Goddess Airmid

I recently discovered the Celtic Goddess Airmid (Airmed), the Goddess of Herbs and Healing and is one of the Tuatha de Danann. Along with her father and brother, she was a healer to the wounded during battle. Airmid and Miach also built and tended to the magical Well of Slaine in Ireland. The well's magical powers were said to heal those wounded in battle.

Airmid and her brother Miach, were strong healers who surpassed their father in the strength of their healing magick. Their father, out of a jealous rage of Miach's healing powers, killed him.  In a deep sorrow over the death of her brother, Airmid buried him and wept uncontrollably over his grave.

The next day Airmid returned to discover that her tears had caused 365 individual herbs to have grown out of Miach's buried body and his grave. Methodically, Airmid gathered each herb, placing them on her cloak. The herbs began to open up to Airmid, speaking to her of their magical abilities, and revealing that when used in a certain sequence, they could bring the dead back to life.

Seeing the knowledge that Airmid had gained, her father over turned the cloak, scattering all of them to the winds. Her father didn't want anyone to gain the knowledge of the use of the herbs, or how they could be used to obtain immortality. It is said that only Airmid knows the use of every herb to this day. Although she knows the abilities of each herb, she was unable to retain the sequence used to revive the dead, and achieve immortality.

Call on Airmid to gain knowledge of working with herbs, or when performing any magick involving herbs. She is also known for healing waters, working with the Fae, and with nature.

New Moon Ritual to Selene

The first new moon of 2014 is today, the first of the year. Both symbolize letting go of stuck energy, welcoming in the new, and a time for new beginnings.

Here is a quick little spell/ritual to the moon goddess Selene (who I've felt very drawn to lately. I will be doing an upcoming post on her soon).

Go outside under the new moon, or near an open window to perform the spell/ritual. Light a white or silver candle to signify Selene. Cleanse the area with incense or sage. Spend some time meditating on Selene and new beginnings.

On what piece of paper write down something you wish to let go of in the new year, and on another piece of paper write down a goal or something you wish to bring into, your life or draw to you in the new year.

Take the first piece of paper with the thing you want to let go off. Spend some time meditating on the thing you wish to let go, why you want to let it go, and how your life will change once it has disappeared. Burn the paper and place it into a small bowl or cauldron. Thank Selene for helping you to let go of this.

Next grab the paper with the thing you wish to draw to you, or bring into your life. Meditate on that as well, thinking about how positive your life will grow as you bring this to you and into your life. Now burn this paper, thanking Selene for helping you to grow with this item/topic/thing into the coming year.

Mediate a little longer, on Selene and your wishes for the new year. Thank her for her help and guidance in the new year. Think about how as they are released to the universe and the smoke flows from the cauldron of the burning pieces of paper. Let the incense and candle burn a little while longer. Throw the ashes down the sink and run water over them.