Super Moon

Tomorrow's Full Moon will be one of the biggest and brightest we've seen in a few years, also known as a "Super Moon" due to the fact that the Earth will be closer to the Moon that it has been awhile. The Earth, Moon, and Sun will all be in alignment, and the Moon will be at it's nearest approach to Earth.

Some believe that the effects of a "Super Moon" are responsible for the effects of Earth and it's tides, etc. Some even believe that recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan were a direct effect of the Moon being so close to Earth and how it's gravitational strengths effect our planet.

So what does this mean for Magick? Well nothing really. However, this "Super Moon" full moon is known as the Worm Moon or the Sap Moon. The name Worm Moon comes from the fact that has the days get warmer and the ground thaws that Earthworms begin to make their appearance. The name Sap Moon comes from the fact that this is the time that trees are tapped for Maple Syrup.

Not only do we have a "Super Moon" and a beautiful Worm Moon Esbat to celebrate, but Sunday is also Ostara. Ostara is the Spring Equinox Sabbat that is named after the German Goddess of the Spring. This is a time to focus on the Spring, the Sun and new beginnings. I will be doing a separate upcoming post on Ostara! It's going to be a very magickal weekend!

Kuan Yin

Kuan Yin is a Bodhisattva that is popular in Chinese Buddhism. She is also known as the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, and there for is often compared to the Christian Mother Mary. In earlier times she is depicted as a male, and no one knows when or why she changed sex. Now is she known as a Bodhisattva or female Buddha.

One story related to Kuan Yin is that she was the daughter of a very cruel King, who wanted to marry her off at an early age. Kuan Yin refused. He forced her into hard labor and hoped to break her to marrying the wealthy man he had picked out for her. She fulfilled the tasks well and with pleasure which angered her father.

He then placed her into a monastery and told the nuns to give her the hardest tasks to perform in hopes that she would want to come home and marry the man. Kuan Yin performed the tasks well and asked to become a nun so she could help ease human suffering. He father forbade that and burned down the monastery killing many monks and nuns.

Kuan Yin cursed her father and then later healed him when he agreed to rebuild the monastery and help others to become enlightened monks.

Kuan Yin was on her way to nirvana when she heard the cries of suffering of others. She decided to stay on the earth as a living female Buddha in order to help the others break the cycle of samsara or reincarnation.

In China especially, Kuan Yin is associated with Vegetarianism and often depicted in restaurants. Not only is she the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, but she is seen as a fertility Goddess who can grant children to mothers and watch over them. She is a protectoress of children and seamen. Call upon her to be patient and compassionate with others.

Her mantra or prayer is "Om Mani Padme Hum", which means "Hail to the jewel in the lotus" as she often depicted sitting atop a lotus blossom. Many people honor her by decorating their home with lotus flowers and statues of her.

Prosperity Ritual to Lakshmi

Well I didn't make it to the Open Circle meetup as I wanted to. Partially because I'm still too shy to venture into a spiritual place or setting with strangers, and partially because I didn't RSVP and the circle was filled.

So I decided to hold my own Prosperity Ritual to honor Lakshmi on the night of the Full Moon. Full Moon rituals are typically about taking things away, but as Friday is a sacred day for Lakshmi and the moon was not quite full, I thought it was a good time to do this.


I couldn't find any statues of Lakshmi on such short notice, so I printed out this picture and added it to this beautiful frame that was made in India.

Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Abundance and Prosperity, and I honored her by thanking her for all the wonderful things she has brought into my life. I also asked to be showered with her gifts of love and abundance in the future, and spent some time meditating on what I hoped to manifest in the upcoming months as far as abundance and prosperity.

My mini Lakshmi altar all lit up! It defintely was a nice ritual, and I felt more comfortable doing this in my own home. The group I'm interested in has some upcoming events that I might join soon. I know it's time to venture out and meet others who are like minded as far as spirituality is concerned.

Imbolc Celebration

I know that when we are buried under as much snow as most of us seem to be, that it is hard to even think about Spring being right around the corner! But it is, only 50 something days!

Tuesday, February 1st marks the day of Imbolc. Imbolc is the perfect time to start thinking about the Spring that is ahead of us. Imbolc is often linked with the Celtic Goddess Brighid, who honors hearth and home. She is actually one of my patron deities, so this is a special holiday for me!

I find the perfect way to honor both Imbolc and Brighid is to do some Spring Cleaning! I deeply cleanse the house, casting out any negative energies that might have settled in for the Winter. Open up the windows and doors (if not too too cold) and let in some fresh air. Breathe new life into your home! Light candles and incense to not only freshen the air, but to help remove negative energies.

I decorate my home and altar with fresh white flowers! Corn dollies and Brighid's Cross are great things to add to your altar as well! I always have a Brighid's Cross on my altar in her honor throughout the year.

Typically, Imbolc is linked with lamb as well as Brighid. So most people will celebrate with a feast of lamb and other Celtic dishes. However, now that the husband and I are both Vegans, I'm not quite sure what kind of Imbolc feast we will come up with. We might just foucs on some traditional Celtic side dishes, with a Vegan twist!

I'll be sure to post pictures of my altar, feast etc on the actual day of Imbolc! How will you be celebrating?

First New Moon of 2011

Here we are only four days into a New Year, and we have our first New Moon! Typically, a New Moon is a perfect time for new beginnings and starting new ventures. This is also a great time to start any magick or spells that involve bringing or attracting things to you!

It's so much newness we can hardly stand it! What are your plans for the New Year and this first New Moon?

Welcome

Welcome dear friends! Please follow me into an Enchanted Forest, come along with me to explore a Charmed Existence!

All blog entries regarding spells, magick and more will now resume on this blog. Welcome if you've come over from the previous blog, Spellbound in Salem!