Daily Stuff 9-23-17 Discovery of Neptune

Hi, folks!

Herbs at 11am and Sewing at 3pm.

It’s cloudy, chilly and we got dripped on this morning. I was going to pick some more huckleberries, but everything is wet. 53F, very little wind, 92% humidity. They’re talking about sunshine later.

Yesterday started so late that it seemed to fly past. Tempus and I cleaned up front, putting all of our crafts things somewhere other than in the area where we were going to have the ritual. I got the candles priced, but not hung, and then printed the ritual. I spent awhile while he was finished moving things working on newsletter bits. …and then we cleaned a bit more and started setting up.

We had a good Sabbat, repeating a ritual from a number of years back. We sat around and talked awhile afterwards and then headed home, knowing that the Wheel had been Turned to the next and looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

The fishers are out in force today on the

 

rather calm bay. There must be 20 boats and there are a bunch of folks lined up on the beach with their poles. Out on the sandflats I saw about 6 herons. 🙂

 

Today there’s Herbs at 11 and Sewing at 3pm. We have to re-set from the Sabbat and I have a bunch of sorting to do. I want to get some of the projects that I’m not directly working on into the back instead of taking up space up front. That’s been building up all summer and then I have more herbs to pack and header.

Today in 1846 – Discovery of Neptune by French astronomer Urbain Jean Joseph Le Verrier and British astronomer John Couch Adams; verified by German astronomerJohann Gottfried Galle. The planet was named for Neptune, the Roman god of the sea. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neptune_%28planet%29

Today’s Plant is the Strawberry. We have two wild varieties out here, Wood’s Strawberry, Fragaria vesca, the Coastal Strawberry, Fragaria chiloensis, and of course the Garden Strawberry, Fragaria ×ananassa, which is a hybrid. The leaves of vesca have been used to make a tea to help with diarrhea and the whole plant is used as an anti-depressant, from flowers to leaves to fruit. – Feminine, Venus, Water, Freya (and many other deities) – Carry the leaves for luck, use them in love spells and sachets, sleep on them to dream of your love. Pregnant women should carry a sachet of the leaves during the last few months of pregnancy to ease labor. The berries themselves are simply an aphrodisiac, often combined with chocolate for this purpose. Yum! Wood’s Strawberry here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragaria_vesca and Coastal Strawberry here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragaria_chiloensis  Garden Strawberry here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_strawberry

The shop is open 11-7pm Thursday through Monday, although we’re there a lot later most nights. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook or email at ancientlight@peak.org If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.

Love & Light,
Anja

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Today’s Astro & Calendar

Waxing Moon Magick – The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or healthy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 10/5 at 11:40am. Diana’s Bow – On the 3^rd day after the new moon you can (weather permitting) see the tiny crescent in the sky, the New Moon holding the Old Moon in her arms. Begin on your goals for the next month. A good time for job interviews or starting a project. Take a concrete step! God/dess aspect: Daughter/Son/Innocence – Associated God/dess: Vesta, Horus. Phase ends on 9/24 at 10:30am.

The waxing Moon steps eastward over Scorpius and Saturn early this week.
The starry W of Cassiopeia stands high in the northeast after dark. The right-hand side of the W (the brightest side) is tilted up. Down below it, Perseus is climbing up from the horizon.
Saturn’s brightest moon, Titan, now stands about four ring-lengths to Saturn’s west. Titan circles Saturn every 16 days, so it takes 8 days to move east-west from one elongation to the other.

Goddess Month of Mala runs from 9/6 – 10/2
Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine, Sep 2 – 29
Runic half-month of Kenaz/Ken/Kebo – September 13-27 – Ken represents a flaming torch within the royal hall, so it’s the time of the creative fire – the forge where natural materials are transmuted by the force of the human will into a mystical third, an artifact that could not otherwise come into being. The positive aspects of sexuality that are immanent in Freya and Frey come into play at this time. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102 Runic half-month of Gebo/ Gyfu – Sept 28-Oct 12 – Gyfu represents the unity that a gift brings between the donor & recipient. It is a time of unification, both between members of society and between the human and divine. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102

Sun in Libra
Moon in Scorpio
Pluto (9/28), Neptune (11/22), Chiron (12/5), Pallas (12/17), Uranus (1/2/18)  Retrograde
Color – Blue

Planting 9/23-24

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©2017 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright

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Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine  Sep 2 – 29 – Muin  – (MUHN, like “foot”), vine – The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vine growing as long as 35 m (115 feet), in open woodlands and along the edges of forests, but most commonly seen today in cultivation, as the source of wine, grape juice, and the grape juice concentrate that is so widely used as a sweetener. European grapes are extensively cultivated in North America, especially in the southwest, and an industry and an agricultural discipline are devoted to their care and the production of wine. Grapes are in the Grape family (Vitaceae).

Muin – Vine Ogam letter correspondences
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Class: Chieftain
Letter: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

to study this month – Koad – Grove Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Many Shades of Green
Class: None
Letter: CH, KH, EA
Meaning: Wisdom gained by seeing past illusions.

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Tides for Alsea Bay
*

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
~           /Low       Time    Feet     Sunset                                  Visible
Sa  23     High   3:08 AM     7.0   7:05 AM    Rise 10:36 AM      7
~    23      Low   9:08 AM     1.2   7:11 PM     Set  9:22 PM
~    23     High   3:09 PM     7.6
~    23      Low   9:43 PM     0.3

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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – Love heals and protects me.

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Journal Prompt – 

Wiki – If you could tell your boss what you really want to do in your job, what would it be?

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Quotes  

~  Taking responsibility for your life is taking ownership of it. – Kerr Cuhulain
~  The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. – Chinese Proverb
~  The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
~  The bold succeed where so ever they go. – The Saga of Magnus Barefoot, c.8

A touch of cold in the Autumn night—
I walked abroad,
And saw the ruddy moon lean over a hedge
Like a red-faced farmer. – T.E. Hulme (1883–1917)

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Magick – Chain Letters

“A year ago it seemed I was receiving a chain letter nearly every month. After I’d wadded up the first two or three, I began doing a short ritual—ripping the letter into small pieces and burning it in my cauldron.

However they’re worded, whatever “good” intentions the person who sent it on to you may have had, all chain letters are tools of negative magic, and those who perpetuate them by sending five or ten or twenty copies to friends are guilty of furthering negativity.

Harsh words? Not at all. Look closely at any chain letter. Typically they wish you “good luck” and money and may even include the word God or Jesus. They relate stories of the wonderful things that happened to others who passed on the chain—and the tragedies of those who broke it…

Most chain letters are also subtly demeaning to women. Don’t believe me? Read one closely sometime…

The purpose for this article? Its aim is to halt the spread of chain letters among our community. The next time you receive a chain letter, burn it. Destroy it. Obliterate this proof of the ignorance of others; crush the chain beneath your feet… Chain letters are just that—chains. Shackles ready to hold us back, but the only power they have to bless or curse us is that which we give them . . .

If you think that I’m crazy for writing about this topic, think about it for a minute: Every chain letter is a veiled psychic attack.” – Scott Cunningham, from an article for The Rose & Quill as quoted in Whispers of the Moon by Harrington and DiRegula [I did *not* get proper permission for this! Please, do no re-cite!!!!!]

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Silliness –  Quick Ones — A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

Daily Stuff 9-22-17 Blessed Mabon

Hi, folks!

Open Circle for Mabon, Tonight! 9/22, 7pm, Ancient Light. 

The sky is blue and clear except for haze *way* out to sea and clouds over the coast range. 59F, winds at 7mph, but gusting into the teens, 78% humidity, which is why it feels sticky, even so cool. The Bay was all riffled and there were more than 20 folks fishing from boats. Salmon season….

Yesterday went by so very fast that I’m not sure what all got done, although Cat stopped by to chat, which was lovely, and I got a bunch of pincushions filled and Tempus knocked flat and got rid of a whole stack of boxes…. Sewing was good and then Tempus took me home and headed for Newport. I didn’t sleep well, so he let me sleep this morning and came in without me.

Today has been nuts. He’s been busy all day while I was sleeping and then Leslie and Nina showed up, so he ran home to get me and then we visited for awhile. Nina is doing the Mushroom walk at OCPPG and has a charming accent.

We have more candles that came in and I’m trying to get those priced and clean up the ritual area before the Sabbat. …and then we need to do something about bread. We have the apple juice for the ritual.

Yesterday was the 22nd anniversary of the Milk Miracle, the day that statues of Ganesha and others of his family drank milk. There’s no consensus reality explanation for something like this. It’s just a ….miracle…. http://www.crystalinks.com/milkmiracle.html  I like the contention of many people that a miracle of this sort presages the coming of a new Teacher. That’s hopeful.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_milk_miracle

Svarog’s Holiday – Ruen (September) 21 – This is the Autumnal Equinox, the day of the God of Fire and the Sky. This is the day to drink mead and honor Svarog.

Today’s Plant is Yarrow, Achillea millefolium. This plant is often called woundwort or nosebleed because of its clotting properties and is used for fevers and infections because it has salicylates (aspirin) in it. The young leaves can be eaten and it becomes and aid to vision-work. It’s easy to grow and makes a great companion plant. We have mostly the pacifica and californica varieties out here. – Feminine, Venus, Water. Exorcism – Wear to protect – hold in hand to stop fear – hang over bed for lasting love – carry for love and bring friends and contact with relatives. Flower – Feminine, Venus, Water – flowers made into tea for psychic power, Exorcism, protection, stop fear, lasting love. More info here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yarrow

The shop is open Thursday through Monday, although we’re there a lot later most nights. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook or email at ancientlight@peak.org If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.

Love & Light,
Anja

******

Today’s Astro & Calendar

Waxing Moon Magick – The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or healthy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 10/5 at 11:40am. Diana’s Bow – On the 3^rd day after the new moon you can (weather permitting) see the tiny crescent in the sky, the New Moon holding the Old Moon in her arms. Begin on your goals for the next month. A good time for job interviews or starting a project. Take a concrete step! God/dess aspect: Daughter/Son/Innocence – Associated God/dess: Vesta, Horus. Phase ends on 9/24 at 10:30am.

Spot the thin waxing crescent Moon low in the west-southwest during twilight. Can you see Jupiter about 7° to its lower right? (That 7° is their separation for skywatchers in North America.)
Equinox: Autumn begins in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring in the Southern Hemisphere, at 4:02 p.m. EDT. This is when the Sun crosses the equator (both Earth’s equator and the celestial equator) heading south for the season.
Coincidentally, every year around when summer turns to fall, Deneb takes over from brighter Vega as the zenith star right around when twilight fades into night (for skywatchers at mid-northern latitudes).
Saturn (magnitude +0.5, in Ophiuchus above Scorpius) glows in the south-southwest at dusk. Antares, less bright, twinkles 13° to Saturn’s lower right.

Goddess Month of Mala runs from 9/6 – 10/2
Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine, Sep 2 – 29
Runic half-month of Kenaz/Ken/Kebo – September 13-27 – Ken represents a flaming torch within the royal hall, so it’s the time of the creative fire – the forge where natural materials are transmuted by the force of the human will into a mystical third, an artifact that could not otherwise come into being. The positive aspects of sexuality that are immanent in Freya and Frey come into play at this time. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102

Sun in Virgo enters Libra at 1:02pm.
Moon in Libra enters Scorpio at 10:40am.
Pluto (9/28), Neptune (11/22), Chiron (12/5), Pallas (12/17), Uranus (1/2/18)  Retrograde
Color – Rose

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©2017 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright

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Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine  Sep 2 – 29 – Muin  – (MUHN, like “foot”), vine – The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vine growing as long as 35 m (115 feet), in open woodlands and along the edges of forests, but most commonly seen today in cultivation, as the source of wine, grape juice, and the grape juice concentrate that is so widely used as a sweetener. European grapes are extensively cultivated in North America, especially in the southwest, and an industry and an agricultural discipline are devoted to their care and the production of wine. Grapes are in the Grape family (Vitaceae).

Muin – Vine Ogam letter correspondences
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Class: Chieftain
Letter: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

to study this month – Koad – Grove Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Many Shades of Green
Class: None
Letter: CH, KH, EA
Meaning: Wisdom gained by seeing past illusions.

******

Tides for Alsea Bay
*

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
~            /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                                     Visible
F   22     High   2:24 AM     7.4   7:04 AM    Rise  9:33 AM      2
~    22      Low   8:32 AM     0.8   7:13 PM     Set  8:52 PM
~    22     High   2:36 PM     7.8
~    22      Low   9:02 PM     0.2

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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – Friends live within my heart

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Journal Prompt – Personal Interests and Experiences – If you were a car, what name would you give yourself? Explain your choice.

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Quotes  

~  Rebellion can be useful, but the Warrior is not just a rebel. The Warrior tempers his actions with responsibility. – Kerr Cuhulain
~  So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads. – Dr. Seuss
~  Some drink deeply from the river of knowledge. Others only gargle. – Woody Allen
~  Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. – Henry David Thoreau

The great decisions of human life have as a rule far more to do with the instincts and other mysterious unconscious factors than with conscious will and well-meaning reasonableness. The shoe that fits one person pinches another there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. Each of us carries his own life-form—an indeterminable form which cannot be superseded by any other. – Carl Jung

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Mabon Magick – Recipes

Mushroom Egg Drop Soup

•  1 (11 oz.) can chicken broth
• 1 can water
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 scallion, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 1 sm. can sliced mushrooms
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch
• White pepper to taste

Wash and cut scallion into 1/8 inch pieces.  Beat the egg thoroughly.  Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 2 tablespoons cold water.  Heat 1 can of chicken broth and 1 can of water in a saucepan until it boils.  Add salt and stir a few times.  Add cornstarch slowly until mixture thickens gradually.  Add mushrooms and then scallions and mix a few times.  Gently stir in beaten egg.  Turn off heat immediately.  Serve.  Let each person add white pepper to taste.  4 servings.

French Mushroom Soup

• Serves 4. 2 1/2 c. onions, sliced
• 3 tbsp. butter or margarine
• 3/4 lb. mushrooms, sliced 1/4 inch
•    thick
• 2 (14 1/2 oz.) cans beef broth
• 2 tbsp. dry sherry
• 4 slices French bread, 1/2 inch thick
• 1 c. Swiss cheese, shredded
• 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese, grated

In 3 quart saucepan, saute onions in butter over medium heat for five minutes.  Add mushrooms; cook and stir three minutes.  Remove and reserve four mushroom slices for garnish.  Stir in broth and sherry; bring to boil.  Cover and simmer 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place bread on baking sheet; toast in oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.  Remove toast; heat broiler.  Puree half of soup in blender, then return to saucepan; stir.  Divide soup equally into four 1 1/2 cup, oven-proof bowls (see note below).  Top each serving with 1 slice toast, 1/4 cup Swiss cheese, one reserved mushroom slice and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.  Broil three to five minutes until golden brown.  Note:  Soup can be baked in larger serving dish rather than individual bowls, if desired.

Italian Mushroom Soup

•  1 stick butter
• 5 c. beef stock
• 1 lb. fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 lg. minced onion
• 3 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1/2 c. vermouth or red cooking wine

1. Melt butter on medium low heat.
2. Add mushrooms and onions and cook about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in tomato paste.
4. Add stock and vermouth and simmer 10 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

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Silliness –  More Time Honored Truths

• If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?
• If God dropped acid, would he see people?
• If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?
• If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?
• If work is so terrific, how come they have to pay you to do it?
• If you’re born again, do you have two bellybuttons?
• If you ate pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?
• If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?
• Why is it called tourist season if we can’t shoot at them?
• Do pediatricians play miniature golf on Wednesdays?

Daily Stuff 9-22-17 Extra

Hi, folks!

Yes, there will be a newsletter today! I’m working on it. Sabbat tonight!

Blessed Mabon!

Love and Light,
Anja

Daily Stuff 9-21-17 Sedna

Hi, folks!

Open Circle for Mabon, Friday, 9/22, 7pm, Ancient Light. Sewing tonight 6-8pm.

Mostly cloudy out there. The sunshine comes and goes because of the amount of cloud in several layers above us. Where the holes intersect, there’s blue sky. It’s 56F with almost no wind. The rain that’s been in the forecast for late today has dropped away, although there’s still a 29% chance of a shower, but after that there’s little chance of rain through the end of the month.

Yesterday started late, but we got a lot done in the late afternoon, working through a lot of mail and paperwork. We decided to head down into Yachats to the Blue Whale for our anniversary dinner, and it was a good one with plenty of leftovers for lunch today. We also got a slice of blackberry pie that we had with some ice cream as a late dessert. I got my hair done and talked with Jeanne for awhile while Tempus did some of the chores, then we headed for bed.

Today Tempus moved the tomatillos back outside since the weather doesn’t call for much in the way of wind for awhile, now.  (They were in the solarium) We also got the little sequoia that Amor gave us to plant back outside. We had just gotten it into its bucket before this recent set of storms, so kept it in so’s not to over-stress it. I’m going to have to spend a little time in the upper garden. There’s a lot to harvest and some plants to re-pot, but I haven’t had time, yet. It looks like I’m going to get another handful of raspberries in a couple of weeks, too.

So today Tempus is finishing the bread loaf that was partway done when we realized we’d better head out or not get our supper. He stuck it in the fridge and it determinedly lifted one side of the pan, so that’s going to be a funky-looking loaf! After that he has some picking up to do. I have newsletter stuff to get ready for the week. Sewing this evening, unless someone else shows up, is going to be stuffing pincushions since I have filling again and may have some more sawdust being delivered tonight. Cedar sawdust, this time.

A photo I took back on 9/18/15. I call September, “spider month”, because of how many webs you actually see.

Today is the Inuit festival for Sedna, the sea-goddess. She has many names across the Arctic cultures and much mythology, but in general she has strict rules for the harvest of her creatures and when hunting groups break her rules it is the job of the shamans to journey to her place beneath the sea. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedna_%28deity%29

Today’s plant is New Zealand Flax, Phormium Tenax. This is a very different plant from common flax or linseed, Linum usitatissimum. It is used mostly as an ornamental in the northern hemisphere, but at one time sustained a lively trade as a fiber. While the two plants are very different, they have similar magickal properties. These days the fiber is mostly used by paper artisans. – Masculine, Mercury, Fire, Hulda – Money spells, add to coins and carry, flax in the shoe averts poverty. For protection while asleep, add to mustard seed, put both opposite cold water. Protection from evil entering, scatter with red pepper by door. Health and healing rituals, sprinkle altar with flaxseed. More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phormium For the traditional uses of the plant fiber http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_flax

The shop is open Thursday through Monday, although we’re there a lot later most nights. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook or email at ancientlight@peak.org If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.

Love & Light,
Anja

******

Today’s Astro & Calendar

Waxing Moon Magick – The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or healthy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 10/5 at 11:40am. New Moon – The beginning of a new cycle. Keywords for the New phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, clarity. It is the time in a cycle that you are stimulated to take a new action. During this phase the new cycle is being seeded by your vision, inner and outer. Engage in physical activity. Spend time alone. VISUALIZE your goals for the 29.6-day cycle ahead. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting. God/dess aspect: Infancy, the Cosmic Egg, Eyes-Wide-Open – Associated God/dess: Inanna who was Ereshkigal. Phase ends at 10:30am on 9/21. Diana’s Bow – On the 3^rd day after the new moon you can (weather permitting) see the tiny crescent in the sky, the New Moon holding the Old Moon in her arms. Begin on your goals for the next month. A good time for job interviews or starting a project. Take a concrete step! God/dess aspect: Daughter/Son/Innocence – Associated God/dess: Vesta, Horus. Phase ends on 9/24 at 10:30am.

As summer ends, the Sagittarius Teapot moves west of due south during evening and tips increasingly far over, as if pouring out the last of summer. More deep-sky hunting! M17 in northernmost Sagittarius, the Omega or Swan Nebula (it looks like either shape), is one of the brightest and richest nebulae for amateur telescopes. See Howard Banich’s guide to its details, with photos and sketches and charts, on page 57 of the September Sky & Telescope. How much of this can you detect here for yourself?
Uranus (magnitude 5.7, in Pisces) and Neptune (magnitude 7.8, in Aquarius) are well up in the east and southeast, respectively, by late evening. Use our finder charts.

Goddess Month of Mala runs from 9/6 – 10/2
Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine, Sep 2 – 29
Runic half-month of Kenaz/Ken/Kebo – September 13-27 – Ken represents a flaming torch within the royal hall, so it’s the time of the creative fire – the forge where natural materials are transmuted by the force of the human will into a mystical third, an artifact that could not otherwise come into being. The positive aspects of sexuality that are immanent in Freya and Frey come into play at this time. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102

Sun in Virgo
Moon in Libra
Pluto (9/28), Neptune (11/22), Chiron (12/5), Pallas (12/17), Uranus (1/2/18)  Retrograde
Color – Purple

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©2017 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright

******

Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine  Sep 2 – 29 – Muin  – (MUHN, like “foot”), vine – The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vine growing as long as 35 m (115 feet), in open woodlands and along the edges of forests, but most commonly seen today in cultivation, as the source of wine, grape juice, and the grape juice concentrate that is so widely used as a sweetener. European grapes are extensively cultivated in North America, especially in the southwest, and an industry and an agricultural discipline are devoted to their care and the production of wine. Grapes are in the Grape family (Vitaceae).

Muin – Vine Ogam letter correspondences
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Class: Chieftain
Letter: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

to study this month – Koad – Grove Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Many Shades of Green
Class: None
Letter: CH, KH, EA
Meaning: Wisdom gained by seeing past illusions.

******

Tides for Alsea Bay
*

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
~            /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                                     Visible
Th  21     High   1:40 AM     7.7   7:03 AM    Rise  8:29 AM      0
~    21      Low   7:56 AM     0.2   7:15 PM     Set  8:23 PM
~    21     High   2:03 PM     7.8
~    21      Low   8:21 PM     0.2

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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – Words are windows to the heart.

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Journal Prompt – Why is it…? – Why is exercise important to someone your age?

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Quotes  

~  One should not ask more than would be thought fitting. – Króka-refs Saga, c.10
~  People who shut their eyes to reality simply invite their own destruction. – James Baldwin
~  Problems are opportunities in disguise. If you did not face problems you would just drift through life, and you would not gain inner growth. – Peace pilgrim
~  Progress is not created by contented people. – Frank Tyger

Now the beautiful business of summer is over,
Earth wraps herself in a bright, leaf-patterned shawl.
The hives cement the prodigal juice of the clover
And spendthrift gold is hoarded in bin and stall. – Jean S. Untermeyer (1886–1970)

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Mabon Magick – Lore

Autumnal Equinox tidbit – From:  http://www.nmrising.com/public/28.htm – Autumnal Equinox – Jason Rath

The Autumnal Equinox represents a time of balance and rest. Night and day are equal. The sun enters the sign of Libra, symbol of balance. Venus, the ruling planet of Libra, symbolizes the conscious becoming aware of the Id, or Higher Self. Libra has evolved beyond the first sign, Aries’ “I am.” Now aware of itself, Libra says, “I am one with thee.” The Spring Equinox represents the initiation of the conscious self, beginning its quest, realizing its spiritual path. Now the harvest is gathered, the conscious self has experienced trials of a spiritual nature and now meditates on it’s “self” in dualistic terms.

At the Fall Equinox, the God is less aggressive and the Goddess is less consuming—they are equal. It is a harmonious time, good for alchemical exercises. I have found it is a good time to see my psychologist. In A Witches’ Bible Complete, Janet and Stewart Farrar say that the Equinoxes are “Times of balance, of suspended activity [they] are, by their nature, the times when the veil between the seen and unseen is thin. They are the seasons when human beings `change gear’ to a different phase, and are therefore times of psychological as well as psychic turbulence.” It is important to remember the reason Witches acknowledge these changes, whether as astrological phases or the seasons of the year. We realize that the changes around us parallel changes within us. It is a shame when the Sabbats become a chore. They represent very specific phases within our minds, spirits and bodies. We should remember the significance of all our symbols.

For instance, many Witches wear pentagrams (five pointed stars), why? The pentagram itself represents the Microcosm, which means little universe, or Man, or Woman. This should remind us that we are scale models of the universe around us, we are an intimate part of it. We are made up of the same materials—the four Elements and Spirit. The pentagram symbolizes the forces around us affecting the forces within us and vise versa. Use this symbol to remind you that the change of season reflects a change within you.

Many occultists and Witches today use the axiom, “as above so below, as within so without.” This reminds us of the holiness of all creations. Everything and everyone is intimately connected; we learn the how and why through our religious practices and mystical observations. Everything—weather, colors, sounds, animals, smells and even nothing at all—affects us physically, psychologically and spiritually. Again, let this help you to be aware of the changes within and without at this time.

Wicca is far from being blind. We observe these cycles of Mother Nature. Over thousands of years, people have searched for the answers to questions such as, “Why are we here?” “Is death the end of consciousness?”

“Is there a Supreme Being?” Many answered these questions through various religions and sciences. But science is limited to the objective, physical world and religion offers no rigorous tests. Many failed to satisfy their hunger for understanding. Witches of old used their knowledge of science and nature to organize a religion based on “common sense.” They observed the power of color on the mind, of the relationship between the stars and creation, of herbs and healing, etc. They formulated a religion of common sense, in which all could worship and learn. They used their observations of the physical world to explain the principles and laws of the spiritual world—much as ancient mathematicians used geometry to explain the nature of spiritual creatures and their movements. The symbols and rites of Wicca contain this ancient wisdom.

When we are aware, practice can reveal the wisdom hidden in a rite. If we lose track of the sacred meanings, the Holy Days become empty. Remember that when you practice the various Wiccan rites, you affirm your position as a spiritual creature on Earth. Learn to associate the underlying energies with the ritual at hand. Understand that your present state relates directly to changes in the outside world. Learn to look at the/your inner world and see how the two relate—as within so without. Hold these Sabbats as sacred times of worship and divine instruction. Learn more about the God and Goddess and your unique relationship with them.

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Silliness – Bumper Snickers – Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.

Daily Stuff 9-20-17 Telesterion

Hi, folks!

Open Circle for Mabon, Friday, 9/22, 7pm, Ancient Light

Last Minus Tide of the cycle at 7:18 AM of -0.2 feet.

Well, we’re back to partly cloudy and some possible rain tomorrow afternoon, drying out. We saw some small landslips last night, on the paper route, but nothing big. The rain took the smoke down over in the Valley and they’ve managed to send some of the exhausted fire crews home.

Yesterday I got a lot done at the apartment. I’m still sorting things out and there are lots more boxes to do, but I think that’s the next to last that we have at home. Tempus brought a yummy sandwich back with him that he made from the beef we had on Sunday, then he whacked through chores and then we came back to the shop.

I started right in on filling crystal bottles and still have a few left to do this afternoon, since my bottle order was delivered when he was at the shop. We have some goodies like Ethiopian Opal, Peridot and Lapis in the new stuff! The box is so full that I have a few extras in a small plastic drawer next to the tray.

Tempus took off for Newport in good time, but the papers were late and having to double bag for the rain meant that he didn’t come for me until past 3:30 and it was 7am when we got home. He also had some problems with how many papers he’d been given and the drown-pours that were happening every so often.

We got to see the Moon/Regulus conjunction, though! As we were starting out 34, I exclaimed that I could see stars to the south and west and by the time we were doing the upper part of Waldport, Orion was striding across the brightening sky and Venus and Regulus were plain, as the sky more to the east cleared, even if clouds were dark against that sky all around. Tempus actually got to see it as we had a clear view after a delivery near the golf course and I made him stop to look.

…and then everything closed back in from the south and west. We had seen lightning off and on, but during some of the glimpses that we get of the ocean during the last part of the run there was a lot of flickering going on out there and lots of water falling out of the clouds. We sorta/kinda beat it home and went right to sleep. My jacket was all sprinkled and had to dry out, but it wasn’t anything major.

Today I’m finally managing to get his out. We got up 2:30-ish, but we had to pick up mail and some other chores needed to happen, but at least this is going out now. It’s our anniversary. (29) Yes, we’ve been together for over 32 years, but today in 1988 is when we actually got married. I’m hoping we’re going to go out to dinner this evening, but I’m waiting on another delivery, so that may be late.

Love this pendant! No, not carrying it. <sigh>

Today’s Feast is the day when the initiates entered the Telesterion during the Eleusinian Mysteries. This was the climax of the rite where the triple ear of wheat was shown. The Mysteries endured for centuries only to be stamped out at the end of the 4th century CE.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleusinian_Mysteries

Today’s Plant is Stinging Nettle, Urtica Dioica, otherwise known as, “Ouch!!!!” Grab a handful of this plant and you will know it. There are lots of hollow “hairs” on this plant that act like tiny hypodermics, injecting histamine, among other stinging chemicals. There’s even a name for a type of allergic reaction called, “nettlerash”, that picked up the word from the characteristic pattern of itchy bumps. This plant has been used for food, medicine, fabric and magic for millenia. It is used as a pot herb and is one of the vegetables with the highest protein content. If you soak it in water or cook it the stings go away. In medicine it has been used to treat arthritis, dandruff and lack of milk in a nursing mother. The fibers are suitable for making fabric and a related species has been used for over 6000 years to make a silky-looking textile called ramie, even though the processing takes a lot of effort. They are even used to make beer and cordials! – Masculine, Mars, Fire, Thor – Exorcism – for getting rid of nasty-minded Fae, plant nettles around your garden and barn. Protection – nettles in a pocket will keep a person safe from lightning and bestow courage. Nettles kept in a room will protect anyone inside. Lust – Nettles are reputed to enhance fertility in men and nettle tea is an aphrodisiac. Healing – fever can be dispelled by plucking a nettle up by its roots while reciting the names of the sick person and family. …and shirts made of fabric spun and woven from nettles feature as a girl’s quest tale in the Twelve Wild Swans.

The shop is open Thursday through Monday, although we’re there a lot later most nights. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook or email at ancientlight@peak.org If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.

Love & Light,
Anja

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Today’s Astro & Calendar

Waxing Moon Magick – The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or healthy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 10/5 at 11:40am. New Moon – The beginning of a new cycle. Keywords for the New phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, clarity. It is the time in a cycle that you are stimulated to take a new action. During this phase the new cycle is being seeded by your vision, inner and outer. Engage in physical activity. Spend time alone. VISUALIZE your goals for the 29.6-day cycle ahead. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting. God/dess aspect: Infancy, the Cosmic Egg, Eyes-Wide-Open – Associated God/dess: Inanna who was Ereshkigal. Phase ends at 10:30am on 9/21. 

Venus and Regulus pair up. Regulus is less than 1% as bright as the supposed “Morning Star.”
New Moon (exact at 1:30 a.m. on the 20th EDT, iow, last night for us). With the Moon out of the sky, try for the big, elongated, 10.4-magnitude galaxy NGC 7331 above the top corner of the Great Square of Pegasus >>>— using Matt Wedel’s Binocular Highlight chart and article in the September Sky & Telescope, page 43. Really, binoculars? For a galaxy as faint as 10.4? Says Matt, “I’ve needed at least 10×50s to pull it out, and 15×70s are better still. Some claim to have spotted it with only 7×50s in only moderately dark skies.” For users of big telescopes under darker skies, NGC 7331 is also known as the stepping stone to Stephan’s Quintet, ½° to the south-southwest.
Jupiter (magnitude –1.7) is disappearing deep into the sunset. Use binoculars to try for it just above the west-southwest horizon during bright twilight.

Goddess Month of Mala runs from 9/6 – 10/2
Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine, Sep 2 – 29
Runic half-month of Kenaz/Ken/Kebo – September 13-27 – Ken represents a flaming torch within the royal hall, so it’s the time of the creative fire – the forge where natural materials are transmuted by the force of the human will into a mystical third, an artifact that could not otherwise come into being. The positive aspects of sexuality that are immanent in Freya and Frey come into play at this time. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102

Sun in Virgo
Moon in Virgo enters Libra at 3:06am.
Pluto (9/28), Neptune (11/22), Chiron (12/5), Pallas (12/17), Uranus (1/2/18)  Retrograde
Color – Topaz

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©2017 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright

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Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine  Sep 2 – 29 – Muin  – (MUHN, like “foot”), vine – The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vine growing as long as 35 m (115 feet), in open woodlands and along the edges of forests, but most commonly seen today in cultivation, as the source of wine, grape juice, and the grape juice concentrate that is so widely used as a sweetener. European grapes are extensively cultivated in North America, especially in the southwest, and an industry and an agricultural discipline are devoted to their care and the production of wine. Grapes are in the Grape family (Vitaceae).

Muin – Vine Ogam letter correspondences
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Class: Chieftain
Letter: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

to study this month – Koad – Grove Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Many Shades of Green
Class: None
Letter: CH, KH, EA
Meaning: Wisdom gained by seeing past illusions.

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Tides for Alsea Bay
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Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
~            /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                                     Visible
W   20     High  12:55 AM     7.9   7:02 AM    Rise  7:24 AM      0
~    20      Low   7:18 AM    -0.2   7:17 PM     Set  7:54 PM
~    20     High   1:29 PM     7.8
~    20      Low   7:40 PM     0.4

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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – I find contentment by focusing on the positive around me.

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Journal Prompt – What does this quote say to you? – To inherit property is not to be born — it is to be still-born, rather. — Henry David Thoreau

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Quotes  

~  Never think that you can’t do something without even trying first. – Lucas Benitez
~  No friend is he who but flatters. – Norse Adage
~  One evening I sat Beauty on my knees – And I found her bitter – And I reviled her.  – Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891) French writer
~  One key to successful relationships is learning to say “no” without guilt, so that you can say “yes” without resentment. ~ Bill Crawford

Man’s Reason is in such deep insolvency to sense, that tho’ she guide his highest flight heav’nward, and teach him dignity morals manners and human comfort, she can delicately and dangerously bedizen the rioting joys that fringe the sad pathways of Hell. – Robert Bridges (1844-1930) English writer

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Mabon Magick – Recipes

Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup

• 1/2 c. wild rice
• 2 tbsp. margarine
• 1 c. minced leek (white part only)
• 1/3 c. minced celery
• 1 tsp. minced ginger root
• 1 c. diced mushrooms
• 4 c. chicken broth
• Salt & Pepper

Cook rice; drain.  Meanwhile, heat margarine or butter in medium saucepan.  Add leek, celery and ginger and cook over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until they get a bit soft and then add broth. Bring to boil, lower heat and simmer, covered for 10 minutes.  Add rice and season soup to taste with salt and pepper.

French Cream of Mushroom Soup

• 1/4 c. butter or margarine
• 1 lb. mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 shallots, finely chopped (about ¼ c.)
• 1 tbsp. flour
• 1/2 tsp. each salt & dried savory
• Pinch white pepper
• 2 tsp. tomato paste
• 2 c. rich beef broth or 1 (14 ½ oz.) can regular strength beef broth
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 c. half and half
• 2 tbsp. dry vermouth

1. In a 3 quart pan over moderately high heat, melt butter.
2. Add mushrooms and shallots and cook, stirring often, until mushrooms brown lightly and most of their liquid is gone.
3. Sprinkle with flour, salt, savory, and pepper.
4. Add tomato paste.
5. Stir mushrooms to coat with added ingredients.
6. Remove from heat and gradually blend in beef broth.
7. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.
8. Puree mushroom mixture in blender or food processor until smooth, mixing in lemon juice at end.
9. Return to cooking pan, blend in half and half and stir often over medium heat until steaming. Do not boil.
10. Taste and add salt if needed.
11. Add vermouth and serve at once.

Makes about 5 cups, 4 servings.

Harvest Soup
4 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, diced
6-8 small potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green pepper, optional
2 cans or 1 pint green beans, drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can baby peas, drained
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 quart V-8 juice
1 lb. diced ham or beef stew meat
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Combine all ingredients in crockpot.  Cover with lid and cook on high for 6-7 hours.
Recipe taken from “Crazy About Crockpots – 101 Soups & Stews for Less than $.75 a Serving”  by Penny E. Stone, published by Champion Press. “Crazy About Crockpots – 101 Soups & Stews for Less than $.75 a  Serving” is available for $12.00 from Parents & Teens at: https://www.wmsecure.com/%7Ehistoryg/specialbookorder.html

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Silliness – Butt-Dial

Daily Stuff 9-19-17 Hippocrates

Hi, folks!

Minus Tide at 6:38 AM of -0.4 feet.

We seem to be in a nice clear spot at the moment, but our weather has been interesting over the last day. There’s more on it below. Right now it’s 62F, partly cloudy, with the wind at 12mph. We got less than 1 1/0 of an inch of rain yesterday, but today’s is well over 1/2 an inch, already! The rain should be back this evening and will into tomorrow and more thunder is in the forecast for late morning tomorrow.

This showed up in yesterday’s e-mails. Not something you see every day! ” …ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS TODAY WITH THREAT OF WATERSPOUTS… Cool unstable air mass over the region will allow showers and isolated thunderstorms move onshore today into tonight. Some of the thunderstorms may produce small hail, brief downpours and gusty winds. Of particular attention is the potential for waterspouts. Already have had reports of a waterspout near Netarts around 1045 am today. Will continue to see threat of waterspouts today. Any waterspout that moves onshore should dissipate quickly. The threat of waterspouts will end this evening, as the stronger thunderstorms weaken.”

There were apparently waterspouts in Netarts and Oceanside in the morning. https://www.tillamookheadlightherald.com/news/waterspout-spotted-near-oceanside/article_4dccca68-9caf-11e7-b880-0b474067dd85.html

Tempus and I took our time getting really underway, but by 1:30 we were both hard at work. I had bottles to check in and orders to track. Why is it that time after time, after I try to make sure that orders either come in on Monday or Thursday, they end up on Tuesday/Wednesday? Two this week! Both should have been in yesterday…..

As the day went on, the chance of thunderstorms diminished here, but so did the sunlight, until there were only occasional faint shadows by 2:30.

Around an hour later Tempus was grinding some cedar for me and I was yumming at the scent. So I bagged some of what he ground because we were totally out on the herb wall and I hadn’t realized.

By 6:30 I was reminded, as I have to be every fall, that when it rains out here it gets dark early, but by 6:45, it was lighting up again. …and the next time I looked out the window it was 8:30 and totally dark….

We went home not long after that, talked awhile and then went to sleep. I was awakened several times during the night, by hard rain, and then at 7am by a thunderstorm that may have had hail with it, it was that loud.

 

Tempus was up early and headed for the shop, since those packages are coming in. I’m going to work here at home, rearranging some things and then head for the shop later.

Hippocrates is credited with being the father of modern medicine. He is honored on this day, (which may be the 2476 anniversary of his birth) along with all doctors and medical practitioners. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates The picture is a Czech stamp with the symbol for a medical vehicle with a doctor on board. The image in the center is the Rod of Aesculapius, which is the proper symbol for the medical profession, unlike the usual Caduceus that we see in the US.

Today’s Plant is the Western Azalea, Rhododendron Occidentale. I’ve talked before about the azaleas being a subset of the rhodys. This is the main one that grows around here. It’s hard to tell from the shape and size of the plant that it’s an azalea, or even from the flowers, although the branches are thinner and the leaves shorter and rounder than those of rhododendrons. It least it’s hard for those of us who are familiar with the showy garden hybrids, which tend to be small and compact. The other West Coast azalea is Rhododendron Albiflorum, and there’s not a whacking lot of info floating around about that one. The wiki is here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron_occidentale The Chinese call azaleas “thinking of home bush”. Magickal uses for azalea are to encourage light spirits, happiness and gaiety.

The shop is open Thursday through Monday, although we’re there a lot later most nights. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook or email at ancientlight@peak.org If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.

Love & Light,
Anja

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Today’s Astro & Calendar

Waning Moon Magick – From the Full Moon to the New is a time for study, meditation, and magic designed to banish harmful energies and habits, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity. Remember: what goes up must come down. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 9/19 at 10:30pm. Dark of the Moon, End of the cycle – In the time leading up to the “New Moon” you may do banishings and other baneful magicks and healings that require blasting a disease away, as well as using the time for introspection and self-work. Do scrying, now. Good for reversing circumstances. God/dess Aspect: The One Beyond, the Watchers in the Outer Dark, psychopomps – Associated God/desses: Hecate, Kali, Arianhrod, Anja, Kore in the Underworld, Ereshkigal who was Inanna, Set/Seth, Hades, Osiris. Phase ends at 10:30pm on 9/19. Waxing Moon Magick – The waxing moon is for constructive magick, such as love, wealth, success, courage, friendship, luck or healthy, protection, divination. Any working that needs extra power, such as help finding a new job or healings for serious conditions, can be done now. Also, love, knowledge, legal undertakings, money and dreams. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 110/5 at 11:40am. New Moon – The beginning of a new cycle. Keywords for the New phase are: beginning, birth, emergence, projection, clarity. It is the time in a cycle that you are stimulated to take a new action. During this phase the new cycle is being seeded by your vision, inner and outer. Engage in physical activity. Spend time alone. VISUALIZE your goals for the 29.6-day cycle ahead. The new moon is for starting new ventures, new beginnings. Also love and romance, health or job hunting. God/dess aspect: Infancy, the Cosmic Egg, Eyes-Wide-Open – Associated God/dess: Inanna who was Ereshkigal. Phase ends at 10:30am on 9/21. 

Venus and Regulus pair up. Regulus is less than 1% as bright as the supposed “Morning Star.”
The Great Square of Pegasus is high in the east after dark, balancing on one corner. From the Great Square’s left corner extends a big line of three 2nd-magnitude stars, running to the lower left, that mark the head, backbone and bright leg of the constellation Andromeda. (The line of three includes the Square’s left corner, her head.) Upper left from the foot of this line, you’ll find W-shaped Cassiopeia tilting up.
Venus, brilliant at magnitude –3.9, shines as the “Morning Star” in the east before and during dawn. It’s sinking lower toward Mars day by day. It passes Regulus (hardly brighter than Mars) on the mornings of the 19th and 20th.

Goddess Month of Mala runs from 9/6 – 10/2
Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine, Sep 2 – 29
Runic half-month of Kenaz/Ken/Kebo – September 13-27 – Ken represents a flaming torch within the royal hall, so it’s the time of the creative fire – the forge where natural materials are transmuted by the force of the human will into a mystical third, an artifact that could not otherwise come into being. The positive aspects of sexuality that are immanent in Freya and Frey come into play at this time. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102

Sun in Virgo
Moon in Virgo
Pluto (9/28), Neptune (11/22), Chiron (12/5), Pallas (12/17), Uranus (1/2/18)  Retrograde
Color – White

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©2017 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright

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Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine  Sep 2 – 29 – Muin  – (MUHN, like “foot”), vine – The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vine growing as long as 35 m (115 feet), in open woodlands and along the edges of forests, but most commonly seen today in cultivation, as the source of wine, grape juice, and the grape juice concentrate that is so widely used as a sweetener. European grapes are extensively cultivated in North America, especially in the southwest, and an industry and an agricultural discipline are devoted to their care and the production of wine. Grapes are in the Grape family (Vitaceae).

Muin – Vine Ogam letter correspondences
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Class: Chieftain
Letter: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

to study this month – Koad – Grove Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Many Shades of Green
Class: None
Letter: CH, KH, EA
Meaning: Wisdom gained by seeing past illusions.

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Tides for Alsea Bay
*

Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
~            /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                                     Visible
Tu  19     High  12:06 AM     7.9   7:00 AM    Rise  6:16 AM      2
~    19      Low   6:38 AM    -0.4   7:19 PM     Set  7:24 PM
~    19     High  12:53 PM     7.6
~    19      Low   6:57 PM     0.8

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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The second best time is now.

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Journal Prompt – What if? – If you could have been someone in history, who would you have been?

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Quotes  

~  Many eyes squint when there’s money around. – Bandamanna Saga, c.5
~  Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after. – Henry David Thoreau
~  Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space. – Orson Scott Card
~  Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. – General George S. Patton

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they died, they gave up two lives — the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for their county, for us. All we can do is remember. – Ronald Wilson Reagan – Remarks at Veteran’s Day ceremony, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, November 11, 1985

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Mabon Magick – Poems

We say the sun has shifted
‘cross celestial equator.
It is but our perception of the sun.
We are the thing now
Shifting through the sky. – T. Thorn Coyle

The Goddess Farewell to the Hunter

Now I lay you down upon the drying grass,
Beloved.  Your eyes sweep shut; you are weary,
Having given all you could give,
Even now you fade into the dry brown turf.

Your hand, once strong and warm, is dry
Like a little bundle of willow twigs; your hair
Fades into the leaves under your head.
Your blood and bones return to Me.

But this is how it is: your sacrifice is made
So that all can live again as the Wheel turns.
Even now your child quickens in My womb,
Growing, flourishing.  He will be born when the snow flies.

How can I let you go, beloved?
I bend to kiss your lips, they fade against mine.
You smile, and slowly, slowly, sink into invisibility.
My tears fall where you were.

Now you will go down to that sunless sea,
Climb into your boat and sail the moonlit waters,
Safe in my womb.  When My waters break, you will be born,
And I will hold you in my arms again.  Child, brother, husband
O remember Me till I hold you again!

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Silliness – Quick Ones — Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

Daily Stuff 9-18-17 Samuel Johnson

Hi, folks!

Minus Tide at 5:55 AM of -0.5 feet.

55F, breezy and sunny at the moment. We might get some thunderstorms moving over in a bit, but for the moment, the pavement is drying and the sun’s out. We got over 1/3 of an inch of rain yesterday. It was lovely to see it blowing in sheets down the highway. A couple more days of rain and then we ought to see things dry up again for awhile, but winter is coming.

Yesterday was fun. I love cookery, although it was rough trying to lift things when I’m hurting. We had a good potluck and while one of the experiments failed, we’re getting good biscuits out of it. The other dumplings were just right. Tempus took me home right at closing and came back so he could work without me in his hair. He’s trying to sort out some of the chaos in the back of the

shop. I curled up at home with my sewing and books and got a good nap, early on.

Today I have to work on herbs. I’ve got a bunch that need to be bagged and headered, although they’re already prepped, so I gotta get to that.

Tempus is going to keep slogging away in back, trying to sort out the mess that the classroom became over this last year. We’re finding all kinds of things that had vanished, in the process!

Slavic Harvest headdress

Today is the anniversary of the birth of Dr. Samuel Johnson (born 9/18/1709 d. 12/13/1784), English lexicographer (A Dictionary of the English Language). He was the son of a poor bookseller, and grew up in poverty (which haunted him the rest of his life). Despite his humble origins, after Shakespeare he is the most quoted person in the English language. More in Wikipedia:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Samuel_Johnson .

Today’s Plant is the Douglas Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, sometimes called Oregon Pine, since it’s actually a pine, not a fir at all. They are commonly used as Christmas trees, since they hold their needles better than many other trees, and are one of the better timber trees, growing quickly with a straight grain. Their main use, magickally, is in incense, since the resin has a good sweet scent. –Mars, Air/Fire – Attracting prosperity, purifying ritual areas and new homes, helping “stay the course” during difficult times. A wand or cone kept on the altar wards off evil influences. Carry cones to increase fertility and have a vigorous old age. Floor washes with the oil cleanse a space of negativity and ward off illness. Throw needles into winter fires for protection, or burn as incense for purification and divination. Place branches over the bed to keep sickness away, or to aid the ill. Hang a branch over the main door of your house to ensure continuous joy within.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudotsuga_menziesii

The shop is open Thursday through Monday, although we’re there a lot later most nights. Need something off hours? Give us a call at 541-563-7154 or Facebook or email at ancientlight@peak.org If we’re supposed to be closed, but it looks like we’re there, try the door. If it’s open, the shop’s open! In case of bad weather, check here at the blog for updates, on our Facebook as Ancient Light, or call the shop.

Love & Light,
Anja

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Today’s Astro & Calendar

Waning Moon Magick – From the Full Moon to the New is a time for study, meditation, and magic designed to banish harmful energies and habits, for ridding oneself of addictions, illness or negativity. Remember: what goes up must come down. Phase ends at the Tide Change on 9/19 at 10:30pm. Hecate’s Brooch – 3-5 days before New Moon – Best time for Releasing Rituals. It’s the last few days before the new moon, the time of Hecate’s Brooch. This is the time that if you’re going to throw something out, or sweep the floors, or take stuff to Good Will, do it! Rid yourself of negativity and work on the letting go process. Release the old, removing unwanted negative energies, addictions, or illness. Do physical and psychic cleansings. Good for wisdom & psychic ability. Goddess Aspect: Crone – Associated God/desses: Callieach, Banshee, Hecate, Baba Yaga, Ereshkigal, Thoth. Phase ends at the Dark on 9/18 at 10:30am. Dark of the Moon, End of the cycle – In the time leading up to the “New Moon” you may do banishings and other baneful magicks and healings that require blasting a disease away, as well as using the time for introspection and self-work. Do scrying, now. Good for reversing circumstances. God/dess Aspect: The One Beyond, the Watchers in the Outer Dark, psychopomps – Associated God/desses: Hecate, Kali, Arianhrod, Anja, Kore in the Underworld, Ereshkigal who was Inanna, Set/Seth, Hades, Osiris. Phase ends at 10:30am on 9/19. 

Venus and Regulus pair up. Regulus is less than 1% as bright as the supposed “Morning Star.” Less than 1° separates brilliant Venus and tiny Regulus as dawn brightens Tuesday and Wednesday mornings September 19th and 20th. Look low in the east, and bring those binoculars.
Mercury is dropping down from a nice apparition low in the dawn. But it is bright, about magnitude –1.0 all week. On Saturday and Sunday mornings the 16th and 17th it appears close to much fainter Mars, magnitude +1.8. After that Mercury drops fast morning by morning, while Mars moves just a bit higher.

Goddess Month of Mala runs from 9/6 – 10/2
Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine, Sep 2 – 29
Runic half-month of Kenaz/Ken/Kebo – September 13-27 – Ken represents a flaming torch within the royal hall, so it’s the time of the creative fire – the forge where natural materials are transmuted by the force of the human will into a mystical third, an artifact that could not otherwise come into being. The positive aspects of sexuality that are immanent in Freya and Frey come into play at this time. Nigel Pennick, The Pagan Book of Days, Destiny Books, Rochester, Vermont, USA, 1992, p. 102

Sun in Virgo
Moon in Virgo
Pluto (9/28), Neptune (11/22), Chiron (12/5), Pallas (12/17), Uranus (1/2/18)  Retrograde
Color – Ivory

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©2017 M. Bartlett, Some parts separately copyright

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Celtic Tree Month of Muin/Vine  Sep 2 – 29 – Muin  – (MUHN, like “foot”), vine – The grape (Vitis vinifera L.) is a vine growing as long as 35 m (115 feet), in open woodlands and along the edges of forests, but most commonly seen today in cultivation, as the source of wine, grape juice, and the grape juice concentrate that is so widely used as a sweetener. European grapes are extensively cultivated in North America, especially in the southwest, and an industry and an agricultural discipline are devoted to their care and the production of wine. Grapes are in the Grape family (Vitaceae).

Muin – Vine Ogam letter correspondences
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Class: Chieftain
Letter: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

to study this month – Koad – Grove Ogam letter correspondences
Month: None
Color: Many Shades of Green
Class: None
Letter: CH, KH, EA
Meaning: Wisdom gained by seeing past illusions.

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Tides for Alsea Bay
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Day        High      Tide  Height   Sunrise    Moon  Time      % Moon
~            /Low      Time    Feet    Sunset                                     Visible
M   18      Low   5:55 AM    -0.5   6:59 AM    Rise  5:08 AM      6
~    18     High  12:15 PM     7.3   7:21 PM     Set  6:53 PM    18
~     Low   6:11 PM     1.2

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Affirmation/Thought for the Day – Don’t live in the past…you have already been there.

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Journal Prompt – Personal taste – I was most angry when…

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Quotes  

~  Life is what you make it, so make it good and make it last. – Paul V Harris
~  Long is it remembered what youth has gained. – The Tale of Gunnlaug the Worm-tongue and Raven the Skald, c.13
~  Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come. – Chinese Proverb
~  Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present. – Regina Brett

Here and yonder, high and low,
Goldenrod and sunflowers glow. – Robert Kelley Weeks (1840–86)

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Mabon Magick – Crafts

Make a God’s Eye at Mabon – By Patti Wigington, About.com http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/maboncrafts/ss/GodsEye.htm
Getting Started  Image (c) Patti Wigington 2007

God’s eyes are one of the easiest crafts you can make, and they’re versatile because you can create them in any color. For a harvest celebration, make them in fall colors — yellows and browns and reds and oranges. At Yule, you can make them in reds and greens. If you’d like to make one for your household altar, you can make it in colors that correspond to your family’s deities and traditions. You’ll need two sticks of equal length — I like to use long cinnamon sticks, but you can use a dowel rod, popsicle stick, or just branches you’ve found on the ground. You’ll also need yarn or ribbon in different colors. If you like, you can include decorative items like shells, feathers, beads, crystals, etc.

Begin by holding two sticks together in a cross shape, and continually wrapping different-colored yarn or ribbon around the arms.

By using alternating colors of thread or yarn, the finished result looks like an eye. In some traditions, you might associate the four points of the cross with the four classical elements, or the directions on the compass. You could even see them as representative of the four major Sabbats — the solstices and the equinoxes. One great thing to do while making god’s eyes is use them as a spell working in themselves — visualize your intent while wrapping the yarn, whether it’s protection for your home and family, to bring love your way, or even a prosperity talisman.

Wrapping Your God’s Eye – Image (c) Patti Wigington 2007

By using seasonal colors, you can create a god’s eye for just about any sabbat or celebration.

To begin, hold your two sticks together in a cross. If you’d doing this with children, it’s a good idea to put a small dab of glue on here to prevent slipping. Look at the diagram for an idea of how this will look.

Wrap a length of yarn one or two times around the top arm of the cross, right where the two sticks meet, going counterclockwise (be sure to hold the loose tail in place and wrap the yarn over it to keep it from unraveling later). As you come around on the left side of the upper arm, cross down and over to the bottom side of the right arm. Bring the yarn out behind the top of the right arm, and cross over to the left side of the bottom arm. Finally, bring the yarn from the right side of the bottom arm across to the top side of the left arm.

This is actually easier than it sounds — look at the diagram in Picture 1 and follow the arrows. Continue wrapping the sticks in the same order until you have a good amount of the color you’re working in. Then switch to a new color, and continue the process until you want to change again. Finish it off with a length of yarn tied in a loop, so you can hang your god’s eye. What you’ll end up with will look like the photo in Picture 2.

Finally, you can decorate the ends of the sticks with feathers, ribbons, beads, or crystals, whatever you prefer. Hang your god’s eye on a wall, or use it on your altar for Sabbat celebrations.

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Silliness – Even More Actual Answers Given on Family Feud

• Something that flies that doesn’t have an engine – A bicycle with wings
• Something you might be allergic to – Skiing
• Name a famous bridge – The bridge over troubled waters
• Something a cat does – Goes to the toilet
• Something you do in the bathroom – Decorate
• Name an animal you might see at the zoo – A dog
• Something associated with the police – Pigs
• A sign of the zodiac – April
• Something slippery – A conman