Random Links of the Day : Easter Edition, Praise Ostara and all her children!

Happy First Day of Spring! Today is officially the first day of Spring. And for me it’s the second day of Ostara. Normally, Ostara’s day for me is the first Sunday after the full moon in March. And per her instructions, I celebrate at sunset Sunday until sunset Monday. But it also makes sense to me that Ostara would be the first official day of Spring.

So I celebrate this day as Ostara 2.

On this random links of the day, I give you Spring articles and stuff about Ostara. I hope you like them. Also for those who don’t know, Ostara Germanic Goddess of Dawn and Nature. But it’s very hard to find more than that on her. We know that she is the origin of the word “Easter”, and that a month bares her name in the ancient German Calendar.

And we also know that Easter Eggs and Hares are associated with her as well. Legend has it that when Spring came, Ostara saw a small dove with frozen wings. Even if the frost had been taken off, the poor creature would have lost her wings. And most likely died on the spot.

So Ostara transformed the female dove into a female hare. And this hare was the only one in the world to lay eggs like a bird. As opposed to having live young.

The Hare became so associated with Ostara, that her symbol became a triquetra formed by hares running after one another. Eventually, Germanic peoples created stories about a a talking hare named the Osterhase (Easter Hare).

In 1993 for example, the BBC television show Wildlife On One had an episode called “Shadow of the Hare“. In which they claimed Ostara had a hare as her traveling familiar. And this is where the origin of the Osterhase. The Osterhase is sort of like a spring version of the Yule Goat. A sacred animal known for bringing gifts of some sort.

On paper I haven’t seen evidence of that. But I have seen these animals with her in visions. So I believe it’s true. If only because this Goddess is so associated with them. You can’t think of this animal without thinking of Ostara also.

In this case, eggs to be eaten. Festive eggs were cooked and given vinegar and salt for children and adults to eat them as treats. With the coming of Christianity, things changed a bit. The egg treats of Ostara became the eggs of Jesus (I’m trying not to make a joke here). This is kind of weird since eggs are a symbol of feminine spirituality.

Within the egg is the fetus of an animal soon to be born. Something a man and a male Deity can’t do. So how did they explain that to the people they were trying to convert? They didn’t. Not really. For them, it became about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Symbolizing a spiritual spring. And the color red which is a traditional color for Ostara became the blood of Christ spilled on the cross. But, the blood of Ostara has always been the menstrual blood of the Goddess herself. Far from a painful death on a torture device, it was symbolic of the power of women to create life.

German communities brought these traditions to North America and even England. And eventually they were turned into chocolate eggs to market them to children. And of course over time the hare became a rabbit. And then the hare went from female to male. And sometimes wore gentlemanly clothes.

But a male animal can’t give birth. So there’s that. Granted, no one 100% agrees on any of this. Some don’t even think that Ostara is a real Goddess. I have heard smartasses try and claim she is a “modern invention”. Because the Venerable Bede, the Christian monk who mentions the feast of Ostara doesn’t go too much into detail.

The man didn’t go too much into detail about anything. Christian scholars refused to document ancient pre Christian religions. For fear that they would accidentally create a manual for future Pagans to reconstruct their religions. Even Bede doesn’t actually say how Ostara was worshipped or how the feast was celebrated. All he says is “practices done according to the heathen rituals of the time”.

And by Heathen they mean anyone who isn’t Christian. Not just actual Heathens. In conclusion I can tell you Ostara is very real and an actual Goddess. She’s answered prayers before and granted me prosperity in exchange for worship at dawn. I won’t go into the actual practice, but shes brought me wealth.

A “fake” God can’t do that.

I have seen not one, but several Hare spirits that accompany her. I don’t know if this means they are descended from the dove turned hare. Or if hares were her animal from ancient times. I’ve never asked. Mainly because no one would ever believe me.

When people ask for evidence, they’re not going to take a witch who claims to have magical powers. And who saw Ostara in a ritual when asking for help. Because to an atheist or any non believer or secular person, there’s no difference between me, and a schizophrenic. Therefore it’s useless. I know what I know. I have experienced what I experienced.

I receive answers to every prayer. Sometimes only too soon, and I know it’s real. I was borderline atheist years ago. The paranormal opened my eyes to what’s on the other side. So I don’t care if anyone believes she’s real or not.

Just like she doesn’t care. Why would a being, who can make the sun rise, transform one animal into another, bring forth spring, regenerate and heal others, is immortal and beyond our universe, care about what someone who is trapped in a flesh suit with an expiration date believes? Time for the links.

The Legend of Ostara and the Hare and other traditions

The Easter Hare (German Folktale)

The Easter Bunny is German

Ostara, the Saxon Goddess of Easter and Spring

Goddess Ēostre and the Origin of Easter

What’s the Origin of the Easter Bunny?

Spring begins

👆I’m disappointed with the time article. They use the lower case “p” for “pagan” which is pretty much any non-Christian religion. And it was kind of a lazy article to be honest. This blog post was written better.

We also have Osterfuchs the Easter Fox.

Move Over Easter Bunny, here comes the Easter Hare

🔝 This article is kind of more confused claiming Ostara had a male Hare as a consort. She’s not into animals people. Not like that at any rate.

In Switzerland it’s the Cuckoo Bird

The Ancient Origins of the Easter Bunny : A Scholar traces the folk figure’s history from the Neolithic era to today by Tok Thompson, The Conversation, April 14, 2022

🆙 This is a much better article. With traditions from various cultures. And fascinating histories.

From the same author :

Sacred hares, banished Winter Witches, and Pagan worship – the roots of Easter Bunny Traditions are Ancient by Tok Thompson, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences Published: April 13, 2022 5.51pm EDT

Ostara by Mystic Life Design. This page is so beautiful it’s like a Virtual Stain Glass Window

Isis, Osiris, and Horus Spring Rites

Happy Vernal/Autumnal Equinox, Folks!

Goddess Ostara – What is known by the author Eiríkr Haf Úlfrsson

Ostara Pictures from Wiccan Writes

It’s is believed that Easter originally was a commemorative feast for the Germanic Goddess Ostara by author Marija Georgievska April 13, 2017

Three Easter Bunny Alternatives from around the world

Easter’s Sweetest Temptations

Eostre, Ostara, and the Easter Fox

The vernal equinox is upon us – welcome to spring!

Happy Spring Equinox – Purple Rays

Celtic Tree Month of the Alder Moon: March 18 – April 14

Witchcraft Symbols, Terms and Definitions – Rabbit

10 Types and The Meaning of White Lilies

Goddess of the Day – Ostara – Saxon Goddess Of Spring And Easter

Ostara’s Meaning, Traditions and A Simple Ostara Ritual

Ostara & The Spring Equinox

Blessing on This Beautiful, Sunny Ostara/Spring Equinox

https://tallbloke.wordpress.com/2023/03/19/equinox-shadows-trace-a-straight-line-from-west-to-east/

A very good blogger, follow their blog everyone

– M

Praises be to they who answer Prayers!

“Praises to you O Lords and Ladies, blessings to you who answer prayers! Thank you for lifting me up high when I was low, for putting a smile on your child’s face once more!

If you remember yesterday’s post, I was in the middle of a Greek ritual. And for some reason I started spontaneously praying to the Gods for something other than my usual requests. In fact it was almost like my subconscious was coming out. Usually on Noumenia I ask for cleansing and purification with Apollon Noumenious. Or I ask Selene and Endymion for money since the moon and the Stars are associated with money.

And I work with Zeus Ktesios and Hestia on bringing prosperity to the Household. But I ended up asking for the original cold weather of my early childhood. Of waking up one morning and feeling the brisk chill. And seeing cirrus clouds in all of their feathery splendor. So I just went with it.

And this morning it was a beautiful grey day! When I was a child I loved days like this. When it would rain I used to pretend I was Captain Nemo. And I played with my maternal grandmother. Usually with a Nick Jr. cartoon or puppet show. My favorite was Eureka’s Castle.

The Tuatha de Dannan have recently been making their way back into my life. When I started out doing magic, like many I fell into Wicca. During this time, I was exposed to the many Gods and spirits of the people in the United Kingdom. And the Greek Gods. My Master even says the pantheon there is more like a “UK Pantheon”.

Because the cultures and peoples are so mixed in this area that no one culture can describe it. From the Welsh and the Irish, to the people of the Isle of Man and the West Country. I had worked as an eclectic witch for years. Then I decided that while I am very good at eclectic magic, I wanted to study and officially serve the Gods. In each of their cultures.

I had already initiated into Greek Polytheism/Paganism. But I still hadn’t reconnected to my Celtic roots. And I began to look around for a person to teach me. Properly. For a while that was a bust.

Until one day I found out that in my Greek Temple there was a Druid. And not just any Druid, but an elder in her tradition. I couldn’t believe my luck. Here she was. My Master.

Fast forward to the present. I have been studying them. And lately they have been very vocal. Besides the totem pole that I shared yesterday, I also have been giving them libations. And food.

And for some reason I thought of them when praying to Selene. The Tuatha are Faerie Gods. And many of the Fair Folk work with the moon. Maybe that’s why they entered my working. But I prayed with all my might.

Prayed for that chilly weather that makes me relive the happiest times of my early life. And the next day, they answered,

Some shots from the Balcony

My Balcony Garden

The Sun partially came out near the end but that was okay

Now I’m sure some idiot somewhere is going to come on here and say, this proves nothing. Or it’s coincidence. Let me say this : normally I would agree that it isn’t enough to be evidence. But lately our “spring” in Miami is more like Summer. Even for Florida, we have had historically high temperatures.

Courtesy of Global Warming. Some of the heat we have experienced hasn’t been seen since past centuries.

In fact, whenever the meteorologists claim a cold front will come, we don’t bat an eye anymore. Almost all cold fronts before this one have failed miserably. And they were stronger and had more of a chance of becoming cold weather than this meek little front. But instead we all saw a grey and cool day. With heavy clouds.

A good cool wind, and a gigantic smile on my face.

Selene and Endymion from Animation Journey

Praise be to the Gods, for the Shining Ones have answered prayer

– M

“Please O Shining Ones, bring to us the cold,” Reflections of a Noumenia in Miami

Cue all the disgruntled people in the more Northern states and countries. Coming here to tell me that I’m lucky that I live in a place that has the same temperature as Dante’s inferno. But I will say something of this place, the clouds tend to be beautiful.

Doesn’t he look like a Great White to you?

I was celebrating the second day of the Noumenia here. And as I went through the litany of prayers that I have been doing today, I suddenly looked up. And I began to think. Was it thinking? No, I think I was praying again without being aware of it.

The Tuatha de Dannan often appear as mist

I was partially thinking of another group of Gods I worship, the Tuatha de Dannan. Not only the Gods and Faeries of Ireland, but one of the most ancient pre-human races that lived there once. Maybe it was because of the clouds. Both they and the Theoi and Theaia are called “the Shining Ones”. And in my mind I prayed in my own way,

“Please bring back the cool, the gentle winds with their fresh air. Please bring back the cool weather. Bring back those beautiful clouds I used to get up and see in the mornings in Miami. That fresh cold air when we did have cold here. One of the only good things I remember from my childhood.

Please bring back the morning mists. The damp dew of the early mornings. Bring back those sweet cold mornings with the frost of the old winter, which still rides the new spring air, bring back that which brings light to my life,”

I stopped, realizing I had accidentally said this in the middle of my official prayers. Or maybe it isn’t a mistake. Nothing done during ritual is ever a mistake. That’s what one of the Priests at my Hellenic temple always tells me. Maybe the ritual brought out what was in my heart.

So I went back to saying the words with an open mind.

“Let me relive the wonderful feelings of joy I had in school when I woke up on a cold morning. One of the few joys I had as a child. Let me feel alive again with these wonderful clouds and allow my soul to soar. Grant me what I ask. Please I beg of you.

Please O Shining Ones, bring to us the cold,”

My Totem Pole of the Celtic Gods, not just the Tuatha de Dannan but also other Celtic Gods

For my Druid Master Nicole and my Hellenic Priest Tim, thanks for always being sources of knowledge, wisdom, and inspiration.

– M

The Full Worm Moon, Crow Moon, Sugar Moon, Sap Moon, and the Lenten Moon in Virgo

According to the venerable Bede, this was the time when the Goddess Hretha, Hreda, or Reda had sacrifices done in her name. We don’t know much about these sacrifices.

After reading the blog post by A Wise Fool I actually tried to look it up myself and no, no sources as to what was sacrificed. Though Wise Fool does mention that certain cakes were baked around this time. So maybe that’s what used.

Here I have a wide variety of stuff to look at. I hope you like all of these articles. Enjoy,

The Full Moon

Full Moon Amulet Protection – Printable

Worm Moon by Mary Oliver

Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondence for the March Full Moon

How to Celebrate the Worm Moon: Ideas and Rituals

Gardening by the Moon calendar

The March Full Worm Moon

March Astrology Events Taking Place in 2023

Full Worm Moon

The Virgo Full Moon

Worm Moon: Full Moon for March 2023

The Lunar Witch’s Guide To Moon Spells: Rituals, Manifestation, and More

March Full Moon Correspondences – Printable

FULL MOON 16°40’ VIRGO | TUESDAY 3/7/23 AT 4:40 A.M. PST

Time to Spring Forward under the Worm Moon

– M

The Spring Star : Astrological Links, the Double Conjunction! Jupiter and Venus conjoin, then Mercury and Saturn

You’ve probably noticed in the last month or so that two bright stars were in the sky. Closer than normal. Well there’s a reason for that : they aren’t stars. I began to notice them myself in February. And I felt something else was coming.

But I couldn’t pin it because there was no information on any astrological site yet. Something which I am disappointed in. It’s become too common for fucking websites and people to wait until an event is already happening. And then at the last fucking minute tell us everything “Ta Da!”. Like annoying life coach on adderall telling you it’s more exciting that way.

I like to be prepared. I have a bug up my ass about it. I do not lie. The last time an astrological event happened, it kicked my sorry ass. And I texted my friend and cursed his astrological sign to the fires of hell for it.

To which he asked what the fuck his sign did to me. And I replied,

I couldn’t tell if something good or bad was coming. Everything has a bit of both. But usually there is a specific theme that controls a lunation. Turns out, these planetary conjunctions have both. So without further adieu, I am giving you the pros, cons, and a few links on this conjunction.

This event is also called Astrological Spring, because this conjunction happens once every 13 Months. And it marks the astrological rise of spring. Which is why this conjunction is called the Spring Star. I have divided this stuff into three categories for your convenience. Neutral, Cons, Pros.

Neutral

– The energy brings with it change. But the change could be good or bad. And I have felt that things will soon accelerate on that front.

– Mercury is taking a fast transit through Pisces. This means all sorts of unpredictable change can happen. Both for good or bad. It depends on your signs.

– The Conjunction of both planets cause people to look more deeply at relationships. Business, pleasure, love, family, alliances etc.. this can be good or bad. If you have a dysfunction in any of these areas, the conjunction will bring it out and force you to face it. If not, the conjunction will magnify your positive relationships.

– Nine hours after the conjunction of Jupiter and Venus comes Mercury and Saturn in a double conjunction. Now shit gets dicy. Jupiter and Venus are generally seen as the party animals of the Gods. Saturn and Mercury are about discipline and hard work. And how that comes into play here is unknown.

It seems like polar opposites coming together to do something.

– When combined with Saturn, Mercury can be either good or bad. Again, it depends on where you are in life right now. And how it will effect your sign.

Cons

So the cons start as follows. Everything has a dark side. Even the Gods, especially them. They are nature itself. They embody everything.

The planets Jupiter and Venus can send down some of the bad influences. As well as the good influences. Think of them as gigantic talismans or antennas. Again, how they effect you depends on your sign. And even on you.

But these are some of the things to look out for :

Jupiter :

Lust for power. Greed. Anger. need for control. Blind, single minded, ambition.

Ignorance. And lack of wisdom.

Venus :

Untamed Lust for everything. Excess. Feeling hollow and never truly full. Overly emotional in the negative sense. Depression, self loathing, hate.

Anger.

Warlike characteristics since one of her husbands is Mars the God of War. Vanity. And pettiness. But to name a few. Plus there is also excessive flirtations.

Mercury in its darkest form caused things to go haywire.

Saturn and Mercury :

Mercury in his dark psychopomp form from an oracular deck. This was shared by Mindful Angel

Both are more or less the same in negativity : everything that Jupiter has when it goes dark is what comes out here. But we also have negative thinking. A critical voice in our heads that makes us feel bad about everything. A bad temper (man have I been feeling that) and nasty words. And with Saturn we have the control freak issue turn into Excessive authoritarianism.

The good news here is that the first conjunction reduces the negativity greatly. Because of Jupiter and Venus we have the feelings of sorrow. Seeing the error of our ways. And wanting to make up for them. Which isn’t necessarily bad.

As long as we don’t take it to the extreme. This is extremely powerful because this conjunction is down in Taurus. And that is the sign for Venus.

Venus rules Taurus but right now this planet is being exalted in Pisces. Which increases the power of all of this even more. The thing is that we should also be careful that we do not apologize to people who don’t deserve it. The signs and their influence can cause this to happen. You also need to stay clear of conflict, lack of self control, lack of discipline, etc…

Pros

According to Astro King,

“There is also a semisextile to Pluto to add intuition, persuasion, investigation, endurance and determination,”

In Astrology, Jupiter and Venus are called the Great Benefics. Because they can bring down blessings of every sort. And they can manifest every power available. Combine that with the hard work and discipline of Mercury and Saturn and we have even more.

Jupiter :

Jupiter as King of the Gods, is the God of wisdom, and a God of great power. Money, influence, sex, all the things we could ever want. But there is another side to him : a wise father. Many Christians will lose their shit when they read this. I don’t care.

But Jupiter is at the same level as the Christian God. He’s the Supreme Lord of the Universe. And he isn’t the only one in that category either. He reigns alongside many God Kings : Indra, Obatala, Jesus, Ra, and Odin but to name a few. Great Kings of the Universe.

And their Queens as well.

I view Jupiter and Odin to be what I call “Mage Gods”. Gods who are masters of magic and instructors of all. So he symbolizes spiritual leaders. Wise men and women. And healers.

Many view this as a love conjunction. I don’t quite see it that way. Juno, not Venus, is the wife of Jupiter. The love between Jupiter and Venus is a familial love. With Jupiter acting as the father figure or elder.

Even if he isn’t her father. I don’t know for sure because all the sources on the divine genealogy for Roman Gods is confusing. Jupiter magnifies the power of any other being with him. In this case, of Venus.

Venus :

When people think of Venus they think of a lustful Goddess running naked around a field. They don’t stop to think that she isn’t like that all of the time. Like everyone else, the Gods have their time for recreational pleasures. But then they have time to be serious about things. They focus on a task.

Create a project. Make sure they have all the resources and materials for said project. They can be said to be the greatest builders, alchemists, business people, or artists out there. They are everything, existence itself. And so to them, it’s nothing for them to be the best at those things.

I sense that Venus has been planning something for a while. And King Jupiter is supporting her in her endeavors. What I sense here is familial love. I think that for a time now she has been disappointed with everything going on in our world. The lack of love for the common person.

Lack of love even between families and supposed friends. And it has translated into a general disdain for everything. So the Goddess is leading us back to love. Love of family (which includes our animal children). Of our friends who are themselves a type of family.

And general love for your fellow humans. That last one is probably the one we are lacking the most. Even I have fallen into that trap. I get so tired of people being assholes to me for no reason, that I become an asshole back. I don’t stop to think that maybe they are having a bad day.

Or maybe they just lead miserable lives. Or they’re going through something bad. Venus reminds us to love one another. And to see each other as a universal family. And Venus joined with her loving relative, makes this energy stronger.

Jupiter for his part sends out wisdom and knowledge. Equilibrium which we desperately need right now. Maybe trying to get us all to come to the negotiation table in different aspects of our life. In that regard he has his work cut out for him. The way things are now, I can’t possibly fathom the idea of working with some of my opposites.

And for good reason. A lot of nasty hate mongers are out there. May the Great God and the Loving Goddess show us the way. Even if we can’t stomach the idea right now. This is also a time for art, inspiration, luxury.

And both Jupiter and Venus are good for your love life.

Mercury :

You can buy T-shirts with this image here

Mercury is one of the Mages of the Gods. A Master of all trades. A God of languages and travel, business, magic, transportation and communication, an ambassador to all. Even a God who crosses over the dead. And is easily at home in any dimension.

He’s even a God of thieves and thievery. He can be called upon to protect you from criminals. So here, it could be that Mercury, like Venus, is attempting to teach us something. Usually when Mercury goes retrograde it’s to teach us that our communications are off. Or that we’re missing something.

But when combined with Saturn we gain other influences.

Saturn :

The God Saturn is the former King of the Gods. Now he’s more like an Emperor of a much Higher Realm now. Jupiter is his son. When Saturn ruled the Universe, it was described as a Golden Age. A time of Paradise for all the pre-human creatures.

And then later humans. Similar in some respects to the Edenic Era mentioned in the original testament. He’s also a wise Mage God like his son Jupiter. So he brings the exact same energy as him. And he magnifies Jupiter even more.

Which magnifies the conjunctions more than before. It should also be noted that the second conjunction takes place nine hours later. Nine being a number of long lasting prosperity, but also of discipline and knowledge. So Saturn and Mercury seem to be bringing in the same influences as Jupiter : wisdom, knowledge, personal power, and a slew of other things. This is also a time for mental work such as planning and organizing projects.

Being in control of your life and taking care of business.

Pros for All

The Council of the 12 Roman Gods article by Tanya S. Keefer

The Pros for both is that Venus is a hot shot. So is Jupiter. That means that for those positively effected by both, this can be a time of flowering. A time of personal power. Of dreams and ambitions made reality.

It’s also said that the conjunction of both cause a person to become more spiritual. And it can cause a person who is positively effected to have a more bubbling social life. Though not everyone is effected the same way. And you have to be ready to use that power for yourself when the time comes. I hate saying this because to me it’s bullshit most of the time.

But sometimes, everything is 10% what happened to you. And 90% how you react to it. Don’t want to be positive? You don’t have to be. Be a Sith Lord, use whatever negative crap is in your way to build what you want. Turn lemons into lemonade by choking the life out of the damn lemons.

Force choke those fuckers. Darth Vader style. Sometimes a little anger and darkness is good for the soul. Now that doesn’t mean take people or things by force. Don’t turn yourself into a rapist.

Learn to use your anger and fear to accomplish something positive. Balance negative and positive energy. Just don’t allow your anger to get the best of you. Don’t allow it to become your master. Master only yourself.

Also from Astro King,

Also altogether we see this,

The time of the Conjunctions

Another Pro is that Venus and Jupiter are a time for manifesting your dreams. Combine that with Mercury and Saturn and this whole conjunction is about making long term projects or desires happen. By working hard to place everything into place. So manifestation work will be empowered here. Plus today is Thursday (Thor’s Day) the day of the God Kings.

And early morning on Friday (Freya, Frigga, and Freyer) is mostly a day for Godesses. Though we also have Freyer. Plus in Roman religion, Friday is sacred to Venus as she is the morning star. Both these days are conjoining with each other to grow these influences. These alignments can grant the power of charisma.

Scented Mini manifestation candles from Sage and Salt

You can feel and absorb such power that you feel like you are one with all things. Now is the time to grab your prosperity and power. But it’s also a time to chill out. To dedicate yourself to amusement. The weekend is here so that does make sense.

The first conjunction also makes sure that you reap the blessings of all of your previous hard work.

The Super New Moon in Pisces : Third & Last New Moon of the Winter Solstice, A Christo-Pagan perspective & Astrological Links

The New Moon in Pisces by Cocorrina & Co

Many of you know that among the many traditions I practice, is an esoteric or occult form of Christianity and Judaism. From a Judeo-Christian perspective, this is the time for magic with Rabbi Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus Son of Joseph). Because of the miracle of the Fish, it was later taken as an early Christian symbol for his people.

The Gospel of Yohanan (John) 21:1-14, Yeshua replicates the fish and loaves of bread to feed everyone

In modern Astrology, the new moon is seen as a time of beginnings. In ancient astrology however, it’s a time of the dead. And often considered a time of bad luck. For the Romans, the Nones or New Moon was so unlucky, it didn’t even have a God presiding over it. Which meant it was devoid of power.

One would see two different perspectives here. One is the idea of miracles repeating. In modern astrology, Wiccans and other groups perform wishing rituals in which they burn papers with wishes and desires on them using magical candles. The request is sent to the universe. And in theory, the universe obliges you.

It’s a little more complicated than that, but that’s for another time.

The Christianized version of the Celtic Imbolc festival

So the miracle of the replicating fish makes a lot of sense here. In a sense you are replicating your desires and reeling them in with a net. But more important than that is enlightenment. The idea that Yeshua and his followers would become “fishers of men” and that rather than kill them, like fish, the men caught in his net would live forever. This isn’t me trying to convert you.

Depictions of Yeshua holding a magic wand

I’m speaking strictly of Christo-Pagan mysticism. Yeshua’s movement started out as a mystery religion. Where members were eventually sworn to secrecy. And they taught great magics. Including the ability to command the spirits.

To exorcise entities. To heal among other things. Sometimes just by speaking it into existence. But modern Christians follow the bloody dogma of the council of Nicea. The false doctrines of the Emperor Constantine I of Rome.

And with these false doctrines, the religion was demystified. Most of the love, hope, and the wonder this faith once taught, is gone. Like a chalice of fine wine that has been drained.

Meditate with the stars. And allow your miracles to grow.

Not just financial miracles. Everyone prays for more money. But not everyone stops to ask why do we pray for more money. And the answer to that question, is that we’re addicted to it. We live in a world where in most of the planet, you don’t have access to clean drinking water without money.

And thus this is also a time for us to see if we can make our dreams come true without money. Or if we do need it, how to replicate it. But not to become engulfed in selfishness. And not to be slaves of it. And that is probably the most important part of this lesson to learn.

How not to become enslaved by a material force.

Yeshua depicted as a Roman Wizard with a magic wand raising Lazarus from the dead. Notice he’s also clean shaven. From the article :
Jesus Holding a Magic Wand?
Supernatural depictions of Jesus in Early Christian art

Instead how to use the spirit to work with the material. Because material doesn’t have to be “evil” like many religions teach. I can hear my Gnostic Christian brethren screaming “blasphemy!” but it’s true. Just because something is dense or physical, does not innately make it bad. What’s bad is how it’s used.

But this is also a time of the dead. And it coincides not only with the Roman Parentalia, but also the Greek Anthesteria. Both being times to honor the dead. So the New Moon is a perfect and auspicious time for necromancers and those who work with the ancestors. In fact it magnifies those influences.

Also, Yeshua is a very chthonic God. After all he died and rose from the dead. And was a great necromancer of his time.

Baraka, Asherah, and the Gods of Ancient Palestine

Asherah (GOD the Mother) the GODDESS, the sister and wife of Adonai. Notice her depictions even in ancient statues are very close if not identical to imagery of the Virgin Mary. She is the Supreme Queen of Heaven. She and her daughter Sophia were renamed “the Holy Spirit” in the Bible. Notice almost all descriptions of the Holy Spirit or wisdom show it as a feminine force.

Now more to the point, there is type of energy in Hebrew magic called berakhah. Sometimes written as barak, baraka, bracha, brokho, brokhe. It can be translated as blessing or benediction. One person, a Judeo Christian mystic told me it’s also used sometimes for the word “lightning“. As the energy appears almost electrical sometimes.

It is a blessing or gift we all have which comes from the Elohim (the powerful ones). The ancient Hebrew Gods. Before Monotheism took hold over Judaism. There were many types of Elohim. In fact it’s believed by many that the Greek God Adonis was originally the Hebrew God Adon.

Each of the Elohim were children of Adonai (the Lord) and his wife and sister Asherah. God the Mother, the Mother Goddess. Asherah once had her idol right next to the ark of the covenant. It was a wooden pole dressed like a palm tree, which was sacred to her. Eventually the fanatical sect that worshiped only Adonai, cut down her pole.

And they destroyed imagery associated with the other Elohim. The Bible rewrote this horrific genocide and persecution as “righteousness” and “the will of Adonai”. In my work about Ghosts in Judeo-Christian religion I talk about how King Saul banned witches across Palestine. Despite the fact that witchcraft was a fixture in the Jewish faith. Even under his rule.

And the Witch of Endor was frightened of him being in her house. She believed he would kill her where he stood. Even though he came to her for answers when Adonai would no longer speak to him. It’s interesting here because the Bible acknowledges that her powers are real. And she actually did summon the Prophet Samuel’s Ghost.

It’s even more interesting because it’s mentioned that

“He inquired of Adonai, but Adonai did not answer him by dreams, or Urim, or prophets”.

– 1 Samuel 28:6

Urim is the casting of lots by the way. It was popular in the Middle East back then. These were considered acceptable ways to work with God. But when a Pagan does it to talk to their God/Goddess it’s “evil”. It isn’t the only time this happens by the way.

There are many cases of Jewish witches and wizards across the Bible. Including the prophets and priests of Israel who performed all sorts of ceremonial high magic.

The ark of the covenant attended to by one of the Kohanim, the ancient priests of Palestine descended from Aaron, the brother of Moshe (Moses)

Baraka is a divine power granted to worshippers of these Gods. Like the awen granted by the Irish Tuatha de Dannan. The ashe given by the Orishas of Nigeria. The ekat by the Netjer and Netjeru of Egypt, these are all powers. Some have the Baraka that grants prophesy.

Others material wealth. Still others healing. It all depends on the person and what they desire both in this and the other world. Now there are many Gods in this pantheon to work with. But for the sake of this article, I am specifically going to mention two :

Baal (Lord) Hammon, the God of fertility and renewer of all energy. And Dagon, originally a Sumerian God of fertility and fish. But as a Jewish mystic once told me,

“Many of the Gods in Hebrew Polytheism, originally came from the Sumerians,”

He also explained that holy symbols came from them too. The Star of David for instance. And even the Seal of the Prophets in Islam, were based on Sumerian symbols. Even the Hindus have much from the Sumerians. So as with many ancient religions of the Middle East, they are often our forefathers and foremothers.

Fertility Gods, particularly those who renew life and energy are perfect for prosperity Magic. And Lord Dagon also bring

How to work with Baraka

The Light of God
Image comes from Rabbi Fryer Modzin’s meditation videos on YouTube

Judeo-Christian witches and polytheists have a radically different perspective of the following text.

“Thou shalt not worship other Gods before me,” – Shemot (Exodus) chapter 20, verse 3.

If you read the Bible, you’ll know that Adonai asks for a lot of different offerings during the whole day. But he requires offerings at the very beginning of the day. And then a final offering at the end of the day as well. Now what does that sound like? A Gatekeeper! In the Greek religion it’s Hestia. In Santeria it’s Elegua.

In Vodou it’s Papa Legba. And some Occult Catholics view St. Peter as the Gatekeeper of the Christian religion. Chosen by Jesus because of the text where Jesus grants him the key to Heaven. And of course Protestant style magic users view Yeshua himself as the Gatekeeper for God. In my case I choose either Adonai or Yeshua.

Or sometimes Simeon son of Yonah (Simon son of Jonah). The original Hebrew name for Peter, before Yeshua gave him a new name after his initiation into his Mysteries. Or I choose Chokmah (Wisdom) the daughter of Adonai and Asherah. Also known as Sophia in Gnostic Christianity. Regardless, many who use traditional Hebrew magic give a first offering to Adonai.

In his name of El-Elyon (El Most High). Which is the origin of “God the most high” in English. The first offering can be anything. Something that comes from your heart. I use a special blend of incenses based on the Ketoret (Incense of the Temple) in the Bible.

This is a combination of frankincense, galbanum (a plant found in Iran), and most importantly, opobalsamum (a rare type of amber from a myrrh tree). In fact this is a high grade extract of light myrrh. And it’s believed by many sources to be the origin of the ingredient “Stacte” from the Ketoret. Now others have other beliefs about what constitutes the temple incense. But regardless this is a simplified version of it.

I buy it from Etsy.

Pray over it when you get the incense. And let the spirit of Adonai and Asherah flow into it. You can use an oil burner for this. Then walk around the house and purify it in the name of El-Elyon. This acts as both a purification and also an extension of the offering.

For Lord Hammon

For Baal Hammon I give him grain, a golden scented candle to symbolize his Kingship, honey, and fruits associated with male fertility. Such as mango. And anything that represents renewal of life. Save the candle for last, for this acts as the ‘ignition’ for the ritual to activate. Then pray,

“Oh Baal (Lord) of the land, sustainer of the crops, renewer of life, King of the lands, Hammon King of the Gods with power bestowed on you by the Great GOD and GODDESS, please bestow prosperity to me. In the form of…”

(Specify exactly what you want. If you have Bible paper, legal tender paper, or even bay leaves or brown paper bag, write your petition and burn it in the Golden Candle. Make sure you have a fire proof dish to burn the petition in).

When you finish say,

“Thank you O Baal for listening to my petition, I ask that if for whatever reason you not grant me what I ask, that you grant me the equivalent or something better, in the name of El Almighty, Amen,”

For Lord Dagon

A smoked fish, grain, sea iconography. Anything to do with the sea including shells. Or even symbols of fish or underwater creatures. Ironically (or perhaps not ironically at all) the Judeo-Christian fish symbol is perfect for him. It can even double as a representation of Rabbi Yeshua.

A scented blue candle that reminds you of the ocean. Prayer,

“Dagon, God who brings prosperity from the waves of the sea, hidden treasures on the ocean floor are yours to give and to take at your command, O divine master, bringer of fish, on this Pisces new moon, I ask you to magnify the power of prosperity and to bring unto me….”

(Make your petition, and as before, wait until the end to burn the candle).

“Father of the Sea, bringer of Prosperity, I end this work begging your guidance and any advice you have on how to acquire what I ask. If for whatever reason you not grant me what I ask for, then I ask for the equivalent or something better, Amen“

Then, give a final offering to El-Elyon. What I use for the final offering is a blessed candle. Shabbat candles, which are environmentally friendly and can be used for any ceremony. This seals the ritual. I leave the offerings on the table for three days.

Then I take Baal Hammon’s offerings to bury them on the land closest to my door to bring in blessings. But Dagon’s offerings go to any body of water. And of course I take a bottle of honey and pour a first libation for El-Elyon to send the offerings to these two Elohim. And then pour a second libation to him when I finish.

The empty candle jars I can recycle for future rituals to those Gods. Or maybe use them for talismans. I could even decorate them. Or simply dispose of them. I dispose of the wax at the areas where I bury the offerings.

This is a prosperity ritual I like to do with both these Gods. However, for some, a ritual to the Elohim might be better if it is with female Elohim. It depends on the ritual caster. And what type of prosperity you seek. I chose Fertility Gods because they can make money and other requests “fertile”.

Allowing them to replicate. Which is perfect for this time. For you, it may have to be someone else. I would look up the list of Bet-ilim and see which one is the one you are looking to work with. Though ultimately I would still pray and work with Dagon if only because this new moon is ruled by Pisces.

So now that I have written all about my particular point of view and Christo Pagan practices, I am going to add some astrological links as well.

New Moon in Pisces

Cuspy early PISCES New Moon w. Saturn finish of AQ (Feb 19 / 20) – Past Management: Unity & Coherence

Welcome Pisces New Moon!

The New Moon in Pisces in February

Feralia, February’s Roman Equivalent of Irish Samhain

Folklore Fairy Queen: Goddesses and the Fairy Queen Archetype

Moon brewing… a Kombucha tale

Learning to Love Astrology: A Poem

Belief in Gods?

The Daffodil Beast

Happy New Moon Everyone…..

– M

Of Death and Life and Dreams of Night

Tatagua, the Witch Butterfly of Cuba. It’s said to be the spirit of the indigenous woman Aipiri who was cursed into that form. A beautiful omen of Death or bad luck

This seems like such a morbid subject. And maybe it is. It’s something that’s been on my mind lately. I’m observing the Parentalia. A Roman festival where the gateways of the dead are opened to the living.

When our ancestors are honored with banquets, prayers, and other offerings.

Of Death

Head of the family leading the prayers to the Ancestor shrine and its figurines by Jesus Leon

In the last week of the Parentalia, the Greeks have the Anthesteria (blossoming rites) sacred to Dionysus. Anthesteria has a touch of the chthonic in it. I have been meditating on the dead everyday. On people I have lost. Friends and mentors.

The Greek Day of the Dead: the Anthesteria of Dionysus

Relatives. Animals that I have loved as children. It’s not all because of the Parentalia or the Anthesteria. It’s also because I have a health scare. I am too obese for my height.

And I am hypertensive now. And pre-diabetic. I gave my mother a good scare today. All I could think of was, if I died today, how will she and my dog be? I’ve been suffering from low blood pressure lately. And I’ve been having these throbbing headaches.

I keep thinking about something my Druid master had been teaching me. I have studied death midwifery as part of my necromancy. I’ve been helping the dead since I first came into my power. Protecting them from predatory spirits. Assisting them with crossovers and also aiding their living families.

After all that, I now realized I should have made a will for myself. And paid a for my own funeral. There was a wise Santero. His wife and him were both masters of magic. And well known in some parts of Miami.

My mom is the nurse that goes to her house to assist the doctor there. She learned this man had paid for his own funeral years in advance. So that by the time he actually died, it would be paid in full. And his family would be okay. He was buried in all honors like King Tut.

Which leads me to other things. To how the ancient Egyptians believed that preparation for the afterlife was so important, you had to dedicate part of your life towards it. So what seems morbid to others is actually preparing for the next life. Necromancy isn’t some morbid fascination with death. It’s the celebration of life and continuing it and even conquering death.

Or at least living with it in a way that doesn’t scare anyone. But now I am thinking I need to set up a living will. I don’t really own much. But I need to make sure my things are taken care of so my family doesn’t have to do it. I need to ensure that my spell books and idols go to someone who would appreciate them.

Preferably someone who wouldn’t abuse them or separate them. Or sell them. They are a family and belong together. Some of them are spirits I made friends with. They need a new friend and caretaker.

Furniture and clothing to go to someone who needs it. And finally, rituals done. Funerary rituals done for me. And a 13 day purification ritual done on my home so that the spirit of death can be chased away. And my family can live in a clean and cleansed home.

In my case I don’t want or need a grave. I want to be burned. Most Cubans I know want that. Most people regard corpses as empty shells that have outlived their use. For necromancers not so much.

We understand they can have all manner of uses. But I don’t want or need someone digging me up (no I haven’t done that). And I don’t want my shell. All I want is for the ashes to be tossed somewhere and that’s that. Not even kept.

I have heard there is an environmentally friendly use for ashes now. It’s a way to contribute to life. No, I am not suicidal. I am worried. Worried that if something happens, I’m just not ready for it.

I mean if I passed away tonight, none of you would know it. I don’t have a contingency plan for it. I realize now that I need to make one. And entrust several people with how to send out the message should it happen. And not just for here.

Old relations that I have fallen out of touch with. To make sure they are aware of me gone. To get a network of people to do special prayers and rituals on my behalf. To ensure I cross over. And of course from different religions because that’s just how I roll.

To reach out to certain women I have loved in my life. Who I didn’t treat the way they deserved. To tell them that I have passed. I have been trying to make amends lately for being such an asshole in the past. But I have been unsuccessful because I lost touch with so many people.

It’s really hard.

Of Life

I have been thinking of some ex girlfriends, and realized they really did love me. But I was incapable of truly loving them back. Because I didn’t know how to. My father wasn’t a good role model. Between cheating on my mom and also being an abusive prick who even stalked her.

All of my examples of a “healthy” relationship were patriarchal and sexist shit. Do I even deserve to be loved? I had it before. And I sneered at it. Mocked it. Abandoned it.

Betrayed it.

Which is why I deserved what I got a few years ago. Someone I wanted to marry, left me. She said,

“I can’t be with someone who is so angry with life,”

And she was right. In the end she did us both a favor. For her sanity and mine. I get it now. But back then I didn’t.

I lost everything I worked so hard for in just three days after our breakup. I lost the respect of my peers. I lost my job a few months after this. I lost my will to truly live my life. I lost respect in the eyes of certain relatives who told me, that my reaction was “unmanly”.

That figuratively speaking my manhood was taken away by my ex.

She basically insinuated that I lost some of my worthiness by falling apart. That I should have just let her go and move on. I couldn’t believe this person told me this and thought it was helpful critique. I didn’t know what to say to that. Which is why I didn’t even bother telling any of the male relatives, it probably would have been worse.

I ended up a thousand dollars in debt to the hospital. Turns out heartache in general feels suspiciously like a heart attack. My purpose in life was to help build us a life. I wanted her to have all of her dreams. But me taking the caretaker role was probably sexist to begin with.

Maybe she didn’t want that. Maybe I was being domineering without meaning to be. I don’t know. All I can think is that I lost myself somewhere along the way. And then lost her.

Of Dreams at Night

An aerial view of Takis Shelter in Greece

I keep envisioning my life alone in the future. With animals in an animal sanctuary somewhere off the beaten path. There’s this man on a Greek Island called Takis. He gave up everything to save the dogs of Crete. Guy was a nightclub promoter and he gave it all for them.

And now he has a massive land in the middle of no where with animals he saves. He gets up at dawn and works until 2am everyday. Did I say alone? Never mind. Fuck that shit. Maybe I wouldn’t go that far.

I would get bring many homeless people. And we would have a commune. And the work would be divided between a night shift and a day shift. That way it would work around the clock. We would grow our own food.

Be Vegan so we wouldn’t kill animals. Heck maybe a bunker. Why not? If some idiot presses a button we could at least survive. I’d love to just have a Mount Weather style bunker within a mountain. But I would want it to be like the Dwarf fortress in Lord of the Rings.

Some badassery right there. Maybe invite others and grow a community. Scientists and mystics, hippies and free thinkers, and artists. Librarians with every book you could imagine. These are things I often dream about but have not done.

So much I want to do. But right now I need to focus on keeping my health. And on making special plans in case something were to happen to me. Florida has become too insane even by Florida standards. Now we have road rage shootings.

Now you have to be prepared for all things.

These are just some of my thoughts at night. I lay awake in the early hours of Saturday morning. Afraid to go to sleep in case I not wake up again. The worst part? Not having romantic love. I have familial love.

And the love of my dog and friends. But you need other types of love. Someone to warm your bed at night. To lay next to and tell you everything will be okay. A true partner to adore with all of your heart and soul.

I relish that love that I took for granted once.

How I wish I could have it again. How I wish this loneliness would just die and leave me be. How could I feel so alone in a city filled with 455,075 people? I wish I knew the answer to that.

Astrological Forecast : The Green Comet Tonight (Imbolc Comet)

Besides being the time of Imbolc as well as the Roman purification rituals for February, we have a lot of astrological activity. We see the Green Comet at 9:45pm EST. There hasn’t been a Green Comet around here in 50,000 years. So make sure you perform your strongest rituals.

Green Comet Closest to the Earth on 1st February. Here’s All You Need to Know

Tips for seeing the Green Comet in the UK as it peaks Brighton News

What to expect during the green comet’s encounter with Earth

Everything you need to know about the Green Comet that will approach the planet soon!

Brigid: Celtic Goddess of the Sacred Flame By The Witch

The Full Snow Moon on Sunday February the 5th

Full Snow Moon

The Green Comet Passes Earth for the first time in 50,000 years

Imbolc Dreams of Black Hellebore

Enjoy the Imbolc/Candlemas Season

– M

INCENDIARY BEHAVIOUR : Taper Burn Marks are actually Apotropaic Magic intended to Protect Buildings

APOTROPAICS: THE ROUGH GUIDE #1: TAPER BURN MARKS For the last 25 years archaeologists have been recording historic taper burn marks on Medieval …
INCENDIARY BEHAVIOUR

I found this fascinating. And it actually gives us an idea of how to do Apotropaic magic without anyone figuring out what it actually is. It would be hard for anyone to discover it as being magic in the modern day. Really good investigative article on the subject.

From the same blog

History Society Finds: Concealed Shoes, two Witch Bottles & a ‘Witch’s Nail’ from Charing, Kent.

Random Links of the Day : Places and Magic Addition

On this addition of random links of the day, we have some interesting articles on places and magic. And magical places in some cases. I kept getting so many of these articles that I made them into a random links addition. We’ll also be exploring ghosts and at least one article on haunted objects. Let’s get started!

Timeo Danaos et Dona Ferentes : The Dangers of Malevolent Spirits and Haunted Objects

From the same author :

Crosswords Work

Hear the Wind on Mars

The Algae that might save Earth’s Coral Reefs

The Iceberg Cowboys that Wragle Pure Water from the large frozen blocks

Clean and ethically sourced diamonds using air pollution?

🔝 I’m skeptical of this to be honest. It sounds like BS like “carbon capture” which only transfers the pollution from the air to the ground. Still I figured I would add this here and take a look.

Iceland’s Eruptions reveal the hot history of Mars

What Caused This Massive Mud Volcano Eruption in Indonesia?

5 Colorful Stories About the Pageantry of the Lunar New Year

Celebrating Scotland’s Bard? Break Out the Haggis for Burns Night

The Covington Film Garden

Mother Goddess Tefnut and a Morality Tale: The Lion in Search of Man

The Fairy Glen of the Black Isle