Crystal Charms and Goddesses for Healing which are you drawn to ?

Emerging as I often do like a sleepy kitten from a long sleep when I have had these long stretches of migraines I feel drawn to sit and create so that is what I am going to do today, catch up on orders that need posting and make some new pieces. I would like to make some new healing charms I think so if anyone has any needs then please let me know, I love doing special pieces. Each crystal and charm has its own story to tell and put together may be just the right combination for you to begin your own healing and transformation. First thing I am going to make this afternoon is a good luck charm for my daughter who has been studying so hard for her A levels.

Moon Goddess Healing Angelite Pendant www.astarte-moon.co.uk

New Moon Jade Charm for luck and positivitywww.astarte-moon.co.uk

Aceso was the main Greek Goddess for healing. Indeed her name is said to mean curing. She was known for tackling the healing process, the root cause not just the problem itself, thus can be seen as the root of holistic medicine. We of course have a lot to learn from our ancestors in terms of the way we approach modern healing methods. She shared an altar with Aphrodite and Athena and was the daughter of Epipione and and Asclepius. Aceso also spelt Akeso knew the importance of maintaining good health as well as good hygiene in order to stay fit and well, something that was often neglected when looking to cure a specific disease or illness. 

Amethyst Pentacle Charm may help pain relief www.astarte-moon.co.uk

Many of the well known Moon Goddesses such as Aine, Brigid and Isis were known to be powerful healers. Brigid or Brigit was also said to be responsible for fertility and Aine was known for breathing life force into being. Aine is connected with lakes and healing wells. Water is extremely important as a healing aid and I cleanse all my crystals with water from the red spring at Chalice Well gardens in Glastonbury. I bless them all before they are sent out to you so that you may receive the full force of the healing power.

If you are interested in the ancient Celtic ways you might like to take a look at this course that caught my attention. Cat Curacelo's Celtic mysteries course invites you to look at the background that shaped your own life journey and the shapes and symbols that occurred along the way. Cat says

" Whether you are new to 'the journey' or returning to this tribe, this will be a wonderful opportunity to explore and extend your travelling, using visual narrative as a form in this brand new Celtic Mysteries journey that celebrates ancestral remembering and our deep myths."Once Upon a Mythos Cat Caracelo

The important thing to note when looking for healing is to find the right mix of things that are right for you and to remember that your biggest help is Mother Earth. If you are drawn to a particular crystal, goddess, pentacle, stone, herb then there is often a reason for that. Modern medicine can often be used alongside traditional remedies and there is often no reason you cannot take both as long as you check with your healthcare provider. Our earth is a powerful healer and she has much to offer us as long as we give back in return.

Celebrating the earth at Glastonbury White Spring Beltane 2014

In the words of the wonderful Glennie Kindred
"Experiencing deep heartfelt connections to the Earth will bring us closer to understanding ourselves and trusting out intuition. It will help us foster a sense of belonging and love for the Earth and all peoples of the Earth.  To live in harmony with the earth, we need to remember our connection to her."
Glennie Kindred Earth Wisdom

So do you have a favourite healing goddess, a favourite crystal or a favourite icon? Strong symbols can often make us feel powerful and obviously colour makes a difference in the choice of crystal we go for. A carnelian stone with an owl and wolf charm might be my choice for my exam charm.......

Goddess blessings to you, may you be abundant and blessed in all you do this month, AstarteAlison XXXXX

You are the magic, absolute belief is the key. Positive Waxing Moon Inspirational Affirmation

You are the magic, absolute belief is the key.

This is a wonderful positive affirmation, print this free e-card out if you like and put it somewhere where you will see it all the time, such as the back of your front door. You are the magic, you can achieve your dreams. Now is the perfect time to set in motion those dreams as we are in the time of a waxing moon, a great time to repeat those positive affirmations.

Magickal blessings to you, Alison

We are born as magical beings, each of us has the innate ability to be magical. Pagan Spiritual Quotation

We are born as magical beings, each of us has the innate ability to be magical, we just need to tap into that source.

Mother nature teaches us that all we need we already have. In our busy lives we have often forgotten the ways of the old. In following a simple Pagan lifestyle we learn to follow the ways of the earth and listen to the ancient wisdom Mother Nature has to offer us. 

Magickal blessings to you, AstarteAlison

Magick is not a practice. It is a living, breathing web of energy that, with our permission, can encase our every action. Dorothy Morrison Pagan Quote

Magick is not a practice. It is a living, breathing web of energy that, with our permission, can encase our every action. Dorothy Morrison
This is a close up of a frosty leaf that I took last year. How can we can not believe in the existence of magick when we see something as amazing as this? Mother Nature is truly magickal and we are surrounded by her magick everyday. On days that we may not be feeling so happy ourselves or may be suffering for one reason or another it is good to lift our spirits by sending out gratitude for the wonderful world we are lucky to call our home. 

Magickal blessings, Alison xxx

Magick is a living breathing web of energy. Dorothy Morrison inspirational quote

Magick is not a practice, it is a living, breathing web of energy that, with our permission, can encase our every action.

Fabulous quote, I love the idea of magic being a web of energy. I placed this quote on this picture I took of Glastonbury Tor as to me it is the most magical place I have visited. I'm sure there are many other magical places around the globe that I may get the chance to explore but for now this tops my list! The energy on top of the Tor is amazing, you really do get the sense of magick being alive. I remember being at the top of Glastonbury Tor one windy rainy night and getting a real sense of power, I felt the courage to do anything at that point in time and always try to remember that feeling when in situations of uncertainty.

What is the most magickal place that you have visited?

Magickal blessings to you, Alison 

November's Moon Names: Beaver Moon, Frost Moon, Hecate's Moon

We have a full moon coming up on Sunday 17^th November 2013. This full moon appears to be most commonly known as the Beaver Moon. There appears to be two possible explanations for this beaver Moon name. One is that November is a month when traditionally hunters would set traps for Beavers; the other is that November is a time of increased activity for Beavers, when they are busy rebuilding their lodges and dams. The Beaver is primarily nocturnal therefore it is fitting that the November Moon should be named after this fabulous animal. Beavers do not hibernate thus they need to be ready for the stark cold months ahead, this explains why they are very busy at this time of the year but also they grew a thick pelt of fur thus this was a prime time to catch them. Beavers were once hunted to the point of extinction in many parts of the world. Thankfully this is no longer the case as beaver hunting is now controlled but I still find it terrible that these creatures are still killed for their fur.

Another common name related to Beaver Moon is Hunters Moon. This is also used for the September Moon. This name is given because the moonlight is ideal for the hunters who frequently began their hunting season by autumn moonlight to begin building a supply for winter. At this time of year the moon is in the sky for longer as it rises closer to the time of Sunset. The shorter time between successive moonrises around the time of the Harvest and Hunter’s Moon is because the orbit of the Moon makes a narrow angle with respect to the horizon in the evening in autumn, leading the Moon to higher positions in the sky each successive day.

Another very common name for the November Moon is the Frost Moon or Frosty Moon. This is obviously named as November is the time on the Wheel of the Year when many parts of the world receive their first frost. We have still to have our first frost in my part of England, it seems exceptionally mild at the moment which is strange considering the cold winter we had in 2012.

There are many more names given to this November Moon, usually based on what nature is doing at this time of year.

Examples of names for the November moon around the world are:

American                  Beaver Moon

Chinese                    White Moon

Cherokee                  Trading Moon

Choktaw                   Sassafras Moon

Dakatah Sioux           Moon When Horns are broken off

Celtic                        Dark Moon

English                     Snow Moon

Pagan                       Tree Moon

In ancient Celtic practices this moon signaled the beginning of a new year because the Celtic year ended on the eve before Samhain (October 31st) and began again on the day after. It was considered a Moon month of beginnings and endings. The Druids called this moon the mourning moon as this was the time to remember our ancestors. Prior to the 1700s, it was a feast day in parts of Western Europe, perhaps in conjunction with the honouring of ancestors. Other societies celebrated their dear at this time too. Among the Incas it was a time of the Ayamarca, or Festival of the Dead.

November was the ninth month in the old Roman calendar. The goddess Hecate had many celebrations throughout the year, but November 16 was known as the Night of Hecate. Hecate is celebrated throughout Pagan religions as the Crone Goddess, Goddess of the night, ‘the distant one’, Queen of the Night, Goddess of the crossroads.  People who worshiped Hecate honoured Her by performing Magick and holding a supper at what they believed to be the Crossroads. Food was left there as an offering to her. Hecate was known to rule the passages of life and transformation, birth and death. Hecate’s Moon therefore could be an appropriate name for this November moon. Although strictly speaking Hecate is Goddess of the dark moon, I still think that Hecate’s moon is a good name for the full moon this year that is so close to her feast day.

The Chinese name of White Moon is possibly named for the Goddess Chang-O or Change’e. Chang-O is celebrated at the full moon closest to the Autumn equinox. Yutu is a white pet rabbit accompanying the goddess Chang'e on the moon in ancient Chinese myth, thus the name White Moon could come from association with this rabbit belonging to Chang’e the Moon Goddess.

What name would you give this moon in November? Perhaps you have a family tradition around this time of year or a particular plant that you see close by you?

Embrace your dreams through all of the night, tomorrow begins with a brand new light. Inspirational Quote

Embrace your dreams through all of the night, tomorrow begins with a brand new light.

Sweet dreams for everyone tonight, blessings, Alison

Everyday holds new magic and new wonders to be experienced. Positive inspirational quote on magic

Everyday holds new magic and new wonders to be experienced. Imagine with all your mind, believe with all your heart. AstarteAlison

Please feel free to download the free e-card, just right click on the image and save it or print it to place somewhere to remind you of the wonders of the earth we live in.

Magickal sparkly blessings, Alison *´¯`•.¸¸.☽◯☾ *´¯`•.¸¸.

The Spiritual Meanings Behind Colours

The Spiritual Meanings Behind Colours

Different colours are very evocative to different people and so it has been throughout the ages. Celtic people, Native Americans and other earth based spiritualities assigned different colours for the different elements. Commonly air is seen as yellow, fire is red, earth is green and water is blue. Traditionally green is seen as associated with earth based or Pagan spiritualities. Diana Paxson and her branch of the Asatru associate colours with deities: Odhinn is black and blue; Thor red; Freya and Freyr green and gold, or sometimes brown.

In some wiccan/pagan paths, colour is combined into the crafting of spells these may be for various reasons: 
for health, peace, love, and personal growth. Colour conveys mood very quickly and can help with healing on a very deep level.

The ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Indians believed in chromotherapy, or healing with colors. In chromotherapy, red is believed to stimulate physical and mental energies, yellow to stimulate the nerves, orange to stimulate the solar plexus and revitalize the lungs, blue to soothe and heal organic disorders such as colds, hay fever, and liver problems, and indigo to counteract skin problems and fevers. Premature babies with jaundice are cured by a chemical reaction triggered by exposure to blue light for several days.

Colour is very evocative of mood. Different colours can completely change the mood that we are in. Much research has gone into this and is behind a lot of the colour choices that go into our decorating decisions for our own homes.

Colours are also very important as related to the Hindu philosophy of Chakras. I won’t go into a big explanation of the chakras here as I’m sure a lot of you already have that knowledge and that is a whole other post!

Below is a brief summary of the spiritual qualities associated with each colour.

White.

White is perfect for connecting with elemental spirits and angels, your higher self and spiritual guides. It is good for purification and healing. White also corresponds to the Maiden form of the Triple Goddess.

Yellow.

Yellow represents the element of air. Symbolizes vitality, progress, change and communication, willpower, confidence and warmth. Light a yellow candle if you are having relationship problems or need a boost in confidence, it will bring joy and happiness to your life. Yellow corresponds with the Solar plexus chakra.

Chakras from Pranagyoga.com

Gold.

Gold is the symbol of all sun-deities and masculine energy. Excellent for promoting self-confidence, success in business and financial matters, overcoming bad habits. Carry a gold coin to attract success.

Orange.

Associated with deities of good luck and good fortune. Represents charm, kindness, success abundance, prosperity, sexual desire, procreation, change, joy, tolerance. Sacral Chakra. Orange is wonderful for raising your energies, try wearing an orange top or scarf.

Red

Red represents the element of fire in many pagan religions. It is associated with deities of love, passion, sexuality and war. Red brings courage, will-power, determination, speed, assertiveness, aggression, masculinity, self-preservation, grounding and material stability. Red is the color of the Mother Aspect of the Triple Goddess. The ruby, a precious gemstone with a brilliant red color, was worn in China to promote long life. Represents the Root chakra. Wear red to promote self confidence and assertiveness, even if it is a small item of jewellery.

Pink.

Love goddesses, softness and tenderness, romance, caring, nurturing, emotional healing. While red is associated with fiery love and passion, pink corresponds to the gentler aspects of these emotions. Put pink rose quartz by your bed to re-kindle romance.

Green

Green is the element of earth. All earth based spiritualities. Corresponds with Nature and fertility deities, Mother goddesses. Represents: nature, fertility, growth, rejuvenation, recovery, healing, unconditional love, compassion, forgiveness. Represented by the heart chakra. Dirty or muddy green corresponds to envy, hate, and sickness (a "sickly green", so to speak) Green is especially useful in colour magic spells for healing and for wealth drawing. Green has great healing power. It can soothe pain. People who work in green environments have fewer stomachaches. Suicides dropped 34% when London's Blackfriar Bridge was painted green. Green was a sacred color to the Egyptians representing the hope and joy of Spring.

 Turquoise

Turquoise brings intellectual and intuitive insights, inventions and originality, renewal.

Blue

Blue is the element of water. Deities of the sea. Peace and tranquility, calmness, truth, wisdom, justice, prophetic dreams, protection during sleep, astral projection, communication, speech, creative writing. Representative of the throat chakra.

Violet/Purple

Elemental spirits and angels. Psychic abilities, divination. Crown chakra. Deepens personal spiritual awareness, as well as working with  divine power. Use fluorite to aid in deepening psychic abilities.

 

Amethyst rose quartz sun catcher http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/

Indigo

Indigo corresponds to the Brow (or Pineal, or Third Eye) Chakra. Justice, wisdom, inspiration, intuition, spirituality, psychic powers. It can also be used in colour magic to help reduce phobias and stress.

Brown

Stability, grounding, conservation, protection of household, family and pets, healing animals, finding lost objects.

Grey

Neutralizing negative influences, putting a halt to negative action.

Silver

Moon-goddesses, female energy, cycles, rebirth, reincarnation, healing of hormonal imbalances, emotional stability. It is very useful in divination and meditation

Black

Deities of the Underworld. Repel and banish evil and negativity, protection, deep meditation. Black is the color of the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess.

You can use these colours in a variety of ways. You can wear the colour of your choice, if for example you wish to particularly connect with nature and be grounded then brown and green clothing would be a perfect combination. Wear yellow or orange to work if you need a self confidence boost.

For spellwork and blessings, coloured candles, altar cloths, talismans and writing in particular colours are very effective. Birthday candles make a very inexpensive way of building up your coloured candle cache or coloured t-lights which are abundant during the summer bar-b-q season.

Red Spell Candle http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk/shop/

When meditating imagining yourself surrounded by a particular colour is very effective. For example for protection you can imagine yourself within a beautiful bubble and then colour that bubble blue for peace and protection whenever you need it. Meditating in front of a coloured candle is a way of concentrating the colour.

What colour resonates with you? Which colours to you shy away from? Try and examine why that is? Is there some imbalance that you need to look at within your life? For me I never wore red. I always justified it in that it clashed with my red hair but I eventually realized that I was imbalanced and needed to allow my masculine side a little more space. So now I do wear red, only a very little, a pair of red flip flops are a favourite and a few red bangles but it does give me a bit more self confidence, I’m a very moon gazy  girl and I do have to learn that the golden energy is there too!

Blessings of colour and sparkles to you, alison xxx

House Protection Salt and Water Blessing

House Protection

This is a house protection blessing I wrote some time ago that I thought I would share with you for anyone that might find it useful.

It is a good use of full moon water if you managed to make any at the last full moon as this will be very powerful protective water.

Use this blessing anytime you feel your house needs protection from any outside  negative influences, it can be used when you first move into a house, when you are leaving it or at anytime you feel it necessary.

It is best done when the moon is full or waxing but may be performed whenever it is needed.

Assemble:

Salt and spring or blessed water

4 white and one blue candle

Piece of turquoise

Tambourine, bells etc

Incense

Casting A Circle

Choose a central room in which to carry out the ritual- often the living room.

Place candles at the four quarters of your circle.

Choose a place to put your altar or workspace, this may be on a small table or a cloth on the floor

Light the incense.

Cast your circle within which you will work

As you do so, say

I cast this circle in love and light, filling it with positive energy

Visualize the house within a protective circle.  The circle will completely envelop the house placing it inside a protective bubble.

Call upon, greet and invite ancestors, any specific gods/goddesses/ angels and all harmonious spirits and energies to be present in the house as they please.

Releasing Stuck energy

Use the tambourine or anything else that makes a noise, you can simply clap your hands if preferable, and go to all four corners of the room and make a noise to get rid of any stuck energy that may be there, do this in every room that you think necessary and any doors or windows that you feel may have a negative energy lurking.

Calling the Quarters

To protect the house at every point of the compass and to invoke the spirits of each quarter, light each candle in turn starting with the east.

Light the east candle and say

May the element of air bless this space with light, love and air and grant me protection in everything I do and anywhere I go.

Light the south candle and say

May the element of fire bless this space with light, love and air and grant me protection in everything I do and anywhere I go.

Light the west candle and say

May the element of water bless this space with light, love and air and grant me protection in everything I do and anywhere I go.

Light the north candle and say

May the element of north bless this space with light, love and air and grant me protection in everything I do and anywhere I go.

Salt and Water blessing

Move back to your workspace and light the blue candle

Place three pinches of salt in the water and say

Water be healing and salt be pure

Keep me safe and protected sure

Bad energy please flee from me

Send it back so none need flee

Take the salt and water and sprinkle at the edges of rooms or outside the house, in particular doorways and window frames and anywhere where protection is needed the most.

Completing the ceremony

Finish your house protection by thanking the ancestors, deities and all beings for being present and for continuing to protect you and your family.

Thank the spirits of the east south west and north.

Close the circle and say

May the circle be open yet unbroken

May the love of the goddess be ever in your heart

Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.

Blessed be

The magical circle is closed and the protective bubble remains around your house to keep the protective magic working.

AstarteAlison