ocealdia

Sun stands still....a beautiful time. It would be great to be in Stonehenge or Sedona, AZ during this.

Yes...summer solstice falls on the weekend...finally. I always celebrate it.

Gaia

I do too!

Where I was born and raised, on this Day, in the evening, at Dusk, you can see Bonfires burning everywhere, as far as the Eye can see. And there is much Celebration.

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

gonzo

Gaia

Thank you Sweet Girl!

Have a Blessed Summer Solstice!

(((Hugs)))

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

A Quick Look at the June 20th Solstice

by Cayelin K Castell


At 12:40 pm Pacific Time on June 20th the Sun opposes retrograde Pluto marking the central point of Pluto's retrograde cycle and a deep initiation into the mysteries of this Solar Gate as the Solstice occurs less than 5 hours later at 4:59 pm Pacific Time. Then the exact Summer Solstice Solar Gateway occurs when the Sun enters zero Cancer at 4:59 pm Pacific time. The Summer Solstice is currently located in an area of the sky we can call the Galactic Cross at the exact intersection of the Milky Way (or plane of our Galaxy) and the Ecliptic (the plane of our Solar System). This intersection point is between the horns of the Bull and the feet of the Twins. (See Difference between Signs and Constellations difference_signs_constellations)

The Summer Solstice can only be located in this area of the sky every 26,000 years letting us know that we are in extraordinary times shifting from one Great Galactic Year to the next. The Solstice and Equinox points represent the four gates or four directions of the celestial medicine wheel and are activated by the Sun in a rhythmic seasonal cycle. Solstice literally means "stand still of the Sun" meaning the Sun rises and sets at the same place on the horizon for three days appearing to stand still. Many of our ancestors had an active and conscious relationship with these cycles and seasons, creating standing stone circles and other monuments to assist in tracking these timings for the purpose of capturing or maximizing the incoming energies activated during these seasonal shifts. Working with these seasonal gates strengthens our own relationship with the magical mysteries of the seasonal cycles between the Earth and the Sky and assists us in opening to receive the incoming energies. (See The Power of Ceremonial Drumming explained at Celestial Timings: Freebies or Shamanic Astrology Mystery School | Free Astrology Timings)

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

"For the Modern Pagan Weaving an Ancient Magic".

MoonsWitchElist Newsletter
Friday June 20, 2008
Moonsmuses.com Spells, Herbal Grimore, Moon Magic, Book of Shadows, Spells, Samhain, Pagan sabbats for witches.

OVER 3,300 Members & counting! One Hundred Thousand Welcomes !
~~~~~ Céad Míle Beannachta ~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In this issue;

(1) Summer Solstice/The Day the Sun Stands Still
(2) Alban Solstice Oil
(3) Herbs & Candles for Sun Sign & Moon Sign Ruling
(4) Fertility Charm
(5) Herbs of Solstice
(6) Herbs and Lovers
(7) Seven Sacred Herbs of the Celts
(8) Witches Eye-Bright
(9) Something Wicked this Way Grows...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Light of the Shore

"The members of the Grove
Gathered in the Dawn.
When the Light was on the Shore,
We did what must be Done.

Sheltered by the Dune,
Gifts came upon the Wave.
Collected by the Folk,
Mannanan be praised.

Oak King, Holly King,
Wrestle in the mist.
We dance as they play,
The Nemeton is Blessed!

Home we go,
Home from the Shore.
The Hunter,
Home from the Hill.

In the Mist,
The Gods still play,
The Wheel is turning,
Still. "

~ Unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*~~~ Heavenly Happenings ~~~*

* Celtic Tree month of Duir (Oak) June 10 = July 7 ~*

* Moon Enters Aquarius, Saturday, June 21, 2008 @ 5:32 am EST *

* Sun in Cancer - June 22-July 22 *
* Happy Birthday Cancer *

* Aquarius Magic *
Spells involving science, freedom, personal expression,
problem solving, friendship

~~~ Did you know? ~~~

* Summer Solstice Enters on Friday, 6.20.08 @ 8:00 pm EDT *

*~~~ End Heavenly Happenings ~~~*
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------
Summer Solstice -Litha-Midsummer
*The Day the Sun Stands Still*
------------------
June 20, 2008

The word "solstice" comes from the Latin solstitium, which means "the
sun stands

still" (sol = sun and sistere = to stand still). This name derives
from the fact that

the sun appears to rise and set in almost exactly the same place on
both the

winter and summer solstices.

The holiday of Midsummer marks the height of the waxing season; a
time of peak

fertility, when the Sun is honored with three days of joyous
celebration!
This is the year's longest day; the Sun enters the nurturing sign of
Cancer, and the

season of harvest begins. We are now in the "Full Moon" phase of the
year, when the waxing energies and magical potency are at peak
intensity.
------------------
Alban Heruin
------------------

In Celtic mythology, the Oak King killed the Holly King and ruled for
six months

(only to die at the hands of the Holly King six months later, of
course).* Structures

were built to mark the passing seasons, like Stonehenge, which is
aligned roughly

to the sunrise on the winter and summer solstices.

With the feminine earth energies at their height, the summer solstice
was an

optimum time for gathering herbs and for healing. One of the most
important herbs

was Saint John's wort, gathered and hung for protection, its bright
yellow flowers

symbolizing the sun. Maidens used it to try and determine who their
future lover

might be.
-------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Alban Solstice Oil
------------------

Prepare on Summer Solstice
Midday when the sun is at it's highest.

3 parts Honey suckle EO
1 part Lavender EO
Fill rest with Sweet almond oil (carrier oil)

Add to bottle:
6 Marigold petals, dried
3 Honey suckle flowers, dried
a scant pinch of genuine Saffron

Use for healing, fertility, woman magic, solstice ritual.

EO = Essential Oil

~ Barbara Morris
---------------------------------------------------------
"The young maid stole through the cottage door,
And blushed as she sought the Plant of pow'r;--
Thou silver glow-worm, O lend me thy light,
I must gather the mystic St. John's wort tonight,
The wonderful herb, whose leaf will decide
If the coming year shall make me a bride."
------------------

Herbs & Candles for Sun Sign-Now Ruling-Cancer
Herbs & Candles for Moon Sign-Now Ruling-Aquarius
------------------
-Sun sign herbs- Cancer:
-------------------

Lemon verbena * Marigold * Geranium *
Apple * Catnip

Candle colors-Cancer:

White, Silver
------------------------------------
-Moon sign herbs- Aquarius:
-----------------------

Frankincense * Myrrh * Valerian * Sandlewood * Peppermint

Candle colors-Aquarius:

Dark blue, lgt.Blue

~ Barbara Morris

Find your Zodiac & Astral Candle, visit below:
Moon Phases & Moon Magic for Witches and Pagans, magical moon corraspondance, full moon, new moon, moon lore, herbal magic, astral candles, darkside of the moon, moon magic, moon garden, night blooming flowers, moon spells for witchcraft.
---------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Fertility Charm
------------------

To a soft yellow piece of cloth

Add 9 Pomagranete seeds
3 Teasspoons St.John's Wort
1 Marigold flower, freshly torn petals

Tie with pink n blue ribbons, while chanting

"Safe little baby growing in me,
healthy & perfect you will be"

Hang by bed at night.
By day hold in mothers
pocket or person during pregnancy.

~ Barbara Morris
---------------------------------------------------------
-----------------
Herbs of Solstice
-----------------

St. John's wort
Mugwort
Penny royal
Lavender
Wisteria
Chamomile
Roses
Wild Thyme
Geranium
Vervain
--------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Herbs and Lovers
------------------

Midsummer Eve is also known as Herb Evening.
This is the most potent night (and midnight the most potent time)
for gathering magical herbs, particularly St John's wort, vervain,
mugwort, mistletoe, ivy and fern seed. In some legends, a special
plant,
which is guarded by demons, flowers only on this one night a year.
Successfully picking it gives one magical powers, like being able
to understand the language of the trees.

This is also a time for lovers. An old Swedish proverb says
"Midsummer Night is not long but it sets many cradles rocking."
--------------------------------------------------------

'Herb and root seed and flower, bring to me your ancient power.
Growing deep from moon to moon, mother hear my ancient tune.
A pinch of this, a pinch of that, make magic in my witch's vat.'

~ 2002 Barbara Morris
--------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Seven Sacred Herbs of the Celts
------------------

~ Nuts and Cones: Sacred to the Druids; very magical,
especially in fertility magic. Small cones or acorns were
sometimes used on the tips of wands used by the Celts.

~ Willow: A Druid sacred tree; one of the seven sacred trees of the
Irish.
The willow is a Moon tree sacred to the Goddess. Its grooves were
considered so magical that priests, priestesses and artisans sat
among the trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills, and
prophecies.

~ St. John's Worth: A Druid sacred herb. The Celts passed it through
the smoke of the summer solstice fire, and then wore it into battle
for
invincibility. The people of Scotland wore it as a charm against
Faery influence.

~ Mint: A Druid sacred herb. Burning dried mint leaves cleanses the
magical area.

~ Juniper: A druid sacred tree. Its berries were used with thyme in
incenses.

~ Thyme: A Druid sacred herb. Repels negativity and depression.

~ Elder: A Druid sacred tree. Sacred to the Celtic White Lady and
the Summer Solstice. The Druids used it both to bless and curse.
Elder wands drive out evil and negativity. Standing under and elder
tree at Midsummer, like standing in a ring of Faery Mushrooms,
will help you see the Little People.

~ Compiled by Barbara Morris

Magiacal Garden n Herbal Grimore
Magical Garden & Herbal Grimoire , herbal grimore, Herbal Recipes, Herbal folk lore, Herb, Herbs, Herbal, Herbal recipes, Magic & Enchantments, Herb Magic, Magical Gardening
---------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Witches Eye-Bright
------------------

Prepare on Summer Solstice
Around June 20- 22 North America

Steep 9-13 fresh Marigold petals in
1-½ cups simmering spring water,
* 1 vitamin C tablet
Add petals and shut heat, steep 20 mins
Strain into clean jar and refrigerate.

Prepare a special glass jar with a painted "EYE" on front.
Add more fresh Marigold petals to jar and pour in strained
liquid. Refrigerate between uses.

Use:

Place a drop or two of "Witches Eye-Bright "
on eyelids and third eye (forehead)
And say these words:

"Ancient waters, witches Eye-bright
Bring us the power of second sight
Lord & Lady protect our way,
Keep us in safety this magical day."

Use before Tarot readings, Rune readings or
Psychic workings.

~ NOTE, It's best to use fresh Marigold flowers
for this recipe, but dried will be a fine replacement as well.
Adding a * Vitamin "C" tablet will keep your "potion" fresh.

~ Barbara Morris
---------------------------------------------------------
------------------
Something wicked this way grows...
------------------

Flowers bloom as black as night
Removing color from your sight
Nightmarish vines block your way
Thorns reach out to catch their prey
And by the pricking of your thumbs
Realize that their poison numbs
From frightful blooms, rank odors seep
Bats and beasties fly and creep
'Cross this evil land, ill winds blow
Despite the darkness, mushrooms glow
All will rot and decompose
For something wicked this way grows..."

~ MockBeth (the Scottish Gardening Manual)
---------------------------------------------------------
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~O~ Moonsmuses.com ~O~

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Moonsmuses.com Spells, Herbal Grimore, Moon Magic, Book of Shadows, Spells, Samhain, Pagan sabbats for witches.

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Gaia

Recently a young mother in Idaho fled an abusive relationship, and headed for the only place she thought she and her toddler son would be safe -- a temporary homeless shelter called Ruth House. Shortly after arriving, however, Raven Litzau says administrators asked her to leave, citing her Pagan beliefs as the reason. Ruth House is billed as a "non-denominational Christian program", which helps women find jobs, build resumes, and escape domestic violence. Although they say they take everyone who needs their services, Litzau says she was asked to remove Pagan jewelry and get rid of some novels she'd brought with her that were about fictional witches.

Director Robert Gulden says Ruth House doesn't "have any standards on jewelry and the only rules on literature state that the ladies can't read books with descriptive words or pornographic pictures." In fact, he says his staff didn't follow protocol, and he's willing to meet with Litzau to help solve the problem. In the meantime, let's hope Raven Litzau and her 17-month-old child can find a safe place to stay.
Pagan Mom Claims Shelter Discriminated

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Heretic

yes, yes, do for the least among you*

*If only and only if you submit to our religion, no exceptions.*

__________________
"In space no one can hear you scream. in D.C. it won't matter..." -Clinton Resurrection: The Alien Queen lives!

Gaia

Yes. And not surprizing, really.

What else can one expect from the Christian Taliban?

__________________
The present moment is a powerful goddess.
~ Goethe

Heretic

See, the Catholic charities aren't like that. They'll help anyone. Not to mention the largest most far reaching of charitable organizations are Catholic. [Pennance for the child raping, I suppose. ]

__________________
"In space no one can hear you scream. in D.C. it won't matter..." -Clinton Resurrection: The Alien Queen lives!