MOON Aquarius SUN Aquarius

Create your space.

Face East & feel deeply into these words as you read them out loud or just in your mind:

“I call to the Lovers of Minds & Learning. Bear witness as I become the Breath of Inspiration.”

Face North & feel deeply into these words as you read them out loud or just in your mind:

“I call to the Lovers of Passion & Will. Bear witness as I become the fiery Spark of Resilience.”

Face West & feel deeply into these words as you read them out loud or just in your mind:

“I call to the Lovers of Hearts & Compassion. Bear witness as I become the Embodiment of Love.”

Face South & feel deeply into these words as you read them out loud or just in your mind:

“I call to the Lovers of Silence & Respect. Bear witness as I become the Foundation of new Growth.”

Stand or sit in the center.

Love your feet & your hair & all things in between.

Understand the flow that surrounds you & emanates from within you & moves through you.

Turn your head towards Sky to find Peace & Perspective.

Turn your thoughts deep within & far into the past of this place & its inhabitants. Draw upon the understanding & wisdom that arises from this action & let it become an iridescent arrow. Turn to the darkest shadow you can find & shoot the arrow into its heart. Observe what the arrow reveals closely, openly & unobtrusively, & take note of what you see there.

Give thanks.

Make offerings.

Release your space.

)O(

Dark Moon in Gemini: Meditating with Fear

Dealing with the Spirit of Fear

The following was my experience when working with how fear hangs out in & around my body. If it suits your sensibilities, it might be a nice thing to do with this Gemini Dark Moon.

I set my space, as I was called to, & stood within it, actively holding my body tall & strong.

I then sent my awareness to a space below my feet, if you can imagine about one quarter of the distance to the centre of Earth. Here there was a brilliant black light that revealed my fear of death & how it impacts my day to day life.

From there, my awareness drifted up to settle at my pelvic floor. Here there was a brilliant red light that revealed my fear of loss & how it impacts my day to day life.

Next I found myself about an inch behind my belly button. Here there was a brilliant orange light that revealed my fear of disconnection & how it impacts my day to day life.

My awareness then landed on my solar plexus, right at the tip of the sternum. Here there was a brilliant yellow light that revealed my fear of self & how it impacts on my day to day life.

Within the currents of the heart was where I found myself next. Here there was a brilliant green light that revealed my fear of healing & how it impacts my day today life.

Then I was in my throat, central enough to feel the pulse of the carotid arteries & the jugular veins. Here there was a brilliant blue light that revealed my fear of assimilation & how it impacts my day to day life.

Up to the brow next, the place of the third eye. Here there was a brilliant purple light that revealed my fear of change & how it impacts my day to day life.

Then my awareness reached the dome of my skull, the crown of my head. Here there was a brilliant golden light that revealed my fear of growth & how it impacts my day to day life.

Then I was reaching above my head, far into the void of space, many galaxies away. Here there was a brilliant white light that revealed my fear of power & how it impacts my day to day life.

Finally, I was entirely me & frantically writing in my journal the details of this marvelous dream.

Enjoy the Dark Moontide folks.

Alison xxx

Embodying the Aettir

When I first met with the Runes I felt that something essential was missing, like the offering of information that I had at the time seemed an extremely diluted version of the well of information they contained (three wells actually). As a result, they were put aside until I could delve deeper…

Yielding to their call a number of years later, I began to absolutely devour whatever I could find on this ancient gift; a much easier task with access to a plethora of mythical tales, research articles, historical writings & references at the touch of a button. This information was then taken into many long, smokey, ceremonial sessions that drove the teachings of the Runes deep into my entire being.

The result of this venture, which lasted a few years, is a series of ritualised meditations to explore each Rune in turn, unfolding their story from beginning to end to new beginning, within the context of the life experiences of the individual participating.

It is a fascinating study to see the Runes roll out in a story like fashion, a dreamy tale with hidden pockets full of adventurous teachings. Each aett (group of eight) contains a clear cycle of its own, that can be worked in rhythm with the seekers own cyclical flow. One definition of the three aettir that I particularly relate to is from Freya Aswynn. To simplify enormously, the first aett can be read as the creation tale, the second aett the playing out of antagonistic forces, & the third aett the unfolding of the human condition which is the beginning of the end.

In offering these Runic meditations to others, I have been able to see how beneficial it can be to work with this ancient tool & have begun the journey for a second time myself… You can never do enough work on yourself, right?!

So, it seems that when I first met the Runes I was not ready to begin uncovering their secrets & I am very lucky that they called me back into their mystical world when I was ready.

If you are interested in learning more about the Runic meditation circles (held in Melbourne, Australia) please send an email to alison@thehedgewitchery.com

)O(

MOON Gemini SUN Gemini

I have been lucky enough to be inspired again by Michelle Duke & her magickal herb mixes to develop a Dark Moon Rite that will connect me more intimately with my Fae-self, harnessing the energy of Gemini to explore integration of opposing forces within myself & release me into a more natural & magickal state. The artwork in the photograph above is by Justin Balmain. I will be performing this rite on Wednesday night the 28th of May at the Witching Hour (AEST).

Gather into your sacred space the following dried herbs in 4 separate dishes…

Lavender & Sage

Bay & Dragon’s Blood

Skullcap & Thyme

Mugwort & Vervain

You will also need 4 incense coals in 4 heat proof dishes, a green candle in an appropriate holder & a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of Poppyseeds steeping in it. If you are unable to ingest Poppyseeds then substitute with a herbal tea of your choice. A journal or paper, & a pen will also be required.

Face East, light your incense coal & add the lavender & sage. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Air… of your Mind… of your Thoughts… of your Memories… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Mental Body. Write these instructions down.

Face North, light your incense coal & add the bay & dragon’s blood. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Fire… of your Spirit… of your Crafts… of your Desires… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Spiritual Body. Write these instructions down.

Face West, light your incense coal & add the skullcap & thyme. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Water… of your Heart… of your Wellbeing… of your Cycles… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Emotional Body. Write these instructions down.

Face South, light your incense coal & add the mugwort & vervain. Send out your prayers to the Keepers there & sit quietly in contemplation of Earth… of your Body… of your Health… of your Possessions… Search for any imbalance in this area & decide where you can support a more balanced Physical Body. Write these instructions down.

Move to the center, light the candle, drink the poppyseed elixir & prepare for an internal journey…

Find yourself in a Forest, take in all that you see & become one with the space you are in. Search for tracks or signs that will lead you to the nearest Fae community. When you arrive, ask for permission to meet with someone, giving your own name. When you are together be guided by your Fae Self, be open to sharing intimate thoughts & feelings, especially the ones that came up during the beginning of this rite. Let this interaction be natural & organic. When you are ready, be sure to give thanks. Return & record your experience in your journal straight away.

Release your circle in the way that you feel most comfortable.

Snuff out the candle & relight at any time that you can revisit the words you wrote during this rite, checking in to see how you are progressing.

Toss the incense dust to the winds as soon as you can.

)O(

The Festival of Light

There is a brightness to the rays of Father Sun at this time, a warmth when He can break through the icy winds, a yearning from life towards His mighty pull. Today I saw the first Jasmine flower & the smell was a delicious promise of heady warm nights to come. Imbolc, Brigit, Oimealg, Candalmas… This festival of light is upon us.

As I prepare my rite for this turn of the Wheel, I am feeling the ominous sensation that comes before a life changing event… like I am stepping through into something new & exciting. Perhaps it is the intense build up that has been on offer since the mating of the Earth & Water trines, or it could just be the general theme for this Year of the Snake. Whatever the case, I am aware of how important this time is for me & so my recognition of this festival is to be deep & personal & transformative.

The Rite

Set your sacred space within you, become the circle from which you have called your guides & guards & ancestors to stand watch, your deity/s to hold, the elements to keep, & ask this bountiful land to permit you. Draw a picture of yourself & describe who you are in words on that same piece of paper. Find a large rock & place it on top of this paper, preferably on the ground. Turn your back & walk away from it with the awareness that for a short while you are not you but a potent Spirit new to this world.

Find a place that you can be close to nature, for example your garden or the local park. Take a very slow walk to & around this place, looking with these fresh eyes, indulging in the smells & colours & textures & tastes that surround you. Ask this awesome new land to show you who you are now & patiently wait for a response. When you have it, give thanks & leave an offering (or be sure to take one back at another time).

Make a slow journey back to where you began feeling the new you taking form around the Spirit you. When you return take another piece of paper & draw & describe yourself with words upon it. Look at the paper from before your journey & note the differences. Burn the old you & place the new you in a significant place in your home.

Release you circle & focus on the embodiment of your newness as your instincts change & your body adjusts.

)O(

MOON Aquarius SUN Leo

Full Moon meditation

As the Sun will be moving into Leo at 1:57am AEST & the Moon into Aquarius at 4:08am AEST Tuesday the 28th, I will be performing this meditation at Moon rise tomorrow.

Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit for the duration of this meditation.

Light a candle, burn incense, create an altar, do whatever your process is to get into the head space for meditation. Say the name Etain (pronounced Ay-deen) three times taking three breaths between each annunciation.

Begin in your Power Place, explore & ensure that it is your perfect space for you in that moment. Then take a journey along a path with the intention of meeting Etain, the Shining One.

When you find Her, She is going to illuminate the parts of you that are rising with the growth of this past solstice/super moon/water trine/retrograde period. So much wisdom that has been developing within you in a whirl of life experience & mental processing. Etain will show you how to ride this into a balanced whole from which your next journey can begin. Allow Her to guide you without any preconceived idea of how that will happen, put your trust in Her as she works with you.

When She bids you farewell, be sure to offer Her thanks & head back to your Power Place. Spend some time thinking back over your experience before coming back into your body.

Write your experience down & revisit these words after a day or two has passed.

)O(

YULE – The Winter Solstice

The longest night will be on Friday the 21st of June… tomorrow. I will be sharing a lovely story-telling, dream-pillow-making, soup-eating, mulled-wine-drinking evening with some wonderfully magickal folks to celebrate this festival. I will also be stepping through 3 gateways during the course of the longest night to honour this time & encourage my own energy to grow & flow with the natural currents available to me.

SUNSET (17:08 AEST) – Moving Through The Western Gate

At sunset I plan on lighting a candle in the West & watching as Father Sun takes his descent into His longest journey through the darkness of Mother Night. I will grieve for Him as He goes & in that grief I will bring all that I need to release to the surface & out through my right palm to anchor it into a rock. I will place a tear onto the rock & sit it next to the candle.

THE WITCHING HOUR (midnight) – Moving Through The Southern Gate

I will take the rock & glass of wine to the bridge over my local river at the Witching Hour. Holding the rock in my left hand & the wine in my right hand I will send my awareness to the water below, down through the water & through the earth beneath it, through the molten center of this planet & up & up through the soil & out of the soil on the other side & through space to finally stop in front of Father Sun. I will tell Him why I wish for His return, tell Him of the importance of His presence in my life. Then my awareness will slowly come back until I am once more on the bridge & I will whisper into the cup of wine “Thank you Mother Night for His safe return.’ & I will pour the wine into the river. Then I will whisper to the rock “Thank you for the lessons that the grief you hold has given to me, I can let them go now.” & then I will throw the rock into the water.

SUNRISE (07:36 AEST) – Moving Through The Eastern Gate

In the East I will light some incense & sit in meditation reflecting on all of the parts of my world that are building & growing. I will give thanks for the return of Father Sun & the gifts that He is bringing into my life & I will give thanks for the abundance that has been provided to me.Then I will sing…

‘Every morning I wake up to see your shining face

You give me the energy to face the human race

You’re watching over me all throughout the day

Then in the evening time you slowly fade away.

It sends chills down my spine to see the Sun’s shine

It sends chills down my spine to see the Sun’s shine…’

(words by me)

HAPPY YULE!

)O(

MOON Taurus SUN Taurus Solar Eclipse

Begin by marking your circle space with a combination of ground salt & rosemary. Then stand in the center with your arms outstretched, palms facing up. In this pose welcome Earth, Air, Fire & Water, welcome your ancestors, welcome Divine Masculine & Divine Feminine, welcome all of Creation. If you wish it, feel free to couple elements with directions here, to light a candle, incense, whatever feels right for you.

Sit in the center & enter your Power Place. From here take a journey to find all things that make you feel sensual & desirable & alive… Things that awaken all of your senses & insight reactions. Acknowledge what these things are, without judgement or analysis, & feel your physical body’s response as you gently come out of meditation.

Place your hands on the ground (this would be perfect to do out of doors) & take three deep breaths, each time you breath in, draw up energy from Mother Earth through your palms, & each time you breath out offer Her something in return.

Take a seed (it is to be swallowed so ensure it is small & not toxic, such as a sunflower or sesame or pumpkin seed) in your palm & whisper into it all the healing that you wish to offer to your body, for example green smoothies, regular sex, walking, more sleep, etc.. When you have filled the seed with your whisperings, swallow it using water.

Now think on your animal totem, guide, companion, teacher, & walk around in your circle as that animal, making the noises, displaying the personality. Note the impact this process has on your consciousness.

To finish, stamp your feet on Mother Earth, place you palms on the ground, ring a bell or clap hands & give thanks to Earth, Air, Fire & Water, to the lands spirits, your ancestors, to the Divine Masculine & the Divine Feminine, all of Creation.

)O(

Full Moon in Virgo

You will need: pen & paper, Moon offering (such as flowers or baked goods or menstrual blood)

Find a quiet place where you can stand undisturbed under the light of the Full Moon.

Stand with your bare feet on the Earth, your knees slightly bent, your tail bone tucked under, your spine straight, your fingertips reaching down, your shoulders rolled back,. your crown being pulled up… Focus on your breath. Feel the Earth reaching up to hold you.

Let your mind’s eye open to the bright, illuminated light that is the Full Moon, draw it down & into you, filling you until you too are aglow.

Send your mind over the physical world in which you dwell. Sort through all that is connected to you on this earthly plane of existence & ask yourself:

  • Does this reflect who I am?
  • Is this a representation of how I feel/think/work?
  • Can I survive without this?
  • What can this do for me?
  • How is this great realm of existence better for having me connected to this?

Then decide what must stay & what needs to go. Write them down.

When you have your list of things to be rid of, appeal to Grandmother Moon for assistance in removing those things from your life. Tell Her what you are willing to do in support of this. Then present Her with an offering & give thanks.

Be sure to follow-up on your part in this process & present Grandmother Moon with an offering every night until She disappears for this cycle.

)O(

Scorpion Eclipse Ritual

Shield of Power

To be performed at the time of the eclipse (9:10am AEDT, Wednesday November 13 2012)

You will need 5 candles (preferably 1 white, 1 green, 1 black, 1 pink or purple & 1 orange or yellow; alternatively 5 white candles will suffice) & a scribing tool (preferably your athame)

Gather your items & sit in a quiet room. Focus on your breath. Visualise yourself sitting on a mountain top. You are surrounded by your guides & allies. Look at each of them, see them & know them. Ask all gathered to assist you in finding your protective symbol for this ritual. When you have found it, thank them all & return your awareness to the room. Take your athame in both hands & feel it filled with Spirit. Use it to scribe your protective symbol on each of your candles.

In the Centre of the room light the green candle & say -I am connected to Nature, to all things existing within the Universe.

In the East of your room light the purple or pink candle (if its white you will need to visualise pink or purple light emanating from this candle) & say – I open the gate to creativity, imagination & unconditional love.

In the North of your room light the orange or yellow candle (if its white you will need to visualise orange or yellow light emanating from this candle) & say – I have the strength to transform myself from Victim to Saviour.

In the West of your room light the white candle & say – I repel the snakes & seducers, the toxins & poisons.

In the South of your room light the black candle (if its white you will need to visualise black light emanating from this candle) & say – I surrender to the Fates.

Stand in the Centre & breath in the green light, feel it fill your body & your Aura space.

Stand at the East & breath in the orange/yellow light, feel it fill your body & your Aura space.

Stand at the North & breath in the purple/pink light, feel it fill your body & your Aura space.

Stand at the West & breath in the white light, feel it fill your body & your Aura space.

Stand at the South & breath in the black light, feel it fill your body & your Aura space.

Back in the Centre, stand with your eyes closed & visualise your shield, know what it blocks & what it will let pass through. Hold the image of it in your mind’s eye & commit it to memory & say – I have met the terrain that lays before me & I embrace the blessings that are upon it. I give thanks for this Shield of Power that will see me through in safety & peace. It is done! It always works! Always a blessing!

Snuff out the candles in the order in which they were lit (DO NOT BLOW THEM OUT). They can be used in this same way to enhance your Shield of Power at any time.

)O(