Gaea's

Archive for the ‘Wicca’ Category

Aphrodite is the Cretan and Greek goddess of love and beauty.

Her name means “born from the foam”. Her birth place is thought to be the foam off of the islands of Cyprus or Kythira, Milos where he famed Venus de Milo was found, which is associated with her in modern times. The basic story goes that Aphrodite rises from the foam of the waves of the sea, enchanting anyone who sees her and inciting feelings of love and lust wherever she goes.

A temple to Aphrodite is on Kythira, an island she visited. The island of Cyprus has many places believed to have been enjoyed by Aphrodite when she was on earth. The most famous legend of Aphrodite is the beginning of the Trojan War. Aphrodite can be invoked for love, sexuality and passion (hence the term aphrodisiac). Aphrodite is especially potent in candle and mirror spells, romance and for love rituals involving the sea. Read the rest of this entry »

Birthstone:       Turquoise  is both a protective crystal and it enables verbal communication.

Birth flower:     Narcissus, also known as Daffodil (symbolizes respect, modesty and faithfulness).

Sagittarius (23 November – 21 December):  Ruled by Jupiter. A mutable fire sign, Sagittarius energy can be used for optimism, fresh perspectives, long-distance travel and house moves, creative ventures and expanding horizons.

Capricorn (22 December – 20 January): Ruled by Saturn. Capricorn is a cardinal Earth sign.  Use Capricorn energy for ambitions, perseverance, loyalty and for the acquisition of money.

All month:                    Look to the future

See my blog for more on the above.

The phrase “once in a blue moon” is more than just an expression – a blue moon is the name given to an actual phenomenon. The use of the phrase blue moon to indicate an actual astronomical phenomenon first started in 1932 with the Maine Farmer’s Almanac.  Its definition was a season with four full moons rather than the usual three, where the third of four full moons would be called a “blue moon.” Since seasons are established by the equinoxes and solstices and not calendar months, it is possible for a year to have twelve full moons, one each month, yet have one season with four. Read the rest of this entry »

Samhain (Scots Gaelic: Samhuinn) literally means “summer’s end.” In Scotland and Ireland, Halloween is known as Oíche Shamhna, while in Wales it is Nos Calan Gaeaf. With the rise of Christianity, Samhain was changed to Hallowmas, or All Saints’ Day, to commemorate the souls of the blessed dead who had been canonized that year, so the night before became popularly known as Halloween, All Hallows Eve, or Hollantide. November 2nd became All Souls Day, when prayers were to be offered to the souls of all who the departed and those who were waiting in Purgatory for entry into Heaven.

Samhain is an ancient festival with roots as far back as ancient Egypt. Celebrations aligned with the end of the harvest, shorter days and coming of winter, have long been in existence in various cultures. The circle of birth, death and rebirth has been linked to the seasons and the harvest in many cultures.

In addition to its agricultural significance, the ancient Celts saw Samhain as a very spiritual time. Read the rest of this entry »

Birthstone:                     Opal

Libra (23 September – 23 October): Ruled by Venus. Use Libra energy for harmony, love, understanding, justice and a balanced outlook – and for all things beautiful.

Scorpio (24 October – 22 November): Ruled by Mars in the ancient system, now ruled by Pluto. Use Scorpio energy for penetration, courage and endurance, passion, transformation, perception, concealment and willpower.

2 October:                   Sukkot begins

2 October:                   Mahatma Ghandi’s birthday

3 October:                   Full Moon

5 October:                   World Teacher’s Day

9 October:                   Sacred to Felicitas, Roman Goddess of good fortune and luck.

15 October:                 Sacred to Mars, Roman God of battle.

17 October:                 Diwali

18 October:                A day to honour Cernunnos, the Pagan Horned God of fertility, wild animals, forests and hunting.

31 October:                 Samhain is one of the four Greater Sabbats and an agricultural festival. On land, it is the third and last harvest of the year (Lammas and Mabon being the first two) and a time to store the final food stores away for Winter. Samhain is the beginning of the Witch’s year, a time of divination and prophecy and a time to honour the dead.

All month:                   Create your own good luck this month by putting last month’s period of reflection into action; be courageous and passionate.

See my blog for more on the above.

Elementals are those mystical creatures that dwell within the spirit realm of the elements, watched over and controlled by the Lords of the Watchtowers (the Mighty Ones, Old Ones, or the Guardians).  Elementals can be related to “nature spirits” and the old favourite, “witches’ familiar”.  These are the spirits that govern all nature, the “forces of life” that may be summoned to assist in working magic.  It’s important therefore that we understand “who they are” and “what they represent”.  Earth spirits are known as Gnomes, Air spirits as Sylphs, Fire spirits as Salamanders and Water spirits are called Undines.

In folklore, Elementals were thought to be fickle, malicious and unpredictable spirits sent by the “wicked-witch” in the form of familiars to trick people into accidents and traps and sometimes killing them.  This is the sort of belief that led to the plight of witches during the Witch-hunts and purges of the 17^th–18^th centuries.  Still today in contemporary Witchcraft, witches use pets and animals as familiars, but emphasis is given to working with good and friendly elementals in producing positive magic.

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The elements of nature; Earth, Air, Fire and Water are the foundations of creation and the basis of life itself. Ancient myths describe how four Divine Beings (spirits) were sent to make order out of the chaos that was fledgling Earth. As the rays of their celestial bodies made contact with the crystallized influences of the lower world, they became the four elements linking humankind to nature, the heavens and the Divine.

Alll physical and spiritual substances are made up of one or more of these elements. The Earth is the essence of fertility and solidarity so it nourishes, binds and gives form. Air is the essence of intelligence, which liberates and stimulates. Fire is the essence of strength that animates and activates. Water is the essence of emotions and fecundity making things malleable and flexible. Read the rest of this entry »