Hogmanay Trollolay!

The roots of Hogmanay perhaps reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Norse, as well as incorporating customs from the Gaelic New Year's celebration of Samhain. In Rome, winter solstice evolved into the ancient celebration of Saturnalia, a great winter festival, where people celebrated completely free of restraint and inhibition. The Vikings celebrated Yule, which later contributed to the Twelve Days of Christmas, or the "Daft Days" as they were sometimes called in Scotland. The winter festival went underground with the Protestant Reformation and ensuing years, but re-emerged near the end of the 17th century....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in its entirety here: Hogmanay Trollolay!

Diet Ice

Use this method to empower water to remove excess weight from your body.

• 1 ice tray
• Water, to fill the ice tray
• Yellow food coloring
• Lemon wedges...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Diet Ice

A Christmas Spell for Clairvoyance

If one goes on Christmas night in the morning twilight into a wood or forest without uttering a word or letting a sound be heard, without looking around, without eating or drinking, without seeing any fire, and follow a path leading to a church, when the sun is rising, he will see...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: A Christmas Spell for Clairvoyance

Christmas Spell

This is an old old spell - and posted here for educational and informational purposes only. Mistletoe berries are poisonous. This is the reason there will be dreams - some of them bad - some of them possibly fatal - so do not make or ingest this mixture!




Steep mistletoe berries, to the number of nine, in a mixture of ale, wine, vinegar and honey; take them on going to bed, and you will dream of your future lot. A storm in this dream is very bad; it is most likely you will then marry a sailor...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Magickal Apothecary, and can be found in its entirety here: Mstletoe Dreaming

Swedish Yule Bread

Magical Attributes: Generosity, goodwill, empathy, service, and depending on which goodies you put into the dough other blessings will abound.

• 1/2 teaspoon saffron
• 3 tablespoons hot water
• 2 envelopes active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105-115 degrees F)
• 1/4 sup sugar, plus 1/4 teaspoon
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt ...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Magickal Swedish Yule Bread

Yuletide Incense

• 3 parts frankincense
• 3 drops orange oil
• 3 ...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Apothecary (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Yuletide Incense

"Yule - A Celebration of Light and Warmth"

Yule, also known as Midwinter and Winster Solstice, occurs on the Winter Solstice. This is the time of year when the sun is at its lowest point in the sky (Northern Hemisphere) and the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn. This usually happens between December 20th and December 23rd. The sun will only rise higher and higher in the sky from this point onward. Since it appears that the sun's light is growing as each day passes after this one, this holiday is celebrated as the birth of the sun.

The word Yule comes from the Old Norse "iul," meaning wheel ,and refers to the 'wheel of the year', (or the idea of the year, seen as a wheel turning as the seasons change)....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in it's entirety along with even more information here: Yule

The Yule Story

Also known as Mithras (for the Persian Sun God), Saturnalia (for the Roman God of sowing and husbandry) and The Great Day of the Cauldron (from Druid Legend). It is the celebration of the return, or rebirth, of the Sun God, the Lord of Life. The celebrations were traditionally performed with the utmost solemnity, yet also with the highest rejoicing, for they resolve the paradox of Death and Rebirth. It represents the redemption of the world from Death and Darkness, as such it is a celebration of hope and joy amidst the gloom of winter.

The word Yule can be traced to the Celtic word `Hioul" which means wheel. This festival is an important point in the turning of the wheel of the year. Wreaths were made to symbolize this wheel, combining solar significance with tree-god significance. In ancient times Celts venerated trees as earthly representatives of the Gods, and it was felt that nothing short of the sacrifice of a mighty tree-god would cause the receding sun to take pity on them and return....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: More Yule Myths and Lore

The Herbs and Plants of Yule

Herbs of Yule
Bayberry, blessed thistle, laurel, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Evergreens

• symbolizing: Continuity of Life, Protection, Prosperity
• types: Pine, Fir, Cedar, Juniper, other evergreens
• forms: boughs, wreaths, garlands, trees ...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) it can be found, along with even more information on Yule, here: Yule

Some Correspondences for Yule

Activities of Yule:

• Burning the Yule log
• Caroling
• Decorating the Yule tree
• Exchanging of presents...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) it has been combined with more information, and can be found here: Yule

Raven Power for the Winter Solstice

The Raven's keynote is that of magic, shapeshifting, and creation. While its cycle of power is that of winter solstice. The raven is one of those birds that has a tremendous amount of lore and mythology surrounding it, and it is often contradictory. It is a bird of birth and death, and it is a bird of mysticism and magic....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Powers That Be, and can be found in its entirety here: Raven Power

Saturnalia

The Saturnalia was an ancient Roman festival in honor of Saturn, celebrated on the 17th of December. Saturn being an ancient national god of Latium, the institution of the Saturnalia is lost in the most remote antiquity. Falling towards the end of December, at the season when the agricultural labors of the year were completed, it was celebrated by the country-people as a sort of joyous harvest home, and in every age was viewed by all classes of the community as a period of absolute relaxation and unrestrained merriment. The festival was extended in later times to three and still later to seven days....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with another, and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found here: Saturnalia

Divination Pudding

Here's something really fun. It's a Divination Pudding, traditionally served at Yule or New Year's celebrations.

This is not a creamy milk-based dessert pudding; instead, this is a traditional English dinner pudding. You’ll need about a loaf of stale bread, three eggs, a half cup of heavy cream, a quarter cup of brown sugar, and spices such as cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, allspice, mace, and ginger. Pick two spices, and use no more than a quarter teaspoon of each....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Divination, and can be found in its entirety here: Divination Pudding

Balancing A Situation

Calling a situation into balance can be a bit tricky. For example, suppose you are upside down in your finances - more going out than you can bring in. You can use fire and ice to call for a balance. Here is a spell that can be used to bring balance to any situation.

You will need the following:

• An empty paper milk carton (quart size)
• Water, to fill the milk carton
• A gray or brown taper candle as tall as the milk carton...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Balancing A Situation

Spell For Balancing the Self

When using fire and ice together, you are calling for a natural balance to take place. It can be a balance of the self, a balance of a situation, or even a balance of the checkbook. This is a great spell to do during the Christmas Lunar Eclipse....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Spell For Balancing The Self

Celebrating The Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. This start of the solar year is a celebration of Light and the rebirth of the Sun. In old Europe, it was known as Yule, from the Norse, Jul, meaning wheel.

Today, many people in Western-based cultures refer to this holiday as "Christmas." Yet a look into its origins of Christmas reveals its Pagan roots.

Emperor Aurelian established December 25 as the birthday of the "Invincible Sun" in the third century as part of the Roman Winter Solstice celebrations. Shortly thereafter, in 273, the Christian church selected this day to represent the birthday of Jesus, and by 336, this Roman solar feast day was Christianized. January 6, celebrated as Epiphany in Christendom and linked with the visit of the Magi, was originally an Egyptian date for the Winter Solstice....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Celebrating The Winter Solstice

Character of the Days of the Moon

Notes: I am assuming that this counting of the days begins and ends with the new moon. Notice that there are 29 days listed even though it only takes the moon 27.3 days to orbit the earth. I also found the juxtaposition of the Major Arcana of the Tarot with Old Testament happenings, and the Goddess Hecate (see day 27), an interesting mix.

1. The Juggler, or Magus— The first day of the moon is that of the creation of the moon itself. This day is consecrated to mental enterprises, and should be favorable for opportune innovations.

2. Pope Joan, or Occult Science — This day is propitious to revelations, initiations, and great discoveries of science.

3. The Celestial Mother, or Empress— The third day was that of man's creation. So is the moon called the MOTHER in Kabbalah, when it is represented in association with the number three....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Character of the Days of the Moon

Yule Oil

• 1/4 cup almond or other carrier oil
• 8 drops pine oil
• 8 drops cedar
• 5 drops juniper
• ground myrrh - approx 5 or 6 small lumps
• ground frankincense - approx 5 or 6 small lumps...

.... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Apothecary, and can be found in its entirety here: Yule Oil

Yuletide Potpourri

• 3 cups fresh Juniper Sprigs -with berries
• 2 cups red Rosebuds
• 1 cups Bay Leaves
• 1/4 cup Cinnamon chips
• 2 tablespoons Cloves
• 10 drops Rose Oil...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Magickal Apothecary (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Yuletide Potpourri

Crossroads Possibilities Spell

To relieve feelings of depression, helplessness, and hopelessness, journey to a crossroads and absorb the power.

The crossroads is the juncture of powerful energies, where all possibilities meet. Don't go to a traffic intersection - the most common modern crossroads. Excessive yang energy will only worsen the situation. What you need is a traditional witch's crossroads, ideally the intersection of remote streets but at least roads with minimal traffic...

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another and moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients. It can be found here: More Crossroads Magick and Lore.

Thanksgiving

Even though "Thanksgiving" is only celebrated in the United States, this is the perfect time of year for everyone around the world to be thankful for what they've been given....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website The Pagan Calendar (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: Thanksgiving

Pagan Calendar of Days for 2011

Here is a quick and extensive listing of pagan, wiccan, roman, magical, and other holidays for November 2010 through December 2011. The dates of the new and full moons are also listed. As you can see there is a reason to celebrate just about any day of the year. Some of the more obscure holidays have short explanations. As we post about the various festival days and celebrations, links will be updated, so be sure to bookmark this post.

Note: some of the holidays are different depending on which side of the equator you are on. Also the dates of some festivals and feast days vary from year to year.

November 2010

• 6: New moon
• 11: Veteran's Day
• 16: Night of Hekate
• 21: Full moon - Mourning Moon
• 21: Sun enters Sagittarius
• 25: Thanksgiving day (United States)
• 30: Festival of Hecate Trivia (The night of the crossroads.)

December 2010

• 5: New moon
• 17: Beginning of Saturnalia
• 20 - 21: Full Lunar Eclipse
• 21: Full moon - Big Winter Moon
• 21: Winter Solstice or Yule
• 21: Litha (Southern Hemisphere)
• 22: Sun enters Capricorn
• 25: Christmas Day
• 25: Feast of Frau Holle, Germanic goddess
• 31: Festival of Hogmanay

January 2011

• 2: Advent of Isis
• 3: Festival of Pax the Roman goddess of peace.
• 4: New moon
• 5: Festival of Lares Compitales - Roman guardian deities of crossroads.
• 5: Twelfth Night
• 6: Festival of Kore
• 7: Feast of Sekhmet, the Egyptian New Year's Day.
• 7: Epiphany
• 7: Distaff Day
• 8: Midwives' Day
• 9: The Agonium, festival of Janus, the Roman god of gates and doors, beginnings and endings.
• 10: Plough Monday
• 11 and 15: The Carmentalia, festival of Carmenta, the Roman goddess of childbirth
• 16: Festival of Concordia, the Roman goddess of harmonious relations
• 17: Good Luck Day, the festival of Felicitas, the Roman goddess of good luck
• 19: Full moon - Wolf Moon
• 21: Sun enters Aquarius
• 24: Feriae Sementivae - blessing the seeds
• 25: Up Helly Aa - Scottish Viking celebration
• 25: St Paul's Day 
• 30 - Feb. 2: Roman celebration of Februalia
• 31: Disfest/Disablot

February 2011

• 1: Festival of Brigit, the Celtic goddess of healing, fertility, and patroness of smiths.
• 2: Imbolc - the Celtic festival marking the period of lactation of the ewes.
• 2: Lammas or Lughnasadh (Southern Hemisphere)
• 2: Candlemas
• 3: New Moon
• 3: Setsubun, celebration - Japan
• 4: Disting - The Charming of the Plow
• 5 thru 17: Fornacalia - The Day of the Ovens
• 12: Festival of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt
• 13-21: The Parentalis - festival to honor the spirits of the ancestors.
• 14: Valentine's Day
• 15: Lupercalia - the festival of Lupercus, the Roman god of flocks and fertility.
• 17: Festival of Quirinus, god of war, storms and thunder.
• 18: Full moon -- Quickening Moon
• 21: Feralia - an ancient Roman Day of the Dead
• 21: Sun enters Pisces
• 22: Caristia - Roman holiday of family reunions
• 23: Festival of Terminus, the Roman god of boundaries and border markers.
• 24: Flight of the King - Regifugium
• 28: The epic poem, Kalevala, is celebrated by the Finns with parades and readings from the poem.

March 2011

• 1: Matronalia, the Festival of Women 
• 1: New Year's Day in the old Roman calendar.
• 1: Saint David's Day
• 2: Holy Wells Day, the day of Ceadda, the Celtic goddess of healing springs and holy wells.
• 4: New moon
• 8: Pancake Day
• 9: Ash Wednesday
• 12: Marduk's Feast Day
• 14: Feriae Marti - Festival of Mars
• 16 - 17 : Bacchanalia - The festival of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine
• 17: Liberalia, the festival of Liber and Libera, a Roman fertility god and goddess
• 17: St Patrick's Day
• 19 - 23: The Mivervalia and Quinquatria, main festivals of Minerva, the Roman goddess of war, wisdom arts and trades.
• 19: Full moon Crow Moon
• 19: Ides of March
• 19: Festival of Anna Perenna, the Roman goddess of the circle of the year.
• 20: Ostara - Vernal Equinox
• 20: Festival of Isis
• 20: Mabon (Southern Hemisphere)
• 21: Festival of Salii
• 21: Sun enters Aries
• 22: Hilaria
• 30: The Festival of Salus, the Roman goddess of public safety and welfare.
• 31: Festival of Luna, the Roman goddess of the moon.

April 2011

• 1: April Fool's Day / Loki's Day
• 1: The Veneralia, the festival of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.
• 3: New moon
• 3: Mothering Sunday - 4th Sunday in Lent
• 4: Megalesia - Celebrates the accuracy of the Sibylline oracles
• 5: Lady Luck Day, the festival Fortuna, the goddess of good fortune
• 6: National Tartan Day
• 8: Hana-Matsuri - Japanese Flower Festival to honor the Buddha's birthday.
• 8: Geranium Day - England
• 9: A-ma Festival - Portugal and China
• 12 - 19: Ludi Cereales
• 12: Chhau Festival - India
• 13: Songkran - Thailand
• 15: Fordicia, the festival of Tellus, the Roman earth goddess
• 16: The feast day of St. Bernadette.
• 18: Full moon -- Wind Moon
• 19: Festival of Ceres, a Roman corn goddess.
• 20: Furukawa Matsuri - Japan
• 21: Palilia (Parilia), the festival of Pales, the Roman goddess of sheperds and flocks. This is also the legendary founding date of Rome.
• 21: Sun enters Taurus
• 21: Ascent Of The Christ Of The Gypsies - Holy Wednesday
• 22: Festival of Ishtar
• 22: Earth Day
• 22: Good Friday
• 23: St George's Day
• 24: Easter Sunday
• 25: Dyngus Day - Easter Monday
• 25: The Robigalia, the festival of Robigus, a Roman corn god.
• 27: Peppercorn Ceremony - Bermuda
• 28 - May 1 The Floralia, the festival of Flora, Roman goddess of fruitfulness and flowers.
• 29: Tako-Age - Japan - Kite Flying Day
• 30: May Day Eve - Walpurgisnacht
• 30: Beltine, on this Caileach Beara, a Celtic goddess, turns to stone. She is reborn on October 31, Samhain.

May 2011

• 1: Beltane - Mayday
• 1: Festival of Belenus, the Celtic god of fire and the sun.
• 1: Samhain (Southern Hemisphere)
• 1: Bona Dea
• 1: Humane Day - United States - 1st Sunday in May
• 3: New moon
• 5: Cinco de Mayo
• 6: Durdevan - Feast of St. George
• 8: The festival of Mens, the Roman goddess of mind and consciousness.
• 9: Mother's Day
• 9, 11, 13: Roman festival - Feast of the Lemures  - in honor of the Lemures, the spirits of dead family members who wander the earth on these three spring nights.
• 13: Hawthorn Moon begins - 6th month of the Celtic Calendar
• 13: Friday the 13th
• 15: Festival of Mercury, the Roman god of merchants and travellers.
• 17: Full moon -- Hare's Moon
• 20: Sun enters Gemini
• 24: The Thargalia
• 25: Festival of the Holy Marys - Gypsy festival and pilgrimage
• 27: Frigga Blot
• 30: Memorial Day - Einherjar Day
• 31: Flores de Mayo

June 2011

• 1: New moon
• 1: The festival of Carna, the Roman goddess of bodily organs.
• 2: Festival of Juno
• 3: The festival of Bellona the Roman goddess of war.
• 3: Pharmakos
• 4: The Rosalia
• 9: Festival of Vesta, the Roman goddess of the hearth.
• 10: Oak Moon begins - 7th month of the Celtic calendar
• 11: Lunar eclipse - total
• 11: Festival of Mater Matuta, old Italian goddess of the dawn.
• 12: Zeus' Day
• 14: Birthday of the Muse
• 14: Vidar's Day
• 15: Full moon - Honey Moon
• 16: Night of a Teardrop
• 17: Ludi Piscatari
• 20: Father's Day
• 21: Summer Solstice - Litha
• 21: Yule (Southern Hemisphere)
• 21: Sun enters Cancer
• 23: Day of Bad Omens
• 23: Rousalii
• 24: The festival of Fata, the Roman goddesses of fate and chance.
• 24: Saint John's Day - Feast of the Dews
• 24: Sânziene - A Romanian Midsummer Festival 
• 29: Feoh - First day of the Rune Cycle

July 2011

• 1: New moon
• 2: Feast of Expectant Mothers
• 3 thru Aug 11: Dog Days of Summer
• 3: Festival of Cerridwen
• 4: Independence Day
• 5: Poplifugia
• 7: Festival of the Handmaidens - Nonae Caprotinae ("the nones of the wild fig")
• 7: Tanabata
• 7: Rumilia Festival
• 8: Holly Moon begins - 8th month of the Celtic Calendar
• 9: Day of Un the Wise Person
• 10: Day of Hel
• 10: Festival of Knut the Reaper
• 10: Lady Godiva Day
• 11: Naadam Festival
• 13: O-Bon Festival - welcoming the spirits of the dead
• 14: Uruz - The second rune cycle begins
• 15: Full moon - Buck Moon
• 15: St. Swithin's Day
• 15: Day of Rauni
• 16: Feast of Our Lady of Carmel
• 17: Festival of Amaterasu - Shinto Sun Goddess
• 17: The Maidens Fair on Hen Mountain
• 18: Day of Bad Omens
• 19: Feast of Kuan Yin
• 19: Lucaria
• 20: Moon Day
• 21: Sun enters Leo
• 22: Feast of Mary Magdalene
• 23: Neptunalia - the festival of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.
• 23: Sign of the Sunflower Begins
• 23: Saint Anne's Eve
• 25: Furinalia
• 27 - 31: The Five Epagomenal Days
• 27: Birthday of Osiris
• 28: Birthday of Horus
• 29: Birthday of Set
• 30: New moon
• 30: Birthday of Isis
• 31: Birthday of Nephthys

August 2011

• 1: Lammas or Lughnasadh
• 1: Festival of Lugh, the Celtic hero god.
• 1: Imbolc (Southern Hemisphere)
• 4: Festival of the Tooth
• 5: Hazel Moon begins - 9th moon of the Celtic Calendar
• 6: Festival of Thoth
• 7: Blessing of the Sea
• 9: Festival of Sol Indigis, the Roman sun god.
• 12: Blessing of the Boats
• 13: The Vertumnalia, the festival of Vertumnus, the Roman god of seasons, gardens and orchards.
• 13: Day of Hecate
• 13: Full Moon -- Corn Moon
• 15: Festival of Torches - Nemoralia
• 15: Herbal Holy Day
• 17: The Portunalia, the festival of Portunes, the Roman god of gates, doors and harbours.
• 19: The Vinalia Rustica
• 21: Festival of Consus, the Roman god of good council.
• 21: Sun enters Virgo
• 22: Sign of the Morning Glory begins
• 23: Freyfaxi
• 23: The Volcanalia, the festival of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.
• 25: The Opiconsivia, the harvest festival of Ops, the Roman goddess of harvest.
• 27: Volturnalia
• 29: New Moon

September 2011

• 2: The Sign of the Vine begins - 10th moon of the Celtic Calendar
• 5: Labor Day
• 9: Double Ninth Day
• 9: Chrysanthemum Day
• 12: Full Moon --Harvest Moon
• 12: Chinese Moon Festival -The Festival of Chang O, on the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox, the Chinese people pay homage to the moon goddess Chang O. Some Chinese celebrate this day as the moon's birthday.
• 19: The Fast of Thoth, this day-long fast honors the Egyptian god of wisdom and magic.
• 21: International Day of Peace
• 21: The feast of the Divine Life, this ancient Egyptian feast honored the great goddess in her three-fold aspect as mother (creator), daughter (renewer), and dark mother (the absolute).
• 21: Sun enters Libra
• 23: Fall Equinox or Mabon
• 23: Michaelmas
• 23: Ostara (Southern Hemisphere)
• 27: New Moon

October 2011

• 1: Festival of Fides, the Roman goddess of good faith, honesty and oaths.
• 3: The festival of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry, also known as Bacchus to the Romans.
• 4: Feast of Ceres
• 6: Day of Bad Omens
• 9: The festival of Felicitas, the Roman goddess of good luck and joy.
• 11: Winter Nights - Sacred to Freya
• 11: The Meditrinalia, the festival of Meditrina, the Roman goddess of healing.
• 12: Full moon -- Blood Moon
• 12: The festival of Fortuna Redux, the Roman goddess of successful journeys and safe returns from those journeys.
• 13: The festival of Fontus, the Roman god of springs.
• 19: The Armilustrium, the second festival of Mars, the Roman god of war. On this day, military arms were ritually purified and put in storage for winter.
• 21: Sun enters Scorpio
• 26: New Moon
• 31: Halloween
• Oct 31 - Nov 1 Samhain, the Celtic festival marking the beginning of the winter and the Celtic New Year. Also the rebirth of Caileach Beara, the Celtic goddess who turned to stone on May 1 (Beltane).

November 2010

• 1: Samhain
• 1: Beltane (Southern Hemisphere)
• 2: Festival of Woden
• 5: Bonfire Night
• 10: Full moon -- Mourning Moon
• 11: Veteran's Day - Hero's Day
• 11: Lunantishees Day - Celtic Faery Day
• 11: Martinmas
• 13: Epulum Jovis
• 15: Feronia Festival
• 16: Night of Hekate
• 21: Sun enters Sagittarius
• 24: Brumalia
• 24: The feast of Baba Yaga. On the full moon of November, the supreme crone goddess of old Russia is honored with a feast day. Once honored as an important old goddess, she is now often portrayed as a wicked old witch.
• 24: Thanksgiving day (United States)
• 25: New Moon
• 27: Feast of Ullr
• 30: Festival of Hecate Trivia (The night of the crossroads.)

December 2011

• 1: The festival of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Poseidon is also the god of rebirth.
• 4: Bona Dea, a Roman fertility goddess
• 5: Faunalia
• 9;: The festival of Ops, the Roman goddess of harvest.
• 10: Full moon - Long Nights Moon - total Lunar Eclipse
• 11: Agonalia
• 13: The Sementivae, the second festival of Tellus, the Roman earth goddess.
• 15: The second festival of Consus, the Roman god of good council.
• 17: Beginning of Saturnalia - festival of Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. The most popular Roman festival, for on this day the roles of master and slave were reverted.
• 18: Eponalia
• 20: Mother Night
• 21: Winter Solstice.
• 21: Divalia - Angeronalia, festival of Angerona, the Roman goddess of secrecy.
• 22: Winter Solstice or Yule
• 22: Litha (Southern Hemisphere)
• 22: Sun enters Capricorn
• 23: The Larentalia (Larentinalia), festival of Acca Larentia the Roman goddess who gave the early Romans their land.
• 24: New Moon
• 25: Christmas Day
• 25: The birthday of Mithra, the Persian god of light and wisdom.
• 25: Festival of the Invincible Sun God
• 25: Feast of Frau Halle, Germanic goddess
• 26: Boxing Day
• 31: Festival of Hogmanay

The Yule Wish Tree

Often, the items we truly need cannot ride home with us in a bag from the mall during the holiday season countdown. The day before Thanksgiving, take a trip to the tree nursery and find a small, potted evergreen. On your way home, purchase a few yards of red, green, and white ribbon.

During the Thanksgiving supper,...

I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in its entirety here: The Yule Wish Tree

Ode to Hecate

Oh nether and nocturnal, and infernal
Goddess of dark,
Quiet and frightful one
O you who have your meal amid the graves
Night,
Darkness,
Broad Chaos
Necessity
Hard to escape are you.

~Greek Magical Papyri

More prayers, odes, and invocations to Hekate can be found on my new website, Widdershins.

Crossroads

Crossroad is a symbolic term denoting the union and joining of paths. The association of the crossroad with Witchcraft goes back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Classically the crossroad symbolizes a joining of three roads, the balance of opposites, and the meeting of time and space....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Crossroads and Magick

The Old Witch Hare

In the black furror of a field
I saw an old witch-hare this night...

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, (hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com) and can be found in it's entirety here: The Old Witch Hare

Overview of Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos in Spanish) is a Mexican and Mexican-American celebration of deceased ancestors which occurs on November 1 and November 2, coinciding with the similar Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

While it is primarily viewed as a Mexican holiday, it is also celebrated in communities in the United States with large populations of Mexican-Americans, and to a lesser extent elsewhere in Latin America.

Despite the morbid subject matter, this holiday is celebrated joyfully...

I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be viewed in it's entirety here: Overview of the Day of the Dead

Contemplate the Mysteries of Death with Baba Yaga

Baba Yaga is the Russian spirit who rules the conjunction of magic and harsh reality, of limits and possibilities. This Death Spirit provides fertility when she chooses, but she also consumes those who disappoint her....

...I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Powers That Be, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in it's entirety here: Baba Yaga

Food of the Dead

Although it's customary in many traditions to spend time at the grave site, cleaning, caring, and sometimes bringing offerings of food and drink, particularly during Day of the Dead celebrations, a more direct method was used in ancient Greece....

... I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in it's entirety here: Nourishing the Dead

The Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and other countries can be traced back to the indigenous peoples such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican, Aztec, Maya, P'urhépecha, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2500–3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.

The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. ...

I'm so sorry to do this to you,but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar and can be viewed in it's entirety here: The Day of the Dead

Five Ways to Celebrate Samhain

Magick is in the air, and it's important to just let things happen.

Keep good fun thoughts in your mind, with hope for the future. These positive thoughts will turn into Magick energy and be released... that is the power of Samhain!

Here are 5 ways to celebrate Samhain....

I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved and can be found on my new website, The Pagan Calendar, along with more info about Samhain. Here's the link: Samhain.

Old Stories About the Devil

When the devil appeared to Cuvier, the great man looked at him nonchalantly and asked curtly: "What do you wish of me?" "I've come to eat youl" said the devil. But the great anatomist's shrewd eye had already examined him. "Horns and hoofs !" he retorted, "granivorous. You can't do it!" Whereupon, outfaced by science, Satan departed.

Plinius Secundus remembers a house at Athens which Athenodorus, the philosopher, hired, and which no man durst inhabit, for fear of the haunting devils. Hesperius, the tribune's house, at Zubeda, near the city of Hippos, was also thus haunted; and he was so much vexed with these demons and ghosts that he could not rest....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Old Stories About The Devil

What is Samhain?

The celebrations on the eve of All Souls Day, called Halloween, stem from the Celtic New Year celebration called Samhain. When the Sun goes down on this eve, there is a time between the old year and the creation of the new. Specifically, this occurs at sunrise.

In this twilight of the years, the veil between this world and the world of the spirit is thin. It is a time when ghosts and spirits can interact with the living, and a time when divination is most effective. This is a sacred time when all warriors were to keep their swords sheathed....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website The Pagan Calendar hosted on shirleytwofeathers.com and can be found in it's entirety here: Samhain

The Hunter's Moon

The Hunter's Moon is so named because plenty of moonlight is ideal for hunters shooting migrating birds in Northern Europe. The name is also said to have been used by Native Americans as they tracked and killed their prey by autumn moonlight, stockpiling food for the winter ahead....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: The Hunter's Moon

Moon Names

According to the Farmers Almanac full moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred.

This means that the name given to each moon applies to the whole cycle of the moon, from its dark beginning to its dark ending. There was some variation in the Moon names, but in general, the same ones were current throughout the Algonquin tribes from New England to Lake Superior.

European settlers followed that custom and created some of their own names. Since the lunar month is only 29 days long on the average, the full Moon dates shift from year to year.

What follows is a list of links to each Month's moon names based on the month in which the full moon occurs. I find it helpful to know the names of the upcoming moon as this gives me focus and ideas for ways to celebrate Grandmother Moon as she moves through the wheel of the year.

What follows is a list of links to each month's moon names:

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

October Moon Names

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

Blood Moon ~Mediaeval English, Neo-Pagan
Blood Moon Falling ~Janic (full)
Corn Ripe Moon ~Taos Falling Leaves Moon ~Arapaho...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: October Moon Names

Invocation of Michael the Archangel

If there's one presence you'd want to have on your side in the courtroom, in a dark alley, or at any time you feel threatened, it's the Archangel Michael. Michael's celestial mission is to be humanity's defender. He epitomizes justice. You can request that he come to your assistance.

Post his image, burn fragrant gum resins and use his invocation to call him...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows and can be found in its entirety here: Invocation of Michael the Archangel

Archangel Michael Dream Oracle Spell

Michael the Archangel's flaming sword illuminates dreams and provides safety as you linger in dreamland. This dream oracle affirms whether a spiritual petition or request is appropriate or not. This spell is based on surviving remnants of Alexandria's Magical Papyri. The request for the dream is made using a magic lamp.



This spell doesn't assume that you have a special ritual lamp. Oil lamps were once common houseold articles, like a table lamp is today: it wan't a big deal back then for a spell to suggest using one, any more than a modern spell's request for a spoonful of salt is an inconvenience. An everyday oil lamp may be used, or you can dedicate and charge a special lamp just for spell casting....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Archangel Michael Dream Oracle Spell

Michaelmas - The Christianized Mabon

September 29th is a medieval holiday which the Church Christianized under the label of “Michaelmas,” a feast in honor of the Archangel Michael. It is thought that the Roman Catholic Church at some point considered assigning the quarter dates to the four Archangels, since they had assigned the cross quarters to the four gospel-writers....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with another and moved to The Pagan Calendar, it can be found in its entirety here: Michaelmas - The Christianized Mabon

Mabon - The Second Harvest

Mabon(pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) marks the Second Harvest, the end of the grain harvest (which begun at Lughnasadh), and rests on the Autumn Equinox. The Equinox mirrors dwindling of life (and eventual progression to rebirth), as well as the struggle for balance; day and night are equal for a single day. Various other names for this Lesser Wiccan Sabbat are The Second Harvest Festival, Wine Harvest, Feast of Avalon, Equinozio di Autunno (Strega), Alben Elfed (Caledonii), or Cornucopia.


... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with another, and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar. It can be found here: Mabon - The Second Harvest

Be Like The Moon

"be like the moon. the moon will never lie to anyone. no one hates the moon or wants to kill it. the moon does not take anti-depressants and never gets sent to prison. the moon never shot a guy in the face and ran away. the moon has been around a long time and has never tried to rip anyone off. the moon does not care who you want to touch or what color you are. the moon treats everyone the same....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: Be Like The Moon

Defeated by Love

The sky was lit

by the splendor of the moon

So powerful

I fell to the ground

Your love

has made me sure

I am ready to forsake

this worldly life

and surrender to the magnificence

of your Being

- Rumi

... more poetry and stories about the moon can be found at my new website: Widdershins

Happy Moon Festival To All

I stumbled onto this wonderful festival which has been celebrated in China for a very long time. It doesn't qualify as "gypsy" magic, but it is a great way to celebrate the autumn equinox, and gave me lots of ideas of how to honor the fullness of the moon. This year (2010) the Moon festival is celebrated on Sept 22 (which is tomorrow).

The Moon Festival is full of legendary stories. Legend says that Chang Er flew to the moon, where she has lived ever since. You might see her dancing on the moon during the Moon Festival. The Moon Festival is also an occasion for family reunions. When the full moon rises, families get together to watch the full moon, eat moon cakes, and sing moon poems. With the full moon, the legend, the family and the poems, you can't help thinking that this is really a perfect world. That is why the Chinese are so fond of the Moon Festival.

I have gathered a great selection of poems to recite, songs to sing, legends to watch, recipes to prepare, and more. If you're interested, follow the links below and enjoy creating your own "Moon Festival" celebration.

• The Chinese Moon Festival
• Legend of the Moon Festival on video
• Fire Dragon Dance on video

Poems and Quotes:

• Be Like the Moon
• Moonlight
• Defeated by Love
• Sleepyhead
• I see the moon
• O Lady Moon

Songs and Music:

• Moon River
• Moonlight Sonata
• Moonwalk
• Bad Moon Rising

Recipes:

• Mid-Autumn Moon Cake
• Easy Chinese Moon Cakes

Magick:

• Meditating on Moonbeams
• Full Moon Luck and Joy Spell
• Moon Water Tonic
• Moon Mirror Healing
• Pour Out Your Troubles
• Full Moon Meditation
• Make a Moon Water Tonic

Other Stuff:

• First moon landing on video
• What is a pomelo?