Full Sturgeon Moon

What is this moon? "Some Native American tribes knew that the sturgeon of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain were most readily caught during this full Moon."

I didn't meditate today. I've had a headache since yesterday, mostly from my son practically screaming in my ear. He's terrible at whispering, and he has his mother's knack for being loud unintentionally. I did, however, pull a tarot card for a quick check up. I've been staying at my ex's house for the passed two weeks, so I have nothing but some stones and my deck.

I pulled the Hanged Man. "This card speaks of stasis, stalled progress, not taking action or perhaps even procrastination. This card suggests you may not be making a necessary or beneficial change, and are perhaps even denial over the need to make changes...what can you do right now to help yourself move in positive new directions?”

There are a lot of obstacles and changes coming my way, and I've just been sitting here hoping they would pass on their own and I won't have to deal with them. I have my licensure exam on the 29th and my ex suggested I move back in with him since I have a job lined up only 20 minutes away. *sigh* I really need to focus.

Full Worm Moon 2016

I'm not going to blather on like I normally do. My health is not permitting me a good week but I'm doing the best I can. Yesterday was the full moon and I pulled a card from the Oracle deck just as I've been doing the past couple months. This one depicted three women; the women on the left and right were dressed in elegant Asian dresses while the woman in the middle was dressed plainly and held a large rose. The fortune on the back read: "When you gaze upon a rose, enjoy her beauty - don't count her petals. " I guess I need to slow down, and if not slow down, then I need to see the beauty in all of the mundane. I need to find the joy in the every-day.

Third New Moon 2016

I haven't done much contemplation this new moon, mostly because I am in a lot of physical pain. I am having issues with my right ovary to the point that if it doesn't get any better by May, I will have to have it laparoscopically removed.

Last night's card pulled was the Star. According to http://rider-waite.tarotsmith.net/, "The summary of several tawdry explanations says that it is a card of hope. On other planes it has been certified as immortality and interior light. For the majority of prepared minds, the figure will appear as the type of Truth unveiled, glorious in undying beauty, pouring on the waters of the soul some part and measure of her priceless possession. But she is in reality the Great Mother in the Kabalistic Sephira Binah, which is supernal Understanding, who communicates to the Sephiroth that are below in the measure that they can receive her influx."

I only understand about half of what that says, so I'm going with Truth Unveiled and Hope. I'm hoping this rings true in my life. Right now, I'm going through a lot of things. My physical health, as was previously mentioned, is not doing so well. I'm having issues with my mental health as well and hitting setbacks. I'm having financial problems and other issues, and I'm exhausted trying to keep my mentality in one piece. I've almost given up on multiple occasions. So, here's for HOPE, because I need it.

Imbolc and the New Moon

So February has started and for some reason I keep thinking it's still January, even though I am a diligent cross-the-day-out-on-the-calendar person.

Imbolc was very uneventful for me in the religious/spirituality front, unless you count ending up in the hospital as something along those lines.

On the second, after going through to weeks of pelvic pain, I had a horrible spike in my pain and could barely function past the curled-up-in-the-fetal-position-and-cry phase. After spending 8 hours in the emergency room, I am prescribed pain meds, antibiotics for a pelvic infection, and a referral to an OBGYN for the two penny-sized cysts in my right ovary. Apparently one had ruptured that day, hence the pain. The first one hasn't fully drained, and the second has yet to rupture. My new doctor put me on a higher dose of medication and he'll see me in a month. I just have to suck it up and whatever. So, for Imbolc, I pretty much stayed in bed and wished I didn't have ovaries.

Now the new moon was just a few days ago. Due to the excruciating pain I'm still in, I didn't attend he dark moon ritual as I would have liked. Instead, I did a very simple offering to the "unnamed" crone aspect, and pulled a card for this month's reading. The 6 of swords.

In the Rider-Waite, upright, the card means: journeys by water. Perhaps for pleasure, but more likely the Six of Swords metaphorically suggests traveling away from previous confrontation and turmoil. The journey will take the subject to a place of greater harmony on the far shore. What is left behind is also significant... this card suggests moving on from naive or erroneous ideas toward a state of clearer understanding, improved communications and greater knowledge. Traditionally, expedience, passage, travel, voyage. Reversed: unwilling or unable to leave the current situation behind. Feeling trapped or perhaps fearful of the journey. Communication problems. Misconceptions. Travel may be delayed or interrupted. Also, a warning of possible danger from water. Be wary of storms, flooding, children around swimming pools and other water hazards. Traditionally, confessions, disclosures, publicity, unwanted marriage proposals or declarations of love.

Again, something pops up with change, which doesn't surprise me. I'm taking my finals the end of this month or sometime next month, but once I take it, it will change the journey that I am on. Depending on the grade, everything I have done will be left behind and everything that I have worked for will be screaming in my face. It has caused me much anxiety, but I know I can persevere. I'm good at making shit up as I go, even if I'm falling apart inside.

Oh, nighttime musings, how I wish you had different news. I wish for a snazzy new boyfriend! No? OK, maybe next time.

Esbats

Generally speaking, any ritual held at any time other than a Sabbat is an Esbat. Full
moon rituals are Esbats, however, some hold rituals on the New Moon as well. Full moon
rituals are normally held on the full moon, but on times where this is not possible, one
to two days before or after the actual phase will suffice.

There are 13 full moons in a regular year (12 in a leap-year). When a second full moon
occurs in a month, known as the Blue Moon, the power of the main moon of that month is
doubled. This list is of the Esbats and their correspondences



January - Cold or Wolf Moon - protection, confidence, strength

February - Chaste Moon - maiden goddess Brigid, fertility, strength

March - Seed Moon - new growth, seeds of success, seeds of spirituality

April - Hare Moon - fertility, renewal, wisdom

May - Faerie Moon - faerie power, wisdom, love, romance, good health

June - Honey or Mead Moon - marriage, love, romance, abundance, career, health

July - Herb Moon - strength, magical potency, herb harvest, health, success

August - Barley Moon - grain goddess, sun gods, bounty, fertility, marriage, health

September - Wine Moon - life's blood, protection, confidence, strength

October - Blood Moon - rememberance, protection, stability, resolutions

November - Snow Moon - frost faeries, hope, protection, warmth, healing

December - Oak or Long-Nights Moon - Merlin, goodwill, peace, love, protection

Below is a basic outline on performing ritual on an esbat.



-Cleanse Self and Space
-Altar Devotion
-Prayer/Salute
-Cast Cricle
-Call Quarters
-Unite Energies (if more than just self)
-Invocation -Preform work (such as prayers, healing, spells, etc.)
-Ground energy (Cakes and Ale)
-Thank Gods/Salute
-Dismiss quarters
-Release/Break Circle

Food for thought: How do you plan on honoring these sacred days? Do you believe all these celebrations are an important part of your spirituality? Why or why not?

Wheel of the Year

The Wheel of the Year (The Eight Pagan Holidays)
The greater and lesser sabbats form an eightfold around the Wheel of the Year. We are all a part of the great design of the Universe, changing and returning to a beginning.

The Greater Sabbats
Samhain (commonly pronounced as SOW-when) - Festival celebrated on October 31. Also known as All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Eve, Day of the Dead, Halloween, November Eve, Hallowmas, Feast of Souls, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples. Samhain marks the symbolic death of the Sun God and His passing into the "land of the young," where he awaits rebirth of the Mother Goddess at Yule.

Imbolc - Festival normally celebrated on February 2. Also known as Candlemas, Lupercalia, Feast of Pan, Feast of Torches, Feast of the Waxing Light, Oimelc, Imbolg, Brigit's Day, Groundhog's Day. Imbolc celebrates the first stirrings of spring and the recovery of the Goddess from giving birth to the Sun God at Yule.

Beltane - Festival celebrated on April 30 and/or May 1. Also known as May Eve, Roodmas, Walpurgis Night, Cethsamhain, and has variant spellings. Beltane celebrates the symbolic union, mating, or marriage of the Goddess and God, and link in with the approaching summer months.

Lughnasadh - Festival celebrated on July 31 and/or August 1. Also known as August Eve, Lammas, Feast of Bread. Lughnasadh marks the first harvest, when the fruits of the Earth are cut and stored for the dark winter months, and when the God mysteriously weakens as the days grow shorter.


The Lesser Sabbats
Yule - On or around December 21, the winter solstice. Marks the rebirth of the Sun God from the Earth Goddess. A time of joy and celebration during the miseries of winter. The shortest day of the year

Ostara - On or around March 21, the spring equinox. Ostara marks the beginning of true, astronomical spring, when snow and ice make way for green. As such, it is a fire and fertility festival, celebrating the return of the Sun, the God and the fertility of the Earth, the Goddess.

Midsummer - On or around June 21, the summer solstices, also known as Litha. Midsummer marks the point of the year when the Sun is symbolically at the height of its powers, and so too the God. The longest day of the year.

Mabon - On or around September 21, the autumn equinox. Celebrates the second harvest. Nature is preparing for winter. Mabon is a vestige of ancient harvest festivals which, in some form or another, were once nearly universal among peoples of the Earth

On the Equinoxes, day and night are equally long; these are the days of great power in terms of universal balance. Witches view the Solstices as festive days, when the Equinoxes become days of reflection and self-examination.


Below is a general outline for procedure during a Sabbat ritual.

• Cleanse Self and Space
• Altar Devotion
• Prayer/Salute
• Caste Cricle
• Call Quarters
• Unite Energies (if more than just self)
• Invocation
• Enactment or Observance of Festival
• Dance or raise energies
• Ground energy (Cakes and Ale)
• Thank Gods/Salute
• Dismiss quarters
• Release/Break Circle