Samhain Check In

Oh my dears,

What a year it has been. Before I jump into anything else, I wanted offer a warm hug through the ether and to offer my deepest thanks. I appreciate you being here more than I can express, and I don't just mean here, reading my blog. I mean here, living on this Earth, in this time, or whenever your time is.

Thank you to all of my readers whether you have been with me for a long time, or if you have only read a couple of my pieces, perhaps this is the first time you're visiting me and you deserve thanks as well. I also wanted to remind you how precious and needed you are in this world.

We all need to be reminded some times, and personally, I don't think we hear those things enough. We are heading deeper into the dark half of the year, and like our ancestors knew so well, coming together and being available and supportive to one another is priceless.

Around Samhain time, you might find yourself wanting to reflect on this past year. Samhain is the final harvest of the season, so you may feel called to take a look back to see how far you have come, to take stock of what came to life for you this year, and what did not.

For me, I feel called to look back further than just the last year, but to where this journey came alive for me...

I remember sitting down at my desk in my tiny little apartment a mere two months before I had the catalyst struck which was ultimately what became the first step on my healing journey.

I had participated in my first full moon ritual with Sage Goddess and I can recall the overwhelming feeling of connection and hope. This space became my main focus and I threw my whole self into it.

I had ideas for topics and a list of books I wanted to read and review for you, I had lists of different ways you could connect with your guides and Spirit, I truly believed that this space would be chalk full of information and tips and ideas for ritual.

And that did happen for a little while. I wrote out and shared the magic I was working, although I didn't recognize it as such at the time. What's more, is that I didn't realize how powerful that magic was. I was simply unprepared for the consequences of what I was asking the Universe for, and it knocked me on my ass.

Since then, it's been a wild ride. In my previous post I shared how my life and my journey with Spirit are simply too closely woven together to really keep them separated. At first I worried that not staying objective with my original intent for this blog in mind would alienate my readers or people would get tired of hearing about my life.

But what I've come to realize that, while that might be true for some, this is in truth what I had intended all along. It's all wonderful and good to share ideas and facts about certain things, but by sharing how I myself am living and experiencing all of those things, can in fact create a more relate-able conversation.

In a way, this is a chance for me to own my experiences and to take ownership of the things that I struggle with, to show what I have found to be helpful and useful. The whole reason behind my starting this blog was to be a guiding hand for those who struggle with the same things I do, to be that voice that tells them,

You can do this, you're not alone. 

As Samhain approaches, I want to connect more deeply with my ancestors than I have in previous years. This year, I want to honor them and show my respect as I know they are with me always. I also want to ask them to assist me in healing our collective past, to lay down the struggles and strife that so many have endured. I want to be able to heal our past and therefore allow that healing to flow into our present and on into the future.

Samhain is a day to celebrate, to be still in the quiet, to honor, and to take up vigils and lay down the past. It is a day to remember and it is a day to release. Cutting the chords that carry the pain, suffering, and regret is so important. Everything comes and goes in cycles, and it is when we refuse to allow the ending to be such as it is do our lives attract more of the same obstacles; the same pain and suffering and regret are fed rather than being allowed to go.

That's not to say we will notice a difference all at once, or that the shift will happen all in one day. When I wrote the Open Heart Series, I had no idea that two years later I would still be seeing echos and ripples of those intentions. I had no idea that magic worked like that. I had no idea that magic worked.

To the best of my recollection, I've never been in a place where I was ready to move forward when this turn of the wheel came round. I was always in a place of pain, or I was in a space of searching, or I was simply trying to be at peace with where I was. All very important things, and I think always where I needed to be at that time.

As we make ready for winter, I intend to rest, and to study, and to heal. Letting the past stay in the past is not always easy, and if I'm being completely honest it's never something I have been good at. And that is why this time of the year, this year, is such an amazingly beautiful opportunity. Because now, I am ready, I feel prepared, and possibly the most important, I want to.

I have every intention to share my Samhain experience, but I also don't want to promise as to when that will be. Life has a way of sweeping me up and away, and as I am practicing my patience I hope that you will bear with me a time.

In the interim I hope to be able to share other works and the like as we continue on.

Until next time,

Warm and Bright Samhain Blessings to you and yours,

Image from renegadetribune.com

~Thealynn

©2013-2017 Thealynn Oceanna Rosewolf

Discovering Ostara

Hey there loves,

It's been quite some time since I have taken the time to write about a pagan focused topic, so much of my writing over the last year or so has been very self focused and with the Spring Equinox right around the corner, I wanted to set aside some time and talk about this holiday.

I touched very lightly on the topic a couple of years back when I wrote a very generalized post about the Wheel of the Year. Since I began this blog it has always been my intention to take the time to not only write about but to also celebrate every holiday in the Wheel, and let me tell you, it just hasn't happened.

Looking back through my archives it seems to be that Ostara and Beltane are the two holidays that I've yet to dedicate any real time to. I hope to change that this year, not just with taking time to honor them here but to honor them with ritual and to connect with the deity that the holidays are connected with.

You might recall that for Imbolc, this year, I celebrated in an unusual way, I moved into a new home. There were several things taking place at the same time, and I didn't feel that I could honor Brigid and really recognize Imbolc as I would have liked to. So rather then do nothing, I prayed to Brigid in the early hours of the morning, and invited her to simply be with me in spirit all throughout the day, I even remember carrying boxes to and fro whispering that Brigid was welcome every time I entered into a different room.

Now that I've had time to settle in and to really claim my new home, I want to make sure I take the time to do something extra or simply something fun to welcome the growing strength of the sun as our days become longer and our nights become shorter.

Before jumping into all of that however, let's take a look at the Spring Equinox, also know as Ostara.

Image from avaloncloaks.co.uk

There is one lovely tale about the Goddess walking the Earth, bringing Spring with her very steps. As she traveled she came across a wounded bird, to ease the bird's suffering the Goddess transformed it into a hare. As a way of giving thanks, the hare was still capable of laying eggs, and so every Spring the hare would present its eggs as a gift to the Goddess.

Hares or rabbits are symbols of fertility in many cultures around the world, and with Spring being a time of birth and renewal, and since eggs are so closely connected with the concept of birth (considering we all start out as eggs) it only makes sense that these symbols have traveled with us through the ages and why they are present in our celebrations today.

This day like a couple of other holidays such as Lughnasadh are named after a specific deity, but Ostara or Eostre seems to have very little to do with how this holiday is celebrated. This Germanic goddess of the Spring and dawn is so scarcely mentioned  in any written text that some scholars don't believe that she was a goddess at all. Some even saying that Eostre is really a face of the goddess Freya as she is a goddess of life, death and sexuality, among other attributes.

Don't let that discourage you though, being that this is the Vernal Equinox, and the celebration of life returning to Earth being one of the major themes, even arguably, the major theme to this holiday, there are many more goddesses to work with and invoke during this time. And because this is one of two days throughout the whole year that the day and night are of equal length, it makes perfect sense to honor the divine masculine along side the feminine.

As the Spring is a time of new birth, it's a common practice to work with the goddess in her Maiden aspect, such as Persphone, Aphrodite, Venus, Eos, Blodeuwedd, Gaia, Rati and Flora just to name a few. As for gods that you may choose to work with on this day, there are Dionynsus, Kamadeva, Aengus MacOg, Cernunnos, Pan, Mabon, Dagda, Min, Thor, and the Green Man.

These are all gods and goddess from different pantheons and traditions that have their own connections to birth, rejuvenation, creation, sex, and life. They all bring something to the celebration of life anew, and to coming back to life, and not just the World around us, but an awakening within ourselves as well.

I know that in the past I have shied away from celebrating the Wheel of the Year because I simply had no idea how to observe the holiday. Some times it comes down to not having a space for ritual or feeling that the lack of tools will make your contribution less then what it could be.

There are many ways of observing any holiday, here are a few ideas for you:

You can celebrate by simply lighting a candle and taking a moment to observe what is in need of balance in your life as the Equinox is a day of equal day and night.

Because it is the first day of Spring, you might want to take a walk outside (weather permitting) and see how life is returning to the Earth.

You can wear bright colors; yellow, purple, green, pink. Think of your favorite flower for inspiration if you're feeling stuck.

Now that Winter is over (depending on where you live you might still experience winter weather) start thinking about what goals you want to accomplish, create a 2017 bucket list if you will. Now that the Earth is waking up from her slumber, you might be feeling the itch to begin creating yourself.

If you are stuck inside, try opening up the blinds and letting in some natural light.

If you're looking to work in a little magic, perhaps you could give your alter a nice spruce. Change the alter cloth, use different colored candles, preform a dedication ceremony to help charge the your crafts or goals for the upcoming season.

You can work with crystals such as rose quartz, amazonite, amythest or citrine.

You can try your hand at making your own incense with herbs like meadowsweet, spearmint, clover, lemongrass or lavender.

If you're looking for guidance as we begin the next cycle of the year, perhaps try meditating. Give yourself as much time as you think you might need. Be sure to get into a comfortable position, if you need help concentrating feel free to put on some music, some times that can help us to get into the right frame of mind.

Try to imagine yourself in nature; you may be in a wooded area or perhaps you're in an open field. Just let your intuition take you where you are needed. Imagine that there is still snow on the ground, there is a slight wind in the air, the trees are still bare. Maybe you see a snow hare or birds flying overhead. You're dressed for the weather but you certainly wouldn't mind warming up. As you walk you come across a cabin, there is light emanating from inside and there is a sense of welcome as you come closer. 

You move your hand to knock, but before you can you can hear the door unlatch and you feel the call to let yourself in, so you do. Inside of this little cabin you can see and feel a roaring hearth, there is something wonderful cooking that compliments the smells of the herbs you see all around the cabin; some of the are hanging to dry, some might be in jars or on a work bench. There is a wonderful rug under your feet and you feel at ease in this place. 

You see a large table that has been set, with a generous helping of steaming food already waiting, as if someone was expecting you. Coming around the corner you see your guide, is it a god, is it a goddess, is it both?

Whomever is there to guide you welcomes you into this space with open arms, perhaps they even embrace you and they invite you to sit at the table with them. It is the day/night before the Equinox and they are preparing for the work ahead to bring Winter to a close. They are happy that you have come to celebrate with them, and they are even more filled with joy that you have invited them to guide you. This is your time to speak about your worries, ask your questions, and simply spend time with the Divine. 

As your visit comes to a close, perhaps you want to ask that they continue to visit with you, perhaps you wish to work with them through the Springtime, or even beyond that. As you prepare to leave, be sure to give thanks to them for the time spent with you and for the wisdom shared. As you depart, do they send anything with you? A word, a symbol, maybe an object, did they introduce you to an animal guide?


If you're looking for something that will connect you more with the Earth herself and you need a little rejuvenating, you can try a meditation like this one.

You can imagine yourself as a flower; sleeping soundly waiting for the snow to melt and as it does you can feel the warmth of the sun, giving you strength. Imagine what blooming would feel like, your roots seeping into the ground going deeper and deeper, perhaps you have leaves on your stalk or perhaps you're a bush with many branches. Perhaps you're a single bloom your petals growing stronger and more bold as your reach towards the sun. Opening slowly you soak in the nourishment from not just the sun and the clean air but from the soil beneath you. How do you feel as you grow taller and as you begin to bloom? Do you feel refreshed? Do you feel anxious? Are there other flowers around you? What about other plants or animals?

Doing a meditation like this can help you feel grounded, and to feel the transition from Winter to Spring.

Whenever you are finished meditating, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to come back into your body, wiggle your fingers and your toes, open your eyes slowly, take some deep breaths.

If you're curious about reading materials, I have read both Ostara by Edain McCoy and the Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials Ostara and enjoyed them both.

I personally feel that Ostara by Edain McCoy goes into considerably more detail and provides a good amount of information from rituals to crafts, to recipes and myths. It is also a considerably larger book.

Ostara from Llewellyn's Sabbat Essentials is a decent take on the subject, is well written and is potentially better for those who don't need or want as much information.


Spring is a wonderful time of transformation, give yourself a chance to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new. Try a meet up, enroll in a class, allow yourself the chance to grow in areas where maybe you thought that you couldn't. You may just surprise yourself.

One finally note, just one week after the Vernal Equinox is the New Moon, yet another great time to set intentions for what you wish to create. This is such a powerful time of year, everything is wide open, you just have to decide what you're going to do with all of that energy.

And don't feel like there is a big rush to accomplish your to-do list. This is just the beginning, give yourself time and space to really develop what you want to bring to life, give yourself a chance to stretch your legs, your wings, your fins, whatever your creative side features. Allow yourself time to awaken just as nature takes time.

Image from rabyabegum.wordpress.com

Brightest Blessings to you and yours during this Vernal Equinox,

~Thealynn

©2013-2017 Thealynn Oceanna Rosewolf

The Autumn Equniox

Hey there lovelies,

I am excited to write and share with you about this next turn of the wheel. It wasn't too long ago that we wandered through the mysteries of Lughnasadh, and now as we approach the second of the three harvest festivals, a lot of us here in the pagan community begin to look back on the previous year and take time to reflect on what seeds were planted that prospered and grew, and which ones did not.

Over the last several weeks I've heard a lot of folks refer to this holiday in a couple of different ways, all of which I thought would be fun to share with you here.

First, which is of course an alternative name to this holiday, which is Mabon, pronounced may-bon. There are several ways to pronounce this name, so don't be surprised if you see some variations here and there. There was some debate for a time whether or not the name Mabon was really connected to the holiday or not, but as the name came from a harvest deity, much like Lughnasadh, for one reason or another it stuck.

If you're curious about this Welsh god and his story, I found a great rendition by a fellow blogger, Meadowsweet and Myrrh.

The second was a comparison to the three harvest festivals; Lughnasadh, Mabon and Samhain, as the three phases of the goddess; maiden, mother and crone.

When Lughnasadh arrives it's the first harvest and the maiden has taken that ultimate step into womanhood by becoming pregnant (either literally or figuratively with the crops of the Earth.) Come Mabon the crops have been reaped and she prepares for the next stage of her life, and the long winter she knows is coming and thus transitions to the phase of the crone by Samhain. At Samhain she welcomes her death and ultimate rebirth during the time of year when the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world is the thinnest.

The third concept that I heard recently was the comparison of Mabon with Thanksgiving. This one took me a little by surprise. Whether you are brand new to the path or are well weathered, most of us know by now that the sacred holidays we celebrate are quite common place these days, the majority of them having been Christianized in one way or another in the middle ages. But Thanksgiving is not one of them.

So as I was reading a few different articles, the idea really clicked with me and I've decided to spend this year celebrating this autumn equinox as a pagan Thanksgiving. A time to spend with my loved ones and circle members, to reflect on the fruits of my labors, to put to rest the dreams or goals that didn't pan out that they might return to me at a later time, or simply as a lesson well learned.

Now, what is so special about the autumn equinox? Why do we take the time to recognize this time of year?

Glad you asked!

In the Wheel of the Year, we have what are called the cross quarter days, meaning that we have four days to mark the beginning of each season and therefore, divide up the year into-you guessed it, quarters. When you line up these days they tend to make a cross like symbol, one light diagonally across, and one vertical line.

We have the two solstices, Summer and Winter, and we have two equinoxes, Spring and Autumn.

During the solstices, we have the longest day of the year (Summer) and we have the longest night of the year (Winter). With the equinoxes, the day and night time hours are equal in length, making it quite the magical time, encouraging us to seek balance and harmony as we make the transition from light to dark, from dark to light, and back again.

This particular equinox falls on September 23rd which is a little bit later than usual as it typically falls between the 20th and the 22nd of the month. It's also going to pack a bit more of a punch since we are currently in Mercury Retrograde.  This retrograde began on the 17th and runs through October 9th. If you're new to the dance of Mercury Retrograde, I would encourage you to read the article I wrote back in January on my Facebook page. I also recently wrote about the current retrogrades and how that might be affecting us all through the rest of the year. Here's a link to that for you as well.

Up until the 23rd our lovely sun is in the sign of Virgo, but come the equinox, she shifts into the sign of Libra. A sign universally recognized for balance. If you're curious what to expect from this retrograde, I would encourage you to check out this article I found, it definitely paints a happier picture than most do concerning Mercury's retrograde.

So how does one go about celebrating such a day? Well, for that I found a couple of great sites with some fun and easy suggestions, as well as some specifics if you're wanting to incorporate something in particular.

I know this article was from last year, but it still has some great ideas that can be done individually or in a group setting, you can even do both if you so desire! Huff Post: Religion.

The Celtic Connection is a really great resource for all sorts of goodies, especially if you don't have a your own copy of books such as Autumn Equinox by Ellen Dugan or Supermarket Magic-both of which I highly recommend.

If this is your first year celebrating and you're looking for something small and informal to simply connect with the energies of the day, weather permitting, take a walk outside in a local park or in your neighborhood. It's a great way to not only get out in nature to feel the natural balance of things, but depending on where you live you might already be seeing some of the affects of this time of year.

Mabon is a time where you take account of the fruits of your labor and you celebrate your accomplishments. I think that it's something we should all be doing more often, in general. We're at a time in our society where we are constantly trying to achieve more, trying to do better, trying to get to that next peg on the ladder to wherever it is that we're trying to get; and we lose track of the progress we've made and all of the things that we've conquered along the way.

Before you take that walk, or maybe once you're there, take a notebook and pen/pencil with you and write down all of the achievements you've claimed this year. And as you walk, pick up a leaf, a pebble or an acorn orpine cone to represent each of those things.

For example if you're in school, pick up a representation for each good grade you got, or each paper and/or project that you're proud of.

 Also, don't be afraid to write down the goals that didn't work out. Now is the time to leave them behind; to release the energy you invested into them back into the Universe so that it may return to you for better uses. When you return from your walk, set out your collection in a space where you will see them often, on your desk, night table, or alter. With the 'crops that didn't bear fruit' take the list and invite your guides, your angels, and the deities that you connect with most, or that you would like to honor during this time to come witness as you release those things. You can burn that part of your list with a candle, or in a heat safe container. Which ever method you choose, always practice fire safety. You can also bury the list if you so choose, just make sure it's buried deep enough that a critter won't mistake it for food.

One recipe that I found recently isn't entirely a Mabon tradition, but it sounded too good not to share, I know I cannot wait to make this a seasonal tradition. Who doesn't love the sound of Sparkling Cider Pound Cake? To be honest, it sounds like something you should be able to order at Starbucks around the holidays, but I think making it is more fun.

One character that you'll see mentioned during this time of year is John Barleycorn or Jonny Barleycorn. When broken down, it is a tale regarding the process of making beer, and depending on which version of the song/story you read it can be quite graphic. You can read a little bit about the legend here.

But there is a really important message in good ol' Barleycorn's tale. Sometimes in life, you have to make sacrifices. It's not always the easy choice, and more often then not, it's painful but it's a necessary part of life.

I was talking with my new boyfriend the other day about this time of year, as naturally I am introducing him to this way of life, and when I told him that autumn was my favorite time of year, something made me stop to think about why.

Don't get me wrong, I love sweaters, and slippers, scarves, pumpkins and pumpkin flavored just about anything, so many different kinds of soup, the changing of the leaves...

The changing of the leaves is always a sure sign the winter is on the way; a time of quiet, or reflection, the physical death of most trees and plants. Why would that be something that I take pleasure in?

I then realized that there is beauty to the end of things. There is something magical and mystical and comforting knowing that there is a form of closure to everything. It's a subtle reminder that death is part of the natural order of things. Nature does it in a way that's beautiful, and filled with a kind of comfort.

Things need perish and be let go of to make way for new life, and new opportunities. The Earth understands this, and does this out of pure necessity. If you're struggling with something like this, which trust me, we have all been there-reach out to the deities who are connected with this time, with this season and allow them to shower you with love and perspective and invite them to help you with the upcoming transitions.

I hope that this equinox brings you much joy, much clarity and much needed balance.

Sending light and love to you all dears,

Thealynn

©2013-2015 Thealynn

What in the Universe is Going On?

Hey lovies,

In honor of the fact that we will be having a Blue Moon this coming Friday, I thought I would write a little post and give my thoughts about this event and while I was at it I started looking into what else was going on in our solar system.

I've heard in several places that we currently have seven planets in retrograde, but I was only able to track down five of them. I fully admit that I am not an astronomy buff, and most of the time I find it quite confusing simply because there is just so much of it! If I learn which other two planets are currently in retrograde, I will certainly amend this or if anyone knows and would like to share, please feel free to do so below!

In my effort to become more in tune with the Universe as a whole, I've started trying to pay more attention to astrology whether it's learning about my own natal chart or learning about planets when they go into retrograde.

Before I go too much further, I want to explain what retrograde is. I myself was unfamiliar with the concept not too long ago, so if you're new to this, that's okay! Dictonary.com defines retrograde as:

"adjective

1. moving backward; having a backward motion or direction; retiring or retreating.

2. inverse or reversed, as order.
 
4. Astronomy. 
moving in an orbit in the direction opposite to that of the earth in its revolution around the sun.
appearing to move on the celestial sphere in the direction opposite to the natural order of the signs of the zodiac, or from east to west."

What we've learned from astronomers and other scientists is that the planets are not actually traveling backwards, but rather their orbit slows down to the point where from here on Earth it only looks like they are traveling backwards.

Moving right along!

We've talked once before about Mercury going into Retrograde which it seems to do about every three months. But what about the other planets? Does this Blue Moon really have any special meaning that a regular full moon does not?

These topics are what I'll be diving into today, to hopefully form a bigger picture of what is going on out there in space, and what we can do about it. Before I jump in, if you have are interested in receiving your own natal chart, I recommend Astro.com, it's very informative and best part is, it's free!

All righty then, so the planets (that I could find) which are currently in retrograde are Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. I'll list there dates below.

**A quick update for you all, as each planet goes direct again, I will be marking off each retrograde to make finding the current ones a bit easier for returning and current readers.**

Venus - July 25-September 6
I don't know about you, but when it comes to retrogrades aside from the bad rap that Mercury can sometimes earn, Venus going into retrograde sounds just as scary when in reality it's probably one of our greatest opportunities.

As we all know (or so I like to think) Venus is the planet of love, and relationships. So when this planet starts going backwards what does that mean for us? Do our relationships unravel, is this just going to be forty days and forty nights of chaos?

While there is always a chance of communications going array, Venus retrograde is more about moving on and letting go of past loves that might still be lingering around. Whether it's emotionally, or physically.

A lot of times after relationships end, unless they ended really badly, we still hang onto little mementos from that time; whether they're pictures, gifts, mix CDs (depending on your age), little knick knacks. If you've been hanging onto things like that and they only bring you sadness, hurt, longing, or feelings of loneliness-why keep them?

Those physical reminders are holding a space for that person, and thus it's keeping those wounds open. If you're ready to move on and let them go, then do so! Free up that space for self love, and perhaps down the road, love from another.

If you're going to get rid of those items, please keep in mind that in some instances other people can still get use out of them. Before giving anything away, bless them with a few simple words of thanks for the positivity they brought you and send them away with it so that they can bring joy to someone else.

Burning pictures and letters can be extremely cathartic-I myself have done this and I cannot tell you what a difference I felt. If you do go this route, try to do with a friend, and always use fire safety.

If you're currently in a relationship, now is an opportune time to reflect and consider what you're getting out of your relationship, and if that's working for you or not. Use this time to be open with your partner and find ways to heal and/or improve the relationship.

I've seen it advised during almost everywhere to not take any drastic action while the planet(s) remain in retrograde. But always follow what's best for you, if you're in an unhealthy relationship, don't wait on the planets to get yourself into a better situation-your safety and well being should always come first.

One last thing I want to mention, and then we'll move on.

Venus only goes into retrograde every 18 months. So, take some time to look back on December of 2013 and think about where you were, and think about how far you have come. Think about where your relationships have been, and where they are now-are all of those relationships still intact?

Even when it's painful, try to be grateful for those experiences; without them, you wouldn't be who you are.


Saturn - March 14-August 2
We're coming to the party a little late with Saturn being in retrograde, but that doesn't mean that we're out of time or that we can't reflect on what's taken place since the retrograde began.

There were two main themes that I kept coming across; time and krama. Both of these aspects are ruled by Saturn and being a Capricorn, that means that planetarily speaking, I am also ruled by this planet. Now knowing that Saturn has been in retrograde really does explain A LOT.

It's times like this where karmic balances are brought about in a more distinct way, and you may have been feeling like time has slowed down in a sense. As frustrating as it can be, taking the time to examine projects and commitments that you have have agreed to in haste and whether or not you want to amend those decisions.

When people think of karma, they usually think of the not so fuzzy side, and while that's true, we also can't let ourselves forget the brighter side of karma. Another thing to keep in mind about karma is that, karma doesn't recognize time like we do. Past, present, and future are fluid when it comes to karma, and it's really about when those lessons will mean the most to you.


Uranus - July 26-December 26
In the research that I have done, I feel like Uranus is the planet that puts butts in gear. Uranus is the planetary influence that keeps us on our toes if we're getting to comfortable.

So when Uranus goes into retrograde, it goes into a bit of an overdrive. Any issues that have been swept under the rug, put in the closet, out of sight out of mind; Uranus brings them front and center with bells and whistles, and even potentially a light show.

If you've been heading down a not so great path, this is typically the time when Uranus will give you a big wake up call, and an opportunity to turn yourself, and your life around. Such events can be painful, but in all honesty some times we need that to bring us back to who we are and what we really want for our lives.

If you find yourself in a relationship or in a job situation that you're not exactly happy with but you stay out of fear of change, this is the time to really be honest with yourself about why you're where you are. It provides you with an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, face your fears and allow the Universe to provide those signs and guidance to help get you where you want to be.

If left alone long enough, Uranus will end up doing all of that work for you, and it'll potentially prove to be considerably more uncomfortable than if you work with the energy of Uranus and steer into the grove that is radiating from this outer planet, you'll handle these changes much easier.

These changes that Uranus brings us is not just in our personal lives, but can be influential on a much larger scale; which helps to explain all the changes we've been seeing here in the US.


Neptune - June 12-November 18
I've been finding more and more that when people hear the word 'retrograde' there's a sense of panic that comes with that, and I think it's safe to say that Mercury is at the very least, a contributing factor for that.

As it turns out, Neptune is a planet of dreams and illusions, which can lead to outright denial in extreme cases, and the invention of excuses and procrastination in other cases.

One thing you might experience during Neptune in it's retrograde is a harsh wake up call. While Neptune is direct we're able to escape into our inner worlds and to set on the back burner all of the things that we don't want to deal with.

Neptune's retrograde isn't all bad though, all of the following are more prominent during this time: the breaking of illusions, seeing truth and reality, conscious thinking and planning, clarity, seeing what is really important, heightened sensitivity, deeper insight and intuition.

This provides us with the option to do some serious digging into the deeper aspects of our lives, whether mundane or spiritual and to shine some light on what kind of affect those illusions are having; the picture isn't always pretty, but again, it's easier to clean up a small mess versus an explosion.

Daydreaming and having fantasies can be what makes life bearable for some of us, if not all of us from time to time. But it's about balancing that dream world with reality, and bringing those dreams to life in a tangible way so that we don't feel the need to 'escape' all the time. Because we've brought those dreams into the physical world, and by doing so we can possibly help others do the same.


Pluto - April 16-September 25
I don't know about the rest of you, but I still consider Pluto to be a planet, forget that astronomers say! Besides, if it wasn't important why would be we getting close up photos of it, huh??

Stepping off my Pluto for Planet soap box, this little planet has got some serious shadow work headed out way until it turns direct on September 25th.

Pluto is ruler of the underworld, and with that comes the connection with the darker side of things; of secrets, skeletons in the closet, and maybe just some personal dilemmas that we've thus far either been unable to deal with or have outright refused to deal with. Pretty much anything that might be hiding beneath the surface.

By bringing all of these things into the light, it provides the opportunity to do much needed healing and transformation. If that's the case, now is the time for some serious emotional and spiritual house cleaning.

The timing that comes across to me is rather auspicious as we're preparing for the first harvest which you can read about here; and as the summer dwindles down and we head into the darker time of the year, the more light, love and positivity we can bring with us the better.

One thing to keep in mind about shadow work is that it's never done. As human beings we are constantly changing and learning and with that comes less than desirable experiences which can include mistakes.

This is not something to fret over or to beat yourself up about, the sooner you embrace the fact that you have the shadow work to do, the sooner you'll find the strength within yourself to conquer those fears that have been lingering in the dark.

~*~

Whew! With all of the information floating around in the air and our brains now, there were several resounding themes that came up, but I am going to focus on the main two.

First and probably the loudest was that there's change coming, it's inevitable, your best bet is to prepare yourself now.

Followed very closely by; stop lying to yourself, treat yourself like you matter, don't let those excuses and what happened in the past keep you from being the best you can be.

With that comes the whole reason I started this endeavor, the upcoming Blue Moon-who knew I would end up spending so much time on the planets when I sat down to write this? I know I sure didn't!

I wanted to do something special with my Circle with this one and I wanted to have my plan set, so I went searching for what is traditionally done, and from everything I've found regarding this event there seems to be one common factor: goals.

This will be the last Blue Moon that we have until January 31st 2018 so it's super important to me that I make this moon count. This moon is all about allowing yourself to think about those dreams, desires, wishes that seem too big or extravagant to come true.

With everything else going on in the Universe this is possibly the biggest sign I have ever seen to be open and honest with yourself, allow yourself to let go and move on from past hurts regardless of how they are caused and to make that space available for planting the seeds of what you want to manifest in your life.

Change is a natural part of life, and fighting it doesn't keep it from happening, all it does is make the transitions more painful. Some times change is painful, but that's how we learn and grow and doesn't it make sense to accept our lessons and the pain that goes with than to drag it out, thus creating more pain?

That's not to say that we don't all move at our own pace, and that some pains take longer to heal than others. Simply that when given the chance to live a better life, wouldn't you take it?

The Universe has a way of making this changes either with or without us at one point or another. I don't know about you, but I personally find it easier over all to do my best to pay attention and to go with the Universal flow of things than to try and fight against the current.

These can be trying times, but know that you are never facing these trials alone, you always have someone there who believes in you, and wants to best for you. Accept the support, we're not meant to do everything by ourselves.

Sending much light and love to you dears,

Thealynn

©2013-2015 Thealynn

Lughnasadh and Lammas

Greetings lovies,

As summer reaches its height we here Through the Secret Door have been studying the holiday that is known as Lughnasadh - pronounced Luna-sa or Lugh-na-sa by some and Lammas by others. Are they the same holiday? What are they celebrating, and what does this ancient holiday mean to us today?

This holiday was one that I was excited to learn about simply because it's the turn of the wheel that I have the least knowledge about. And with good reason, for several centuries it was only celebrated in Europe and is still celebrated there, but for anyone else in the world, unless you're in the pagan community, you've probably never heard of it.

In doing my research of this holiday I was pleasantly surprised that more people are talking about this holiday than in years past. From the research that I've done it seems that these festivals were fairly obscure despite the fact that countries all over the world celebrate their own form of harvest.

Lughnasadh as the name suggests, recognizes and honors the Celtic god Lugh. Lugh was considered a sun deity and was also connected with warriors and was called Master of Skills. Among the skills Lugh possessed he was a master at smithcraft which was highly regarded since warfare was something the Celts often experienced.

Lugh's story is one that we have seen time and again throughout different mythologies. Lugh was born destined to overthrow his grandfather Balor who was ruler of the underworld. After his brith, Lugh was sent off for his protection and raised by his foster mother, Tailtiu.

It's mentioned in The Book of Invasions by Lebor Gabála Érenn, that Lugh becomes associated with grain after he holds a harvest celebration in honor of his foster mother. Thus as time went on Lugh was often honored with grains, corn, and bread.

In ancient times, Lughnasadh was often celebrated by a series of games and competitions and was a time to settle tribal matters as well as ritual to promote a bountiful harvest along with being the opening to the hunting season. Most believed that it was considered bad luck, and even disrespectful to harvest before the first day of August.

From what I have been able to surmise from my research, while Lughnasadh and Lammas may have been different holidays at one point, celebrated by different peoples in the British Isles, they are celebrated as one in the same today.

I'll continue to research and study this holiday to see what else I might be able to learn and I'll be sure to share here if and when I do. Or if any of you have information to share, please feel free to do so below!

So how does one go about celebrating this holiday? What if I want to honor this time of year but I don't feel a connection to Celtic deities?

Never to worry! Remember above when I mentioned that harvest festivals are celebrated all over the world? Well, that alone gives us the freedom to choose how specific you want to get with your celebration.

The word Lammas translates to 'loaf-mass' so any harvest deity could very easily be honored here. While I was doing my research I came across this handy list of different gods and goddess that you can check out!

Another way you can celebrate this time of year is to bake a loaf of bread! I know the task seems daunting but there are a lot of recipes out there that are beginner friendly. My circle and I are going to be taking the recipe from one of my newer books, Super Market Magic.

Not only does this book cover all of the eight holidays but it all goes into simple magic you can do with herbs and spices that you get in the grocery store. It's phenomenal, and I sincerely recommend it.

One activity that my Circle and I will be doing is making Corn Dollys, I found a great how-to video on Youtube, which I would recommend checking out. It's a fun activity not just for adults but kids too! Corn Dollys then remain on your alter until Imbolc to promote abundance through the dark time of the year. What's nice about this craft is that they can be as simple or as elaborate as you like.

You'll often hear about John Barelycorn during this time as well. John Barleycorn is a character from English folklore who represents the crop of barley that is harvested each fall. He also represents what can be made from barley; beer and whiskey, and their affects. There are several songs about John Barleycorn and his adventures which when looked at closely, correspond with the continuing cycle of nature; planting, growing, harvesting, and then death.

 Another common activity done during this time is of course decorating your sacred space. Decorating with reds, yellows, golds, browns, oranges are easily incorporated all over the house, stalks of grain, acorns, pine cones and large leaves are another easy and natural way to welcome the first harvest.

Another one of my reads during this time was Lammas by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason. This title is a little harder to come by without spending an arm and a leg-I happened to get lucky, and it has a lot of good information about how the harvest is observed all over the world and goes more into detail regarding Lugh.

Of course it also goes into dozens of recipes, crafts, games and rituals to be done in a group or solitary setting.

Being that this is historically a Celtic holiday, if you haven't already done so, now is a great time to read up on some Celtic mythology, familiarize yourself with these gods and goddess.

One thing that is very special about this year is that while Lughnasadh is always on August first, we have a Blue Moon July 31st.

This will be the last time that we will have a Blue Moon until January 31st, 2018. That's two and a half years! I'll be writing a separate post about that in just a short while, and once it's up I'll be sure to link it here.

Venus has also just begun it's retrograde and will be spending 40 days and 40 nights in its retrograde which only takes place every 18 months.

So as you celebrate the first harvest, take a few moments to consider where you were this time two year ago, where you were 18 months ago.

Take time to relish and appreciate your accomplishments, and give serious consideration to what you have reaped in that time.

As we prepare to head into the dark time of the year, make the most of the sunshine and soak in as much as you can. Think about which seeds you've sown that have born fruit and which ones need more care.

Remember, there are several plants that take a year or even more after they are planted before they bear fruit. Which of your seeds are nestled safely in the ground that might be needing that extra time, and what can you do to help nourish them as they prepare to sprout in the coming spring?

Always be thankful for your blessings, and take heart that we are fortunate enough to live in a time where food is plentiful.

Many blessings of light, love, and abundance to you my dears,

May the gods and goddess shine on you and yours,

Thealynn

©2013-2015 Thealynn