Witches' Almanac

What if you could find a book, an almanac, that contained this year's planetary aspects, climatological info and planting times, moon phases, stories and lore about the natural world, and a list of all the special days that a witch might need to be aware of? This might be a real find, right?

Well, now you can!

The Witches' Almanac has been in production since 1971. I have been buying this annually since 1998. The yearly editions span from Spring Equinox to Spring Equinox, and generally become available during the preceding Winter.

Every year there is a different focus or theme. Last year, the focus was on the element of Air. This year, it is about Water.

From the website, http://www.thewitchesalmanac.com/index.html
"The 2007-2008 edition celebrates the element of Water. Its theme embraces the magic of Sacred Wells and Charms for Neptune’s Favors. We explore the water rites of Fiji, the tarot’s Death card, seashell charms, gypsies, freemasonry and much more. This issue also proudly boasts an interview with the late Elizabeth Pepper, founder of the Witches’ Almanac. Arcane symbols and intriguing graphic images are always a part of every issue."

I really like the astrological work in the Almanac. Each sign has an in depth look at when different planets and aspects will enter your sign, and then there are sections for each aspect of your life, including health, finance, spirituality, and love. This covers 2 full pages for each sign. There is also a handy list of the retrograde planetary motions, and what they may mean for you. For example, the next Mercury retrograde cycle is from June 16- July 10th.

Other articles in this year's Almanac include "Wine & Ritual Libation" with a recipe for Witches Sangria! There's a nice meditation on the spirals of a Nautilus, as well as the sacred geometry of a Nautilus shell. There are many other pages of interest relating to magick and lore, both fun and useful.

You can usually find the Witches' Almanac for sale at your local pagan or new Age shop, or you can order it directly from their website, listed above. This is a reference work I keep in my magickal toolbox every year. I find it helpful, and I love the beautiful & unusual graphics in every issue. I think you'll like it, too!

Element of Fire

When I got up this morning, the outside temp was a balmy 10 degrees. The inside temp was about 58. Both have since increased slightly. I found myself looking at the calendar, trying to figure out how long it will be until I can go lay on the dock, and bake in the sun. It's going to be a long time. I just haven't been able to get warm for the last two days, no matter how many sweaters I have on. I think this is a function of having Fibromyalgia and CFS. The winter season has gone from being a time of joy for me, to one of just wanting it to be over. But, I digress.

Since I have been so cold, I choose to focus on the element of Fire, and it's corresponding direction, South. While we all know that the Sun is hottest in a south-facing window, there are some surprising correlations of this element. While the power of a full-fledged fire can be devastating, fire can also be healing when it's managed. Scrying into a campfire, or even a candle flame is one of my favorite form of short meditations. I am a complete nut when it comes to campfires and bonfires. Not that I would ever have a fire outside of a proper container-not that kind of nut! I just find it so beautiful, and useful. I like the freedom I feel when I toss old writings and spells, such as from my Spirit jar, onto the flames. It's cleansing and a completion of the work that I had done. One of the reasons I like to go camping so much is because I get to play with fire all weekend. I have a knickname for these excursions: Woman who F%$*s with Fire. Cute, huh? I just can't help myself.

Other realms of Fire are sex, love, and transformation.

Here are some correspondences for the element of Fire:

• Magickal tool: knife/athame
• Herbs: chilies, thistle, nettles(thorny things), coffee, dragon's blood, hot spices
• Stones: Carnelian, lava rock, jaspers, clear quartz
• Animals: salamander, snake, scorpions, lady bugs, shark
• Zodiac: Aries, Sagittarius, Leo (that's me!)
• Oils: Basil, copal, neroli, pettigrain, peppermint

There are so many aspects of Fire in the natural world. This list is by no means complete. One of my favorite kinds of spellwork is candle magick. I find it so effective! Stay tuned for more on that subject!

Walking on Water

Now, isn't that quite the trick for a witch? We are supposed to sink, aren't we? I suppose that I should clarify;
I've been walking on ICE Water! :0)

Lake Mattawa is finally frozen. Yesterday was a bright, sunny, and even sort of a warm day, so I went walking out on the lake. Not to worry, there's about 7 inches of ice on it! The ice fishermen were out in force, but only a few fish were to be had. I saw one man who had caught a small salmon, at about 2.5 pounds. Other than that there wasn't much going on out there. Sure, everyone was having fun, but not with the fish!

The element of water corresponds to the Western direction. Water rules our emotions, and is the element most closely related to LOVE. And how important is that? Well, everything is based on Love ~ all that we do, and all that is magick, or Universal. Water is purifying and healing. We are made out of mostly water. I don't know anyone who doesn't like to listen to the tides rolling in, or a babbling brook. These are so soothing to us, because we are a part of it. The gateway of the West is also where we turn to honor those who passed from this life. Learning to trust our intuition is to learn to work with this element. The following lists just a few of the many correspondences to element of Water and the direction of West:

• Color ~ Blue
• Astrological signs ~ Pisces, Scorpio, Cancer
• Metals ~ Silver, Copper
• Herbs ~ most flowers such as Roses (love), waterlilies, horsetail
• Planetary ~ Moon
• Animals ~ Bear, Raven, Dolphin, Whale, Heron, Frog
• Tree ~ Willow

There are so many associations with the element of water. Too many to list them all here. There are a couple of books that are really good for learning about the elements and directions. Scott Cunningham's Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Amber Wolfe's In the Shadow of the Shaman. Both are good to have on hand for reference, but also have nice exercises and rituals, as well.

Wind is Elemental

The forecast is for a VERY windy weekend here in Massachusetts. The wind chills tonight are supposed to drive the temperature down around 16 degrees below zero! So, today, I am thinking about the wind and the element of Air. I thought that I would write about the magickal correspondences of this element and of it's cardinal direction, East.

Having several animal totems that are birds, Air is one of my favorite elements to work with. I love to work with feathers and incense, both representative of this Eastern element. East is the direction of the sunrise, which signifies new beginnings. The dawn of a new day is ripe with possibilities, no matter what happened to you yesterday. You can harness some of this energy, if you like. Spend some time, perhaps a week or a month, getting up in time to watch the sunrise everyday. You can actually see the world around you come alive with the light! I find this inspires hope within me, and that in turn, inspires new ideas and plans. Air is the home of Creativity! Some other correspondences of the East and Air are listed below. Keep in mind that this is just a partial list, and will vary among traditions, and from book to book:

• Magickal tool is the Wand or Athame
• Color = yellow
• Some animals are daytime birds, eagle,wolf, deer, cats, butterflies and other winged beings
• Plants include ash, aspen and birch trees, and clover, dandelion and wildflowers.
• Stones are adventurine, mica, jasper, pumice
• Tarot suit= swords
• Instrument= flute
• Body system= respiratory

These are just a few of the correspondences of the element of Air. Messages can come to us thru the wind. What do you hear?