How Blue Is The Moon.....

In our modern times, a blue moon is the second full moon of a month...but why call it blue? It doesn't look blue....So where did this term really come from? I did a little research and found that the term "blue moon" started appearing around the very early 1900's as a phrase "Once in a blue moon" meaning something rare or seldom occurring.  The moon has actually appeared blue in the case of major volcanic eruptions and when the ash rose high into the atmosphere, the ash clouds made it appear as blue.

I found out these blue moons occur, on average, about every thirty two or three months and in 1999 there were double blue moons as one appeared in January and because February only had 28 days, the second blue moon occured in March. Just in case you missed them the first time, this double delight happens about every nineteen solar years....so in 2018 and 2037  the  twin blue moons can be seen again.

Blue Moon Spell For Wisdom And Intuition:

Items Needed

* One blue candle (any size or shape)
* One white candle (again, any shape or size)
* Two matching candleholders
* A small representation of the four elements (Air, Fire, Water, Earth)
* A fresh white flower in a vase
* Matches
* A safe flat surface

Directions:

Set out these items in a way that is pleasing to you. Light the blue candle that represents the blue moon and the white candle next (which represents the moon goddess Selene.) Ground and center yourself and begin drawing down the moon. When you are finished, tip your face up towards the blue moon and request wisdom and protection by repeating these words...


"On this night of Selene's magical blue moon,
Lady, hear my request and grant me boon.
Bless me with intuition and wisdom both day and night.
Work your loving magick in each aspect of my life."


Close this spell with these words:

"I thank the goddess Selene for her time and care,
as this blue moon gently hovers in the night air."

Ground and center yourself and allow the candles to burn until they burn themselves out, keep the flower until it begins to fade and then dispose of it in a compost pile or bury it in your garden.

Bright Blessings!

Magical Stones- Obsidian

Energy: Projective

Planet: Saturn

Element: Fire

Deity: Tezcatlipoca (Aztec, "Smoking Mirror" or "Shining Mirror")

Powers: Protection, Grounding, Divination, Peace

Magical/Ritual Lore: Obsidian is simply lava that cooled so fast that the minerals contained within didn't have time to form. It is a naturally occurring glass.

The Ancient Aztecs fashioned flat, square mirrors of this black glass for use in divination. According to legend the famous Dr. Dee, a magician-alchemist hired by England's Queen Elizabeth I, may have used one of these mirrors in his scrying sessions.

Obsidian is effective when carried or used in protective rituals. One involves surrounding a white candle with four obsidian arrowheads that each point to one of the directions. This sets up aggressive energies which guard the place in which it is set up.

This powerful stone makes a strong shield of protection around the wearer. It is an excellent grounding stone, helping to release negativity and to stabilized. As a scrying tool, obsidian can offer an accurate reflection of the changes that need to be made. Its answers can be quick and somewhat pointed, as obsidian walks the shadow side of the void. It will help to provide a clear course of action, and let you know what challenges are the most necessary to face -- but not always the easiest or most pleasant lessons. Obsidian blades are excellent for cord-cutting workings

What Surrounds Me

Sometimes when dealing with the general public, I can be exposed to all sorts of energies and emotions that people can give off. I find that sometimes this exposure tends to leave me drained and just plain cranky when I'm around those who are negative or needy. One thing that I try to include in my morning and evening meditation is include a positive visualization called my "Protection Shield." This little ritual I perform helps me stay grounded and centered without absorbing too much of the emotions or energies of those around me.

Every witch has their own unique version of how they visualize a shield around them so I decided that I would write about how I see mine. What follows is a general outline of my protection shield ritual done just before I ground and center and continue with my meditation time.

The most basic technique for protecting myself magically is to simply imagining myself inside a ball of white light that turns away any energy before it can touch me. When I visualize this ball of light around me, I make sure it appears opaque but solid in my mind's eye and I see the surface as reflective and faceted like a crystal.

This bubble s extends about a foot above my head and below my feet. You don't have to visualize a perfect sphere, just make it fit around your body in whatever shape seems most comfortable or appropriate. I reinforce the energy in the areas above and below to be just as strong as the areas in front and behind me.

While holding this visualization in my mind, I say these words...."I charge this protection shield to protect me from all harm...on any level....and to reflect love back on the source of harm..." I repeat this until I feel a sense of calm and serenity (usually three or so times) and then follow it with "So mote it be." You can use these words or tailor it to reflect your own style, I follow Ariel's words as found on The Witches Primer, a great podcast if you want to see what witchcraft is all about.

Even after I come out my state of meditation, this bubble moves with me without hindrance. Any vibrations that touch it will simply pass over and around me shield like the wind moving around a mountain. In the rare circumstance that my shield comes up against someone else's... it will bend to compensate but not break, much like two balloons pressing together.

I try to hold the image of an impenetrable force field in my mind for at least a good solid minute or two before returning to my everyday life.