Waxing New Moon Energy

As our new moon begins to wax the world is your oyster.Enjoy the increasing energy our earth is giving you right now, start each day smiling!

Each new moon we have brings with it an air of hope I find, there is something about our Mother Earth at this time of the month that is like no other. We are now in the time of the Waxing Crescent moon, a time of incredible energy and growth. Somehow the grass verges look greener, the sky looks brighter, nature is vibrant with hope and we are too. Embrace the feeling and use this energy to pour into whatever projects you have on the go right now. Wake each day with a smile on your face and a determination that today is going to be a good one.

Enjoy the spring like feeling, Waxing moon blessings to you all, AstarteAlison

Chinese New Year of the Sheep and Goat 2015 and New Moon

Happy Chinese New Year of the Goat/Sheep/Ram to you all and Blessed New Moon to you. 

There is a bit of confusion this year over which animal the year represents as the Chinese symbol Yang covers three animals the sheep, goat and the ram! 

This period is also known as the Spring festival and many families take part in traditional family festivities in order to bring good fortune to the coming new year. The dragon dance is a traditional and well known part of the festivals that take place around the world over this period of time.

I hope that this new moon brings you lots of good luck and fruitfulness as the year of the sheep/goat begins. This is a perfect time for commencing any new activity you might like to look in to. Some things may have come to an end in order to allow new and exciting events in your life to enter.

My fortune cookie this year read:

"Sometimes when you think it is the end, it is really a new beginning."

I thought that was very appropriate for the new year and the new moon. Often we mourn over a loss but sometimes we have to look beyond that and see that sometimes we have to lose in order to gain and that is part of the shift in our lives.

I send to you many new year, new moon blessings, AstarteAlison ☽✪☾

New Moon Blessings to you xxx

New Moon blessings to you all.Now is a great time to get stuck into a new project.Mine is working on my new website-slow but getting there! Astarte-Moon.co.uk will soon have a new look so keep an eye out! I hope it will be worth it, it's a steep learning curve but luckily the moon is in my favour, the waxing moon phase we will be in now will hopefully help me on my way!
New Moon blessings to you,
Alison xxx

Brigid's Imbolc blessings positive inspirational quote. Follow the Brigid bliss.

Imbolc blessings to you and all those you hold dear, wherever you are, all around the world.

May the Goddess Brighde be in your hearts and her love bring all the goodness of the first awakenings of spring to you and those around you. Brighde, Brigit or Brigid was celebrated as the Goddess of Fertility, may she bring prosperity, fertility and happiness into all aspects of your lives. Brigid was said to be the mother of the God Yule, she is nursing him now at Imbolc as he grows strong. She is known as the fire goddess and many celebrations centre around fire building and the lighting of candles. Brigid is one of the few Pagan goddesses who still survives to this day, she was adopted by the Christian church and was worshipped as Saint Brigit,  although she was de canonised in the 1960s, she is still venerated in Ireland. 

Embrace the spirit of Brigid and bring her love and joy into your lives. Our earth is awakening, allow yourselves to awaken and blossom, you will be amazed at the wonderful happiness that lies waiting ahead of you. Follow the Brigid Bliss. 

Brigid's blessings to you, AstarteAlison

Cold Yule Moon Saturday 6th December 2014. Moon phases December

We are coming up to our beautiful Yule Cold Moon on Saturday 6th December. We haven't seen any snow here but the other side of the Atlantic have had more than enough already! This December Full moon was often called the Snow Moon, Cold Moon or frost Moon for obvious reasons! More background on Full Moon names can be found here: Dec Moon names

This Full Moon is our Christmas moon, our Yule moon. It is often thus named as 'The Long Nights Moon' or 'The Moon Before Yule' as the Solstice occurs usually around the 21st December when we have the longest night and the shortest day. More information on the Pagan celebration of Yule may be found here. Yule Celebrations

Below are details of Full Moon times wherever you might be.

Setting moon earth sky.org

Saturday 6th December 2014 01:26:48 pm Central European Time (CET)
Moon sign: Gemini 14° 17'

WELLINGTON = Sunday * 7th Dec 2014 * 01:26:48 am (NZDT)
SYDNEY = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 11:26:48 pm (AEDT)
TOKYO = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 09:26:48 pm (JST)
BEIJING = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 08:26:48 pm (CST)
BANGKOK = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 07:26:48 pm (ICT)
DELHI = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 05:56:48 pm (IST)
MOSCOW = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 03:26:48 pm (MSK)
RIYADH = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 03:26:48 pm (AST)
BERLIN = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 01:26:48 pm (CET)
LAGOS = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 01:26:48 pm (WAT)
LONDON = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 12:26:48 pm (GMT)
RIO = Saturday * 6th December 2014 * 10:26:48 am (BRST)
NEW YORK = Saturday * 6th Dec 2014 * 07:26:48 am (EST)
MEXICO CITY = Saturday * 6th Dec 2014 * 06:26:48 am (CST)
LOS ANGELES = Saturday * 6th Dec 2014 * 04:26:48 am (PST)
HONOLULU = Saturday * 6th Dec 2014 * 02:26:48 am (HAST)

And here are the moon phases for December 2014, sorry I am a bit late in updating this post for you.

Full Yule Moon Blessings to you, Alison

New Moon Affirmation for June 2014

We have a beautiful new moon today, full of promise, new beginnings and expectations. Enjoy the wonderful new energy that is around at the moment. Here is a lovely new moon affirmation for you to enjoy.

This is a new month, I am a new me, I welcome the road ahead. 

Embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of you this month and use the energy of our waxing moon to help you push ahead with any new projects that you start this new moon.

New moon blessings to you, Alison xxx

Full Moon in May, gravitational pull and migraine trigger?

So who got a good view of our May flower full moon last night? I was driving back from the cinema with a friend when we spotted her above the trees. It was a clear night with just a handful of clouds slowly meandering their way over her surface, providing a beautiful vista and demonstrating her powerful glory perfectly. I had a wonderful day full of energy yesterday, how does the moon affect the way that you feel?

Today I still feel that energy and want to get lots done but am being slowed down by the migraine that I often get at the time of the full moon. We know that the tides are higher at the full moon. This is because of the gravitational pull that our Moon has. Tides are affected by both the sun and the moon and although the moon is much smaller than the sun, its proximity to us gives it greater 'pulling power'. When the sun and moon line are in alignment as during a new moon or full moon the moon has a greater effect on the tides and thus they are higher. The moon doesn't just affect the oceans however, although these are most noticeable as they are such a large body of water. This effect happens to all the water on our planet. This is why gardening by the moon is important as the water in the soil will move towards the surface. The water in the cells in our bodies is affected too. Now this is just a theory of mine but I believe that the full moon affects migraines. We see that the full moon affects the behaviour of both people and animals and one of the theories behind this is because of the affect the moon has on the water in the cells of our bodies. I believe that this in turn leads to the full moon being a migraine trigger in certain people. 

Sometime when my head hurts a little less I intend to do a bit more research into this. For now I found this:
"During the early part of the nineteenth century the Swedish chemist Jons Jakob Berzelius laid the groundwork for modern chemistry. He devised Latin symbols for the elements and combined the atomic weights with a chart of electrical charges. His book Larebok I Keon [Foundation of Chemistry] was translated into all European languages, and was largely responsible for the spread of basic chemical knowledge. From the age of 23, he was tortured by migraine headaches, which he believed followed the cycles of the moon. In earlier life, they were irregular, but now they came twice a month, on the days of the new and full moon."http://www.earthpulse.com

Obviously migraine triggers are very complicated and if you do suffer from migraines you will know that there is often not just one trigger. However it is interesting to note that the full moon may be one of the contributing triggers towards a migraine. A little sad I find that such a wonderful occurrence can lead to such pain but I guess it is all part of the cycle of life!

Full moon blessings to you, Alison xxx

Moon phases for March 2014. Black Moon 30th March 2014

Here are the moon phases for March 2014 for you. I've chosen a slightly different graphic, this one is from astronomy.org, let me know what you think or if you prefer the other one from moon connection. We have a New Moon today 1st March 2014 and another one on 30th March 2014. The second New Moon occurring in a calendar month is termed a Black Moon.

So lots of opportunities for new beginnings in March. With the arrival of the spring like weather this will be a perfect month for getting started on some new projects in the garden. 

Our Moon is full on 16th March 2014 and I will post the times of the full moon for you shortly along with the names the March Moon is known by around the world and throughout time.

Happy Black Moon blessings to you, Alison xxx

You are perfect the way you are. Positive Inspirational Quote

photo credit istockphoto.com

You are perfect the way you are.

You don't have to be fatter, thinner, cleverer or braver to please anyone else. Just be content with the person you want yourself to be.

blessings, AstarteAlison

Let your beautiful spirit shine. Positive inspirational Goddess Quote.

Be the reflection of all that is beautiful within you. Your spirit's beauty will shine forth and colour the world with love!

Blessings to you for wonderful beautiful shining days ahead of you, AstarteAlison

Please feel free to print out this free Goddess e-card and place it somewhere to remind you how beautiful you are.

xxxx

New Moon blessings for the 30th January super moon

On 30th January we are blessed with a second new moon. As it is the second new moon or sometimes referred to as dark moon in the month it is called a black moon. This particular new moon is a supermoon being very close to our earth and therefore we can benefit from it’s effects more deeply

As I explained in my previous post this is a supermoon which means it is closer to our earth and therefore we can benefit from it’s effects more deeply. We may not be able to see this new moon but we can feel her energy and sense the building sense of fulfilment as she grows from new moon through to crescent and on to full moon.  This new moon is a wonderful time to start projects and changes that may last throughout the whole of 2014. Your whole life is ahead of you, embrace the sense of change in the air and the opportunities that this super new moon will bring.

New moon blessings to you, Alison xxx

Full Moon January 2014, full wolf moon

What is your favourite name for our full moon in January, the beginning of 2014? This is a very important moon being the first of the New Year and signals new beginnings and opportunities for growth. January is named for the Roman god Janus who had two faces and ruled over beginnings and endings and the past and the future.

As we have seen in previous moon names, a lot of the names our ancestors called this January moon are centred around the weather. January is often the most bitterly cold month of the year. Although our world is returning to the light, the days are still reasonably short and the cold can often be extreme. Thus we see words such as winter moon, cold moon, moon of the terrible and ice moon being used, these names are particularly common with North American Indian tribes. Other names that they used include Cooking Moon, Moon of the Terrible, Moon When Trees Pop, Moon of the Raccoon, Full Snow Moon. The January Full Moon was the time for the Cold Moon Dance. Also at this time, community fires were put out and new ones made from the ashes of the old.

Below are some popular names for the January Moon

American                  Winter Moon

Chinese                     Holiday Moon

Cherokee                  Cold Moon

Choktaw                    Cooking Moon

Dakatah Sioux            Moon of the terrible

Celtic                         Quiet Moon

English                       Wolf Moon

Pagan                         Ice Moon

Druid                         Poets Moon

We often see moons named for the flora and fauna that are around at that time of the year. Therefore wolf moon is a popular name for the January Moon. In ancient times during the cold month of January wolves often crept closer to human settlements in their search for food. Their cries would be heard very distinctly and thus it would be natural to name the January moon after them.

It is also said that the name of the Wolf Moon comes from the ancient Scottish Gaelic word Faoilleach, which means “wolf month”

If you are born under the sign of the Wolf Moon you will be fiercely loyal to close friends and family- your ‘pack’.  Although sometimes hard to get to know, once you have welcomed someone into your inner circle you have a friend for life. You are strong when you need to be and face adversity head on. You are also hard working and will keep your head down and get on with anything that has to be completed.

The Chinese name of Holiday Moon rreflects the Chinese New Year which occurs on the first day of the New Moon. Chinese New Year is considered a time for settling debts, honouring ancestors, and being with family.

The druids called this moon Poet’s Moon. As the first full moon in the year, this is a perfect time for creativity, your writing, drawing and painting will flow very easily during this January Moon.

Here is a poem for you to celebrate the Poet’s Moon

Silver

Slowly, silently, now the moon 
Walks the night in her silver shoon; 
This way, and that, she peers, and sees 
Silver fruit upon silver trees; 
One by one the casements catch 
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch; 
Couched in his kennel, like a log, 
With paws of silver sleeps the dog; 
From their shadowy coat the white breasts peep 
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep; 
A harvest mouse goes scampering by, 
With silver claws, and silver eye; 
And moveless fish in the water gleam, 
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

- Walter de la Mare

In the Southern Hemisphere moon names reflect the warmth that is predominant now. Thus popular names for the January moon are: Hay Moon, Buck Moon, Thunder Moon, Mead Moon

Choose a name that resonates with you and embodies the sprit of the January Moon. Think about the qualities that name has and try and encorporate those into your daily life. I’m going to go with Wolf Moon for the January Moon 2014 and concentrate on the strength and grounding that this wonderful animal can show us.

Full moon times for you are below:

The next full moon will be:Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 05:52:12 am
Central European Time (CET)
Moon sign: Cancer 25° 07'

In other time zones:
WELLINGTON = Thursday * 16th Jan 2014 * 05:52:12 pm (NZDT)
SYDNEY = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 03:52:12 pm (AEDT)
TOKYO = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 01:52:12 pm (JST)
BEIJING = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 12:52:12 pm (CST)
BANGKOK = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 11:52:12 pm (ICT)
DELHI = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 10:22:12 am (IST)
MOSCOW = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 08:52:12 am (MSK)
RIYADH = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 07:52:12 am (AST)
BERLIN = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 05:52:12 am (CET)
LONDON = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 04:52:12 am (GMT)
RIO = Thursday * 16th January 2014 * 02:52:12 am (BRST)
NEW YORK = Wednesday * 15th Jan 2014 * 11:52:12 pm (EST)
MEXICO CITY = Wednesday * 15th Jan 2014 * 10:52:12 pm (CST)
LOS ANGELES = Wednesday * 15th Jan 2014 * 08:52:12 pm (PST)
HONOLULU = Wednesday * 15th Jan 2014 * 06:52:12 pm (HAST)

http://www.fullmoon.info/en/fullmoon-calendar.html

Enjoy the wonderful energy of the new super moon January 1st 2014

Happy New Year 2014 to you wherever you are in the world whatever you are doing. I'm having a quiet night in whilst the kids are out partying lol!

Enjoy the wonderful energy of the new super moon tomorrow. Use that fabulous new super moon energy to get creative with your life!

New Year blessings to you, may 2014 bring you all that you hope and dream xxx

Free Yule Winter Solstice E-cards.

Yule Blessings to you all! I've had a busy morning creating some free Yule ecards for you. You are welcome to copy these and send to friends and family. Just right click on the image then you can save to your computer and either print out or send as an email to all those you hold dear. You may like to use the e-card design as a basis for your own Yule card, just cut round the image and then you can stick to plain card and decorate with lots of glitter! I'm sure all the family will enjoy this fabulous Winter Solstice activity!

Moon phases for November 2013

Oh dear I'm a bit late with this but better late than never!  Here are the moon phases for November 2013 for you.

We are currently in the waxing phase of the moon with a full moon occurring on Sunday 17th November. Now is the time to be working on any projects that you want to complete. This is a fabulous time to make sure you are on top of your Yule preparations. Personally I like to get all my Christmas/Yule shopping out of the way as I can't bear the December crowds in the shops! If you are stuck for present ideas why not visit my shop http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/, there are lots of unique and hand crafted items at great prices. Or there are lots of wonderful products for sale at the natural Magick shop such as these fabulous room sprays http://naturalmagickshop.com

Our Next Full Moon is Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 04:15:42 pm
Central European Time (CET)
Moon sign: Taurus 25° 26'

In other time zones:
WELLINGTON = Monday * 18th Nov 2013 * 04:15:42 am (NZDT)
SYDNEY = Monday * 18th November 2013 * 02:15:42 am (AEDT)
TOKYO = Monday * 18th November 2013 * 12:15:42 am (JST)
BEIJING = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 11:15:42 pm (CST)
BANGKOK = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 10:15:42 pm (ICT)
DELHI = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 08:45:42 pm (IST)
MOSCOW = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 07:15:42 pm (MSK)
RIYADH = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 06:15:42 pm (AST)
BERLIN = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 04:15:42 pm (CET)
LONDON = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 03:15:42 pm (GMT)
RIO = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 01:15:42 pm (BRST)
NEW YORK = Sunday * 17th November 2013 * 10:15:42 am (EST)
MEXICO CITY = Sunday * 17th Nov 2013 * 09:15:42 am (CST)
LOS ANGELES = Sunday * 17th Nov 2013 * 07:15:42 am (PST)
HONOLULU = Sunday * 17th Nov 2013 * 05:15:42 am (HAST)
http://www.fullmoon.info/en/fullmoon-calendar.html

Moon blessings to you all for a fabulous November xxx

Full moon goddess blessing

Full moon blessings to you all, looking forward to this full moon and hoping to see the prenumbral eclipse.

As we move closer to Samhain the energy seems very intense as the veil thins so I'm sure this full moon will be a very special one for us all. I hope the skies are clear wherever you are so that you are able to appreciate our moon in all her glory.

May her light shine down upon you and bless all your friends and family.

Full moon blessings to you, AstarteAlison

Fabulous artwork by keso895on deviantArt

Goddess Astarte Queen of the Heavens: History, Legends and how you can learn from her today.

History of Astarte

Astarte is one of the oldest goddesses in recorded history.  She was worshipped in many guises as a goddess of fertility, wisdom, love and war. She was also known as Astarat and Ashtart. She was worshipped throughout the Middle east and many worshipped her including the Phoenicians/Canaanites, Egyptians and Hebrews. Astarte also appears to have been worshiped in Syria as Atargatis and this worship covered a large area from Syria across the Mediterranean. This name seems to have come from a combining of the names Astarte and Anat. According to Patai, the "original meaning of the name Astarte was 'womb' or 'that which issues from the womb,' thus it can be easily seen her link as a fertility goddess (Patai 1990:57)

Among the Hebrews, Astarte was also known as Ashtoreth and they worshipped her alongside Ba’al. Once the rise of monotheism began and the popularity of Yahweh, people began to reject Goddesses such as Astarte/Ashtoreth and her popularity declined.

The prophet Jeremiah called her the Queen of Heaven during the 7th and early 6th centuries B.C.E and the people of Judah feared that abandoning the worship of the goddess would lead to problems:

“Ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.” (Jeremiah , 44:18)

To the Egyptians, Astarte was honoured as a Goddess of War and tenacity. In the Egyptian mythology she was thought of as the daughter of Ra the Sun god along with the Goddess Anat. The Romans also looked upon her as their Goddess of Hunting and War. Astarte would often join the hunt at the full moon and reward the hunters with special gifts.

To the Semites, she was a Goddess of Love and Fertility. Pregnant women would carry plaques and figurines of her wherever they went, and they would often burn incense in her honour as a way of ensuring that they would give birth to healthy children.

Legends of Astarte

In the Phoenician pantheon Astarte appears as a daughter of Epigeius (Greek: Uranus) and Ge (Earth), and sister of the god Elus. Elus ovethrows his father and as a trick  Epigeius sends Astarte along with her sisters to seduce Elus. The trick seemingly backfires as all three become wives to their brother and Astarte bears him seven daughters and two sons. Astarte becomes a great ruler and wears the horns of a bull to signify her power. Whilst wandering through her kingdom, Astarte takes up a star that has fallen from the sky and consecrates it at Tyre. Hence her title of Queen of the Stars

A story exists which is often associated with Astarte in her aspect as the Goddess of Fertility. Every Autumn, Astarte descended into the Underworld to search for her beloved Tammuz. When she left to go down into the Underworld, the Earth entered the cold barrenness of Winter, and it stayed that way until she returned, three months later, bringing with her the rebirth and growth that is associated with the season of Spring. This story has echoes of the story of Persephone going into the underworld to be with Hades only to return in the Spring when the world re-awakens.

Scholars who have studied Astarte see similarities between her story and that of the virgin Mary. In Syria and Egypt she was celebrated on 25th December with the dramatisation of the re-birth of the solar god from the celestial virgin. It is because of this legend that  of Astarte's holy days was associated with Yule, and it is believed that she created the Evergreen Tree out of her sorrow and love for Tammuz

 

Astarte http://maria-van-bruggen.deviantart.com

Another legend surrounding Astarte is that she was the mother of all souls: the moon surrounded by her star children to whom she gave their astral bodies.

Some say that the word Easter derives from the word Astarte although it is commonly thought that it derives from Oestara. 

Another story states that Astarte descended to earth as a fiery star, landing near Byblos in a lake at Alphaca, the site where the original Tammuz is said to have died.

Astarte’s oldest known temple was at Byblos. Byblos is a city, which lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the country that is now known as Lebanon. Byblos was a major trading city and Astarte was a key figure seen as a Goddess of learning and wisdom. The Phoenicians extended the worship of Astarte. From cities such as Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon, they set forth by sea on long trading expeditions, and, venturing far and wide, they even reached Cornwall in England!

The Greeks were the first people to call papyrus by the term “byblos,” and that term eventually evolved into meaning any holy book, including the Bible. Legend also tells us that this may be how and where the Bible got its name

Astarte has been associated with goddesses such as Artemis, Aphrodite and Inanna and indeed these goddesses could represent Astarte under a different name. She was known as Inanna to the Sumerians, and Ishtar to the Babylonians. The Greeks identified her with Aphrodite and the Romans with Venus, this could explain her being linked to the evening star.

Symbols for Astarte

Astarte on her many names and guises has had many symbols associated with her. She was known as the ‘Queen of the Stars’ . According to legends Astarte fell from the stars to the earth. One of her symbols is a star within a circle to represent her status as ‘Queen of the stars’ or the evening star for which she is also known. As the "Queen of the Stars," or the "Heavenly Virgin,” Astarte was believed to rule the "spirits who lived in heaven as light,"

The bull and the dove are especially sacred to Astarte and Astoreth. The Goddess is often pictured wearing horns. The horns could also be a crescent moon symbol, part of the triple goddess symbol. Astoreth is sometimes pictured wearing the head of a Bull

The egg is a sacred symbol of Astarte, representing fertility, new life and the powers of the Goddess. Also in her role as a fertility Goddess she is often depicted holding an ever flowing jug of water whilst surrounded by flowers and grain.

In her guise as a goddess of war Astarte is seen carrying a bow and arrow much like Artemis. She is depicted riding horses and banishing weapons in several pieces of art that have been discovered.

Her image is most frequently seen on ancient seals or reliefs holding the sacred lotus in one hand and two entwined serpents in the other. The Lotus is a flower which is considered to be a universal symbol, connected to the Great Mother Goddess. Known as the "flower of light," lotus petals were been believed to represent the sun’s rays, while its stem was believed to represent an umbilical cord. The belief that the Lotus’ stem might represent an umbilical cord is indicative of the fact that all life stems from, or is born from, the Great Mother. The lotus flower therefore is a symbol of all that out mother earth provides for us and is associated with creative power, fertility, life  and growth.

Another symbol that was unique to Astarte was papyrus, which the merchants of Byblos would sell to the Greeks, as well as to other traders from the entire Mediterranean region. As the Goddess of wisdom in Blybos, papyrus was very important as the foundation for the production of paper.

Astarte is also associated with several animals such as lions, horses and the sphinx. Birds, particularly the dove, are important symbols for this goddess since they are used as a means of reaching the underworld and/or heaven.

Drawing on Astarte Wisdom Today

You can draw upon the ancient goddess power of Astarte by visualizing the light of the stars pouring down through your crown chakra surrounding you with an iridescent aura and filling you with her bountiful energy and protection. Call upon Astarte the Queen of the Stars whenever you have need of this protection.

Just as Astarte drew upon her inner strength and wisdom to face what lay ahead of her, so can we embrace this power.  She is a symbol of the independence and spirit that gives birth to our creativity and encourages us with our successes. Astarte is both the maiden and mother goddess and personifies the passion of life, the beauty of our mother earth and the sacredness of all beings.

In her roll of fertility Goddess you can ask for her help in this area. If you are seeking to become pregnant you can ask for her guidance or if you are starting a new project that you wish to spring into being, she will be there for you.

Decide what Astarte really means for you. Because she is such an ancient Goddess she has had many names and forms and been worshipped by many different people. Thus she has different strengths as seen by various cultures. You can therefore pick what resonates best for you at this time in your life. Perhaps you need strength, or rather you, need nurturing.  Astarte is a strong yet gentle Goddess and can be adapted to a host of different situations.

Astarte Poems

"She was the Mother of the Moon, Daughter of the Sun, Ruler of the Stars and Keeper of the Earth. In the beginning, Astarte was the whole.” unknown

“Great Bountiful Goddess of Antiquity

Your sacred fires are again lighted

Your name is again spoken with reverent awe

The High Places are no longer abandoned

Your Sacred Altars are again tended

Earth is re-awakening to your voice.” Unknown

“Isis, Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna,” Wiccan energy chant

Picture credit shttp://lunalioness.wordpress.com/

Astarte blessings to you, Alison

References:

Patai, Raphael 1990 (1978). The Hebrew Goddess: Third Enlarged Edition. Detroit, MI: Wayne State University

Tubbs 1998:140-141

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000)

http://www.matrifocus.com/IMB04/spotlight.htm

http://www.thaliatook.com/OGOD/ashtart.html

http://www.angelfire.com/journal/ofapoet/astarte.html

Free positive inspirational quote e-card blessing for you to enjoy!

Trust that the universe will bring you the right things at the right moment and enjoy your journey! Blessings to you. AstarteAlison

Feel free to save this to your computer by right clicking on the image. You might want to send it to a friend or print it out as a reminder to yourself.

Making healing protective full moon water

Moon Water

When our moon is at her fullest, her beautiful light shines down on us and the power that she has over us and all living creatures that inhabit this earth with us is at it’s greatest. Studies have shown that accident rates are higher at the time of the full moon and a recent study showed that the full moon even affected our quality and quantity of sleep. Making moon water at full moon means that you can harness the wonderful power of the moon to use throughout the month.  So rather than only having a couple of days to soak up the moon’s fabulous energy, you can make this moon water and then enjoy this amazing energy all month.

First of all find a metal or glass bowl.  A nice blue or purple bowl would be good for this moon water exercise.  You then need to fill your container with water. If you can get hold of natural spring water perfect, if not just use tap water, filtered if possible. You now need to find somewhere either in your garden or on a windowsill where it will be bathed in moonlight at some point during the night.  I usually stand for a while in a place where I can see the full moon and imagine the full moon energy coursing through my body and down into the earth so that I am full of energy yet fully grounded. You then need to add your intent to your moon water. Hold your hands over the bowl and picture the moon’s energy entering the water molecules, the spectacular white light shining down and into the very core of each drop of water.

You may like to add a blessing to strengthen your intent such as “Blessed moon lend your strength and courage to the water I make this night. May it be filled with your ever lasting love and healing power, blessed be”

If you have a favourite crystal you can add this to the water, this will increase the water’s power. If you want the water for emotional healing for example, then adding rose quartz to the water would be perfect. Similarly if you want to use the water for protection then you may like to add a little sea salt to the water, which again will increase its natural powers. If you are protecting your home you could use carnelian and if protecting either yourself or your home from negative energy then haematite is a good one to pick. There are of course lots of crystals for different situations so think about what you would like your moon water to do and choose accordingly. If you simply want to harness the power of the moon and have a multi purpose water then the water on it’s own will be plenty powerful.

You probably want to cover your bowl with a layer of thin cling film if it is outside otherwise you end up with little flies in it by morning, which is not ideal! Obviously it is ideal to make this moon water on a clear night when you can see the moon’s rays shining down into your bowl. This however is not necessary, for even when it is cloudy, our moon’s brilliance is still there it’s just that we can’t see her. I have had some brilliant results on rainy stormy nights when all that wild energy has gone into my moon water.

If possible get up before the sun rises to retrieve your moon water.  Pour the moon water into a suitable container to then  use as you require. A thermos flask or a glass container kept in the dark is an ideal container to use. The water can be used in any healing or blessing work that you feel would benefit from the moon’s amazing energy. You can use the moon water to cleanse your crystals, this will leave them with a wonderful full moon energy. You can drink the water a little every day to keep you topped up with that full moon energy all month. Moon water is very healing so if you or someone close to you is ill it can help in the recovery process.

Moon water that you have added sea salt to is wonderful as a protective water. Take your water and sprinkle around the border of your house to protect it. Dab the water on your forehead for protection of yourself against any unwanted energy.

Full moon Blessings, Alison