September 2017 Honouring Your Dark Side

September 2017 -  Honouring your dark side

On the 22^nd September we celebrate the Wiccan Festival of Mabon, also known as Autumn Equinox. At 21.01 on this date the sun enters the sign of Libra; there is perfect equilibrium between daylight and night.  It is no accident that likewise Libra is known as the sign of balance, symbolised by the scales.  Mabon or ‘Autumn Equinox’ is also known as the second harvest.  The first harvest was celebrated in August (Lammas), notably a time of plenty when the sun was high in the sky and we were rewarded for all our hard work, and encouraged to bask in its glory and enjoy our harvest.  This festival has a darker element to it; we are on the cusp of the earth’s descent into winter.  Plants are beginning to suck themselves back into the earth to regenerate, trees are about to start losing their leaves, animals are preparing for hibernation or the journey to sunnier climes.  The natural world cannot help but affect us, however much we resist it, we too are part of the push and pull of the earth.  We are 90% water and thus we are affected by the moon, like the ocean is, only our  tides are more recognizable as moods and feelings.  You know some days when you wake up and feel deflated or flat and you can’t find a reason why?  Or other times when you have so much energy and feel happy and content? Well the moon has more to do with this than you think!  Some people are more in tune with this and others have just learnt to ignore the basic instinct we have inside of us.

Mabon is named after the welsh god, son of Celtic mother and goddess Modron.  It is told in the Welsh mythological tale ‘Culhwch and Olwen’ that Mabon was kidnapped when he was 3 days old and imprisoned.  He was later freed and transformed into a young god.  His kidnapping symbolises the Autumn Equinox; as Mabon disappeared into the darkness, a tiny seed of a being, only to return fully grown, so the sun and nature’s energy disappears over winter and regenerates in the spring.  Interestingly the naming of this Pagan festival ‘Mabon’ seems to be a fairly recent addition, as researching the story of Mabon there is no mention of his connection to ‘Mabon’ the festival in the old tales. 

Practical Magic

One of the many rituals to perform at ‘Mabon’ is a ritual to honour the dark Mother.  Literally translated in my mind this means meditating on the darker aspects of your own soul. Do you have pain you need to bring to the surface and deal with? Do you have anger or frustration that you need to find an outlet for?  Do you have thoughts and feelings about yourself or others that you are ashamed or embarrassed of?  We all have negative traits, parts of ourselves we dislike.  That is quite normal, the key is not to dwell so much on these so that we lose sight of our gifts, our attributes and our unique magic.  Because Autumn Equinox is a time of perfect balance between dark and light it is fitting that we in turn acknowledge the darkness within us all, give it respect and then banish it, whilst releasing and focusing on the light within us. 

Take a piece of black paper and draw a pentacle on it, (a five sided star) make sure the two points are facing downwards, (see pentacle below)  otherwise it is a sign of the devil!!  Write on this your faults, the things you dislike about yourself or even negative situations that you feel you are in right now.  Burn it.  Take a white piece of paper and draw a pentacle on this too, write your attributes, your gifts all the positive things you have to offer.  Take an apple, (a symbol of Mabon) cut it across the fruit so you can see the pips formation inside.   You will see that they make the shape of a pentacle which is why this fruit is so closely associated with Wicca.  There is also a little circle around the pentacle of pips, this symbolizes the magic circle of protection that one draws around oneself when performing a spell or ritual.   Bury the pentacle of pips along with your white star of your positive attributes.

If you have children at school you will be aware of the Harvest Festival assemblies around September time too, when thanks is given for what we have, and when we collect non-perishable items of food to distribute to not so fortunate folk.   For those of us that don’t have children at school, have your own dinner party/tea party whereby everyone comes with a dish each to share at your house, plus an extra tin of something, so at the end of your meal you will have a bagful of goodies to donate to your local food bank,.  We are spreading the ripple of our celebration of Mabon far and wide.

Crystal of the Month – Turquoise

This beautiful stone has for many years been used as a talisman against evil.  Its protective qualities are still known to this day and it can be used to ward off evil as well as protect its owner from negative energy.  You can use this stone as part of a cleansing ritual to rid your house or office from negative vibes, or just keep it with you as a good luck charm.  It is both calming and balancing and can be used to support you during times of over work and exhaustion.  The colours vary depending on where the stone has originated, but whatever the variations I feel it is such a vibrant positive stone to behold. 

Archangel Michael Card of the Month – Take your time Making This Decision

This card suggests that there is a situation which you are confused or indecisive about.  Don’t feel bullied into rushing a decision, take as much time as you need.  More information will be available to you in the coming days and weeks so don’t jump in with both feet!  Slow down and take your time.  In terms of specific meanings this could be read as ‘Don’t sign the contract just yet/negotiate a better deal/don’t rush a new relationship/don’t be pressurised by other people’.

Moody Moon

This month’s full moon falls on September 6th at 8.02 in the sign of Pisces.  Pisces is a very dreamy sign, and a water sign, so full of emotion.  Expect emotions to be running high especially in the lead up to this full moon.  Your hopes and dreams could be the focus, are you really doing what makes you happy?  Perhaps it’s time to seize the day and make some changes.

The New moon falls on 20^th September at 06.29 in the sign of Virgo.  This is a great day to start a new diet plan or health regime!  Virgo is all about health, food, cooking and being precise. 

Planets visible in the evening are Saturn in the south, mercury and mars in the morning from mid-month, and Venus in the west.  There is a Piscid meteor shower on 9^th September which will produce about 10 meteors per hour at its peak and can be seen throughout September into October.  They will radiate from the constellation Pisces in the south.

Eat: Apples, plums, figs, grapes, pears, kale, squash, leeks, pumpkin, mussels.

Play: Invite some people round and celebrate Mabon with food, wine and merry making.

Love: Picking your own fruit. (Blackberries are around early September and damsons/apples/pears)

August - Harvesting Karma

August- Harvesting Karma

On the first of August we celebrate Lammas (literally loaf mass)  also known as Lughnasa. This is the pagan festival which symbolises the gathering in of the first harvest.    I know we always think of harvest time as September, and of course the harvest continues to be reaped throughout august and September, but Lammas is signifying the very first harvest.  So the first crop of corn is gathered and ground to make bread which is then shared amongst the villagers, thus the term 'loaf mass'.  Wicca follows the seasons closely and celebrates the cyclical nature of our world, so it is usual to celebrate not only the changing seasons but what they mean in terms of harvest, growth, rebirth and abundance.  We cannot mourn the passing of the summer and the leaves falling from the trees because the sun will grow high again in spring and the leaves will be reborn. I suppose it is a kind of acceptance; of life, of death, of change and of renewal.  The natural world doesn't seem to mourn when the plants die down and the earth is cold and hard, it doesn't celebrate either when the earth is pulsating full of energy and life, instead it just sits in each moment, 'being' and being present.  One can see how the Buddhist ethos of remaining in the moment, in the present, relates closely to nature.  Perhaps we should strive more to enjoy our 'present' instead of looking backwards or forwards.

There is a karmic element to Lammas: we are celebrating the bountiful harvest of our crops, quite literally we are reaping what we have sown, as well as symbolically in the form of karma.  So what better time than to start sowing our own seeds of kindness every day as these not only will make a difference to our fellow human beings but karmically put us in the 'black'.    Karma and gratitude, in my book, go hand in hand.  Helping each other brings about good karma and also feels good; it makes us feel grateful for what we have and the more grateful we are, the more thanks we give for the little (or a lot) that we have.  Thus the more we feel we have, the more we will have. i.e.   what we have will seem to grow the more gratitude we show for it, if that makes sense! 

Practical Magic

This month is all about our power.  The earth's power is at its peak, it's like a big fat ball that is full of life, bursting with the vitality of the crops and the suns energy which has been building over the last few months.  We too are powerful creatures.  We can influence our reality simply with our thoughts, we have much more power and control than we believe, so we need to start believing it and creating the reality we want for ourselves.  Power is much more creative and contagious if used for good in my mind, so this month we need to start using our power in a positive way so we can help others and spread the positivity and light to make a difference to other people's lives.  It has been proven that 'random acts of kindness' are one of the keys to personal happiness.  All you have to do is one or two every day.  You would be surprised how one tiny act sets off a ripple which can reach far and wide.  A tidal wave has to start somewhere and its beginnings will be tiny.  For example, last week I rescued a honey bee that was exhausted.  It was lucky I saw it as it could easily have been trodden on.  But I managed to coax it onto a tea towel and then gently placed in on one of my roses in the garden, where it promptly gathered some pollen and then recovered quickly enough to then be able to fly away.  So what?  Well that honey bee will be pollinating many plants which in turns keeps our world ticking over.  Without bees our natural world as well as our food resources would be depleted massively.  If it wasn't for bees we wouldn't have broccoli, cucumbers, apples, cherries , or of course honey (to name just a few).  So you can see how a tiny thing like helping a bee can have a massive global effect.   Imagine then how it feels to be having a rough day and someone smiles at you, or helps you carry your shopping, or opens a door for you, gives up their seat for you, gives you the 20p you are short of in order to pay your food shopping.  Sweeping someone's path when its snowed, offering to do an elderly persons shopping, giving someone a lift, being a listening ear to someone in need, there are so many ways  in which we can reach out with random acts of kindness and in turn make ourselves, as well as the person we are helping, happier.  Let me know what you do and the results and I too will report back with my findings!

Crystal of the Month - Sunstone

This stone really is known as the happy stone.  It cannot be anything else considering it is named after the glorious sun, which in the month of August should be at its peak.  As August is such a power month I thought this stone would be appropriate.  It can be used during dark times to give you hope and confidence.  Its power can lift you out of sadness and like a magnet pull positivity towards you. 

Archangel Michael Card - This Situation Is Already Resolved

This card is a sign that the situation you are enquiring about is already concluded happily.  You may not know at present what the results or the outcome will be, but rest assured that matters have been taken out of your hands and trust that all will be well.  Try to let go of the situation and the outcome will be revealed in due course.  In specific terms this card can mean that there is nothing to worry about/ everything will turn out fine/stay put as things will resolve.

Moody Moon

There is a full moon on August 7th at 19.10 in Aquarius.  There is a partial lunar eclipse , a part of the moon will darken as it moves through the earth's shadow.  We won't be able to see it from the UK sadly, but you will in most of eastern Africa, central Asia and Australia. 

The new moon is on 21 August 19.30 in Leo  there is a total solar eclipse at 19.24.  however from the UK again we will not notice this as only 3% of the suns disc will be covered by the moon, but from the USA it will be noticeable.

In the  evenings Mercury is visible at the beginning of  the month only.  Jupiter is low in the west and Saturn can be seen in the south in the evenings.  In the morning Venus can be seen in the east.

On the 12th August there will be a Perseids Meteor shower.  If you find a good dark spot after midnight you should be able to see the bright meteor shower.  These meteors can be seen up to a week before the 12th, they are usually very bright and numerous.  They will radiate from the constellation Perseus but can appear anywhere in the sky.

Eat: apples, beetroot, courgette,  cucumber, french beans, lamb, raspberries, sea bass, scallops, venison, sardines, tomato, sweetcorn, watercress.

Play: Read Dancing At Lughnasa by Brian Friel, it's a wonderful play set in Ireland during the festival of Lammas (aka Lughnasa)

Love: Smiling. A smile away keeps the Dr away. (apparently)

July 2017 Column:Take A Break: Where Do You Want To Go?

July Column:  Take A Break: Where do you want to go?

It's midsummer really; the flowers, the trees, the gardens are pregnant with flowers.  There is so much colour to be seen and the bees are busy pollinating the flowers and fruit.  You can see apples and pears starting to grow from the spring blossom and my raspberries are coming along nicely. All in all nature is resplendent and flourishing.  How are you?  I don't know about anyone else but I'm feeling that mid-year lull, when, like the children who are about to break up for the long summer holidays, I too am ready for a summer break.  I wish I could take 6 weeks off and disappear to a lovely villa in sunnier climes.... It seems an impossible dream, but who knows...Anything is possible if you truly believe it will happen.

Most of us aren't lucky enough to have a bolt hole abroad.   A week away in the summer is probably more realistic, but some of us don't even have that to look forward to.  Yet everyone needs a break, so I'm going to take you on a little 'holiday' which hopefully will help you to feel refreshed and as if you have visited your own special haven of sunshine and peace, and you will come out of July feeling relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated! 

It's not just our physical body that we need to rest, it's our psychological one as well.  It's no good going to bed early to get those precious 8 hours sleep if your brain is whirling around, tormenting you, and your stomach is in knots over issues you need to deal with.  Truly resting is finding some way of relaxing our mind, body and spirit, so that we are then ready to deal with the next challenge that life throws at us. 

Practical Magic

Here's what I want you to do this month.  Choose a candle that you like, it might be a 99p one from a local supermarket or a posh scented one, it doesn't matter as long as you like the colour and smell.  (If you want to feel more 'alive' pick a brightly coloured one, if you want more calming relaxation choose a muted pastel colour).  I want you to choose how often you can have your 'holiday' time.  It  might be every day, or it might only be once a week,.  You just need about 10 minutes to put aside, just for you, no disturbances, no guilt, this is what you've earned.  So each time you are able to 'journey ' on to your mini 'holiday' destination I would like you to light the candle and if it's evening time dim the lights. (please remember never leave a candle/flame unattended!!!).  Now get yourself comfortable, sitting/or lying down and choose where you want to go.  It might be Malaysia, France, Spain, the Seychelles, the Caribbean, LA; anywhere you want!  You might want to be lying on a beach with the soft warm breeze gently blowing your hair and the heat of the sun beating down on your bikini clad body; you might choose to be in a busy Moroccan market sampling spices, bread, olives, touching brightly coloured silks and scarves and bartering loudly with exotic looking stall holders.  I want you to really picture yourself at this destination and ask yourself questions: what's the weather like?  How do you feel?  what can you see/smell/touch/hear.  Allow every one of your senses to be stimulated. Take time to listen to your surroundings, touch what you can see in front of you, taste the air/the food/ the salt on your lips, note what you can smell and soak up visually the delights your brain is conjuring up for you.  How do you feel in this place?  Do you feel calm/excited/relaxed/tired/happy/emotional? Make a brief note of your feelings then bat them away gently, it doesn't matter, nothing matters except that you have chosen this journey to go on. You might visit this place tomorrow and feel different.   For now, just allow your body and your mind to soak up the atmosphere and just 'be' in he moment that you have chosen.  You have no cares and no worries in this special place, no deadlines, no one to answer to except yourself.  You can spend as much time or as little time here as you want, there are no limits. You can drink and eat what you want with no repercussions or expanding waistlines!  You don't need SPF as you won't burn here, and you don't need to be able to swim to enjoy the feeling of floating in the sea.  Your mind is a wonderful tool and you can do and create whatever you want in this special place as it belongs to you and no one else.  You can even conjure up Harrison Ford or Tom Cruise to accompany you if you want!  When you are ready to leave this place I want you to focus on every single part of your body from the top of your head right down to the tips of your toes, and individually I want you to tense and then relax them.  So start from your head and go to your eyebrows, your eyelids, your nose, your cheeks, your ears, your chin, neck, shoulders, arms lower arms, wrists, hands fingers,  chest, back, lower back, stomach, hips, pelvis and pelvic floors thighs, knees, lower legs/calves, heels, feet, toes. Each muscles in those areas need to be tensed and then relaxed.  By now your body should be extremely heavy and relaxed.  Gently open your eyes when you feel ready and gaze at your candle.  Just focus on the flame, the flicker, the colour, the warmth, the shape, as other thoughts pop into your head gently swat them away and go back to the flame of the candle.  Breathe  deeply and evenly as you do so.  If the candle flame becomes too difficult to focus on and your mind keeps wandering go back to your breath and think about that, in and out, in and out.  You will probably only be able to do this for a few minutes as meditation (which is what this is) is very difficult and takes time to build up to.  It's so important to try to empty our minds of all thoughts from time to time as it's the only way our brain really ever gets a 'lie down', as even in sleep our brain is sifting through everything we have done in the day and processing the information.  Meditation allows your mind to go on holiday, just in the same way we have taken our imagination on a break and our bodies on one with the tensing and relaxing of the muscles.  Try this at home as often as you feel you need to and I'm hoping you will feel as though you have given your mind body and spirit a chance to recoup, relax and revive itself.

Crystal of the Month - Moonstone

I've chosen this stone because it's my birthstone (July/Cancer) and I feel a great affinity to this crystal.  The iridescent colours seen in it are simply breathtaking and it seems to have a certain mystery around it, like the moon itself....  Moonstones are great stones for women as they can balance hormones and help regulate menstruation.  They are also said to promote long life, happiness and loyalty to the wearer.  The best time to use a moonstone is  obviously at the time of a full moon, when it is at its most powerful.  Moonstones are said to reflect the true nature of the wearer, they show you to be as you truly are, so they are a perfect stone to use when meditating. (try holding one during your practical relaxation exercises).

Angel Card of the Month - Explore Your Options

This card has come up to remind you that although you have worked your hardest on a situation, maybe it is time now to look elsewhere and make plans.  There is no need to compromise anymore, you should move ahead with exploring alternative options that allow you to be your true authentic self.  Perhaps it's time to look for another job?  Is it the right moment to leave an unhealthy relationship/find new ways to heal a situation/change your Dr?  Allow yourself to daydream about your possibilities!

Moody Moon

This month the full moon is on July 9th at 5.06am in the earthy sign of Capricorn, so although things come to a head on full moons, expect results to be not as forthcoming as you had hoped.  There may be some tough conditions or restraints associated with what you are doing/hearing about on this day.  Capricorn will just be ensuring that you do really really want this, and that you are prepared to work for it and that you can be responsible. 

The new moon is on the 23rd at 10.45 in the sign of Leo.  Leo is loud and proud and wants to be noticed, so this is a great day for job interviews or getting your opinions heard and more importantly listened to!  Any new beginnings will be thrust at you today with the power and roar that the lion beholds.  Here I am! Take me and the opportunities I bring!

According to my moon calendar look out for these planets appearing next to the moon on these dates in the night's sky: 1 July - Jupiter, 7 July - Saturn, 20 July - Venus and 28 July - Jupiter. If you are looking for your family to expand or more opportunities /money to come your way choose Jupiter to gaze at and offer a prayer to him, choose Saturn if you need rules in place or need someone to take responsibility for something and choose Venus if you are looking for love.

On July 29th there is what's called a Delta Aquarid  Meteor Shower which produces up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak.  Meteors will radiate from the constellation Aquarius but can appear anywhere in the sky.

Eat: apricots, beetroot, lamb, mackerel, sea bass, tomato, raspberries, peas, watercress

Play: Go get some holiday brochures, cut out the places and picture of where you'd like to go or where inspires you and stick them up somewhere in your kitchen, like a makeshift mood board.  Gaze at them every day and before you know if you'll be making it happen.......

Love: To Travel, whether it's in your mind, on a local bus route or flying to a holiday destination..... embrace the different sensations and sights to your senses.