December 2007

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
						1Bo Donn
2 Day of Pallas Athena	3 Sun Enters My  11th house Mercury direct	4 Hanukkah	5 Eve of St. Nicholas	6 Bast goes forth from Bubastis	7Persephone's Descent Festival of the Sun	8
9 New Moon	10Gwyl o Golau	11 Yule Cleansing	12	13Little Yule (St. Lucia's Day)	14 Halcyon Days Festival	15
16    Festival of Sophia Wind of Kuang-mo	17 Bo Ruad   Saturnalia	18	19 Opalia Festival	20 The Mother Night	21 Winter Solstice Sun enters Capricorn	22 Celtic tree month of beth
23 Full Moon	24 Start of my 12th House -	25 Christmas	26 First Day of Yuletide	27Birth of Freyja	28	29Day of Nymphs
30 Bo Donn	31 New Year's Eve

	Tenth House Journal
	Eleventh House Journal
	Twelfth House Journal

December 1 New Moon at 9°31 Sagittarius 7:01 am PST Sabian Symbol: A theatrical representation of the golden-haired goddess of opportunity This mornng brings us to the New Moon of Sagittarius. New Moon in Sagittarius brings out the need to start new exercising programs, look into new philosophies of life, and apply a bolder sense of exploration. This evening may be a good time to begin planning a trip. New Moon in Sagittarius brings to the subconscious new insights and new realizations. This is the time to open up to new opportunities in an inspired and upbeat manner.   December 2 Festival of Plynteria 'washing,' when Athena ended the old year. Her statue was stripped of its peplos and jewels, then taken to the sea to be washed. This was done by the two girls who had joined the temple at Arrephoria. The statue itself was made of olive wood and portrayed Athena naked, seated, and crowned... reminiscent of Cybele. The procession to the sea was proceeded by the wrapped statue and a woman carrying an offering basket of fig pastries or a fig cake called a Hegeteria. The fig represented not only fertility, but purification and removal of negative energies. Two groups of priestesses played a major role in the festival: the Plynterides who washed the temple, and the Loutrides 'washers with water' who washed Athena's statue. December 3 The House of Friends . It describes friendships and acquaintances, as well as hopes and wishes. It rules groups, organizations, associations, humanitarianism and philanthropic attitudes, and one's originality. It represents the ankles The eleventh house is influenced by Sagittarius suggesting a wide circle of friends and associates with whom you enjoy free-wheeling exchanges of ideas. You enjoy such casual relationships, and rarely impose demands on any of your friends. Yours is a live and let live philosophy that makes it easy for people to be around you and enjoy your company. Through your natural popularity you do tend to obtain the necessary help and support to attain your goals. Good luck and good fortune seem associated with this position. Mercury Direct at 25 SCO at 6:24 pm December 4 The Goddess Minerva was honored with an annual festival on this date in ancient Rome. Minerva (the Roman counterpart of the Greek Athena) is a Goddess of battle and also a patroness of the arts and wisdom. St. Barbara's veneration was suppressed by the Roman Catholic church, along with St. George and St. Christopher, in 1969. She is patroness of Santa Barbara in California, protects against lightning strikes, and has been identified with Pallas Athena. Mars opposite Jupiter. 7:48 pm Can we ever understand the nature of our desires? Is it even remotely possible to figure out the price we will have to pay for getting what we want (before we get it)? December 5 In former times, on the Eve of St. Nicholas, children put out carrots, hay, and straw, supposedly for his horse, to be exchanged for presents at night.  December 6 St. Nicholas  Day.  Pagan attributes were assigned to St. Nicholas by Northern Europeans from Woden (Odin), chief of the wild hunt, who rides through the sky with reindeer and forty-two supernatural huntsmen. Saint Nicholas has been merged with Father Christmas since the Reformation, bearing elements of Thor, traditionally depicted riding a goat and carrying a wassail bowl. . December 7 Peresphone's Descent to the Underworld.  Each year the Goddess Demeter wanders the earth in search of her stolen daughter Persephone. The Goddess' sorrow brings Winter to the world and all trees and flowers cease to bloom; Spring returns however, when Persephone is allowed to temporarily leave the darkness of the Underworld and Demeter once again rejoices. December 8 Waxing Moon at 16°24 Pisces 1:36 am PDT The Moon is in the First Quarter when it separates from the Sun (after a New Moon) at an angle of 90 degrees (square). This square (which looks like a half moon in the sky) is the first aspect since the New Moon that asks us to look at our newly devised plans from a distance that gives us a first glimpse of objectivity. This can create a sensitive issue or it can give you the resolve necessary to make improvements and keep going. The square between the Moon in Pisces and the Sun in Sagittarius is the time to make room for expanding, varied interests and magical bursts of insight. Naive chasing of windmills could put you at philosophical odds with your environment. Being overly optimistic and idealistic may be naive, but being too nervous about the future can be missing some good times and a positive outlook can go a long way towards changing a situation. Thought for this moon:  "It's all right letting yourself go, as long as you can get yourself back."   December 9   December 10 Gwyl o Golau (Festival of Lights) The Yule incense is prepared and lit.  Also in the Green Rose tradition this is the day to make he hearth Incense for the following year and to honor Fanir the flame dragon and to ask his blessing and protection for your hearth. This is a particularly good thing to do before the stockings get hung up Mars stationery direct.  On the road again; or will be soon. December 11 Yule Cleansing:  The Danish fetch water for brewing the Yule-Ale. In Norway, today is when the ritual cleaning of all garments is done. December 13 In Sweden, the Sun Goddess Lucina is still honored with a traditional festival of light on St. Lucia's Day (also known as Little Yule) each year on this date. At daybreak, the first-born daughter of the house wears a candle crown in obvious reference to the Pagan symbols of fire and life giving light, and serves her family cakes. There are processions and treats. Young girls often wear white dresses and many of the men dress as elves, who are known as Lucina's helpers. December 14 Alcyone was daughter to quick-moving, changeable Aeolus, king of the winds. She married Ceyx, son of the Morning Star. And they lived happily, but not ever after, for Alcyone compared their earthly wedded bliss to that in heaven and, in the wild abandon of pillow talk, dared called herself Hera and her husband Zeus. Predictably, the Olympian couple felt themselves denigrated by the comparison, and they sought to put the upstarts in their place. That winter, leaving Alcyone at home, Ceyx sailed off to consult an oracle. Seizing their chance when it came along, the king and queen of the gods arranged for a storm at sea. A monstrous wave broke over Ceyx's ship and washed him overboard. When Alcyone received the news of his drowning, her grief rose so huge and unappeasable that she attempted to join him by throwing her own body into the sea. But a god of the unassuming sort that does anonymous good works showed his pity by turning Wind's daughter and the son of the Morning Star into kingfishers. And from that time to this, the female kingfisher, chattering her sorrow, carries her dead mate's body out to sea. The wintry waves grow calm to receive him. When the waters close over his feathers, she builds a nest, launches it, and lays her eggs as soon as land is out of sight. A later myth came from Aristotle.  Most birds, according to him, breed in spring or summer, but not the halcyon. It chooses instead the harshest time of year, the winter solstice. But the Greek Dove-goddess Alcyone, leader of the Pleaides or Seven Sisters chose to give aid: she put to sleep the prevailing northerlies and sent in a gentle breezes from the south for fourteen days--the seven needed for the bird to build her nest, the other seven for the laying and hatching of her five eggs. A gift of calm amid hibernal storms, the rolling and breaking seas made still, made safe for sailors and traveling merchants--this is a holy interlude, the halcyon days. An even later legend (which has nothing to do with the Halcyon days but is interesting none the less) claims the kingfisher was the second bird Noah sent to scout for land, but she flew too high and scorched her breast, thus accounting for her blue back and rust-colored breast feathers. Noah, exhibiting his wrath in the grand tradition of his Old Testament god, punishes her by making her catch her food from the water. Note that in this particular legend the bird is specifically female: kingfisher males do not have rust-colored breast feathers.   December 15 Full Moon at  23°48 Gemini 8:15 am PST Sabian Symbol: Carefree children skating on ice The opposition of the Moon in here-and-now Gemini with the Sun in Sagittarius, a sign of ultimate truths, reflect wide open channels of mental energy. Dealing with information overload and the need to balance little facts with big meaning are typical challenges. This Full Moon pulls us towards quantity learning experiences--the more the merrier, while Sagittarius is pulling us towards in-depth quality pursuits and long-range adventures. The light witty energy of Gemini can work with the philosophically meaningful energy of Sagittarius to keep both polarities active and expanding; without the action of Gemini, the Sagittarian philosophy never becomes more than ideas; and without the philosophy of Sagittarius, Gemini is superficial and inconsistent.   December 16 The Wind of Devoidness of Extensive Power. Direction: N Trigram: k'an Instrument: drum Season: Winter, Year ends Element: Water Activity: Close gates and bridges, execute punishments In ancient Rome on this day, the festival of the Goddess of wisdom, Sapientia was held annually on the eve of Saturnalia, a day when wisdom may not be the ruling quality. She was also known as Sophia In Greece, and Sapientia-Sophia in medieval times. This day is also sacred to the wisdom-Goddesses: Athena, December 17 - Saturnalia Saturnalia The very ancient God Saturn was honored on this, the Roman Saturnalia. He was pictured with a half-bare chest and a sickle or ears of corn in his hand. His consort was the Goddess Ops, Goddess of fertility. This was a week of feasting, merriment, charades, gift-giving, and the lighting of torches and candles. The festival ran for seven consecutive days, and can best be described as festival of extravagant decadence. Slaves were allowed to meet their masters on equal terms. On this day of goodwill to all, the common greeting was "Bona Saturnalia!" This festival is the origin of most all carnivals and revels we still observe today. The modern celebration of Christmas is somewhat a continuation of this midwinter festivity. December 18   On this second day of the Saturnalia, ancient Romans celebrated the Eponalia; a feast dedicated to Epona, the Celtic Mother-Goddess and a patroness of horses. December 19 The ancient Romans celebrated the Opalia , a feast dedicated to Ops (Abundance), the harvest Goddess of fertility and success, and consort of Saturn, on this, the third day of the Saturnalia. The exchange of gifts was universally practiced. Strenae, which were boughs to which were attached cakes or sweetmeats, were exchanged by visitors and guests. Other common gifts included wax candles (cerei) and sigillaria, which were doll-like clay figures, a particular favorite of children.   December 20 - The Mother Night, Yule Eve On this night (approximately), a Germanic/Scandinavian Midwinter festival known as The Mother Night (or Modresnach) was observed. It was believed that dreams on this night foretold events in the upcoming year. Many of its traditions live on in modern Christmas celebrations. The decorated evergreen tree was a symbol of the Tree of Life, or World Tree. The star atop the tree represented the pole star of the Star Goddess. The dinners and gifts were in honor of the food and prosperity given by the Mother Goddesses to their human children. The elves connected with our current Santa Claus are remnants of the supernatural Nature folk of the Old Religion. The reindeer are symbols of old shamanic abilities used by the people. The mistletoe is said to have first been picked and used to collect kisses by the Goddess Frigg, before it became a weapon to kill her son. December 21 - Yule Yule is celebrated by Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans everywhere on the first day of Winter (which normally occurs on or around this date), which is the Winter Solstice. It is also known as Winter Rite, Midwinter, and Alban Arthan. Yule is derived from the Anglo-Saxon Yula, which means Wheel of the Year. It is the longest night of the year; a time when the Sun turns from its fall into darkness back into gaining light. World over it is a time when Virgin mothers give birth to sacred sons and daughters: Rhiannon to Pryderi; Isis to Horus; Demeter to Persephone. It is the festival of the Sun's rebirth, and a time to honor the Horned God. The aspect of the God many Witches and Pagans invoke at this Sabbat is Frey, the Scandinavian fertility God and a deity associated with peace and prosperity. Love, family togetherness, and accomplishments from the past year are also celebrated. On this Sabbat, Witches bid farewell to the Great Mother and welcome the reborn Horned God, who rules the dark half of the year. An old tradition many Witches and Pagans still observe in this season is bringing in the Yule Log, wishing on it, and lighting it from the remains of last year's log. Once, the Yule log had been the center of the celebration. It was lighted on the eve of the solstice (it should light on the first try) and must be kept burning for twelve hours, for good luck. Riddles are posed and answered, magic and rituals are practiced. In olden days, wild boars were sacrificed and consumed along with large quantities of liquor. Corn dollies were carried from house to house while caroling. Fertility rites were practiced (girls standing under a sprig of mistletoe were subject to a bit more than a kiss in these times), and divinations were cast for the coming Spring. Many of these Pagan customs, in watered-down form, have entered the mainstream of Christian Christmas celebration, though most celebrants do not realize their origins.   Sun into Capricorn 4:42 am PST When the Sun is in Capricorn, we prepare for the worst, expecting the best. The Capricorn's symbol, that strong-willed Sea Goat, climbs up from the sea and scales the steepest peaks to reach the high goals they set for themselves. Their cautious, confident steps usually get them to the summit. Capricorn's Earth Sign energy is a time of self-control, persistence, patience. Ruled by Saturn, Planet of Karma, Capricorn's Sun transit can be frustrating. On the bright side, this influence allows us an ambition and clarity of purpose coupled with a respect for others. While it can be an egotistical energy, it's not devious at all. Common sense governs decisions made under this influence. Rather than being spontaneous, Capricorn takes itself and its life seriously, believing that it makes more sense to do things well the first time. Though gifted with a good sense of history and perspective, once it starts climbing, Capricorn doesn't look back. A good time for: Making thorny decisions Playing strategic games, like chess Paying attention to your social status December 22 Beth / Birch Birch is one of the first trees to grow on bare soil and thus it births the entire forest. Children's cradles were made of Birch. The tree bark is white, the inner bark provides a pain reliever and the leaves are used to treat arthritis. Criminals were at one time birched to drive out evil influences on them, to renew them for the new year. Axe handles were also made from Birch.  Birch indicates new beginnings. Physical: You must rid yourself of negativity, unhelpful influences and bad thoughts for a new, fresh start. Mental: Concentrate on your desire, the image of the result wanted must be held firmly in mind. Spiritual: For a new beginning focus on the white of the birch, it stands out clearly from distractions and obstructions. To make the most of this time, remove any blocks and resistance that are holding you back. Cleanse dark corners of your soul and psyche. The coming month is ruled by the goddess of the birch tree, who guides humans through rebirth. Take advantage of this energy of healing and development. Now is the time of beginnings.  December 23 Last Quarter Moon at 2°05 Libra. 11:36 am PST Libra Moon reminds us of the need to balance out those obvious imbalances in our relationships. This serves as a good time to just get on with and deal with emotional matters that are brought to our attention. Libra's adage is that 'Love is the Answer'. Simple cards, kind words, poems, thank you, miss you, or love you; flowers  are some of the ways we can pay back those who have helped us. There is a balanced point in every matter. This is the time to let the emotional pressure be released and to handle matters with friends (and loved ones) carefully and wisely. If some aspect of your connection to a friend disrupts your sense of peace, reach within for the answers and declare them so.  Take care not to indulge in negative and disruptive hype. Pace yourself, the clock has always been ticking and there is no hurry to be anywhere, the real action is happening with personal truth. Keep balanced and aware, rest well, and take good care! fortnight of Jera December 24 - Christmas Eve Finnish folklore reveals that the ghosts of departed loved ones return home each year on this night. It is a Christmas Eve tradition in Finland and many other parts of Europe for families to light white candles on the graves of their ancestors. The start of my 12th house -The House of the Unconscious . It describes the hidden or unknown, the subconscious mind, the intangible, sleep, dreams, sympathy, karma and spiritual debt. It rules solitude, confinement, fears, sorrow, secrets, hidden enemies, non-reality, drugs, institutions, public welfare and charity. It represents the feet Capricorn influences the twelfth house showing that the subconscious may be home for restrictions and conservative attitudes that aren't nearly so apparent in your conscious personality. You have subconscious feelings of limitation and inadequacy deeply ingrained in the psyche. This is because the restrictive Saturn rules this sector of your chart. Depending on the aspects of the ruling Saturn, this placement can serve to provide what is a very deep-seated sense of responsibility, or it may produce a realistic elusion that you are constantly swimming upstream. December 25 - Christmas Day Whether Christian or not, people everywhere celebrate on Christmas, whether celebrating the birth of Christ or not. And quite appropriately, for if truth be known, the holiday of Christmas has always been more Pagan than Christian, with it's associations of Nordic divination, Celtic fertility rites, and Roman Mithraism. Martin Luther and John Calvin abhorred it for this very reason. The Puritans refused to acknowledge it, and even made it illegal in the Massachusetts bay colony of Boston. The holiday season was already too closely associated with the birth of older Pagan Gods and heroes like Oedipus, Theseus, Hercules, Perseus, Jason, Dionysus, Apollo, Mithra, Horus and even Arthur. The story of many of these Gods and heroes possessed a narrative of birth, death, and resurrection that was uncomfortably close to that of Jesus. And most of them pre-dated the Christian Savior. How did Christmas 'land' on this date? Tradition said that Mary bore the child Jesus on the twenty-fifth day, but no one could confirm the month. Finally, in 320 C.E., the Roman Catholic Church decided to make it December, in an effort to co-opt the Mithraic celebration of the Romans and the Yule celebrations of the Celts and Saxons. Before being Christianized as the Mass of Christ (Christmas), a festival honoring the God of the Sun known as the Birthday of the Invincible Sun (Dies Natalis Invicti Solis) was celebrated on this day in ancient Rome. It was made a public holiday in C.E. 272, and consisted of lighting sacred bonfires. Hanukkah The menorah had eight branches, one for each day of the holiday, and a ninth branch for the shamash or “servant” light. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot (blessings) are recited: l'hadlik neir (a general prayer over candles), she-asah nisim (a prayer thanking God for performing miracles for our ancestors at this time), and she-hekhianu (a general prayer thanking God for allowing us to reach this time of year). The first candle is then lit using the shammus candle, and the shammus candle is placed in its holder. The candles are allowed to burn out on their own after a minimum of 1/2 hour. Each night, another candle is added from right to left. Candles are lit from left to right (because you pay honor to the newer thing first). Because ofthe law prohibiting the lighting of a fire on Shabbat, Chanukah candles are lit before the Shabbat candles on Friday night, and they are lit after Havdalah on Saturday night   December 26 On this day, the first day of Yuletide begins, continuing until the Twelfth-Day. In Olden days, the custom of Wren hunting was once widely observed on this day, although prohibited the rest of the year. The bird was imprisoned in a lantern or wren house, then solemnly paraded around the village, hung on a holly branch and borne to it's funeral by the droluns or wren boys. December 27 The birth of Freyja is still celebrated annually on this day.  The Norse-Vana-Goddess-Freyja was very important to the welfare and existence of the Gods. Freyja had many names: Sur, Lady, Great Goddess, and Mardoll (She Who Shines Over the Sea). Myths hint at her marriage to a mysterious God named Od who disappeared. Freyja is linked closely to the powerful Odhin (or Woden, Odin), but is not the wife of any God. Her magical cats, Bygul (Bee-gold, honey) and Trjgul (Tree-gold, amber), pull her chariot, but she also has a battle boar (Hildisvini) which she rode. Freyja is mistress of all cats, leader of the Valkyries, a shape-shifter, and the Sage or "sayer" who inspires all sacred poetry. Thirteen is her number and Friday her day. She has power over love, beauty, animals, sex, cats, childbirth, fire, horses, enchantments, Witchcraft, gold, wealth, trance, jewelry, wisdom, foresight, magic, luck, long life, fertility, the Moon, the sea, death, music, poetry and protection. Mars square Saturn.  If it’s worth having it’s worth some risk.  You can drive with your brakes on or you can just be careful. December 29 A Pagan festival called the Day of Nymphs was celebrated on this day in ancient Greece in honor of Andromeda, Ariadne, and Artemis. December 30 The new moon in Capricorn at 9°32 7:12 pm PST Sabian Symbol:   An albatross feeding from the hand of a sailor The changing Capricorn new moon is about perfecting physical structures, so now is a great time to kick off changes to produce some very practical benefits. The downside of Capricorn is its conservative streak, the tendency to stick with the "tried and true", even when it's neither. If you want to end up with something different, you have to start with new ideas. There are strong mental overtones to the new moon chart, indicating a need for examining ideas and beliefs, making some radical shifts in your point of view where necessary. In particular, it's important to examine the effects your decisions have on others instead of looking out for number one exclusively. It may require some hard work and you'll need to use your resources wisely, but it is possible to achieve some vital goals in coming weeks. Just be sure your goals are worthwhile -- that's where the change in point of view comes in. As the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for -- you might get it. Aim for your best.. December 31 - New Year's Eve "Ringing In the New Year" is a popular saying in the modern western world, as nearly everyone awaits through the night for the stroke of midnight which for many, ushers in the New Year. The modern custom of ringing bells, blowing horns, and rattling noise makers is actually derived from old Pagan customs. The Scottish still call December 31 Hogmanay; it is the Scottish New Year. Traditional foods served at this time are bannocks, oarsmen, shortbread, black buns, and ankersocks (a type of ginger bread). It was traditional for men to dress in animal skins ,wear horns or antlers, and smoke sticks called Hogmanays to ward off evil spirits. At the moment of the new year, people opened all doors and windows to let out the old and let in the new. Pots and pans were rattled to drive off the last vestiges of the old year and welcome the new. A popular rhyme of the day was: