February Newsletter – Valentine’s Day is here but don’t panic

Good Witches Homestead

I am sure you will not need reminding that February is the month of Valentine’s Day but how about a few tips about what to buy if you have decided to splurge on a gemstone for your loved one this year.

We have some great ideas for the perfect romantic gemstone gift, plus, a movie about Black Opals, huge diamonds and this month’s birthstone in our newsletter.

Source: February Newsletter – Valentine’s Day is here but don’t panic

There is really no question in people’s minds when it comes to the February birthstone – it is most decidedly amethyst, a gemstone synonymous with purple. This variety of quartz was once highly prized and often valued above ruby and emerald. In fact, amethyst was known in the ancient world as one of the five cardinal gemstones: diamond, emerald, ruby, sapphire, and amethyst. During the 19^th century, large amethyst deposits were found…

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Imbolc Symbolism for the North Eastern US: Reflections on the Landscape

The Druid's Garden

Imbolc was traditionally a Gaelic holiday celebrated in the holiday celebrating the first signs of spring. When I first started down the path of Druidry, I never felt very connected to Imbolc as a holiday because there seemed to be this huge disconnection between the holiday’s traditional roots and what I was seeing on my own landscape. Part of this is that the weather in the UK is much milder than where I’ve lived and I’m more likely to see at the Spring Equinox–or later–what might be first signs of spring at Imbolc. I thought it was funny when I’d see rituals where I should decorate my altar with snowdrops when they were still another 1-2 months away from coming forth!

Reflections on Imbolc

My own issue with Imbolc speaks to what I see as one of the major challenges we have in Druidry, here in North America and globally: …

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Illumination, Inspiration, and Imbolc | Coby Michael Ward

Good Witches Homestead

For years I considered Imbolc, just another extra holy day to be observed. It didn’t hold a lot of personal resonance with me, and this can feel true for many individuals when it comes to the pagan holy days or witches’ Sabbats. Simply reading about the day’s history and traditional observances, learning the myth of an associated deity; or making Brigid’s cross every year because that’s just what you do, leaves some wanting for relevance and deeper meaning. Celebrations like Samhain and Beltane are outwardly witchy and their symbolic associations are self-evident. While every day can’t be Samhain, (unfortunately!) additional occult understanding of the Sabbats can be discerned by looking at them holistically. By looking not just at one Sabbat, but three; the Sabbat in question, its predecessor and the one following, we can gain additional insight into the story being played out by the stars. Think of…

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Cycles of Nature, Cycles of our Lives: Allowing for Fallow and Abundance in Spiritual Studies

The Druid's Garden

Preamble: Now that I’m the Grand Archdruid of AODA, starting in 2020, I will be doing one AODA Druidry-based post a month. A lot of my posts are already tied with AODA practices as it is my core spiritual practice, but I wasn’t always as explicit about it as I will be now! 🙂 All of these posts, while framed in the context of AODA druidry, will be applicable to many different kinds of nature-based spiritualities and druidries.

A beautiful cardinal flower in late summer

The Wheel of the Seasons offers us many lessons and one of the core principles in AODA is the principle of the Cycle and Season. In Western Pennsylvania, where I live, we have a growing season that runs from May to late October. That us, from Beltane to Samhain, during the light half of the year, we can grow vegetables, forage berries, and be…

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Chinese New Year – 2020 Year of the Rat: What is it and what does it symbolise

Clearing Space for the New; New Moon in Aquarius…

Good Witches Homestead

Today, January 24^th, we have a New Moon in Aquarius @ 1:42 pm PST (4:42 pm EST). This is our first New Moon of the Year and can help us to set the tone of our year, and even our new decade. Tomorrow, January 25^th, we celebrate the Year of the Rat ~ the Rat is the first zodiac sign of the Chinese Calendar and so we have a lot of new beginnings this year of 2020. Rat is yang energy and represents the beginning of a new day. The Rat Year is a time to develop your abilities, to think out of the box and to be resourceful and creative. The metal element signals renewed ambition and a desire to fulfill unmet needs. And during a Rat Year, you are encouraged to take care of yourself and not worry about others.

Aquarius Moon energy is…

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Sage Moon Cycle Lunar Report

Spirit de la Lune Sage Moon Lunar Report

This is the first official New Moon of the New Year and can bring about some intense emotions and dynamic mood swings.

This New Moon is square Uranus which can cause some big changes, unpredictable energy and intense moods.

This New Moon is in Aquarius and Capricorn depending on your location and time zone. Aquarius gives you an imaginative outlook and Capricorn can help you focus that into something tangible!

A new moon marks the end of the last 28 day cycle and the first day of the new one. This is a great time to set intentions for the cycle ahead. Each month using our Tune to the Moon Planners and Decks as our guide we put together the Moonthly Lunar Report to help us navigate the new moon cycle ahead.

Grab a cup of your favorite warm beverage and scroll down to see what this new moon cycle has in store for you!

Read original article at: Spirit de la Lune ~ Sage Moon Cycle Lunar Report

3rd Moon of Winter 2020

Self Love

CRYSTALS + PRACTICES TO MAINTAIN SPIRITUAL ALIGNMENT

Crystals + Practices to Maintain Spiritual Allignment / Alignment -- power word for 2020 that keeps you in the flow of synchronicity, your soul's vision, and your life purpose.

Alignment: power word for 2020. If you follow spiritual circles or teachers, you may have been hearing this word a lot.

The energy of 2020 is lined up to help us build our foundation for the next level of our success, fulfillment, Grace, health, new phase or story, but the key is setting this foundation in a way that is in alignment with our true heart’s desires and souls.

What does spiritual alignment mean? Simply put: embodying your soul’s truth and authentic feelings and desires.

What does alignment look like? Making choices and taking actions from that authentic place within, that keep you on your path and bring you towards deep fulfillment. It keeps you in the flow of synchronicity, magic, and Universal collusion — not to mention in a place of authentic joy.

It’s saying yes to YOU, your needs, feelings, honoring your soul’s vision, and saying “no” or “not right now” to anything that is out of alignment.

It could be career choices, relationships, where you live, right down to what you eat, how you pray (or not), and the small choices and decisions that make up your daily life.

It can look like buying the bright green couch that your friend thinks is hideous, because the color thrills you. Or saying no to the second date with the person who looks great on paper, but who just didn’t vibe right with you. It could be quitting the job, selling the apartment, moving to the country, getting a dog, and starting a lifestyle blog, because that fills you with fuzzy joy right down to the tips of your toes.

And, most importantly, it feels right.

Sounds like a magical way to live? IT IS. In every sense of the word.

BUT, for most people, there are inherent challenges to living an authentic life that is in alignment with their heart and soul.

Why? Let me count the ways: