Monday, November 30, 2009

The Night Of The Crossroads


Tonight is the Night of the Crossroads, the day of the festival of Hecate Trivia, which is a day that honors Hecate as a goddess of crossroads. In pronouncing her name, in the Greek language the "H" is silent. The correct pronounciation is "E-CA-TA" or "e-CO-ta." The word trivia refers to a place where three roads meet (tri + via).

She is the Triple Goddess, and most often associated with a three-way crossroad. She is Hecate the Maiden, Hecate the Mother, and Hecate the Crone. Although the dark of the moon is her traditional time, Hecate can be called upon during any moon phase, as She is the One and the Three.

She is the goddess of witchcraft, the night, the new moon, ghosts, necromancy and crossroads. Hekate had few public temples in the ancient world, however, small household shrines, which were erected to ward off evil and the malevolent powers of witchcraft, were quite common.

She is a Goddess like no other. A goddess who is not to be invoked lightly, or by those who are calling upon her frivolously. Some describe her as a Witch Goddess who rises up from the dark depths of the underworld, whilst others tell of a bright shining Goddess who holds her torches of illumination high, revealing the path through the mysteries, but only for those with the wisdom to follow her.

Some say that she is the Axis Mundi, the Chaldean World Soul and that she brings soul fire and light to humanity. Others tell of a powerful Goddess who is crowned with the coils of wild serpents and oak leaves, appearing with three heads, often with three bodies, sometimes in forms which are part-human and part-beast. We are told that she holds sway in many worlds, bearing the keys to the thresholds between, guarding and blessing those who make suitable offerings to her, but feared by those who let injustice come upon the world.

Hekate stands at the crossroads bearing the keys to the mysteries. In the ancient world she inspired poets and philosophers, witches, magicians and ordinary people, all of whom knew she could bestow blessings to imporve their lot and protect them from the harsh denizens of the infernal realm. Today she continues to inspire and evoke awe in those who encounter her; for some in subtle ways, leading them in an elusive nameless manner with her symbols, for others in a more powerful and directly empowering way.

Sources: HEKATE: Keys to the Crossroads, edited by Sorita d'Este,
and
Hekate Liminal Rites, by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine

Thursday, November 26, 2009

On The Subject Of Magic

This is an intriguing explanation of magic. I found it in an Anne Rice book, Servant of the Bones, and I think there might be some truth to it, some insight and understanding, a fresh viewpoint, a different way of defining what magic is and how it works. The book itself is a work of fiction, and yet, when I think of magic in this way, and act as if it is indeed true, my own magic has more power. I get faster and better results. So, here it is:



"All magic of all lands and of all schools is the same. Magic is an attempt to control the unseen spirits, and the spirit within the living, or to bring back the spirits of the dead which still surround the earth. That is all that magic is. Making illusions, doing tricks, bringing wealth, it's all done through spirits, that is, beings without bodies who can move swiftly, unseen, steal, spy, transport, etc. That's all magic. The words differ from country to country, from Ephesus to Delphi, to the northern steppes. But it's all the same.

I know all the magic that can be known, and I continue my search for more. To learn a new incantation teaches me a new possibility. Now listen to me! It teaches me a new possibility, but it doesn't increase my power, my power increases with understanding and will. All magic is the same. What I'm saying is, you can do most anything whether you have the words or not!

Magicians are born for the most part, but some men become magicians... incantations school and direct them, but ultimately the words don't count. To God all languages are one. To the spirits all languages are one. Incantations help the weak magician more than the strong.

But you can see why can't you? You are very strong. You can do things without incantations. I've seen that today. So have you. Don't let anyone ever convince you by any incantation that they can have power over you. A magician can have power over you, yes, but don't ever be fooled by mere words. Confront the power if you would resist it. Rouse yourself and make an incantation of your own. Incantations frighten spirits and humans alike. Make a song of strength, a song of might, when you would have your way. Doors will open."

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Pagan Calendar of Days for 2010

Here is a quick list of pagan, magical, and other holidays for November 2009 through December 2010. You will notice that some of the holidays are different depending on which side of the equator you are on.

November 2009

December 2009
January 2010
February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
  • 4: Independence Day
  • 11: New moon
  • 11: Solar eclipse
  • 25: Full moon -- Blessing Moon
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
  • 6: New moon
  • 11: Veteran's Day
  • 21: Full moon -- Mourning Moon
  • 25: Thanksgiving day (United States)
  • 30: Festival of Hecate Trivia (The night of the crossroads.)
December 2010
  • 5: New moon
  • 17: Beginning of Saturnalia
  • 21: Full moon -- Long Nights Moon
  • 21: Winter Solstice or Yule
  • 21: Litha (Southern Hemisphere)
  • 25: Christmas Day
  • 25: Feast of Frau Halle, Germanic goddess
  • 31: Festival of Hogmanay

Monday, November 02, 2009

The Mourning Moon



The Mourning Moon is upon us. As the days grow shorter and the sun's life-giving fires are banked, sometimes it seems so dark we feel the light will never return. This moon, however, is a reminder that death is just a part of the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

It's also known as the Fog Moon or Snow Moon, depending on where you live. Some Native American tribes referred to it simply as The Moon When Deer Shed Antlers (although in most regions it's more accurate to say they're shedding their velvet - a buck doesn't usually lose antlers until later in the winter, unless you're very far north).

Correspondences:
  • Colors: Gray, blues
  • Gemstones: Lapis lazuli, turquoise, topaz
  • Trees: Cypress, alder, hazel
  • Gods: Bastet, Isis, Kali, Hecate, Astarte
  • Herbs: Thistle, betony, verbena, fennel
  • Element: Water
In the early Celtic society, November was the beginning of the new year, and so it makes sense to use the magic of this moon phase to celebrate new beginnings.
This is a time of washing away the baggage of the past and letting it go. Once you've done that, you'll be able to focus on the joys of the future. During the Mourning Moon phase, say goodbye to bad habits and toxic relationships, and get a fresh start for the new year. Work on developing and strengthening your connection with Spirit.

Sunday, November 01, 2009

November Moon Names

What follows is a list (in alphabetical order) of the names given to the November moon. Also listed is the tradition and/or origin of that moon name:


All Gathered Moon ~San Juan, Native American
Beaver Moon, ~Algonquin, Native American, Colonial
Corn Harvest Moon ~Taos
Dark moon ~other
Dead Moon ~Janic (dark)
Deer Antler Shedding Moon ~other
Deer Ruting Moon ~Cheyenne
Falling Leaves Moon ~Sioux
Fog Moon ~other
Fledgling Raptor Moon ~Hopi
Freezing River Moon ~Arapaho
Frosty Moon ~Algonquin, Native American, Colonial
Geese Going Moon ~Kiowa
Itartoryuk Moon ~Inuit
Mad Moon ~other
Mourning Moon ~Janic (full)
Oak Moon ~other
Poverty Moon ~Mohawk
Snow Moon ~Mediaeval English
Snowy Morning Mountains Moon ~Wishram
Storm Moon ~other
Trading Moon ~Cherokee
Tree Moon ~Neo Pagan

Source

God Is Alive

God is alive...Magic is afoot...God is alive...magic is afoot...
God is afoot...Magic is alive...Alive is afoot...magic never died!



God is alive...Magic is afoot...God is alive...magic is afoot...
God is afoot...Magic is alive...Alive is afoot...magic never died!

God never sickened. Many poor men lied. Many sick men lied.
Magic never weakened. Magic never hid. Magic always ruled. God is afoot.
God never died!

God was Ruler, though his funeral lengthened.
Though His mourners thickened, magic never fled.
Though His shrouds were hoisted the naked God did live;
Though His words were twisted the naked magic thrived;
Though His death was published round and round the world
The heart did not believe.

Many hurt men wondered. Many struck men bled.
Magic never faltered. Magic always led.
Many stones were rolled, but God would not lie down!
Many wild men lied.
Many fat men listened.
Though they offered stones, magic still was fed!
Though they locked their coffers, God was always served.

Magic is afoot...God is alive...
Alive is afoot...Alive is in command.

Many weak men hungered.
Many strong men thrived.
Though they boasted solitude, God was at their side.
Nor the dreamer in his cell, nor the captain on the hill:
Magic is alive!
Though His death was pardoned 'round and 'round the world,
The heart would not believe!

Though laws were carved in marble they could not shelter men;
Though altars built in Parliaments, they could not order men;
Police arrested magic and magic went with them, ah!
For magic loves the hungry...

But magic would not tarry, it moves from arm to arm,
It would not stay with them; it cannot come to harm:
Magic is afoot! It cannot come to harm.
It rests in an empty palm. It spawns in an empty mind.
But magic is no instrument: magic is the End!

Many men drove magic, but magic stayed behind; Many strong men lied.
They only passed thru magic and out the other side!
Many weak men lied.
They came to God in secret and though they left Him nourished,
They would not tell Who healed;
Though mountains danced before them, they said that God was dead!
Though His shrouds were hoisted, the naked God did live!

God is alive! Magic is afoot...
God is alive...God is alive...Magic is afoot...

This I mean to whisper to my mind:
This I mean to laugh with in my mind:
This I mean my mind to serve
'Til service is but magic, moving through the world
And mind itself is magic, coursing through the flesh
And flesh itself is magic, dancing on a clock,
And Time itself, the magic length of God!

God is alive...Magic is afoot...Magic is afoot...God is alive..
Magic is alive...God is afoot...Alive is afoot...God never died.
Many strong men lied.
They only passed through magic and out the other side!
This I mean to whisper to my mind:
This I mean to laugh with in my mind:
This I mean my mind to serve
'Til service is but magic, moving through the world
And mind itself is magic, coursing through the flesh
And flesh itself is magic, dancing on a clock,
And Time itself, the magic length of God!

Lyrics: Leonard Cohen
Sung by: Buffy St. Marie

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