New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Capricorn on 4 January 2011

“Realize you as Soul are success itself. Then your attention and focus shifts into

other important callings then placing your entire sense of self-worth upon the 3D world.

The individual has the opportunity to fulfill their purpose with integrity while knowing

they will enjoy the fruits from the genuine effort that they have put towards living a

life based in authenticity and empowerment.“

Here we are on the verge of new beginnings as we begin a New Year, how exciting! We are drawn to the light, it stirs our passions and puts us in touch with fresh possibilities. The prospect of having new beginnings blasted with extra energy for the next twelve months is the even more enticing. It is best to create a plan or at least something tentative so that we can pour Solar (Sun) light or vitality into it and utilize the auspicious new beginnings energy. On 4 January 2011, is a New Moon and (Partial) Solar Eclipse at 13 degrees in Capricorn.

The Sun and Moon team up together during a New Moon, that is they concentrate both the Conscious (Solar) and the Subconscious (Lunar) towards a common intention or goal. In this case, the sun and moon meet in the sign of Capricorn and the 13 degree point is the ‘active spot.’ Solar Energy symbolizes vitality, vigor and outward expression. We can channel this energy towards a solid plan or intention.

2011 - from a numerological perspective

Now that Christmas is over, we are gearing ourselves up for New Year's eve and 2011. Aside from resolutions that barely last the night out, what else will the year 2011 bring?

If we look at the upcoming year from a numerological perspective, we notice one thing straight away - that being that Universal Year (UY) will either be a "4" (where all the numbers are added together, 2+0+1+1 = 4) or, in strict Pythagorean sence, it will relate to a "13" Universal Year (with 11 already a master number, the 2 is then added - 11+2=13). Most people however will opt for the first calculation.

  

Hyssop - the Holy Herb

As I bought a little hyssop plant yesterday, I thought I would investigate this herb more.  The name "Hyssop" (Hyssopus officinalis) is of Greek origin.  The Hyssopos of Dioscorides was named from azob (a holy herb), because it was used for cleaning sacred places. It is alluded to in the Christian Scriptures: "Purge me with Hyssop, and I shall be clean."

It is a native of Southern Europe and is an evergreen, bushy herb, growing up to about 1/2 metre high, with a square stem, linear leaves and flowers in whorls, six- to 16 flowered.   Cultivated for its flower tops, these are often used by being steeped in water to make an infusion, however sometimes it is used as an expectorant. There are three varieties of Hyssop, known respectively by their blue, red and white flowers.

Jesus and the Persia God Mithra

In the lands of ancient Persia, the worship of a messiah like Deity was established some 600 years prior to the conception of Christinaity. This God, who was believed to have said, "I am a star which goes with thee and shines out of the depths", was Mithra.

Born on 25 December, Mithra was the offspring of the Sun, and was the third most important Persian God after Ormuzd and Ahrimanes. He was said to be a beautiful youth and a mediator, a "spiritual light contending with spiritual darkness, and through his labours the kingdom of darkness shall be lit with heaven's own light; the eternal will receive all things back into his favour, the world will be redeemed to God. The impure are to be purified, and the evil made good, through the mediation of Mithras, the reconciler of Ormuzd and Ahriman. Mithras is the Good, his name is Love. In relation to the Eternal he is the source of grace, in relation to man he is the life-giver and mediator" (Plato, Philo, and Paul, p. 15).

Creating my own Library of Alexandria

The Royal Library of Alexandria, located in Alexandria, Egypt, was once the largest and most significant in the world.  It is usually assumed to have been founded at the beginning of the 3rd century BC during the reign of Ptolemy II of Egypt after his father (Ptolemy I Soter, 323 to 283 BCE) had set up the temple of the Muses, the Musaeum (from where we get the word "Museum").  The initial organization is attributed to Demetrius Phalereus, and is estimated to have stored at its peak 400,000 to 700,000 parchment scrolls.

The library was featured in a recent movie, "Hypatia", based around the Alexandrian scholar and philosopher who, born between 350 and 370 CE, was considered to be considered the first notable woman of mathematics, teaching philosophy and astromony.  Hypatia died in March 415 CE by a Christian mob who accused her of causing religious turmoil.

Solace in Service - Doing for Others

One aspect of the Wiccan Priesthood, in particular the High Priesthood, is that of service to others.  This "service" can sometimes be misunderstood with some people expecting some kind of "return" (financial or otherwise) to be received.  However, "true" service is where one does something, shares something, makes themselves available etc simply because in doing so, their actions or what they have to share may benefit another.  An example of this is the open Full Moon Gatherings that the Temple of the Dark Moon have been holding since 2004.  These Gatherings, originally held all year round, are open to the public as they are held in public spaces and, as were the case of many that where held during the Summer months at the beach, witnessed by curious passerbys - some even joining in. 

Whilst due to time restraints these Gatherings are now only held during the Winter months, they are still open to the public where they are offered free of charge - there is not even the expectation of  a donation to help cover the cost of the items used.  This is because to hold such events that may benefit the spiritual development of another is part of what I view as my service, as HPs, to the community and society at large.

The following is an article from Daily Om about being of service - something that everyone is able to do.

Lunar Eclipse in Gemini - 21 December 2010

Lunar Eclipse In Gemini - Big Mouths And Big Minds and Big Egos Too!

On 21 December 2010, there will be a lunar eclipse at 29 degrees Gemini which is highly stressed by planets in Sagittarius and Pisces. This leaves people with planets in the late degrees of Virgo, the fourth mutable sign to contend with the brunt of of this. People with planets in the early degrees of Libra will also be impacted.

What is apparent about this Full Moon is its emphasis on Mercury (communication).  We have got Gemini, Virgo and Mercury involved, along with Sagittarius and Jupiter and when you put this together there is no end to the blurting and boasting and broadcasting we are going to see going into this.

It would be mindful not to go about talking to much otherwise you may very well "break" your mouth or your mind in the process. Those who are clever enough to joke while they are preaching will be in very high tide with this.

Source: Elsa Elsa Astrology Blog

Magick of Mid Summer

In less then 10 days, time the Mid Summer Solstice will be upon those of us who reside in the Southern Hemisphere (occuring on 21 December).  This is the time of the year when the Sun is allegedly in its glory, being the time of the longest day and the shortest night. 

With the recent storms experienced lately, especially here in the South Australia, not to mention the serious flooding in various parts of New South Wales and Queensland, celebrating the time of the year when the Sun is at its peak may seem a bit ironic this year - last year (2009) however it was a completely different story with southern Australia having experienced the horrendous heatwave (at least five days over 35C) as early as in October.

Endings and Beginnings as Visions mark the Way

Last night conjured up an assortment of emotions - of sadness with it being the last "official" circle that the Temple's Inner Court would hold until mid January due to the Summer break, but also of achievement as we moved through our paces, despite what had seemed to be a "broken year" with our circles, in stepping between the veils and creating magick, not to mention excitement of the proposed ideas that 2011 will bring (not to mention another member to our folds).

Almost as a sign of just how far we each had progressed in the year, both separately along our own individual paths of spiritual enlightenment, but also as a group collective, every one of us received a potent result from the meditation. 

Wormwood (Artemisia)

The Wormwoods are members of the great family of Compositae and belong to the genus Artemisia, a group consisting of 180 species, of which we have four growing wild in England, the Common Wormwood, Mugwort, Sea Wormwood and Field Wormwood.

In addition, as garden plants, though not native, Tarragon (A. dracunculus) claims a place in every herb-garden, and Southernwood (A. abrotanum), an old-fashioned favourite, is found in many borders, whilst others, such as A. sericea, A. cana and A. alpina, form pretty rockwork shrubs.  

A Sign of Imbalance - Overachieving and Overreaching

In general, an overachieving lifestyle is not balanced.

What changes can you make to slow down and feel more joy?

Overachievers are people who have achieved but still feel the need to do more, creating an imbalance in their lives.

People who exhibit this behavior may be trying to compensate for feelings of insecurity and doubts about their worth. They may be chasing unresolved issues from their past into the present, or they might not be looking at their lives as a whole, but judging themselves based only on one aspect of their being.

If this is a word that we have heard used with respect to our choices and lifestyle, it is worth examining in order to balance our lives for a more rewarding experience. 

Living for Ourselves

We do not need to live seeking approval from our parents or others;

this can be overcome no matter what your age.

Most of us come to a point in our lives when we question why we are doing what we are doing, and many of us come to realize that we may be living our lives in an effort to make our parents happy. This realization can dawn when we are in our 20s, our 40s, or even later, depending upon how tight a hold our family of origin has on our psyche. We may feel shocked or depressed by this information, but we can trust that it is coming to us at this time because we are ready to find out what it would mean to live our lives for ourselves, following the call of our own soul, and refusing any longer to be beholden to someone else’s expectations.

New Moon in Sagittarius this Sunday

The Moon will be entering the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius this Sunday, 5 December 2011, and when it emerges as the New Moon in our skies, it takes place at 13 degrees Sagittarius, in a tight sextile to Saturn in Libra at 14 degrees offering a real opportunity.

Sagittarius (Jupiter) is visionary but does not accomplish much without Saturn functions like hard work, commitment and follow through. Here we have a upbeat New Moon in Sadge in contact with Saturn in the sign of its exaltation and while it does create drag in the fun times, the chance to for solid improvement in undeniable.

To take advantage of this, note the house in your chart where the New Moon falls and set your intention along with a commitment to to work towards your vision. Since Saturn is in Libra, this most likely means working in partnership for big gains.  As an example, the New Moon falls in your 11th house, so you will work with and rely on your partner/spouse to achieve you wishes, hopes and dreams.

Where does the new moon fall in your chart? How will you use this energy?

Source: Elsa Elsa Astrology

The Reciprocal Flow of Abundance

Since giving and receiving are so intimately intertwined in our lives, we often expect that we can attract abundance by simply conducting ourselves in an openhanded fashion. Yet we find ourselves wallowing in disappointment when our ample generosity is not met with the expected results. The answer to this quandary lies in the expectations that, in part, initially prompted us to give.

Though our intention is likely pure, we can unintentionally mar the beautiful experience of giving by focusing on what we will eventually receive in return. When we let go of the notion that we deserve to receive gifts based on giving gifts, bounty can once again flow freely in and out of our lives.