The beginning of August heralds the first harvest, Lughnasadh.  Sacred to the Celtic Sun god Lugh, the man of many skills, this is the day to enjoy the first fruits of ones labors that began at Imbloc.  

As the harvest of grain and corn, arrives, we begin to think about the coming autumn and winter.   Even though the warm weather is still present, the sun slowly continues to rise each day further south and the nights become longer to single first harvest. 

August first, Lughnasadh marks the point in the sun's cycle to remind us of the endless loop of birth, life and death.   

In the first harvest of the wheel, we honor Lugh, son of Goddess of fertility, Danu, the great father of all, Dagna.   The Goddess carried the young seed throughout the winter months then gave birth on Ostara.  From that day forth Lugh grew in power and strength living his life on earth to mature at this time of the seasonal wheel. 

  Lugh is known as both Sun God and God of Grain. 

Long ago Lugh saved Ireland from his grandfather, King Balor.  The Formorians, living on the northwest coast of Ireland, ruled the people with an iron fist, laying laws and taxing any bounty they wished.  Their great ruler, Balor,"of Strong Blows" was a Cyclops.  As his glance would destroy anything in its path, his eye was always closed, but for those times it was required, Balor would command his guides to open the eye and place an ivory ring in the center to release the deadly power. 
 
Balor had a daughter who later was united with a great warrior Dagna of the Tautha  d' Dannan.  By joining her beauty and his spirit they bought forth a son, Lugh,"of the Long Hand,"  When Balor learnt of the birth, he took the infant and cast him into the angry Irish sea.  There he was rescued and raised in secret by the people of the Tautha d' Dannan who feared revenge from the mighty King Balor, leader of the Formorians.  

Lugh possessed the magic of the Tautha d' Dannan. He grew to be a man of many skills. His father, Dagna was pleased to see a man so wise with the face of a god.   Then, one day, when the soldiers from Balor's kingdom came to collect the taxes the King extorted from the Tautha d' Dannan, Lugh decided to take a stand against the Formorians. In the ensuing fight, nearly all the soldiers were slain, but for nine men who were sent back to tell King Balor of their defeat.  Lugh gathered warriors to prepare for the battle he knew would surely come.  When Dagna heard of the war being launched, he sought to protect his son by caging him with around-the-clock guards.  

No one could have for seen the blood spilled of friends and enemies side by side that continued for days.   In the confusion, Lugh escaped the prison to search for his grandfather, King Balor.  He soon found the mighty Cyclops and challenged him to a one-on-one battle.  The King  jumped from his chariot commanding his guides to open his eye.  They did as they were told and just set the ivory ring in place when Lugh fired a spear straight into the King's eye, spilling blood that brought death to all it touched.   Once Balor was destroyed, the Formorians did not know how to survive.  They knew only the force of arms and did not possess the knowledge of working as a team in their community.  

Lugh spared the life of a captured enemy leader named Bres and gained in exchanged all his agriculture secrets.   The legend states that four soldiers of King Balor's army who lived, dove into the northern sea and were exiled to the small islands around Connacht region of Ireland.  

The lesson of the Chariot from the Tarot deck is that the past would be accepted and a new perspective would take hold for some type of movement. 

The experiences lived have been difficult, but processed, and old forms are now outgrown as actions occurs.  A personal change.  

The Chariot advances away from the city, across an invisible bridge, over the river current, and then onto the green grass  

SYMBOLISM - A brilliant yellow background - intellect, knowledge and communication.
Tall, gray, stone buildings with red roof tops, a city - the thought center
At the edge of the city are sturdy oak trees in full growth - personal strength and integrity . 

The current of the blue river reveal personal emotions need to be continually processed in order to change.
The green grass - a sign of fertility and growth  

The charioteer has a canopy over his head.  A royal garment with six pointed stars to denote movement and protects the driver by celestial influence.  Spirit - Divine will guides the charioteers actions.  

The chariot is a physical vehicle which must be controlled.  It is the earliest type of carriage, an ancient form of transportation with two wheels.  The chariot consist of a floor and waist-high semi-circular guard in front to create a solid foundation to stand on and is a great form of protection.   

The chariot is a symbol of movement, to go after what one wants and the wheels are a reminder that cycles continually turn bringing in new changes.  

The charioteer is dressed in protective armour.  The human holds the wand of will in hand to control and command the self, to take action or to defend opposition.  On his head is an eight-pointed star crown to symbolize radiant energy of the mind.  The lush leaves represent growth.  The conscious mind must use control when experiencing life to reach potential.   

The two moon, one on each shoulder - a new beginning and to follow intuition.  The two sphinxes that rest in front, one black, one white, represents the duality of energies.  The combination of animal and human attributes.  The black sphinx represents severity and the white sphinx purity and denotes mercy.  

The chariot's movement, is not physically controlled with the use of reins.  This implies that the direct travel is motivated by the heart, mind and other senses.  Visions are given to go forward.  Spirit motivates the lower self, the body, and by listening and observing, one would rise above opposition and move forward in life. 

         FOR EVERY ACTION, THERE IS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION          
       A body remains in a state of rest or of uniform motion, unless compelled by 
       some external force acting upon it, to change that state. 
       The change in momentum is proportional to the force causing the change
       and takes place in the direction in which the force is acting or the increase or 
       decrease in velocity is proportional to the force     

The chariot's energy enforces a person to step out of reflection to see what's around and is propelled through the process by Divine will to move in a more positive direction.  

The Chariot represents the fourth sign of the zodiac, Cancer, a water sign.  Our emotions are the driving force for thoughts and actions.  Our personal actions are a manifestation of environment, cosmic influences and Divine will.   

Rulership and control over self gives courage in life to move forward with patience and perseverance.  Others' opinions will not be allowed to form who you are when one is open to Spirit and have a trust that the trials of life can be overcome.

LAW OF POLARITY -
Everything in the universe is dual and contains its opposite - male and female aspects positive and negative energies.  

A witch is a witch.  Magic making is a state of mind.




NEGATIVE MAGIC'S CREED:  

IF I WANT IT,
IT'S MINE.
IF I GIVE IT TO YOU AND CHANGE MY MIND LATER,
 IT'S MINE.
IF IT'S MINE IT WILL NEVER BELONG TO ANYONE ELSE,
NO MATTER WHAT.
IF WE ARE BUILDING SOMETHING TOGETHER,
ALL THE PIECES ARE MINE.
IF IT LOOKS JUST LIKE MINE,
IT' IS MINE!

POSITIVE MAGIC"S CREED  

DO AS YOU PLEASE, HARM NONE ")



"RESOVE TO THY SELF, AND KNOW, THAT HE WHO FINDS HIMSELF,
LOSES HIS MISERY."     Self-Dependence by Matthew Arnold

Life is more than mere drifting of the soul; life is the conscious striving toward a goal.  Make no excuses.  You chose the life you live.

The Enchanted Snare - a story of an honest dealing in love to inspire. 


       Arvegagus and his lady, Dorigen, were so in love with each other that even the shortest parting brought great heartache.  While Arvegagus was away on a mission for the king, Dorigen collapsed into a great depression, fearing the worst.  She would sit on the cliff's edge imagining her beloved shipwrecked amongst the deadly rocks, never to return to her loving arms.       

     A squire named Aurelius sat down beside the grieving lady.  He quickly announced he longed for her.  Without pausing, Daoigen, with a snarl in her voice, told the young squire she would never betray her husband with such a dishonorable act as taking another.        

     Attempting to manipulate his offer, she told him she would welcome him to her chamber and lay in his embrace if he could rid the coast of Brittany of its jagged and treacherous rocks to allow her husband a safe return.       

     His desire for Dorigen was so great he turned to an astrologer, a master of wizardry.  He offered him great riches to create an illusion to make the deadly rock disappear for one week.       

     The wizard an expert in the power of star magic calculated the conjunction of the planets to grant the squire's wish.  He stood arms high over his head and commanded the fog move out to the sea, the rocks flatten to the sand floor and the water to become smooth and calm. 

       When Dorigen, reached the cliffs to sit and pine she saw the jagged rocks were no more.  With her head in her hands she cried for the safe return of her husband and in horror over the promise made to the young squire.       

     Arvegagus returned from his voyage.  His bride fell to her knees at the feet of her beloved.  She cried uncontrollably as she declared the promise she made to Aurelius.  Her husband told her the foundation of their union was honesty, and she must keep her word to the squire with no fear of losing him for the deed would be forgiven.  He would accept her back into his heart.       

     Aurelius, learning that Dorigen's husband would accept her back free of prosecution was moved by his nobility, released his claim on her.  The astrologer, not wishing to be outdone by chivalry, requested no riches from the squire for his part in the deed.  

 

Summer, the "Time of Light," from April 30th to July 31, the fairy folk can easier be sensed than seen.  The longer days, the warmth of the  growing sun, and the new life in the meadows, woods, fields and streams, draw them from their winter shelters.  At this time the fairies roam the farmers' land, the deep forest, and the wild green fields to collect what is needed.        

There was a time, long ago, before humans began defying creatures, building structures to live in, and bringing order for those who dwell on the planet, when fairies, elves, and gnomes ruled themselves.  The wee-folk lived in harmony among the birds, wild animals, trees, and plants.  Together they lived as one.  Fairies enjoyed living life as they wandered through the meadows, climbed the hills and mountains, drank and swam in the stream, river and lakes. 

They had the gift to shape-shift into any of Mother Nature's children.  They could appear and disappear with the snap of fingers. They respected all that are born to Mother Earth by taking only what is needed and acknowledging the Divine presences.       

Mortals needed to define the small beings mostly by their ability.  In Latin, the fairies are known to predict and control human destiny and charged (named) "fatum" or "fate."  In France, the term, "feer" later translated in English became the word "fairy" to describe the small beings as one who casts spells, changing human vision.  The sighting of them are recorded in poems, songs, and myths.  When one crossed your path, it is a sight no one could forget.  No bigger than a man's hand, the males dressed soft, bright rainbow color fabric.  The females flowing garments with flowers woven in their hair.       

Polarity also applies to fairies.  The universe is dual and contains its opposite. The solitary fairies were known to be the keepers of the four corners, guardian of wood, water, air and land.  A sighting of this fairy is more by actions - like rustle of leaves, a babbling brook, or parting of grass.  They can command a bird to appear carrying knowledge, the answers we humans seek.  The opposite is born from banished gods, trooping fairies.  Their joy is humans greatest fear.       

Long ago, when the early Russians arrived to build new lives, a few unknown guests known as the Leshy chose to tag along.  The Leshy appears like an infant cradle among the tree branches, along the river beds, and in cottages.  You can hear them sighing, moaning, or laughing with the wind.  You dare not wake one as they are mischief-makers and can be hostile to humans.  They hold great power and are able to conjure up storms.  If you wander into their territory and wake one with a snap of a twig, or a loud cry, they feel you are a trespasser and will be treated as one.       

If you do meet a Leshy, receive him as pleasantly as you can.