Autumn Equinox and Virgo

We are on the cusp of Autumn, my favourite time of year. The colours, the scents, the crisp air, all make me feel alive and vibrant. Everything is at its most at this time of year. We are also approaching the Autumn Equinox (called Mabon). This is a time of balance and reflection, of looking at who you have been and what you have done over the last year. It is time to let go of the things that hold us back or do not serve us, and keep those things that make us happy, or think of new practices to begin that can bring joy into our lives. September is a contradiction in terms. It is celebratory and reflective, joyous and analytical.

We are entering the darker half of the year, when Hekate emerges from her threshold, half her face still hidden in the shade, the other half turned to face the Atumnal sun. She holds a lit torch in one hand and a set of keys in the other. We are entering the mysteries, the path inwards, where initiation truly takes place.

Demeter still calls out as the harvest has not fully taken place. Yemaya still holds sway over the water but the dark ones await the days that shrink, when the nights stretch out and the northern hemisphere once again becomes enshrouded in Night.

September's full moon has 2 names. The Vine moon in Celtic Tree lore (see my post from this time last year), and the Harvest Moon, because it is the main harvest month, and because this moon is usually that little bit brighter (not as bright as Hunter's Moon next month though).

We are now fully into the sign of Virgo - mutable earth. She is often depicted holding a sheath of wheat. Virgo, the vigrin, is all about the subtlety of the intellect, service and critical analysis. She is a symbol of feminism, not in the sense of Aphrodite but in the sense of Athena, in that she is wise and idealistic. However the usually discriminating eye of Virgo can become cynical and skeptical when faced with disappointment. Mercury governs Virgo, and as such, communication is a key feature in this zodiacal month. Always remember that Mercury is also a Trickster, like Coyote or Loki, and as such magic practiced in this month should be ever watchful that all parmetres of your spell are carefully marked, in case you open the door for the Trickster to enter (be careful what you wish for).

A few correspondences for you:
Colour: lighter blues and orange (much like Mercury), less so olive green
Flower: Cornflower, Rosemary, Lily
Plant: Ivy
Stones: Sapphires, aquamarine, carnelian, corundum
Tarot: The Hermit & Queen of Pentacles
Animal: Cock & Squirrel
Number: 6

I am currently focussing on working with runes - more magically than for divination. I find that using runes as sigils can bring about real and great change. They tap into an old section of your brain and make a real connection.

With the intellectually awakening Virgo we enter the 'learning' phase of the year. Our brains awaken after a hearty summer and want for stimulation. Given that Virgo is a month of counselling, really looking at yourself and knowing what you want/who you are, the perfect phrse for Virgo, to me, is 'Know Thyself'.
BB

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scotland about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback: The Island of the Mist is book 2 The Stone in the Sword is book 1
The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats: The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Celtic Tree Hazel Moon

On Monday we moved from the Celtic Tree month of Holly into Hazel. On Tuesday, we saw the New Moon. This new moon, a hazel moon, is the 9th moon of the year so far. As you know, 9 is very special in paganism and for that reason we pay special hommage to this moon.

The Hazel is known as the Tree of Wisdom and as such, this month (and the magic performed at this time) relates to wisdom, knowledge, divination in the form of dowsing, protection, prosperity, dreams, reconciliation, marriage, inspiration, intellegence and spirit contact.

Ancient stories tell of the wisdom gained in eating hazelnuts, or salmon who have eaten hazelnuts! These nuts are also a symbol of fertility in the UK. This tree is also thought to be sacred to the faerie and could be used to call them, especially in the form of a wand. Traditionally, all wands were made of this tree. It is the best tree for dowsing as well and it is said that sleeping with hazel (under your pillow or sleeping under the tree) could bring dreams of foresight. Carrying a piece of this tree will offer protection from lightning and many other possible dangers.

For dowsing, these trees can find water, ley lines and even treasures!

Hazel is associated with salmon, with the colour brown (but also olive green for study) and the bird crane. It is of the stone red agate and is of the element air. Its planet is Mercury and it is strongly associated with Mercury, Thor, Diana and Artemis.

It is perhaps for the reason that this is a time of knowledge that schools return at this time of year, the new year of study begins soon, certainly in Scotland.

So this is another time of new beginnings, this time of the intellect. Of study, leanring, craftwork and divination. If you have never tried dowsing before, get a hold of some hazel rods. Cut with flint, rather than a knife if you can. Hazel trees can be found everywhere and are fairly easy to spot. I've included a pic here of a nutting tree - this is close to what they should be looking like now. You can find other images on the internet, or better yet, on a book :D

Enjoy this fascinating moon!

On another note, my second book, The Island of the Mist, is now available on both Kindle and paperback formats:

Kindle: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-Kingslayer-Series-ebook/dp/B0092TUS7U/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1346945410&sr=1-2

And paperback: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346506656&sr=1-2

and in the US: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Mist-N-Roy/dp/147921292X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1346946271&sr=1-2&keywords=the+island+of+the+mist

My first book, The Stone in the Sword, is now reduced in price: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stone-Sword-ebook/dp/B006ZQIEPG/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1327179005&sr=1-3

Runes and divination

This is the time of year we tend to turn inward and begin looking to our studies in the field of witchcraft, druidry etc. We also look for guidance from divinatory and oracular sources.

Runes have been about for well over a millenia. They were used by Norse, Celtic, Saxon and a whole host of other peoples through time and were both used to divine the future and guidance and for protection/cursing and other forms of ward, amulet and talismen.

Runes are similar to the tarot in that each symbol has a meaning and together they tell a little about a situation or possible outcomes. Unlike the tarot, runes can also be used to protect possessions and homes, cars, people and so on. They draw in the energy that they symbolise.

A good introduction to runes is http://www.amazon.co.uk/Principles-Runes-only-introduction-youll/dp/0722538839/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351002931&sr=1-1
Actually, the principles range is good for many introductions to things - like wicca, paganism etc.

This book offers information on empowering yourself, healing, magic and divination. it's a great read if you can get it.

Runes hae been used in magic for a very long time and are often overshadowed by the tarot because they are seen as less glamorous, are not featured in movies as muchand just don't look as 'cool' as thecardsbut theyare at least as powerful. I strogly recommend dipping into this very useful system and making your own runes will offer far more power than any sop/internet bought set. Use wood, stone or bone.

Best of luck onyour journey :D

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

The witching month

This is the busiest and most witchy time of the year. Indeed, the Celtic (which also happens to be teh witch as well) New Year takes place on Hallowe'en.

October is the month of divination, crafts and getting out and about while its still warm enough to do that.

At this time of year we tend (for those of us inclined) to get the knitting needles/crochet hooks out, sewing kits, paints or whatever else you like to do that's crafty, to make things for the coming winter. These can be practical, for staying warm, or as gifts for others. This is why it is called witchCraft. We begin baking and really making home homey.

At the same time we want to know a little bit more about ourselves/our futures/ loved ones futures. We look inward for answers.

Divination comes in many forms, These include scrying, tarot, runes, crystal ball, oracles/omens, ogham and many other forms of looking.

We can also better see the skies at this time of year and this month we have 2 separate meteor shower. On the 7th and 8th of October are the Draconids (a good time to use ancestral spells/shamanic ancestor workings, anything to re-connect with family) and on the 21st are the Orionids (very good for astral work, connecting with the akashic records and past life regression works).

Both meteor showers are also a time for working with 2 elements in particular - fire and air.

Working on these nights is almost as powerful as working with storm energy but half as dangerous!

On another note, I have written 3 books. 2 are part of a series set in Scoltand about the Sidhe, fairy folk. Available on kindle and in paperback:

The Island of the Mist is book 2

The Stone in the Sword is book 1

The 3rd book is an adult, sexy witchy werewolf/vampire story set in New York and featuring a strong female lead character, again available in kindle and paperback formats:

The Wolf, the Witch and the Coffin

Halloween / Samhain – 31st of October

The last day of the Celtic year is almost upon us and it is in times like this that our inner child is revealed.

This is a time of partying, dressing up, bobbing for apples and making a mess. We want to laugh, to be scared and feel that rush of adrenalin. But we also want to mark the occasion solemnly, a remembrance of our ancestors, of those loved ones who have passed on as the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest at this time of year.

Unlike several of the other festivals of the Wheel of the Year, Hallowe’en is a fixed date. We do not wait for any seasonal signs for this particular date. It is the pivotal point on which the rest of the year rotates. As the majority of you already know what this date is, I don’t want to reiterate what you already know.

So how do we commemorate this occasion? A party? Absolutely, this is one of my favourite times of year and one time when I really do think a party is in order. But this year, having lost a parent, I personally will not be partying. I will be casting a circle and connecting with the energies I find within it.

This has also always been a time of divination. Crystal balls and scrying tend to be the most common forms at this time. Scrying is the art of looking into something (such as a candle flame, a dark bowl of water or a blackened mirror (using a crystal ball is in fact a type of scrying)) and using it as a focus for images to form.

I tend to find that in many cases, it is best to begin scrying with your own element. I am a fire sign, so I find staring into flames far easier than staring into a bowl of water, but do try each method and see what works best, and don’t forget incense smoke for air signs.

Look into the object and relax, becoming aware of your breathing. Don’t be afraid to blink, it won’t interfere with the process. Let any thoughts or images form in your mind and don’t worry if they seem irrelevant at the time. Write down any impressions you get at the end of your session.

For all of you, I hope you have a wonderful Hallowe’en/Samhain :-)

Please note: scrying in blue is a link to page on how to scry xx

Partial Solar Eclipse: 1st of June 2011

On the 1st of June, there is a partial solar eclipse and will be visible from high latitudes in the northern hemisphere. In ancient times, eclipses were seen as negative events but today we known this to be a misconception.

What does this mean for pagans? For the most part, not a lot but you can use the energy in spells or for meditation should you chose.

As you will be aware, a solar eclipse in when the sun is blocked out in part, or wholly by the moon. So we could say this is a melding of lunar and earth energy, which is why it is very good for meditation or any inner workings (lunar), or any earth-based spells and grounding work.

If you have a preference for shamanic workings, or other trance workings, this is a good time to do it.

As mentioned, this is a time of part lunar energy and so any psychic work will go well on this day. Although it is a partial eclipse, it is still a powerful time.

Divination would be a perfect way to go on this day – especially with a crystal (the combination of earth and lunar energies). It doesn’t have to be a crystal ball, a fair sized crystal held in the hand would suffice.

The other way to tap into these energies would be to connect with lunar and earth deities that you have been trying to meet/ask something of/honour.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope the partial solar eclipse will bring good tidings and a greater awareness of the energies around you.

NB: Just to prove that there is always balance in nature: there is another partial solar eclipse on the 1st of July in the southern hemisphere – if you live in the southern hemisphere – this will apply to you then.