The Spindle Path

(hazelkate)

1:46PM - Gefjon -- don't hide your face

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on July 7th, 2009 occurs at 15°24' Capricorn, in conjunction with the Behenian Fixed Star Vega, a star of luck in politics, generosity and artistic talent, but suggesting fleeting fame and double-dealing, while the Sun is on the fortunate stars Canopus ("The Ship of the Desert"), known for changing evil to good, and Sirius, the bright star of ambition and pride.

To know more of how it affects you, look in your chart to see which planets are affected by 15 or 16 degrees Capricorn.

Gefjon is the Goddess I associate with Capricorn. Where is she found in your chart?

(hazelkate)

8:42AM - Var's moon

The day of light and shadows is known as midsummer (at least, in Europe it is midsummer. In America, we say summer begins at this time). How did you celebrate. Was Baldur part of your celebration?

I thought of good intentions -- and foreknowledge. And how Frigga showed us that these won't stop the spin of time and that which is called fate.

Each has a story that is uniquely their own. Sometimes, the story may be edited.

Some of the most powerful moons to work through in editing your own story are these Cardinal points in Astrology. Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn. These are the places where the thread is set.

Now we weave the waning of the year. We take assessment. What have we gained, what needs changed.

Light a candle for Var and allow thoughts of your foundations and your past to come to you. Make a list of vows you've made -- even those unspoken. Think of conditioning which has formed your habits. Where did this begin? What is the agreement inherent in this habit, in this conditioning? Is this something you want to keep or is it time to let it go and make a change.

We are not tied to the past with iron cords. The spin of time brings inroads which allow us to take another path.

What needs changed?

As Var to release you from vows which do not serve your highest good. Renew those vows that bring you closer to the heart of your best story

(hazelkate)

6:37PM - Gna's moon

That's Gemini and Sagittarius. Mercury-Jupiter. Gna is the Messenger and the one who collects information and keeps moving. Saga records the story and wants to know the meaning behind the information. They are opposites, and like most opposites, work well together, but not without their "discussions".

And they both have "discussions" with the signs they square -- which is Virgo and Pisces.

The sun moved into the sign of Gemini yesterday. On Sunday the moon comes into this sign and we have New Moon.

Work this month for expanding awareness through education, writing, communication, and story. A great month for dancing too. Gna's horse is named Hofvarpner, which means hoof-flourisher -- which means dancer (just like one of Santa's reigndeer). Dancer's parents were Skinny sides and Fence Breaker. Those are also descriptions of Gemini.

As we move into Gna's moon, Mercury is retrograde, demanding inward movement before outward. Messages come inward to be understood. It's a little more difficult to move outward and go dancing or out to socialize. But the pull will be there to go and when Mercury goes direct at the end of May, we may jump out of the starting gate like Hoof Flourisher's kinsmen at the Derby. We are spinning up the energy like those cartoon characters just before they take off for a great run.

It's helpful to think of what you would do if you could. Then fine tune all the particulars and get ready to move into summer when Mercury goes direct.

Work the moon energy by thinking of Gna and Saga. Think of what it would mean to meet in the center between the energies each creates. Gna and her horse flying over land and sea, the Message-bearer (just like Mercury, the God with wings on his feet). Think of Saga, the one who travels the world over in search of story, then goes to sit with Odin and sip mead from her golden cup as the two of them discuss all they've seen in their journeys.

Before you get cozy with these "opposites" who are said to be the most compatible of all the opposites in the Zodiac, remember that their energy will be squared twice in the coming moon cycle. First, on the riseing moon, by Virgo -- Eir, who is particular over details and with very high standards of excellence. She is Teacher/Healer and demands the best from her followers. (It's very hard to live up to the standards set by a Virgo).

During the square from Virgo moon, you'll get a chance to check the facts and rewrite the story, making certain all is truthful and of a high standard. Keep an eye to health, also. And the workplace. Virgo's 6th house is health and the workplace.

During the waning square from Pisces, Vor will help you see beyond the obvious and will ask that your service be of universal benefit. The square to Gna and Saga may also cause confusion and there may be a tendency to dissolve the story before it comes back to Gna's moon at the end of the cycle.

Gna/Gemini = Air
Eir/Virgo = Earth
Saga/Sagittarius = Fire
Vor/Pisces = Water

(hazelkate)

10:40AM - Frigga's Hearthfire/Needfire

Fulla-Hlin -- What will you keep and what will you release. Full moon is tomorrow, but on this hearthfire night, you might want work to hold on to what is dear to you and to release what is a hindrance.

What have you been able to put into Fulla's treasure chest since the new moon? Did you experience a cross-current at the time of Leo moon within Fulla's moon cycle? Did you resolve the issue? If not, you may get another chance at the time of Snotra's moon (within this moon cycle).

(hazelkate)

6:52PM - NEW moon in Aries

New moon in Aries begins tomorrow and my thoughts have been on selfishness and self-fullness. So much of our struggles are wrapped up in who we think we are. None of knows another, but I believe we also don't know ourselves nearly well enough.

We are accused by others and this is forgivable because they don't know us. When stangers misjudge and prattle about things they believe we've done or haven't done, it's not such a big deal to us. But if they are friends or family, then the injustice of it goes deep. It isn't the accusations, so much, as the thought that we are strangers, still, even to those who should know us by now.

At times like this, we can think of Syn. Though she is called forth at hearings for serious accusations, yet I believe she also stands for us in these minor ways as well.

Syn keeps guard at the door of the hall, she bars it against an outsider who would enter to do harm. When one accused and denies the charg , she is brought forth.

She is brought forth from where?

Does she enter the room as a person would do and stand beside you? Or is she called from within, rising in you, as Mars energy to defend your integrity?

Take time to think on how and why you are being charged and challenged at this time. Is is someone else who brings the charge, or do you bring it yourself? If you hear yourself saying, "I can't..." or "I don't know how..." or "I shouldn't have..." listen to hear the accusations your bring against yourself.

Did old wrongs arise during Pisces (12th house) moon-cycle which is now coming to an end? If so, do you still charge yourself with these old failures? Do you still lament what you "should have done"?

Now is a good time to call forth the strength of your integrity and free your motivational force for the work ahead of you by allowing Syn to defend you -- even against your own accusations.

(hazelkate)

10:45AM - Venus -- and Frigga's Day

http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20090214/sc_space/doorstepastronomyspot5planets


Today is Frigga's Friday -- and Fridays are held by Venus energy. (Frigg, btw, means Love or Beloved, and Venus is the love planet, among other things).

Next Friday, the new moon crescent and Venus are conjunct. And this in the moon-cycle of Pisces (but the moon will have moved into Aries within that cycle by next Friday).

So let's watch the planets together and light our fires for Goddess. Why not clear a crystal during the waning moon and empower next Friday in light of Venus and the crescent moon. Use this during the rising moon to help focus your spell/prayer intent toward this month's goals.

The coming Pisces moon-cycle will include Neptune -- universal themes and clearing out that 12th house.

Let go of the past, move on to the future. Let go of old relationships and grudges and old habits that keep you down.

Because the new astrological year is about to begin. The cycle after this one is Aries. New beginnings, personal initiative, holding your own power and the integrity of the individual.

Pisces Handmaiden/Goddess is Vor who sees beyond the veils, understands the universiality of what we do, and makes us aware of the whole web, rather than just the isolated pattern nearest us.

(hazelkate)

9:24AM - Moon working

The Moon enters Leo this evening. This is square to the Scorpio -- Taurus focus of this moon cycle. This is a time to examine the cross-currents as the moon wanes.

Leo asks what part do you play on the world's stage. And, how do step out of your comforting cocoon and seek your freedom to be your authentic self? How do you make your voice heard over all that opposes? How do you unlock the doors that until now have been barred against you?

Leo's opposite, Aquarius, may have given you clues during the rising moon, when this sign, also tested the workings of Scorpio- Taurus. Aquarius wanted you to succeed, to strive for the best you could do and wanted you to be recognized for your efforts. Aquarius asked "where is your tribe?" A challenge in this month of working out values.

Now Leo asks how do you offer your gift to the tribe and what do you offer? Leo asks you to stop allowing others to tell you that you can't.

Especially now that you already know you can.
 

(hazelkate)

9:10PM - New Scorpio Moon

New moon in Scorpio -- subtle and intense at the same time.

You'll follow the moon from Hlin to Fulla. A chance to adjust your value system. Does what you own define you or are you more than the sum of your surroundings?

Hlin begins, and Saga, Gefjon, Snotra, Vor, and Syn, take you to Fulla's moon-tide where you'll decide or discover which shoes you are wearing now, what path you are walking, what skills you need and what you'll keep and what will be let go.

Gna, Var, Lofn, Eir, Sjofn, Hlin help you let go of what holds you back as you move to the next cycle.

Hlin and Fulla become aware of each other. Snotra and Lofn provide strength-building tension in this moon journey.

For anyone with Scorpio sun, you'll experience your personal new moon during the next couple of days that may give you more energy and confidence (moon is needs, habits, emotions and sun is ego -- together, in tune, you may feel supported and nurtured and allowed to shine in your own light).

Look for other aspects the moon makes to your natal planets. If you've not been with astrology long, simply divide the aspects into two types -- difficult and supportive. (Opposition, square, inconjunct and sometimes conjunct are difficult) Trine and sextile and if the element or modality is supportive of each other, conjunct, are helpful aspects.

It sounds like a lot of work for something that moves so swiftly, but remember you need only make these notes once for each moon sign. Then you'll remember as that sign comes again. Though there will be differences due to phase that accompanies the sign.

For instance, my sun is Sagittarius. The moon goes into this sign on October 30 and will approach my degree by Saturday, November 1. My personal new moon is at that time. I will experience this differently for the rising moon than I would for the waning moon.

You may also want to create a lunar return chart for yourself for each month. This is when the moon is conjunct your natal moon.

My moon is in Aries, so my lunar calendar begins when the transiting moon is in Aries. I could create a chart when transiting Aries moon reaches the same degree as my natal Aries moon and have another lens on what is happening, or may happen, and what to watch for and skillfully use.

One other note I'll mention is to watch for when the transiting moon touches your ascendant by sign and degree. You get busy then with things concerning you. Watch for this and see if it is true for you. Things tend to speed up and you become the focus. Generally, this is in accordance to the sign -- and the moon phase (and of course, any aspects to other planets).

When the moon is directly across from your ascendant, it will be on others in your life. When it is at your fourth house cusp, you may have to nurture the folks at home and when it is at the 10th house, your career may need your attention and nurturing.

You may not want to get that involved in the lunar landscape. If not, what I've given above, concerning the Handmaidens of this moon cycle, is enough to open your intution concerning moon work.

Don't let all this tie you in knots -- remember that too much introspection is counter productive. But knowing why you feel the way you feel can be very comforting. It frees your energy which can then be used in working that moon magic for the good of the hearth, the earth, yourself and all your kinsmen.

(hazelkate)

10:43PM - New Moon Rising

The moon will rise from Libra new to Aries full. New Moon tomorrow, September 29th. Full Moon is October 12. Think of Sjofn and Syn. The numbers Seven and One -- partnerships, conflicts, agreements, contracts, relationships and the rune Gebo. Aries holds the energy in areas of Leadership, personal goals, glamoury and stepping out to try new things, pioneering new ideas.

Begin in Unity and move toward personal motivation. Air and Fire. Libra and Aries. Go to your Natal chart to find how the moon will affect you as it moves through this cycle.

If you want to create a moon altar for the waxing moon, try bright green or yellow for Libra and scarlet for Aries.

The Handmaidens associated with the moon between new and full are going to begin with Sjofn, and move with Hlin, Saga, Gefjon, Snotra, Vor and Syn. Then from full to new, you can explore the inward journey of Fulla, Gna, Var, Lofn, Eir, and back to Sjofn.

When the moon is in Libra, look for the house in your chart where Libra is found on the cusp and look for Venus in your chart and look at any aspects Venus makes to other planets. Also look at any planets that are in the house where Libra is found. The moon is going to highlight these as it moves through.

You know how the web shakes when something touches a part of it -- well that's how a transiting planet does in your chart. What kind of aspect does the transiting moon make to the planets in your chart?

If you can spare enough time to make note of these this year, you can check this personal calendar next year and understand a bit more about what is happening then by what you've written about what is happening now.

I've always wanted to live in one place long enough to know the time and seasons by the patterns of light through the windows. This is like that. Your own personal patterns of light.

(hazelkate)

9:41PM - Sjofn...

Goddess,
Incline our hearts to love,
I feel conflict all around,
Which means within...

Losing my balance,
I reach to you,
You, in Wisdom,
Whisper, "a breath"
Is a going out and a coming in,

All things are connected,
And hold their opposite,
I know this,
Forget this,
Know this again...

Each year, twice,
As the tilting Earth
Finds balance,
I do the same...

Them and Us
You and Me
Mirrors
What I see in others,
beliefs of right and wrong,
Who will lead us,
What future we dream,
These things in their
Extreme opposite expressions

Need balance.

How you will do this,
Goddess of delight,
Goddess of disolved boundaries
Goddess of justice,
Goddess of beauty and art and music,
I reach toward you
In my inbalance,
Seeing too sharply two sides opposed,
In You, I regain my balance,
Lay fears to rest.

I know the world moves forward,
Though many would hold it back,
Though I hold it back,
Through you, Lady of Balance,
I let go of many things
And put both feet on
Solid earth....

(hazelkate)

8:11AM - Hearthfire -- Eir's moon rising

Frigga, All-Mother,
I light this candle and the light of it goes outward and inward in the same moment, illuminating what has been darknened, whispering runes and hints of answers that will grow as the moon grows.

All Knowing One, incline our hearts toward the children this season, toward protecting them from predators, toward holding the space for them until they reach an age where they will walk strongly in light you give.

Silent One, incline our minds to meditation and the stillness within where Gna's whispers from you will open pathways to forgotten wise ways of the past.

Spinner, set the pace and fill our hands with work suited to the women of Frigga's hearth, to the men who are also the weavers of the way, providing good roving for the children who follow after.

Spinner of the Clouds whose wheel sits among the stars, widen the wisdom path and lead us through the seasons of our lives.

So Be It
As I have spoken this in your name, let it be so.

~~~

Tonight our Hearthfire here will be toward health and healing and to learning more of healing ways, and work issues which many have right now, continuing the work of the Sun sign, Virgo.

For those of you who use moon energy to work positive change, you should know that though the moon is now waxing, it will be void of course this evening. We're still moving through the territory of the Healer and it's her moon we're working.

,The new moon in Virgo of August 30 reaches culmination in Full Pisces moon on the morning of September 15. Think of Mercury which has to do with mind set and in Virgo, has to do with meticulous attention to detail. And think of the planet Neptune which rules Pisces and has to do with universal themes and with dissolving ego.

This moonrise has us synthesizing sixth and twelth house issues -- health, caregiving, attainment of our own best standards (while not forcing those standards onto others) and the area of dealing with old issues from the past and letting go of what hinders a move forward. Work place and hidden agendas are up for reworking as well as all health related issues.

Honor Eir and Vor, the Healer and the Far-Seeing One. Think of the web of events that lead to good health. Emotions and past conditioning that often need dealt with in order to walk your highest path. Eir requires her followers to reach toward their best work and give each thing, even those seemingly small details, full attention.

If you light a candle for each on your altar during this growing moon and ask to know the work of each and how they work together, you may be surprised at what you learn.

These signs, (Virgo and Pisces) are both mutable, Virgo is earth and Pisces is water. Think of the ways they might enhance each other. Remember that these elements in the mundane world can be nothing more than mud or can be an earthenware container holding life-giving water. It's all in how they're used.

(hazelkate)

5:24PM - Summer's End

August began and ended with a new moon and the sun sailed out of Lofn's territory and into Eir's. Now September, cooling the air and coloring the leaves where I live, is turning my thoughts toward the second harvest.

Second harvest means different things to different folks, according to lifestyle. Those who live on homesteads and have not gone vegetarian, might replenish the meat supply, giving part of this harvest to the Gods the same way most of us give grain and meade.

The equinox, September 22, is when the sun enters the sign of Libra. Goddess Sjofn helps us ease conflicts and differences of oppinion that happen as two synthesise their lives, the object fairness and balance. I can't think of Libra without thinking of Yin and Yang and of the tides of the ocean sweeping in and sweeping out again, and even how a breath is a complete in the expression of both the inhalation and exhalation.

Some of us find the equinoxes a bit unsettling. We have only 15 degrees of Libra before the sun enters via combust -- a dangerous time when the Wild Hunt begins to prepare for the winter's ride. Winter's Finding begins, and leads through to Hella's Eve (which is also called Hallow'een) and the Day of Norn's rule follows ten days later.

However you mark this time, give a thought to the way in which you allow things to pass in order that new growth, in season, is possible.

(hazelkate)

11:54AM - LOAF FEST -- Solar Eclipse -- What it means to you

15 degrees Leo -- but for us, August 1 is close enough. This August first, we also have a solar eclipse. This solar eclipse is going to help us let go of things that are not of use to us. Relationships need to be on solid footing before the eclipse, and don't get tangled in arguments just because you may be right. Allow room for error. Don't take it to heart (Leo).

Loaf Fest is a time to let go and move on. Big plans either paid off or didn't, and you can see the results, as this is the first harvest, letting you see more clearly what you've grown. Planting and tending season is over and this is what you've come away with.

If you've come away empty-handed, don't fret it, empty hands are filled once more. Nature has a way of not leaving space. Scratch a bit of bare ground and soon something fills it up.

You can choose with what to fill your proverbial bare ground -- give thanks for the first harvest, whatever it may be and if anything good has a bit of a sprout, tend it well between now and Mabon -- second harvest.

Loaf Fest corresponds to the Disting -- Lammas to Imbolc. If you honored your feminine ancestors for the Disting -- now honor your "Grandfathers" for Loaf Mas. Frey is a God of Harvest and it would be appropriate to honor Frey at this time.

Astrologers say that this eclipse will allow many to walk away from something they were not able to end at the beginning of the year.

The eclipse happens at 10 degrees Leo -- so look to your charts to find where your planets interact with this point.

I found this site where Brenda Black highlights what happens universally http://www.eclipseastrologyaz.com/ -- But you've got to bring it home and relate it to your chart to find out what it really means for you.

Ms Black says this eclipse is especially important to Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius and Taurus. But she doesn't tell you why. Use your own figuring to find out why. Don't take what someone tells you without figuring out why -- they've given you a key and you get to open the door and go in an enjoy the whole house. 'stead of just standing there thinking what a pretty key it is.

The reason why these signs (and she's talking about sun signs since that is basic life force) is because the eclipse is IN Leo and would involve what is opposite (Aquarius) and what is square (Taurus and Scorpio). This is the succedent houses, so involes self worth and giving/receiving love.

Add all that information in when you're figuring out what it means to you.

Go back to the basics with the Handmaidens to remind you what those signs mean. The personalities of the signs:

Leo = Lofn. Lofn loves strongly but needs ego satisfaction. She wants her own and everyone else's freedom to be recognized for who they are. My friend, Edith is my Leo personification. Howard, a young fellow in Asheville, is another who gives a face to this sign.

Aquarius = Snotra. Snotra is known as the one who creates peace among the kinsmen. Aquarius is universal, ruler of the 11th house of social groups, humanitarian, ruled by Uranus' individualism. I know a woman who is a loner, very strong willed, but who supports groups where universal goals are the theme.

Taurus = Fulla -- the young robust child/woman who carries and cares for the treasure -- she wants what she wants and has patience to get it. Things are important to her and the quality of the things is important. Beauty and art. SENSUAL -- that's Fulla. I have a person association to Fulla -- her name is Shannon. She loves jewelry and good quality shoes (she's always showing me her shoes) and she chooses by what something makes her feel. "I dont' know what it means -- it makes me happy when I see it." (I have two daughtes who represent this sign as well, one on the border between Aries/Taurus and one wholly Taurus in sun sign).

Scorpio = Hlin -- Hlin is called our consoler and she also is associated with death and dying. I know two people for this sign, Scorpio. They were born on the same day -- one carries a sting in order to protect herself. She is pyschic, and prys to discover hidden knowledge. The other is rising from the Scorpio into the Phoenix and has the skill of resiliency. One carries a blade and one a shield, each showing, (for me) half the archetype of Scorpio.

Think of the areas in the chart these 4 control:

Leo (5th house) rules the fifth house of play and creation, of romance and speculation, teaching and theatrics

Aquarius (11th house) rules groups and love received (which can be paydays since the energy is that which you receive for what you've done), clubs, goals, salaries

Taurus (2nd house) finances and possessions, personal resources, feelings of self-worth

Scorpio (8th house) Other's resources, experiences and matters relating to death, sex, the occult, taxes, crisis of healing

So -- now, go find out where 10 degrees (or anywhere from 2 to 18 degrees -- but especially 8-12 degrees) of these points are in your chart.

Look at the house they are in and equate this to whose house it really is -- you remember how to do that from before.

For instance -- if your moon is at 8 degrees Leo in the 3rd house. Think of Var influenced by Lofn in Gna's house. It's going to be about personally held truths having to do with freedom to give love and involving messages, information and communication.

I was taught to combine in this way: Moon in Leo in 3rd house: "I love to be the center of attention (Leo) and need (Moon) to be recognized as a creative individual (moon in Leo)and my instinctive reactions (moon) will likely be in a communicative style (third house).

"This is all sparked into action by the solar eclipse in my moon sign. This will bring a basic need (moon) to be heard (3rd house) and because of this particular solar eclipse, something I've worked on this year may, in the next 6 months, find expression as the roadblocks in front of success are removed."

Ok, so that's one interpretation of Moon at 8 degrees Leo being "spunked" by the eclipse. There are other interpretations -- which is why it's so cool to do this yourself. You will know more about what it means to you.

If you don't have a chart, you can get a "pre-fab" chart from Astrodienst http://www.astro.com/

(hazelkate)

3:53PM - Lofn

Lofn...
Posted on 2008.07.22 at 17:52
Free from the chains of society
Who rules you with tyranny,
Ignoring love's depth,
Forbidding to be,

But the tides are changing
Like the rolling sea,
Rise like the breath
Of the loved one beside you,

The love that combines you
Brings to this harmony
The song of forever
In words of all lovers
The right to be free

She wins the hearts
Of those who follow,
She gives to you keys
To the kingdom of love,

And if ever you falter,
Your way is a'tangle,
She'll break the fetters
They'll fall from your feet

She'll lead you one to one
Heartbeat to heartbeat
Until the way of all lovers
Is won

(hazelkate)

10:16AM - Come a waning season...

How do you celebrate Loaf Mas? Lammas? Frey Fest?

Bake a loaf of bread in a person shape and call in friends (and foes if you'd like) and celebrate the underlying theme of unity -- we're all in this together. Pull a bit of of the breadman off and feed it to another and bless: "May you never hunger". Then lift the cup of mead or apple and honey drink and give them a taste and bless with: "May you never thirst" -- accept the same from those who offer and then circle and each speak of things you want to let go off or of things you no longer need.

You can serve this feast along with a "giveaway" if you'd like -- each choosing something to bring and putting it on a blanket near the place of departure -- by the door if this is all done inside or by the path out of your grove or backyard. As each person leaves, s/he picks up an item from the blanket -- a seed of friendship to grow next season.

Be kind to yourself in this season. Did you mess something up this year? Well, that's what you're here for. If you were perfect, you'd be in OtherWorld, not needing the lesson plans of Mother Earth's school of time, seasons and life.

Let go of all things that don't serve your advancement into the authentic you. Do you have friends who won't evolve with you? Is the relationship caustic and does it drag you down into some place you once knew but that now is no longer part of you? Then cut the ties.

Kahuna magicians teach of what is called "sticky threads" -- cut those "sticky threads" to your past and allow yourself to move unhindered toward your future.

Hail Frey, God of the Harvest, Hail Freya, Lady of the Loaf.

(hazelkate)

5:49PM - Lofn

Leo sun, Pisces moon

Sun went into Leo today -- Leo, in the natural horoscope rules the 5th house of romance, creativity, children, gambling and acting. In your chart, it may rule a completely different house and then you know that the 5th house influence is acted on in the issues of that house instead. Also, you look to find the sun in your chart and the house Leo rules in your chart actually is expressed through this house where the sun is found.

Lofn is the Handmaiden of this sign --she is about freedom and the 5th house is the first step away from home and childhood issues -- also deals with dating and romance and Lofn wins permission for Lovers to love.

Leo is especally important because it is about basic personality drive -- represented by it's ruler, the Sun.

Leo's roar. But they do it to protect themselves. The Sun is the basic identity and when challenged, Leos feel threatened and put a lot of energy into protecting themselves (they can even get vindictive if they believe they have reason to do so). They can become fighters -- though they'd rather shine in ways other than combat. Make love, not war. They'd rather play a warrior on stage under the lights and then go have a drink with the rest of the cast after the make-believe war is over. Just don't challenge their basic rights.

Lofn is known as the gentle Goddess. She wins the right for lovers to love.

Leo is an actress, teacher, gambler, poet. In your chart, it depends on where Leo is found and where Leo's ruler, the Sun is found. The energy of the house where Leo rules the cusp is filtered into the house where the Sun is found.

(hazelkate)

10:46AM - Hearthfire

The past month gave an opportunity to try something I'd wanted to try. In light of each moon, I've annointed a candle for the Handmaiden I link to that sign. I've made twelve oils with at least three ingredients each -- things intuitively chosen rather than following a tradition or what I've learned in a book or from anyone.

I have a wide array of books with titles like THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS and MAGICAL OILS, but I left them all on the shelf and chose according to intuition.

I checked up on myself with runes and in one instance had chosen something the effect of which I'm still uncertain, but which drew a negative rune in response. I changed ingredients for that one.

For the past months worth of moons I've annointed a candle for that handmaiden and set the candle in a holder and then, didn't light them, but kept them under wraps.

Tonight, I set the twelve -- each which had been "set" in their own sign -- in a circle around the Mother candle.

I asked nothing -- except that as the light shone, it reached out and touched other lights -- drawing us together in effect and heightening the gifts that each of us brings.

If you'd rather not do the candles but would like to do a working of this nature, try using string magic.

In the light of the new moon begin and tie a knot in a cord you've chosen. Chant for the Handmaiden whose energy or main focus you equate to the sign of that moon.

Work the energy through the signs until you come back again to the sign in which you began.

Then, the following Friday, after the ending sign (for example, mine was from Gemini to Taurus), set your Twelve and light a center candle, either one you've made yourself or one purchased and "filled" for All Mother.

(hazelkate)

9:32AM - New Moon in Var's sign...

With the moon and sun in Var's sign, you may find yourself dealing with issues of truth and promises, with issues from the past, with anything having to do with Parents (either Mother or Father, but most commonly, Mother) and with your childhood.

You may be dealing with family orlog which is the "bundle" you came in with, accumulated fortune or lack of it which your family acquired throughout many incarnations.

Runes associated with the subject of the day are Ansuz and Perthro. Ansuz is the spoken or written word, communication between you and others or between you and the Gods. Perthro when opening outward says whispers will be heard, secrets revealed (another connotation is of money being 'released' either to or from you). When Perthro is facing inward, it speaks of holding your tongue -- don't speak, but hold to your convictions. Sometimes it tells of censorship from without (other runes show if this is advice to keep quiet -- or enforced censorship).

With the new moon, many of us are released from the 3 days of dark moon which is the "three-headed dog" guarding the doorway. Getting past the dog, unscathed is a challenge to those who journey.

How did you fare?

(hazelkate)

9:30AM - Hearthkeeper and Fulla

Vesta entered the sign of Taurus yesterday. If you don't know what that
means, think of HearthKeeper and Fulla. How do they interact? For
what are you responsible? What needs your attention? What do you
safeguard?

Hearthkeeper left the very active fire sign of Aries (think of
Syn) and no longer initiats new projects concerning the hearth,
but rather nurtures and heals what is already part of the hearth.

This sign adds stablitity and tenacity. Digging in and setting your
shoulder to the wheel.

You will also want to beautify your surroundings. It's not a matter
of simply finding the practical, you'll also want adornment. Loyalty
is a big issue of both the Hearth Keeper and Fulla and these issues may arise to be balanced.

Play with these connections until you find how they apply to you and
the place you now inhabit.

a rune reading may be in order to tell you which thread to take up
now in order to complete an emerging pattern.

(hazelkate)

8:34AM - Ways to enhance energy for the full moon

 Ways to enhance your energy as you come up to the full moon:

Circle the runes around you. Face North, begin your pattern of breathing, whether it's even as in 4 count inhalation, 4 counts hold, 4 counts exhalation, 4 counts hold -- or if it's an uneven -- 5 count in, hold 3, exhale 7, hold 3. The even relaxes -- the odd invigorates.

Circle them by the entire Futhark or by the aetts. If you're new to this, you can write them on paper first to see how they circle. You'll find FEHU in the north (at 12 o'clock) gives you GEBO (at 3 o'clock), directly between them is ANSUZ at north-east. Continue this way and you markers around your circle at N(12), E(3), S (6), and W (9) and cross-quater markers between those at NE, SE, SW, and NW.

These will be 12: FEHU, Ansuz, 3:GEBO, Nauthiz, 6: EIHWAZ Sowilo, 9:EHWAZ, Ingwaz.  You'll see there are two runes between each of those stations. Once you've done this awhile, you won't need the markers as you'll turn just enough each time. Your body will learn the placements. Whenever you can train body and mind together, and use your breath and allow yourself to be fully present (passionate) about what you're doing, you are bringing all the elements into your efforts.

Another way to circle the runes is to think only of the main directions: N NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW, N and to place the first rune of each aett in the North and the second of each aett in the NE and continue in that way. Then you have Fehu, Hagalaz, Tiewaz in first place. And I'll let you do the rest yourself.

To do this, you will circle three times. You'll circle the first aett in those 8 postions and then you'll send the second aett behind those and the third aett behind those. So that, if you could see what you've done (and some of you may be able to do so -- the rest of us just have to understand we've done it -- it's there), you'd see these three circles of runes around you. The aett of creation, the aett of life, and the aett of synthesis.

However you've created your rune circle(s), you must bring them in if you are doing this to create energy within you and not making the rune circle as a place of power in which to work.

So, you can do this two ways -- you can breathe out and "lasso" each rune and bring it in to you. Allow yourself to be the rune and feel its energy. Turn and do this with the next one and so on all down the line. Or you can face north and stand in cross formation and then bend your arms, bringing the energy with you to your solarplexus. Feel the energy enter you. Turn clockwise and gather in the 4 main directions and turn again North and semi-kneel to put your hands on the ground (or floor) and allow the centers in your feet and hands draw earth energy and then raise, stand in the form of the rune, Elhaz -- feet together, arms raised in a Y form, and become the connecting force between "heaven and earth". Allow the rune energy to run through you and send it cascading from the ends of your fingers and the top of your head and down and over you and into the earth and back through your feet (bare is best) and allow this energy to multipy (as it will) and when you feel energized in this way, you can furthur enhance it.

You can learn and use the rune poses and feel the energy take each its separate form and yet remain part of the whole. And you can intone the runes in a chant as you rock back and forth. And you can sing the vowels of the runes (Uruz, Ansuz, Isa, (Eihwaz), Ehwaz, Othala), bringing your voice loud and then soft and then inward with no outward sound. Those vowels are usually sung: oo, ah, ee, (skip Eihwaz), aa, and o). oo as in moon, ah, long e, long a, long o). Most people skip Eihwaz, but you may experiment with ei. The energy of it seems to be under the other energy, a subtle feeling you feel mostly at the back of your neck. In fact, it could well be related to Daath, for those familiar with what I'm saying.

You'll find that the inward singing of runes is more powerful than the outward -- but only if you've built it with the outward at some point.

A few other things you can do to enhance your full moon energy:

Chew on Ginger or sip Ginger tea.

Light a red candle and feed your fire by seeing the flame and bringin it in. See the glow and then close your eyes and see it still and then let the flame burn larger and larger until you feel you are the flame. You are a flame on a large candle of energetic properties. Red. Ginger filled. And annointed with Dragon's Blood oil.

Before beginning, use the washing rite, but when you do the second part and infill with light, make the light -- power and might as well. Living water, full of laughter. Laugh. Pure laughter is power-building. (Deriding laughter at someone else's expense depletes you -- stay far from it.)

If you can walk barefoot where you are, outside on the ground, this will also give you energy. If you've been able to sleep in total darkness, this too gives energy. Our third-eye doesn't function properly if exposed to light around the clock. Also, earth exposed continuously to light is unenchanted. (And it is nigh to impossible to sing the magic into earth continuously exposed to streetlights and those horrid dusk-to-dawn lights).

These ways are not totally necessary, but they are ways that will enhance your energy heading into full moon.

And the best way? Just work the magic. Do it. Whether elaborate or simple -- work the magic. Sing a song, chant a chant, work a spell.

Enjoy the full moon.