What's up?

Is it Monday already?? Well anyway, it's been busy as usual here. Friday, I took a PTO day from work and spent time running around with my mom to the local Dollar Store where I picked up this cute little mermaid sign. I decided to hang on my bathroom door.

Then on Saturday, my sister and I attended a Pretzel and Beer Fest in West Reading, PA. All of the local stores were having sales. I bought this helpful new book at "Celtic Myth & Moonlight" ...

Along with these hand-crafted votive candles I intend to use for my Beltane ritual in May. And, this cool garden sign ...

We also stopped into "The Gem on Penn" and I picked up this tall candle for my Full Moon rituals.

Upright position: The Moon card refers to a deep state of sensitivity and imaginative impressionability, developed within a womb of deep relaxation. Here we dream and go into trance, have visions and receive insights, wash in and out with the psychic tides, and experience deep mystical and/or terrifying realities beyond our ordinary senses. In a state of expanded consciousness, we cannot always control what happens. The Moon card represents the ultimate test of a soul's integrity, where the membrane between the self and the unknown is removed, and the drop of individuality re-enters the ocean of being. What transpires next is between a soul and its maker.

Reversed position: The Moon card reversed suggests that you might be deluding yourself, exaggerating or embellishing your version of a situation. Consider whether you are repeating an emotional, dramatic rendition of events rather than keeping to the bare facts.

The temptation to let yourself be swept away emotionally or psychically is understandable, but it doesn't help you find your balanced center in chaotic times.

As I had mentioned previously, I had a 5-Day job trial all last week for a position in another department. The idea of this is to have the opportunity to post out to another shift and/or department and basically find out if that job is a fit for you. As one of my co-workers stated, it is a "win-win" situation in that if you like the job you have the chance to stay in that department - if you do not like the job you still have your current job to go back to. 

The verdict: I decided to NOT take this job. For too many reasons to mention here. I will say this; however, the department was INSANLY fast-paced and the trainers were abrupt and rude! I guess it's true what they, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side."

If you have ever watched the tv show, "Monk". THIS is pretty much how I looked the entire crazy-ass week. I am used to having to wear blue coats and hair nets everyday in my own department, BUT I worked in what was called a "clean room" and had to wear a long white coat, hair net, and white booties. lol

2022 Full Moons, Sabbats & Eclipses

FULL MOONS & ECLIPSES
Monday, January 17th: Wolf Moon

Wednesday, February 16th: Snow Moon

Friday, March 18th: Worm Moon

 Saturday, April 16th: Pink Moon

April 30th - Solar Eclipse/Partial

May 15th-16th - Lunar Eclipse/Total

Monday, May 16th: Flower Moon

Tuesday, June 14th: Strawberry Moon

Wednesday, July 13th: Buck Moon

Thursday, August 11th: Sturgeon Moon

Saturday, September 10th: Harvest Moon

Sunday, October 9th: Hunters Moon

October 25th - Solar Eclipse/Partial
Tuesday, November 8th - Beaver Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse/Total

Wednesday, December 7th: Cold Moon

SABBATS

Imbolg/Imbolc - February 2nd

Ostara/Spring Equinox - March 20th

Beltane - May 1st

Litha/Summer Solstice - June 21st

Lughnasadh/Lammas - August 1st

Mabon/Autumnal Equinox - September 22nd

Samhain - October 31st

Yule/Winter Solstice - December 21st

Happy Harvest Moon 2021!

(Pics by Brett Witycyak)

💜

Last night's Full Buck Moon~ 2019

Then came the clouds ... 🔭🌛🌚🌜🌕

Happy first day of Spring!

Yup, you guessed it, it's Ostara/Spring Equinox! I will post more on our ritual celebration within the next few days, but I do wish everyone a very BLESSED FIRST DAY OF SPRING! And oh yes, just a little reminder that at approximately 9:43pm tonight the Super Full Moon will be showing Her beauty here in the Northern Hemisphere as well as the start of the Spring Equinox which officially begins at 5:38pm EDT (only hours before the Supermoon)  - very rare and very exciting!

 

(Photo credit: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2018/12/supermoons-facts-versus-fiction/)

 

While at the Barnes & Noble bookstore the other day, I picked up the latest issue of Reiki Magazine . There was an interesting article in it about reiki aiding shelter cats  ...

I also used my new Yankee votive candles this week to burn in my used Hershey's Syrup tin after the original chocolate-scented wax was all done. I placed the Chocolate Layer Cake votive candle inside a small votive candle holder then put it inside the tin. It smells heavenly!

Last night for dinner, I decided to make some pork chops in the air fryer with taco rice on the side ...

And while I was at it, I made myself some chicken breast patties for grilled chicken sandwiches for the next few days. This was the first time I tried using the Power Air Fryer to make these as  I usually cook them in my George Foreman Grill - and OMG, they got really yummy good! 

LOL!!!

)o(      )o(      )o(     )o(     )o(     )o(     )o(     )o(      )o(

💙💚💛💜 Brightest Blessings everyone!! 💙💚💛💜

Last Night's Super Full Moon

Last night, hubby took a few pics of the Super Full Moon. This is when the Moon is closer to the Earth than at any other time ~ making her appear much larger in the sky. Scientifically speaking, the Super Full Moon is called a Lunar perigee. 
 
This was the first of three Super Full Moons this year ~ the other two will take place on Aug. 10th and Sept. 9th. As always, She sure was beautiful! Here are a couple more of hubby's pics ... BTW, can you see "The Rabbit on the Moon"?  ;)

 

2013 Sabbats & Esbats

Full Moon/Esbats:

 

Sunday, January 27th

Monday, February 25th

Wednesday, March 27th

Thursday, April 25th

Saturday, May 25th

Sunday, June 23rd

Monday, July 22nd

Wednesday, August 21st

Thursday, September 19th

Friday, October 18th

Sunday, November 17th

Tuesday, December 17th

 

Sabbats

 

Saturday, February 2nd ~ Imbolg/Imbolc

Wednesday, March 20th ~ Ostara/Spring Equinox

Wednesday, May 1st ~ Beltane

Friday, June 21st ~ Litha/Midsummer/Summer Solstice

Thursday, August 1st ~ Lughnasadh

Sunday, September 22nd ~ Mabon/Autumn Equinox

Thursday, October 31st ~ Samhain

Saturday, December 21st ~ Yule/Winter Solstice

 

Fun Friday ~ Labyrinth - Magic Dance - David Bowie & Friends

Happy Friday everyone! Wishing all the blessings of the Goddess' beautifil Blue Moon tonight!

 

BLESSED BE!

Sheer Beauty

I suppose you could call it a "belated" Full Moon image, but for the past two evenings the sky has been far too cloudy here to catch even a glimmer of the glorious moon.

This morning while getting ready to leave for work, I quickly raced back into the house so that I could grab a pretty pic of the radiant Moon Goddess ...

By the time I got to work, the sky was beginning to look so bright and beautiful. The start of a lovely winter's day ...

Hope everyone had a simply magickal day!!

2012 Sabbats & Esbats

Sabbats

Imbolg - Thursday, February 2nd

Ostara/Spring Equinox - Tuesday, March 20th

Beltane - Tuesday, May 1st

Litha/Midsummer/Summer Solstice - Wednesday, June 20th

Lughnasadh - Wednesday, August 1st

Mabon/Autumn Equinox - Saturday, September 22nd

Samhain - Wednesday, October 31st

Yule/Winter Solstice - Friday, December 21st

Esbats/Full Moons

Monday, January 9th

Tuesday, February 7th

Thursday, March 8th

Friday, April 6th

Sunday, May 6th

Monday, June 4th

Tuesday, July 3rd

Thursday, August 2nd

Friday, August 31st (Blue Moon)

Sunday, September 30th

Monday, October 29th

Wednesday, November 28th

Friday, December 28th

(Image credits: top pic was taken this year while in Ontario, Canada and bottom was a pic from Yule Sabbat 2002)

Solitary Full Moon Ritual

Items needed:

One tall Silver candle

One tall Gold candle

9 White candles & holders OR a Menorah

4 corner candles

Chalice of wine, water or ale

Goddess oil (see below)

Cauldron & Sage incense

athame or wand

Goddess statue (or any symbol of the Goddess)

God statue (or any symbol representing the God)

hearts and cresents for altar

Decorative candles of purple or silver

Flying ointment (optional)

Foods: white cheese, dairy products, apples

Gemstones: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Bloodstone

Herbs: Aloe, Irish Moss, Eucalyptus, pine, Heather, Jasmine, Roses, Lotus, Sandalwood, Wormwood, Moonwort

Goddess Oil:  3 parts Rose, 1 part Jasmine, 1 part Sandalwood and 1 part Gardenia

Flying Ointment: 1 cup lard or lanolin, 1/2 tsp. Benzoin (for preservative), 1/4 tsp. Vervain, 1/4 tsp. Blessed Thistle, 1/4 tsp. Parsley, 1/4 tsp. Mugwort, 1/2 tsp. Lavender, 1/4 tsp. Sage, 1 tsp. Catnip, 6 drops Carnation oil, 1/4 tsp. Tabacco (Belladonna Substitute from Scott Cunningham's book of herbs and oils), 9 drops Jasmine oil, 1/8 tsp. Damiana, 1 tsp. Orris Root. Crush ALL herbs into a powder before adding to the lotion or lard. Keep refrigerated!

_________________________________________

Cast circle and call corners in usual manner. Light incense & the rest of the altar candles. Invoke Goddess and God:

(Light the tall Silver Goddess candle in Her honor) -

"Blessed Lady Moon, Mother of all life, I invite your presence in my circle tonight. Join me in the joyous enchantment of this esbat night. I stand here beneath the light of your love to worship you in the ancient way. I seek to invoke Your creative power that my devotional right shall be successful. Hear me now! Allow me to feel your essence within me, my Mother, as I bless your bounty and your goodness! Hold me in your warm, silvery arms and wrap me in your protective embrace. So mote it be!"

(Light the tall Gold candle in His honor) -

"Blessed Lord of the Night, join me now in this sacred rite. Your Lady rides high in the starry sky and will soon be in and of me. Come now to join me in the ancient Holy Rites. So mote it be!"

At this point, it is traditional to honor the Mother Moon with song and/or dance - perhaps a musical instrument that is portable could be played. You could also make a magickal wish by jumping the caudron or meditating. After this, you could then perform the rite of Drawing Down the Moon. You can use your athame or wand or, if you prefer to, you could use a femine symbol such as your Chalice or cup of water (womb of the Mother). Begin by standing as near to the center of your circle as possible then turn to face the Moon. Allow Her light to pour over your face. If you are NOT outdoors, try to be near a window. If using an athame or wand, raise it and point it at the center of the Moon. If using a Chalice or cup, hold it in front of your face so that you can see the Moon's light reflected on the surface of the liquid inside.

(For a woman - hold your Athame/Wand/Chalice/Cup to your breast while saying):

"Blessed Mother, Goddess, your powerful silvery light washes over me permeating my being with Your eternal, vibrant life energy. Enter now this consecrated (Athame/Wand/Chalice/Cup) and prepare to merge with me, your loving (child/daughter). Come into me, O Mother! I now draw down the Moon into me, Her earthly vessel."

(For a man - hold your Athame/Wand/Chalice/Cup to your chest while saying):

"Blessed Father God, your silvery light washes over me permeating my being with Your eternal life energy, Your creative potenial. Enter now this consecrated (Athame/Wand/Chalice/Cup) and prepare to merge with me, Your loving (child/son). Come into me, my Father! I now draw down the Moon into me, His earthly vessel."

(When you feel the energy has completely absorbed, place your tool back down on your altar space. Work any magickal spells (healing, protection, etc) you feel you'd like to. These spells are especially powerful under the influence of the Full Moon. You can raise your "cone of power" by chanting, dancing, singing or drumming. When you have concluded your magick, it is then time to release the invoked energy by simply holding the tool against your chest or breast (the entry point) and visualize the God/Goddess energy flowing out of you and back into the tool. Raise the tool upward towards the Moon to allow all of the energy to return from whence it came).

When you are ready, thank the deities, close the ritual and open the circle:

(While extinguishing the Goddess candle) -

"Blessed Mother Goddess, I thank You for Your presence at my circle tonight and humbly bid You merry part until we merry meet again. Blessed be!"

(While extinguishing the God candle) -

"Blessed Father God, I thank You for Your presence at my circle tonight and humbly bid You merry part until merry we meet again. Blessed be!"

(Ritual adapted from Edain McCoy's book, "Lady of the Night.")

Full Moon Gathering

Tonight, I was invited to join Lady Sabrina Rhiannon and her coven in their Full Moon esbat. But for all of us, this was more than just another Full Moon ritual. We gathered together at Sara’s house for this particular ritual to send out some protection energy to her husband who will be deployed to Iraq this week.

We also held a drumming circle which was simply awesome! I had attended drumming circles before as an observer, but had never actually participated in one. The energy raised in this kind of gathering is so intense that you feel as if you are essentially “one” with the rest of the group. It is definitely something which is hard to describe if you have never been a part of one before. It was very exciting!

Oh yes, I almost forgot – I also had the pleasure of meeting the rest of her "clan". She and her husband have four cats, one dog, a huge turtle, a lizard and a couple of snakes.

(The pics from top to bottom: Sara's beautiful altar, giving back to the Earth after ritual, enjoying an array of delicious food, Sara with her cat Baby, Mitzi, her Sheltand Sheepdog Shelby, Scooter, a bag of thoughtful goodies from Sara, and her turtle Morla)  





In short, we prayed for Sara’s husband’s safety as well as the safe return of all of our brothers and sisters (Pagan or other) in the military who risk their lives every day for our freedom. As her friends and "sisters", Sara knows that we will always be there for her whenever she needs our love and support.