I am getting handfasted on Tuesday, September 4th, for a year and a day! It will be a non-ordained ceremony, in my home, at my private altar. Just him and me and the Gods. I can’t believe it! Now, I’ve got a WHOLE LOT of writing to do…and of course, I’ll share. Just wanted to let you know. It all came on so suddenly. He is my Master (we are in a bdsm relationship – an “open” relationship) and I am his slave. I asked him, because my official “collaring” will be Tuesday, if he wanted me to cast a full circle, and he said, “yes”, then I just threw it out there, “Do you want to get handfasted as well”, and he said, “yes”. I AM SOOOO EXCITED!
Archive for August, 2012
Rites of passage.
Wiccans not only mark the seasons, the Sun and the Moon, but we also mark certain phases of life. Here is a run-down of them:
BIRTH: WICCANING
A Wiccaning is (well, not similar to a baptism, except that it’s done for a baby), well a Wiccaning is when a new child is introduced to the world. It is a ceremony where the Wiccan community does NOT agree to raise the child Wiccan (as opposed to baptism), but where the community welcomes the child into the world and promises to love and protect it. Simple as that.
A Coming of Age ceremony is performed for boys and girls….and it signifies the transformation from child to adult. For boys….it’s when they start developing hair on their bodies (age 13 or so), and for girls, it is when they have their first period.
A Handfasting is a Wiccan wedding. Handfastings can be LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACTS if the person performing them is an ordained minister. And there are several out there. That’s my next step….to become ordained. In a handfasting, the marriage contract varies…..traditionally (and back in the days of yore) it was for a year and a day (a time period that Witches respected). If after that period of time, the marriage wasn’t working out, both parties could walk away free and clear. There is also a
LIFETIME handfasting….similar to a Christian marriage….and some even go further and vow to love each other in this life AND EVERY LIFE HEREAFTER….and this is highly recommended AGAINST. But, some people do it anyway. In a handfasting, the hands of the couple are bound in a handfasting cord while a blessing is spoken over them. It really is a beautiful, unique ceremony. If you want more information, it’s easy to find people’s handfasting ceremonies on the web. The vows are usually written by the couple. Handfasting cords can be found online. I have a simple one for my next marriage….it’s a simple white satin cord with gold threads in it and is capped at both ends. It’s about 6 feet long. However, more intricate handfasting cords are out there, with different colors braided in and charms put on the ends. I plan on embellishing my handfasting cord in such a way, because the embellished ones on the internet start at $100 or so…and just go up. I got mine for about $20. I have decided to go to my local craft store and buy a skein of red and a skein of blue cording….red for passionate love, and blue for loyalty. And I plan on buying charms for it from a catalog, or online….whatever is right. The entire thing should only cost half of what they charge on the internet
children. It is when she comes into her “wise woman” or “Crone” aspect. These days, a lot of authors say there is no male equivalent, but there is….a “Saging”. While a man never stops being able to make children, the time varies as to when he is “Saged” but usually when he is known as a keeper of wisdom and is come to for advice.
And finally, there is death, which we call “Crossing Over” . It’s when we cross over to the Summerlands to rest and await rebirth. FYI….the ancient Celts called the Summerlands, “Emania”
Astarte was connected with fertility, sexuality, and war. Her symbols were the lion, the horse, the sphinx, the dove, and a star within a circle indicating the planet Venus. Pictorial representations often show her naked. She has been known as the deified evening star.
Astarte was accepted by the Greeks under the name of Aphrodite. The island of Cyprus, one of Astarte’s greatest faith centers, supplied the name Cypris as Aphrodite’s most common byname.
Other major centers of Astarte’s worship were Sidon, Tyre, and Byblos. Coins from Sidon portray a chariot in which a globe appears, presumably a stone representing Astarte. “She was often depicted on Sidonian coins as standing on the prow of a galley, leaning forward with right hand outstretched, being thus the original of all figureheads for sailing ships.” In Sidon, she shared a temple with Eshmun. Coins from Beirut show Poseidon, Astarte, and Eshmun worshipped together.
Lady of Galera
Other faith centers were Cythera, Malta, and Eryx in Sicily from which she became known to the Romans as Venus Erycina. A bilingual inscription on the Pyrgi Tablets dating to about 500 BC found near Caere in Etruria equates Astarte with Etruscan Uni-Astre that is, Juno. At Carthage Astarte was worshipped alongside the goddess Tanit.
Donald Harden in The Phoenicians discusses a statuette of Astarte from Tutugi (Galera) near Granada in Spain dating to the 6th or 7th century BC in which Astarte sits on a throne flanked by sphinxes holding a bowl beneath her pierced breasts. A hollow in the statue would have been filled with milk through the head and gentle heating would have melted wax plugging the holes in her breasts, producing an apparent miracle when the milk emerged.
The Syrian goddess Atargatis (Semitic form ʻAtarʻatah) was generally equated with Astarte and the first element of the name appears to be related to the name Astarte
NOT A COMPLETE LIST! But it gives you a start.
REMEMBER: SOME OF THESE PLANTS ARE POISONOUS (ALSO CALLED BANE).
Get two books to help you with this: Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, AND get a book on the native plants growing in your area…it will come in handy. If you have no space for a garden, take your local book and go to a park or natural area and see what you can find. Others you can grow in a windowsill….
Look for plants that have many properties…for example: Lemon Balm. If it grows in your area, it is really simple to grow (Believe me…If I can’t kill it, it’s pretty tough…lol). Lemon Balm is a wonder herb that you can also use in your tea. If you pick a leaf and rub it…it has a WONDERFUL scent to it, like lemon drop candy. Mint is another good one to grow. Look around in the Spring at your local stores and see what they have to offer. It’s best to grow it yourself, harvest it yourself, dry it yourself. REMEMBER: only take a small portion…do not kill the plant!
And yes….a Chia Herb Garden is perfectly viable!
In a pinch, you can use spices off your spice rack…not the best option, but it will work. I’ve successfully done this before.
If anyone has something to add to the list, then please do so.
ANGER MANAGEMENT: Almond, Catnip, Chamomile, Elecampane, Rose, Lemon Balm, Lavender, Mint, Passion flower, Vervain.
ANXIETY MANAGEMENT: Skullcap, Valerian
APATHY: Ginger, Peppermint
BEAUTY: Avocado, Catnip, Flax, Ginseng, Maidenhair fern, Rose, Rosemary, Witch hazel
BUSINESS SUCCESS: Basil, Hawthorn, Sandalwood, Squill Root
COURAGE: Borage, Cedar, Columbine, Masterwort, Mullein, Sweet pea, Thyme, Tonka bean, Yarrow
DEPRESSION MANAGEMENT: Catnip, Celandine, Daisy, Hawthorn, Honeysuckle, Hyacinth, Lemon Balm, Lily of the Valley, Marjoram, Morning Glory, Saffron, Shepherd’s Purse
DIVINATION: Camphor, Dandelion, Goldenrod, Ground Ivy, Henbane, Hazelnut, Hibiscus, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Pomegranate
EMPLOYMENT: Bergamot, Bayberry, Bay Leaf, Pecan, Pine
ENEMIES: Patchouli, Slippery Elm
FRIENDSHIP: Lemon, Orange, Sunflower, Sweet Pea, Tonka Bean, Vanilla
GAMBLING: Buckeye, Chamomile, Pine
GOSSIP MANAGEMENT: Clove, Deerstongue, Nettle, Rue, Slippery Elm, Snapdragon
HEALTH/HEALING: Fennel, Flax, Garlic, Ginseng, Golden Seal, Heliotrope, Hops, Horehound, Ivy, Lemon Balm, Life Everlasting, Mint, Mugwort, Myrrh, Nasturtium, Nutmeg, Oak, Olive, Onion, Pepperming, Persimmon, Pine, Plaintain, Rosemary, Rowan, Rue, Saffron, Sandlewood, Shepherd’s Purse, Thistle, Thyme, Vervain, Violet, Willow, Wintergreen, Yerba Santa
HEARTBREAK MANAGEMENT: Apple, Bitterweet, Cyclamen, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lemon Balm, Magnolia, Peach, Strawberry, Yarrow
HUNTING: Acorn, Apple, Cypress, Juniper, Mesquite, Oak, Pine, Sage, Vanilla
LEGAL MATTERS: Buckthorn, Celandine, Chamomile, Galangal, Hicokory, High John, Marigold
LIBERATION: Chicory, Cypress, Lavender, Lotus, Mistletoe, Moonflower
LOVE: Herbs are: Adam & Eve Root, Allspice, Apple, Apricot, Balm of Gilead, Basil, Bleeding Heart, Cardamon, Catnip, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Clove, Columbine, Copal, Coriander, Crocus, Cubeb, Daffodil, Daisy, Damiana, Dill, Elecampane, Elm, Endive, Fig, Gardinia, Geranium, Ginger, Hisbiscus, Lavender, Lemon Balm, lemon Verbena, Linden, Lobelia, Lotus, Loveage, Maidenhair Fern, Mandrake, Maple, Marjoram, Myrtle, Nutmeg, Orchid, Pansy, Peach, peppermint, Periwinkle, Poppy, Primrose, Rose, Rosemary, Rue, Saffron, Skullcap, Spearmint, Spiderwort, Strawberry, Thyme, Tonka Bean, Tulip, Vanilla, Vervain, Violet, Willow, Wood Betony, Yarrow.
LUCK: Allspice, Anise, Bluebell, Calamus, China Berry, Daffodil, Hazel, Heather, Holly, Job’s Tears, Linden, Lucky Hand, Nutmeg, Oak, Orange, persimmon, Pomegranate, Poppy, Rose, Snakeroot, Vertivert, Violet
LUST: Allspice, Caraway, Carrot, Cattail, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Clove, Damiana, Deerstongue, Dill, Foxglove, Galangal, Ginseng, Hibiscus, Mistletoe, Parsley, Rosemary, Sesame, Southernwood, Vanilla, Violet, Yohimbe
MENOPAUSE: Black Cohosh, Lavender, Pepperment, Sage
MENTAL POWERS: All Heal, Bay leaf, Caraway, Celery Seed, Forget-Me-Not, Hazel, Horehound, Lily of the Valley, Lotus, Pansy, Periwinkle, Rue, Sandalwood, Spikenard, Summer Savory, Spearmint
NIGHTMARE PREVENTION: Mullein, Chamomile
PMS: Feverfew, Jasmine, Lavender, Rose
PROPHETIC DREAMS: Anise, Chamomile, Cinquefoil, Cloves, Heliotrope, Jasmine, Mimosa, Mint, Mugwort, Rose, Rosemary, Valerian
PROSPERITY: Almond, Bay leaf, Basil, Bergamot, Cedar, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Clover, Mandrake, Marjoram, May Apple, Myrtle, Oak
PROTECTION: Some good herbs are: African Violet, Agrimony, Aloe Vera, Alyssum, Angelica, Anise, Arrowroot, Asafoetida, Balm of Gilead, Basil, Bay leaf, Birch, Bladderwack, Boneset, Bromeliad, Broom, Burdock, Cactus, Calamus, Caraway, Carnation, Cedar, Chrysanthemum, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Clove, Clover, Cumin, Curry, Cyclamen, Cypress, Datura, Dill, Dogwood, Dragon’s Blood, Elder, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Feverwort, Flax, Fleabane, Foxglove, Frankincense, Galangal, Garlic, Geranium, Ginseng, Heather, Holly, Honeysuckle, Horehound, Houseleek, Hyacinth, Hyssop, Ivy, Juniper, Lady’s Slipper, larkspur, Lavender, Lilac, Lily, Linden, Lotus, Lucky Hand, Mallow, Mandrake, Marigold, Mimosa, Mint, Mistletoe, Mugwort, Mulberry, Peony, Pepper, Periwinkle, Pine, Plaintain, Primrose, Quince, Radish, Raspberry, Rattlesnake Root, Rhubarb, Rose, Rowan, Rue, Sage, St. John’s Wort, Sandalwood, Snapdragon, Southernwood, Spanish Moss, Sweet Woodruff, Thistle, Tulip, Valerian, Vervain, Violet, Willow, Wintergreen, Witch Hazel, Wolfbane, Wormwood, Wood Betony, Yucca
PSYCHIC ABILITY: Celery, Cinnamon, Citronella, Elecampane, Eyebright, Flax, Galangal, Honeysuckle, Lemongrass, Mace, Marigold, Mugwort, Peppermint, Rose, Rowan, Star Anise, Thyme, Uva Ursa, Wormwood, Yarrow
SEXUAL HARASSMENT MANAGEMENT: Bergamot, Camphor, Salt Petre, Vervain, Witch Hazel
SLEEP: Agrimony, Chamomile, Cinquefoil, Elder, Hops, Lavender, Linden, Peppermint, Rosemary, Shepherd’s Purse, Thyme, Valerian, Vervain
STRENGTH: Acorn, Bay leaf, Carnation, Cinquefoil, Elder, Hops, Lavender, Linden, Peppermint, Rosemary, Shepherd’s Purse, Thyme, Valerian, Vervain
STRESS MANAGEMENT: Calandula, Chamomile, Comfrey, Hops, Lavender, Nettle, Oats, St. John’s Wort, Passion Flower, Skullcap
SUCCESS: Cinnamon, Clover, Ginger, High John, Lemon Balm, Orange, Rowan
THEFT: Caraway, Elder, Garlic, Gentain, Juniper, Rosemary, Vertivert
TRAVEL: Blatterwack, Lavender
VICTORY: Bay leaf, High John, Olive
WISDOM: Hazel, Rowan, Sage, Spikenard
WISHES: Bay leaf, Dandelion, Dogwood, Hazel, Job’s Tears, Sage, Sunflower, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vervain, Violet, Walnut
Blue Lace Agate is a calming stone. It is a good stone to meditate with before doing a ritual. A bowl of several blue lace agates in any room will help the people to be more relaxed with each other. Burn gardenia scented candles to make everyone feel calm. Blue lace agate is a light blue with thin bands of white.
METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Affirmation: I communicate my ideas with clarity, conviction, and irresistible eloquence.
Chakras: Throat, third eye, heart, crown
Number: 7
Zodiac Sign: Gemini, Pisces
Planet: Mercury
Element: Water
Beneficial for: Arthritis (and resulting deformity); bones; capillaries; high temperature; inflammation; lymph infections; pancreas; shoulder and neck problems (caused by blocked self-expression); throat health; throat infections; thyroid deficiencies; thymus; disease caused by anger; hyperactivity; nervous system blockages; nurturing maternal instinct
As an elixir: Brain fluid imbalances and hydrocephalus
The soothing, gentle frequency of Blue Lace Agate, ‘the stone of the diplomat,’ opens and clears the throat chakra, connecting one’s communications with one’s higher guidance. First, this allows for the speaking of one’s thoughts, beliefs, and truth in a way that others can hear. Second, it can help facilitate communication with guides in mediation, especially when seeking specific information and guidance.
Blue Lace Agate helps those who have difficulty in expressing themselves due to fear of the judgment of others or their own self-doubt. It can help one to gently view one’s own beliefs about the importance of one’s own contribution in the world and to overcome childhood programming that a person should be ‘seen but not heard.’ Blocked self-expression settles in the throat chakra and may induce a feeling of suffocation. Blue Lace Agate gently dissolves the old pattern, helping one ‘find the words’ to share one’s highest truth with others, and assisting one in building the confidence necessary to stand up and speak it in all situations
It teaches us that our words create our reality and can be a reflection of our highest self. One tool for consciously bringing about the reality one wishes to be theirs is the use of verbal affirmations. For those working with affirmations, Blue Lace Agate can be an excellent tool, because it strengthens the throat chakra and amplifies the power of what comes through it. It can help one to identify negative speech patterns and habits, and to shift one’s inner dialogue to be more positive and uplifting.
Blue Lace Agate is also useful in balancing the throat chakras of those who are unable to stop talking, or who tend to speak before thinking about the consequences and effects of their words in the world. This gentle ally can assist these individuals in finding the beauty of inner silence, and in being more discerning about the words and thoughts they share with others. It helps soothe an overactive mind and instills calm clarity of thought and an unwavering intent in regards to the ideas and goals which matter most. It can help to soothe nervous or worried dispositions to calm overly stimulated people.
Like other Agates, Blue Lace works in a slow, steady manner. It may not make one’s dreams come true overnight, but it helps one stick with it while the transformation is in progress, and it magnifies the effects of our efforts.
Tree Agate has some of the same traits as moss agate. It is a stone of great abundance. It brings abundance to business and agriculture. It is not a fast acting stone, but with patience it can be very successful. Bury a tree agate on each side of your front door to keep money coming into your home. Place a tree agate in a houseplant and watch it grow. Tree agate is white with green spots and bands.
METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Chakras: Earth
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Planet: Mercury
Element: Earth
Beneficial for: Immune system; infections; perseverance; fortitude; positive ego; unshakable self-esteem; emotional trauma; self-confidence; concentration; perception; analytical abilities; aura stabilization; negative-energy transformation; emotional disease; digestive process; gastritis; eyes; stomach; uterus; lymphatic system; pancreas; blood vessels; skin disorders
Tree Agate is an extremely stabilizing stone that instills a feeling of safety and security in the most challenging of situations. This stone makes a powerful connection to the nurturing energy of nature, restoring vitality, and should be worn for long periods. A useful earth-healer, it is an excellent stone for plants and trees of all kinds and can be gridded around a growing area. Offering protection against negativity and imparting strength, it helps you face unpleasant circumstances with equanimity, and overcome them, finding the gift within them.
Moss Agate has been called the “Warrior’s Stone” as it reduces tension, dampens pain and releases fear. In the modern world this makes it an excellent stone to use in the business world. The night before an important business meeting cover a moss agate with marigold petals in a small bowl or cup. In the morning put the moss agate in your right pocket and be a success at the meeting. Moss agate is green with markings that often look like moss or branches. Also fosters love, abundance, wealth, good luck, longevity, acceptance, courage, protection, balance, harmony, generosity, strength, security and appreciation of nature.
METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Affirmation: I am balanced and stable, healthy and whole and at home on the Earth.
Chakras: Base, sacral, earth, throat
Number: 1
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Planet: Mercury
Element: Earth
Beneficial for: Abundance; midwifery; environmental sensitivity; self-esteem; fear; depression, including that caused by left-right brain imbalance; recovery; anti-inflammatory; circulatory and elimination systems; flow of lymph; immune system; hypoglycemia; dehydration; infections; colds and flu; fungal and skin infections; energy depletion; stiff neck; emotional trauma; self-confidence; concentration; perception; analytical abilities; aura stabilization; negative-energy transformation; emotional disease; digestive process; gastritis; eyes; neuronal activity; visceral organs; sense acuity
Moss Agate is one of those stones that would be beneficial to almost everyone. Its energies are modest but wholesome. It emanates the vibrations of balance and stability in the physical domain. In ancient times Moss Agate was the gardener’s talisman and is said to refresh the soul and enable you to see the beauty in all you behold. A birthing crystal, Moss Agate aids midwives in their work, lessening pain and ensuring a good delivery. It is a stone of new beginnings and release from blockages or spiritual fetters.
Moss Agate can assist those who feel ungrounded or unstable, enhancing mental concentration, persistence, endurance and bringing one’s goals to completion. Moss Agate assists one in bringing peace and stability to the emotional body. It can be a great help to those who experience wild ‘mood swings’ and to those who have become addicted to emotional drama (or anything) in their lives. It can make those with volatile temperaments more patient and can help almost everyone to experience a greater feeling of wholeness and inner calm. Such shifts help the individual to develop greater determination and persistence in dealing with the daily challenges of life.
Moss Agate can be employed to assist one in bringing ideas and concepts into being through its grounding influence. Meditating with Moss Agate, one can project the image of a completed project or goal into the stone and it will magnify the energy of one’s intention, thus assisting in the achievement of the goal. It also helps one to hold clearly one’s inner vision until manifestation can take place. It is an excellent stone for use in abundance work, as it promotes the sense of all things being provided for us within creation.
The deep, clear energy of Moss Agate assists one in connecting with Earth energy and the devic realm. The stone is grounding the sense that it assists one in connecting to the Earth, at the same time that it stimulates psychic contact with elementals and Nature spirits. Moss Agate, as it opens the portals of communication to the realm of the devas and Nature Spirits, brings to one’s awareness the reality that the world itself is a living being, both physical and spiritual. It helps one to transmute unwholesome tendencies in oneself which may be karmic attachments from past lives, and to find the will to replace these patterns with the Divine blueprint of one’s Higher Self. It can enhance the acuity of the senses, sharpening all of one’s perceptions such that the world itself seems more vividly present to consciousness.
Eye Agate is a good protection stone to have in the room while doing any ritual, as it will watch over the spell caster. Eye agates have round or oval bands of color that resemble eyes. They can be pink, orange, brown, black or white.
An Everyday Witch's Point of View 