Tree Astrology

BETH (Birch) December 24 to January 20 - Born under this sign, you have unwavering inner strength and gladly lend support to those who rely on you. Purity of thought and a knack for realistic evaluation and quiet determination are also associated with this tree sign.

LUIS (Rowan) January 21 to February 17 - Born under this Magickal sign, you use your intuition and higher understanding to enchant and protect. Quite often you are seen as unusual by others, mainly due to your ability to envision the future.

NION (Ash) February 18 to March 17 - Born under this sign are those who have a knowing of the connection between ourselves, our planet, and our universe. You feel the pain and joys of all living creatures, which makes you most compassionate.

FEARN (Alder) March 18 to April 14 - Born under this sign, you have tremendous courage and power to win in disputes. But be careful not to dissipate your strength in meaningless debate.

SAILLE (Willow) April 15 to May 12 - This tree is associated with the Moon in all phases. Born under this sign you are an instinctive creature, reacting to gut responses rather than intellectual information. Be careful of the rhythm of your moods and pay close attention to your dreams - they will help you navigate thru life.

UATH (Hawthorn) May 13 to June 9 - A sign of fertility and death. If born under this sign you have an innate understanding of the importance of process and the necessity for change.

DUIR (Oak) June 10 to July 7 - Born under this sign, you have strength of character and purpose to endure, no matter what your challenges. Direct your energies wisely.

TINNE (Holly) July 8 to August 4 - Those born under this sign have a strong connection with the Earth and posess amazing physical strength. Your matter-of-fact solidness and generous spirit are respected and admired by others.

COLL (Hazel) August 5 to September 1 - Born under this sign, you are wise and have the ability to communicate ideas, making you capable of transforming the thoughts and opinions of others.

MIUN (Vine) September 2 to September 29 - Those born under this sign are natural socializers, with keen abilities to restore balance to all situations. You are instinctive and amazingly perceptive.

GORT (Ivy) September 30 to October 27 - Born under this sign your abilities further your personal goals and your personal causes. Be sure to use this talent productively.

NGETAL (Reed) October 28 to November 24 - Born under this sign you have secret strengths, as well as secret motivations. Use your detective abilities wisely.

RUIS (Elder) November 25 to December 22 - Those born under this sign are able to live and prosper under any conditions. You live many lives during your time here and will carry memories into every venture. You are a gypsy and a student gathering experience and knowledge to eventually become a great teacher.


December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the traditional day of the proverbial "Year and a Day" in the earliest courts of law.

Above thanks to Kim Rogers-Gallagher/ Llewellyn' s Witches' Datebook 2000

Wordless Wednesday

Your Favorite Color: What it Says About You

Whether we’re a vibrant Orange, or a peaceful Blue, our color preferences are a key to understanding our personalities. Find out what this color expert has to say about your favorite color. What does it reveal about who you really are?

White: Symbolic of purity, innocence and naivete, white has strong connotations of youth and purity. If you are an older person, your preference for white could indicate a desire for perfection and impossible ideals, maybe an attempt to recapture lost youth and freshness. It may also symbolize a desire for simplicity or the simple life.

Red: The color of strength, health, and vitality, Red is often the color chosen by someone outgoing, aggressive, vigorous and impulsive—or someone who would like to be! It goes with an ambitious nature but those who choose it can be abrupt at times, determined to get all they can out of life, quick to judge people and take sides. Red people are usually optimistic and can’t stand monotony; they are rather restless and not at all introspective, so they may be unaware of their own shortcomings. They find it hard to be objective and may blame others for any mishaps. Quiet people with a preference for red may feel the need for the warmth, strength and life-giving qualities of the color, or they blanket their true feelings under a sober exterior. Red is usually chosen by people with open and uncomplicated natures, with a zest for life.

Maroon: Harsh experience has probably matured the Maroon person into someone likeable and generous. It is often a favorite color of someone who has been battered by life but has come through. It indicates a well-disciplined Red personality—one who has had difficult experiences and has not come through unmarked but who has grown and matured in the process.

Pink: This color embodies the gentler qualities of Red, symbolizing love and affection without passion. Women who prefer Pink tend to be maternal. Pink desires protection, special treatment and a sheltered life. Pink people require affection and like to feel loved and secure, perhaps wanting to appear delicate and fragile. Pink people tend to be charming and gentle, if a trifle indefinite.

Orange: This color of luxury and pleasure appeals to the flamboyant and fun-loving person who likes a lively social round. Orange people may be inclined to dramatize a bit, and people notice them, but they are generally good-natured and popular. They can be a little fickle and vacillating, but on the whole they try hard to be agreeable. Orange is the color of youth, strength, fearlessness, curiosity and restlessness.

Yellow: The color of happiness, wisdom and imagination, Yellow is chosen by the mentally adventurous, searching for novelty and self-fulfillment. Yellow usually goes with a sunny and shrewd personality, with a good business head and a strong sense of humor. It is the color of intellectuality and all things to do with the mind. Yellow folks are usually clear and precise thinkers who have a good opinion of their own mental capacities and who have lofty ideals. They may at times tend to shun responsibility, preferring freedom of thought and action.

Green: The color of harmony and balance, Green symbolizes hope, renewal and peace, and is usually liked by the gentle and sincere. Greens are generally frank, community-minded people, fairly sociable but preferring peace at any price. Green people can be too self-effacing, modest and patient, so they may get exploited by others. They are usually refined, civilized and reputable.

Blue: Soft, soothing, compassionate and caring, Blue is the color of deliberation and introspection, conservatism and duty. Patient, persevering, conscientious, sensitive and self-controlled, Blues like to be admired for their steady character and wisdom. They are faithful, but are often worriers with somewhat inflexible beliefs and can be too cautious, and suspicious of flamboyant behavior.

Blue-Green: Exacting, discriminating, poised and attractive, the Blue-Green person tends to be sensitive, intellectual and refined, persevering and stable if rather detached. Blue-Greens have excellent taste, and are usually courteous and charming, capable but often refusing help or guidance.

Turquoise: Complex, imaginative and original, Turquoise people drive themselves hard and may be in a state of turmoil under their outwardly cool exterior.

Lavender: This is often chosen by a person who lives “on a higher plane,” who never notices anything sordid and who is always impeccably and beautifully dressed. Lavender people may be on a continual quest for culture and the refined things of life, high and noble causes but without the necessity of getting their hands dirty. A Lavender person is usually creative, charming, witty and civilized.

Purple:Purples are highly individual, fastidious, witty and sensitive, with a strong desire to be unique and different. Temperamental, expansive and artistic, a Purple person may become aloof and sarcastic when misunderstood. If you chose Purple, you tend to be unconventional, tolerant and dignified, likely to achieve positions of authority.

Brown: A Brown person has stamina and patience, tending to be very solid and substantial, conscientious, dependable, steady and conservative. Browns are not impulsive, and may be inarticulate and tactless but they love responsibility and are reliable and kindly. If you chose Brown, watch out for a tendency to be obstinate and inflexible.

Gray: The color of caution and compromise, diligent Grays search for composure and peace and often work hard without reward. Older Grays like life to run on an even keel with few ups and downs. Young Grays may be withdrawing from life and suppressing their personalities. Grays often have good business ability and tend to work too much.

Black: Dignified and impressive without being showy, Black people want to give the appearance of mystery, but their preference may also indicate a suppression of desires and worldly aims, suggesting hidden depths and inner longings.

Adapted from The Healing Power of Color by Betty Wood (Inner Traditions, 1998).

Wordless Wednesday

Missing the Labyrinth

Twice a year I usually attended the Florida Pagan Gathering in Ocala as a part of the Labyrinth group, Seekers of the Wyrd. But this year I’m in Georgia and was unable to attend for a few personal reasons. I thought about the labyrinth last night knowing how much I will miss walking it with my Wicca family after we built it. It is an all day process to lay out the strands of lights just perfect, but is so beautiful and peaceful especially at night. So I did a search to see if there are any such things in Georgia and I found one.

The Dancing Bear Labyrinth. This is located at 366 Oakland Ave. SE, in Atlanta GA. It is a traditional 7 circuit looping Labyrinth, built with paving stones and plants, with a gazebo in the center. It is in the front yard of Bear Manor, near the Oakland Cemetery but is open to the public at all times for walking, free of charge. I can’t wait to visit!
http://www.spiritbear.us/

~~ Children's Bed Time Blessings ~~

~

Now I lay me down to rest.

I pray that all the world be blest.

Lady Moon and Sister Star

Watch over me from where you are.

Mother Earth is always there

And keeps me safe within her care.

The Lord of Sleep will dance and sing

And happy dreams will to me bring.

And when I wake to greet the dayBrother Sun will light my way.

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O Gracious Goddess; O Gracious God; I now enter the realm of dreams. Weave now if you will, a web of protective light. Guard both my sleeping form and my spirit. Watch over me Until the sun once again rules the earth. O Gracious Goddess,O Gracious God, Be with me through the night

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Lord and Lady keep me safe this night,And quiet all my fears.

Oh, bless and guard me while I sleep,'Til morning light appears.

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Day is done, it's time for bed

Goddess bless my sleepy head

Earth and Water, Air and Fire

Bring gentle dreams as I retire

When the morning sun does rise

The God will bless my open eyes

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Now I lay me down to sleep

In the twilight dark sea deep

Lord and Lady in thy Light

Keep me safe and well this night

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Now I lay me down to sleep

Through the twilight, and dark so deep

Earth and Water, Fire and Air

Stay with me while Mom's not there

Elements guide me through the night

And leave with thanks at morning's light

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Bright light, White light

Take away my fright

Don't let the darkness scare me.

There's nothing here to fear

Let me sleep the whole night long,

For I am safe in here.

White Light, Bright Light

Protect me throughout the night.

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Chant to the Moon in General

~

Hail fair moon,Ruler of the night,

Guard me and mine Until the light.

~

Bright Blessings

The new strain of flu’s are in the news daily. We had Bird Flu ,Swine Flu and now H1N1. The government is telling everyone to get a flu shot, which is something I’m not comfortable with. So I turned to nature to see what she has to offer and remembered I have a recipe for “Four Thieves Oil".

There are many stories about where it came from and why or who created it. Here is one story: The Four Thieves Vinegar. Perfumers by day, robbers by night. Four men made a concoction of herbs and essential oils in a base of vinegar and would douse their body with this before they went our robbing plague victims. They had a pretty good track record of stealing riches until the King found out and captured them, forcing them to give up their secret weapon against the plague. The herbal ingredients were wormwood, meadowsweet, juniper berries, rosemary, camphor, sage, cinnamon and cloves in a base of white wine vinegar.

Current Thieves Oil Recipe : The essential oils in this blend have been noted for anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antiseptic properties while stimulating the immune system, circulation and the respiratory system. According to research at Weber State University, Thieves Oil was found to have a 99% kill rate against airborne bacteria when diffused.

Recipe :

FOUR THIEVES OIL 1 part eucalyptus 1 part rosemary 1 part cinnamon 1 part clove 1 part lemon
Must be mixed and stored in glass. Apply 1-2 drops of Four Thieves on the bottoms of the feet and on the nape of the neck. Apply under the arms and on the chest. Diffuse for 20 minutes or less at work or at home.You can also mix with olive oil if you feel too strong. I recommend 1 tablespoon of each in a 2 oz bottle then fill remainder with oil.

To use as a disinfectant spray: Add one tablespoon of blend to a spray bottle with one cup water and one cup apple cider vinegar .Spray on doorknobs, cabinet handle, showers, anything you want disinfected.
To use as a hand sanitizer: In a small bowl mix one drop of Cinnamon, clove, rosemary and eucalyptus oil with five drops of lemon. Mix this with one ounce of distilled water and ½ teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel. Store in a squeeze bottle or travel size container.

As reported by Anahad O'Onnor in the NY Times:
A recent study by a team of surgeons, for example, found that a solution made with cinnamon oil killed a number of common and hospital-acquired infections, like streptococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The study found it was just as effective as several antiseptics widely used in hospitals. Another study by French researchers in 2008 had similar results, showing that at concentrations of 10 percent or less, cinnamon oil was effective against Staphylococcus, E. coli and several antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

CAUTON: Due to the cinnamon and clove contained, one must be cautious--it may cause irritation if improperly used. Fair skinned, blue-eyed individuals, redheads and those who tend to sunburn easily need to heed and dilute Thieves Oil blend in a carrier oil like olive oil , almond or macadamia nut before applying to the skin. I have used 1-2 drops of Thieves on the bottom of my feet and also at the nape of the neck. Other places could be under the arms, and on the chest. I do not suggest using this in a bath or in a sauna! Diffuse for only short periods of time--20 minutes or less at work or at home.



If you look at the magickal properties, they are all healing, protective, exorcism