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.

Prayer to Hecate

Prayer to Hecate

Most ancient Goddess, beautiful Hecate,

powerful, swift, all present

I pray to Thee.

Be with us,

Come to the aid of those in need.

Ever Watchful,

nothing escapes your understanding.

Your domain is unbounded;

the secrets of the heavens,

the earth, and the underworld

are Yours.

You hear the laments of the oppressed.

Companion of all

who travel in darkness, hear us

bearing light in your hands.

Be the guide

through the dark places.

Protect those who are in need of protection

guide those who suffer injustice toward equality

and aid the new life to build a better world for all

Goddess of Witches,

in your honor,

I offer now this flame of hope,

as a sign of my intend, love and kinship

with all who are oppressed.

Humbly your Servant and Mistress

Squirrel Totem Animal



Keywords:

Gathering

Activity

Preparedness

Action

Conservation

The squirrel is a totem animal of action, energy and being sensitive to ones surroundings. Action oriented people with squirrel totem can get easily distracted as they are always moving from one task to another, keeping busy. The squirrel warns us about idle time and asks us to get rid of those tasks that are in the way of achieving our goals. Associated with fall and winter, preparedness and conservation are important to squirrel people, as well as accumulating things - which can be good in the sense of being prepared for company and such, but can get out of hand, if one allows it to move toward hoarding.

As playful animals, they caution us to make play and social activities an important part of our day, planning ahead so that the balance between active gathering and playful interaction has its space in every day.

May 2011

21 Day Project - Decluttering

Getting rid of clutter

Clutter, may it be emotional, spiritual, physical, financial or environmental, holds us back from reaching our true potential.

Over the next 21 days we will devoting our time to ridding ourselves of these types of clutter, through a variety of techniques.

You will need:

A Journal of any kind

Keeping this journal for the sole purpose of this project is the only requirement. Use whatever you feel most comfortable with, a simple notebook, a ring binder, or use an online journal, whichever works best for you.

Item for each day project, as noted on the individual project day

Let’s begin!

Air clutter:

For today you will need:

A sage stick, or incense (stick incense works best here),

A fireproof dish to catch the ashes

“Before you begin your clutter attack, walk around the room you are working in holding a burning sage stick.

Walk around the outer edges of the room, holding the stick over a nonflammable bowl of sand, so that when the pieces of it fall off, you won’t set the house on fire.

As you walk around the room, call upon Spirit Motherfather to guide you in bringing in light and love into your home and heart. Ask for help deciding what to keep and what to pitch. Ask for the negative vibrations to be cleansed from your home. Create your own little ritual. Every time you reach a corner, hold the stick up so that the purifying smoke reaches the topmost ceiling corners. You don’t want any negative vibrations stuck in there. You might also want to burn a while candle while you cleanse the air and cleanse the clutter.

If you feel stuck while working on the physical clutter, burn your sage stick and repeat the ritual again. Every time you start a new room, use your sage stick. When you are finished with each room, ask Spirit Motherfather again to bring light and love into your home and heart, and do your walk around with the sage stick. Thank the Spirit Motherfather.”

Source: House Magic by Arianna

Now take out your journal, sit somewhere comfortable and quiet and write out the following affirmations.

I let go with gratitude of what no longer suits me.

I grow stronger each and every day.

Now write down how you feel, spill your guts, allow the Universe to hear what bothers you so you can get rid of it! You can be as specific or general as you like, just allow the words to flow from your heart. If you feel tension during this process, repeat one of the affirmations, until you feel better.

End this and each entry with a statement of gratitude, such as a simple “Thank you” .

You are done for today!

May you be blessed!

For a unique blend of life coaching and divination visit http://www.hecates-corner.com/ click on Life Coaching/Readings or inquire at claudiablanton@hecates-corner.com for an appointment

Turquoise

Turquoise:

Associated with the Throat Chakra

This stone asks you to be honest with yourself, listen to your inner voice, and speak that which is only true for you - not what others want you to say.

It represents itself as a reminder to share your vision, walk your talk and through this be a leader.

Turquoise is also an excellent grounding and healing stone, as it strenghtens ans calms the body and mind.

Throat, lungs, asthma, infections and troubles associated with teeth are aided by this stone. Honored by the Native Americans as a Power Stone.