Febuary 3 marks the Chinese New Year of the Hare or Rabbit.  The Hare or Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese animal zodiac.  This animal is the luckiest of signs.  The rabbit or hare is talented and affectionate, yet shy and seeks peace.  A rabbit/hare should marry a pig or a sheep - not a rooster.  

The Rabbit/Hare is the emblem of self-sacrifice.  The story is told that when the animals bought their gifts for the Budda, the Rabbit had nothing to offer but his own body.  He threw himself on to a fire, but only after carefully combing his fur to remove any insects that would have died through the rabbit's actions.  As award for the animal's selflessness, the Budda transferred the Hare to the Moon, there the Rabbit can still be seen to this day, as his cauldron distilling the liquid once supposed to have the power of indefinitely prolonging life.  

The year of the Rabbit or Hare should be an excellent time period.  A time foe peace and co-operation.  A year of diplomacy, avoiding confrontations and achieving ends through quite determination.   Family, romance, career, personal abitions - all these are favourably aspected and can lead to success in many fields.  

Positive Side - new discoveries in the field of medicine, and any matters which concern prolong of life or improvements in the quality of social welfare. 
 
Negative Side - people for health reasons, begin taking medication most avoid becoming dependent on it. 

 The Year of the Rabbit is a time of peace and diplomacy. But, the Metal element brings a competitive side.  The Year of the Rabbit is projected to bring in a time of peace, tranquility and diplomacy. However, the Metal element gives this bunny a competitive, aggressive, cold, and sometimes insensitive side.  

Dictionary of Witchcraft - Like the HARE, the rabbit was long considered a favorite disguise of witches and their familiars (a demon or imp, uasually in the outward form of an animal, that was assigned to a witch to carry out magic on their command), and in former times it was thought ominous if such a creature was seen to close to livestock or to the family home.  

This link with the forces of darkness may go all the way back to pre-Christian pagan faith, when sightings of rabbits playing in the moonlight led to their indentification with the baleful Moon God. 

As well as adopting the form of a rabbit as a disguise, witches were also reputed to use parts of rabbits in various spells - notably those connected with making mischief or with feritility and sex magic, reflecting the animals remarkable powers of reproduction.

Witches and Wizards - The hare is a soft-footed servant.  

In both physical and behavioral, the hare was a natural ally of witches.  Hares are swift and agile, able to stand on their hind legs like a person, prone to gathering in parliament-like groups, orgiastically mad in the spring, destructive of crops and possessed of a most unbeastlike cry.  

Some witches traveled in the shape of hares; others had hare familiars - demonic servants in disguise.  

Given the asociation of hares with witchcraft and magic, it is not surprising that superstition surrounded them.  It was said, for example that the sight of a hare running down a village street presaged fire and that the appearance of a white hare in a mine would be followed by a fatal accient.  

To see a rabbit all is well with friends.  To see a dead rabbit a friend is stressed.

Curiously enough, possession of a hare's-foot brought luck.  This belief  arose not from the hare's traffic with witches but from a much more ancient associations. The hare is notably prolific creature, and its foot was long a sexual symbol. 

PRAY TO THE MOON WHEN SHE IS ROUND,  LUCK WITH YOU THEN ABOUND.
WHAT YOU SEEK FOR SHALL BE FOUND ON THE SEA OR SOLID GROUND.
( An old Pagan rhyme orgin unknown)

The moon makes thirteen trips around Earth during the course of a year.  A witch's ritual occurring on the full moon is known as Esbat.  It is a prime time for the most Spiritual World Access.  

During the Wolf Moon on January 18, 2011 lunar energies were reaching a peak.  This was the appropriate lunar phase for communication with Spirit and divination.  My friend and I bundled in warm clothing on this quiet night walked slowly down the hill as the winter snow was falling, the winds were peaceful, the temperature dipping way below zero under the full moon as we talked about our lives.  

We stopped halfway up to the top of the hill.  I removed from my coat pocket the digital camera I brought.  Beside me, my friend took the photographs.  During the photography session I spoke to Spirit as I offered tobacco smoke.  

All was calm as I said, "I so wish to commune with Spirit, my adviser for special wisdom.  Spirit Guide, hear my call, on this most magical night.  If it is your will release to me that which you want me to know."  

When all was said and done I checked each picture frame for insight into my life.   A supernatural act occurred.  I was informed of an event that may occur in my life.  I focused on the image of a baby a symbol for fortunate through the help of friends.  I determined the good omen to be either a real baby is on the way, or the birth of a new business or home.  

Some will agree and some will disagree.  Decide for yourself what it is or what it isn't in the picture and the symbolic meaning.  
Close up at http://Witchskel.blogspot.com

(c)2011AngieSkelhorn

Traditional and hereditary witches are found in the British Isles and Europe.  The pagan people believed in the power of the Earth and blessings of the Sun and Moon.  Their lives are ruled by the seasons.  Whether they called Divine Powers Gods or spirits they developed a relationship with them.  There are times when the power could be called upon to intervene on one's behalf and other times to accept fate.    

My great grandmother, Margaret Harris, my father's ancestor, was born in Dublin.  She arrived in Canada from England by boat in 1912.  Unfortunately very little is known of my mother's ancestors' arrival except the earliest member of her family documented was a female, born in either the town or country of Berwick, Scotland, in 1799.  

I am a witch.  Descended from women of Europe being a witch and witchcraft is my heritage.    

Raymond Buckland-he was an englishman who moved to America in 1962. He founded Seax Wica a new tradition of witchcraft. He reconstructed what witches do to suit modern times. Modern day witches often call witch, a wiccan,  and witchcraft, Wicca.  I agree that Wicca doesn't carry the negative stereotypes attached to witches and witchcraft.  I acknowledge like a witch, wiccans are directed toward a good purpose, not to harm.  Both with inner energy skillfully blends with nature's forces to produce positive, visible change.   

  Witches, before my time, connected by blood or cause, were faced with great adversity.  It must be remembered that women and children lost their lives for being a witch.  To call myself anything else but a witch and practice witchcraft would do my ancestors and sisterhood an injustice.  

The Roman occupation in Britain attempted the destruction of witchcraft.  Julius Caesar did not appreciate earth based faith.  He wrote history about the Celtic people but little could believed for he saw them as an enemy. 

Witches and the practice of witchcraft was constantly persecuted by Christian authorities in order to make women and their families conform.  The Church, The Counsel of Tours in 567 A.D., and the Berghamstead in 697 A.D., grouped the pracrice of witchcraft and sorcery together to mean the same.  The Christian concept of the devil transformed the idea of sorcerer into that of a witch.  Sorcerers were known to be evildoers. 

In 565 A.D., St Columbia, under the orders of the Pope, pulled the Tor-Stone from the top of Avalon.  In 1604 King James the I produced a version of the bible and the book was titled after his given name.  He also became famous for his anti-witchcraft laws.  

The women worshopped deities and the extreme action was to force them to change their faith and believe in their one god.  The Church did not underestimate wise women influence over the people.  The hierarchies laid down the law to forbid anyone to consult with a witch for guidance in future events.  It slowly became immoral and undesirable to claim one's witch heritage. 

Once the Christian Church attained power in the Western world it banned witchcraft faith and sorcery altogether.   The Church preached that there was only one god who had divine title over all creation.  In order for the common people to communicate to their Creator, they must follow rules which He dictated mainly to the privilege men who ruled the Church.  The men drilled into the people that there was only one energy form which everything else was born.  Their Creator's power was the only power that humans should praise although they may do His work in the name of his son, Jesus.  

The Catholic faith had no acknowledgement on the balance of masculine and feminine energies.  The male-dominated churches placed women beneath them.  Their mothers, wives, and daughters were treated in a subservient manner.  To be pleasing to the eye, speak when spoken to, and show respect and courtesy to the men folk at all times.  

God's ideology is not wrong.  It is the way some clergy, monks and church hierarchies distributed the belief of sin, heaven and hell on God's behalf that needed to be questioned,  The men in power who preached purity was the only way to be worthy of the Kingdom of God.  If God laws were not followed He would punish them from heaven and the church would set penalties here on earth in His name.  Christianity's God is being infinite, all powerful, all good, all creating, all knowing, and loving, but judgemental of mankind, transcendent over, and omniscient in the world.  

In the nineteenth century the rationalists argued that God was originally simply the chief over many gods and that 'He' absorbed the attributes of "His" fellow divinities.  Slowly 'He' became one God.  In the bible the cardinal summary of divine law given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai follows.  The Commandments that are of primary importance in the ethical systems of Christianity went as follows: One God shall be worshipped and not adored in graven images; not to profane the name of the Lord; keep the Sabbath holy; honor parents; not to kill; not to give ourselves away to lust; not to steal; not to bear false witness; not to covet a neighbor's wife and not to covet a neighbor's goods.  

The church had difficult time at first persuading the people to change to the new social and ethical behavior.  The Church decided to incorporate witchcraft with their belief to make the conversion more acceptable.  As Christianity grew throughout the lands the practitioners increased.  The prophets determined witchcraft no longer served their purpose.  The Church officials claimed the wise women caused harm through supernatural means and was not of their Creator's love.  They claimed at night the womanhood flew on brooms to preform evil.  They spread terrible rumours that professed on Sabbats and the Esbats witches took part in ceremonies that involved making a pact with their so-called devil.  Propaganda was spread to destroy the nature faith and those who followed it.   

The propaganda included the seven varieties of a witch's operation: to inspire love, to inspire hate, to cause impotence, to take lives, to send disease, to take sanity and damage property.  A woman was portrayed as temptress who brought kings to their downfall.  

The term Sabbat became regulary applied in the mid-fifteen century to describe the eight holy days in a year that witches observe a seasonal change. 
 
THE GREATER SABBATS
IBLOC                 February 2
BELTANE           April 30
LUGHNASADH  August 1
SAMHAIN          October 31  

THE LESSER SABBATS---
around WINTER SOLSTICE       December 21
SPRING EQUINOX                       March 21
SUMMER SOLSTICE                    June 21
AUTUMN EQUINOX                   September 21   

The seventeenth century, "the age of reason", is when it became a crime of fraud against all who practiced witchcraft.  For nearly 250 years witches were hunted down and executed.  For 150 years witches were condemmed for their harmless beliefs    

Thousands of women lost their lives for participating in the witches' Solar rituals known as Sabbats.  Some people did not understand the celebrations were to honor a Goddess or God, Nature, the Sun and Moon for the bounties given to them here on Earth.       

In this situation it proved that ignorance is not
bliss.       

Witch hunters fabricated the wise women's' custom festivals which followed the movement of the changing season into a diabolic time to suit their own purpose.  They preached wise women revelled in gluttonous feasts, worshipped the unruly dead and their sacred rites were blasphemous and diabolical.  There are books in print which contain stories written by witch hunters that state witches flew through the air to the Sabbats on the backs of demons and innocent animals who had their forms magically changed to preform the deed. 

The woodland deity the Green Man was mistaken for a so-called demonic creature.  They described him as a ugly, smelly and grotesquely  deformed. His upper torso, arms, hands, fingers and face are that of a male.  The lower half of his body is clad in hair with legs, hooves, and horns in the form of a he-goat.  They called the beast the Devil.       

The Green Man, the wise women knew he is a God that represented the very life force of nature.  He symbolizes the life force and vitality of each individual.  A symbol of spirit  that is renewed with each breath, each day.  

The Church continued to discredit the wise woman's way until the practice was reduced to the level of idiocy. 

It took time, but it came to pass that communicating with spirits who reside in the other world as diabolic.  Apparitions were conjured phantoms.  The marvels preformed in the magic circle were no more than mere hoaxes.  The accusation of witchcraft became an easy means to destroy an enemy.  The art of magic was known as Magicism and consisted of three stages: 

  1. Primary knowledge or initiation by participation in the nature's secret.
2. The intention to transform psychic forces into the realization of a precise object.
3. Execution of rituals and female ceremonies.  

The judgement delivered against a wise woman almost always meant death by burning at the stake and total confiscation of property.  Although English law questioned false accusation, this was not always true during the reign of King James I.  James I, son of Lord Darney and Mary, Queen of Scots, was born in 1566 and died in 1625.  As an adult he ruled as King of England from 1603 to 1625.  James I was suspected to favor Christians.  In 1604 King James I produced a version of the bible and it was titled after his given name.   He also became famous for his anti-witchcraft laws.  The Witchcraft Act first took effect on June 1, 1563.  In 1604, King James I replaced the witchcraft of 1563 mandate with stricter penalties.  The statute of 1604 was replaced on June 24, 1763 with a law against pretending to practice divination and witchcraft.  

The seventeenth century, "the age of reason," is when it became a crime of fraud against all who practiced the craft.  Children as young as seven were admitted as a witness against a suspect in many English trials.  John Smith was known as the "Leicester Boy."  In 1607, at age five, he accused several women of putting a curse on his head.  He went further to name nine others who were all hanged on July 18, 1616. King James I eventually uncovered the child's lies while under cross-examination.   

Reginald Scot, born in 1538 in Kent, England, obtained his degree at Oxford.  In London in 1584 he wrote a book entitled, "Discovery of Witchcraft."  His book denied the reality placed on witchcraft and the power of demons.  King James I ordered the book destroyed when he came to throne in 1603.  Not until 1651 was the work reprinted.   Trials and tortures multiplied and it is impossible to judge the numerous executed victims.  The courts used legal proofs to uncover who was a wise woman by engineering: 

  Proof of Cold Water - The right hand was tied to the left foot and the left hand tied to the right foot.  The suspect was thrown into a tank of water; if they floated they were guilty, an innocent person would sink.  

Proof by Boiling Water - The accused would plunge their hand into a bowl of boiling water to take out a Holy ring.  The hand was then bandaged and sealed.  After three days the burns of an innocent person would have been healed. 
 
Proof by Fire - The accused was ordered to carry a bar of red hot iron for a distance of nine to twelve paces.

 Proof of the Cross - An accused person would be made to stand in front of a cross with his arms outstretched for long periods of time.   

Although our ancestors were faced with the Inquisition, and then the witch hunts, the womanhood kept the wise woman's unity alive.  A female today cannot be denied her civil liberties to practice her faith of her choice.  Wise women are protected under federal and state statute to practice our belief without acts of bigotry, harassment, discrimination, or hatred in most countries and states.  Their biggest crisis created great strengths, their trails and tribulations built our foundations.  

Although the women before me faced with the Inquisition the sisterhood kept their way of living alive.  In seclusion, faced with torture and death, they continued to honor and marvel in natural places designed by equals or greater than themselves.  The sisterhood had a strong commitment to attract the positive and keep negative at bay.  The secret knowledge was passed from one generation to the next so their faith would survive.  Witches survived the brink of extinction.  

If you are a witch and practice the craft, remember those who sacrificed their lives all in the name of equality, and all that is good for anything else would be a violation, an unjust act to all those who made sacrifices to keep the belief alive.  Because of them today, witchcraft is not only recognized as spiritaul faith, but witchcraft is a way of life, openly lived, without bias or prejudice on the part of the law.  

There were a lot of injustice done to wise women and their families.  So many innocent lives lost.  Past generations, through the price of indifference and contempt, constructed a society that would be mutually appealing and mutually enjoyed.  The practice of witchcraft has lasted throughout history against the odds.  Acceptance over time softened attitudes. Therefore, the experience had served the cause of peace.  We are not put on earth to aimlessly float, bmp into one another, and cause disturbances in each others lives.  Peace is not natural.  Everyone has an opinion and will view situations differently.  It is almost impossible to maintain equilibrium a hundred percent of the time.  Ultimately peace is a matter of personal choice.  

Life is sometimes unfair, wrongs are put right, bad things are just a fact of living.  Peace is reached when there are social conditions that wildly overlap in agreement of self-restraint, individually motivated to harm none that included self.  The best way to deal with life is to try to be the best person not just to benefit ourselves but for others.       

The cards of the Tarot deck are a wonderful tool for a witch.  Each card has the power to increase knowledge and intuitive ability.  The cards offer ways to achieve personal growth and prepare you for what's coming.  

The Major Tarot card Hierophant is ruled by Taurus, element earth, key words, 'I believe.' The Hierophant card represents above all union, conciliation, transmission of the earthly and heavenly principles. This Tarot card revolves around learning a great deal of information on a profound level.  Learning is a great deal of information on an esoteric level.  

The Hierophant can be an older person who has reached a good station in life, who tells the secrets of life.  Based on high standards and moral character, they give advice in love and compassion to help others comprehend spiritual power, divine law, laws of tradition and the law of nature.  The learning, teaching, listening, and speaking brings positive results. 

The Hierophant is able to transform the mundane into the spiritual.  

Symbols have their own natural virtues to stimulate the mind, to think more clearly about Self, and about life.  Symbols are used to represent various ideas, something that expresses the image of something else, or any hidden knowledge.  All living and non-living things and colors have symbolic image value.  All serve similar magical functions.  There is more than one definition that can describe the association and effects of particular symbols, because each can cause a different impulse within the subconscious.  A witch identifies each with the forces of nature and of their own psyche.  

The grey background symbolizes the balance of opposites.  The W on the crown, the Triple Crown, the triple cross and accepter is a Hebrew letter, Vau, meaning nail.  It links humans to Divine Powers through inner voice.  The Triple Crown symbolizes the divine number three of Trinity that represents the Crone, Mother and Maiden, as well as Father, Son, Holy Spirit.  

The cross over the heart signifies purity and love.  The cross over the solar plexus, the seat of emotions and the cross over the genitals, physical world, generative power.  The robe symbolized ritual and the color red, passion, and vitality in action.  The blue material peeking just below the hem is personal intuition, peace and calmness.  

The Hierophant sits on a throne of power.  Beneath his feet is an orange box for support.  The color orange represents passion, desire and fiery energy.  The white shoes indicate purity in comprehension and support in progress.  The keys open the mystery to the hidden doctrine.  One silver, one gold, lunar and solar power to unlock the gates of heaven and earth.   The yellow Y's on the disciple's wear symbolizes three paths.  Two paths merge into one with the faith of Divine Power.  The color yellow means logic and communication.  The white lilies on the shirt of the disciples on the left hand side represents purity of knowledge, abstract and desire.  The black leaves, words negativity in growth and night. It is ignorance of growth.  The red roses on the wear of the disciple on the left indicate fiery action in love and compassion.  Both cultivated flowers represent cultural negatives and cultivated of will power.  

The two stone pillars on either side of the Hierophant are decorated on the top tier with a mystic symbol of sexual union. The pillars are known as the Tree of Life Pillars.  The top tier represents creative world, the middle, the formative world, and the lower tier of trefoil, the material world.  

The Hierophant's right hand raised represents positive, masculine and spirit gives blessings.  

I've read more and more on blogs people describe themselves as a solitary practitioner.  Solitary makes it sound as if one is alone in their practice.    We are never alone, we are linked by what we think and do.

  Our belief emphasizes worship of the Goddess and God, each with their own energies and strengths that come together to create a whole.  Faith that opportunities are placed before us by our spirit guides, ancestors and friends who have passed on, free will decides what we do with what's been given. 

The fabric of creation is never damaged when one creates, summons or looks into the future.  We work hard to gain or maintain balance between the four levels of energy - mental, physical, spiritual and emotional.  

You may not personally know another practitioner but all persons who practice the craft, anywhere in the world, are joined together on the Esbats, the Full Moon celebrations, and the Sabbats, the solar rituals.   Together or apart, like-minded people join on the Days of Power with prayers to acknowledge and request aid from Goddess, God, Angels, Spirit Guides and Elemental Spirits. 

At the same time, during the Esbats and Sabbat rituals we all take a few minutes of silence to center ourselves and invoke Divine powers.  The practice is shared with millions of people at the exact same moment for the good of all.  

Even with our own rituals in our own space we are all connected by our intent to do and say good so our positive energies grow in power.  

The universe is comprised of an invisible energy which is synchronized and flows without static.  Interlaced threads move from side to side, intersect, send out ripples, generate a current and vibrations on a vast range of different frequencies.   

So many will gather, each in their own space, together, apart, joined beneath the ray's of the moon or sun to celebrate the eternal cycle of reincarnation-birth, maturity, death, rebirth.  We really practice in a group on the Esbats and Sabatts.  Although rituals are preformed solitary, the Law of Cause and Effect states that we are not alone or isolated, but a piece of the puzzle which impact and influence on the whole. 

At the exact same moment in time we tap into the invisible web of energy for the exact same purpose, to transform one's life or others for the better, to strengthen bonds in relationships and to say thank you for our blessings.   We pledge our allegiance to all that is good, to rely on each other for support in the pursuit of unity, acceptance and contentment, not only on the spiritual level, but the physical as well.

In our daily lives our actions and words towards others are for the good of all because our personal will, positive or negative, affects others, in turn, affects self.  

So you can see why I am surprised to hear a practitioner describe themselves as solitary considering the craft is a way of life, a way of being.   We are never alone or isolate but a piece of the puzzle with impact and influence on the whole - by everything we say and do.

Witchcraft is based on the energies of the Sun, Moon, and the basic elements of nature; earth, air, fire, and water, with a blend of the supernatural.

 A witch aligns her body, mind, spirit and heart with cycles of the moon, the rising and setting of the sun, as well as the turning of the seasonal wheel; spring – birth, summer – maturing, autumn – harvest, and winter – rest and recuperation. 

Supernatural is defined as something that cannot be explained by natural course of nature’s actions or mysteries beyond reason. 

A witch blends the two together.  By doing so, life is viewed with a more balanced perspective of the unity between self, planet earth and the entire universe.

    

                      WHEN YOU STAND FIRM IN YOU BELIEFS,

                      YOU WILL NOT FAIL,

                      YOU WILL DISCOVER,

                      WHO YOU TRULY ARE,

                      ONE OF A KIND, A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL.

MAGIC – all things come to me, have their being in me, and will return to me.

      Magic is the conscious decision to initiate change.  There are energies within the universe that a witch could merge with to discover truth, further growth, or request a desired outcome.  One can combine personal energy and the energies of planet earth, the Divine Will to initiate a positive change, to transform or shape ourselves or others to be the best we can be.  A witch harms none or self intentionally with spells or charms.

   SUNDAY                                                    HEALTH SPELLS

   MONDAY                                                   HOME SPELLS

   TUESDAY                                                  PROTECTION SPELLS

   WEDNESDAY                                           TRAVEL SPELLS

   THURSDAY                                               MONEY SPELLS

   FRIDAY                                                      LOVE SPELLS

   SATURDAY                                               ANY SPELL

     There are responsibilities when one makes a request or practice magic.   These responsibilities include:

MUST BE GOOD FOR THE ALL                          UNSELFISH

MUST ADD PERSONAL POWER                         EFFORT

KEEP IT SIMPLE                                                     CLARITY

VALUE OPPORTUNITIES                                      PREPARATION

HONOR THE DIVINE                                              RESPECT

     Never waste a wish or spell granted.  You must appreciate the gift given by being nicer to others and the planet.

                                             A WISH OR SPELL,

                                             A CONSCIOUS CHOICE FOR CHANGE,

                                             WITH AN OPEN HEART,

                                             COMPASSION,

                                             WITH AN OPEN MIND,

                                             A CLEAN CONSCIOUS,

                                             WITH FAITH,

                                             THE WANT WILL BE HEARD,

                                             A NEED WILL BE GRANTED.

    

.

   
Remove the Tarot cards from their protective cover and place the major arcane cards in order 0 the Fool to 21 the Universe.  Each major arcane cards stands for a stage on life's journey the Fool must experience


     With the major spread, I'd like to tell the story of the Fool's journey of the soul from blind ignorance to maturity.

     At zero the Fool is at the beginning and is considered the Fool for she is a new born, innocent and carefree.  As she places her foot forward with faith she is unaware of the pitfalls and pain that comes in life.  The Fool is ready to venture out into the world with foolish abandonment.

     As she steps ahead the Fool encounters one and two opposing forces, the Magician -active, and the High Priestess-passive.

     The Magician and High Priestess are totally equal in value and importance.  The Magician is the masculine.  The Fool is conscious of her actions by using awareness and logic.  The High Priestess is the feminine, the mysterious unconscious, the deep levels of the Fool's mind.  There the Fool finds creative inspiration with desires, and intuition.  Both are necessary for the Fool to experience to bring balance within herself. 

     The Fool begins to become more aware of her surroundings.  The first bond is with the Empress.  Meeting the Empress the Fool is opened to the emotions of caring, nurturing, and warmth, and love, delights from both her Mother and Mother Earth.  Her senses cannot receive enough of that which surrounds her. 

     The next person the Fool encounters is the Emperor, her Father, an authoritative figure.  The Fool's authoritative figure introduces structure by placing rules for her to follow.  The Emperor teaches the young Fool order through known workable patterns of his world.  He enforces guidelines and restrictions upon the Fool's behaviour so that she can live within society.

     The Fool grows older leaving the comforts of her home.  She begins to ask questions from and about the wider world.  The Hierophant helps the Fool to investigate motivations in all experiences.   The Hierophant gives answers to life's questions, a teacher who interprets the hidden mysteries of the universe.  The Fool learns to identify herself with a group while discovering a sense of belonging to a particular culture following their belief system. 

    So far on the Fool's path she has been receptive to the love and compassion from the Empress, opening herself up to the beauty that surrounds her.  She has been taught logic and reason from the authorities Emperor.  From the Hierophant she has discovered the customs of her society and how to conform to them.

     The Lovers, the Fool must decide for herself upon a belief system between vice and virtue.  Lovers, the Fool must determine her own values and right action.  She must choose to do what's true for her, questioning others' opinions to remain on her own path to become an individual.  The Fool has become a young adult with a strong identity and a certain confidence about her which allows her to move forward with control over her
environment.

     The Chariot, the Fool is proud of her accomplishment and moving victoriously through life with certain self-satisfaction for she has released what is no longer needed.  To her she has balanced the masculine and feminine energies within.  She is ready to direct both positive and negative energies into action.

     Over time when the Fool faced challenges that cause grief and disillusionment she finds strength within that not even she knows she possesses during these experiences. Strength, the fool tempers her ego with patience and tolerance.  Using the power of her loving hands the Fool holds her world together despite all setbacks.

     The Fool begins to question once again.  She wants to know the larger picture.  The Fool encounters the Hermit.  The Hermit is dedicated to matters pertaining to intellectual pursuits.  The Hermit has the greater answers for he is old with wisdom.  The Hermit has perfected his life's lesson.  The wise one waits for the Fool to come to share advice and direction.  Once the knowledge of the past is reviewed the Fool continues along the road with a clearer understanding.  After spending time in solitude, soul-searching has led her to the knowledge that she is connected to a larger whole, understanding why things are the way they are.  Her perception of the world changes as the Wheel of Fortune begins to turn.  The Fool finds herself at the right place at the right time changing her life forever.

     The Fool moves forward when she sees the miraculous design of the larger plan.  She is aware of the world around her, prepared to forge ahead with a more mature understanding.  The wheel slowly turns for the Fool.  She must weigh her next choices carefully or she could easily slip into a relaxed state stopping or postponing her growth. 

    Justice is concerned with more mental thoughts.  Here the Fool must make important decisions.  She must decide for herself what life has taught her.  She must take responsibility for her actions, acknowledging cause and effect in her life, retaining forever the knowledge that everything she does has consequences.  She must decide if she can live freely with her choices.

     The Fool suddenly finds herself suspended from the living world.  The Hanged Man, the Fool sets aside her wants and needs for the good of others.  The Fool's spirit guide feeds her wisdom, which enables her to release control and go with the flow of the movement.  She is suspended in faith giving up any immediate action in her environment.  The Fool knows
that by living the experiences of the moment she is where she is suppose to be, doing exactly what she needs to be done to further her growth.

     The Death card, the Fool goes through endings as she puts outgrown thoughts and activities behind her.  The Fool eliminates harmful habits and worn out approaches as she released the old self to march with confidence into the unknown.  A major transformation with self takes place.  She knows that the past must be remembered yet she can no longer live in this time frame. 

     Up to now the Fool's road has been full of emotional and physical experiences.  At times she works hard uphill to reach the summit of her personal goals only to find herself plummeting downward into emotional and physical turmoil.  When the route is pleasant great joy is experienced and then, a twist, an unexpected or unavoidable curve brings unimaginable grief and despair. 

     Welcome to the duality of the ride we call life.

     Temperance card is a great stop on the journey.  Here the Fool enjoys the movement of balancing the extremes.  She discovers poise and elegance, strength and structure, the valuable lessons of patience and reverence and now has as appreciation for moderation in her life.

    Within herself she has balanced all four elements: WATER, FIRE, AIR, and EARTH, showing outward her maturity.  Through living the experience of opportunities and her conscious, she knows that compromise and cooperation are vital. 

     The winding path on the left hand side of the Tarot card-the road twists and turns. Twice the Fool experiences major pitfalls that seem dark and endless.  The Fool manages to gather all her strength to pull herself out of these moments.  From the base to the peak of the distant Blue Mountains the obstacles before the Fool are so great that not even she believes that she would be able to climb over the hurdles.

     The glowing crown of intellect and knowledge-the Fool's prize is spiritual enlightenment. With unshakeable faith the Fool keeps in view the light shining bright at the end of the tunnel during her despair.

     Archangel Michael, his message to the Fool is for her to realize that she is not limited in any one way.  With one foot in the pool of consciousness and the other on earth, the Fool stands in perfect balance.  She blends the many manifestations, layers of reality. The conscious, consciousness, subconscious and higher conscious bring her thoughts and desires to physical form.  Not by brute force nor by being timid but by using the power of patience, cooperation and understanding; asking, searching for her own truth, modifying her impulsive actions to further her growth.  The Archangel Michael's message is to temper actions with a true heart to create a balance within, without, oneself.

     The Devil, the personality of this card is one of physical and material control.  Either the Fool or someone else has or wants the upper hand.  The Fool feels hopeless on some level.  By being a slave to material happiness, instant gratification, the Fool learns that this type of joy is always short lived.

     This brings the Fool to the Tower. Here the Fool has a complete shake-up.  A sudden change releases the Fool from the Devil's bondage. Here the Fool is humbled by a stronger force. Her ego is set aside.

     After the control issues from the Devil and a complete shake-up of the Tower have passed the Fool begins to feel like herself again.  The Star, peace, and tranquility fill her. The Fool has nothing to hide.  Hope, inspiration, and insight have been given to her through meditation and listening to her dreams.  She has now received messages straight from Spirit, and the Fool has complete faith in herself. 

   The Moon tells how the Fool relates to other people and also about her emotions, imagination, and changing moods.  The Moon represents thoughts bubbling up from the unconscious.  Hidden fears, creative imagination surface and cause the Fool to feel confused and lost.  The Fool must keep a real picture of self or get tangled in fantasy and distortion.  The Fool begins to follow the rhythms of the moon to plan her actions and understand her extreme emotions. 

     On the Tarot card there are three phases of the moon: New Moon, new beginnings, Full Moon, eruptions, and Dark Moon, releasing.

     At the Sun, the Fool once again, realizes her greatness.  The Fool has great confidence in her ability to bring success into her life.  The light of the Sun brings clarity to the Fool's mind, overcoming the fears during the Moon.   

     A new birth in the conscious takes place at Judgement.  The Fool is living Karma.  The false view of herself is gone.  She sees herself clearly and decides what is worth value in her life then discards the rest.  Here the Fool discovers her reason for entering this life.

    The World, the Fool dances in her environment with a complete understanding of just who she is and what she can accomplish.  She sees life as an endless plane of possibilities. The Fool now feels supported by inner resources. She has faith she can accomplish anything she sets her mind and heart to. 

     Place the Fool card after the World card.  This stage of the cycle is over yet the Fool never stops the growth process.  Soon the Fool will thrust forward on a new journey that will lead her to greater awareness.

     The major arcane cards are the key to mediate upon.  By working with and moving through each of the major cards you can open yourself to a clearer understanding of self and free will. 

     At Zero in the Major Arcana of the Tarot cards, the Fool stood alone and looked out into the distance without fear.  The wand over the shoulder symbolizes the Fool's free will. Inside the satchel, which hung over the shoulder, were the natural elements of life, water, fire, air and earth. 

    Like the Fool you journeyed forward over the past year and chose between positive and negative to cultivate your desire to become the person you want to be. 

     There is belief, and trust between self, and Spirit Guide and humanity.  There is no perfect life.  For fabulous results, be the best you, you can be.

 

January blasts its way through the trials and tribulations of the past month to kick off the New Year with activity and optimism.

2011 starts off with a solar eclipse in Capricorn, as well as a Jupiter-Uranus conjunction, both happening on January 4th. The solar eclipse may seem a bit startling initially because there's a good chance some sort of parting of ways will occur. Keep in mind that the effects of solar eclipses can take some time to finalize, so what starts out as a separation will end, eventually, with a coming together. The final result will be a partnership much stronger and more enjoyable than anything you had before. Don't be surprised if you feel a bit restless the day before and of the eclipse - this is just another opportunity for you to focus on a particular project and see how much you can accomplish.

Jupiter and Uranus have been travelling together since May, and the conjunction on the 4th is the last time they'll come this close together for 13 years. Jupiter is the planet of luck and optimism, while Uranus represents inventiveness and creativity. As the two join forces for this last round, you can expect positive surprises, especially those beneficial surprises that bring a sense of relief to some aspect of your life.

A few days later, things could get a touch more dramatic as Venus saunters from sultry Scorpio into adventurous Sagittarius on the 7th. For those seeking serious drama, this could be your chance to turn a friend into a lover. If you like to keep things more low key, but still want to take advantage of these energies, try throwing an exotically themed party. There's nothing like a beach party in the middle of winter to help ease cabin fever!

Meanwhile, Saturn, ever the spoilsport, may try to dampen the fun as it moves into a square with the sun on the same day. This influence will be short-lived, so just be sure to double-check every detail as often as possible, and you won't experience too many problems.

Then the universe is back in full swing and full of energy from January 11th through the 19th, as Mars, the Sun and Mercury frolic and dance with Jupiter and Uranus. You couldn't ask for a better time to have an adventure. On the 15th, Mars will move into Aquarius, followed by the Sun on the 20th. Be prepared to deal with some obstinacy and hard-headedness - this is not the best time for compromise. On the other hand, Aquarius, known for creativity and inventiveness, will force Mars to provide you with an excellent opportunity for incredible innovation.

It's a full month so far, but January's big astro-news is Jupiter's leap from Pisces to Aries on the 22nd, where it will remain until mid June. Jupiter's move will help bring about an attitude that is upfront, confident and filled with enthusiasm. Jupiter in Aries is the ultimate motivator. You might be inclined to be a bit headstrong, or to leap before you look, or to take things a bit too far. But remember to always take a deep breath and a moment to consider your actions. The impulsive optimism of these months mixed with a hint of responsibility will garner some pretty impressive results.

These transits indicate influences that impact all of us on a cosmic level, however, these planetary motions also affect us all on an individual level. Our monthly personalized January Forecast by renowned astrologer Art Poppe analyzes every transit for the entire month with respect to your own natal chart. This forecast provides information about the best times to take action over the course of the month, as well as how to weather any challenges with grace and ease. Prepare yourself for everything January has in store for you, and all for only $8.95.

Sincerely,

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P.S. Astrology content by Marjorie Orr. Be sure to check out her blogs and her bio page on Astrology.com today!

A brand new year is upon us.  For the next twelve months, with like minded people, we will study practical crafts, spell casting, to enrich our magical path, to preserve the best of the culture while linking the physical world with the Spiritual.  Now is the time to turn our attention to new beginnings.  Focus on the goals that you want to achieve this year and make them achievable. I hope you are ready to embrace the new year with a positive attitude.  

Success - transform the way you look at yourself while creating a more rewarding lifestyle (moderation is the key)
 
Mind power - unlock potential who and what do you want to be.

Attractiveness - wit, wisdom, courteous and charm.

Transformation - become and attract the person you want to be.
 
Mind beyond Matter - the mind transcends the brain.
 
Self-Knowledge - know yourself better, and you will attract people who will treat you well and disregard those who don't.
 
Paranormal - the direct knowledge of ultimate reality is attainable through intuition and those in the unseen world.   

To create a healthy energy we will be studying the basic elemental tools, the phases of the moon to strengthen that which we aspire. There is a partnership of give and take.  

Water - compassion, love, healing
Fire - delight, wonder, energy
Air - silence, release, communication, thought
Earth - material, creativity, physical  

New Moon  - day 1 to 3.5 of the cycle - start something new, going within, very least make a list of priorities.
 
Crescent Moon  - days 3.5 to 7 of the cycle - must make some action related to New Moon goal, research,building time. 

First Quarter  - days 7 to 10.5 of the cycle - an impulsive time, action not thought out, initiating and planning.

Gibbous Moon  - days 10.5 to 14 of the cycle - time for analyzing and organizing, critical turn to short-term goal at New Moon.

Full Moon   - days 14 to 17.5 of the cycle - tensions either come to a head or is released, connecting and expressing .

Disseminating   - days 17.5 to 21 of the cycle - publicize your ideas, go to interviews 

Last Quarter   - days 21 to 24.5 of the cycle - immediate tasks are getting completed, some ideas are being rejected, achievements or losses.

Dark Moon  - days 24.5 to 29.5 of the cycle - short-term issues and plans completed or dying out, phase for clearing out, not new beginnings.


Trees and their properties may be utilized.  Each tree has a particular significance and symbolism to release information,   The sacred  trees of the Celtic calendar and the twenty-one Major Arcana Tarot cards are connected.  Both give the gift of prophecy to gain confidence and one's purpose.    Meditative and physical exercises, phychic and spiritual development can transform one's life.    

Look up your birth date, and you will find your life's purpose. The symbolism of the trees on the Celtic calendar Goddess and God's and Tarot equivalent is as follows:  

January 21-February 17-The Rowan Tree, Godform Math-spiritual, and fanatic. Tarot equivalent, Hierophant.  Life lesson-to overcome obstacles by the use of intuition, trust intuition, envision, act  

February 18-March 17-The Ash Tree, Godform Gwydion, charming and egocentric. Tarot equivalent, The World.  Life lesson-to know there is a connection between ourselves, the planet and the Universe.  

March 18-April 14-The Alder Tree, Godform Bran, ambitious and impulsive. Tarot equivalent, Strength.  Life lesson-don't dissipate strength through anger.  

April 15-May 12-The Willow Tree, Godform Epona, wise, bitter.  Tarot equivalent, The Moon.  Life lesson-use the rhythm of the moon to balance emotions that will affect surroundings.  

May 13-June 9-the Hawthorn Tree, Godform Rhiannon, passionate and, ruthless. Tarot equivalent, Judgement.  Life lesson-patience is important in the process of change.  

June 10-July-The Oak Tree, Godform Belinus, fatherly and dominating. Tarot equivalent The Emperor.  Life lesson-be strong through challenges to overcome the impossible.  

July 8-August 4-The Holly Tree, Godform Cu Chulain, determined and insensitive. Tarot equivalent, The Chariot.  Life lesson-be well prepared when directing personal energy, understand and respect opponents.  

August 5-September 5-The Hazel Tree, Godform branwen, generous and deceptive. Tarot equivalent The High Priestess. Life lesson-one has inner knowledge to protect themselves as well as others.  

September 6-September 29-The Vine, Godform Brigantia, sympathetic and dependant.  Tarot equivalent, The Lovers.  Life lesson-trust instincts to balance unhappy or unfair situations.  

September 30-October 27-The Ivy, Godform Ognios, ambitious and lazy. Tarot equivalent, Justice. Life lesson-restore balance offer peace.  

October 28-November 24-The Reed, Godform Arianrod, adaptable and indecisive. Tarot equivalent, The Wheel of Fortune.  Life lesson-each individual has unimaginable secret knowledge that can be utilized.  

November 25-December 22-The Elder Tree, Godform Morrigan, honest and deceptive. Tarot equivalent, The Hangedman.  Life lesson-experience and knowledge should be applied to mentor others.  

December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the "day" of the proverbial "year and a day".

December 24-January 20-The Birch Tree, Godform, Mabom, happy and mature. Tarot equivalent, Sun.  Life lessons- one's inner knowledge is unwavering, lend support, a reputable path to success.