silk pouch for a few of days or by sleeping with it under your pillow. This will tune it to your energy signature.

~ When using any tool of divination it's vital to relax and clear your mind. Let every day worries disappear and focus only on the question being asked. You must phrase your inquiry clearly, so that no misinterpretation can be made.

~ To begin I suggest you call to your Higher Self/The Divine/Spirit Guides. I address my Spirit Guide by name and ask, “Please bestow clarity on my inquiries and interpretations. So mote it be.”

~ Hold the pendulum a few inches away from your body. You may rest your elbows on the table but it isn’t necessary to do so. Do what you feel is comfortable.

~ Hold the chain and move the pendulum in small circles moving deosil and speak aloud “Please show me which way is yes.”

~ Allow the pendulum to swing until it shows which direction “yes” is. This will either be a horizontal or vertical motion.

~ Stop it with your free hand then begin moving it in small circles again moving deosil and ask aloud, “Please show me which way is no.”

~ Allow the pendulum to swing until it shows which direction is “no”. It should be the opposite way of “yes”. If it is the same way as “yes” or if it moves in a circular motion then it is not ready to be used so put it away and try another day.

~ Now that you have determined which way is "yes" and "no”, ask test questions that you know the answer to. For example I ask, “Is today (day of the week)?” “Am I 40 years old?” Once satisfied with the answers proceed with what your purpose for the session is.

~ Between questions I take my free hand and starting at the top of the chain I draw my hand down to the pendulum envisioning my hand wiping all negative energies off the tool and into my cupped hand. I throw the energy ball off and away to the side of me. I do this twice.

~ As with all divination tools consistent use of your pendulum will forge a strong connection with your personal energy.



(Bibliography)
Muadhnait. “Pendulum Divination”, Real Magick. http://www.realmagick.com/main/home.html

Voith, Deborah. “Pendulum Divination”, Beewitchingbee.com. http://www.bewitchingbee.com/pendulum_divination.htm

RavenWolf, Silver. The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation Solitary Witch. Woodbury, Minnesota: Llewelyn Publications, 2006.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Solar Eclipse in Capricorn by Misty Wood

The astrological energy from January 13-15 is almost epic. On the 13th, Saturn turns retrograde in Libra; two days later, there is an annual solar eclipse of the Sun at the new Moon of Capricorn. This eclipse is in conjunction with Venus, on the very same day Mercury turns direct after several weeks of retrograde motion. Globally, this transit should be beneficient and pleasurable, releasing built-up tension and leading toward a brand new beginning for the world.

On a more personal level, this solar eclipse can have a major effect on our personal lives when it occurs in conjunction with one of our natal planets -- especially our natal Sun, Moon, ruling planet or the Moon's nodes, ascendant, mid heaven. Where the eclipse falls in one's chart is significant, as the energies expressed by its house placement will show areas of life affected by this eclipse's implied new beginnings.

This eclipse has love karma written all over it! Love and partnerships are serious business right now! If you have it, how do you keep it? If you don't have it, how do you get it? How do you deal with the reality that both you and your partner are human?

The new Moon is also time to set an intention. Venus is the ruler of the new Moon, while Saturn is in Libra. Mercury turns direct later the same day, but Mars is still retrograde and Mercury is in Capricorn, so expect things to be slow for a while.

Read more about Misty Wood at her blog.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

CD and Magick Give-Away At Kiki's Cauldron

Hello all,
Wishing you all a very happy new year! Kiki's Cauldron is holding a CD giveaway, and would love the readers of The Lunar Gazette to play along.

Visit Kiki's Cauldron to learn more about it!

Thank you so much for the support, and many blessings! Kiki

Synapse Trap / Lance Whalen Breathe Easy Music Video from yesisaidyes.com on Vimeo.