Words Are Power

Words are power.

Words spoken around our kids, by ourselves or others have real power upon their lives. It shapes them, their view of themselves and of the world surrounding them. Most of us are aware of that fact.

But do we practice? While we are conscious of not speaking ill of people of different color we need to extend that practice to gender and people of different orientation!

I have watched people whom are caring, loving adults allow others to speak freely in a negative way about gays, even if it is not their personal view - what about not in my house! I challenge you to speak out, to not allow anyone, no matter if they are family members or friends to speak down upon another group of people in your presence. Your children are listening. Words are power. They shape our future.

Blessed Be!

Happy Father's Day!

Fathers Day!

What a great opportunity to thank those fathers who are doing a great job in teaching tolerance, equality, peacefulness, loving-kindness and unconditional love!

Thanks to all of you - because YOU help create a better tomorrow for all of us!

Pagan Peace Prayer

Great Goddess, Mother of All

Let courage and creativity flow through us today

So that we can stand united

To aid those whom are in need for equality and justice

Let strength and determination

Quicken our step,

So that we take the actions we can,

And aid others who stand with us

Great God, Father of All

Grant us the force needed to move through the obstacles

Along our way, until our goal is achieved

Peace and equality for All

So mote it be!

Copyright Claudia Blanton June 2011

Protective Charm

Protective Charm - The Shoe:

Obtain an old shoe, preferably one made of leather. Stuff with protective objects, such as pins, needles, nails, tacks, scissors, and bits of broken glass. Add protective herbs, such as rosemary, basil, fern, bay or mistletoe, to fill the shoe. Hang it in the attic or basement, saying these or similar words:

I place this charm of power

To guard my home from this hour

Source: Picture by Pamela Wells http://www.hecates-corner.com/Goddess-Art.html

Text: The Magical Household by Scott Cunningham and David Harrington

Full Moon In June

The June Moon has several different names including Moon of Horses, Lovers' Moon, Strong Sun Moon, Honey Moon, Aerra Litha (Before Lithia), Brachmanoth (Break Month), Strawberry Moon, Rose Moon, and Moon of Making Fat in the Lakota (Sioux) calendar. However, what's interesting is that this month and moon has influenced our cultural traditions in marriage.

This time of year, between the planting and harvesting of the crops, was the traditional month for weddings. This is because many ancient peoples believed that the "grand sexual union" of the Goddess and God occurred in early May at Beltaine. Since it was unlucky to compete with the deities, many couples delayed their weddings until June. June remains a favorite month for marriage today. In some traditions, "newlywed couples were fed dishes and beverages that featured honey for the first month of their married life to encourage love and fertility. The surviving vestige of this tradition lives on in the name given to the holiday immediately after the ceremony: The Honeymoon." Fromreligioustolernace.org

The name Strawberry Moon was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Also because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June . . . so the full Moon that occurs during that month was christened for the strawberry!

The Strong Sun Moon is the first moon of Shawnodese, Spirit Keeper of the South, and occurs at the time of the summer solstice. The stone honoring this position is placed one quarter of the way between the southern and western stones of the Medicine Wheel. The mineral totem for the Strong Sun Moon is carnelian agate, the plant is the wild rose, and the animal is the flicker. The color is pink, and the elemental influence is from the Frog clan.

From the carnelian, people experiencing this position can learn about their strong heart connection; from the rose, about their ability both to heal and to inspire; and from the flicker, about their desire for self expression. The Strong Sun Moon teaches about the importance of the emotions and the need for a strong home base. People experiencing the energy of this position are intuitive and wild in some aspects of being, but conservative and home loving in others. The Strong Sun Moon will educate you about the law of relationship and about family, mothering, and nurturing. While working with the flicker you must guard against wallowing in all your emotions and about fearing to take any stand.

The first (or only) full moon in June is called the Honey Moon. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives. The energies around this moon are ones of love, marriage and success. We are encouraged to acknowledge and celebrate our “garden” – our life, loved ones and accomplishments because what we planeted in the spring has now grown!

Nature Spirits: sylphs, zephyrs
Herbs: skullcap, meadowsweet, vervain, tansy, dog grass, parsley, mosses
Colors: orange, gold, yellow
Flowers: lavender, orchid, yarrow
Scents: lily of the valley, lavender
Stones: topaz, agate, alexandrite, fluorite
Trees: oak
Animals: monkey, butterfly, frog, toad
Birds: wren, peacock
Deities: Aine of Knockaine, Isis, Neith, Green Man, Cerridwen, Bendis, Ishtar, Persephone
Power Flow: full but restful energy; protect, strengthen, and prevent. A time of Light; Earth tides are turning. Decision-making, taking responsibility for present happenings. Work on personal inconsistencies. Strengthen and reward yourself for your positive traits.

This is the month where magical workings are well suited to maintaining and enhancing things you already have. Weed your garden, prune the bushes, give your lawn all the tender loving care it needs. Take time to let your personal life blossom as well -- focus on things that improve your job or education, as well as your relationships with family and friends.

Spend time outdoors while you can -- this is a time for bonding with friends and family, tending our gardens, nurturing relationships, and focus your magical workings on spiritual growth. Allow your soul to bloom as your garden does.

Good Luck Spell

Tools: Protection Incense Blue Taper Candle Paper Pen
Ritual: Prepare your work area by setting up any tools you may use in addition
to your spell candle. While setting up your area, concentrate on the purpose of your work.
Envision what it is that you desire.
Just prior to your work, bathe in purification herbs, or with your favorite bath salts.
While you are bathing, concentrate again on the purpose of your spell.
Do not let negative thoughts enter your mind. After bathing, go to your work area.

Cast a circle. Light the protection incense.
Envision a large, light-blue ball of light surrounding you and your work area.
Hold the blue candle between the palms of your hands.
Close your eyes, and direct all of your energy into the candle.
Open your eyes and place the candle in its holder.
On a small piece of paper, write down what it is you want.
Place this piece of paper under the candle holder.

Prior to lighting the candle say:
"This candle represents the good luck that will to me."
Light the candle and say:
"As the light of this flame grows, I can see good luck around me."

Sit back and watch the candle burn.
Envision what you will look and feel like when your wishs to you.
See yourself holding with the object you desire, or with the desired goal you wish to achieve.

When the candle has burned 1/3 of the way, say:
"As the flame of the candle dissipates with time-good luck will be mine."

Continue to do your meditation, envisioning the light blue ball of light around you,
seeing yourself how you will be when your good luck arrives.

When the candle has burned 2/3 of the way, repeat:
"As the flame of the candle dissipates with time- good luck will be mine."

Continue to meditate as the candle burns.
When the candle has almost burned away, rip up the piece of paper.

Repeat the affirmation:
"As the flame of the candle dissipates with time- good luck will be mine."

Extinguish the candle by blowing on it and envisioning bad luck also being swept away
by your breath. After the candle's leftover wax has cooled, allbine the ripped up
pieces with the wax and bury it together in the earth as close to your house as possible.

Source: http://www.whitemagic.ca

God Lugh

Lugh



Invocation

Oh Ancient Powerful Lugh

Shining One

God of the Sun

Bringer of Light

Mighty is your strength

Magnetic is your presence

Lord of the sacred fires and flame

Giver of life to all on Earth

As we call out your sacred name

Bring us from darkness to light

That we may gain your wisdom

And understand our oneness with the Universe

So mote it be!

Associations:

Celtic

General:

Master of All Skills, Bard, Swordsmen, Warrior, Blacksmith

Craftsmen, magick spear, grains, distribution of talent

Element:

Fire

Direction:

South

Foods:

Grain, breads, harvest symbols, mead

Herbs:

Hops, chamomile, hemp

Animals:

Dog, horse

Sacred places:

Doorways, market places, places associated with craft making, harvest fields, hilltops, fords

Holy Day:

Lughnasadh August 1st

According to the Book of Invasions, Lugh was the grandson of one of the Fomorians, a monstrous race that were the enemy of the Tuatha De Dannan (people of the Goddess Dannan). Lughs grandfather, Balor of the Evil Eye, had been told he would be murdered by a grandson, so he imprisoned his only daughter in a cave. One of the Tuatha seduced her, and she gave birth to triplets. Balor drowned two of them, but Lugh survived and was raised by a smith. He later let the Tuatha in battle and killed Balor.

In parts of Ireland, when it thunders it is said that Lugh and Barlor are sparring, therefore Lugh’s association with thunder and storms.