DIVAS: NATURE SPIRITS AND ANGELS

The word deva comes from the Sanskrit language, meaning "a being of brilliant light" and is used to indicate a non-physical being. We are using the word deva here as a general name for both nature spirits and angelic beings.

The Higher Developed Devas
Angel-Devas

These beings, usually called angels, archangels and so on, are creative intelligences building our world. They know how to manipulate ethereal substances into ever more crystallized forms of which the end result is physical matter. They build vehicles for every life form.

They do not have free will, but are very powerful in what they do. Their form changes as they move around, and changes over time. They live in a state of immediate knowledge and are a source of happiness and exaltation. They live fully in the moment, in full concentration and in unity with the flowing energy of the field they are working in.

They can create sounds in the ethereal worlds that have a positive effect on humans and their environment. They work with sounds, mantras, and movements to create energy patterns.

Classification of the Angels

Most people with the second sight have focus on the elemental beings, only a few also have contact with the angelic realm. They have described angels of sound, color, healing and so on, angels associated with the Christ energy and creative forces, but for a basic classification of the higher developed beings we have to turn to the old, but still valid classification in the Jewish/Christian tradition. So, here we go:

Besides all the beings and forces we have seen thus far, there are even more, greater beings that work on the fundaments of the cosmos. Here is an overview of the traditional hierarchy above the Archangels. The first name is from the Catholic tradition, the second name, between brackets, is from the Jewish tradition.

• The Seraphim (Haioth ha Qodesh) distribute the universal force that allows mankind to fixate within themselves the divine unity. They determine the four supreme cardinal points, from which comes those of space. From these beings come the four elements, and all other group of four that determine existence. They are without any form.
• The Cherubim (Ophanim or Galgalim) regulate and equilibrate the primordial chaos. They provide us the forms by which we are able to visualize the divine things. Their vibrations are in form of light as well as sounds. Their function is to maintain manifestation in movement.
• The Thrones (Arailim) allow our spirit to fixate the images formed by the Cherubim. They maintain the primordial ether in the visible form in the subtle substances. They regulate and stabilize the power of the divine to give it form. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape.
• The Dominions (Hhashmalim) are like a reservoir of energy that animates nature. They give to men the necessary force to conquer the inner enemy and to achieve the ends that are assigned to them. Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God.
• The Powers (Seraphin) have to do with divine sanctity and purification. Powers are Warrior Angels against evil defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. They fight against evil spirits who attempt to wreak chaos through human beings.
• The Virtues (Malakim) work primordially on the mineral kingdom, the environment in which the beings of creation evolve. They produce the mineral realm, the metal, the gems and are the soul of all mineral medicine. Virtues are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements. They are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." They govern all nature.
• The Principalities (Tarshishim) give us the submission of all things, they embrace of all forces.
• The Archangels (Beni-Elohim) rule over the animal kingdom and give man domination over it.
• The Angels (Keroubim) are the guardians of the threshold, the defenders of the holiness of God against fallen man who would otherwise take the Tree of life. They deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any time. They are the most caring and to assist those who ask for help.

Benevolent and Malevolent Beings

Good devas keep themselves to the realm they are working in. Evil devas will approach animals and humans with their bad intentions.

More evolved does not automatically mean that they are benevolent to humans. Superior spirits, however, have made a vow that they will never introduce themselves with a personal name as a means to make people believe in them. They decline any personal recognition. Their messages are always refined and, if high in vibrancy, short with a profound meaning, and they are not compulsive. True spiritual beings of high development have a full aura. They are filled with a particular quality of white clear light.

If you want to know with what kind of spirit you are dealing with, ask to show them their inner, divine light. True spiritual beings will respond, while spirits with bad intentions will not. Or ask them their name, a good spirit will not give one.

Malevolent spirits interfere with life on the physical level, and cause trouble when they give psychic powers to people. They often give prophecies of disasters. They have no sense of the beautiful or the artistic. They cannot fake beauty or artistry, or sincerity, as all this comes from the heart, and from the divine. They might have a great amount of intelligence, but it is not rooted in truth. They like to talk about and fake the truth, wisdom, righteousness and love, but it is all distorted.

Malevolent spirits feed on fear. To avoid them learn to keep your fear under control, or learn to eliminate it. The opposite of fear is trust, trust in the divine. Don’t pay attention to them. Don’t hate them either, or be angry. They are also children of the divine, who went the wrong path. Respect them for who they are, and make a clear choice not to get involved with them. Know you are rooted in the divine, and bring out that divine light, which we all have in ourselves.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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ROSEMARY AN ALL ROUND MAGICAL PLANT

Rosemary has been extensively used since ancient times for a variety of purposes. The Romans gave special importance to rosemary plant and used it in religious ceremonies. Its use extended to wedding ceremonies, food, cosmetics, and herbal care. Rosemary plant and its extract were also used in the ancient Egyptian civilization as incense.

The health benefits of rosemary essential oil made it a favorite of Paracelsus, a renowned physician, who made significant contribution to herbal medicine during the sixteenth century. Paracelsus valued rosemary oil due to its ability to strengthen the entire body. He (rightly) believed that rosemary oil had the ability to heal delicate organs such as liver, brain as well as heart.

Rosemary was well known to ancient practitioners. It was an herb known for strengthening the memory and helping the brain. Eventually, it also became associated with the fidelity of lovers, and was presented to wedding guests as a gift. In 1607, Roger Hacket said, "Speaking of the powers of rosemary, it overtoppeth all the flowers in the garden, boasting man's rule. It helpeth the brain, strengtheneth the memorie, and is very medicinable for the head. Another property of the rosemary is, it affects the heart." 


Rosemary was often cultivated in kitchen gardens, and was said to represent the dominance of the lady of the house. One would assume that more than one "master" sabotaged his wife's garden to assert his own authority! This woody plant was also known to provide delicious flavoring for game and poultry. Later, it was used in wine and cordials, and even as a Christmas decoration. 


Roman priests used rosemary as incense in religious ceremonies, and many cultures considered it a herb to use as protection from evil spirits and witches. In England, it was burned in the homes of those who had died from illness, and placed on coffins before the grave was filled with dirt. 


For magical use, burn rosemary to rid a home of negative energy, or as an incense while you meditate. Hang bundles on your front door to keep harmful people, like burglars, from entering. Stuff a healing poppet with dried rosemary to take advantage of its medicinal properties, or mix with juniper berries and burn in a sickroom to promote healthy recovery. In spellwork, rosemary can be used as a substitute for other herbs such as frankincense.

As an essential oil

Precautions
Rosemary oil should not be used during pregnancy and is unsuitable for people with epilepsy or high blood pressure.

Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of rosemary oil are analgesic, antidepressant, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypertensive, nervine, rubefacient, stimulant, sudorific and tonic.
Uses

• Rosemary oil has a pronounced action on the brain and the central nervous system and is wonderful for clearing the mind and mental awareness, while having excellent brain stimulant properties, as well as improving memory.
• It helps with headaches, migraines, neuralgia, mental fatigue and nervous exhaustion and the antiseptic action of rosemary oil is especially suitable for intestinal infections and diarrhea, easing colitis, dyspepsia, flatulence, hepatic disorders and jaundice and relieving pain associated with rheumatism, arthritis, muscular pain and gout. It also helps for arteriosclerosis, palpitations, poor circulation and varicose veins.
• The diuretic properties of rosemary oil are useful with reducing water retention during menstruation, and also with obesity and cellulite.
• On the respiratory system, it is effective for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, sinus and whooping cough. Because of its astringent action, it is also effective for countering sagging skin. Its stimulating action benefits scalp disorders and encourages hair growth.
• On the skin, it helps to ease congestion, puffiness and swelling and can also be used for acne, dermatitis and eczema, but a very popular use of this oil is the use in hair care products, as it has a pronounced positive effect on the health of the hair and scalp. It increases the circulation to the scalp and is therefore also effective for promoting hair growth.

Summary

Rosemary oil is effective for mental fatigue, circulation problems, pain relief for the muscular system, decongests the respiratory tract and is a skin and hair booster.

• Burners and vaporizers
◦ In vapor therapy, rosemary oil can be helpful for congestion, alcohol over-indulgence, overwork, sinusitis and mental and physical tiredness. It furthermore stimulates the brain, improves memory and promotes clear thinking.
• Blended massage oil or in the bath
◦ As a blended massage oil or diluted in the bath, rosemary oil can assist with liver and gall problems, mucus congestion, muscular aches, cramps, pains and spasms, stiff neck, overwork, rheumatism, arthritis, colds, constipation, diarrhea, coughs, bronchitis, back pain, scalp disorders, sinusitis, mental fatigue and physical tiredness.
• Cream or lotion
◦ In a cream or lotion it is most beneficial for improving blood circulation and decongesting the skin.
• Shampoo
◦ When added to shampoo it not only increases the circulation to the scalp and thereby improving hair growth, but also acts as a general conditioner and tonic for the hair and scalp.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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THE SPELL

THE SPELL

She walks in shadows hoping to be unseen
Her hair of gold shimmers in moonlight sheen
It tumbles softly over shoulders soft
The moon smiles kindly in skies aloft
Alone and swiftly in her steps she glides
Checking she is quite alone she hides
For her purpose is to cast a spell
Quite unseen in shadows dwell
And from her pocket she takes her wares
And lighted candle into flame she stares
And then the flame's extinguished the spell is cast
The work is done fate will come to pass

MPB ©

Maggie Brown (Author)

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WHAT IS WICCA?

The article below describes how Wicca draws from the Old Traditions of Witchcraft. While this is true, we would simply like to clarify that Witchcraft and Wicca, while similar in many respects, are not the same.  One can be a Witch, without being a Wiccan, just as a person can be a Christian, without being a Baptist.  Wicca is a recognized religion, while Witchcraft itself is not considered a religion.  Thus, Wicca might best be described as a modern religion, based on ancient Witchcraft traditions.

What Is Wicca

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Contrary to what those who choose to persecute or lie about us wish to believe, Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists.

Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day.   It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face.   Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow.   It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between.  It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild.   It is being in the presence of Mother Earths nature and being humbled in reverence.   When we are in the temple of the Lord and Lady, we are not prone to the arrogance of human technology as they touch our souls.   To be a Witch is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver, and a protector of all things.   If this path is yours, may you walk it with honor, light and integrity.

Wicca is a belief system and way of life based upon the reconstruction of pre-Christian traditions originating in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.   While much of the information of how our ancestors lived, worshiped and believed has been lost due to the efforts of the medieval church to wipe our existence from history, we try to reconstruct those beliefs to the best of our ability with the information that is available.

Thanks to archaeological discoveries, we now have basis to believe that the origins of our belief system can be traced even further back to the Paleolithic peoples who worshipped a Hunter God and a Fertility Goddess.   With the discovery of these cave paintings, estimated to be around 30,000 years old, depicting a man with the head of a stag, and a pregnant woman standing in a circle with eleven other people, it can reasonably be assumed that Witchcraft is one of the oldest belief systems known in the world toady.   These archetypes are clearly recognized by Wiccan as our view of the Goddess and God aspect of the supreme creative force and predate Christianity by roughly 28,000 years making it a mere toddler in the spectrum of time as we know it.   

Witchcraft in ancient history was known as "The Craft of the Wise" because most who followed the path were in tune with the forces of nature, had a knowledge of Herbs and medicines, gave council and were valuable parts of the village and community as Shamanic healers and leaders.   They understood that mankind is not superior to nature, the earth and its creatures but instead we are simply one of the many parts, both seen and unseen that combine to make the whole.   As Chief Seattle said; "We do not own the earth, we are part of it."   These wise people understood that what we take or use, we must return in kind to maintain balance and equilibrium. Clearly, modern man with all his applied learning and technology has forgotten this.   Subsequently, we currently face ecological disaster and eventual extinction because of our hunger for power and a few pieces of gold.

For the past several hundred years, the image of the Witch has been mistakenly associated with evil, heathenism, and unrighteousness.   In my humble opinion, these misconceptions have their origin in a couple of different places.

To begin, the medieval church of the 15th through 18th centuries created these myths to convert the followers of the old nature based religions to the churches way of thinking.   By making the Witch into a diabolical character and turning the old religious deities into devils and demons, the missionaries were able to attach fear to these beliefs which aided in the conversion process.    Secondly, as medical science began to surface, the men who were engaged in these initial studies had a very poor understanding of female physiology, especially in the area of a women's monthly cycles.   The unknowns in this area played very well with the early churches agenda lending credence to the Witch Hunters claims and authority.   The fledgling medical professions also stood to benefit greatly from this because it took the power of the women healers away giving it to the male physicians transferring the respect and power to them.

Unfortunately these misinformed fears and superstitions have carried forward through the centuries and remain to this day.   This is why many who follow these nature oriented beliefs have adopted the name of Wicca over its true name of Witchcraft to escape the persecution, harassment and misinformation associated with the name of Witchcraft and Witch not to mention the bad publicity the press and Hollywood has given us simply to generate a profit.

What Witchcraft is:
Witchcraft is a spiritual system that fosters the free thought and will of the individual, encourages learning and an understanding of the earth and nature thereby affirming the divinity in all living things.   Most importantly however, it teaches responsibility.   We accept responsibility for our actions and deeds as clearly a result of the choices we make.   We do not blame an exterior entity or being for our shortcomings, weaknesses or mistakes.   If we mess up or do something that brings harm to another, we have no one but ourselves to blame and we must face the consequences resulting from those actions.   No ifs, ands or buts and no whining...

We acknowledge the cycles of nature, the lunar phases and the seasons to celebrate our spirituality and to worship the divine.   It is a belief system that allows the Witch to work with, not in supplication to deities with the intent of living in harmony and achieving balance with all things.

The spells that we do involve healing, love, harmony, wisdom and creativity.   The potions that we stir might be a headache remedy, a cold tonic, or an herbal flea bath for our pets.   We strive to gain knowledge of and use the natural remedies placed on this earth by the divine for our benefit instead of using synthetic drugs unless absolutely necessary.

Wiccan believe that the spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things.   In the trees, rain, flowers, the sea, in each other and all of natures creatures.   This means that we must treat "all things" of the Earth as aspects of the divine.   We attempt to honor and respect life in all its many manifestations both seen and unseen.

Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons.   We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy.   Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us.   This belief creates a reverence and respect for the environment, and all life upon the Earth.

We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water which combine to manifest all creation.   From these four elements we obtain insight to the rhythms of nature and understand they are also the rhythms of our own lives.

Because Witches have been persecuted for so many centuries, we believe in religious freedom first!   We do not look at our path as the only way to achieve spirituality, but as one path among many to the same end.   We are not a missionary religion out to convert new members to think the same as we do.   We are willing to share our experience and knowledge with those who seek our wisdom and perspective however.   We believe that anyone who is meant for this path will find it through their own search as the Goddess speaks to each of us in her time and way.   Wiccan practice tolerance and acceptance toward all other religions as long as those faiths do not persecute others or violate the tenant of "Harm None."

What Witchcraft is not:
More information about Witchcraft is available in the Frequently Asked Questions section, but in the interim, here are the main points.

• Witchcraft or Wicca is not a cult.   We do not proclaim ourselves to be spokespersons for the divine or try to get others to follow us as their leaders.
  
• We do not worship Satan or consort with Demons.   Satan is a Christian creation and they can keep him.   We do not need a paranoid creation of supreme evil and eternal damnation to scare us into doing the right thing and helping others.   We choose to do the right thing and love our brothers and sisters because it IS the right thing and it feels good to do it.   I suppose it is a maturity thing.
  
• We do not sacrifice animals or humans because that would violate our basic tenant of "Harm None."   Anyone who does and claims to be a Wiccan or a Witch is lying.
  
• We have no need to steal or control the life force of another to achieve mystical or supernatural powers.   We draw our energy from within, our personal relationship with the divine and nature.
  
• We do not use the forces of nature or the universe to hex or cast spells on others.   Again, "Harm None" is the whole of the law.
  

Witches have a very strict belief in the Law of Three which states that whatever we send out into our world shall return to us three fold either good or bane.   With this in mind, a "True Witch" would hesitate in doing magick to harm or manipulate another because that boomerang we throw will eventually come back to us much larger and harder then when we threw it.

This is not to say that Witches are perfect, we are human too just like everyone else and make mistakes and errors in judgment.   Just as there are parents who love and nurture their children, there are parents who abuse their children.   As there are many who devote their lives to giving and helping mankind, likewise there are those who devote their lives to taking advantage of and using people for their own gain.   Unfortunately the same flaws in human nature applies to witches too.

Most of us continually strive to consider all potential outcomes of our thoughts and actions pausing to seriously consider the consequences before undertaking a ritual, spell or rite that could go astray.   It is when we follow the path with the love of the Goddess in our hearts and adhere to the basic tenant of the Reed that our works are beneficial and we achieve harmony and balance with all things.

The heart of Wicca is not something summed up into a few short words and can often take on different meaning to each since the Lord and Lady touch us in different ways.   To gain a fuller understanding of the Craft, I urge you visit the other pages on this site as well as following the links to a select group of exceptional Wiccan and Witchcraft sites.   Through the wisdom and words set down through the ages, you will find that you are able to understand the basis of our beliefs and how they may apply to you.   Your inner voice will also quickly let you know if the intent of what you are reading is for superficial purposes to benefit self instead of working to benefit the whole.   Remember to read with your heart, for it is when you see life and the world with your heart and spirit that you truly gain an understanding of what Wicca is.

Blessed Be!

Herne

Q.  Do Witches cast spells?

A.  Some do and some don't. Spellwork should never be the focus of following this path and those who seek our ways only for this purpose are very misguided. A spell is a ritual formula, or series of steps, to direct psychic energy to accomplish a desired end. This energy is drawn from the Earth with the aid of elementals, concentrated and sent out into the world to achieve a positive goal. Since Witchcraft teaches that whatever one sends out is returned threefold, Witches are very careful to never send out harmful energy carelessly. The Christian word for this is "Prayer". The only real difference is that Witches also invoke the aid of spirit guides, familiars or other elemental energies to add strength to the process as well as using ritual tools.

Q.  Do Witches worship the devil?

A.  No. Satan, or the Devil, has absolutely no place in Wicca or Witchcraft. The worship of Satan is the practice of profaning Christian symbolism and is thus a Christian heresy, rather than a Pagan religion. The Goddess and God of the Witches are in no way connected to Satanic practices. Satan, or the Devil, is a Christian creation and they are more than welcome to keep him.

Q.  If Witches don't have a bible, what do you use?

A.  Most modern Witches keep a Book of Shadows, (BOS) or Grimoire, which is more like an individuals workbook, journal, or diary, meaningful to the person who keeps it. This book contains rituals, discoveries, spells, poetry, herb lore, etc. Covens almost always keep a similar group book. I am not exactly sure how the name "Book of Shadows" came to be, but I would assume that this also ties into the Burning Times when the church set out to eliminate all texts along with the followers of the old ways. The writings that existed were more than likely were taken into the shadows and hidden with the survivors.

Copyright and taken from 'The Celtic Connection, wicca.com.' 

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Maggie Brown (Author)

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ASTRIDESTELLA'S PHILOSOPHY RESENTMENT

RESENTMENT

Is there any point in holding on to resentment, sulking and not talking to anyone? You may not have any control of how others treat you but you can set and live by example. How is there any hope of solution or compromise, if one or neither party is talking to the other? This goes for all arguments and this goes for wars too, someone has to make a move and this should be you. You will never make a "right" from two "wrongs", be the bigger person and make a special effort to hold out an Olive branch and I will tell you why.

Holding on to grudges, resentment like other negative emotions only damages your own soul in the long run, it will affect your health and well being for when you dwell in negativity this causes changes in your auric field causing it to shrink in on itself, this in turn then affects the functioning of the Chakras (energy vortexes within the body and responsible for conducting the body's life force through the body and maintaining homeostasis). Each Chakra governs a major endocrine gland thus affecting hormone balance, hormones are chemical messengers within the body that instigate actions in their target organs e.g. stress hormones such as cortisol instigating a rise in blood pressure, which in turn can damage the kidneys and heart long term. So can you see, how resentment and other negative emotions do us no favours?

So you hold out the Olive branch the other person has a choice, they can take it or they carry on with their resentment. You may even find they will apologise, this may even get them to talk and both of you together may then see the other's point of view. I would suggest you try this tact a few times appealing to the other party you want to resolve your differences, only by talking will you resolve your differences.

Supposing they turn away and refuse and want to carry on with their grudge in spite of all your efforts, supposing after you have tried appealing to them a few times even in a letter if they still wont talk and wish to carry on? Well then you walk away, knowing you have done your very best and leave this to Universal law. We live in a Universe where there is a constant balance and exchange of energy. What you give out, you will get back tenfold, this applies to Positive thoughts as well as Negative, if you are constantly giving out positivity to others you have nothing to worry about and all this positivity will be returned to you. However if you constantly want to be wrapped up in Negativity and things go wrong in your life you only have yourself to blame, this is the Universe's way of showing us if we don't learn by our own actions then we will have to take what comes to us. We all have personal responsibility. Sometimes we do have to walk away from toxic people all we can do is pray that spirit will help them see the errors of their ways. Walk away but send them love and hopefully that kind and loving thoughtform will instigate a change and help them for their own good.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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MERCURY IN RETROGRADE

I had a feeling Mercury was in retrograde again and sure enough when I checked things out indeed it is. So if you have noticed anything to with communication slowing down and interactions with others going a bit haywire, and this includes all forms of communication and tools of communication going awry then you can be sure this is why.

The information below is from http://www.astrologycom.com

At 20:50 UT (Universal Time) Wednesday, March 30th, 2011, Mercury the wise communicator—and universal trickster—turns retrograde at 24°19' Aries in the sign of the Ram, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! The retro period begins some days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until April 23, 2011, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.
Everything finally straightens out on May 11th, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde. Mercury normally turns retrograde three times a year, but last year he turned tail four times, which is unusual, and his shadow phase was still active in early January 2011. The effects of each period differ, according to the sign in which it happens (see box for Retrograde Periods in 2011).
A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. According to modern science, this traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth with relation to other planets in our solar system. It's a bit like travelling on the road watching another car beside you: when the other car slows down, or you speed up, it looks as though the other car is moving backwards. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way due to this cosmic shadow-play.
Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Although a powerful astrological influence, Mercury is quite a small planet that travels at a relatively fast speed through the zodiac. Despite being the closest planet in our solar system to the Sun, Mercury is not always in the same sign as the Sun. Mercury turns retrograde this time in Aries while the Sun is in Aries, but the solar orb moves into Taurus on April 20 (with Mercury still in Aries). Mercury turns direct in Aries on April 23 with the Sun still in Taurus, but Mercury remains in Aries till May 15, when he enters Taurus at the same time as Venus also does.
 Fated Events
As a rule, planets are more emphatic during their retrograde phases, marking periods of seemingly inevitable or fated events that relate to their spheres of influence. By fated events I mean those that circumstances thrust upon us, rather than matters we have consciously decided to implement or resolve. In particular, unresolved issues from the past tend to rear their heads and demand to be dealt with.

Retro phases present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no conscious control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs—although this need not mean that our responses are outside our control! By way of example, Mercury retrograde in Capricorn (ambition; loyalty) awakens quite different sets of circumstances from those generated when he retrogrades into Sagittarius (freedom; independence).
A retrograde period is best seen as a cycle, beginning when a planet begins to slow to a halt before travelling backwards through the zodiac, and ending when it returns to the point where it first paused. However, during the cycle, a planet's energy is at its most powerful (and more likely to generate critical events of universal importance) when the planet is travelling slowly, and particularly when it makes a station: appearing motionless in the sky.
These stationary periods occur near the beginning of the cycle (when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards) and midway through the cycle when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again. The direct station (when the planet halts before moving forward again) is the most powerful and can be used for maximum benefit.
 Mercury Shadow Phases
Many astrologers consider that the "Mercury Shadow" begins between two and three weeks before the actual retro station; so the "shadow phase" begins this time on March 17, when Mercury passes the point of direct station for the first time in this cycle (see the date for the beginning of each Shadow period in the table). Weird things often start to happen then, but the really noticeable peculiarities begin when Mercury slows significantly, a few days before the retro station.

The period of "Mercury Shadow" extends to the Return date, something under three weeks after the direct station. Bear this in mind, because experience shows that the effects of the retro period are still marked during the shadow phase. Some of the most characteristic annoyances often occur just after Mercury makes the direct station, while he is crawling forward before picking up speed.
 What does Mercury affect?
In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially those who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, consultants, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, salespeople, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves. Mercury also has an occult side, so healing, astrology and the transmission of spiritual knowledge are also in his area.
Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray or awry.
It is not exactly wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is likely that such decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!

Maggie Brown (Author)

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A RITUAL TO SWEETEN, HEAL AND DRAW CLOSER TOGETHER

Honey Jar Spell

There are many variations of this spell and it goes back centuries

The honey jar spell can be used for influencing someone with kindness and make them sweet on you. It can be used it for igniting someone’s interest in you, for a boss to give you a promotion or raise your salary, or simply for recognition, and lastly to settle disputes and arguments and bring both sides together.

You require:

1. Glass Jar With Lid
2. Sugar (if doesn't matter but if you can use the colour associated with skin colour)
3. Honey
4. Candle (love interests use a pink candle)
5. Spiritual Oil Frankincense is a good general essential oil but for love interests use Rose
6. Dressmakers Pin
7. Targets Photo
8. Personal Items Optional hair etc.
9. White Plate

Method:

1. Using the appropriate oil for your goal. If you are making a honey jar for romantic goals use a love or romance oil such as Rose. If the jar is for influencing your boss or settling a dispute Frankincense you can use this for anything really.
2. Anoint the inside of the jar with oil first, covering the entire inside of the jar and the underside of the lid. Next take the targets photo (the person the work is being done on and anoint the four corners of the photo with the oil.
3. If you don’t have a photo of the person you can write their name on a piece of paper torn from a brown bag. Place the photo or name paper in the jar. If you have any other personal items that belong to the target person such as nail clippings, hair, place those in the jar too.
4. Other items you can add are honeysuckle or rose petals for love and romance, a short description of a desired pay raise for bosses, a silver coin for asking for money help.
5. Now drop some sugar on top of the items to cover.  Now fill the entire jar with honey. Place the lid on the jar and then set the jar on top of the white plate.
6. Take the dressmakers pin and carve the side of the candle with a very short description of your desire. Anoint the candle with the oil from the bottom up and stick the dressmakers pin lengthwise in the center of the candle.
7. Light the candle and allow some of the wax to fall on the center of the lid in order to hold the candle in place. You will need to have a lot of wax on the lid so that the candle doesn’t fall over.
8. Candle  colours .use pink or red for romantic goals (purple for passion), green for money or white for all purpose
9. If you have opted to write the targets name on paper this is how it’s done. Write the targets full name 7 times, each one on its own line. Women’s names should include the maiden name if possible and men’s names should include any tag names such as Sr or Jr. Now turn the paper to the right 90 degrees and write your entire name over the targets name 9 times, again each on its own line. The finished names will resemble a “cross” or a “grid”.
10. Your name is written OVER the targets name and written MORE times as a symbol of dominance over the person.
11. Allow the candle to burn for 9 minutes every day until it is consumed. It should take several days before the candle is fully used. This is enough time for your desire to manifest. Once the candle is gone, place the plate and jar in a protective bag... a grocery bag will suffice….and save it somewhere safe from nosey people. You can light another candle on top of it if you need to later to further boost and intensify if need be.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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RITUAL OF REMOVING NEGATIVE ENERGY OF SOMEONE WHO IS MENTALLY/EMOTIONALLY ABUSING YOU

RITUAL TO RID YOURSELF OF NEGATIVE ENERGIES 
OF SOMEONE WHO IS MENTALLY OR EMOTIONALLY ABUSING YOU

The purpose of this spell is to rid yourself of the negative energies of someone who is mentally or emotionally abusing you. If done properly, it will not harm the object of the spell nor will it affect his or her daily life in any way. It will simply make the person powerless to mentally or emotionally harm you.

Perform when Moon is dark

Materials:

• Small cloth doll,(poppet) leave the head unstitched until you are ready to begin the ritual Needle and thread
• Some personal item from the person you want to bind (fingernail clippings, hair, handwriting sample)
• Black ribbon
• Black candle
• Cauldron or other fireproof container
• Sterilized needle
• Piece of parchment paper and pen or quill
• One candle at each quarter (optional)

Ritual:

Call the quarters - I like to use candles at each quarter to form a circle of fire for extra protection. Light the black candle Concentrating deeply on the person you are binding, place the personal object inside the head of the doll and sew it shut.Tie the black ribbon around the poppet's head, signifying the binding of that person.

'With harm to none, my will be done
I hereby bind you (name of person)
Your words cannot harm me
Your thoughts cannot harm me
You cannot harm me'

Continue chanting this or something like it until you feel power surging through you. Visualize the person helpless to slander or verbally and mentally abuse you while you are chanting.

~ Now, to bind the spell ~

If you have a sigil or a craft name, sign it on the small piece of paper. If not, sign your own full name. If others are working the ritual with you, they too should sign the paper. With the sterilized needle, prick one of your fingers and put a small drop of blood over your signature. Again, if others are working with you, they should place a drop of blood over their signatures. (using a different needle, of course) Fold the paper, light it on fire and drop it into the cauldron (which should be on a heat-proof surface!). Meditate on the flames until the paper completely burns away. If you are working with a group, join hands at this point and feel the power surging around the circle as the spell is bound. Ground and center

Release the circle. Thank the Goddess and God for their protection and power Bury the doll as far away from you as possible within the next few days.

"You are bound to that which you bind !"

FROM MOONSMUSES,COM

Maggie Brown (Author)

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TODAY IS THE NEW MOON

THE PHASES OF THE MOON AND HOW TO MAKE THE BEST OF THEM

New Moon

Waxing Crescent

First Quarter

Waxing Gibbous

Full Moon

Waning Gibbous

Last Quarter

Waning Crescent

Moon Phase Correspondences for Magical Workings

* New Moon Magic *


New Moon workings can be done from the day of the new moon to three-and-a-half days after. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting.


* Waxing Moon Magic *


From seven to fourteen days after the new moon.The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or health.


* Full Moon Magic *


From fourteen to seventeen-and-a-half days after the new moon. Prime time for rituals for prophecy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healing for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams.


* Waning Moon Magic *


From three-and-a-half to ten-and-a-half days after the full moon.The waning moon is used for banishing magick, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity.


* Dark Moon Magic *


From ten-and-a-half to fourteen days after the full moon. The dark moon is a time for ridding oneself of bad habits, Binding spells, for exploring our darkest recesses and understanding our angers and passions. Also bringing justice to bear.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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