SECTION IV - ONLINE RESOURCES
Online Shopping - Dor
Samhain / All Hallow's Eve Ritual: 0ctober 31st, 2000++ - Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
Online Shopping
By Dor
Hi Everyone
Here is another wonderful online shopping experience I think you would hate to miss. We
are visiting 'Moons and Brooms' a Metaphysical E-shop that specializes in mostly hand
crafted products. Their web address is:
http://www.moonsandbrooms.com/
Check them out! They accept Visa/MasterCard/Discover card (they will email you or phone
you for your card number and expiration date to assure you of the maximum security), and
they also accept PayPal for your Visa/Master card payments. If you use PayPal you will
receive a $5 credit from PayPal for using their services and a free gift from Moons and
Brooms. Mail in payments are also accepted and the info for that will be sent to you
from them within 24 hours of your order.
This easy to use and growing site includes such diverse and delightful items as
Divination tools, ritual supplies, home decor items, used books, magickal kits/baskets
(including specific spells, kits for Shabbats and Esbats and much more), candles, soaps,
powerstones, pentacles, spirit rings and much, much more. It is very easy to use with
the area click buttons on the left side of the screen. The product section lists major
categories of their products so you can click on the category you want to explore and
see what product items they have under that category. They have lots of pictures and
more new products are being added all the time.
First time buyers get a 5% off discount and a free small soap sample of your choice.
Refer a friend and if that friend mentions you, you get a $5 gift certificate to use on
their products. Moons and Brooms has periodic specials and discounts for special
occasions like Samhain/Halloween.
There is a section where they give you their e-mail address and invite you to comment
and give them suggestions. They have a guest book, a site map, a gallery of pictures of
some of their products, a section that is being set up to introduce themselves and tell
you a little about them (can't wait for that section to be completed), and a section
labeled 'Features' where they tell you about their current special.
This is a small but growing site with excellent handmade/crafted products. I'll be sure
to go back to this site again and again and am eager to watch them grow and expand.
Happy shopping to all!
Blessings
Dor
<Editors Note: The following article is an
excerpt from the book: "The Magical Astrology Guide for the Year 2000" by Sarolta
DeFaltay-Bell.)>
++Samhain / All Hallow's Eve Ritual: 0ctober 31st, 2000++
(c) 1999 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
"Every planetary alignment holds an opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, and
contains symbolism that is universally shared. By meditating on current planetary
themes, we can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, and apply it
experientially to our lives, through ritual, meditation, and the gradual unfolding of
our own personal myth. "
Autumn is upon us; as the winds change again, I look forward to the messages of
Samhain.
This night, so sacred to Grandmother Moon, promises gifts of prophecy to those who seek
her wisdom through divination.
This is the Sabbat when we honor our ancestors, and knowing that the veil between the
worlds is at its thinnest, we can commune with other worlds through scrying or
invocation, and show our gratitude for the teachings that the ancient ones willingly
share. They can speak to us through astrology, tarot cards, scrying mirrors, or a bowl
of consecrated water; they can whisper to us in our dreams, or speak to us through
symbols we encounter every day.
They can take the form of an animal, making their presence felt at times of need or
upheaval, reminding us of our connection to all beings. In whatever form they choose to
communicate to us, if we are open to the signals, this season of vision can grant us the
messages we most need to hear.
As an astrologer, I look to the sky. By meditating on planetary themes, I found it added
greater depth and focus to my spiritual practices. The planets come alive during ritual;
I listen for the archetypes to tell me a story, to find personal meaning in global
themes, applying the lessons of the ancients to my personal myth. I believe that every
planetary alignment is an opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, since they are
based on universal themes that anyone could relate to. The best part of it is that the
drama is going on continually, and all we have to do is tune in to their energies, and
focus on how we'd like to interact with them.
I'd like to share my observations on the astrological energies that will be present this
Samhain, (pronounced "Sow-in") followed by a ritual designed to focus, strengthen, and
direct the energies within you. Though written for the solitary practitioner, the ritual
can be modified to facilitate group workings.
Divination Ritual
In this ritual you may use the divination tool of your choice: Tarot, Runes, pendulum,
crystal ball, or a bowl of water can be used. Some are gifted at channeling stream of
consciousness while within the magic circle, and can utilize a tape recorder to record
and later replay the messages. Automatic writing can also be used, and can be very
effective. You can also meditate deeply and ask for the answers to come to you in
dreams. The forms of divination and their use are too extensive to go into here, so use
whatever form you intuitively connect to now.
Samhain Herbal Lore
Acorns: symbolic of the promise of life contained within
Apples: The fivefold star of rebirth, use the bark for incense
Benzoin: Clearing, Wisdom (Anoint altar candles with Benzoin oil.)
Cedar: Purification and Protection (add a few drops Cedarwood oil to incense)
Cypress: Immortality, Eternity (Anoint candles with oil to honor ancestors.)
Dittany of Crete: Manifestation of Spirits (Throw on bonfire)
Mugwort: Scrying, Divination, Astral Projection, Psychic Development
Mullein: Protection, Courage, Exorcism (mix with salt for banishing powder.)
Myrrh: Protection, Healing (grind resin to a powder; use myrrh oil on altar candles.)
Sage: Purification, used in Ritual Cup
Wormwood: Summoning Spirits
The herbs can be utilized in ritual by making incense, or anointing candles with
essential oil. They can be sewn into a charm bag and consecrated (dedicating it to a
single purpose), and worn when it's energies are needed.
I have found many uses for Mugwort, my personal favorite scrying herb. Mixing it with
Myrrh makes a wonderful incense to burn during your ritual ( 3 parts Myrrh, 1 part
Mugwort) and any time you want to open yourself psychically to receive insights through
divination. I usually add any or all of the above herbs into my incense as well, and
consecrate it during the ritual.
Make a strong infusion of mugwort (1 Tablespoon herb in one cup hot, not boiling water)
and steep until cool. Strain. This can be used to wash your divination and ritual tools,
to infuse them with receptivity. Rub fresh mugwort leaves on the blade of your ritual
sword or athame, and then let it soak up the light of the Moon. You can also make
mugwort tea (1 teaspoon herb in one cup water) and drink it with honey prior to your
ritual, to increase psychic abilities. Dried mugwort can be placed in your tarot pouch,
sprinkled around you when you are doing psychic work, sewn into a dream pillow to induce
prophetic dreams and astral projection, or worn around the neck in a medicine bag,
adding moonstone for receptivity, frankincense for purification and protection, and
hematite for grounding the energy into the earth plane.
Ritual Bath
Burn incense and light white candles for purification and balance. Use mugwort prior to
your ritual in a purification bath, also adding hyssop for
cleansing of the subtle bodies, and lavender to focus the mind.
Make a strong infusion and strain before adding to the bath, or wrap the herbs in
cheesecloth and let them sit under the tap as the bath fills. Add Epsom salt or sea salt
for extra purification. Use no soap; if you need to bathe, do it before your spiritual
bath.
Be very clear of your intent as you bathe, and imagine anything you're ready to release
washing down the drain. Air dry, allowing the energy of the herbs to penetrate your
skin.
The Altar
Decorate the altar with pumpkins, apples, oak leaves and acorns. Black, white and red
candles decorate the altar and the home, anointed with oils and charged with intent. Set
out a plate with cakes and drink for the ancestors, and take some time to acknowledge
them.
Cast the circle, call in the quarters, and call upon Hecate, Goddess of Crone wisdom,
the dark moon, the Underworld and magic. Thank her for the wisdom she shared with you
over the past year.
Planetary Meditations
I have chosen three aspects that are active now as a focus for our meditation. You will
need your favorite divination tool now (or your favorite method of "channeling" the
answers).
Meditation for the Moon/Venus conjunction in Sagittarius:
Are there areas in your life where you'd like to create a greater sense of freedom?
(Pull card.) Write down how you'd like to feel freer, and light a purple candle to
represent freedom and growth.
Meditation for the Moon/Mercury sextile in the focused signs of capricorn/Scorpio:
How can you communicate your ambitions and practical goals in a more focused way? Pull
a Tarot card or Rune as you focus on your question. Write down your ambitions, and light
a brown candle to represent practical, grounded energy to accomplish your goals.
Meditation for the Moon/Pluto conjunction in Sagittarius:
In what way are you willing to transform yourself to reach spiritual and educational
goals? Pull a Tarot card or Rune as you focus on your question. Write down your goals,
and light a white candle to represent truth, acceptance and balance.
Create affirmations that support your goals for the coming year, and write them down,
repeating each one out loud, three times with feeling. At this point, you can ask any
other questions you may have, and then give thanks to Hecate for her gifts of
wisdom.
Close the circle, and make sure to ground the energies by imagining roots growing down
your legs and going deep into the earth, and ask that the appropriate energies be
absorbed by the healing power of Mother Earth. Finish by sealing your aura, since the
spaced out energies will be strong tonight.
Place mugwort under your pillow, and ask The Goddess for prophetic dreams this night, to
guide you in wisdom throughout the coming year. Blessed Be
(c)1999 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
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The Moonspells Network: FREE info on Magical Astrology
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Astrology News by Sarolta (c) 2000
http://www.i.am/deepskies
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