Easter Sunday Ace in the Hole

Many spells demand discretion, if that's a concern for you, you'll never be able to cast this Russian gambler's spell. It can only be accomplished at church on Easter Sunday. If, however, you don't mind making a bit of a commotion - it just might work for you.

Here's how it goes:

Go to church on Easter Sunday morning. Be alert and pay attention...

... 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: Easter Sunday Ace in the Hole

Bad Spirits

From time to time, we are likely to find ourselves the unwitting and unwilling hosts to bad luck entities. These entities can be sent to us by the jealousy and ill-will of others. Sometimes we pick up the negative vibrations when we are out in public; these entities will leap into our auras because we are depressed, angry, upset in any way, or ill. One must be really careful when going to a doctor's office, for example. Stores having big sales are another place where one might inadvertently pick up such creatures. The last category of these bad luck entities consists of the ones we create ourselves through our own negativity.

Because we aren't often aware that we've attracted them, it's a good idea to set up a regular program of thoroughly cleansing your home and your aura. There are many ways to do this.

What follows is a list of links to cleansing, clearing, and banishing spells to rid you of bad spirits and negative vibes:

• About Magickal Floor Washes
• An Ablution For The New Year
• Angelica Floorwash
• Aura Cleansing Floorwash
• Banishing Spell
• Banishing Unpaid Bills, Worry, and Bad Vibes
• Bath Spell for Negativity
• Bath for Protection and Purification
• Bean Throwing Day
• Blowing Darts
• Chasing Trolls
• Cleanse A Home From Negative Energy
• Coconut Candle Cleansing Meditation
• Do A Banishing Spell Today
• Essential Oils for Cleansing
• Expelling Bad Luck Entities
• Feast of the Lemurs
• New Home Floor Wash
• Ocean Water Cleansing Spell
• Simple Sea Salt Magicks
• Spell Against Enemies or Evil
• Spirit of the Sea Spiritual Cleansing Spell
• Top Five Houseplants to Purify Your Living Space
• Unfinished Business
• Vervain Water
• War Water Hex Breaker Bath

Visit Cleansing Spells and/or Banishing Spells for more on this subject published subsequent to this post, and not listed here.

Expelling Bad Luck Entities

Toward the end of March, the people of Tibet had a ceremony to expel the demons of bad luck from their homes, lives, and communities. The people of Bali, which is east of Java, also hold public expulsions of demons at least once a year, and on a new moon.

Each village sets food at the nearest crossroads and then goes to the local temple. Everyone prays and blows horns to summon the demons. Then people begin to bang on anything that will make a loud noise, thus frightening the entities which flee the area....

... 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: Expelling Bad Luck Entities

Dark Huntress Bath Salts

• 1 cup salt
• 3 drops rose geranium oil
• 4 drops synthetic ambergris oil
• 2 drops pine oil
• 8 drops magnolia oil...

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

Happy Birthday Artemis

An ancient Greek custom of honoring Artemis's birthday with a Full Moon cake is still seen today in our birthday cakes. The Greeks even put lighted candles on the Moon cake.

To honor the birthday of the goddess Artemis, bake or buy a small cake or cupcake. In Moon Magick, D J Conway recommends this ritual be performed on the night of the March crescent  - it feels more appropriate to me to do the ritual on the night before or the night of her actual day.

Dress in nice clothes as if you were entertaining a friend. Cover your altar or spiritual place with a nice cloth. Put the cake with a small candle on it in the middle of the altar. Set pictures or statues of animals around it for decoration. Artemis loves ...

...  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: Happy Birthday Artemis

Invoking the Four Winds

Many spells and rituals can be prefaced with an invocation to the winds. This is particularly true if you are often working with the winds.

The idea of invoking or calling the winds is an ancient one, dating back to at least classical Greece and certainly earlier. It is not only a summons of their power (all four winds to help your spell) but is also a general announcement to them of your intentions. This is made, in effect, to the entire world....

I am 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: Invoking The Four Winds

It's Smell The Breeze Day

Themes: Air, Health
Symbols: A Pot; Turquoise; Musk; a Star; Wind; Cow Images
Presiding Goddess: Nut

About Nut: This great Egyptian sky goddess bears a star spangled belly that stretches over the earth like a protective atmosphere. Today she breathes on us with a late March zephyr bearing health and well being.

Legend tells us that when Ra went to escape the earth, Nut offered her aid by becoming a huge cow who lifted him into heaven....

... 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: Smell The Breeze Day

The West Wind

The West Wind is that which blows cool and moist; it may carry a hint of rain or mist as it washes over the land. It is a fertile, loving force which is gentle and persuasive.

It symbolically rules twilight, when all is at a standstill; day and night merge into a magical landscape of muted colors and cool breezes....

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

The South Wind

The further South you travel the hotter it gets - on this side of the Equator, at least. For this reason the Southern Wind is a hot, fiery one.

Symbolically it rules noon, when the Sun (or Moon) is highest in the sky, the time of the greatest light and heat. Because the South Wind is related to the element of Fire, its magic covers the same ground. The South Wind, however, can be used for any type of magic when it's blowing. It's a good time to cast spells....

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

The East Wind

The wind blowing from the East is that of freshness, renewed life, strength, power and intellict. It is a warm, bracing wind that blows from the point at which the Sun, Moon, and Stars make their shining appearances.

thusly it is the wind involved with beginnings, the new phenomena that rises from the work of the North Wind. the heat is that of the Sun, and the spark of creation.

Spells best utilized when the wind is sweeping from the East are those concerning dramatic improvements  ...

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

The North Wind

The North Wind is the wind of death - but not necessarily that of physical death. This is the realm of the one eternal universal law - change. "Death" here refers to the elimination of negativity.

The North Wind is cold (magically speaking), blowing in as it does from the directon of winter and of snows lying deep across the lands....

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

The Four Winds

For centuries peoples have thought of the wind as being of four basic types, corresponding to the four directions or quarters of the Earth. These are the North, East, South, and West winds. Each is possessed of its own magical virtues, and certain spells are best cast during certain winds.

... So sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: The Four Winds.

... Also, because they have been moved as well, the links below will take you to their respective posts at Magickal Ingredients as well:

• North Wind
• East Wind
• South Wind
• North Wind

Celebrate Plowing Day

Themes: Earth; Nature; Harvest; Birth; Protection 
Symbols: Soil; a Leaf; Seeds
Presiding Goddess: Leshachikha 

About Leshachikha: A goddess who sometimes appears as a Slavic forest, a wild animal, or a leaf, Leshachikha is said to have died in October and revived around this time in spring. She fiercely protects her lands, not taking kindly to any who abuse them. In this manner she teaches us about reciprocity and nature's fury. Additionally...

... 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: Plowing Day

What is Magic?

The medieval demonographer, Martin Delrio, in his Disquisitionum Magicarum Libri Sex, gives this definition:

"An art or skill that, by means of a not supernatural force, produces certain strange and unusual phenomena whose rationale eludes common sense..."

What follows is an interesting (but very dry and scholarly) essay on magic by Harry Wedeck. I did have to pull out my dictionary a couple of times - he does love those big words - but it made me think, gave me a wider perspective, and because of this, I think it deserves a read. So...

... 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: What is Magic?

The Tubilustrium

"The last day of the five exhorts us to purify The tuneful trumpets, 

and sacrifice to the mighty god. 

Now you can turn your face to the Sun and say: 

`He touched the fleece of the Phrixian Ram yesterday'. 

The month of March was the traditional start of the campaign season, and the Tubilustrium was a ceremony to make the army fit for war. It was held on March 23, the last day of the Greater Quinquatrus (the festival of Mars and Minerva), and it occurred again on May 23. The sacred trumpets (tubae) were originally war trumpets, but later they were used for ...

... 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: The Tubilustrium

Hazel Spell For Love

Light a red or pink candle and gather some catkins (flowers) of the Hazel tree (the timing would be perfect for around Valentines day) and wrap them in a piece of red or pink tissue paper. Hold it in your hand over your heart as you ...

... I am 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: Hazel Spell For Love

Hazelnut Tree Symbolic Meanings

The Hazelnut is a magical tree for relaying messages, which is why a Y-shaped Hazel branch is used for divination. To dream of, or to have a hazelnut tree show up in an unusual way may mean the answer to a dilemma is imminent.

Because the Hazelnut tree bestows powers of wisdom, symbolized by the cracking of the nutshell to get to the nourishment inside, a hazelnut or hazelnut tree may also mean that you will crack a situation....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, it has been integrated with another post and can be found in its entirety along with more information here: Hazel Tree Magick

Aries Vervain Medicine Bag

This simple and easy to make medicine bag is specifically for, and said to especially provide relief for seizure disorders. Here's how to make it:

• Gather vervain when the sun and/or moon are in Aries....

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

Aries Begins

Theme: Arts; Excellence
Symbols: Stone, Mirror
Presiding Goddess: Ishikore-Dome

To Do Today:

The sign of Aries is said to produce a feisty, courageous spirit, which is exactly what it takes sometimes to stop being the proverbial wallflower and try new things....

... 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: Aries Begins

Aries Oil

Add the following essential oils to 1/8 cup of a base oil. Visualize as you mix and smell.  For best results, don't use synthetics.

• 3 drops Frankincense ...

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: Aries Oil

Fairy Dust

This is one of the easiest projects, and was created by our 8-year-old, Willow. Take colored eggshells (she was partial to blue), and grind to a fine powder. Toss in a pinch of rose petals, and you have ...

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

Mean Earraigh - Vernal Equinox

And frosts are slain and flowers begotten, 

And in green underworld and cover 
blossom by blossom the spring begins. 

~Algernon Charles Swinburne

Méan Earraigh marks the spring (or vernal) equinox, when night and day are of equal length and spring officially begins. Birds begin their nesting and egg-laying, and eggs--symbolic of rebirth, fertility, and immortality--are tossed into fresh furrows or eaten by ploughmen. They are also carried by those engaged in spring planting....

... 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:  Méan Earraigh - Vernal Equinox

Isis Psychic Power Powder

To tap into the essence of the Mistress of Magick, blend powdered orris root, sweet flag (calamus) and ground myrrh. Add the herbs to a base of rice flour or powder and sprinkle on yourself for added psychic power.

More Psychic Power and other Magickal formulas can be found on my new website, The Magickal Apothecary.

The Cycle of Nature

"In the cycle of nature there is no such thing as victory or defeat: there is only movement. The winter struggles to reign supreme, but, in the end, is obliged to accept spring’s victory, which brings with it flowers and happiness. The summer would like to make its warm days last for ever, because it believes that warmth is good for the earth, but, finally, it has to accept the arrival of autumn, which will allow the earth to rest. The gazelle eats the grass and is devoured by the lion. It isn't a matter of who is the strongest, but God’s way of showing us the cycle of death and resurrection....

... I am so sorry, but this post has  been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: The Cycle of Nature.

Damballah's Day

Other names: Damballah Weddo, Da, Papa Damballa, Obatala
Holiday: March 17 (St. Patrick's Day)

Once upon a time, there was only Damballah. He lay beneath Earth, a great snake, cushioning and protecting it from falling into the watery abyss below. Although he lay still for a long time, eventually he had to move. His movements raised mountains and created valleys. Stars were shaken up into the sky. Sacred waters were released, forming oceans, rivers, springs and streams. The first rain began to fall, and Aido-Hwedo, in the guise of the first rainbow, appeared. Damballah and Aido-Hwedo fell in love...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been divided and moved. It can be found at my new website, Pagan Calendar with a short explanation of Damballah's Day, and also on The Powers That Be for a more in depth look at the Great Snake: Damballah

Have A Bloody Ceasar

In Canada, the Ides of March (March 15)  is celebrated with the drinking of Bloody Caesars. Here's a recipe:

• 6 oz. Clamato Juice
• 1–1½ oz. Vodka
• 2 Dashes hot sauce...

... I'm so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with more information on the Ides of March, and has been moved to my new website, Pagan Calendar, it be found in its entirety here: Ides of March

The Ides Of March

The Ides of March is the name of the 15th day of March in the Roman calendar.

The word Ides comes from the Latin word "idus", a word that was used widely in the Roman calendar indicating the approximate day that was the middle of the month. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months. The Ides of March was a festive day dedicated to the god Mars and a military parade was usually held....

... 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: The Ides of March

Ritual to Ward Off Poverty

To do this ritual, you will need a green taper candle, mint or honeysuckle oil, and some play money. Choose the largest denomination of play money you can get.

Two days before the Full Moon (March 27 in 2013), take the green candle to your altar or spiritual workplace. Carve several dollar signs into the candle, thinking of a more prosperous life as you do so. Anoint the candle with the essential oil by rubbing it from the wick down to the end. Place it in a fireproof holder and set it in the middle of your altar. Light the candle....

... 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: Ritual To Ward Off Poverty

Feast of Purification

Today date marks the Balinese feast of purification , the time of the year when the lord of hell cleans out his underworld lair, and all manner of demons and evil spirits are left to roam Bali free . During this time....when evil is afoot......the natives go to elaborate lengths to purify both their individual homes as well as the island . No corner or stone is left untouched as rites of purification and spells for protection are recounted .

If you'd like to honor this tradition, here is a simple house cleansing ritual from The Real Witches' Year:

You will need a broom, some sea water, or rain water with some sea salt dissolved in it, and an Asperger (optional). Open all the windows and doors in your house and starting from the center sweep the whole house....

... 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: Feast of Purification

New Moon Wart Cure

To get rid of wards, take a slice of apple. 

While looking at the New Moon, 

rub the flesh side of the apple against your wart and say:

What I see is growing

What I rub is going.

Bury the piece of apple or throw it away. As it rots, the wart will disappear.

Find more remedies and cures at my new website, Folk Medicine Remedies and Cures

Classic Krasnye Blini

Blins or blini were symbolically considered by early Slavic peoples in pre-Christian times as a symbol of the sun, due to their round form. They were traditionally prepared at the end of winter to honor the rebirth of the new sun. This tradition was adopted by the Orthodox church (Shrovetide, Butter Week, or Maslenitsa) and is carried on to the present day. Blini were also served at wakes to commemorate the recently deceased.

Traditional Russian blini are made with yeasted batter, which is left to rise and then diluted with cold or boiling water or milk. When diluted with boiling water, they are referred to as zavarniye blini. The blini are then baked in a traditional Russian oven. The process of cooking blini is still referred to as baking in Russian, even though these days they are almost universally pan-fried, like pancakes....

... 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: Classic Krasnye Blini.

The Russian Butter Festival

Maslyanitsa means butter in Russian, and it is also the name of the festival that says goodbye to winter and welcomes summer. From Moscow to St. Petersberg, Russians celebrate Butter Week just before their Lent fast days. (In 2013, this festival begins on March 11)....

... 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: Russian Butter Festival

Freedom From A Relationship

If you are trapped in a situation with another person and wish to sever the relationship with a minimum amount of hassle, wait until the dark moon. You will need:

• A black candle
• A fireproof bowl
• A pair of scissors
• A pencil or pen
• Two small pieces of paper
• String or thread

Light the black candle....

... 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: Freedom From A Relationship

The Daedala

This is the name given to two festivals held in ancient Boeotia, which was a part of Greece, in honor of the reconciliation of Hera and Zeus. According to the myth, Hera and Zeus quarreled and Hera went away to Euboea and refused to return to his bed. To trick her into coming back and on the advice of Cithaeron, Zeus dressed up a carved oak-trunk to resemble a bride and let it be known that he planned to marry Plataea, the daughter of Asopus. Hera was so angry she tore the clothes from the statue, discovered the deception, and was so pleased that the two were reconciled.

The Lesser Daedala (Δαίδαλα μικρά) was held every four to six years. The people of Plataea went to an ancient oak grove and exposed pieces of cooked meat to ravens, attentively watching upon which tree any of the birds, after taking a piece of meat, would settle. Out of this tree they carved an image, and having it dressed as a bride, they set it on a bullock cart with a bridesmaid beside it. The image seems then to have been drawn to the bank of the river Asopus and back to the town, attended by a cheering crowd....

... 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 Daedala

Happy Birthday Mother Earth

According to some pagan calendars, March 8 is designated as the Chinese Birthday of Mother Earth. A Chinese holy day, dedicated to Mother Earth. Here's a cool meditation I found for today, and for any day when you want to establish a closer connection to the Earth Mother. 

BE ONE WITH THE MOTHER 

The Real Challenge for Humans at This Time is to be one with the Mother. There are so many Considerations for This, It Bears Deep Reflection. To Which Mother Are We Referring? As well as the Divine Mother, We Mean The Earth Mother. Your Physical Body Form Comes Directly From the Earth Mother Herself. It IS Her Body....

... 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: Happy Birthday Mother Earth

Crystal Temple Bath Salts

• 1 cup salt
• 4 drops frankincense oil
• 8 drops lotus oil
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered orris root
• 4 drops sandalwood oil...

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

War Water Spells

War Water, also known as Water of Mars, is a classic formula that harnesses the power of iron to send a hex, repel a hex, or protect against all sorts of malevolent energy. Different recipes may be used to create benevolent or malevolent War Water, and can be found here: Simple War Water Formulas.

The most common mode of administering War Water is to splash your target's doorstep with it. However, as this is the most common method of casting any War Water spell targeted at another for whatever purpose, it is crucial that while splashing all of your attention is intently focused on the desired outcome of your spell.

Other spells include:

• Houseplant Jinx
• Adversary in a Jar Hex
• War Water Hex Breaker Bath
• Water of Mars Protection Bath
• Home Protection Spell 
• War Water Reversal Spell

Source: The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells

Image from: Toad's Bone, they also sell War Water

War Water Reversal Spell

To return a bad spell, boil pins or nails in War Water. Allow it to cool, strain out the solid material and throw the liquid at your target's home, front door, or driveway.

More War Water spells can be found on my new website, Book of Shadows.

Home Protection Spell

War Water, which draws upon the power of iron, is notoriously used to cast potent hexes. However, what characterizes this Water of Mars is not malevolence but aggressive power. How that power is directed is determined by the spell caster. War water is also used to remove hexes and for basic but potent spiritual protection...

... 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: Home Protection Spell

Houseplant Jinx Spell

While we do not recommend hexing or jinxing anyone, it may be useful to know how it might be done. With that in mind here is a really simple Houseplant Jinx Spell that uses War Water as the main ingredient...

... 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: Houseplant Jinx Spell

Water of Mars Protection Bath

War Water, also known as Water of Mars, draws on the power of iron. Although it's most famously used to send notorious and powerful hexes, War Water also creates a powerful, protective shield that repels danger of all kinds.

1. Before you initiate the bath, first cleanse the home with War Water, especially the room in which you will bathe....

... 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: Water of Mars Protection Bath

War Water Hex Breaker Bath

War Water causes hexes but it also repels and removes them. Here's a simple way to use it:

Add War Water to your bathwater. Light a white candle. As you soak, focus on the idea that the water is cleansing you and forming a protective barrier that no negative energy can penetrate. When you finish with the bath...

... 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: War Water Hex Breaker Bath

Adversary In A Jar Hex

Here's a simple Hoodoo War Water spell to rid yourself of an adversary:

1. Write your adversary's name and identifying information on a strip of brown paper.
2. Place it in a jar and cover it with War Water.
3. Seal it tight and hide it in a dark, secret place.
4. Shake the jar periodically....

... 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: Adversary In A Jar Hex

War Water

Once upon a time, this formula was a mainstay of folk healers, who used it to treat anemia. Although its medical uses are no longer popular, this remains a very important formula.

War water is used for:

• To gain protection. This is a very aggressive, forceful, spiritual cleanser.
• To reverse a curse and send it back where it came from.
• To place a curse. War Water is a traditional and allegedly potent weapon during psychic warfare and witch wars....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to Magickal Apothecary, and can be found in its entirety here: War Water

The Festival of Navigation

The Festival of Navigation (Navigium Isidis) was an ancient Roman festival that celebrated Isis as the ruler over safe navigation, boats, fishing, and the final journey of life. At this festival, after an elaborate parade, a Ship of Isis filled with great offerings of incense, flowers, libations and small shrines was sent out to sea.

I do like the idea of sending out ships with offerings to Isis. And with that in mind, I'm sharing here a video tutorial on how to make a paper boat that floats on water....

... 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: The Festival of Navigation

Navigium Isidis

When Egypt became part of the Roman Empire, Greek merchants brought the worship of Isis from Alexandria to Rome and invoked Her as inventor of the sail, patron of navigation, and ruler of the waves.

Possibly the most well known Isiac festival of the Roman world was the Navigium Isidis, celebrated on the 5th of March. As part of the festivities, a a festive carnival procession was performed in honor of Isis, and the Vessel of Isis, laden with offerings of precious spices and milk libations, is launched.

Here is a colorful and detailed eye-witness account of the procession and the ceremony:

Soon the sun of gold arose and sent the clouds of thick night flying; and lo, a crowd of people replenished the streets, filing in triumphal religious procession. It seemed to me that the whole world, independent of my own high spirits, was happy. The dusky clouds were routed; and the heavens shone with clear sheer splendor of their native light. ...

... 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: Navigium Isidis

Celebrating The Anthesteria

March 4th was the Greek festival of the Anthesteria, which was a celebration of flowers and dedicated to Flora. To celebrate this Spring festival of flowers, buy fresh flowers for your home. If you have house plants, repot and fertilize them. Burn a flowery incense, such as jasmine, rose or honeysuckle. Wear pastel colors to represent the delicate shades of the new Spring blossoms...

... 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: Celebrating The Anthesteria