Almanac 7th to 13th March Incl Magical Notes

All information from "Llewellyn's Magical Almanac 2016"

Colour and Incense based on information used by Llewellyn from

Personal Almanac by Amber Wolfe

All times are Eastern Standard (US) Time (EST)

or Eastern Daylight (US) Time (EDT)

Pagan's Magical Notes:    

Affirmation Stones

Ever looked at those lovely stones with  'power' words such as peace, love and dream and thought "I like those, but they don't sing to me"? Well it's not difficult to create your own affirmation stones with words and even images that resonate more personally with your own life or path. You choose need a couple of things. Your tools to create these are simple, especially if it's just words you want. 

• A fine permanent pen (you'll fine these in most craft shops or online, and you can find them in many colours)
• If you want to add coloured images - Some acrylic paints
• Some artist varnish to seal and protect the paint. You can find this as a spray in either matt or gloss. Again in artists shops or online. If you buy in a jar, you will need a soft flat brush. And not heavy bristle. Something like the brushes in the image below and about 2' wide. No less that 1 1/2'
• Plus, of course, some stones. These are better if they are flat and a reasonable size too. Around about the size of your palm 

Make sure your stones are smooth or you'll find it difficult to write on the surface and your stones are also clean. 

What you write is entirely up to you, these are your stones. If you are unsure, sit and meditate on this. Make notes of your ideas...or just write down, on paper, what comes into your head without too much thought. Just remember, once you have written onto your stone it's permanent and cannot be erased. So start on paper and  make sure you are happy with your words.

You will find creating these beautiful stones very calming and will allow you to think clearly. It is a very meditative activity. You may want some calm music playing in the background as you work. Some herbal tea, candles and incense such as lavender or white sage (you can buy this as incense sticks and cones). All these will help to clear your mind and make it a very enjoyable and quiet time.

This is also a lovely activity you can do with your children. Have them create their own special stones.

New Moon

Of course we also have a new moon this week on Tuesday. You will find here a link back to a previous posting with blessings etc for the new moon. Maybe some of these blessings will give you inspiration for you stones.

Click Here For Page

As it's the new moon I thought I would find an article that was different to what I normally post. So below is a segment and link to an article called "Understanding New Moon" by Deborah Byrd. And then this weeks correspondences follow.

Enjoy and have a blessed week.

~ Pagan )O(

Understanding New Moon

by Deborah Byrd

What is the ghostly image at the top of this post? It’s a new moon. Its lighted half is facing entirely away from Earth.

The image above is imaginary. It’s as if you flew in a spaceship to a place where you could see the night side of the moon. Why do we say imaginary? Because, when the moon is new, its night face is facing us on Earth … and we can’t see the moon at this time.

We can’t see the new moon from Earth, except during the stirring moments of a solar eclipse. Then the moon passes in front of the sun, and the night portion of the moon becomes visible to us, surrounded by the sun’s fiery corona.

Once each month, the moon comes all the way around in its orbit so that it is more or lessbetween us and the sun. If the moon always passed directly between the sun and Earth at new moon, a solar eclipse would take place every month. But that doesn’t happen every month. Instead, in most months, the moon passes above or below the sun as seen from our earthly vantage point.

The Complete Article

Next Sabbats and Full/New Moons

20th March - Ostara (Spring Equinox - Northern Hemisphere (NH)

20th March - Mabon (Autumn Equinox) - Southern Hemisphere (SH)

8th March New Moon

23rd March Full Moon

March Correspondences

Stone: Aquamarine, Jade, Bloodstone

Animal: Wolf or Cougar, Whale

Flower: Jonquil (aka Daffodil, Narcissus) 

Ruling Planer: Neptune, Jupiter

Zodiac: Aquarius

Colour Correspondences for the Colour of the Day

Whites: Element of Spirit, Purity, Protection, innocence, Cleansing,

Greens: Element of Earth, Money, Growth, Fertility, Healing, Abundance, Luck, Prosperity,

Oranges: Attraction, Success, Health, Wealth, Creativity, Charm, Abundance,

Yellows: Element of Air, Intellect, Confidence, Communication,

Reds: Element of Fire, Courage, Good Fortune, Passion, Health, Vigour,

Pinks: Love, Friendship, Mental Health, Forgiveness, Family,

Greys: Peace, Neutrality, Negatives

Browns: Element of Earth, Health, Home, Stability, Household Protection, Grounding, Protection,

Blues: Element of Water, Psychic Awareness, Peace, Calm, Renewal, Healing,

Black: Banishing, The Void, Negativity, Unblocking, Protection, Honour, Deep Meditation,

The Moon and Correspondences For This Week

Monday 7th

Waning Moon  

Moon Phase: Fourth Quarter 

Colour: Grey

Moon Sign: Aquarius 

Moon Enters: Pisces 2:08 pm

Incense: Lily

Tuesday 8th

Waning Moon

Moon Phase: New Moon 8:54 pm

Colour: White

Moon Sign: Pisces

Incense: Geranium

Wednesday 9th

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Colour: Brown

Moon Sign: Pisces

Moon Enters: Aries 2:40 pm

Incense: Lilac

Thursday 10th

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Colour: Purple

Moon Sign: Aries

Incense: Jasmine

Friday 11th

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Colour: Pink

Moon Sign: Aries

Moon Enters: Taurus 2:44 pm

Incense: Mint

Saturday 12th

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Colour: Black

Moon Sign: Taurus

Incense: Ivy

Sunday 13th

Waxing Moon

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Colour: Amber

Moon Sign: Taurus

Moon Enters: Gemini 5:03 pm

Incense: Marigold

New Moon Ritual

The New Moon is literally the Moon starting her 29 day cycle again. Starting a new and so we celebrate this with the start of new beginnings. New projects, renewing commitments and healing. It is a time when we put the old behind us and look forward to the new. Old habits and worries. If there is something you have problems trying to put behind you, this is the ideal time to do it.

Now I haven't written a ritual as I really haven't had the time. But there is one at the end of the article. my part in this article is more about preparation. So lets start with the most important part of any ritual.

Intention

Firstly you must decide what your intentions are for this ritual. Why you wish to perform this. As I have said, this is the time for new beginnings and renewing commitments to old resolutions. Or you may wish to perform some healing work. Though you can do more than one thing. Just be sure of what you wish to do.

Preparation

Decide where you want to do your ritual. Outside is always nice, but also not always possible. So choose a room in your home where you have space to perform your ritual and where you will not be disturbed. Make sure those in your home are aware you need some quiet time and switch off mobiles/cell phones, computers, tablets and take the house phone off it’s hook.

Once you have decided where you want to perform your ritual. Make sure it’s clean and tidy

both physically and spiritually. Don’t just put things away and vacuum, but smudge the room too, sage or lavender are perfect for this.  Lavender and lemon balm are also associated with the New Moon. Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate.

Don’t forget to prepare yourself also. A nice cleansing and ritual bath. A shower really doesn’t have the same effect. Have some candles and lavender bath salts. When you soak imagine the Lavender salts drawing all the negativity from your body. Step out of the bath and then pull the plug and watch all that negativity drain away with the water.

Grounding and meditation are also important. Meditating on your intentions and grounding your mind, body and soul are as important as preparing your room.


Here’s a good article on the subject: Grounding and Centering

Your Altar and This You May Need

As this is a Moon ritual I would suggest either white or silver for the colour choices. It’s nice to combine both of this as it adds more interest to your altar. How you decorate your altar is of course up to you. Below are some suggestions. This form of decorating your altar can be used for any Moon ritual.

• So a silver or white altar cloth. Or possibly a white altar cloth with silver thread running through it.
• A feather to represent air, again this could be a white feather
• A white or silver candle that represents both the moon and fire
• A silver or clear glass bowl of Salt to represent Earth. Or you can use a stone or a some soil.
• A silver or clear glass bowl or goblet of water. If you can use spring water for this do. But don’t worry if that’s not possible.
• You may also wish to have white flowers with silver sprayed twigs
• Silver moon shaped sequins liberally scattered around
• A silver pentacle (if you don’t have a large one, you could use a pendent) can also be used to represent Earth just as a wand can be used for air or fire
• If you are going to burn paper, a cauldron is suggested. I would say that your cauldron needs to be at least 11cm in diameter. Anything smaller and it’s not safe enough to burn things in. Make sure you place it somewhere safe and don’t burn too much. Keep it small and keep it safe.

The Ritual

It is always nice to try and write your own, but that’s not always possible. The internet is 

filled to the brim of the cauldron with various rituals. So take a look around. Find one you 

like and then make it your own. Change the words for instance. Try to use it as a guideline 

rather than actually using the ritual. Remember the more personal it is, the better it will work for you. I have added a ritual at the end of this article.

Here’s a little check list I found, and it’s rather nice, of things for your new Moon Ritual

• Prepare the space by lighting one white candle and burning a stick of sage.
  
• Write on a small index cards intentions for the next 28 days.
• String intentions up via string.
• Begin meditating on intentions
• Imagine letting go of things that no longer serve you
• Visualize a new life. Create a vision board with images that reflect this new life.
• Say prayer of thanks and gratitude
• Blow out candle

I know I am bound to have forgotten some things in my article. So here are some useful and interesting links. Do read, as you will learn more that way.

New and Full Moon Rituals - And how to Create your Own

Ten Tips For New Moon Rituals That Get Results

3 minute moon Ritual

New Moon Manifestation Ceremony

New Moon Rituals

Now as I have had a very busy week with my Birthday and family visits, I am resorting to my suggestion. So the following ritual is one I have found and liked.

This ritual is a rather simple one, but also really nice. I have provided a link below to the actual page, so if Carole mentions other pages to visit, just follow the link I've provided and go from there.

And don’t forget, rituals don’t have to be over complicated. If anything, the simpler the better is often the best mantra. As they say KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid

Beannachd

Pagan Hare

New Moon Ritual For Manifesting:

by CAROLE FOGARTY

“We can change our lives. We can do, have, and be exactly what we wish”  Tony Robbins

Any new moon is the perfect time to release your monthly wishes out into the universe. Astrologically it carries a strong energy for giving birth to new ideas, habits or projects.

To give my wishes the special attention they deserve, I send them on their merry way with a simple, yet meaningful ritual.  Rituals needn't be complicated, time consuming or confusing.  In fact mine are around 3 – 5 minutes.

Firstly, I become still and arrive fully into the moment.  I want my whole body, mind and breath to participate.  Secondly, I connect with the four elements of nature, after all they nourish us all on a daily basis and we certainly couldn't survive without them.   Then, and only then, do I feel connected and prepared to release my wishes out into the big wide world.

Acknowledge the start of your ritual:

Light a candle to signify the start of the ritual – giving thanks and gratitude. You can even open with a little blessing or prayer if that feels right for you.

Arrive fully at the ritual:

Give 100% of your whole self when releasing your wishes by arriving fully into the moment.  Involve your mind fully,  breath fully, body fully and your soul fully.

Feel and become aware of  your body (feet, toes, fingers, legs, arms etc), shake and move your body if you need too.

Feel and become aware of your breath, follow it as it moves through your body.  It is your breath and words that will give energy to your wishes.

Feel and become aware of your thoughts – do not follow your thoughts just notice them and your mind will soon arrive without getting distracted.

Feel and sense the energy of your heart, the core of your being, the essence of who you are.

Now, pay closer attention to the environment around you. Tap into your senses.  What can you see, smell, taste, touch or hear?

If you need help arriving, then you might like to read my article called the 3 arrivals.  A simple Buddhist practice that encourages you to arrive fully into the here and now.

Connect with the elements of nature:

To connect with the essence of the universe you need to acknowledge the four main elements of nature.  Fire – water – earth – water.  You can do this by feeling, sensing or having a physical representation for each of the elements.

Earth: go barefoot and feel the earth beneath your feet.  If you can’t go outside you may prefer to wear or hold a crystal, be close to a plant or vase of flowers. Breathe the earths energy up through your feet.  Feel the connection.

Fire: the burning candle signifies fire – feel or sense the cleansing properties of the fire, and the energy it is fueling your wishes with.

Air: light a piece of dried white sage or sage smudge stick (as shown in the picture on the right). The smoke represents air. Let the smoke fill the air around you.

Water: have a bowl of water with a small handful of rock salt. This connects you to the ocean and all water on this planet. Add essences, flowers , crystals or infuse your water with sunshine – if this feels right for you.

Write and cleanse your wishes:

Write your wishes down on a piece of paper and then cleanse away unseen obstacles and energy blocks with the smoke from your sage smudge stick (Shown in the photo above).  Continue cleansing until you feel a lighter energy around your written wishes.

I have used dried white sage (either loose or as a smudge stick) for over 20 years and strongly believe in its cleansing and purification properties.  Burning sage is almost a daily occurrence in my home.  If you can find organic, then all the better.

Release your wishes:

The first part of releasing your wishes is writing them down.  The second part is saying them out aloud as if you are speaking in person to the universe.  Feel or sense the words of your wishes in your breath, in your exhale as they leave your body. Release them with love and grace.

Close ritual:

Finish your new moon wish ritual by blowing out your candle and giving thanks and gratitude. Close your eyes and spend a few special moments in silence – feeling whatever you need to feel.  I usually get a feeling of my wishes flying out into all corners of the world.

You may  keep your written wishes under your pillow, next to your favourite crystal,  on your bedside table, in your wish bowl, on your altar or bury them in the ground for the next

month.  You may even prefer to keep a visual image or picture that represents your monthly wish.  Alternately read your monthly wish/wishes just before you go to bed. Do whatever feels right for you. Trust and be guided your intuition.

In case you are wondering what my monthly wish is – it’s to complete my first e-book “Unwind” and become an author. Wish me luck.  May all our wishes come true, easily and effortlessly.

Original Source For Ritual:


http://thehealthylivinglounge.com/2010/04/18/new-moon-wish-ritual-for-manifesting/