Category: Lore & Legend

As if the current situation in the World was not enough, we will be experiencing four, not the usual three, Mercury Retrogrades in 2022.

The buzz phrase “Mercury Retrograde” has been gaining in popularity in the past few years, but in reality Mercury Retrograde has been occurring since the beginning of Time. The true nature of this retrograde phenomenon started to be understood when Copernicus observed the planets revolving around the Sun. Later, the study of the sky continued with mathematician Johannes Kepler, who was assisting astronomer Tycho Brahe. Kepler published a series of laws about the planets’ orbits that reveal the slight “backward” motion now commonly known as Retrograde.

During the 1980s, a revival trend in adapting older astrology brought more attention to the term Mercury Retrograde, and interest grew from then into the trendy term that is often applied to events that occur in everyday life.

Each Mercury Retrograde “sits” or “resides” in a certain astrological planetary sign, and it is believed that certain planetary aspects of that sign enhance or affect that particular Retrograde. 

Here are the dates and the astrological sign of each of the 2022 Mercury Retrogrades:

1st Mercury Retrograde: January 14th to February 3rd 2022 – Mercury in Aquarius, the Water Bearer

2nd Mercury Retrograde: May 10th to June 2nd 2022 – Mercury in Gemini, the Twins

3rd Mercury Retrograde: September 7th to October 2nd 2022 – Mercury in Libra, the Scales

4th Mercury Retrograde: December 29th to January 18, 2023 – Mercury in Capricorn, the Sea Goat

Knowing the astrological signs of each of the Retrograde periods will assist you in recognizing events that are materializing so that you can plan your words and strategies for success during these times.

2022 is the Year of the Tiger, and we’ll welcome it in on Tuesday, February 1st. China’s Festival of Spring begins on the second new moon following the Winter Solstice, and the party can go on for two weeks!

Courage, self-confidence, and justice are all attributes of the Tiger, so try John The Conqueror, Justice, or Master Key incense for your celebrations. 

Tiger years can be disruptive, so expect sudden changes. Whether you jump into a new prosperity or fail spectacularly, it will be BIG.

Celebrating a January or February birthday and want to know your sign of the Chinese zodiac? Don’t let that placemat at your favorite Chinese restaurant steer you wrong!

Since China (and many other Asian nations) celebrate the Lunar New Year, you’ll need a calculator (like this one) to straighten things out.

Several of my clients asked me this year for bayberry vigil candles, so I purchased some bayberry root chips and bayberry oil and set out to fashion these green money and house blessing candles.

I’d heard the poem many times, of course, and even gave Lady Muse a set of bayberry-scented lights to celebrate her shop opening. But little did I realize that the fixed vigils and scented candles seen most often were based on a much older tradition, dating to the colonial era.

The berries of the wax myrtle shrub, grayish white and waxy, can be boiled down into a brittle wax. It takes about four pounds of berries to make one pound of the light oli

ve green wax, which is clean burning and deliciously scented, unlike the tallow candles used in colonial times.

Saved for special occasions, these candles came to be associated with Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Try as I might, I can’t date the poem’s origins, but it does accord with the traditional use of bayberry in conjure!

I pray the holidays are warm and bright for you all.

In “Folk-Lore From Adams County, Illinois,” Harry M. Hyatt recorded an assortment of love divinations to be performed on Halloween. Many of these are derived from folk customs also recorded in Ireland and Scotland. Here are just a few, with Hyatt’s reference numbers included.

Give a name to an Apple that is suspended from a string on Halloween Eve, and if you succeed in biting it, you are loved by the person named. (6717)

Drop apples into a tub of water at a Halloween party and the one who succeeds in biting an apple will be certain to marry. (6787)

On Halloween Eve place stemless apples in a tub of water; the first person, who by bobbing can lift an apple from the tub with his teeth, will be the first one in the group to get married. (6788)

Put a glass of water beneath your bed on Halloween and go to bed backwards, you will dream of your future husband. If he hands you a drink of water in a glass, he will be wealthy; if in a cup, he will be poor; but if he does not offer you a drink, you will be an old maid. (7137)

On Halloween put a basin of water at the side of your bed, turn off the light and go to bed; then raise up quickly and look into the water, and you’ll see the face of your prospective mate. (7139)

Put a handful of chestnuts on the fire on Halloween, you can tell how many beaus will pop the question; for every chestnut that pops, a beau will pop the question. (6818)

On Halloween lay a row of chestnuts in the ashes along the edge of the fireplace and name the nuts after boys and girls. When the nuts become hot they will hop. Any two nuts named for a boy and a girl, jumping towards each other, indicates that they will marry; if the two nuts jump away from each other, the boy and the girl symbolized will not get married. (6878)

On Halloween pour melted lead (molybdomancy) into a pan of water by letting the lead pass through the handle of a key. Whatever tool is formed by the molten lead will disclose that tool with which your future husband will work. (7191)

You can discover your future mate by looking into a mirror on the cellar steps. Do this on Halloween. (7005)

You can discover your future husband by looking into a mirror on Halloween. (7061)

On Halloween hold a candle in one hand and a mirror in the other hand, and walk down the stairs backwards. You will see in the mirror the one you are to marry. (7006)

Lay a mirror upside down under your pillow on Halloween, and as the clock begins to strike midnight, get up and look into the mirror. You will see your allotted mate. (7062)

Lie down on your back by a well on Halloween and hold a mirror over your head so that you can see a reflection of the bottom of the well. If you are to marry, the picture of your future married partner will appear in the mirror. (7144)

Put in a pan of water on the table with a button, coin, nut, ring and stone. Blindfold yourself and with a spoon attempt to scoop out one of the articles from the pan. Three tries are allowed. If you lift out the button, you will live in single blessedness; The coin, you will acquire wealth; the nut, you will toil for a living; the ring, you will marry; and the stone, you will travel a rocky road. This divination is usually tried on Halloween. (6979)

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Though Mercury retrograde is still in effect, we have a wonderful alignment that may just add some sweetness to our love lives. In this article, we’ll take a quick look at the Venus/Mercury/Jupiter sandwich happening Valentine’s Day weekend to help you make the most of this divine alignment!

Approaching the 13th, we encounter a period for engaging in romantic talks that may lead to deeper commitment. Venus and Mercury snuggle up in a conjunction at 14° Aquarius, which has the potential to really sweeten our words and interactions. If you’re single and still looking, this could be a great weekend to strike up a conversation (socially distanced, of course!) with someone new, or to ramp up your dating profile!

Valentine’s Day Jupiter, the planet of luck and fortune, adds his own blessing to the mix, catching up with Mercury at 13°. They form a conjunction setting the stage for an abundance of opportunities to expand our connections. For singles, this energy might appear as an increase in new potential matches. As for couples, this could manifest as a chance to expand on the love already there. Overall, it’s an auspicious time for exploring commitment or perhaps receiving a proposal!

The real showstopper happens Valentine’s Day as Jupiter comes into a conjunction with Venus. Though they don’t meet at exact degrees, this harmonious energy may still be palpable. Whenever Venus and Jupiter get together good things happen. Being known as the “greater and lesser benefics,” these two have a way of bringing the best of life right to your doorstep. This conjunction can heighten the chances of attracting your ideal partner. It is often viewed an indicator of marriage as well, but will serve to bless any relationship with joy and happiness.
Some tips for bringing the love this Valentine’s Day:  
• Carefully wipe your phone down with some Van Van oil, then dress your hands with a little Attraction oil before signing into your dating apps.

• Burn Come to Me or Bewitching incense while taking some fresh photos for your dating profile.

• Do a three-day moving candle spell starting on the 13th to draw in your desired partner. 

May love find you in every way! 

One of the cards repeatedly appearing in clients’ readings lately is the Ancestros, or ancestors’ card. Many are facing tragedy delivered by this pandemic. Some of us will know someone who has lost a dear one to coronavirus. Unimaginable is the suffering of families who cannot say final goodbyes or pay respects to family and beloved community members. These newly departed souls cannot be at rest until their final remains are properly honored. Until then, their souls wander aimlessly, searching for understanding and direction. This year, many may encounter disembodied spirits once cities open up for the living again.  We will discuss practices for that in future newsletters.

When the Ancestros comes up in a reading, you are receiving the proverbial “cosmic phone call/knock at the door” to come visit and chat awhile.  Your ancestors want to communicate with you. Depending on the placement in the card spread, it may be that they have been “knockin'” for some time and you haven’t heard or responded, or you need to go visit them. Working with your ancestors is often your best line of defense, to protect you and the family.

Ancestor work is a large part of any indigenous spiritual practice or religion. The “old ways” knew that the future stood on the shoulders of the ancient ones. Time spent with Elders was essential. “Eggun before Orishas,” my Godmother always said. It took me a long time to realize and accept this, as I had developed a difficult outlook regarding one of my parents. As children, we rarely know the whole story nor understand the circumstances or actions of family members. Time and wisdom, experience and lessons change that perspective.

If family trauma is in your history, once you resolve any hurt that your parents’ actions (when alive) caused you, you can begin working with them in a peaceful, loving way. The simplest altar is a white doily on a table or chest of drawers, in a quiet part of the house. Ancestors’ spirits do not do well in a high traffic, busy area. Avoid your bedroom, as you may not rest well with their energy in your private space. It is best to keep this and all altars out of the bedroom.

Once you establish your altar, add a glass of water. Use a glass you won’t drink from again. That odd wine glass in the cabinet is ideal, or go to the dollar store for a stemmed glass to dedicate to your ancestors alone. They will appreciate it. Fill the glass with cool water and place in center of table. This simple ancestor altar is effective for those on a budget or limited space. You may add a white candle, whether a 7-day “novena” vigil candle in glass, or a tealight. All light is appreciated, to illuminate their rise through the seven layers of Heaven.

Each morning, rise early to greet your ancestors. Take the glass of water from the day before and pour into the grass or a planter outside (where you will not walk over it) and refill the glass. Some change water once a week, usually on Sundays; choose what fits your schedule. After placing the glass of fresh water on the table, greet your ancestors on each side of the family tree by name, listing them one by one, and follow with a request for insight, blessing, and protection. 

Here is an example for you to create your greeting:

I greet my ancestors, both known and unknown,

Father’s name
Mother’s name
Grandmother on mother’s side
Grandfather on mother’s side
Grandmother on father’s side
Grandfather on father’s side
Brother’s name
Sister’s name

and all my relatives of both sides of the family, known and unknown,

I offer you this glass of cool water to refresh you on your journey and ask for your blessings, protection, love, and knowledge as I, your daughter and granddaughter, make my way.

(If offering a candle as well, say “I offer this light so that the energy of the flame will illuminate your progress in spirituality.”)

I thank you in advance for the love and care you have shown me and continue to show me, as I go about my day.

Thank you.

This list should include brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, children — any blood relatives.

Your ancestor work might also include a bud vase with a white flower, usually a carnation or a rose. White symbolizes peace and sanctity, and the flower will absorb any negativity in the home. You may also get a shot glass or tiny aperitif glass and offer rum, whisky, or any other alcohol your ancestors enjoyed. You might also include an unlit cigar, or an opened pack of favorite cigarettes.

A grand demonstration of devotion to your Ancestors might be a full tabletop or top of dresser or hutch. It might include a glass for each relative, framed photos (*see below), candles for each, flowers on both back corners of the table, a Bible, a crucifix, incense, candy, perfume bottles, mints or gum, foods, special dishes (like a tea cup or saucer/plate) for each ancestor, liquor, chocolates, cakes, etc. Some serve cups of coffee (black) before taking their own first cup. On birthdays, celebrations and holidays, some set a plate (**see below) from the dining table with a spoonful of each item on it. Some place whole birthday cakes on their altar for all to enjoy. Just make sure the cake YOU eat is from another cake, as once you dedicate a whole cake to the ancestors, it is not a good practice to take a slice of their cake. It is OK, however, to offer one slice from your cake to the ancestors, and leave the remaining cake for the living.

You will find that once you begin a ritual to connect with your ancestors, they will send you messages, like dreams you remember, a “whisper” in your ear, a clear vision of a future event in your mind’s eye, or movement on their altar. Sometimes ancestors visit and move an item, tip over or crack a glass, spill drinks and “nibble” the offerings. They are enjoying the feast you have given them. You will find over time that they are smoothing your path and removing blockages for you so that you can serve as a respectable representative of their legacy. When you achieve something you have asked for their help with, always give a bit more in offerings, such as having a Mass said for them, more candles, or a big potluck for the family to gather around and do a communal prayer service for them. Your ancestros will appreciate it.

* When using photos, make sure there are no living people in the photo. It must be a photo of your deceased relative only. 

** Make sure all plates, cups, and bowls have a crack or chip in them, or are plates that you will NEVER use for feeding someone who is still alive.

 

Long days, warm days, play days…

Known as Summer Solstice, Litha, Midsummer, it is a time of ripening, blessing, and welcoming the day as it banishes the night. The calendar date for the Northern Hemisphere is June 20/21 and for the Southern Hemisphere December 20/21.

A time of communal gathering of 3 days for celebration takes place, featuring dancing in the woods with religious ecstasy. It is a time to bring all tribes/communities together, a return to “home,” family and kin. The message is of bonding, endurance and triumphant fulfillment.

It is said that at daybreak the sun casts 3 rays of light to the world. In return, one greets the sun and affirms goodness, truth, justice, peace, and wisdom.

The Summer Solstice is a gateway to vast energies that bathe the Earth and all life. Our bodies respond through our solar plexus, our power center, our sun.

A challenge that manifests is to be strong in body, clear in mind, large of heart, as this time shines light on all aspects of life.

Spells at this time are for lovers, divining the future, marriage, protection, and good luck. It is a time to watch for signs and portents.

Fire
Try your hand at scrying. Focus on a candle flame, incense smoke, dripping candle wax, or a summer fire pit, letting images appear. Write them down and research their meanings.

Water
Go to a river, lake, or a body of water, chant your wish (or wishes) and float flowers you have kissed in the water (Roses, jasmine). 

Earth
Create a charm for dreaming: Pick 9 flowers and place in a pouch under your pillow.
Create a magical protection sigil:  Use a rock from the yard, woods, or a walk and place at your front door (or just inside the door).

Air
Build a Witch’s Ladder: Take 3 cords of equal length (White, Red, Black) and braid together with 9 different colored feathers knotted in.  While doing this weaving put in a) general protection and good fortune or b) specific purpose of gaining health, property, mystical knowledge.

Blessed Be.

I became aware of Saint Corona a few days before Easter — the time that was projected as an affirmation of Hope that we could open our country “up” again from COVID-19 and its devastating effects. Her introduction came to me through an e-mail link to a “Patron Saint of Epidemics.” Intrigued, I read the translated Austrian web page of the Parish dedicated to her — a former monastery dating back to the 1000’s and formally named Heiligenstatt. Once Heiligenstatt solidified into a community, the name of the monastery was changed to the Parish of St. Corona at Weschel.

The claim that St. Corona was the patron Saint of Pandemics was first circulated by GloriaTV, with certain popular Catholic websites and even the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, also helping spread the word. In fact, Corona has been considered a Patron Saint of lumberjacks and treasure hunters, not pandemics or plagues.

Where Did This Come From?

Best guesses are that St. Corona lived around AD 165 in Cilicia, part of today’s Turkey. Legend states that in AD 177, during the persecution of Christians under the Roman Emperor Antonius Verus, a Roman soldier named Viktor, from Cilicia, was martyred and executed for his Christian faith. Encouraged by Viktor’s courage to confess, Corona, the wife of a soldier, also professed to be a Christian. The governor had Corona tied with ropes between two bent palm trees, and her body was torn to pieces by the palm trees snapping back.

The Italian Connection

It has been said that her head is particularly venerated in Monte Romane, Italy; Emperor Otto III (983 — 1002 AD) brought relics of St. Corona to Aachen, Germany, where they are kept in the cathedral to this day. The feast of St. Corona is celebrated on May 14th.

Dedication to St. Corona, seen as an avatar to deliver requests for steadfastness in faith, is for safety against storms and crop failures. At the time, tree cutters lived almost exclusively in sparsely populated, wooded areas and theirs was a dangerous profession, so they sought protection and help from St. Corona and adopted her as their patron saint. They hoped for special protection and help for their concerns, as St. Corona had been killed by two palm trees, and would take sympathy on those who worked gathering the wood for construction of homes and other structures. In northern Italy as well, she is particularly revered as a patron saint of forest workers, whether migrant workers or lumber traders.

So Why Not Ask Saint Corona?

What if we choose to see Saint Corona as an avatar to deliver requests for deliverance from epidemics, requests of help in the small needs of daily life? Would she answer us, just as she answered generations of woodsmen who felt a kinship to her?

One of the things that has developed as a result of this pandemic is the time for introspection and a re-evaluation on what truly is meaningful and what matters in this life.

So I offer up a ritual for you, to ask for strength during this time, and for a diminishing of the ravages of COVID-19. 

 

Ritual For St. Corona On Feast Day May 14th
For Protection From The Coronavirus Covid-19

Ingredients:
• White Sage smudge stick
• 1 white 7-day “novena” type vigil candle
• 1 glass of cool water
• 1 small vase of white carnations
• 1 prayer card or image of St. Corona (can be printed off the Internet)

First, clean candle with lemon juice or Florida Water, making sure you clean outside and inside of glass, top of wax, and wick. Set aside to dry. When dry, set in center of table or altar.

Smudge candle above, below, and around outer glass. Set smudge bundle aside in fire-safe container or dish to use again.

Fill glass with cool water (spring water is best). Set to right of candle.

Arrange white carnations in vase and set to left of candle.

Place image of St. Corona in frame or tape/tack to wall behind candle, making sure that it is sufficiently distanced from candle flame for fire safety.

Relight white sage smudge bundle and smudge the entire altar offering area. Set bundle aside in fire-safe container or dish.

Say these words:

Lord Jesus Christ, You came into this world for our salvation. Look kindly on us now, we pray, that we, and all those who serve You, might be kept safe from this epidemic.
Heal those who are sick, comfort the suffering, bring back those who have gone astray, and above all, increase our faith, O Lord. 
Give us the grace to follow You and, like the martyr St. Corona, who gave her life for love of You, to take up our crosses daily without fear or hesitation.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
St. Corona, we ask that you protect COVID-19 victims, and pray for us.

  Allow candle to burn until it is out. If you have to extinguish candle, make sure you snuff out the candle, as blowing it out means you are ‘done’ with the ritual and will not be re-lighting the candle. Snuff candle out with candle snuffer or by placing a ceramic or glass plate or other flame-proof flat dish over the rim of the vigil candle, allowing it to go out naturally.

Re-light candle when you want to continue with the ritual until candle is finished. When the ritual is done (about 7 days), pour out the water into the drain of the street or somewhere away from your home so you will not step or “cross” over it. Crush the flowers into a large pot of boiling water along with Epsom Salts, Florida Water, and a capful of clear ammonia, for a future cleansing bath for yourself.

Many people who celebrate Christmas hang Mistletoe in their homes. We know anytime love interests pass underneath it, it’s a great excuse for them to exchange a kiss. Parents torment their kids with this. Young lovers conveniently find each other under it. Long time partners enjoy a moment of youthful bliss beneath sprigs. 

But do you know where the tradition originated?

How about a little holiday trivia?

Kissing under the Mistletoe comes from Frigga, the Norse goddess of love. 

Frigga’s son, Balder, told his mom that he dreamt of his death. Of course, she was a worried mother who rushed around town asking people to promise her son would not die. But his dream became reality. He was killed with a Mistletoe arrow. 

As all myths go, Balder came back to life and his distraught mother cried tears of joy that transformed into pearly mistletoe berries. She then kissed anyone when passing by Mistletoe. The idea being, that anyone who received a kiss under the mistletoe tree could never be harmed.

There are two other stories where Mistletoe and kissing come to play:

Freya, the goddess of love in an Anglo-Saxon legend, proclaimed that all men must kiss the young girls who stood below a Mistletoe sprig hanging from the ceiling. 

Also, another custom actually required Mistletoe – all of it used to decorate homes – should be burned on Twelfth Night or any couple who kissed under it would never get married.

Regardless of which legend you believe, I hope that your moments under the Mistletoe are filled with kisses of joy, and that your holiday season shines as bright as your soul.

As a spiritual worker, I tend to honor certain days with specific plants. I am a deep lover of all flowers and plants and you’ll never hear me say that you can have too many. For this specific day, Juneteenth, I believe the bird of paradise plant is appropriate. The bird of paradise is native to South Africa and is the symbol for freedom and overcoming obstacles, as well as success, paradise, and royalty.

This is often also called Strelitzia as it was named in honor of King George the 3rd’s wife, Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Sophie Charlotte was the first biracial queen of England and Ireland and the last queen of America. The city Charlotte in North Carolina (where I am from), is named for her. She had no mention of ever participating in politics during the anti-slavery movement that was big during her time but is often mentioned for her biracial roots.

It’s an easy plant to care for if you have the time, only needing to be watered once a week. It does not like the cold, however, as its natural habitat is near bodies of water, so it prefers  humid and warm conditions. Bird of paradise can be bought at Lowes or Home Depot in the gardening center and produces beautiful flowers that look like birds.

I offer this plant with a white candle nearby as a way to honor and remember that even the most difficult of obstacles can be overcome and freedom achieved.