Entry 014: Catching the Moon

Catching the Moon

If you can't wait to get a birthchart, here is a rough way to find out where the Moon was lurking when you were born. All you need is your date of birth.

Finding Your Start Sign on the Zodiac Wheel

     Years                                   Jan     Feb    Mar    Apr      May        June         July    Aug    Sept        Oct        Nov     Dec

1939, 1958, 1977             Tau    Can   Can    Vir      Lib      Sag     Cap    Aqu   Ari      Tau    Can    Leo

1940, 1959, 1978             Lib     Sco   Sag    Cap     Aqu    Ari       Tau     Can   Leo     Tau    Can    Leo

1941, 1960, 1979            Aqu    Ari    Ari     Gem    Can    Leo      Vir     Sco   Cap     Aqu   Ari     Tau

1942, 1961, 1980            Gem   Leo   Leo    Lib      Sco    Cap      Aqu   Ari    Cap     Tau    Gem   Leo

1943, 1962, 1981            Sco    Sag    Cap   Aqu    Ari      Tau      Gem   Leo   Lib       Sco   Sag    Cap

1944, 1963, 1982            Pis     Tau     Tau    Can   Leo     Lib     Sco     Sag   Aqu     Pis     Tau    Gem

1945, 1964, 1983            Leo    Vir      Lib    Sco    Sag     Aqu    Pis      Tau    Can     Leo    Vir     Lib

1946, 1965, 1984            Sag    Cap    Aqu   Pis     Tau      Gem   Leo     Vir    Sco     Sag     Aqu   Pis

1947, 1966, 1985           Ari     Gem   Gem   Leo     Vir      Sco     Sag     Aqu   Pis      Ari      Gem  Can

1948, 1967, 1986          Vir      Sco     Sco    Cap     Aqu   Pis      Tau      Gem   Leo    Vir       Lib   Sag

1949, 1968, 1987          Cap   Pis       Pis       Tau   Gem  Leo    Vir       Sco    Sag     Cap    Pis    Ari

1950, 1969, 1988          Tau    Can     Can      Vir    Lib    Sag    Cap     Pis     Ari      Gem    Can   Leo

1951, 1970, 1989          Lib     Sag     Sag      Aqu   Pis    Tau     Gem    Can   Vir      Lib       Sag   Cap

1952, 1971, 1990          Pis     Ari      Tau      Gem  Can  Virg    Lib      Sag    Cap   Aqu      Ari    Tau

1953, 1972, 1991          Can    Vir      Vir      Lib     Sag   Cap   Pis      Ari      Gem   Can     Vir    Lib

1954, 1973, 1992          Sco    Cap    Cap    Pis       Ari     Gem   Can   Vir      Sco    Sag      Cap   Aqu

1955, 1974, 1993          Ari     Tau      Gem   Leo     Vir      Lib    Sco    Cap    Pis     Ari       Tau    Can

1956, 1975, 1994          Leo    Lib      Lib     Sag     Cap    Pis     Ari     Tau     Can   Leo      Lib     Sco

1957, 1976, 1995          Cap    Aqu    Pis     Ari      Tau      Can   Leo    Lib     Sco    Cap     Aqu   Ari

This Is What You Do

1. Look up the year and month of your birth. Note which sign is indicated--this is not your Sun sign, so don't get antsy.
2. Now look at the second chart to check the date on which you fell to Earth. There is a number opposite it--remember it.
3. Look at the third chart, the Zodiac Wheel, and find the sign that was indicated in the first chart.
4. Count counterclockwise from this sign, following the number indicated on the second chart (including the start sign). This is your moon sign.

Date / No.     Date / No.     Date / No.     Date / No.     Date / No.

     1 / 0               7 / 3              13 / 5              19 / 8              25 / 11
     2 / 1               8 / 3              14 / 6              20 / 9              26 / 11
     3 / 1               9 / 4              15 / 6              21 / 9              27 / 12
     4 / 1             10 / 4              16 / 7              22 / 10            28 / 12
     5 / 2             11 / 5              17 / 7              23 / 10            29 / 1
     6 / 2             12 / 5              18 / 8              24 / 10            30 / 1
                                                                                              31 / 2

 Zodiac Wheel

                                  <---------Count in this direction from your Start Sign.

                                    Capricorn             Sagitarius
                            Aquarius                                Scorpio
                        Pisces                                               Libra
                           Aries                                            Virgo
                               Taurus                                    Leo
                                       Gemini                 Cancer

An Example to Us All

You were born in March 1972, so your start sign (in the first chart) is Virgo.
You were born in the 17th day of March, so (according to chart 2) you have to count 7.
Counting counterclockwise for seven signs in chart 3, from (and including) Virgo, delivers you to....Pisces.
You are therefore a Moon-In-Pisces Pisces. Bad luck!

Entry 013: Darkside Zodiac

The following zodiacal excerpts are from "Darkside Zodiac" by Stella Hyde. Not everything in this world about your Signs is all rainbows and butterflies. This will take us all on an adventure to facing Ego and learning more about ourselves that some of our friends or family wouldn't have the balls to admit to us. If you are easily offended, please do not read any of the articles posted as "DS " as they are very honest and straightforward. I will be posting up a new zodiac sign every Friday, so be on the lookout for your own if you feel you have the courage to face yourself. This is to allow for true inner sight into the things that block us in life so that we may fix them and move forward with our own personal growth. So strap in and enjoy your ride through the Darkside of the Zodiac. - Sacred Flame

Introduction

You know what you're really like--so do I

 Before we go any farther, look at the title of this book. [Darkside Zodiac.] What does it say? Darkside. That means you are going to be reading some wince-making stuff about yourselves. There are no jolly Brightside platitudes, because there is quite enough of that kind of thing in the world, and every silver lining has to have a cloud. I don't want you writing in--you have been warned; anybody who is but a fragile blossom on life's maelstrom had better put the book down now; don't give it to anyone whose self-esteem is running at zero pressure.

Don't Blame Me, It's Written In the Stars

It's not just your sun sign; there are other darkforces out there to make things even worse:

• Your ruling planet: The Sun, Moon, or any one of the solar system's nine aimlessly orbiting rocks (apart from Earth, of course), each of which looks after one or more signs and imposes its disgusting habits.
• The Moon, which is in charge of your dark, inner soul, frightful moods, and uncontrollable emotions; just how much of a prima-donna you are depends on where the Moon was throwing a hissy fit when you were thrust into this vale of tears.
• Your rising sign: as the Earth creaks around on its axis, it appears to us that a new zodiac sign passes overhead every two hours or so. Your rising sign is the one that peeped balefully over the eastern horizon at the exact minute you fell to Earth.
• The psychotic duo, Venus (planet lust) and Mars (planet psychowarrior); you'll need a birth chart to find out what havoc they wreak.
• Your opposite sign--this is the fascinating badboy [or girl] (six signs away from your own) your mom told you to keep away from.

Unredeeming Features

Each sun sign hangs around street corners with one of four elements: Fire, Earth, Air or Water--think of them as the style in which you express your cosmic sloth. Plus, there are three sorts of qulities: cardinal, fixed, and mutable. The qualities combine with the elements so that no single sign is exactly the same. This means we are all insufferable in our own special way. Each sign is also masculine or feminine. It's nothing personal; think of it as positive/negative.

  Living With the Darkside

And how does all this affect you? Well, read on and weep. We look at your shameful personality, your pathetic work, relationship, and sex lives, criminal tendencies, how appalling you are to live with, and how you try to have fun in your own miserable way. And we end with a list of others who share your patch in the zodiac. So go on, suffer!

Rifraff Elements

• Fire signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): Brightsiders say impulsive! Darksiders say reckless sociopath.
• Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Brightsiders say solid! Darksiders say pig-headed fusspot.
• Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Brightsiders say intellectual! Darksiders say free-floating airhead.
• Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): Brightsiders say nurturing! Darksiders say moody whiner.

 It's Quality Time

Quality is just another word for attitude; on the Darkside, that's bad attitude.

• Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn): bossy; this is the quality that initiates disasters.
• Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius): stubborn; this is the quality that never deviates.
• Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces): fickle; this is the quality that ensures chaos and mess.

Entry 012: Atlanta Pagan Marketplace of Ideas 2012!

Come celebrate the diversity, expertise, and warmth of the Pagan community of Atlanta at the Atlanta Pagan Marketplace of Ideas: March 24, 2011 at Sweetwater Creek State Park Group Shelter. The Pagan Marketplace of Ideas offers the opportunity for people to “shop” the Atlanta Pagan community. Explore the variety of worship, magick, wisdom, knowledge, and fun in the Pagan community. At Marketplace you can meet and speak with members of local circles, covens, groups and schools; attend a ritual or two--or three; attend a class or workshop; find out what is happening in the community for 2012; get tarot/rune/intuitive readings and shop local Pagan merchants and vendors. Do you have a new business you'd like to put on the map? Marketplace is a wonderful starting point to help your business name rise up in the Pagan (art) Community. Come out and join us from 11:00AM-6:00PM and see what community is all about!

RAIN OR SHINE, MARKETPLACE WILL GO ON!

Want to participate? The cost is only $7  (get a $2.00 discount if you bring a donation for Gaia’s Bounty Food Pantry).  There is also a family pass option for $20.00 ($15.00 with a food pantry donation!)  We will be accepting non perishables to be donated to a new pagan based Food Pantry called Gaia’s Bounty . Children under the age of 13 are free. (Please note that there is a $5 parking fee at all Georgia State Parks).
If you wish to participate within the Marketplace itself as a representative of a group, business, or event or teach a class, please contact Robin Everritt at kyra40@bellsouth.net or Rev. Jonathon Lowe at rev.lowe@live.com

PREREGISTRATION INFO:

Registration is open for 2012!
Register today at http://paganmarketplace.eventbrite.com/

Directions

The Pagan Marketplace of Ideas is being held at the Group Shelter at Sweetwater Creek State Park. There is a $5 parking fee at the park entrance.
Directions from Atlanta:
Take I-20 west from Atlanta, exit #44 at Thornton Road, turn left and go 1/4 mile.
Turn right on Blairs Bridge Road.
After 2 miles, turn left on Mount Vernon Road and proceed to the park.
Follow signs for the Group Shelter.
More detailed directions, including a map of the park, can be found on the Georgia State Parks web site.

Entry 011: Us vs. Them - What Does In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust Mean Today?

Ok, so the first question I'd probably end up addressing is, "what do you mean, Us vs. Them?" Well, honestly the first thing that comes to people's minds upon understanding that this is a Pagan blog is the whole argument of Pagans vs. Christianity, but that's not what this is about. This is about a civil war right within our very own Faith.

I am always browsing through Facebook and Blogspot looking for interesting articles on things going on in the Pagan Community and looking for shared experiences and opinions on the different daily things going on in our lives. One thing I commonly come up against is the "Us vs. Them" equation. "Real' Pagans vs. "Fluff Bunnies."

I'd like to take this time to point out to anyone who may just so happen to be of a Traditional branch of Witchcraft/Wicca--if you happen to be one of the offenders of this equation--let me remind you that once upon a time, your tradition was considered to be the "fluff bunny" of Witchcraft. Now take a look at your tradition: currently considered to be one of the most knowledgeable and common forms of Witchcraft in the US today.

We all had our start somewhere. We should never forget our roots. I recently read a blog aloud to my High Priestess. The blog was about a young 16 year old boy who had been ordained as a Minister and claimed to be Wiccan over Twitter, however he did not conduct himself in a manner befitting the mantle of responsibility taken on by Ministers, nor did he know much about Wicca. The Pagan who chose to call him out has been known to troll for what she considers to be "fluff bunnies" and calls them out in a public forum. Instead of asking them why they believe the way they do, and trying to guide them with her 20+ years of experience (she herself being around 40, I believe) she decides to challenge them in a manner which proves that they have no clue what they're talking about, and then blames some of it on parents allowing their children to read Llewellyn books. The whole thing is always done in a very patronizing manner not befitting of a Priestess of the Goddess.

I felt the need to speak up on behalf of the 16 year old boy (as I myself was ordained very young, though I conducted myself much differently and was taken much more seriously.) My response to the woman's blog is below:

-----

Ok, I do feel the need to respond to this one, especially after having read the blog entry of “All Pagans stop posting this Us vs. Them shit on your timeline!” True, many Pagans have the mentality of it’s Paganism vs. Christianity, but are we ourselves not perpetuating the very same thing in the Us vs. Fluffy Bunnies?

We are not here to call out every Fluff Bunny out there. We’re here to help guide and educate those who have a real interest in walking the Pagan Path regardless of which Tradition.

I feel as though this situation could have been handled better. Some things to take into consideration are that so long as you understand your Faith and can conduct yourself in the appropriate manner, you are never too young to be a Minister. You can’t legally perform ceremonies according to US Law until you’re over the age of 18, but that doesn’t mean you can’t preach or spread knowledge on your faith. His being 16 and a Minister should not have raised even a single hair on someone’s eyebrow until he began to show that he did not, in fact, know what he was talking about. Some children are far older spiritually than they are physically–old souls, so to speak. We shouldn’t be too hasty to judge. If they prove themselves to be evident of misinformation then we should attempt to set them straight in a non-patronizing manner.

I grew up reading Llewellyn books and they never did any harm to me. They helped to educate me on the various topics and traditions and even movements going on in the world around me. Wikipedia is a decent source to go to as well, as it is primarily Pagans and Wiccans who edit the posts there and add to the information. Having practiced for 13 years, I am able to weed out correct and incorrect information without having to do much research, so I don’t usually have to worry about it. However that also places me in a situation where if I do see misinformation on a wiki site, I can correct it. Most of the time I don’t have to correct it as there are thousands of Pagans viewing it regularly who make sure it is up-to-date and as accurate as they can possibly make it. NO source of information is ever a bad source–no matter how reputable a source may be, we should be smart enough to always cross-reference the materials just to make sure that what we are reading is not just a biased viewpoint of one single author. It’s common sense in the world of research.

As I have so often heard in the Community and from my own High Priestess–we as a community are only as strong as our weakest link. Instead of calling “fluff bunnies” out publicly (who are indeed being looked upon by those who judge us just as equally as we are) why not help to elevate them to a higher level of understanding? We have the power to set things right—why use that same power to beat people down?
We are all put here for a reason, even the fluffy bunnies.

As the Dalai Lama once said, “There are many paths to walk in the world. Just because someone is walking a different path than yours, does not mean it is the wrong path.”

In love a light,

Rev. Jonathon S. Lowe; HP-----

 The blog didn't make me as angry as it did sad. Sad that Pagans are busting the balls of other Pagans and doing the same thing to ourselves that we've been doing to Christianity. Why does it have to be "Us vs. Them?" After reading the blog and my response to my High Priestess, she made a post on a public forum (as she does not currently have her own blog to write about these things.) The message read as follows:

Why is it better to divide the Pagan Community rather than to teach and provide council? It is amazing how many of us there are out there and how few of us really take the time to teach, to reach out and to help others. EVERYONE connected to the craft is here for a reason. "Fluff Bunny" or not. I realize you can't teach everyone all the time, but why do we feel the need to call people out publicly? Is it to prove how much more advanced we are in the craft? If you have to do this, people, you made a wrong turn somewhere in your spirituality. You make more of an impact with most people when you are less confrontational and more like mentor. Let's try to avoid the whole us and them thing within our own community. We already fight the us and them thing with other religions, why do this to ourselves? Remember, just because you are more educated in the craft does not mean you cease to be the student, too. Learn humilty. Uplift, don't tear down. I'm just saying..........

 

I chose to reply back to her post after sharing it with others--as food for thought--and my reply was as thus:

Why the "Us vs. Them" mentality right within our own religion? Elitist, Common, Fluffy Bunny...who cares? We are all teachers and students, we're all here for a reason. Uplift, don't stomp out. Does "In perfect love and perfect trust" not mean anything anymore? Just saying...

 So, what do you think about all of this? Does "In perfect love and perfect trust" only mean something when you choose for it to, or does it always apply to all practitioners of the Craft? Does it apply anywhere in the world other than directly involving the Craft? It seems to me we're having another civil war right within our own Faith. If we don't stand strong together, then we stand divided individually and are that much easier to pick off one by one. We don't get anything accomplished that way. We serve society and the community much better if we stand together and help to life one another up rather than beat one another down.

 How do you feel about this? 

Entry 010: Coining the Phrase: Successful Money Magick.

So while participating in the Pagan Blog Project 2012, I received my weekly challenge: any topic with the letter "C."

So I'm cheating the system since I came across something I'd like to address: successful money magick.

I always hear about people performing money spells or spells for success, wealth, health and abundance, however when I look into these spells, what I see happening frequently is very poor wording which makes the caster sound both selfish and thoughtless toward those around them.

Here is a perfect example of one such spell:

If you're looking to grow your finances as part of the growing season, gather together a large green candle, 9 coins, and some cinnamon.  Carve dollar signs into the candle along with your name.  Sprinkle cinnamon over the top of the candle (dress with a money drawing oil if you wish).  Place the coins in a circle around the base of the candle.  Gaze into the flame and focus on seeing your bank account increase, say:

"Money flows
Money grows
Money shines
Money's mine!"

Repeat this chant with increasing energy until the energy peaks.  When done shout out a powerful SO MOTE IT BE and release the energy.  Let the candle burn down and when it's done save the coins, placing them in a piece of green cloth or a green spell back with a little more cinnamon and either carry with your wallet or keep with your checkbook and banking paperwork. 

This spell is great in theory. It covers the herbs and items needed and the type of focus and energy needed to be raised for this spell. However, take a close look at the wording of the chant itself. Can you see anything wrong with this picture?

The whole focus is just on your own gain and increase! No, I'm not talking about personal gain. Wishing for growth and financial success is common and not exactly cause for karmic retribution. No--what I would like to draw your attention to is the lack of concern for WHERE exactly the money is coming from. That money doesn't just magickally appear, as much as we would love for it to do just that. It has to come from somewhere. Without being more specific in the wording, we could bring about the death of a relative we didn't know we had who had a great amount of life insurance or inheritance that now belongs to you--or a bad car accident where you feel compelled to enter a lawsuit and sue that person for all they're worth.

Where you are lending your energies is very important, and it is also important to remember "...in harm to none, so mote it be!" The power of words is often misunderstood and underestimated. While we may understand the meaning behind what we want, how we choose to communicate that to the Powers that Be is very important.

A more appropriate spell for successful growth or monetary gain would be more like thins:

"Money, money come to me
                              In abundance three times three
                              May I be enriched in the best of ways
                              Harming none on its way
                              This I accept, so mote it be
                              Bring me money three times three!"

In this way, you are keeping in mind that no harm should befall anyone with the gain of this money, and are open to it coming in any form: a new job, finding change while cleaning the couch, finding a few dollar in your pants pocket you hadn't worn in over a week, a friend offering money in exchange for a favor, etc...

Remember that the spells you cast and the energy you raise affect not only yourself, but those around you as well.

Entry 009: The Community Grimoire Is Underway!

[Don't forget to join my blog and follow to receive weekly updates!]

The House of Sacred Mother and Child and North Georgia Solitaries have come together to create a Community Grimoire!

This grimoire will be full of all kinds of information, experiences, and creative materials from all around the Pagan Community. We believe that community is sacred, so who better to put together a sacred text than a community without walls. There is no geographic limitation, we would love to have cultural materials from all over the world--after all, the Pagan Community isn't just local, but extends to our brothers and sisters worldwide. We ask for submissions of original materials only. Authors of original materials will receive full credit and recognition for their submissions. If you have any material that belongs to another author you believe should be in the Community Grimiore, please contact them and have them submit the material so they can receive full credit for it.

The goal of the Community Grimoire is to provide a resource filled with traditions and experiences from several cultures from all over the world and from right here at home. It is a medium of learning and creative inspiration that can be passed on from person to person and continually added to year after year. The most important thing is to have fun with this project and to enjoy the experience of coming together to share your knowledge and wisdom that will be passed down through the ages.

If you are interested in submitting articles or workshops to this community grimoire, please email me at the Community Grimoire Team to send your submissions. Help to make our community grow!

-Rev. Jonathon S. Lowe; HP

House of Sacred Mother & Child

Entry 008: Pagan Bloggers Unite!

The Pagan Blog Project: exploring and sharing your Craft and Tradition over one year of blogging.

I recently joined a blogging group specifically for Pagans. I'm sure that I will learn much and that I will have just as much to share! Stay tuned for weekly updates every Friday!