Pagan Thoughts

Blue Moon Tarot Spread

New Moon Reading; focused on the present & immediate future

Tarot
Death: I’m assuming that this is referring to the fact that I just got a new job. Although it isn’t drastically different than jobs I’ve had before, it is unique, and it’s definitely drastically different than being unemployed. Perhaps this could be referring to the change of attitude I’ve been trying to have toward the job.
Upon looking up the description of the card- It could be referring to putting Kenyon’s behind me. Going through transition as I situate myself in the job. Bravely taking on the unknown. Shedding old attitudes. Concentrating on essentials (financial-wise, I’m assuming).
Page of Pentacles: Have an effect- possibly in getting things done as they should be around the store. Be practical- Concentrate on what’s effective, in getting myself into a routine with my duties. Go out to meet success; perhaps suggesting that my hard work will pay off. Prove yourself dependable; establish credibility.
10 of Swords: Bottoming out- having nowhere to go but up; preparing for an upturn. Feeling like a victim. Sacrifice.
7 of Pentacles: Assessing- Reflecting on progress, finding out where you stand, taking stock. Reaping a reward- Being able to let up a bit. Considering a direction change- Pondering alternatives, opening to a new strategy, questioning your choices, standing at a crossroads.

Oracle
Full Moon- Perhaps this is referring to the next full moon, and suggestions for what I should do at that time. (May 2nd - perhaps this should also be in relevence to Beltane? Though, none of the other cards seem to suggest so.)
animal - Totem animal?
garden or outdoors - A spiritual place outdoors.
taste - Perhaps plant something edible to remind me of my focus.

Moon Cords

Make a knotted cord to harness each phase of the moon as it occurs

Monday, April 2nd

The Spring Moons burst with the vital energy of birth and growth, life renews itself and we renew ourselves; It is a time for the birth of new ideas and visions, as well as the birth of new life.

The Full Moon actually covers three days, including the night of the Full Moon, itself. This is a time for action, for harvesting the fruits of our labors, for realizing that which we began at the last cycle, and of giving thanks. A wonderful ritual for Full Moon is drawing or sculpting images of the Goddess. The act of creating your own sacred Goddess art strengthens Her presence in the world. Do not judge your artwok, just make it. Your own spiritual essence will give it power and beauty.

We learn that there is need to keep our feet planted in firm ground as well as allowing our minds to soar with the inspirations we are experiencing at this time. Understanding that there is wonder and excitement in the freedom this season exudes, also means that we need to take a good view through clear eyes as we explore our plans and actions. Here energy is intensely felt and change sweeps us up in its exuberance. There is a tendency to throw caution to the wind that must be tempered and brought under control so that we can maintain our sense of balance amid our optimistic desires. We discover what it is to take the lead because our own desires drive us forward and barriers seem less threatening. We feel our inner spirit swell and sense its desire to take control as it forces us to see the truths before us in one way or another.
Here the Medicine Woman learns to open herself to these energies and then to direct them in a proper and impeccable manner. She seeks to find her method of that control over her emotions as well as understanding how they flow in others. It is here that methods of divination are studied and honed. It is where other dimensions are penetrated and potentials are applied. The eastern quadrant is the element of Air and through it vision is clear for the element itself is clear. The higher psychic abilities come into focus now as the interpretations for signs, omens, dreams, visions, and prophecy are explored. We learn to trust and go with our intuitive nature as well as our instinctive feelings. We learn about the portals or doors to other realms and how to cross over into them. We also learn how to take the wisdom we have gained there and use it in the service of All Our Relations.
As we come to understand the spiritual boundaries of the dimensions, we also learn to face the challenges they present us and use our psychic abilities for self-defense when necessary, as well as to respect the sacred space of others. It is here that we heal ourselves and learn to honor that healing through sharing our gifts with others so that they too may become whole. It is here we learn to see not only our needs, but the needs of All Our Relations.

 April: Common Names- Seed/Wind Moon, Planter’s Moon, Flower Moon; Celtic Tree Name- Alder; Type of moon- Moon of Utility, Moon of Efficacy, Moon of Self-Guidance; Celtic Tree correspondences- completeness, spirituality

Written by Dorothy Morrison: With the coming of the Seed Moon, Mother Earth begins to stir. The snow melts, and bulbs–which only yesterday were a tiny sprout of green–burst into full blossom. Squirrels play among the budding treetops, and birds hurriedly search for nest-building materials. Spring has finally come, and with it, a ton of work. All of Nature is busy just trying to keep up.
We, too, feel the need to shake off winter’s state of inertia, get up, get out, and do something. Just as it stirs beneath Earth’s surface, the need to create stirs deep within our spirits and wells up inside of us. Her wild and unbridled energy beckons us to till our spiritual gardens and plant them with qualities that better our lives and bring us into harmony with Nature and humankind.

Seed Moon Ideas
    * Wear green to honour the Earth’s sprouting.
    * Decorate the altar with wildflowers and spring greenery.
    * Use green candles and burn Full Moon/soft floral incense.
    * Asperge the Circle with a newly budded tree branch, then set it aside for burning in the Beltane fire later.
    * Serve milk and poppyseed rolls or sesame sprinkled bread for libation. Leave a pile of coloured threads on top of the outdoor libation spot so the birds can use them for nest-building.
    * Bless seeds for spring gardens and flowerbeds. Use a simple blessing such as:
      Stretch and wake up, little ones
      Feel the warmth of Shining Sun
      Stir and shake off winter’s cold
      Sprout and thrive–grow tall and bold
    * Bring seed starter flats into the Circle and sow any garden seeds you need to start indoors. The energy of the Seed Moon gives them a wonderful growing advantage.

From Mama Moon’s blog: "beautiful sight Tuesday night! Did anyone else see the spectacular crescent Moon and Venus? It was all I could do to keep my eyes on the road, Jane was so taken with this glorious Moon. I was lamenting over the fact I did not have my camera with me. We could see all of the Moon, a bright crescent and a pale blue shadow of the rest of the Moon."

I don’t understand what this has to do with Venus, actually. Perhaps I shall inquire to Mama Moon about it. I noticed this post, actually, because I was "out on the town" with my boyfriend that night, and I happened to make notice of the moon. It was a very clear night, and the sliver was very bright; and I did notice the appearance of the entire moon was a bit brighter than usual, but I figured that’s the way it always is (since I haven’t spent much moon-time lately, unfortunately). I was extremely interested in this moon & it kept catching my gaze. I didn’t even know anything special was occuring; though, now knowing that it had something to do with Venus makes me love it even more because I was attached to it while with my love

Apparently, we’re in New Moon time right now, as opposed to tomorrow night. Which is ok with me, heh.

Today marks the last of Winter’s celebratory moons. Which is more than ok with me, hehehe. I welcome warmer weather, rain, sunshine, & blooming plants with open arms. I should probably journal about things in my life which I wish to change. I also think I might browse through my craft inspiration folder & think about what project I would like to start once my baby blanket is finished. I also want to do a Tarot card reading… Other, non-pagan plans for the evening, however, include: sitting in the office with Nick until it’s time to start watching the movie he rented & baking a pizza for dinner (which I think I’ll start momentarily, just to get the ball rollin’.)

ETA: I didn’t find time for anything as of yet (It’s 4:30am, so I don’t know if I’m gonna find time.) I couldn’t right after the movie, even though Nick was in the living room playing video games, because I was too amped over the movie. So, I made a Zwinky instead :/ I did look through my inspiration folder, however. I think my next project is going to be either a gift box or a doll of some sort. I need money to go to the $ Tree to get supplies before beginning either of these projects, though. Like, a box…& a doll and/or fabric. I don’t really have need for either of these items; though I don’t have need for anything I’m aspiring to create. I don’t want to start my Fairy House until Beltane. So, besides a box and/or doll, I’d need to get fabric, stickers, jewels, beads, ribbon, mirrors…anything in the craft section of the store, basically. Heh. I also wanted to grab some sewing needles & thread from my dad’s house when I remember to do so…

I came across this very informative website
http://www.collegewicca.com/

Choosing a name: http://www.collegewicca.com/wiccafiles/name.html
You may also try listing in a notebook all your traits, plus, on a separate sheet, all the traits you’d like to have. Go through these and don’t rule out anything because it sounds funny or not fancy enough. You want to be true to yourself, not give in to sounding grand to others.

BoS: http://www.collegewicca.com/wiccafiles/BOS.html
Tarot. I’ll write down what spread I used (usually Celtic Cross, but it sometimes varies), the "book meaning" of each card, my own impressions of the meanings of each card, then I write a page or so linking the meanings together. I leave a page blank in between each entry. This way I can go back and fill in the actual result. If I interpreted the cards as meaning I’ll have a really awful day, but it turns out fine, I’ll write it down. Then I can pull out the cards again and re-think my interpretation.
To start with a Book of Shadows, people usually first write a book dedication on the inside cover or first page. It can be a poem, a statement…anything that says, "I dedicate this book to *insert Deity belief here* in my study of *insert definition of personal religion here*. May it prove safe and honorable. So mote it be." You can write a full book dedication ritual and write this first dedication into your book during that ritual. Whatever you think it takes to give your book a "sacred" feel to it will work.

Meditation: http://www.collegewicca.com/BOSfiles/meditation.html
People meditate for various reasons. Some use it to get in tune with the Earth, some use it as a de-stresser, some use it as a way to maintain their magickal skills (like anything, magick does take practice no matter how "natural" it comes to a person), and some just like to clear their minds.
On the first session, set it for five minutes. However you choose to meditate, try to hold it for that amount of time. If you break your meditation before time is up, don’t worry. Put it away for the rest of the day, and when you try it the next day (prefereably at about the same time of day–morning, afternoon, or evening–though not necessarily at the exact same hour) lower your amount of time set to however long you were able to hold it on Day 1. If you can make it to 8 miutes before breaking, but the next day can’t make it to 9 minutes, go back and practice for 8 minutes again until you can easily go for that length of time.
beginning with the "train of thought" meditations where you just let your mind go its merry way and you "listen in" as if you are a third person overhearing a conversation. When you feel you have the "train of thought" method under your belt, try moving to a single thought. For example, assume you decide to meditate on the subject, "Apple." Don’t just focus on the word, but also visualize an apple, how it feels, tastes, and smells. When you are comfortable (it does take practice!) finally narrow your mind down to nothing at all. Don’t think, just feel. Another method to try is to hold a stone and use it as your focus. For lack of a better phrase, try to "become one with the stone." You can do the same with staring into a fire/candle flame, looking out your window at nature, into a body/pool of water, or at an animal. These techniques tend to bring people closer to the mental state needed for scrying. See what you have around you and what works best.
Activities as meditation: In the same manner as exercise, there are other activities that people find good for meditation. Journal writing, sewing, painting/drawing, gardening, and even day dreaming are a few ways to clear your mind and relax. Meditation does not necessarily have to take the form of chanting wordlessly in dark rooms.
Purification: http://www.collegewicca.com/BOSfiles/purification.html
If you choose to bathe, try taking a quick shower to get rid of the grime first, then use the bath to rid yourself of that "mental" impurity. When you’re done, pull the plug and stay in the tub as it drains. When in doubt, if you want to go bare minimum, wash your face and hands with cold water, and head off to your circle.
Tarot: http://www.collegewicca.com/BOSfiles/tarot.html
shuffle the cards a total of 15 times between readings to cleanse them. (I also like to give them a thorough cleansing and consecration once a month at the full moon, and keep them in a protective bag made out of a natural fiber.) The first three times I shuffle, I feel air rushing through my arms and hands, through "pores" in the cards, and blowing all old (especially negative) energy from previous readings out of the cards. I shuffle three more times feeling my hands as flames, burning the old energy out of the cards. Three more times for water, washing the "ashes" and traces of energy from the cards, and then three times for earth, feeling the cards as solid and glowing with new, natural, non-human energy. Finally, I shuffle three more times, imagining I’m filling them with my own essence in the form of a pure white light.
Leave a blank page after each entry so you can go back later and fill in how the spread related to real events. I usually write the date, the spread I used, the cards laid out, their basic, short meanings (which I usually just copy from the little booklet that comes with the deck), and my interpretation.

Journal Topics: http://www.collegewicca.com/BOSfiles/journals.html
-What does "Witch" mean to you?
-My future goals within Paganism.
-Are there traditions you like? Dislike? Why?
-Why be a Pagan, anyway?
-How do you feel about spell crafting?
-What do you think separates Wicca (Druidism, Asatru, etc.) from other Pagan religions? Other religions in general?
-Write about the state of Paganism today…is it too marketed? Are there too many "kids"? Are covens becoming obsolete?
-Compare and contrast Pagan authors that you have recently read.
-What specific Deities do you pray to and why?
-What do you think happens to you when you die?
-Do you believe in fate, or do we make it up as we go?
-Do animals reincarnate?
-Can humans incarnate as animals? If so, why? If not, why?
-Is hexing, cursing, black magick ever ok? If so when? If not why?
-Explain your Craft/Magickal/Working/Sacred name if you have one.
-Do you think that you have to have a Craft name? Why or why not?
-Is there a difference between Wicca and Witchcraft? Explain.
-If we believe in reincarnation and Christians believe in a one-shot life, what happens to them when they die?
-What is your utopia?

Ostara Rituals: http://www.collegewicca.com/collegefiles/solitaryostara.html
Take a symbol of something that’s hindering you outside before the sun rises and drop it or bury it without looking at it. Then turn toward the horizon as the sun rises and hervest the first flower you see. Dry it and carry it with you as a charm for hope.
If you do a ritual, try it outside if it’s warm enough. Keep it simple…meditate under a tree
Consider trying a yin yang tarot spread: http://www.learntarot.com/yinyang.htm 

Monday, March 19

Haunting and enigmatic, the Winter Moons hold many secrets. It is the time of the Crone’s fullness. All life rests under the cool light of Winter Moons. Sharp and precise, the Winter Moon presides over the time of rest and replenishment. Since time began, the Crone has held the mystery of dormant seeds, waiting for the return of Spring Moons.

The Dark Mother represents a time of looking into the void, into the unknown, and to find the truth that is hidden in the darkness, our darkness. We seek Her to release those things that we have hidden in the dark recesses of our mind, and are afraid to face. The Dark Moon represents mystery: time for divination arts such as the tarot and scrying.

begin new projects and prepare ideas for fruition. It’s also a time to craft workings that concern love, harmony, balance, and peace, as well as protection and healing.

Phases of the Moon and The Goddess

The phases of the Moon are most easily separated into three main
phases: Dark, Waxing, Full and Waning. These are considered to some
as; Maiden, Mother and Crone, but there is also the fourth phase or
Dark/Hidden phase.

Each month is divided into four weeks, and each week is assigned to
a phase of the Moon. These phases are;

Dark Moon to first Quarter
First Quarter to Full Moon
Full Moon to third Quarter
Third Quarter back to the Dark Moon

Waxing Moon - The Maiden

The Maiden is the One who helps us to make our own choices which is
symbolised through Her own independence. She is beholden to no
other. She is comfortable in Her independence, yet enjoys the
occasional companionship of a lover. She oversees the chase to make
sure the hunt is fair, both for the hunter and to the hunted. She
helps to maintain the natural balance. She defends our rights to
make our own choices. Look to Her for guidance when wishing relief
from unwelcome suitors. Her nature is to assist in these
transitions. The waxing moon indicates a period of increase, so you
would preferably want to do spellcrafting for prosperity, healing,
etc.

Full Moon - The Mother Goddess

The Full Moon is considered the most powerful of the phases. It is
note-worthy to remind that although it is a great time to work with
others, people tend to be more emotional during a Full Moon. The
full moon is a very powerful time for magickal workings, and most
are appropriate on this day. Now the moon is at the height of Her
strength - it is the time of the Esbat, the time to worship and
perform ritual for the Mother Goddess. The Full Moon represents the
Mother phase of the Goddess. The word Esbat means tribe or clan and
usually is a time for covens to gather.

Waning Moon - The Crone

The Crone is the Wise Grand-mother, stoking the brands and the fire
itself. For wisdom, for rebirth, we must embrace this fire and
journey within Her cauldron. The Waning Moon is the phase of which
the power of manifestation is giving way to the power of reflection
and receptivity. You should cast spells now for resolution, or for
something to be concluded. This is the time to focus on spellcraft
related to wisdom, divination, removing negativity, releasing,
closure and cleansing. Therefore, magick worked during this time is
best suited towards a release of something holding one back, rather
than as a desire to acquire something.

Dark Moon - The Dark Mother

‘…as the moon waxes and wanes,
and walks three nights in darkness,
so as the Goddess once spent three nights
in the kingdom of Death.’

I believe that the Dark Mother is the most misunderstood of the
aspects of the Goddess. Her colour is Black as she absorbs all
things, including light and life. The dark of the Moon is Her time.
The Abyss and darkness of space is Her home. Her number is nine,
symbolising wisdom and sacred magick. Nine is also the number of
completion, and the completion of beginnings is the Crone’s place in
the cycle of birth-life-death -rebirth. The Dark Mother represents a
time of looking into the void, into the unknown, and to find the
truth that is hidden in the darkness, our darkness. We seek Her to
release those things that we have hidden in the dark recesses of our
mind, and are afraid to face. The Dark Moon represents mystery: time
for divination arts such as the tarot and scrying.

What I did today-
Tried to find the moon, but to no avail
Cleaned up a bit: put some random dishes in the dishwasher, put clean clothes away, vaccuumed, cleaned out the litter box (disinfected it & added new litter), wiped off the bathroom sink, wiped off the living room table, changed the garbage, & swept the kitchen floor
Took a shower
Moved my meditation stuff out to the living room (since the bf isn’t home), while making a cup of tea
*Spent total of 90 minutes in this celebratory part of the day, beginning around 9:00*
Had a 15 minute yoga session
Meditated (ground, center, shield, & raise energy), listening to "One of These Days" by Pink Floyd and "Cafe del Mar" by Paul Oakenfold
Wrote a letter of intent & burned it, stating clearly in my mind why I was performing this (as opposed to just doing it)
Meditated on the power of the necklace & ring Nick has given me, to keep his love extra-close to me, no matter where I am or what situation I’m in
Gathered a green candle, dollar coin, and a 50$ bill; realized I forgot to grab a pay stub (to symbolize employment), so I made one myself - stated on a small piece of paper (rectangular, to represent a pay stub) the amount of money I’d like to earn per week, when I would like to begin receiving these paychecks, and why; on the back I also made a promise to avoid gossip & drama within the workplace (as it seems to be drawn to me, no matter where I’ve worked, heh). Lit the candle, stating in my mind that it represented money & employment; placed the coin directly underneath the candle, stating that it was to help focus the energy of the candle; placed the bill underneath the candle holder, stating that it was to be saved to be the last-resort money, that I would like it to help draw more money to it, and that it was to be locked in the safe until needed. I then burned the "pay stub", stating that it was being released into the world to follow its intentions. I then meditated on confidence in searching for employment, and visualized myself happy, employed, and confident; and going to the bank to cash a paycheck, hehe.
I assembled my dream catcher real quick.
And, finally…I shuffled my oracle cards & drew a set of 7, 4 on top, 3 on the bottom; stated & focused mainly on the cards revealing to my conscious self anything my unconscious self has to say regarding my current state of being and/or the intent of my previous "spell". I drew the following, in order: yellow, justice, resistance, waing moon; bag, smell, mind. I’m about to try & decipher the meaning of this in a few minutes…
Then, I cleaned everything up, put my meditation spot back in the office, hung my dream catcher, and returned to my computer