What’s the Birthstone for May?

Good Witches Homestead

If you were born in May, your birthstone is the emerald, a type of beryl colored green by chromium. Perfect emeralds are among the rarest of gemstones.

The emerald belongs to the beryl family of minerals that include aquamarine (one of March’s birthstones), heliodor, and morganite. Beryl, or beryllium aluminum silicate in chemical jargon, is a six-sided symmetrical crystal. Beryl contains beryllium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen.

Emeralds vary in color from light to deep green. It’s commonly thought that an emerald’s color derives from the presence of chromium and/or vanadium replacing some of the aluminum in the mineral’s structure. The stone can, however, lose its color when heated strongly.

Several famous historical artifacts were made of emeralds. Among them is the Crown of the Andes, said to be made from emeralds worn by Atahualpa, the last Inca (king) of Peru. The crown is set with about 450 emeralds, collectively weighing…

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A Fire and Smoke Ritual for Land Healing and Blessing

The Druid's Garden

A few years ago, I led a smoke cleansing (smudge) stick making workshop at the OBOD’s East Coast Gathering event. As that event often has upwards of 100 attendees, I spent months growing and harvesting materials for the event so that everyone could make 1-2 sticks. Sure enough, everyone got to make some smudge sticks and the workshop went great. After the workshop, one of my friends and event fire tenders, Derek, came up to me and asked me about the leftover materials. I had been placing them in a paper bag, and had planned on taking them home to make more sticks or return to the land. He said, “I want to make a smudge bomb and send healing smoke to this entire land.” I said, “Yes, what a great idea!” So we tightly bundled up the remainder of the material, which filled at least 1/3 of the paper…

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TAURUS NEW MOON CRYSTALS: A RITUAL FOR YOUR LUSCIOUS LIFE

This new moon in Taurus invites you to look at the quality, not quantity, of your life.

Slow down, smell the spring flowers, wriggle your toes in the mud after a fresh, spring rain.

Reconnect with the Earth and all her splendorous glory.

There’s great magic in the Spring: the energy of fresh starts, the maiden goddess sowing her seeds of life, the feeling of hope that springs eternal.

We’re reminded to enjoy our lives, the world around us, in great ways and small. For life is fleeting, and precious.

Did any of you dance ‘round the Maypole on May 1st? Weave a wreath of flowers in your hair? Prepare your gardens for the growth of summer?

The old sabbat, Beltane, occurs on the 1st of May, and it initiates a powerful cycle of mysteries and magic – a portal that stays open until the summer solstice in June.

AND, we’re in a time when the sun is now waxing to full – there’s plenty of success vibes to go around, it’s all in how you direct them!

Taurus, ruled by the planet Venus, is a sign of wealth, abundance, beauty, earthiness, simplicity, love, sensuality, and grounding.

It’s interesting to note, too, that cows and bulls were often held sacred by the gods and goddesses of old. Zeus would transform himself into a bull. Brigid was accompanied by two white heifers. Helios had a sacred, beautiful herd kept by two of his daughters.

In runic lore, Taurus can be found in the symbol of fehu – again representing wealth, growth, plenty, status, fulfillment.

So, how can all of this glorious energy in this magical time find embodiment in your own life?

Read the remainder of the articles at: Krista Mitchell ~ TAURUS NEW MOON CRYSTALS: A RITUAL FOR YOUR LUSCIOUS LIFE

Choices

Life is interesting when a couple both want to go with their intuition … Especially when it points in different directions.

Stop & Smell the Flowers | New Moon in Taurus Moonthly Energy Report

The month of May began with the celebration of Beltane with the New Moon following close behind. This New Moon in Taurus is all about cultivating and seeing tangible growth from your past efforts. This New Moon holds potential for progress and growth that you can actually see and enjoy with all of your senses, not just the physical!

In fact, this entire month ahead holds so much opportunity for both productivity and celebration! We have the ability to see our progress and growth as well as take the time to revel in it.

As the New Moon waxes towards full, our own energy grows and amplifies as well. We are able to focus on our goals and bring our dreams into the physical realm. This month ahead also holds a Blue Moon; a unique opportunity for renewal and growth. Soon after, the moon wanes back to last quarter and then back into the shadows once again turning towards new.

The moon controls the tides and water on this planet… being made mostly of water ourselves, the moon phases hold significant power over our moods and emotions. She represents the goddess and her ever changing and fluid nature.

When you are in tune with the moon, you will find that you too feel similar ebbs and flows! You can use this to your advantage by following along with the moon phases and taking notice of how you feel. (Check out our Tune to the Moon planners! They are currently on sale!)

Each new moon, together with our planner & Spirit de la Lune decks, using the four main phases of the moon as our guide, we put together our Moonthly Energy Report. For each main turning/week, we pull a card from the deck to further help us navigate the waves ahead!

Please keep in mind… we are considering this a Blue Moon cycle though some people may relate to this cycle as the Flower Moon or Honey Moon. Call it whatever resonates with you the most!

Read the remaining article at: Spirit De La Lune ~ Stop & Smell the Flowers | New Moon in Taurus Moonthly Energy Report