Pagan Thoughts

Thursday & Knight of Pentacles

Thursday: Jupiter. Dark blue,  purple. Luck, employment, business, wealth, riches, legal matters, improving magical skills, spiritual healing.
THURSDAY: Right Striving
Take care not to do anything beyond your power, but don’t leave anything undone that is within your ability. Pose goals that are connected with the highest of human responsibilities. In relation to these exercises, for example, try to develop yourself so that later–if not immediately- -you may be better able to help and advise others. Let the preceding exercises become a habit!

Knight of Pentacles
On the positive side, the Knight of Pentacles is like a bulldog. Once he bites down, you can be sure he won’t let go. He’s dogged in pursuit of his goals. A hard-worker, he has tremendous stamina and dedication. Every job is always completed down to the last detail. He’s careful and prudent, never wasteful. He knows the facts and is immune to false promises. On the negative side, this Knight is a bit stodgy and dull. He’s not known for his playful sense of humor. Work always comes first. He tends to be inflexible and obsessive about little details. Stubborn to a fault, he refuses to give in even when wrong, something he’ll never admit. He doesn’t like change or risk and will always take the gloomiest view.

In readings, a Knight of Pentacles shows that his cautious style is involved in the situation as an aspect of you, someone else or the atmosphere in general. You need to ask yourself, "Is this Knight’s energy helping or hurting?"

If his style is evident, then balance is needed. Are you working too hard? Do you refuse to listen to reason? Do you have a perfectionist in your life? Is the atmosphere around you one of gloom and doom? It may be time for a change.

If this Knight’s energy is missing, a dose of prudence may be called for. Are you spending too much? Maybe it’s time to slow down. Do you give up too soon? Dig in and refuse to quit. Is your work often careless, late or incomplete? Next time resolve to work up a sweat and get the job done. Let the Knight of Pentacles introduce you to his world of care and persistence.

I had a nice day today, to start off my Beltane celebrations. I went to my dad’s house and spent over 2 hours in the woods. (I wanted to share some of the 25 pictures I took, but apparently I can’t just yet - I’ll update this post when I can add the pics!!)

I was a bit perturbed when I first got to my lil ’sacred spot’ and realized how long it had been since I last visited - probably about 2 years. A lot has changed, and unfortunately, it seems by the hands of man & not mother nature. I couldn’t exactly find my special spot - it seems to no longer exist. The tree that my friends & I had accidentally burned down 10 years ago - couldn’t be found. The tree beside it where I used to sit has been moved a few feet from its spot, into a little pond (which was never there before. From what remains of this spot, it seemed as though some of the trees to the side had been cut back, but there was no real evidence of it so I just assume it looks that way because everything has only begun to sprout. A big tree where I always used to climb around has fallen & decayed. I came across many yellow "Caution" strips taped around trees, & a small, decrepit wire fence with a bunch of the tape on it. Makes me wonder what the hell went on while I was too preoccupied with my life last year. I couldn’t find another big tree that I once sat on a few years ago, on the other side of the woods from my sacred spot; but I did find what’s left of the tree with the wooden planks on it. When I was a kid, this tree had fallen, but it was strongly held up by a few surrounding trees. It always stuck out because ithad about 9 wooden planks nailed into it. Almost 10 years ago, a few friends & myself had written our names on each of the planks - as of 2 years ago, you could still faintly see the writing. Today, the entire tree has fallen, and only 2 planks strongly remain - I carved a pentagram on one. I came across a few interesting things on my way through the woods. I saw a hawk, a lot of yellow flowers, a lot of the once rare (in this patch of woods) white flowers, and a small patch of maroon flowers that I’d never seen before. I also came across a new hunters’ post. Ever since I can remember, there were 2 wooden contraptions nailed to a couple of different trees. The first time I saw them (which was when I was about 7), I asked my dad what they were, and he said that hunters build them so they can sit up in the trees & wait for unsuspecting deer. Of course, these hunters had long since abandoned their monuments. Well, today, I came across a new one - this one made of metal, not wood. It looked very sinister, with its metal cage-like seat, nails, and straps. Behind it, a wooden ladder. This set up wasn’t new - it definitely appeared to have been there throughout the winter. Regardless, what did I do?! Well, first I tried to undo the straps & take it down, but it didn’t seem like that was a possibility without me getting hurt. Instead, I grabbed onto the ladder, dragged it to the other side of the woods, & dropped it into a pond.

For the first 15 or 20 minutes that I was there, I sat on a (new) pile of dirt & just looked around because about 7 kids who go to my old high school were running the trails for track practice. I waited until they left to start wandering around. But, as soon as I started on the trail, I heard a dirt bike getting closer, and a couple minutes later a couple guys showed up, one on a dirt bike, one on a 4-wheeler. Ironically, I knew the kid on the 4-wheeler, and he stopped for a minute & said hi to me, lol. They circled the trails a few times, stopping once to switch vehicles, and left me alone, which was quite a blessing.

I found a lovely walking stick, which I purposely left near my *new* sacred spot (details in a moment). I also found a couple of good sticks which I was planning on picking one to use as a mini Maypole, but I forgot them. I picked 3 of every type of flower I’d come across, to add to my woodland shrines- 1 for my old sacred spot, 1 for my new one, and 1 for me to press & decorate with (my BoL, ATC, & SoL). I sectioned off my old & new sacred spots with fallen branches. My new spot is pretty sweet- a lot of yellow flowers around, a big flat rock, and a tree stump that I’d come across. Now, I came across a few (*wide!!*) stumps with no trees around, which makes me curious as to where these big trees went. The stump that’s in my new spot was unique though- sitting directly next to it, facing the setting sun, was an old metal bowl, speckled baby blue & white, naturally filled with leaves & sticks. The bowl was a bit rusted & had several holes, but it had no visible rust on it. I thought it was pretty & oddly placed, so that’s where I made my shrine. To end my day, I sat on the big flat rock in my new spot, did a little bit of yoga using my walking stick to help me balance (the rock isn’t completely level), and meditated for about 10 minutes, basking in the sun on my closed eyelids, the breeze passing over my arms & face, and listening to all the lovely songs the resident birdies were singing. It was absolutely lovely

Then, I walked the 15 minutes back to my dad’s house to find that he had washed & waxed my car while I was gone, lol. I told him that I was very grateful, hehe. He helped me get my bike out of the garage, put air in the tires, and stuff it into my trunk. I noticed a cardinal hanging out in the side yard. And, well, I went inside for a minute & weighed myself because I haven’t in a while & was wondering why nothing fits me anymore (LOL), and, well, I now weigh more than I ever have- 117. Not much, I know, but that’s about 10 pounds more than I’ve ever been, and 10 pounds more than I was a year ago, lol. Oh well

Sunset on April 30 - May 5th

Arts
Sabbat ATC
Begin SoL
Make new WotY

Make love
Shave everything
Personal mini Maypole
Friendship bracelets
Pick & distibute flowers
Dress in bright colors
Bask in a lil May Morning Water
Water scrying (or other divination)
Plant something
Woodland shrine
Make May baskets for the neighbors and/or co-workers 

If you have a partner, this is a good time to celebrate the relationship. Each of you should make a list of seven qualities you most appreciate and cherish in the other. These should be inherent traits, like a sense of humor, or being good with animals. Do this separately a few days before Beltane.

Beltane, and its counterpart Samhain, divide the year into its two primary seasons, winter (Dark Part) and summer (Light Part). As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane, its counter part, is about honoring Life.

This is a time of self-discovery, love, union and developing your potential for personal growth.
Passion, creativity. the fertility of people, plants and animals, and also of projects and endeavors. 

About two days before your Beltane ritual, grab a pen and paper and find someplace quiet where you won’t be disturbed. Outdoors with the flowers and budding trees would be a wonderful choice, if possible. Make yourself comfortable, close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath. Hold it for a count of three and then slowly release it. Do this several more times until you are relaxed. Visualize your spine going down through the earth like the root of a tree. Watch it travel down, down and in the center of the earth, there is a large rock. Wrap your “root” around this rock and anchor yourself there. Now you are connected to the earth. Next, visualize a beam of white light rising through your crown and up to the Universe. Take another deep breath from your heart charka. Now that you are grounded and centered, take a moment to just revel in the connection that you have made.
When you are ready, think about what you have chosen to add to your life recently. Have you put them into action? Are they working for you? What about the rest of your life? Are you happy with where you see yourself going? Is there anything else you would like to add to enhance your journey? Really take the time to fully evaluate what you have, what you would like and what you need. When you’ve worked all this out for yourself, write down what you’ve come up with. Write down those items that you’ve already added to your life and need more nurturing, write down those items that you’d like to add that will only enhance your life and if needed, write down those things that are impeding you.
Once you have your list and have received all that you feel you need from this meditation, thank the Universe for the gift of its energy, take what you need, return the rest and slowly draw your beam of white light back from the Universe. Now, thank the earth for the gift of its energy, take what you need, return the rest and slowly release the rock to which you are anchored. Draw your “root” back up into your spine. Know that the energy is there for you whenever you need it. For the next two days, keep this list with you and read it often. Ingrain it into your mind. Visualize the outcome. Bring this paper to your circle at Beltane.

Walk the perimeter of your property to check that everything is in good order. Bring trash bags and do a general clean up of anything that is not where it should be.

make yourself beautiful, sweet-smelling and renewed through a ritual bath, surround yourself with the colors of all of life. This is a time for physical enjoyment, but also care and renewal of one’s body, and so mirrored by the earth’s body.