And now, on to the stew....
In the News
HIV is not transmitted through witchcraft (Ghana News)
Jill Janus (lead singer for Huntress who is also a witch) interview
India: Three arrested for practising witchcraft
Cash-strapped Swaziland urged to hike witch doctor tax
Nigeria: Suspected witch mysteriously shaves Methodist Pastor's head while he slept
Congregation Children of Israel to host lecture on the birth of monotheism (Athens, GA)
To Churn or Not to Churn (witches haunting the butter-making process)
Nigeria: How witchcraft killed a 7 year old daughter- Man, 60
Mother Earth surprises scientists at Hood Canal
Pagan Lore with Karen Szabo
Sunday, December 9
The ninth day of the last month of the year (along with the sixth and seventh days) is considered to be an extremely unlucky time, according to Grafton in his Manuel (a sixteenth-century book of unlucky days as determined by professional star-gazers).
In Mexico, the healing virgin-Goddess Tonantzin is honored on this day with an annual festival called the Fiesta of the Mother of Health.
Monday, December 10
On this night (approximately), Inuit hunters in the far north begin an annual five-day series of purification rites, followed by a propitiation ceremony under the full moon, for the souls of the animals they had hunted in the last year. The December Moon ceremony has been performed in the Arctic coastal regions of North America
for hundreds of years.
Tuesday, December 11
Day of Bruma. On this date, the ancient Roman Goddess of the winter season was honored by Pagans in Italy with an annual festival. This day is also sacred to Arianrhod, the Snow Queen Goddess, and Yuki Onne.
Wednesday, December 12
The victories of good over evil and light over darkness are celebrated annually at sunset on this date (approximately) with the Zoroastrian fire festival of Sada. In Mexico, the annual Our Lady of Guadalupe religious festival takes place on this day. It is a sacred day to the Goddesses Coatlique, Tonantzin, and the Black Madonna.
Thursday, December 13
Saint Lucia's Day. On this day, a candlelight festival is celebrated throughout Sweden. The first-born daughter of each family wears a flowing white gown and a crown of candles around her head, obviously in reference to the ancient Pagan symbols of fire and life-giving light. The daughter traditionally serves her mother and father breakfast in bed.
Friday, December 14
On this date in the year 1503, the famous French prophet and astrologer Michel de Nostradamus was born in Saint Remy de Provence. He experienced many psychicvisions during his childhood, and he later studied the Holy Qabalah, astrology, astronomy, medicine, and mathematics. The first collection of his uncannily accurate visions, written in the form of rhymed quatrains, was published in the year 1555. Three years later, a second and larger collection of his prophecies--reaching into the year 3979--was published. Nostradamus died on July 1, 1566.
Friday, December 15
Halcyon Days. According to ancient legend, the seven days before the winter solstice and the seven days following it are a special time of tranquility and calm, due to the magickal powers of the halcyon (a fabled bird who nested on the sea and calmed the wind and the waves during the winter solstice). In Puerto Rico, the Yule Child is honored by a religious festival called Navidades, which begins annually on this day. It is celebrated until the sixth of January.
Have a wonderful week, everyone! See you next time with more Pagan Lore,
Karen
This Week in Astrology
New Moon Articles:
Darkstar Astrology
Libra Seeking Balance
The Astrology Blog
Uranus Goes Direct, December 13, 7:02am EST
Moon VoC December 2012
Song of the Week with Kestril Trueseeker
Weekly Tarot: The Universe (usually called The World)
Think of this as the big payoff for work well done or a journey well-taken. It's time to celebrate, relax, enjoy, have some fun this week. Of course, this also means that a new journey is about to begin, and with the New Moon in Sagittarius as well as Uranus coming out of Rx, it'll start with a lot of joy and a big bang.. so, prepare your New Moon workings with all this in mind :) It's going to be a great week!
Weekly Totem: Bluebird
Bluebird brings a message of happiness within and without. The bluebird signifies contentment and fulfillment that is happening or is about to happen. Bluebird shows how to find those joyful gems in everyday life with an appreciation anew. Bluebird teaches a balance of work and play and reminds us to reinstate the fun back into life. Listen to the song of Bluebird in order to sing your own of joy with an awakened confidence and internal peace. It is time to look for chances to touch joy in your lie. Dance and sing with every step, Bluebird will show you the way.
The bluebird is a native of North America. Although once common, they are now quite rare. This often is a reminder that we are born to happiness and fulfillment, but we sometimes get so lost and wrapped up in the everyday events of our lives that our happiness and fulfillment seem rare. When bluebirds show up as a totem, it should first of all remind you to take time to enjoy yourself.
*Bluebirds are part of the thrush family, and you may wish to read about thrushes to learn more of the bluebird. The males are entirely blue, while the females are blue only in the wings. Occasionally there will be some warm reddish tones on the chest as well. Pay attention to the colors and where they are located. This will provide some insight.
To the Cherokees, blue is the color of the North, while in many magical traditions, it is the color of the East. The edges of many Jewish prayer shawls were often the color of blue. Blue is associated with the throat chakra and creative expression. Blue is symbolic, so ask yourself what blue means to you personally.
To the Pueblo, bluebirds are considered winter birds because they descend to the lowlands with the snow and cold during that season. This transition from winter to summer is dramatic in the area of the western home of the Pueblo. It is a transition from great coldness to summer heat.
Other Pueblo rites revolved around the use of bluebird feathers as prayer sticks. They were considered beneficial for snow and ice, and for bringing the summer rainy season. There are also rites in the Pueblo tradition that tie them to the fertility of the land.
Bluebirds are gentle and unaggressive. They do not push or bully other birds, but they are very scrappy when threatened. They have been known to put to flight jays and even larger birds. Their homes usually have an entrance facing South, the direction for awakening the inner child. If a bluebird has come into your life, look for opportunities to touch the joyful and intrinsically native aspects of yourself that you may have lost touch with.
*source: Ted Andrews, Animal Speak
Shameless Plug
That's it for this week's stew. Mull. Digest. Enjoy!
