Moon Marriage Divination

In prophesying marriage, one must look at the first moon of the new year through a silk handkerchief. The number of moons showing through it represent the number of months (moons) of single life.

From Moon Magick

Ritual for the Festival of Carmenta

Color: Red
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a red cloth place seven red candles and the figure of a pregnant woman. If possible, a woman who is with child should be present and honored on this day.
Offerings: Give gifts to pregnant women in need.
Daily Meal: Eggs.

Carmentalia Invocation

All things grow in the dark place

Safe within the womb of the Mother,

Safe within the dream of the Mother.

The Earth lies now asleep

Full with big belly,

Each seed pregnant with hopes

Waiting for the return of the Sun....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar. You can find it here:The Carmentalia

Compitalia

The Compitalia, a festival thought to be older than Rome itself, was held in mid January (January 12th) to honor the guardian spirits of local communities or neighborhoods. Sacrifices and offerings of honey cakes were made to the Lares Compitales at any place where two roads met.

In the countryside the ritual started at nightfall. Each family placed the statue of the underworld goddess Mania at the door of their house.They also made and hung woolen dolls representing men and women, along with strands of garlic and poppies...

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: The Compitalia

Festival for Janus

A festival for Janus held on 11 January.

Janus must be propitiated on the Agonal day.
The day may take its name from the girded priest
At whose blow the God's sacrifice is felled:
Always, before he stains the naked blade with hot blood,
He asks if he should, Agatne? and won't unless commanded....

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

Ritual for the Festival of Janus

Color: Dark Blue and Black
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of dark blue and black place a ruler, and on one side things of the past, and on the other side things for the future, including a goblet of wine.
Offerings: Measure something accurately. Any work requiring measuring is honored today.
Daily Meal: Any old-fashioned recipe.

Invocation to Janus

Hail, Lord Who Looks Both Ways!

Hail, face of the past

Turned towards memory!

You see all that has been,

Not only our beginnings...

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: Ritual for the Festival of Janus

Raud the Strong`s Day

January 9th is a day of remembrance for Raud the Strong. Here's his story:

When Raud refused to give up Asatru (Icelandic  for "Æsir"), King Olaf tryggvason of Norway executed him by making him swallow a snake. His land and all his wealth was then confiscated.

Praise Raud the Strong by lifting a horn (or cup or glass) in his honor, and by doing something deliberate to spread the religion King Olaf tried so hard to stamp out. Alternatively, you might...

... 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: Raud the Strong's Day

The Agonalia

During this festival the Romans gave dates, figs, and honey sealed in white jars to the god Janus. Such gifts, and also money, would be given to family members as well.

Note: Not much is known about this festival....

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: The Agonalia

Carnation Magick

Ruler: Capricorn, Saturn
Type: Flower
Latin Name: Dianthus caryophyllus
Folk Names: Nelka, Gilliflower, Jove's Flower
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Magickal Form: Fresh, dried, essential oil
Basic Powers: Protection, Energy

Used to remove hexes and negative energy, the carnation is especially good for clearing out love problems. Brush flowers down your body to cleanse. After reaching the feet, break the stems to trap and hold the negative energy....

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

The Seven Deities of Luck

In Japan, January 1st is the Shichi Fukujin, the Celebration of the Seven Deities of Luck.

Shichi Fukujin is usually translated as "Seven Spirits of Good Fortune," but literally means "Seven Happiness Beings." Six are male and one is female (Benten). Each is an important, powerful spirit. They hail from different traditions. Unlike the comparable Seven African Powers, they do not all derive from the same spiritual base. Some are Shinto, some Buddhist; Hotei originally derives from Chinese Taoist traditions, but wherever they came from, all are now significant to Japanese folk religion....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to The Pagan Calendar, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Celebration of the Seven Deities of Luck

January - Magickal History

The word January comes from the Roman name for this month; it was named after the god Janus who had two faces. This deity ruled over beginnings and endings, the past and future. Since January is reckoned as the first month of a new year, this connection with the god Janus is appropriate. It is an excellent time to work on putting aside the old and outdated in one's personal life and making plans for new and better conditions.

The Chinese use this concept in celebrating their New Year, which occurs on the first day of the New Moon when the Sun is in Aquarius. They considered this celebration a time for settling debts, honoring ancestors, and having family reunions. They carry paper images of dragons through the streets and set off fireworks to chase away evil entities and misfortune....

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: January Celebrations and Rituals

Correspondences for January

• Nature Spirits: gnomes, brownies
• Herbs: marjoram, holy thistle, nuts and cones
• Colors: brilliant white, blue-violet, black
• Flowers: snowdrop, crocus
• Scents: musk, mimosa
• Stones: garnet, onyx, jet, chrysoprase
• Trees: birch
• Animals: fox, coyote ...

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: January Celebrations and Rituals

Twelve Days of January Weather

Whatever the weather is like the first twelve days of January indicates what the weather will be like for the next twelve months. Each day equals one month in succession.

From Moon Magick

The Chant of the Year

The following is of archaic Celtic origin. On the surface it is a triple recital of the thirteen months of the lunar year. Each word, however, is the name of one of the sacred trees, which in turn each have deep philosophical and magickal implications. Additionally, the thirteen, taken in sequence, tell in rich detail the life of the Sacred King and the archaic Legend of the Goddess.

All Witches should know or be strongly encouraged to study and research the hidden meanings behind this, working from the material provided by the poet Robert Graves (The White Goddess) .

Very powerful when done as a group, this chant can be done by the solitary practitioner as well. Provided here are the instructions for a group ritual, which can then be adjusted to suit an individual practice....

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: The Chant of the Year