St Agnes Eve

January 21st is the Eve of St Agnes. There are many traditions associated with both this night and tomorrow night, all intended to bring dreams of the future husband. Here are some of them.

• Walking thrice backwards around a churchyard in silence at midnight, scattering hemp seed over the left shoulder....

... 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: The Eve of Saint Agnes

Boughs of Holly

Oak and holly play an important role in many of our holiday celebrations surrounding the winter solstice. In ancient cultures the holly tree symbolized the waning sun commencing with the summer solstice and the oak tree symbolized the waxing sun commencing with the winter solstice.

The Druids believed holly’s evergreen nature made it sacred and that it remained green throughout winter to keep the earth beautiful at a time when deciduous trees shed their leaves....

...... 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: Holly Magick and Lore

Symbolism of the Full Wolf Moon

Native American wisdom marries every full moon in a month with a specific feature in Nature. These moon associations will vary depending upon the tribe we are honoring. This month, January is deemed the Wolf Moon or Cold Moon by various tribes indigenous to the Great Lakes region of North America.

It’s been a tough month for some of us. I thought it fitting to toss out some symbolic observations about the January Wolf Moon with a goal to offer inspiration to folks facing some challenges right now....

... 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: Full Wolf Moon

Invocation for the Full Wolf Moon

Here is a great invocation for the Full Wolf Moon. It can be used anytime wild magick and/or freedom is requested, preferably on a full moon night.

Hecate,
Woman of the moon mist,
Immortal hunteress
Hear me cry...

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Festival of the Lares Compitales

Lares are the Roman guardian spirits of house and fields, ancient Roman deities protecting the house and the family — household gods. The Lares were worshiped in small sanctuaries or shrines, called Lararium, which could be found in every Roman house. They were placed in the atrium (the main room) or in the peristylium (a small open court) of the house. Here people sacrificed food to the Lares on holidays.

Presumed to be sons of Mercury and Lara, Lares are beneficent and friendly spirits, and deeply venerated by ancient Romans. In every house there was at least one little statue, and through these small statues, the Lare was presumed to take part in all that happened inside the house....

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: Festival of the Lares Compitales

Not A Lucky New Year!

There is a lot of lore and superstition surrounding the New Year. What follows is an extensive listing of what NOT to do, and what to avoid at all costs on this most powerful day of the year:


New Year's day was one of ill omen to the ancient Egyptians.

It is unlucky to have clothes hanging on the line when the New Year is born.

If a person in deep mourning pays you a call on New Year's day, a member of your family will die before the year is out....

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: New Year's Day - The Do Nots

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

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

Festival of Kore

Themes: Luck, Cycles, Youthful Energy

Symbols: Coins, Corn, the number 7, Flower Buds, Pomegranate

About Kore: An aspect of Persephone before her marriage to Hades, this youthful goddess motivates good fortune, zeal, and a closer affinity to earth's cycles during the coming months.

Kore, whose name means "maiden," is the youngest aspect of the triune goddess....

... 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: Festival of Kore

Gold Rush Day

Presiding Goddess: Nokomis

Themes: Prosperity, Luck, Providence

Symbols: Gold, Golden items, Corn

To do Today: Today marks the anniversary of the discovery of gold in California and the resulting expansion westward in the United States. In keeping with this prosperous, fortunate theme, wear or carry something...

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Aquarius Begins

Themes: Justice; Tradition; Zeal; Femininity
Symbols: Fire; Water
Number: Nine
Presiding Goddess: Oya

To Do Today:

Enjoy a glass of water when you get up to begin generating Oya's zest for life in your body and soul. This is also very suited to the energies of the day. Aquarius represents the Water Bearer who ...

... 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: Aquarius Begins