September Magick

Lakshmi, white as the inside of a lotus flower,
you smile at us with tender care.
We sing your praises, hour upon hour,
and twine white blossoms
in your midnight hair.

September gets its name from the Latin word septum, meaning "seven," because it was originally the seventh month in the old calendar system. While the early portion of this month has many summery-feeling festivals, slowly we see a change in focus toward the fall and harvest celebrations....

... 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: September Magick and Lore

November Magick

While November is the eleventh month on modern calendars, it was once the ninth, as evidenced by the Latin number novem. In the United States, November contains one of the oldest national holidays - Thanksgiving.

Actually, festivals of gratitude combine with late harvest festivals in many parts of the world ...

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: November Magick

October Magick

Let me be a bloodhound in your pack, Lord Herne,
racing toward a horizon that recedes
with each swift step we take toward it.
Let me burn with your dark fire.
Let me serve you with my fearless deeds.

Following the pattern started in September, October gets its name from octo, meaning eight, as it is the eighth month on the old calendar system. Throughout the month, festivals for the dead increase with the waning light, and late harvest festivals continue. The latter often include propitiation to ensure that the Goddess's abundance will keep people whole through harsh or barren times....

... 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: October Magick and Lore

July Magick

Lord of dark oceans, master of water,
come, we invite you, come to our altar.
Bring us the power of waves against stone.
Bring us the joy of flesh upon bone,
Mannanan Mac Lir.

July was named after the great leader Julius Caesar, who was born in this summer month. Because the warm weather continues, activity levels are high, even though the days are beginning to shorten....

.. I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with another, and can be found on The Pagan Calendar, here: July Magick and Lore

May Magick

Bring me my drum and bring me my cymbal,
Bring forth the sustrum, bring forth the timbal.
Dance now for Hathor, celebrate beauty,
dance in Her honor, sing for our lady.

May gets its name from the Roman goddess Maia, who embodies the earth's renewal during spring. Next to New Year's Eve, May Day was among the most popular holidays in the old world, marking the time when the sun's warmth and nature's fertility began appearing in the land. Later, well over one hundred nations chose to celebrate Labor Day on May 1, giving everyone a much-needed rest from winter's tasks....

... 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, you will find it here: May Magick and Lore

April Magick

Kuan-Yin, savior, shield me, guard me
Wrap me in compassion like a cloud.
Rain down sweetness, oh regard me
as a child who calls your name aloud.

April gets its name from the goddess Aprilis, who is the Romans' version of Aphrodite. Her name means "to open," which is exactly what Aprilis does... she opens the path to playfulness and the way to personal enrichment....

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