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....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: The Feriae Marti

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  ...

... 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: Holy Wells Day

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....

... 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 Marcher

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