Tailsman Moon February 2, 2012 IMBOLGEN or Ground Hog Day

Brigid (Celtic)

I am she

that is the natural

mother of all things,

mistress and governess

of all the elements

the initial progeny of worlds,

chief of the powers divine,

Queen of all that are in the otherworld,

the principle of them

that dwell above,

manifested alone

and under one form

all of the gods and goddesses



Lucius Apuleius

Gospel of the Witches, 1899,

controversial book by Charles Godfrey Leland
 
 
 
Bridgid is particularly germane to modern witches, because she is thought to be the bridge between Celtic-based branches of witchcraft and the old ways.


Her reputation for traveling between worlds makes her particularly sympathetic to witches on Qwest. In other dimensions for scholarly witches to seek to restore and to preserve a history of Magic. She is supreme God, to midwives and healers. In a version of "if you can't beat them, join them" she was made to St. by Christians, because the Irish, could be persuaded to relinquish most pagan practices, would not budge regarding worship of Bridget. In welcome to domestic matters
 

                                                
 
Whiches's holy days




As a rule, witches honor nature. Even cyber witches notice the change of seasons. Based on the reconstruction of the old ways of Western European pagans, there are eight festivals, or Sabbats, that Mark the year , as it moves through a revolution of seasons. This cycle is often called the wheel of the year, the eight festivals . Each representing a spoke, the four major Sabbats are important astronomical event.

The four minor Sabbats help mark time and occasions. The four major Sabbats, high holy days, are:

the day of shortest light, Yule

the day of longesrt light Litha,

today is of equal day and night:Ostra and Mabon



the four minor Sabbats occur on fixed dates at Cross quarter points, each halfway between the major Sabbats.



Imbolc is a cross quarter fixed date , February 2
 
My topic for the weekly pagan project, I would like to talk about Bards, recently I ran across stories and music from the Celtic world by Hugin the . Stories and music from the Celtic world. Published in 1998 by Llewellyn publications, St. Paul, Minnesota USA.




The author of this book and songs, sheet music included Hugin the Bard was born under the sun sign of Leo in the year the English repealed their witchcraft laws. 1951. His birthplace Minneapolis, Minnesota is a land with a full range of seasons, per-person winters, scorching summers.



He was born into a large family, many of whom share the gifts of psychic ability, to one degree or another. Some of his family members, praying, study and worship together in the arts, magically.



Hugin has studied both Wiccan and Native American. He has been a musician since 1963, sometimes performing professionally with the likes of Pete Seeger and country Joe McDonald.Hugin has always been ready to share his music with those wanting to hear it. On the solstice, that may be a group of modern pagans or a group of Native Americans at a powwow at other times, his audience has been workers struggling for their rights on a picket line, inner city youths trying to avoid the dangers of substance abuse, seniors caught in societies that neglect, or just a small group of friends around a camp fire.



A Marine Corps veteran of the Vietnam War era. Hugin knows what it means to be a peaceful warrior or a warrior for peace which he is in his heart and spirit



Bardic Copyright



I declare before the gods that I Hugin the Bard , did write the songs, lyrics, and arrangements set forth.



Any who would share these songs with friends, covins or other like kindred may rest assured they are complying wishes of the author and the Muse. If you would also share the origin of the songs , the ego of the author would be well fed. Those who would reproduce any of this material for profit are advised to consult the federal and international copyright laws and the publisher of this manuscript leaves the weight of a karmic retribution fall heavily upon all aspects of our lives. I of sierras Creations blog , seek no profit, and only wish to share this author at his beautiful music. So mode it be
 

If interested to join in the Pagan Project please click on One Witches Way.

Candlemas IMBOLIC Oimealg

O glorious choise star, o tree in bloom, mighty torch for whom all would choose, sun who warm everyone from Murphy, early Irish lyr



For the stars and the winds unto her

as rainment, as songs of the harp player

for the risen stars and the fallen cling to her,

and the southwest wind and the West wind, sing.

Alegermon Swinburne " When the Hounds of Spring"



Imbolic , the festival of the lactating ewes, marks the midpoint of the dark half of the year. The fire that Brighid first kindled at Yule burns bright in this swollen bellies of pregnant herd animals, and rivers of milk began to glow in swollen teats and utters. Agricultural tools are consecrated for the work of the year ahead, household fires or put out and relit, and fires of the smithy are blessed by a woman acting on Brighid's behalf.



Brighid's crosses, woven of wheate, are made and given a protective charms for the home.Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth mother. To test the weather (this is the origin of ground hog Day) . Even the climate seems to mark the festival; the first week of February, typically brings a temporary thall. Corn dollies are fashion from oat straw or wheat, and dress and carry from door to door by young girls onImbolic Eve. Each household bestows a small present on the image of the bride. Special cakes are baked for the occasion, and a feast and a dance or held for all. The older women of the community gather "brides beds" or cradles for the corn dollies to sleep in, and magic wands for the dolls to hold. The morning after the feast, everyone examines the ashes of the hearth to see if a magic wand has left marks. If so, it is a good omen for the following year.



In some areas,Imbolic , marks the first official day of ploughing, and a decorated plough is dragged from door to door. Children in costumes, follow the plough and ask for gifts of food, money, or drink at every home. Any household that refuses them is pay back by having his front garden ploughed up.



The ploug itself is a significant symbol of the Imbolic ceremonies. Whiskey, the water of life is poured over the blade or pieces of bread and cheese are left on it to become food for nature spirits. Offerings of food or drink or placed in the new furrows or thrown into the fields



Some Ledgens for Imbolic:



If, Candlemas Day is fair and bright,

Winter will have another flight

If, on Candlemas Day be showers and rain,

Winter is gone, and will not come again.



Also



If the sun shines bright on Candlemas Day,

The half of the winter's not yet away



Or

If the headge hog in Pa. sees his shadow....winter is still .



These sayings agree with those about Groundhog Day. That link the length of winter to weather or not the groundhog sees his shadow on this day. 
 
                                                   

OUT OF THE COULDRON

I would like to mention another project that I have started this year and a day. A web site for women artists, Milliande  and her seed journal project.  She has videos from day one ....Being A Seed ... to number 7 just published yesterday.  You can start your journal of Seed Art anytime you select, all that is needed is a little watercolor journal or journal of your selection, some inks, watersolors, pencils, wee, art supplies of your favorite and log onto her web site, view her videos and view the gallery from its members....start your own with the inspritation from others  to whom the journey from a seed in yourself grows and becomes ....a year and a day of self discovery.  Several of the journal pages from Being A Seed.
 
 

In Memory of my little kitty, January 18,2012    She came into my life 15 years ago, I worked in the gardens of our home in Medowlark, Kitty used to visit and as the year wore on she hung around more often, When we moved to the current house we are in now, Kitty came with us.  Her story was when she was a kitten, a family of mother, father and 2 little girls lived in the Medowlark house before us.  SHe wondered off when the movers came to collect the families items...they moved away and kitty was left for 5 years on her own.  You would never know it as her heart was then as when she passed, as big as the moon.  I had never owned a cat, but found she was much more human than kat.  She was my shadow.  The children called her shadow.  She was as black as night, and a big 15 pounds.  When she developed Kidney infection she went from 15 pounds to 2 pounds and unable , as she was so very weak to even have a voice.
She left me that night, but she will always be deep in my heart, I do not love much and I know it was kinder to put her down than for her to remain.

So, I dedicate this to my special little Malkin cat always in my heart.  Forever to be loved.  I miss you Kitty Kat. 

 
 

New Pagan Project. One year and a day.  Each Friday The Pagan Project members will be given a letter of the alphabet, with a subject to write about.
This week three, selections for the letter B   were   Bees. Besom,Binding Spells, Burning Times and last but not least  Raymond Buckland.

If, interested in becoming a member click on the purple ledgen below and read the rules of the membership.

I am entering on the B's as I did not get connected for the A themes.

My selection for this January 20, 2012  is  BLOOD ....

                                   
                                                 


Blood is  a controversial magical topic among many neopagans and Wiccas.,blood, called" the River of light," is identified with this whole and is the vehicle that carries the vital energy of the universe through the body in magic, blood is revered and feared was a miraculous power it possesses and confers. Blood  is believed to unleash power, sacrificial blood scattered on the earth regenerates the crops, animals, Al and humans are sacrificed in religious and some magical rites. The blood of executed criminals is said to be a powerful protector against disease and bad luck, because of the energy of resentment and Perry. That is released upon execution.

Blood is used to bind those and brotherhood, either by mingling or in signing. Blood oaths are considered invalid, according to lore, devils pacts are always signed in blood.



In folklore, the magical power of witches is a neutralized or destroyed by burning their blood and fire hands. The common European method of executing by burning at the stake or a practice called bloodying. Witches were scored about the breath caught above the mouth and nose and allowed to bleed
sometimes to death.



A few drops of blood of a person used in magical charms and spells, sprinkled in potions and witch bottles or in effigy, is said to give a witch or magician power over that person in the same manner as to the hair and nail clippings. Adult blood also is used in folk charms and spells. The blood of a black cat is said to cure pneumonia. .

                                                


                                             Menstrual Blood ...

Menstrual blood is particularly very potent, and sacred to the Goddess. Menstrual flow is linked to the phase of the moon. The blood of God as, also called wine, milk, meat, and "Wise blood."  Appears universally in mythologies, it is drunk for wisdom, fertility, regeneration, and in mortality.



The menstrual blood as a healing charm. The blood of Iris is, symbolized in an drink, convert PBT Ontiveros. According to the wisdom. Read and choose, as menstrual blood was called, confers a long life or immortality.

 A pagan custom that has survived Christianity is the carrying of seeds to the field in a cloth stained with menstrual blood.

 In some cultures, menstrual periods is said to be accomplished athe witch to her path of power in Christianity and Judaism.

Men traditionally fear menstrual blood, which was associated with uncleanliness and evil. Contact with menstrual blood, even being in the presence of a menstrating  the woman was considered dangerous, even fatal.

 In some societies, menstruating women are still shone or isolated. In the first century, indicate Romans believed the touch of a menstruating women,
, at least,  they pollute the earth and harm others with their blood.

In the Old Testament,
Leviticus  18.19 states. You shall not come near a woman while she is into  uncleanliness to uncover her nakedness.   In orthodox Judaism
specifies that husband and wife are to be sexually separated, and sleep in different beds, for 12 days a month an average of five days for menstrual  followed by seven clean days to make sure the woman is free of every drop of blood.

 Sex may be resumed after a ritual bath in which the woman is to wash every part of our her body. In it is still the custom among some Orthodox Jews not to shake hands with a woman and never to use the same wash water as a woman for the same reason. In Christianity, menstral  blood has been thoroughly scorned and feared.

 Early church scholars came to shame womem for their uncleanliness. At various times, up to the late 17th century, menstruating woman were forbidden  taking communion or in some cases even to enter a church.

 Menstrual blood was believed to spawned demons. Some faction within the Catholic Church continues to believe menstruating women would defile and alter,  one reason why they should not be admitted into the priesthood.



In some magical ceremonies menstruating  women are barred from participation, because it is believed their flux  interferes with the rise of psychic power and the effect activities of spells.



In folk magic, menstrual blood is believed to have been a powerful ingredient in love charms. A few drops of menstrual blood, mixed in a man's meal. Suppose will secure his undying love. Conservatively, menstrual blood, also is using charms took to increase potency.
 
You could go on and on about this subject, however, as this is my first weekk, I will end this selection and remember, if you want to also become a member. Click on the purple banner and take a look at the rules and then sign in for the e:mail.
 
May you walk in the Moonlight till the wind sets you free.

Sierra