I am wishing you a very happy, healthy and productive week, however you choose to spend it! Now, on to the Stew:
In the News
Witchcraft and Execution: The Darker Side of Gambia
Zimbabwe: Man arrested for accusing brother of witchcraft
Southern Africa: Witchcraft: A Frightening Face of GBV
Witchcraft thriving in parts of Wales, church minister warns
Saudi Gazette: 6% of reported crimes are witchcraft and fraud related
Man charged with pretending to practice witchcraft
Pagan ceremony pair deny child sex allegations
Christmas and Jesus? Debunking, Paganism & Conflict Continue
Did a TV Show Host Set a Man on Fire because He Thought He was a Witch Doctor?
University focus on life in Pagan Britain
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Sunday, December 2
In what is now known as Bodh Gaya, India, the world's oldest and most sacred tree (planted in the year 282 B.C. and believed to be an offshoot of the Bodhi or Bo-tree that the Buddha sat under when he achieved enlightenment) is honored annually on this date by Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims with prayers, chants, and brightly colored flags. On this day, an annual women's festival called Hari Kugo (Broken Needles) takes place in the city of Tokyo. It commemorates women's crafts and is dedicated to all patron Goddesses of Japanese craftswomen.
Monday, December 3
In ancient Rome, secret women's rites were performed annually on this date in honor of Bona Dea, the Good Goddess. All males were barred from the ceremonies, which were conducted by vestal virgins. In ancient Greece, this day was sacred to the Goddess Cybele and also to Rhea, the Great Mother of the Earth.
Tuesday, December 4
On this date in ancient Rome, the Goddess Minerva was honored with an annual festival. Minerva (the Roman counterpart of the Greek Athena) is a Goddess of battle and also a patroness of the arts and wisdom. In West Africa, this day is sacred to the Yoruban God Chango. He is a God of lightning bolts, and the son of the deities Yemaya and Orungan.
Wednesday, December 5
In ancient Greece, an annual seaside festival (the Poseidea) was celebrated annually on this date to honor the Sea-God Poseidon, consort of the Mother Goddess. In Italy, the First Feast of Saint Lucia is held on this date each year. Before being Christianized into a Saint, she was originally worshiped as Lucina, a Pagan Goddess of light who also presided over childbirth.
Thursday, December 6
On this day in the year 1890, famous occultists and ritual magician Dion Fortune was born in Wales. Although Ms. Fortune never proclaimed herself to be a Witch, her numerous writings are popular among (and inspiring to) many modern Witches, Wiccans, and Neo-Pagans around the world. She died from leukemia on January 8, 1946.
Friday, December 7
On this date in ancient Greece, an annual rite called the Haloia of Demeter was performed. According to mythology, each year the Goddess Demeter wanders the earth in search of her stolen daughter Persephone. The Goddess' sorrow brings Winter to the world and all trees and flowers cease to bloom; however, Spring returns when Persephone is allowed to temporarily leave the darkness of the Underworld and Demeter once again rejoices.
Saturday, December 8
On this day, the birth of the ancient and powerful Goddess of the sun, Amaterasu, is celebrated annually at Shinto temples throughout Japan. In Egypt, the Festival of Neith is celebrated annually on this date to honor the Earth-Goddess of the Delta.
Wishing everyone a bright and happy week ahead,
Karen
This Week in Astrology
Last Quarter Moon on Thursday, December 6th, 2012, at 10:31 AM EST. "Thursday morning, the Last Quarter Moon is exact, when the Sun in Sagittarius squares the Moon in Virgo. The Last Quarter Moon phase points to some sort of crisis of consciousness. After basking in the awareness symbolized by the full light of the Moon at the time of last week's Full Moon, we disperse our knowledge and come to a point when we need to sort out what works for us--and what doesn't--in preparation for next week's New Moon, when something new is born once again." (cafeastrology)
This Week's Planetary Positions By Sign (General Trends):
Sun in Sagittarius You're now embarking on a trek into a land of dreams - not passive daydreams, but vibrant visions of what may be. The time has come to stop looking at the world as it is and asking why. Now's the time to imagine the world as it could be, and the question has become: "Why not?" You also cannot do everything you imagine now, but you cannot do anything you don't KNOW you can do - so believe, and dare to make it happen! This means expanding your mind, your belief system, your whole base of knowledge and experience. Time's a wastin' - let no grass grow between your toes!
Mercury in Scorpio A pronounced curiosity about taboos and mysteries plays a greater part in your life now. Your mind is on cutting through the non-essentials and penetrating to the core is where your mind is at now; you want to know who (or what) pulls the strings. Sex, taxes, investments, and others of life's most compelling phenomena may captivate your interest more than ever before.
Venus in Scorpio This is way beyond love, all the way to obsession - that's the nature of the cycle that now takes hold in your life. We're not talking just lukewarm WANT here; we're talking red-hot GOT TO HAVE! Passion, jealousy, possession: these are the kinds of experiences that can flow from the intensity that courses through you at one level or another now - voracious.
Mars in Capricorn With this new cycle taking hold in your life now, taking charge and being in control become more important issues for you. You want to get things organized, and you have the initiative to do it. This is a time of ambition and responsibility, a time to keep your cool and pace yourself. Working hard is smart, but working smart is better.
Jupiter in Gemini Facilitating the transfer of ideas and information takes on a special priority for you now. Writing, studying, and communicating play a bigger role in your life as a result. The belief that well-informed people will make the right decisions becomes an article of faith. Just remember: sometimes people know the right thing to do and STILL do something different!
Saturn in Scorpio This new cycle signals a need to recognize that there are powers beyond your control, that things are not what they seem on the surface. Trying to stay in control and on top only sets you up for a fall. There is a need for the resources of others. Failure to recognize this and deal with it can stop you in your tracks.
Uranus in Aries A clean break with the past in some respects is signaled by the cycle you have just begun. What YOU need, YOUR freedom and independence, shattering old molds: these are the things that energize you and take priority in your life. Uniqueness and originality set you apart.
Uranus in Aries A clean break with the past in some respects is signaled by the cycle you have just begun. What YOU need, YOUR freedom and independence, shattering old molds: these are the things that energize you and take priority in your life. Uniqueness and originality set you apart.
Neptune in Pisces Things spiritual and psychic take the driver's seat of your imagination as you begin a new cycle. The fine arts and all manner of fantasies assume a larger-than-life importance. Surrendering to fate, karma, and other powers greater than merely mortal may be seen as the ultimate liberation. If all is maya (illusion), what is the reality that gives rise to the world of appearances?
Pluto in Capricorn As this new phase dawns for you, the pursuit of social/political power and status has a way of seeming necessary and inevitable - and let nothing stand in its way. It starts out small, but has bigger consequences than you'd think. Ambition, responsibility, a place for everyone and everyone in their place...
These interpretations are from the DayWatch software.
December Moon VoC Calendar
Song of the Week with Kestril Trueseeker:
Weekly Tarot: The Hermit
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| Vanessa Tarot |
Key words and phrases: introspection, personal quest, accepting/offering wise counsel, giving up distractions, seeking solitude.
With the holiday season upon us, it's time for us to take a break and recharge, preparing for the new moon to come next week (December 13). Review what's been working for you and what hasn't. Eliminate distractions and take some time to seek out the deeper wisdoms and magics. This is YOUR time. Set your boundaries and be the wise woman or man who knows s/he needs this time in order to be fully prepared to serve others. Seek out wise counsel (or be prepared to give it if asked), and weigh it against your own internal wisdom and guidance.
Weekly Totem: Hummingbird
Key words and phrases: Energy, vitality, joy, renewal, sincerity, healing, persistence, peace, infinity, agility, playfulness,loyalty,affection
The Hummingbird may be the smallest of birds, but it is also the most fascinating. Anyone who has ever seen this tiny bird is filled with a sense of wonder and joy. Its name comes from the vibration of its wings as it flies or hovers. We have all heard how good it is to whistle while we work, but humming is much more effective. It creates an internal massage, restoring health and balance. This the Hummingbird reminds us to do. It reminds us to find joy in what we do and to sing it out.
Hummingbirds have knowledge of how to use flowers for healing. This includes their fragrance, their color, and herbal qualities as well. They can teach you how to draw the life essence from them and create your own medicines in the case of Bach Flower Remedies and other flower elixirs. They can teach you how to use flowers to heal and win hearts in love.
The Hummingbird is the most skillful flier of all birds. It can hover in the air. It can fly backward, forward and sideways. In fact, it cannot walk; it flies everywhere. It reminds us that if we truly enjoy what we are doing, we become light as a feather, and life is rich with nectar.
Hummingbirds are master architects. They build their homes with great care and design. Some are very intricate, but each is unique to itself. If the Hummingbird has taken up residence in you, you may wish to redecorate. It may be telling you to do something to create joy in the home.
Hummingbirds are wonders of migration, traveling long distances to get to a warmer climate. Some have been known to journey 2500 miles or more. Because of this, the Hummingbird is a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible. It will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.
The most profound questions the Hummingbird asks:
"Where is your joy?"
“Is your happiness found within, or do you seek it externally?"
"What is the source of your joy?"
"What must you do to increase your joy?"
The Hummingbird animal totem most important message to you is: "The sweetest nectar is within!"
The Shameless Plug
This week's Shameless Plug goes to Sam Curtin's newest e-book, "Deal with the Devil".
Description: Deal with the Devil is a series of four short stories that follows The Family, a group of vampires on their quest to quench their thirst for blood. The series centers on Aer, the seductress and newest member of The Family, and her need to rid the world of the immoral while satisfying her love of carnage.
It's only .99 on Amazon. Check it out here.
That's it for this week's stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
