A Little Unexpected Help

Yesterday afternoon I decided to go sit down on the dock for awhile. I didn't have an agenda, I didn't take any fishing gear or the phone. I just wanted to BE, and try to sort some things out in my head. I'm still feeling effects from all the MS "stuff" that happened in March, April, and May. I'm trying to figure out how to get back on my feet, and get on with my life.

So, I thought that I would relax down by the water. Well, it was very nice outside when I walked down there. I didn't see anyone else around. I asked the elements to help clue me in on what to do next, and started with some general prayers. The answer I got came in mere moments! I closed my eyes to help clear my head. All of the sudden I felt the dock start rocking a bit more, the wind picked up and waves started coming across the surface of the lake.I opened my eyes and there were small whitecaps running up on the shore. I closed my eyes again and let the whole scene wash over me: sounds of waves, wind and birds calling. Oh, so this is what I'm supposed to be doing~ getting cleansed! This IS what I needed. Duh!

It felt like ritual was starting, so I called in the Goddesses that came to mind, one for each element(I never do this, but it just came to mind): Yemaya~water, Gaia~earth, Bridget~fire, and Diana~air. I have no idea why Diana was representing as the Eastern goddess to me, but I wasn't going to question it too much. As soon as I said Diana's name, the wind got crazy and whipped the lake even more! The dock was rocking around so much, I was afraid to stand up, so I just sat in my chair, arms and legs uncrossed. What a ride!
When I felt like I had what I needed, I thanked the Goddesses. The lake gradually returned to normal, and the wind and waves stopped.

I've done some small rituals down there before, but never had this kind of thing happen. I'm not a weather witch. I leave that to a few friends I know with that talent. But this was pretty cool and really did work. I feel a bit better. I figure that the cleansing will continue to do it's thing, as I go about my life this week.
I feel like I can breathe now. Ahhh...

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!

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.