The Wisdom of Libra

 

Libra

• Image – Scales
• Archetype – Judge
• Tarot – Justice
• Element – Air
• Season – Fall
• Blessing – Open Minded
• Challenge – Indecisive
• Ruling Planet – Venus
• Stones – Peridot, Jade
• Goals of the Witch – Achieve Balance

Libra contains many interests and archetypes, yet the concept of balance is always at the heart of this sign, Balance brings us the divine image of the judge, the justice bringer, the arbiter of disputes.  The blessing, and some would say the curse, of Libra is the ability to see both sides of any argument. Libra’s opposite, Aries, is all about the self and the individual’s needs. Libra is about understanding the perspective of the other.  Libra is a sign of partners, be it business partners, romantic partners, of partnering priestesses and priests. You must be able to see another’s point of view to have a strong partnership, yet at the same time, you must balance your own needs. This is where many Librans lose their balance. Sometimes they are so focused on the perspectives of everyone else that they forget about themselves.

Being an Air sign, most Librans are intellectual and follow their minds over their hearts. They like to know everything about a situation, person, act, or place before making any judgments concerning them. Many Librans will end up in a career or profession that stimulates their mind, such as teaching.

The blessing of the Libran is open-mindedness. Many of them are the most open-minded of the Zodiac. Their ability to see and understand both sides of arguments and point of views allows them to be open. The challenge of this is their indecisiveness. Many Librans fail to step forward and make a true decision allowing others to influence them with their own opinions.

The key phrase of the Libran is “I BALANCE”.  The following exercise will allow you to see where you balance and where you do not. In your journal or BOS write the statement I balance and complete the sentence with all the things you feel you balance. What do you successfully balance? What do you struggle to balance? Are you balanced between your inner and outer self? Are you balanced between work and home? Are you balanced in your partnerships and relationships?

One interesting thing about Libra is the ruling planet is Venus. Since the Goddess Venus is already shown forth through Taurus many people see a different aspect of the Goddess in Libra.  The Goddess Athena, the wise artisan, makes her presence known through most Librans. There is a sensuality in Libra that is wise and knowing.

A balancing meditation can help many Librans along with anyone else when they are feeling overwhelmed. Take a moment to clear your mind and focus only on yourself. See yourself in a place of beauty, be it a forest, a mountaintop, a great hall, or beside the sea. Visualize all the things you would like to balance and place them either on t he right side or the left side. For example, if you are bringing work home and are not spending enough time with your family you would place all work on one side and all things home oriented on the other. Thus achieving balance in that area. This can be done at any time and as many times as you like.

The Tarot card for Libra is the Justice card. Use this in ritual or meditation to help bring about a balance to your work.

(Excerpts from The Living Temple of Witchcraft: Volume Two by Christopher Penczak)

 

Bright Blessings!

Always,

Owl

The Wisdom of Virgo

 

Virgo

• Image – Maiden
• Archetype – Servant
• Tarot – Hermit
• Element – Earth
• Season – Summer
• Blessing – Scrutiny
• Challenge – Overly Critical
• Ruling Planet – Mercury
• Stones – Agate, Sapphire
• Goal of the Witch – Attune with the Cycles of the Earth

Virgo’s archetypal image is always so difficult for modern-day astrology students.  Virgo is the sign of the virgin. For a system that is based primarily on animals, this throws a kink in things, even more so than Gemini. Does she represent a woman without sexuality? Does she represent a woman who is in charge of her sexuality? Does the virgin of Virgo have to be female even? The young maiden is the symbol of Virgo but what is the deeper symbolism?

The archetypes of the Virgo manifests as the worker. One who can work out the details, paying attention to the intricacies of one part of the larger project, becomes an excellent worker when overseen by someone who can see the bigger picture. The model of the worker, from the harvest worker to the office worker, finds a higher expression in what we now call the civil servant. Civil servants work for the greater good of the community and apply their ability, their responsibility for the part, to the greater whole of society. The image of the nurse, therapist, holistic healer all work well with the Virgo. These people work one-on-one with individuals to create a great, more healthy society, one person at a time.

The key phrase for the Virgo is “I SERVE”. The following is an exercise that will help focus your though on how you serve. In your journal or Book of Shadows write a few paragraphs describing ways the you serve the greater community. Who or what do your actions serve? What principles or agendas do you advance with your actions, be them positive or negative? We are all considered to be servants of something – be it an idea, person, or community. Look deeply at your own life and see what you are serving.

Another key phrase of the Virgo is “I ANALYZE”. Repeat the above exercise but focus your attention on what you analyze. What do I scrutinize? Where in my life do I pay attention to detail? Do I over-scrutinize? Am I overly critical?

Ministry is a key place for virgos to flourish. Ministry and service for the virgo comes in many forms but can be found in healing, teaching, psychic readings, counseling, and stewardship. Modern witches can serve, first and foremost, through ritual. Sending out energy to heal and help our community and the earth. Because Virgos are so good with details they are most often found handling the “details” of any operation. – the fundraising for a community effort, the details of social functions, the details of public circles and rituals, and even leading large covens.

One of the traps of the Virgo is taking yourself to seriously and letting power go to your head. Remember you are always the servant. Not the one to be served. You will find your greatest pleasure in serving others.

Working with the Hermit card from the Tarot will bring about a greater understand of the servant. The Hermit teaches self-knowledge and understanding. Bring the image of the Hermit into your meditations and let it lead you to a greater understanding of yourself.

(Excerpts from The Living Temple of Witchcraft: Journey of the God by Christopher Penczak)

(Picture from the Web)

Bright Blessings,

Owl

The Wisdom of Leo

Leo

• Image – Lion
• Archetype – Artisan
• Tarot – Strength
• Element – Fire
• Season – Summer
• Blessing – Royalty
• Challenge – Ego
• Ruling Planet – Sun
• Stones – Citrine, Topaz, Diamond, Amber
• Goal of the Witch – Know Your Craft

The Sun is the vital creative force of our solar system, the fuel that creates all things on the physical level.  Our sign of Leo, the golden lion, is ruled by the Sun on all levels – mundane, esoteric, and monadic. The Sun is the center of our solar system, and the power of the Leo is the center. The Sun rules the body in terms of the heart. Without the heart, the center, feeding blood, like the Sun feeding the body of the solar system with light, the whole system would fail.

The power of Leo must also hold center stage.  In personality-based astrology teachings, Leo is described as the entertainer, the one who must have attention of the crowd to feed the ego. Yet such people, described as showmen, hold our attention through their creative pursuits, their song, dance, music, acting, and art. While this is true to a certain extent, they are not just entertainers, but at their core, they are creators.  They are artisans. They are seeking to create something, even through creating themselves as a persona, and are recognized for their creation. Many fail to assume and discard roles as a true actor does, and create a false notion of self as a part of their bid for attention.

The key phrase for Leo is “I CREATE”.  The following is an exercise that can help to focus creative energy in our lives. In your journal or BOS, make a list of statements starting with I create and complete that sentence with all the things you have creates, are creating, and will create. What things in your life are you working on that you wand to manifest creatively? What parts of your life do you see as your creations? Doing this exercise can help you become aware of how in touch you are with the creative life force, and how you are expressing it, or not expressing it. Creativity is an incredible force for magic and spirituality. One doesn’t need to label oneself as an artist to create, but if you feel that the creative force is not flowing through you, then you may have difficulty performing ritual, healing, or other acts of magic, for the deepest mysteries require you to be open to inspiration, to be one in the moment and feel it flow.

The powers and pitfalls of the ego go hand in hand with the lessons of Leo and the solar sphere. Misunderstanding the ego, many, looking to Eastern traditions for direction, believe the ego is something harmful or evil and it must be destroyed. Many people also look at the shadow in the same way. The vanquishing of the ego, as well as the shadow, comes not through destruction of it, but in refining our relationship with it, so the ego doesn’t believe that it is solely in charge of our lives. It is one of many selves.

The ego is our personal self, identifying with this body, this life, and this form. The key to refining the ego is to understand that we are not just our bodies, minds, jobs, emotions, art, etc. One of the most important keys is to separate yourself from your creative work. You are not your latest project, job, office, poem, song, or book. Those are things you do or create that inform others about you, but they are not you, just as your body, emotions, thoughts, and desires are things you have, tools that can help you, but the true you, the higher self, is the one who holds these tools.

Those who don’t develop a healthy ego are usually very ineffective in the world. As witches, their magic has little power in the physical world to change reality, because they haven’t claimed the power of the Middle World. Some who develop too much ego in regard to their magical work also develop a distorted view of delusion, where they rule supreme. Some simply put themselves above others, seeing witches in general, or their tradition of witchcraft, as better. Many in blood or spirit lineages can fall into this trap. There is no problem with being different or special, but you should not have to find specialness and self-esteem in tearing down others.  Everybody has a path that is special to them, though it may not be our own path. Magic is about finding your own True Will and developing it to fulfill your purpose in life.

I have found in my own walk that when I tap into my higher consciousness and its “detachment” that those people who were once my antagonists now become minimal. When we are flowing from the ego, allowing it to be in control, we give way to hurt feelings when criticism comes our way. We must refine our relationship with the ego and not allow it to lead the way.

During ritual use the Strength card as a focus and do a solar journey with your solar deity. You can even give the creative spark a boost by working creatively. Remember as above, so below. Start being creative on the outside and see creativity blossom within your spirit. I have noticed in my own walk that if I am being create in my life, the spontaneous spell or ritual gains much power.

Ask these questions: What have I created that will outlast my physical lifetime? What have I sacrificed in this creation? What am I doing with my creativity? Focus on these questions and use the connection with the Solar King to better understand your inner light and how to translate that into transcending the ego to manifest your divine will in the world.

(Excerpts taken from The Living Temple of Witchcraft: Journey of the God by Christopher Penczak)

(picture from the web)

Bright Blessings,

Owl

The Wisdom of Cancer

Cancer

• Image – Crab
• Archetype – Mother
• Tarot – Chariot
• Element – Water
• Season – Summer
• Blessing – Sensitivity
• Challenge – Moodiness
• Ruling Planet – Moon
• Stones – Moonstone, Pearl, Beryl
• Goal of the Witch – Breathe and Eat Correctly

Cancer as a cardinal sign is related to the active use of emotional power.  The mother is the progenitor, the creatrix, initiating creation. The shell of the crab is the container of water the vessel of emotions, and the cardinal power seeks to protect the soft tissues of the crab, symbolically our soft and sensitive emotions, by providing a hard exoskeleton shell.  While a cardinal and initiating sign, cardinal water moves differently than cardinal fire Aries.  Rather than the straight and direct approach, Cancer shuffles from side to side, like the crab, negotiating boundaries.  Much of Cancer’s work is in finding and creating boundaries, particularly our emotional boundaries.  Mother figures have to establish and set boundaries for the home, the family and the children.  They set the tone and territory.  When people have a strong Cancer energy in their personal chart, they are learning the issues of motherhood, particularly caretaking, nourishing, and setting appropriate emotional boundaries.  The balance is finding both a boundary and the flexibility to grow and adapt.  The downfall of the protective shell is its rigidity.  In an effort to protect, sometimes we create such a strong boundary we close off all forces, beneficial and harmful, in an effort to shield, protect, and nurture the emotions.

Cancer calls upon us to truly feel and work with our emotions as tools for spiritual growth and evolution. we are not our emotions – just as we are not our thoughts, body, or will – but our emotions are sacred tools that help us grow and evolve in our world.  One of the most important lessons I have learned when dealing with strong emotions is not to identify myself as that emotion.  For example, if I am feeling angry I do not say, “I am so mad.”  I express it as, “I am feeling so mad.”  See the difference? I am stating that I am feeling the emotion rather than identifying myself as the emotion.

The key phrase of Cancer is “I FEEL”.  The following is an exercise that can help you sort through myriad emotions.  In your journal or BOS, write the statement I FEEL and complete it with all the things that come to mind.  What are the emotions you are feeling at the moment? Are you aware of your feelings? Do feelings that you don’t expect “sneak up” on you? Do you ever try to stop your feelings? are you sensitive to other’s feelings? are you empathic, meaning you sense the feelings of others? If you are empathic, do you have problems blocking out the emotions of others?

Taking stock of your emotional health is extremely important to any work in spirituality.  Our society for so long has ruled emotions as something that should be ignored or at best, hidden.  The path of the emotions leads to the inner temple.  We should not be afraid of our emotions but learn to express them in healthy and evolved ways.

Cancer, being an emotional sign, has a blessing in being sensitive and a challenge in being moody.  The person with Cancer energy is extremely sensitive to their own emotions and even others and with this can bring moodiness.  To over come this we must learn to move with these emotions and not fight against them.

With the archetype of Cancer being the Mother it comes as no surprise that the goal of the witch for this sign is to learn to breathe and eat properly.  Most people think of as a mother as one who teaches her children the importance of healthy eating.  I must admit, this is a constant challenge for myself.  It has been remarked to me that for those of us who call ourselves witches and pagans, those who walk with nature, we should be some of the healthiest people on the planet. And yet we are constantly plagued with illnesses and unhealthy habits. I again admit, I am the poster boy for unhealthy eating habits.  We can use the Mother archetype to guide us and direct us in our eating habits.  Something that has helped me is to focus on the act of eating. Make the act into a ritual.  Think about what you are eating and how it will affect the body.  Focus on the taste, the smell, the texture.  Enjoy the food you are eating and give thanks that you have received it.

During ritual use the tarot card of the Chariot to pull in the Cancer energy to your magic.  Call upon this power to mother you or to teach you how to be a mother. And this does not only include women.  I have recently called upon Cancer energy to help me with the kittens my beautiful mother cat left behind when she passed.  I am having to be the mother to these orphans and Cancer energy helps.

Design a ritual of the Mother.  Having direct communication with the Mother is an important part of the witch’s magic.  Many of us often focus on the war goddess and crone aspect because she so resonates with the archetype we have of the witch, yet the bright mother is equally important and necessary.  We must learn to connect with this energy and learn how to nourish and mother ourselves if we have any hope to aid others.  I often call upon the Lady of the Moon when she is full, also Demeter, Gaia, Isis, and Kuan-Yin.  All of these are aspects of the Mother.  Continue to work with Cancer energy and let the Great Mother walk with you and teach you how to flow with your emotions.

(Excerpts taken from the Living Temple of Witchcraft: volume Two The Journey of the God by Christopher Penczak)

Blessed be!

Owl

The Wisdom of Gemini

Gemini

• Image – Twins
• Archetype - Trickster
• Tarot - Lovers
• Element - Air
• Season - Spring
• Blessing – Intelligence
• Challenge – Scattered
• Ruling Planet – Mercury
• Stones – Agate, Carnelian
• Goal of the Witch – To Learn

Gemini is ruled by the twins, and by its very nature has a dual, polar current inherent within it. While the image of the twins is not an animal like many of the other signs, this image conveys the nature of Gemini to our psyche along with many misunderstandings as well. Many people interpret the double nature of Gemini as two-faced, deceptive, or as split-personality, but it is about two complete lives and personas, the inner and the outer world.

The archetype of the Gemini is the Trickster. The personality descriptions of Gemini are often about social abilities – speaking well in public situations, being smart, and the trickster can show up with the ability to turn a phrase either verbally or in writing. Many see the Gemini as shallow, flitting from topic to topic as the twins change like the wind, hence the air aspect. Some see this sign as split, because the topic, mood, and focus can change so quickly. Yet the challenge for the Gemini is not to be scattered in thought and action but to be in harmony with the two aspects of the twins. Bringing the inner worlds and outer world together into one.

The blessing of Gemini is intellect. With this intellect must come the ability to think, communicate, and convey thoughts to others in a meaningful way. One of the key phrases for Gemini is, “I THINK.” The following is an exercise to help one focus one’s thoughts. In your journal or Book of Shadows compile a list beginning with I THINK and finish the sentence with all the thoughts that come to mind. This includes your thoughts about the world, spirituality, yourself, your family, friends, people in general, etc.  What thoughts cross your mind regularly? What do you think about most? Do you like your thought patterns? What are you drawing to yourself with these thoughts? Do you feel as if you have any control over your thoughts? If you don’t, then who does?

Our thoughts are the single most powerful tool and powerful obstacle we have. Remember, thoughts are embodied by the blade, as the Sword of Truth. Your mind is your instrument, it is not your identity. Are you holding the double-edged blade by the handle, or by the edges?

The Goal of the Witch for Gemini is To Learn.  One of the foremost things we focus on is learning. Becoming educated in the ways of the craft – magic, meditation, intuition, divination, the Wheel, the Goddess and God, and all the other subjects that fall within this realm is extremely important. In order to move within the realms of the spirit we must put into practice what we learn. In times of old, the mysteries of the Craft were taught only to those deemed worthy. With the onset of the internet the Craft is literally at our fingertips. We have access to many different views and can be educated by masters daily.  What a blessing!

The power of Gemini helps us to transform the mind. Taking us from someone who allows any and every thought to cross our minds to a strong-willed mind of great creative power. Take the I THINK list you created from above and divide the thought patterns into those you wish to encourage and those you wish to break or disperse. The list you wish to disperse cross off the list and then burn it. The list you wish to encourage, roll it up and tie with small pieces of yellow and red ribbon. You now have a scroll of those thoughts you wish to keep flowing through your consciousness. In ritual, breathe on the scroll three times, connecting it to your mind and energizing it with your breath. By doing this every full moon you are reprogramming your mind. You can also repeat the list-making at any time and start anew. I have started doing this every quarter and have had much success.

Using the tarot card of the Lovers in ritual will give you a representation of the power of Gemini in your work. Call upon this power whenever you need to see things clearly or understand the reasons behind certain difficulties. I like to envision the twins as my higher and lower self. The higher self can see and know all things. It passes this information on to my lower self which then is passed on to me through divination, dreams, intuition, and flashes of inspiration. The closer I work with my higher and lower selves the clearer the information becomes.

Design a ritual to connect to the Trickster archetype of your Pantheon. I use Mercury, Hermes, or Coyote. Connect with this deity and learn the ways of the trickster. Gemini is a powerful ally that we should not be afraid to walk with.

Blessed be!

Owl

The Journey of the Sun

I have been studying The Living Temple of Withcraft: The Journey of the God by Christopher Penczak for quite a few months. It is a phenomenal book and I encourage everyone to read it. It is the sixth book in his Temple Series and it can be read alone but I encourage that all the series be read. It gives you a better base of knowledge.

This book discusses the Journey of the Sun through all the signs of the Zodiac and the correspondences of each. I have truly devoured the knoledge contained in this book. I for one have always relied on my intuition when working magic and only paid attention to the cycle of the moon. I have, since reading this book, found out that the location of planets and the zodiac can greatly influence your magic. It can definitely give it a great boost when you call upon it.

Christopher lists the signs of the zodiac and gives a one word definition to describe the personality of that sign. He then goes into detail about that sign and the gifts it can offer. I found this fascinating! Here is the list he offers:

Aries         Warrior

Taurus       Steward

Gemini       Trickster

Cancer       Mother

Leo            Artisan

Virgo          Servant

Libra           Judge

Scorpio       Guardian

Sagittarius  Teacher

Capricorn    Father

Aquarius      Rebel

Pisces         Ecstatic

In addition to this list, he breaks down each sign and the definition and adds correspondences for each such as Tarot cards, Element, Season, Image, Blessing, Challenge, Ruling Planet, Stones, and Goals of the Witch. For example, Aries is the Warrior. The Emperor is the Tarot card. Spring is the season. The blessing is courage and the challenge is fear. Ruling Planet is Mars. Stones are Ruby, Garnet, and Diamond. The goal of the witch for this sign is to Know Yourself.

Over the next twelve months I will be breaking down each sign according to Christopher’s teaching and adding my own thoughts as well. I hope you will enjoy this. I know it has been a tremendous help to me!

Until next time, Blessed Be!

Owl

How do you feel about Death?

With the tragic death of a three-year-old little girl in our community from a drowning I have been able to examine many different people’s dealings with death. Regardless of what a person may believe it still doesn’t relieve the pain and hurt left from this little girl’s death. I have had many people tell me what they believe about God, religion, death, and the afterlife. Not so much by what they say but what they don’t say as well.

My mother asked me, “Why did god allow that to happen?”  Another told me, “Maybe god knew that she was not going to be a christian so he took her while she was still innocent.” And yet another told me, “god allowed this to happen to get the attention of the parents and those around her because they are not true christians.” Those of us in the pagan community know that life truly never ends and that she is still alive just not in bodily form.

Most people down here in the south call themselves christians. I have seen so many people on facebook quoting scripture and trying to deal with the death of this beautiful child. I myself believe that tragic things like this frighten most people who call themselves christians. They see their god as a loving one and one who would never allow something like this to happen. But it has. So they come up with statements like those above to make them feel better about their god.

What I know is that there are laws in force on this planet. If you break one of those laws there will be consequences. What happened to that baby girl is that she swallowed water like she was breathing air and we cannot breathe under water. Her brain went without oxygen for so long that her body shut down.

I do not have to make up a statement to explain why my diety did not stop that from happening no more than if I jumped off a cliff with no parachute and expected the goddess to give me wings. I will die if I try that because I cant fly.

What I can do about this horrible accident though is bring the love of my goddess to those in pain. I can send energy and light to the hearts of those hurting. And the goddess works on their behalf IN SPITE of them not knowing her. That is the loving goddess that I serve and love.

So in conclusion, when we face death we have a choice – we can make up excuses as to why god or goddess allowed it to happen or we can allow death to do what it does. TRANSFORM. For in actuality, that baby girl has transformed now into something more beautiful than we can imagine. Hopefully we can allow that same transformation to happen to us when those we love come to the ends of their days as well.

What do you believe about death and the afterlife? Thank you for allowing me to blog about this.

I love you all.

Bright blessings,

Owl