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.

Power to attract

The Power to Attract


Everyone has the power to attract what he or she truly desires in life. Our deepest dreams can come true. This may seem hard to believe but it’s true. Using the power to attract what he or she desires is also self-empowering.

The power to attract lies within us all. It is real and it is possible. The steps to the power to attract are simple. Using the power to attract commands faith and trust with yourself and faith and trust with the Universe.

A person has to first be and think positive. If one thinks negatively, then that person will attract negativity. If one thinks positively, then one will attract positive things with far better results. I realize it seems difficult to feel positive all the time, and that we all have bad days, but in order to attract positive energy into your life, you’ve got to be as positive as you can be. I’m not punishing anyone who feels negative energy. But whatever you ask for is what you will attract. That is why it is crucial to remain positive.

I have had times in my life that have been difficult. I learned to let go of my negative emotions and energy, like not having enough money, for example, and trust that the Universe would provide me with what I needed. In order to attract what I wanted in my life, I had to let go. This is one of the first lessons in using the power to attract. It is the ability to let go and release the lower energies that block you from achieving your goal.

That’s why I know that the power to attract works. I learned to release my anxiety and worry, thus free to move forward. I changed the energies around to attract what I wanted. I know it works and I am here to tell you how you can make it work for yourself.

The Power to Attract is a powerful tool in one’s life. Once mastered, it should be practiced to maximize attracting more in your life and to improve your skills of meditation. With practice, like playing an instrument, it gets better. You will soon start to see amazing results.

The steps to use the power to attract are simple and can be applied to every area of your life: health, love, work, your home, and your community. You can use the power to attract for yourself or someone else. It may be a good idea to start small at first then advance to attracting bigger things for yourself. You may find you really enjoy it.

First, I would like to share some examples from my life to show how the power of attraction works.

I needed a butter dish. That night, I dreamed of a pure white ceramic butter dish. The next day, I was browsing through the aisles of a dollar store when I spotted it. There, right in the center of the shelf, was the pure white ceramic butter dish I had seen in my dream!

I wanted to buy a stereo. I sat down and visualized the stereo in detail. A while later, I bought the stereo I had visualized and concentrated on to attract into my life.

Here is another excellent example of how I have used the power of attraction. I had moved into an unsafe neighborhood. Six months later, it had become painfully clear that I needed to move. There were drive-by shootings, drug problems and loud arguments between people. There were no flowers and trees. I feared for my safety. I wrote down a list on paper of all the things I wanted in an apartment-and what type of neighborhood I wanted to live in. I cast a powerful spell and used the list in the spell, which I can’t find now.

Before I moved out, I had a vision. I peered into a teacup on my table below a window where sunlight was streaming in. Sunlight shone in the teacup. I had a vision of a white house on a hill, which is the very apartment that I live in now. Flowers and trees are everywhere. I believe in the strength of using the power of attraction.

You do not have to have visions, dreams or receive portentous omens in order for the power of attraction to work. It can be much simpler than that. It can sometimes happen that way and if so, pay attention to the signals from the Universe. It is trying to tell you something. I was providing examples based on my experience to show how the power of attraction can bring positive changes into your life.

The methods of using the power of attraction include meditation, visualization and concentration. The power of attraction also requires your faith in it, and an open mind.

If you choose, you can create a special meditation area for yourself. It is not mandatory. All the power to attract truly requires is your belief that it works. You can use candles, crystals and incense while you meditate.

Crystals, such as amethyst, clear quartz or citrine lend their vibrations to your meditation. Clear quartz is a good all-purpose crystal. Amethyst powers include spiritual upliftment, clarity, and protection. Smoky quartz powers are grounding, protective and balancing, useful after the meditation. Citrine is good for personal clarity and creativity. Use smoky quartz with clear quartz to draw positive energy to you to achieve your goals and make them a reality.

Crystals that are associated with the third eye chakra are azurite, calcite, lapis lazuli, sodalite and quartz. You can empower the crystals to aid you in your meditation by concentrating on programming the crystals to strengthen your meditation and visualization. Then the crystals will help you.


Now, having found a quiet place to meditate or lie down, turn off your phones or cell phones. If you want to wear loose clothing and/or a special necklace or charm, then feel free to do so. It is good to not be disturbed during your meditation.

Clear your mind. Take some slow deep breaths to relax you and prepare you for meditation. Now, slowly, and remember to be gentle with yourself, concentrate on what you desire. Picture it in your mind. Visualize it already being yours, whether it is a new job, a new car or the perfect parking space. Try to clearly visualize it in your mind. The more clearly your visualize it, the more it will be yours and the stronger the power of attraction. Take your time with this meditation. There is no rush.

You are activating the third eye chakra, one of the seven chakras, while you visualize. We all have seven chakras or energy centers, in our bodies. They are the crown chakra, third eye chakra, throat chakra, heart chakra, solar plexus chakra, sacral chakra, and the root chakra. For this type of meditation, you are using the third eye chakra, located at the center of the forehead. The color associated with the third eye chakra is indigo. Qualities associated with the third eye chakra are inner vision, intuition, insight, clairvoyance, imagination, extra sensory perception, idealism, concentration, peace of mind, projection of will and manifestation. The underlined words describe what the power of attraction is about. You know what you want, you use your imagination to imagine it and picture it clearly in your mind, you project your will to make it yours, and you manifest it when you attract it into your life. It is that simple but also profound.

While you meditate on what you want to draw towards you, try to picture whatever it is that you want clearly in your mind. The more clearly you try to picture it in your mind, the more likely it will become yours. The dream I had of the ceramic dish was a clear visualization of the dish, so clear there was no mistaking it. The weaker you picture it in your mind, the less likely you will attract it toward you. You need to have faith in your belief and vision that it will work. You also need to have faith that the Universe is working hard to bring to you what you desired. That can be a powerful combination and work in your favor.

After you have done some meditation for ten to fifteen minutes, and you have visualized and concentrated, open your eyes and ground yourself. At this point, you need to ground yourself. Food is usually a good choice. The meditation requires a lot of effort and it is important to ground and center afterwards.

You can continue to meditate and visualize your goal if you so choose. Meditating on your root chakra can help after the meditation. It’s located at the base of the spine. It’s color is red. Its qualities are vitality, grounding, satisfaction, security, stillness and courage. To meditate on your root chakra, sit still and concentrate on the base of your spine and imagine a red line going down to the root chakra, pulling you to the earth. Hold a smoky quartz crystal in your hands to ground yourself.

You can use positive affirmations to affirm what you want to manifest into your life. Write it down and tape it to your desk or repeat it to yourself each day. This will bring power to your visualized goal. Some examples of affirmations can include: “I am now consciously living my divine purpose’, or “I am one with the Creator and the Universe,” or a simple “Namaste.”

Now that you have meditated on your goal, do not dwell on it needlessly. Trust that the Universe is working hard to bring to you what you wanted. Also, do not expect instant results. Do not disrespect the Universe or what you get may not be what you wanted at all. You have to have faith and be willing to let go in order for it to work. That is when you will gain the most and see amazing results.

You can meditate and visualize about your goal as often or as little as you want. To achieve a greater effect, visualize your wish as often as you want and use the daily affirmations. All these steps lend more power to your goal of attracting what you want.

It is crucial to be as clear as you can be in knowing what you want. The clearer it is in your mind, the stronger the projection and the better the results. When you have some success-and you will, if you follow these steps, try something bigger next time. With practice and conviction, you will notice you are becoming good at manifesting and you will be happier in life.
When I felt drained or unhappy for some reason, I wore a brighter colored piece of clothing. Never underestimate the power of color. For example, if you want a new red car, visualize the car in a vivid red color. If you want a new job, see yourself in a sharp looking business suit and having confidence at the interview. If you want prosperity or money, visualize money in a gold or bright green color. Buy a green or gold colored bowl or a piggy bank in one of those colors and store some coins in it, then forget about them (letting go), and check it later. You may be surprised to see how much has accumulated in the piggy bank (attracting towards you).

A few more useful ways you can attract what you want into your life is to draw a picture of what you want, or maybe a map for a trip, or whatever strikes your fancy. Write it down and keep it near you when you meditate. You can use gold colored ink on gold colored paper, green ink for green paper or red ink on red paper for love. This has to do with the mantra, like attracts like. Focus on the image on the page and then close your eyes and picture it in your mind. You may find this tip especially helpful when just beginning to meditate and use visualization.

Another tip to use is to condition yourself by association. Burn the same incense or scent in an oil burner every time you meditate and after a while, you may associate the scent with trying to visualize your goal. Jasmine, mint, mugwort and star anise correspond with the third eye chakra. Essential oils, crystals, incenses and oil burners are available at a nearby metaphysical shop or other local store.

While you are using the power of attraction to bring to you what you want, try to remain as positive as possible. This may be easier said than done, but why go through all that only to quit halfway? If you see negative people around you and feel they are affecting your efforts to attract, either help them or avoid them. They can have an impact on your efforts. Remember that they own their energy, not you. You are responsible for your energy. Take responsibility and you will feel more satisfied with what you achieve. You are not responsible for anyone else’s energy but your own.

The Power to Attract is powerful and self-empowering. With conscious efforts and practice, you will grow more confident in your abilities to manifest what you want into your life. The more positive you are, the more you attract into your life. It does not always need to be a material item, though that is often the goal and doesn’t hurt, but imagine that if you make more effort to be happier, you are going to draw that into your life. Now it’s okay to have a day or two when you don’t feel so good. We are not perfect. But you may be so pleased with the inevitable results; you may find it easier to attract what you want into your life. That’s the power of attraction working for you.

Here are some useful resources for you to review to familiarize yourself with the power of attraction.
http://www.thesecret.tv

Books
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer
The Intuition Handbook by Judy Hall
Trust Your Vibes by Sonia Choquette


Heddy Johannesen is a full-time freelance writer with a book of poetry and eight published magazine articles to date.

CURRENT MOON

lunar phases

Yule

Other Names: Jul (“wheel”, Old Norse), Saturnalia(Rome ~December 17 & 18), Yuletide(Teutonic), Midwinter, Fionn’s Day, Alban Arthuan, Christmas (Christian~December 25), Xmas, Festival of Sol, Solar/Secular/Pagan New Year

Animals/Mythical beings: yule goat (nordic), reindeer stag, squirrels, yule cat, Sacred White Buffalo, Kallikantzaroi-ugly chaos monsters(greek), trolls, phoenix, yule elf, jule gnome, squirrels, wren/robin

Gemstones: cat’s eye, ruby, diamond, garnet , bloodstone
Incense/Oils: bayberry, cedar, ginger, cinnamon, pine, rosemary, frankincense, myrrh, nutmeg, wintergreen, saffron

Colors: gold, silver, red, green, white

Tools,Symbols, & Decorations: bayberry candles, evergreens, holly, mistletoe, poinsettia,mistletoe, lights, gifts, Yule log, Yule tree. spinning wheels, wreaths, bells.
Goddesses: Great Mother, Befana (strega), Holda (teutonic), Isis(egyptian), Triple Goddess, Mary(christian), Tonazin(mexican), Lucina(roman), St. Lucy (swedish),Bona Dea (roman), Mother Earth, Eve(Hebrew), Ops(roman Holy Mother), the Snow Queen, Hertha (German), Frey (Norse)

Gods: Sun Child, Saturn(rome), Cronos (Greek), Horus/Ra(egyptian), Jesus(christian-gnostic), Mithras(persian), Balder(Norse), Santa Claus/Odin(teutonic), Holly King, Sol Invicta, Janus(God of Beginnings), Marduk (Babylonian)Old Man Winter

Essence: honor, rebirth, transformation, light out of darkness, creative inspiration, the mysteries, new life, regeneration, inner renewal, reflection/introspection

Dynamics/Meaning: death of the Holly (winter) King; reign of the Oak (summer) King), begin the ordeal of the Green Man, death & rebirth of the Sun God; night of greatest lunar imbalance; sun’s rebirth; shortest day of year

Purpose: honor the Triple Goddess, welcome the Sun Child
Rituals/Magicks:personal renewal, world peace, honoring family & friends, Festival of light, meditation

Customs: lights, gift-exchanging, singing, feasting, resolutions, new fires kindled, strengthening family & friend bonds, generosity, yule log, hanging mistletoe, apple wassailing, burning candles, Yule tree decorating; kissing under mistletoe; needfire at dawn vigil; bell ringing/sleigh-bells; father yule

Foods: nuts, apple, pear, caraway cakes soaked with cider, pork, orange, roasted turkey, nuts, fruitcake, dried fruit, cookies, eggnog, mulled wine

Herbs: blessed thistle, evergreen, moss, oak, sage, bay, bayberry, cedar, pine, frankincense, ginger, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, myrrh, pinecones, rosemary, chamomile, cinnamon, valarion, yarrow
Element: earth
Threshold: dawn
From About.com: ((I can’t help it – it’s a great source!))
Learn more about the Holly King/Oak King legend.
A Yule Goddess rite for Solitaries.
Yule presents for Wiccans.
Decorate your own Yule Log.

Happy Yule!

Book of Shadows Binding

Merry Meet All,

I'm assuming that some of you own a Book of Shadows. In our age of technology, some witches even keep a Disc of Shadows. For anyone who has ever longed for a deeper, more personal hand bound Book of Shadows, read on...

Yes, I own a Binder of Shadows, if you will. I stumbled across a book one day that outlined how to bind your own Book of Shadows. There is nothing wrong with what everyone already owns. There is just more than one way to do this.

It is helpful and a time saver to assemble all the materials prior to undertaking this project. However, depending on how personal you want the project to be, it can take a long time.

This is what I did. I bought nice durable green twill material for the book covers from a fabric store. I purchased parchment paper from Staples and thought out ahead of time what I planned to include in the book then printed that all out on the parchment paper. I bought PVA glue, good for book binding, from an arts store. This was all affordable! Then, with the printouts-with magical fonts, that are easy and free to download, I stacked up all the pages in a neat pile.

I cut the green twill to size. The fabric should be larger than the book. It covers the book and there has to be some remaining. The davy board-hard board for the book covers- is available at an arts store. I went to the Nova Scotia Community College art store. I had the davy board cut to size at the Deserres art store. So, line up the fabric and the davy board. Decide now how big you want your spine to be. Lay down the davy board and leave a space in the center. Glue the davy board to the fabric and bring the fabric over the davy board. Let dry. Smooth out the wrinkles. Ensure everything is neat and even. Add the pages and add lots and lots of glue on the spine of the stacked pages to your book. Let dry. Adding plenty of glue now saves the exasperation later when you hear that ominous crack of the spine when opening your book. Pages can fall out. Add more glue. Be patient.

Now, with your book made, you can make it pretty-and witchy. I added dried herbs and flowers to my pages. Flat heads of flowers are best. Herbs such as sage can be added for protection, lavender, shasta daisies and petunias are lovely. I dried and pressed flowers in a thick volume first then added them. I also added borders, pictures, photos, spells and whatever else my heart desired. The Book of Shadows feels so personally mine. I glued bleeding heart leaves because in the fall, they turn a beautiful color. It is amazing what you can come up with when you let your imagination go.

I also am studying on my family ancestry. The Celtic Triquetra reflects my ancestry. Personalizing a hand bound Book of Shadows is endless fun.

I embroidered a triquetra patch and glued that to the cover. I added ribbons, bookmarks and tassles to the spine. I sewed a beautiful deep green velvet pouch for my book of shadows. I embroidered a triquetra patch in a matching color to the pouch. I added a frog for closure and added a gold unicorn pendant to the pouch.

To make your spells have that antique look, print out on a computer,again using a fancy font or art, and set your oven to a low temperature. Pour warm coffee on the pages on a cookie tray and swirl it around. Bake in the oven for 6-7 minutes. Remove from oven. Now you have that cool antique aged look to the spell page.

What could be more witchy? Have fun!

Here are some more suggestions. Celtic art, if you have a Celtic background, as I do, is easy to get. It can be downloaded or studied from anywhere. If you are a Strega witch or into Asatru, then add that in some way to your book of shadows. Smudge it with sage and consecrate your book.

A Book of Shadows reflects what is important to you and in your heart. A card, letters, photos important to you can be stored in an envelope or pouch and that all added to your Book. You may even begin a new tradition!

Once a book is bound, it is hard to add new pages. I got around this by gluing new pages to the pages already in the book very neatly. It is a permanent journal and cumulation of your spells and magic thoughts so once bound, forever captured. You can make it something you may hand down to your children someday.

Also, storing your Book of Shadows in a special protective pouch with a protective symbol can add power to the Book. I can tell it's working. What witch could resist that? I also had the fortune to let my Book of Shadows rest while we did a full moon spell on her altar. The Book resting on her altar gave my Book even more power.

The sky is the limit! I have been considering binding a second Book of Shadows by hand. Perhaps I will go with something more along the lines of a Book of only spells and enclose it in a lovely amethyst color. Anything is possible!

Mabon

Mabon is upon us. It is a time of equal opposites being in balance and the second harvest of the year. The fields are clear and the crops are sowed. The trees shed colorful fiery leaves and pumpkin soup warms the stomachs and hearts of everyone around.

Mabon falls at the Fall Equinox, or when the sun enters Libra. The Welsh name Mabon means "great son" and refers to the Son of the Great Mother. This Celtic mythological figure, who has many names and figures in many tales, was identified by the Romans as Mercury or sometimes as Apollo. In Christian Britain He was superseded by St. Michael, to whom churches on many sacred Pagan sites were dedicated, and the Fall Equinox became the Christian feast of Michaelmas. In medieval times, rents fell due and contracts were settled at Easter and at Michaelmas.

Mabon is primarily a harvest festival; it falls either during or at the end of the European grain harvest, depending on latitude. The Fall equinox is the mating season for deer, and marks the beginning of the hunting season in many places. In British folklore this time of year is associated with Herne the Hunter, who leads a wild phantom chase through the forest, heralding confusion and change. In one Craft tradition the Fall Equinox is called "the Night of the Hunter," when weak livestock which will not survive the winter must be slain. Mabon in some traditions marks the death or departure of the God in His yearly life-cycle; in others, however, this may occur at Lughnasadh or at Samhain. The Fall Equinox has also been identified as the "assumption of the Crone," when the dark face of the Goddess assumes the sway over the world which She will hold until the return of the Maiden at Imbolc.

Lammas

Merry Meet all,

Lammas

Lammas, or Lughnassad, occurs in late July and early August. It is marks the middle of Summer and the beginning of the harvest. Canning goes into full swing, and magickal cabinets are stocked with herbs before the onset of fall. This is also a time to prepare your household for fall and the upcoming Winter months. It is the first of three harvest festivals and is usually associated with ripening grain. It is time to celebrate the fruits of the harvest but also to be aware that summer is passing and winter is on its way.

We honor the weakening Sun God and give thanks for the seeds and the plants that went through the death process (harvest) in order to be reborn next season. The Sun God is waning, but the Goddess is full of abundance. Even as he wanes, he lives on inside her as her child. The Goddess manifests as Demeter, Ceres, Corn Mother, and other agricultural Goddesses. The God manifests as Lugh, John Barleycorn, and vegetation Gods. Colors are Golden Yellow, Orange, Green, and Light Brown. It is a festival of plenty and prosperity.

Decorate the altar and house with grains such as barley, oats and wheat -- also fruits and veggies. Begin gathering and drying herbs, flower, grains or seeds for spellworking in the next year. Make magickal oils now with fresh herbs.Braid onion and garlic charms. Onion is sacred to the sun -- because of its shape, and its dye is a golden amber to burnt apricot.When the onion is cut, it reveals the symbolism of the moon. Garlic, too, is sacred to the moon -- the crescent shape of the cloves. It exorcises evil and protects. Collect rain and storm water for use in spellwork or to empower objects, add dried mugwort and store in glass bottles. Make a corn wheel. Bake a loaf of bread on Lammas. If you've never made bread before, this is a good time to start. Honor the source of the flour as you work with it: remember it was once a plant growing on the mother Earth. If you have a garden, add something you've harvested--herbs or onion or corn--to your bread. If you don't feel up to making wheat bread, make corn bread.


Corn Dolly -Another way to honor the Grain Goddess is to make a corn doll. This is a fun project to do with kids. . She's your visual representation of the harvest. As you work on her, think about what you harvested this year. Give your corn dolly a name, perhaps one of the names of the Grain Goddess or one that symbolizes your personal harvest. Dress her in a skirt, apron and bonnet and give her a special place in your house. She is all yours till the spring when you will plant her with the new corn, returning to the Earth that which She has given to you. Make a corn dolly to save for next Imbolc.

HERBS to use in your magic at Lughnasadh: goldenrod, peony, nasturtium, clover blossom, yarrow, heliotrope, boneset, vervain, Queen Anne's lace, myrtle, rose, sunflower, poppy, milkweed, Irish moss, mushroom, wheat, corn, rye, oat, barley, rice, garlic, onion, basil, mint, aloe, acacia, meadowsweet, apple leaf, raspberry leaf, strawberry leaf, bilberry leaf, blueberry leaf, mugwort, hops, holly, comfrey, marigold, grape vine, ivy, hazelnut, blackthorn, elder, bee pollen.

STONES: Cat's-eye, citrine, aventurine, golden topaz, obsidian, moss agate, rhodochrosite, clear quartz, marble, slate, granite, lodestone.

Foods appropriate for Lammas are breads, berries, crab apples, and any locally ripe produce.

At this time, witches cast spells for connectedness, career, health, and financial gain. Spells for abundance are completely appropriate now. As the sun is growing weaker, it is a good time to do grounding and sun meditations, then use the golden rays of the sun (gathered during meditation) in spellcasting.

This is the perfect holiday to honor the prosperity and generosity of Mother Earth. It is a season to throw away useless thoughts and habits and to form new ideas which bring renewed strength. Reflect on these topics alone in the privacy of your journal or share them with others around a fire. Lughnasad is one of the great Celtic fire-festivals, so if at all possible, have your feast around a bonfire.









*BLESSING FOR LAMMAS FEAST*
Now is the Time if the First Harvest,
When the bounties of Nature give of themselves
So that we may survive
O God of the ripening fields, Lord of the Grain,
Grant me the understanding of Sacrifice
As you prepare to deliver yourself
Under the sickle of the Goddess

And journey to the lands of Eternal Summer
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
Teach me the secrets of rebirth
as the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold...

(Crumble grains of wheat and let them fall on your altar or table. Take a bite of the ritual fruit and continue...)

I partake of the First Harvest,
Mixing its energies with mine
That I may continue my quest
For the starry wisdom of Perfection
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
before Whom the Stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks
For the continuing Fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds
To be buried in the Mother's breast
Ensuring Rebirth in the Warmth of next Spring...

(Consume the rest of the ritual fruit and merry meet!)
It is appropriate to plant the seeds from the fruit consumed in ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant with love and as a symbol of your connection with the Goddess and God.

Wands

Merry meet all,

Sorry i haven't posted in a while. I have been busy. But here I am. Ok so for all you practicing pagans and witches out there, here is a little crafting magic for you. I am in the midst of crafting a tree faery wand for myself.

I cut a 16-inch (roughly) branch from an apple tree. I cleaned off the extra small branches and leaves. I washed the branch and let it dry. I brought the branch indoors and then consecrated and cleansed the wand with incense, a candle (remember: safety) and rosemary water. I painted the branch in gold and added a citrine crystal to the point of the wand. Also, if you paint the wand with gold paint from the base of the tip to the point, you seal in the faery protective energies. Basically, if you put a lot of your energy into the wand, you will add more power and energy to the wand and in everything else that you do. I plan to add bells and ribbons and tie the ribbons to the bells. Then add the ribbons to the wand. The colors you choose are up to you. The wand could be painted silver as well if you so choose. Let the paint dry between coats and when dry, rest the wand on your altar. Crystals could be glued to the wand or you could inscribe symbols to the wand (i.e., runes or other significant symbols to you on the wand). Let the wand dry near sunlight to get solar energies.

Also, since a tree is kind enough to let you take a branch, leave an offering for the tree and tree spirits. I buried a stone I tumbled at the foot of the tree as an offering. Remember to thank the spirits.
This ensures they help you in the future with your wand and other endeavors.

Try to enjoy the last of summer. September may be a warm month. If you look closely, some plants are starting to store their energies for spring and winding down. There are lots of spider webs, dragonflies, busy bees and other critters out. Some leaves are already falling. Fall is coming but it's a slow arrival. Get out to enjoy the sun while you can. Blessed Be!!

Spiderwitch

Gardening 2

Merry Meet All,

I don't know about any of you, but I am suffering from severe heat exposure in my tiny apt. I have a window open but what difference? I love the sunny weather though.

Soon fall will be here (gasp) and it will be time for us to harvest the plants, vegetables, and fruit or herbs that we tend to faithfully in our gardens. My garlic, peas and beans and tomatoes are growing fast. Overnight it seems.

I hope all of you are tending to your own gardens. I would love to know if you saw a bee or a hummingbird in your garden. Bees are declining and we need to plant flowers that will attract bees to save them. Bees are the main pollinators of the world and without them, we may not exist so put away your pesticides! Hummingbirds are traveling farther for food. For some environmentally friendly gardening strategies, try making your own compost tea, putting your used coffee in the garden. Egg shells add nitrogen to the soil. Save your used water from the house to water the garden for water conservation. All of these tips barely cost nothing. But the positive effect on your garden may pay dividends on your plants!!

So work hard on your gardens. Add peat moss for some nutrients to the soil! Have fun too.

Blessed Be,
Spiderwitch