The Mystique and Lore of Sapphire’s

Amulets, Talismans, and Religious Beliefs

Sapphires figure prominently in numerous beliefs and traditions, both past and present. For centuries, sapphires have been used for alchemy, magic, healing rituals, and astrological prognostication.

Early priests and scholars believed that precious gemstones, including sapphires, had specific “virtues” that could be used to benefit man if their powers were properly harnessed. According to legend, Helen of Troy (c. 12th century B.C.) owned a large star sapphire, which was believed to hold the key to her desirability. The famous “seal” of King Solomon (c. 1000-931 B.C.) was legendary, not only because it was an inscribed sapphire, but also because it apparently gave him power over spirits in the air, earth, and underworld.

During the Hellenistic period (400-100 B.C.) when gemstones were associated with specific deities or occult powers, sapphires were routinely inscribed with the head of Jupiter (Zeus), the god of the sky. During this…

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Higher Self

Druid Tree Workings: Working with Trees in Urban Settings

The Druid's Garden

Maples growing up through grate–been there for years!

I walk down the sidewalk of a street in the small town that I call home. As I journey, I see a crabapple friend with ripening fruit, her leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. I reach out to her, and tell her I look forward to harvesting some in the fall. She is pleased, as her fruit is largely ignored, and delighted that I will return. I see others along my walk: horse chestnuts, lindens, mulberries, serviceberries, balsam poplars–many trees that are different species from the forests where I often tread. Finally, I walk across a grate and wave to the maples growing up from below, in the four foot space below the grate and the drainage channel and into someone’s driveway. These urban trees are often shaped by humans in ways forests are not: an odd growth habit becuase of pruning…

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Amber

Good Witches Homestead

Amber is the fossilized resin of the amber pine tree, petrified over a period of 50 million years. Amber becomes electrically charged when rubbed with a cloth. Amber presents a soothing, light energy that is both calming and energizing at the same time. Amber brings patience, protection, psychic shielding, romantic love, sensuality, purification, balance, healing, and calmness.

Energy: purifying, transmuting

Colors: light yellow to reddish-brown, also white, blue, greenish

STAR SIGN: LEO
PLANET: SUN
ELEMENT: FIRE
CHAKRA: SOLAR PLEXUS

TIPS FOR AMBER

Hold amber to boost your memory if you are forgetful

Wear amber to purify your body, mind, and spirit

Burn amber as an incense to purify rooms and spaces

Wear amber to bring you good luck and protect you from negative energies

Hold amber in your right hand to help you release emotion and focus your mind

Give amber to your loved one to symbolize the renewal of…

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The Power of Crystals: The Legacy of Marcel Vogel

Good Witches Homestead

** There is a myriad of sources, in books and on the Internet where you may learn about healing with crystals. Their focus and complexity, like the crystals themselves, come in many assorted flavors. Mainly, this data consists of sincere teachings by alternative therapists. But if you research the subject, you also will find reams of other material about crystals – claims, sometimes hyperbolic, of those who sell them; texts so technical that they are virtually unreadable by the layman; and channeled discourses of Ascended Masters and other Extra-Terrestrial informants – to name a few.

In all of this plethora of information, one source, one man, stands above the rest. His name is Marcel Vogel. In this article, we will refer to him, as his friends did, as Marcel – to distinguish him from the Vogel, or ”Vogel-cut® crystal,” which was his legacy.

Rumi Da We spoke with Rumi Da, Marcel’s protégé…

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LUNAR ECLIPSE IN AQUARIUS, 7TH AUGUST AT 15 DEGREES, 18.10 UT.

Good Witches Homestead

An Eclipse opens a portal, releasing waves of energy that is available to us all, giving us a rare opportunity to get in touch with and listen to the inner voice of our intuition, our inner knowing, and wisdom, our inner compass.

It is the beginning of an Eclipse cycle that is ushering us into a new and transformative life-changing phase at immense speed, taking us to our next evolutionary level.

The pressure may feel quite intense, as this Lunar Eclipse marks the grand finale of three Jupiter-Pluto tense squares that have been shaking up everything from the personal to the political since November 2016. Pushing us to step up to our personal power and inner greatness.

The focal point of this Lunar Eclipse is the rare “Finger of God” constellation. A finger of God shows a special life transforming mission.

We are presently in the midst of a karmic mission on…

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Rituals and Activities to Enhance Creativity and Support the Bardic Arts

The Druid's Garden

This is my song, this is my voice,
These are my words, this is my choice.
Hear me now, take heed of my words.
Love me now, and your spirit will fly.

Hear me in the howling of the wolf,
My voice is the song of the Bards,
I am the power that helps the salmon leap,
I am the very first breath of a child.

From Damh the Bard’s Song of Awen.

It has been a long journey into considering the role of the bardic arts in the druid tradition and the role that creativity plays in spirituality. I realized that one final thing was missing from our discussion–a set of practical exercises and rituals that you can use to better work with the flow of awen and embrace the path of the bard. And so, to finish out my long series on the Bardic Arts in the…

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Learning Magic

Hazel Tree: August 5 ~ September 1 {Celtic Astrology}

Good Witches Homestead

Celtic Symbol: The Rainbow Salmon

Zodiac Degrees: 12º00` Leo – 8º59` Virgo

Ruling Planet: Mercury – Mugher; Element: Air; Color: Orange

Ancient Gods Associated With Mercury: Greek – Hermes; Celtic – Ogma, Manannan, Artemis, Diana

Symbolism : Wisdom & Divination, Poetry & Science, Playfulness & Enchantment, Healing Arts

Gemstone: Amethyst, Topaz, Pearl

Birds: Crane

Flower: Vervain

Folk Names: Coll

In Irish Celtic mythology, the hazel tree was where the Faery spirits lived. The hazel nut in Celtic legends is an emblem of concentrated wisdom and all the knowledge of the arts and sciences was to be found by eating these nuts.

Hazel tree individuals are perceptive, clever people endowed with good reasoning powers. This sharpness of intellect promotes excellent debaters and writers. They are also great planners and organizers, down to the smallest detail. The urge to acquire knowledge promotes scholars and experts in their fields. People born during the first two…

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