Moonstone Travel Charm

Charge a moonstone with your blessings, love, and best magic wishes and then activate it by exposing it to moonbeams overnight. Ask the Goddess of the Moon, Selene, to guide and watch over the person carrying the stone. Give it to someone you love for protection while they travel.

From: The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells

Snake Dream Diagnosis Spell

It's no accident that the caduceus, the staff entwined with double serpents, is the modern symbol of the medical profession. Snakes are the primary animals of healing and have been so since ancient days. Once maintained in the temples of healing that were the first hospitals, their venom both heals and harms. Their old skin fades and grows dull, only to be shed painlessly as the snake emerges vivid and youthful once again, revived and refreshed. Because they lack limbs, snakes are always in contact with Earth. They burrow in Earth's crevices, live in the sea and in trees; they are privy to all Earth's secrets. Snakes are the guardians and sometimes sharers of Earth's wisdom, the guardians of her treasures, including secrets of healing....

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Snake Lore

The snake dwells in so many places, climates and environments, comes in so many colors, shapes and sizes that this creature can be said to be one of the most versatile of all. Indeed snakes represent versatility, transmutation and change, their natural inclination to “shed their skins” leaving behind the old, and adapting to the new, supports this idea.

The snake has been, throughout the ages, controversial in many regards. Some see the snake as a bearer of evil or bad news, but most see the snake as the healer and spiritual icon that it is. Like any creature, human or animal, they possess both noble and questionable qualities. Some people fear them and many more are charmed by them....

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Festival of Salus

Today is the Festival of Salus, the Roman goddess of public safety, health and welfare.

Salus was a minor goddess, the daughter of Aesculapius, the god of healing, whose staff, with a snake coiled round it, is symbolic of the practice of medicine. Their Greek equivalents were Aklepios and Hygeia. Her role in the pantheon was to feed and care for her father's sacred snakes and act as his assistant. She was worshiped as being responsible for the welfare, not just of individuals, but of the people as a whole....

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About Magical Names

Many Wiccan books discuss the taking of a Wiccan /magical name. The ceremonial bestowing of such a name upon the initiate is a part of many initiation ceremonies. Afterward, the new Wiccan is usually exclusively called by this name within the circle.

Magical names are quite popular among Wiccans; so popular, in fact, that many Wiccans have two or even three such names (none I've met so far though...): a public Craft name (used at Wiccan gatherings, when writing articles, and so on); a secret name (the one bestowed during initiation), and perhaps even a third name which is used only when addressing the Goddess and God, and is known only to Them and the Wiccan. Wiccans who are members of more than one tradition may have ...

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Spell to Communicate With Animals

The animal kingdom is very important to those who immerse themselves in natural magick. Sometimes you may want to communicate with animals or simply see the world through their eyes. A simple spell for merging your mind with animals is as follows:

... 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: Simple Animal Communication Technique

Romani Gypsy Folklore

Here is a bit of Romani Folklore on video.

Day of Artisans

Today (March 23) is the fifth day of the Quinquatria. A five day Roman festival to honor Minerva which coincides with the five day Ancient Greek festival to honor Athena - her Greek counterpart. Here is a ritual designed for group participation. It can, however, be modified for the solitary practitioner.

• Colors: Blue and brown
• Elements: Air and earth
• Altar: Upon a brown cloth light five blue candles, incense, and many tools of the crafter.
• Offerings: Make something.
• Daily Meal: Let those whose craft is cooking or baking make what they will as an offering.

Quinquatria Invocation III

Bones and clay of earth,

Flesh of trees and vines,

Thread from plant and animal...

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Cybele's Day

• Color: Golden
• Element: Fire
• Altar: Upon a golden cloth set five gold candles, a chalice of wine, the figure of a lioness, and a crown resembling a turreted city.
• Offerings: Lions, herbs, wild game, music.
• Daily Meal: Game birds, such as turkey, goose, pheasant, or quail. Moretum, made of feta cheese, olive oil, herbed vinegar, chopped celery, and ground coriander.

Invocation to Cybele

Magna Mater

Great Lady of the City

Protector of Civilization...

... 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: The Hilaria

The Hilaria

In Ancient Roman religious tradition, the hilaria (Greek: ἱλάρια; Latin: hilaris, "hilarious") were festivals celebrated on the vernal equinox to honor Cybele, the mother of the Gods. The Romans took this feast originally from the Greeks, who called it ΑΝΑΒΑΣΙΣ, (Ascensus)

The day of its celebration was the first after the vernal equinox, or the first day of the year which was longer than the night. The winter with its gloom had died, and the first day of a better season was spent in rejoicings.

The manner of its celebration during the time of the republic is unknown, except that Valerius Maximus mentions games in honour of the mother of the gods....

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Festival of Salii

In the Roman calendar, March was sacred to Mars. The "jumping priests," or Salii began the Festival of the Salii on March 21 with a purification of the sacred trumpets that the Romans carried off to war. That date was originally the Roman New Year's Day because it was the start of the growing and campaign season.

On March 21, the Salii marched to the Regia taking the bronze Ancilia, the sacred shield...

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Music Day

Today (March 21) is the third day of the Quinquatria. A five day Roman festival to honor Minerva which coincides with the five day Ancient Greek festival to honor Athena - her Greek counterpart. Here is a ritual designed for group participation. It can, however, be modified for the solitary practitioner.

• Color: Blue
• Element: Air
• Altar: Upon a blue cloth lay many musical instruments, blue candles, a clear glass bowl of water, and a fan made from a bird's wing.
• Offerings: Song and music.
• Daily Meal: Light vegetarian meal.

Quinquatria Invocation II (to be sung)

Hail Athena, true and bright,

Sharp your blade and keen your sight,

Goddess of a Thousand Works,

Giver of the soul in flight....

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Isis Snake Divination

Spring is the time of nature, revelation, and discovery. Just as plants peek out of the gound, so do snakes and other creatures that have rested over the winter. March is the time of Isis, moon mother, and mother of the sea. Snakes are one of her symbols. This ritual respectfully conjures her symbolic reptile, paying tribute to her while invoking her spirit.

• Draw a bath. 
• Into the bath, pour 1/4 cup Epsom salt, 1/4 cup coarse and 1/4 cup fine Dead Sea salt.
• Put on a piece of moonstone...

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Egg Charms:

Eggs are an ancient symbol of fertility, new life, and the cycle of birth, death and rebirth of the Universe. As such, they make terrific charms for fertility, pregnancy, new endeavors, and similar types of magick. These types of charms are fairly easy, and very versatile.

Start with raw eggs. My favorite tool to pierce the shell is a small nail ~ for some reason, I've never had good luck piercing the shells with needles.

Pierce the narrow end of the shell with a tiny hole. At the wider end of the egg, use the nail to pierce a wider hole. This is the trickiest part of the operation, but I've been lucky and only lost a few eggs. Just handle the eggs gently, and once you make the hole in the wider end, use the tip of the nail to gently enlarge the hole.

Then, for those of you who have never done this before, simply place your lips over the smaller hole and blow. (No, you don't want to know what it looks like! LOL)...

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Magickal Colors for Ostara Eggs

• Black - Absorb and dispel negative influences, Mystery, Rememberance, Eternity, Constancy
• Blue - Healing, Peace, Astral projection, Fidelity, Sleep, Unity
• Brown - Animals, Helps connect to the rythms and energies of the Earth
• Gold - Activity, Money, The God, The Sun...

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An Altar To Ostara

Here are some ideas for what you might want to include in an Altar to Ostara.

Ostara, the ancient German Virgin Goddess of Spring, loves bright colors. The light pastels of spring are perfect offerings for Ostara. To represent earth on your altar, choose bright or pastel colored stones like Rose Quartz, Amethyst, or any of the Calcites (blue, red, yellow, or green). If you have some Citrine, be sure to include it. Citrine has long been an aid for mental clarity....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with another, and can be found at my new website, The Pagan Calendar, here: Méan Earraigh - Vernal Equinox

Celebrate Spring With Flowers

Celebrate the arrival of spring with flowers. Bring them into your own home and give them to others. You do not have to spend a lot of money - one or two blooms given for no other reason than 'spring is here' can often bring a smile to even the most gloomy face.

Note: This post has been combined with another one, and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found here: Méan Earraigh - Vernal Equinox

The Quinquatria

The Quinquatrus (March 19 through March 23) was named for the fact that it was the fifth day after the Ides (by the Roman method of inclusive counting), but popularly it came to be regarded as a five-day holiday in honor of Mars.

It marked the start of the traditional campaign season for the army. The day also became a feast day for Minerva, despite any clear link between the two deities....

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About St Patrick's Day

The day of St. Patrick's, the patron-saint of Ireland who was born about 386 A. D., is celebrated by Irishmen, wherever they exist. The shamrock is worn everywhere, in commemoration of the fact that when St. Patrick was preaching the doctrine of the Trinity, he made use of this plant, which bears three leaves upon one stem, as a symbol of this great mysterium.

Liberal participation of "Patrick's pot" and great feasting are the principal signatures of the day....

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The Bacchanalia

Nowadays, whenever we hear the term Bacchanalia getting thrown about it is typically used to describe wild partying that has gotten way out of control. In the popular imagination, the Bacchanalia are often characterized by frantic participants moshing together in a pit of sexual orgies. The Bacchanalia were free-spirited and sexually charged festivals that involved pagan mysticism, wild sex and divine communion which allowed its celebrants’ to achieve states of euphoria that hovered between divine ecstasy and the oblivion of nothingness. Those who have spent a week at one of the Hedonism resorts in Jamaica would probably find the sexually charged atmosphere of the Bacchanalia remarkably familiar....

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Ritual For The Feriae Marti - Festival of Mars

Color: Red
Element: Fire

Altar: Set out a red cloth and lay crossed weapons, such as spears and swords, upon it. Lay a helm in the center, a horn, and a burning red candle or torch.

Offerings: Candles. Finger-shaped cakes (strues). Acts of courage, especially those which force one to fight for the defense of another or of one's beliefs. In the morning, the exercise of Gymnastika shall be hard aerobic movements....

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Marduk's Feast Day

Today, March 12th, is the Feast of Marduk, an ancient Babylonian God. Acknowledged as the creator of the universe and of humankind, the god of light and life, and the ruler of destinies, he rose to such eminence that he claimed 50 titles. His name literally means "bull calf of the sun".

Aside from being a fertility god and god of thunderstorms, Marduk's original character is obscure. Later he became connected with water, vegetation, judgment, and magic. He is normally referred to as Bel "Lord", also bel rabim "great lord", bêl bêlim "lord of lords", ab-kal ilâni bêl terêti "leader of the gods", aklu bêl terieti "the wise, lord of oracles", muballit mîte "reviver of the dead", etc....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been edited and moved to my new website Pagan Calendar, and can be found here: Marduk's Feast Day ... More about Marduk can also be found on The Powers That Be, here's a direct link to that post: Marduk

Ritual For Marduk's Day

• Colors: Light blue and grey
• Element: Air
• Altar: On a cloth of pale blue place a naked sword,
  three grey candles, and a loaf of bread shaped like a dragon.
• Offerings: Cut something into pieces.
• Daily meal: Fish or meat, chopped finely.

Invocation to Marduk

The warrior's sword is clean and bright

And has two edges. So Marduk found.

Taking up the sword, he slew

The Dragon Mother Tiamat

And from her body carved the earth

And the overarching sky....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety (along with more information) here: The Feast of Marduk

Sunrise In The Garden

East, we enter the Dawn. The robyn comes, heralding youth and new beginning. Richness, color, growth, childlike innocence, deep rain, longer sun to linger. In what we have been given, tending to our lives to the richness, the color, the ability to share appreciation in silence or with words and action.

Are you tending to your garden? What do you want to grow and flourish? Give it attention, give it appreciation, call understanding, time. Spend some time watching nature unfold. Enjoy today; it is whatever you have been given to tend....

... 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: Sunrise in the Garden

Romany New Moon Ritual

The following is a Romany ritual to greet the New Moon. Greet each new moon by chanting something like this:

Here is the New Moon.

The New Moon has arrived.

Be lucky for me now.

You've found me penniless....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Gypsy Magick and Lore, and can be found in its entirety here: Romany New Moon Ritual

Holy Wells Day

Today is Holy Wells Day, a day dedicated to Caedda, the celtic goddess of healing springs and wells.

Ceadda, an Old English Goddess of healing springs and wells, enjoys her holy day of celebration on March 2. While Her place in the hearts of the people has since been appropriated by St. Chad of Mercia, Catholic patron saint of wells, those of us who follow the old ways  ...

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Mars - The Marcher

"You’re right to come, Marcher; your days demand their place

and the month that bears your stamp is here."

~Ovid

March (Martius), the first month of the lunar calendar, was named after Mars and the entire month was dedicated to Him. The festivals reflected a purification and regeneration of the arms and fields, marking a time when farmers had to think of cultivating and protecting their lands. The efficacy of Mars’ divine aid was much needed in preparation for the seasonal crop growth and upcoming military campaigns, as wars often began or were renewed in the spring.

March 1st was the lunar calendar’s New Year’s Day, and may have also been Mars’ birthday. The festival of Quinquatrus (named for its length of five consecutive days) commenced on 19 March when the ancilia of the Salii and the weapons of the whole army were purified. On 23 March, the Romans venerated Mars during the Tubilustrium, a cleansing ceremony for the trumpets used in sacred rites and the instruments of the entire army....

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Hymn to Mars

Oh! Help us, ye Household Gods!

Oh! Help us, ye Household Gods!

Oh! Help us, ye Household Gods!

And let not bane and bale, O Marmor Mars, assail more folk!

And let not bane and bale, O Marmor Mars, assail more folk!

And let not bane and bale, O Marmor Mars...

... 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: Hymn to Mars

Saint David's Day

Correspondences:

• Colors: red, green, white
• Plants: Daffodills, leeks
• Activities: Send flowers, attend concerts, host a dinner party

Saint David's Day is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March each year. The date of 1 March was chosen in remembrance of the death of Saint David on that day in 589, and has been celebrated by followers since then....

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

Daffodil Magick

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the “Lent Lily.” Lore connecting the daffodil to not only a sign of winter’s end but a lucky emblem of future prosperity is found throughout the world. In Wales, it’s said if you spot the first daffodil of the season, your next 12 months will be filled with wealth, and Chinese legend has it that if a daffodil bulb is forced to bloom during the New Year, it will bring good luck to your home....

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