Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice

Merry Meet All,

June 20-21 is a very important day for our planet and its relationship with the sun. June 20-21 is one of two solstices, days when the rays of the sun directly strike one of the two tropical latitude lines. June 21 marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and simultaneously heralds the beginning of winter in the southern hemisphere. In 2010, the solstice occurs and summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere summer begins early on June 21, at 7:28 a.m. EDT (11:28 UTC1).
The earth spins around its axis, an imaginary line going right through the planet between the north and south poles. The axis is tilted somewhat off the plane of the earth's revolution around the sun. The tilt of the axis is 23.5 degrees; thanks to this tilt, we enjoy the four seasons. For several months of the year, one half of the earth receives more direct rays of the sun than the other half.

When the axis tilts towards the sun, as it does between June and September, it is summer in the northern hemisphere but winter in the southern hemisphere. Alternatively, when the axis points away from the sun from December to March, the southern hemisphere enjoys the direct rays of the sun during their summer months.

June 21 is called the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere and simultaneously the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. Around December 21 the solstices are reversed and winter begins in the northern hemisphere.

On June 21, there are 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle (66.5° north of the equator) and 24 hours of darkness south of the Antarctic Circle (66.5° south of the equator). The sun's rays are directly overhead along the Tropic of Cancer (the latitude line at 23.5° north, passing through Mexico, Saharan Africa, and India) on June 21.

Without the tilt of the earth's axis, we would have no seasons. The sun's rays would be directly overhead of the equator all year long. Only a slight change would occur as the earth makes its slightly elliptical orbit around the sun. The earth is furthest from the sun about July 3; this point is known as the aphelion and the earth is 94,555,000 miles away from the sun. The perihelion takes place about January 4 when the earth is a mere 91,445,000 miles from the sun.

When summer occurs in a hemisphere, it is due to that hemisphere receiving more direct rays of the sun than the opposite hemisphere where it is winter. In winter, the sun's energy hits the earth at oblique angles and is thus less concentrated.

During spring and fall, the earth's axis is pointing sideways so both hemispheres have moderate weather and the rays of the sun are directly overhead the equator. Between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° latitude south) there really are no seasons as the sun is never very low in the sky so it stays warm and humid ("tropical") year-round. Only those people in the upper latitudes north and south of the tropics experience seasons.

(borrowed from about.com, summer solstice_)


It's Litha!, and that means the sun is at its highest point in the sky. Midsummer is the time when we can celebrate the growing of crops, and take heart in knowing that the seeds we planted in the spring are now in full bloom. It's a time of celebrating the sun, and spending as much time as you can outdoors. Try to set up your Midsummer altar outside if at all possible. If you can't, that's okay -- but try to find a spot near a window where the sun will shine in and brighten your altar setup with its rays.

Colors of the Season

This sabbat is all about the sun celebration, so think of solar colors. Yellows, oranges, fiery reds and golds are all appropriate this time of year. Use candles in bright sunny colors, or cover your altar with cloths that represent the solar aspect of the season.

Solar Symbols

Litha is when the sun is at its highest point above us. In some traditions, the sun rolls across the sky like a great wheel - consider using pinwheels or some other disc to represent the sun. Circles and discs are the most basic sun symbol of all, and are seen as far back as the tombs of ancient Egypt. Use equal-armed crosses, such as the Brighid's Cross2, or even the swastika - remember, it was originally a good luck symbol to both the Hindus and Scandinavians before it became associated with the Nazis.

A Time of Light and Dark

The solstice is also a time seen as a battle between light and dark. Although the sun is strong now, in just six months the days will be short again. Much like the battle between the Oak King and the Holly King3, light and dark must battle for supremacy. At this sabbat, light wins. Decorate your altar with symbols of the triumph of light over darkness - and that includes using other opposites, such as fire and water, night and day, etc.

Other Symbols of Litha

Midsummer fruits and vegetables from your garden
Gods Eyes4 in sunny colors
Sunflowers, roses
Oak trees and acorns
Sandalwood, saffron, frankincense, laurel

(About.com).

Psychic Children with Learning Disabilities

People who are psychically sensitive are often erroneously diagnosed with learning disabilities or other forms of illness. They are simply sensitive souls that have a natural psychic ability. Psychic ability is inherent in everyone. It is a natural talent that when developed properly, leads to a better self-awareness and enhanced sixth sense. It is as normal as our other five senses. Some people are not aware of their sixth sense, some are aware and don’t develop it to its full extent. Some develop it fully and flourish. They are all usually known as sensitives, psychics or mediums.


A person can have a learning disability and psychic or mediumistic abilities simultaneously. We are all psychic or intuitive to a degree. There are a significant percentage of children with learning disabilities in America today. It may be harder to calculate how many of those children have psychic abilities. 


The term psychic is used to describe all the metaphysical abilities: intuitive, psychic and mediumistic. Intuition is defined as knowing something without outside knowledge. It is a subtle way of reaching into energy fields unconsciously to know information. Children are strongly tied to this ability as their talents are highly tuned. 


Psychic is the next level of development beyond intuition. It is an awareness of intuitive information and eagerness to work with it. They can access magnetic energy from human fields and energy fields, known as auras. Psychics connect by sensing energy fields and the life energies of the past lives of people. 


Mediums channel through spirit and a lighter frequency than the earth plane. Mediumship is an awareness of the vibrations of spirit beings and receiving messages from them. It is the communication of a deceased loved one through a conduit-the medium. The purpose of sending the messages from spirit to a loved one is to offer a comfort to the loved one. A medium connects to the crown chakra (or seventh energy level) at the top of the head; a connection is made to the higher plane of existence. 


Some young children who display their talents at a young age are taught to shun their gifts by society, schools, and parents. Unfortunately, in today’s society, it is still viewed negatively. It cannot be defined in the science world. There is a growing number of psychically gifted youth and adults emerging today. However, tradition or science still frowns on those blessed with an above average psychic gift. One person I know had a six-year battle with a doctor to get her daughter off the prescribed medications for treatment for a supposed mental illness. The girl had nothing wrong with her. She had simply inherited her mother’s psychic abilities. This is an indication of the way that psychic ability is viewed so negatively in the health or science world. It is a natural ability that can be developed much like a muscle can be strengthened. 


Often psychic ability is viewed as strange or that there is something mentally wrong with the person. To some doctors, it is viewed critically and regarded with suspicion. Sadly, this means that those gifted with psychic abilities are often given medications that are unnecessary and expensive. Parents send their children to the nurse’s room in schools to give them their daily dose of Ritalin. The children develop addictions to other worse drugs. The drugs are used as a type of ‘control’ over the child, which significantly diminishes their behavior or energy levels and psychic abilities. Six million children take Ritalin in schools today in America. 


There are classes that an individual can participate in. Workshops and psychic fairs offer an opportunity for people to meet other like-minded people. This bolsters one’s confidence in one’s own talents. The support system also leads to friendships, networks and opportunities to do psychic readings at fairs. 


Being a sensitive psychic soul requires practice and positive self-care. Epsom salts clear the aura and etheric body of any negativity. The etheric body is made up of Chi and forms a structure of meridians throughout the body. These meridians run through all the major organs, glands, nerves and energy centers. This system of etheric energy permeates the physical body, supporting and sustaining it. Plants and animals have an etheric body. The etheric body feeds the physical body with energy, which is vital to its survival. 


Rock salt candles release negative ions in the air, purifying the air. Candles, like tea lights, can soothe the mind and spirit. Herbal teas can also be relaxing. Essential oils can fragrance a room when burned in oil burners or added to a hot bath. These items are available at most health and wellness stores, farmers markets and psychic fairs and are relatively inexpensive. Meditation also aids in reaching higher awareness and improving one’s gifts. 


Lavender and chamomile are gentle herbs and oils that soothe when the world is overwhelming. Often, psychics feel bombarded by the manic media and world issues on our planet today. They require some quiet time to regroup and meditate, until they feel refreshed. 


Crystals can play a role in aiding a person’s psychic abilities. Clear quartz is a crystal of power and it is like a battery for spiritual communication, healing, protection and balancing. Rose quartz is a healing gentle crystal. Smoky quartz is grounding and protective. Hematite is protective, and aligns the spiritual world with the physical. Amethyst is purple quartz and is a healing and calming stone. 


There is a current phenomenon occurring in our world today. There is a new type of child, known as the Indigo child that is a good example of a child misdiagnosed with a learning disability. Not all children with learning disabilities are Indigo children and not all Indigo children have learning disabilities. The Indigo child is special and unique. It is highly common that Indigo children are gifted with above average psychic gifts. “An Indigo child is one who displays a new and unusual set of psychological attributes and shows a pattern of behavior generally undocumented before.” (Nicole Humphrey). Even autistic or young or older people classified as having Asperges are diagnosed with that instead of the doctor looking at the psychic gifts they possess. People believe these children have higher levels of spiritual consciousness and awareness. 


Characteristics of an Indigo child: 

Very intelligent

Feel greatly misunderstood by their family

Very creative and enjoy making things

Always want to know WHY

Hate repetitive work

Are rebellious in school

Experience depression

Hate service-oriented jobs

Prefer to be a leader or work alone

Are empathic

Can cry at the drop of a hat

May have trouble with Rage

Have trouble with systems

Feel alienated

Frustrated with American dream

Have a burning desire to change the world

Have psychic or spiritual experiences at young age

Have strong intuition

May have ADD 

Have psychic experiences, seeing angels, ghosts, OBE

Awareness of other dimensions and parallel realities

Are very sexually expressive

Seek meaning in life

73% have learning disabilities


Indigo children have a sense of a ‘deserving to be here’ and are confused when others don’t share that. They have high self-esteem and confidence. Indigo children have issues with authority and get easily bored or frustrated by ritual-oriented boring mundane systems or tasks. They try to do the tasks but always want to know ‘why’. They get frustrated with rigid systems and are known as the rebellious ones. Sometimes, Indigo children are seen as ‘loners’, and have difficulty in relations with other children in schools. They relate better with their own kind. 


Indigo children can show new and better ways of doing things, if teachers and parents take the time and patience to listen. If they don’t listen to or ignore the child, the child will get frustrated. They are highly creative and intelligent. 


The signs that a child may be an Indigo child are as follows: The reading or study of a child’s aura should indicate an indigo color or shade. The aura is composed of many colors. Indigo is the color for a higher spiritual awareness. The aura is the energy field that emanates from a person or object. Everyone has an aura. An Indigo child’s aura would show indigo color in their aura. 


Kirlian photography is a type of photography that can scan the aura. It takes a picture of the energy field around the human body, but not the human body itself. Semyon Kirlian in Russia discovered it in 1939. The hand is placed on a machine that gently reads the reflexology points of the hand. From that, the computer supplies three graphs that reveal the levels of stress in a person’s body, the level of harmony of the chakras and a person’s emotional and spiritual wellbeing. 


This shows a need for compassion and patience in our world today. Let the children take the reins and show new and better ways of doing things. Fortunately, with the advances in medicine and a slow acceptance of psychic and mediumistic abilities, the future for these gifted children appears brighter. Helping children develop their psychic or mediumistic abilities combined with helping them with their learning disabilities in a nurturing and positive manner can bring out the best in a child. This will help them lead fuller, productive lives. This would erase the need for a drug or form of control.

Psychic Readings

I am writing to inform you that I am offering psychic readings from my home. I live in Halifax so I apologize profusely if this is an inconvenience. I can be emailed as well. I offer readings with the following modalities: tarot cards, pendulums, crystals, seeing balls, and tealeaves. Relax and enjoy yourself in a pleasant environment and receive messages for your Highest Good. I look forward to meeting with you. I can be reached via email at goddess_heddy@yahoo.ca. Sorry I will not list my phone number here for privacy and security reasons.

Blessed Be


Heddy Johannesen
Intuitive Reader

Plant Vibrations

IF you're anything like me, you love plants. I own 3 spider plants, two Jades, a Dracaena, a Goldfish plant, a Bay Leaf plant, a Kalanchoe, an Aloe Vera and a Swedish Ivy. I love to nurture plants. That may explain why I own so many and why they grow so well. A major part of this is due to the fact that I, and I can attest it's a fact, that I am 1 All green thumbs, and 2 that I can sense plants' vibrations.

Plant vibrations are real. I remember when I repotted my large beautiful jade plant and I misted the plant, watered it and stared in amazement. Lights, energy and vibrations bounced off the plant. A jade is a succulent, which means they can hold water and don't need constant watering but that time, I could hold my hands close to the plant and sense the energies. It was that strong. I have grown this large lovely money plant since it was a baby.

A wilting plant obviously needs water but there have been other things I have sensed from plants. Whether they were content in their location, wanted to be moved to another spot, wanted to be repotted, wanted to be moved to a new home, wanted to come home with me (that happened yesterday with the Kalanchoe) or needed more sunlight.

I gifted Willow with two African Violet plants. When she had settled them in their new spot, I felt the plants tell me they were quite happy in their new loving home. Tuning into a plant's energy or vibration is easy. Simply look at the plant -soften the gaze and be nice-plants can tell, and see if you pick up anything. When you casually walk by a plant, does anything pop into your head? Plants 'talk' to me all the time. Place your hand gently upon the plant. See if you mentally or psychically sense anything. Does a jolt run up your hand or do you get a tingling. Feel the soil, stroke the plant's base, feel the texture of the petals or leaves. That's the heart of the plant and the voice of the plant. It is all textile and sensual. I have a way that I stroke the woody base of my large jade plant and I talk to it all the time. I can't live without my plants.

For another example, I put my small jade plant in the bathroom. The poor thing drooped. I moved the plant back to the window it was originally at and the plant perked back up. That could be an easy one but it shows that they do try to communicate their needs with us. Take the time to listen. Every few months, I also treat my plants to a trim and some plant food, usually in spring and in winter. Pruning does not hurt a plant.

In turn, plants work with our vibrations. They are good company for us, require us to care for them-like pets, and clean the air for us. Plants work with our vibrations twenty-four hours round the clock. They simply require tender loving care. I read in an herbal book of mine that plants have been able to detect criminals when they were tested and attached to a galvanometer. Scientists have discovered that plants may have the same nervous systems we do. Plants are very sensitive. Plants-herbs and flowers, trees, what have you, have provided humans with an array of cures, teas and scents and pleasing designs in our homes since millennia.

So next time you see a plant or sense your plant begging to be watered, pay attention. It's trying to tell you something.

Blessed Be
Spiderwitch

Brighid

In Irish legend, Brighid (or Brighit), whose name is derived from the Celtic brig or "exalted one", is the daughter of the Dagda, and therefore one of the Tuatha de Dannan. In some versions of her story, she is the wife of the Fomorian Bres, with whom she had a son, Ruadan. Her two sisters were also called Brighid, and were associated with healing and crafts. The three Brighids were typically treated as three aspects of a single deity, making her a classic Celtic triple goddess.

Patron and Protector:
Brighid was the patron of poets and bards, as well as healers and magicians. She was especially honored when it came to matters of prophecy and divination. She was honored with a sacred flame maintained by a group of priestesses, and her sanctuary at Kildare, Ireland, later became the home of the Christian variant of Brighid, St. Brigid of Kildare. Kildare is also the location of one of several sacred wells in the Celtic regions, many of which are connected to Brighid. Even today, it's not uncommon to see ribbons and other offerings tied to trees near a well as a petition to Brighid.

In Britain, Brighid's counterpart was Brigantia, a warlike figure of the Brigantes tribe near Yorkshire, England. She is similar in aspects to the Greek goddess Athena and the Roman Minerva. Later, as Christianity moved into the Celtic lands, St. Brigid was the daughter of a Pictish slave who was baptised by St. Patrick, and founded a community of nuns at Kildare.

In addition to her position as a goddess of magic, Brighid was known to watch over women in childbirth, and thus evolved into a goddess of hearth and home. Today, many Pagans and Wiccans honor her on February 2, which has become known as Imbolc or Candlemas1.

Like many Pagan holidays, Imbolc has a Celtic connection, although it wasn’t celebrated in non-Gaelic Celtic societies. The early Celts celebrated a purification festival by honoring Brighid. In some parts of the Scottish Highlands, Brighid was viewed as Cailleach Bheur, a woman with mystical powers who was older than the land itself. In modern Wicca and Paganism, Brighid is viewed as the maiden aspect of the maiden/mother/crone cycle.

Imbolc

Merry Meet All,

Imbolc is approaching. Imbolc is a Fire festival. It is related to fire. It is the time when it is still freezing cold yet new life stirs within the soil. Hope turns to our warmed hearts that spring is not far away. Imbolc is the first of the three spring festivals.

It's Imbolc1, and that's the Sabbat where many Wiccans and Pagans choose to honor the Celtic goddess Brighid2, in her many aspects. However, other than having a giant statue of Brighid on your altar, there are a number of ways you can set up for the season. Depending on how much space you have, you can try some or even all of these ideas -- obviously, someone using a bookshelf as an altar will have less flexibility than someone using a table, but use what calls to you most.

Colors

Traditionally, the colors of red and white are associated with Brighid. The white is the color of the blanket of snow, and the red symbolizes the rising sun. In some traditions, the red is connected with the blood of life. Brighid is also tied to the color green, both for the green mantle3 she wears and for the life growing beneath the earth. Decorate your altar with a white cloth, and drape a swath of red across it. Add green candles in candleholders.

The Beginnings of New Life

Altar decor should reflect the theme of the Sabbat. Because Imbolc is a harbinger of spring, any plants that symbolize the new growth are appropriate. Add potted bulbs -- don't worry if they're blooming yet -- and spring flowers4 such as forsythia, crocus, daffodils, and snowdrops. If you don't have much luck planting bulbs, think about making a Brighid's crown5 as a centerpiece -- it combines flowers and candles together.

Celtic Designs

Brighid is, after all, a goddess of the Celtic peoples, so it's always appropriate to add some sort of Celtic design to your altar. Consider adding a Brighid's cross6 or any other item incoporating Celtic knotwork. If you happen to have a Celtic cross, don't worry about the fact that it's also a Christian symbol -- if it feels right on your altar, go ahead and add it.

Other Symbols of Brighid

Cauldrons7 or chalices8 -- she's often connected to sacred wells and springs
A small anvil or hammer -- Brighid is the goddess of smithcraft
A Brighid corn doll9 and Priapic wand10
Sacred animals such as cows, sheep or swans
A goddess statue
A book of poetry, or a poem you've written -- Brighid is the patroness of poets
Faeries -- in some traditions, Brighid is the sister of the Fae
Healing herbs11 -- she's often connected to healing rites
Lots of candles12, or a cauldron with a small fire in it

Some of this information was derived from About.com.

Office Chi

Merry Meet All,

2010 is here. I have recently refreshed my whole desk area and am here to share how I did that with you. Though I am a Wiccan, I heartily embrace the philosophy of feng shui. I was amazed at the difference of the energy at my small desk area. More information on feng shui can be easily found online and in bookstores and libraries, but I will share some tips with you now.

Chi is the life force that is believed to be inherent in all things. Prana is also a word for life force energy. Good chi or prana is good energy. That is essential when striving towards a positive working area.

Besides doing some mundane chores of cleaning the desk area, I wiped down my desk monitor. I placed my lamp opposite my power hand to the left side. I placed a Buddha candle to the east side to welcome prosperity. I switched the desktop screen to a softer, flowing water image. I placed some grounding crystals such as selenite, hematite and smoky quartz on my desk to ground the energies. My spider plant hangs between the door and the computer. Plants bring good wood chi into an area. I can see outside from my computer and window. A lovely birch tree greets my eyes. I took my waste basket from under my computer to a different spot in the room. That made a huge difference right there.

I also deleted old, unused, ancient files from my folders and updated several files. This also created good chi and freed up my hard drive space. I also bought a cordless phone, freeing me to be in different places that I chose to be in and not have to depend on cords or be tangled in cords. I like to download music but was unaware that I downloaded music from a hacker virus infected site. I have deleted all the songs and am never downloading songs from the site anymore (which I won't name here to avoid more problems.) Thanks to some advice from a good friend, I have avoided a computer crash. My computer alarmed me when my screen and Itunes froze. I knew something was amiss. i did a virus check and all is well now. I try to keep computer cords out of view.

So with all that, my writing space is now more positive, energized, full of good chi and I am ready to get going with my writing projects. I look forward to the positive opportunities that come my way. Already I have two proposals on their way and some new ones underway. Feng Shui is a wonderful philosophy. I hope this inspires you to do the same and create good energy where you work.

Sunday's Magic Correspondences

The ruling planet is the Sun, the metal is gold, the colors are yellow and gold, the deities are Brighid, Helios and Ra. The gemstones are quartz crystal, diamond, amber and carnelian. The herbs are marigold, sunflower and cinnamon. The associations are agriculture, beauty, victory, self-expression and creativity.

Daily Magic

Days of Magic

Saturday is auspicious for agriculture and creativity, fortune and hope, protection and banishment of negativity. The colors are black an purple, the planet Saturn, the metal lead, and the deities are Saturn and Hecate, and the crystals are apache tear, obsidian and hematite.THe herbs and plants are thyme, mullein and cypress.


Today is Friday, which is ruled by Venus. The metal is copper, the gemstones are coral, emerald and rose quartz. The herbs and plants are strawberries (which may be hard to get locally and organic at this time of year), and feverfew. The deities are Freya, a Nordic Goddess, Venus the Greek Goddess of Love, and Aphrodite. The associations today are family life and fertility, sexuality, harmony, friendship and growth. To learn more about this, read Raymond Buckland, Silver Ravenwolf, or Starhawk.


The correspondences for today are the color purple, the planet Mercury, the metal mercury, the gemstones adventurine and agate-blue lace agate is good for communications and the throat chakra, the plants aspen, lilies, lavender and ferns. Lavender is calming and soothing. The associations honor and family, loyalty, harvests, clothing and riches and fealty.


Enjoy your day
Blessed Be

Tuesday's Correspondences

Today is Tuesday. The magical correspondences are as follows: red and orange, the planet Mars, the metal Iron, the gemstones are garnet and ruby, the herbs and plants are thistles, holly, coneflower and cactus. The deities are Mars, Aries, the Morrigan and Lilith.

The Associations are war and conflict, enemies, initiation, marriage and protection.

Blessed Be
Keep warm
Spiderwitch

Circle Magazine

Merry Meet all,

I have the pleasure of having my article on the history of pagan bonfires published in Circle Magazine for their winter issue. It was an extremely challenging and interesting article to write. I am currently working on an article for Circle magazine about pentacles. There is a link to their website.

Blessings,
Spiderwitch

Broomsticks and blogs

Merry Meet All,

Here we are, in mid-January. I hope you're all keeping warm against the cold. Imbolg is fast approaching and the early promise of spring will emerge. That is the time to honor Brighid, when the ewes first start lactating their milk and the energies below the earth begin to stir. It is a time of hope and promise.

Before Imbolg arrives, this is a good time to purge and get rid of all that stuff that accumulated and you know you don't really want. There was a fire on this New Year's Eve. I donated a bag of my possessions to a local store Morrigan LeFay's mystical gifts to help the people out. It felt good to do and makes more room for new things. I donated my unwanted clothing to Value Village. I have always donated to a cause and it's good to help others.

I have a rainbow prism that hangs at my window. Today the sun shines so strong that rainbows are cast around my room. Today's moon is in Scorpio and the sun is in Capricorn. Monday is ruled by the moon. The daily magical influences are peace, healing, psychic awareness. The colors for today are gray, lavender, silver, white and ivory.