The sacred fire of the Temple of Vesta/Hestia
was rekindled by the Vestal Virgins on this day, which in
ancient Roman days marked the beginning of the new year. In Roman homes, a small
cake was thrown on the fire for Vesta. It was good luck if it burnt with a
crackle.
Hestia, in all dwellings of men and immortals
Yours is the highest honor, the sweet wine offered
First and last at the feast, poured out to you duly.
Never without you can gods or mortals hold banquet.
Appropriate things to do today would be to honor Hestia by
giving a small oaten or corn cake to the fire. If you haven't begun work
with a group or community organization now's a very good time to decide where
you want to but your energy for the next year.
The festival of Mars lasted from 1 to 19 March. Two separate
teams of a dozen men would dress up in armor and helmet of ancient design and
would then jump, leap and bound through the streets, beating their shields
with their swords, shouting and chanting. The men were known as the salii,
the 'jumpers'. Apart from their noisy parade through the streets, they would
spend every evening feasting in a different house in the city.
The start of my
second
house
The second house is the house of values and personal resources (i.e. money)
It's the arena in which we define and create material security for ourselves
"The next forty days will swing around economic
matters and how you tend to them will have a high degree of influence on the way
all other efforts turn out. You will be at your best when you have laid a strong
foundation that allows you to afford exactly what you want to do with some extra
left over for the unexpected. Do not think this as merely a focus on the
material or the mundane, but rather the opportunity to underwrite your dreams
and visions so that you can afford proper attention to them as they develop. A
strong foundation is fundamental to future success, so now is the time to make
sure that your house is built on a rock, not on sand. Take the time to do it
thoroughly and you won't ever have to look back."
Lunar Eclipse
at
13°00 Virgo
3:17 pm PST
Saros Series
Sabian Symbol:
A powerful statesman overcomes a state of political hysteria
The first
lunar
eclipse of 2007 is a total
eclipse on March 3rd, at 13°00'
Virgo,
conjunct the fortunate Fixed Star Coxa (good for voyages,
gain by merchandise, redemption of captives; prophetic ability;
strength; wisdom). At the same time, the Sun at 13°00' of Pisces is
conjunct the Fixed Star Achernar, giving the wise access to
the ocean of unity. This is because the Sun and Moon are opposed at
a lunar eclipse.
A Lunar Eclipse brings emotional energy to a peak. What to do during this
intense time? Stay centered. Don’t press your luck. Don’t try to
“fix” anyone, if something isn’t crucial right now, let it go. Don’t
insist that everyone be on the same page as you; it just isn’t in
the stars!
Sudden realizations can bring deep
seated problems to the surface, and prompt the search for solutions. Virgo
likes to tear things apart, but these pieces could be upsetting. It's
especially important to face challenges with complete honesty, act
rationally and with full consciousness, and not slip into denial.
This eclipse creates some
element of mental and intellectual stress, most likely exploding out
of left field. The planet Uranus, which produces sudden or
unexpected upsets, is prominent, so people will be more inclined to
accept or even seek out the unusual or non-traditional. Mercury is
retrograde in Aquarius, so any involvement with groups or
associations, friends, or technical breakdowns, especially with
electronic communications, I.T. and the like will demand attention.
With the Sun acting in terms of Jupiter and the Moon in terms of
Venus, we can expect any problems to be mitigated by surrounding
circumstances, probably making the outcome more beneficial than it
appears at first. Issues will come to a head at the Solar Eclipse on
the 19th, just before the Equinox. The resolution is to trust the
process of life and realize that you will be taken care of.
Perhaps this eclipse offers a
time to look inside and focus on change from within... perhaps a
shift in attitude or a change of routine is in order. Healing is the
keyword, and the opportunity is there to take part in new ways of
being and embrace healthful habits.
The full moon will
appear in your solar eighth house of other people's money, ruling money you
owe others, and that others may owe you.
Alexander Graham Bell's Birthday is dedicated to Copper Dragon's every where. Copper dragon's live in the central switching office of
your local telephone company and can be invoked to aid any form of
communication.
St Winnold Day
First comes David
Then comes Chad,
Then comes Winnold roaring like mad.
If it’s not stormy and windy the first three days in March, it’s saving
itself for the three borrowing days at the month’s end. The winds of March were
considered to dry out the fields and make the soil right for seeding.
Jewish festival of Purim begins the
evening of March 4 the eve of the 14th day of Adar in
their Lunar calendar. It is a joyous time, celebrating Queen Esther's
victorious intercession in an ancient plot to kill Persian Jews. The theme
of Purim is a clever use of the law, aimed at the goal of the triumph of
good over evil.
Using as inspiration the annual three-day long ritual called the Anthesteria
held on this date in ancient Greece to honor the Goddess Hecate,
it seemed appropriate to create this ritual day. This should focus around
the preparation of one of Hecate's suppers. Standing at the crossroads, we must remember to give
food to Hecate, wine to Janus, flowers, songs, smoke and dreams to all the
guardians along the way.
Festival of the Earth Goddess
I am Gaia, goddess and mother of
earth
I am the mother of all Gods, prima creatrix
I was born of Chaos, the great void of barrenness
I gave birth unto Uranus, who became your skies
Graced you with Oureo, giving you endless mountains
And Pontus to give you your ever-plentiful seas
Author: Kimmy Jean
Gwyl o Merriddyn (Feast of Merlin)
The Merlin is honored at this festival as Lord of the
forest. With the coming of spring it's important to honor our friends in
the wild kingdom. If you can go to the woods and spend some time simply
sitting quietly and observing. Bring a picnic lunch with you and make sure
to bring lots to share with 4 footed friends. If the weather won't allow
you to go outside then at least make sure you leave seed for the birds and do a
journey to spend time with your animal companions.
Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He sits quietly under every tree ---
in the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground ---
signals the snowdrops it's time to grow
Jack, do you never sleep ---
does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times, motorways,
power lines, keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so ---
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.
The
Last Quarter Moon at 21°11 Sagittarius
8:54 am PST
The Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius is a good time to internalize new
wishes and thoughts about the upcoming season while focusing on healing
disruptive feelings and letting go of old concerns. What seeds of
self-realization have we planted? How has our social consciousness
developed? Have we clarified our ideals of a just society, and our role in
creating it? At Last Quarter we let go of all that seems extraneous in
terms of our answers to these questions.
Discovery of Uranus, 1781
The breath of Sekhmet is here described as being of fire, and the host winds
from the desert was called the 'Breath of Sekhmet'. In her rage and
blood-thirst she nearly wipes out all humans and Re has to ask his high
priest at Heliopolis to mix beer with the colour ochre from Elephantine.
Many thousands of containers of the red beer were placed out over the lands
and believing it to be blood, Sekhmet drank it until she got so drunk she
fell asleep and when she woke up, her rage was gone.
The Ides of March. Traditionally river sprites are
acknowledged today.
Liberalia
This Roman festival honored Ariadne (Libera) and
Dionysus (Liber). Romans
ate special honey cakes and put ivy on their statues.
Trefuilnid Treochair, the national day of Ireland. The feast for
the "triple bearer of the triple key" the trident bearing Celtic God
assimilated into St. Patrick, whose sacred plant is the Shamrock.
It's St. Patrick's Day. Let's
have a little fun with our "letting go" process by giving what we would release
into the care of the "little people"-the elfin Leprechauns-on the winds of Air.
This year St. Paddy's day comes during a waning moon.
Prepare a snack you can
scatter that would be appreciated by creatures of Earth, such as birdseed or
crumbs. Focus all the while you are preparing it with your intent, enchanting by
running your fingers through it while chanting a charm.
May all that is released from me
Transform to luck for creatures be
Elfin spirits come and see
And guide my hand, so mote it be!
Go out where you can scatter the snack wide and high into the air where it will
fall on open ground and do so with joy and fun. Dance! And, in a slight
variation of an old Irish blessing, "May soft gentle breezes brush o'er your
face, for each loving touch is Goddess' embrace."
Before you raise your mug of green
beer to toast your Irish ancestors on St. Patty’s, do make sure you and
yours have a safe ride home. With Jupiter square Neptune still clearing out,
and retrograde Mercury in Pisces squaring angry Mars—yikes… watch out for
drunken accidents and bar fights, and don’t take chances with your safety.
- 
Solar
Eclipse at
28°07
Pisces
1:32 pm PST
Sabian Symbol:
Light breaking into many colors as it passes through a prism
The monthly union of the Sun and Moon falls in the beginning of sensitive and
idealistic Pisces. We're ready for a new cycle of imagination, ideals, dreams
and inspiration. Creativity and compassion are strengthened now, as well.
This eclipse at 28°07' Pisces, the sign of the Fishes occurs a little before
the Equinox, conjunct the Fixed Star Azelfafage in the
constellation of the Swan. This adds a dreamy flavor to the day, with the
potential for personal awakening, as the planet Pluto is stimulated by a
stressful square aspect from both the Sun and the Moon. Artistic expression
will find its voice, and religious or spiritual gatherings will be
stimulating. Willpower and stamina will be called on as you'll need to get
to the bottom of things. Be thorough, if you want to succeed. Direct
confrontation, deliberate action and keen observation are your best
strategies. Do not reveal plans, or betray a confidence. Areas of life where
you have gained the most control may be challenged, or invaded by others. A
self-defeating attitude now can cause you to become your own worst enemy. A
debt of honor may fall due. Through exaggerated analysis of the situation
people can become overly-suspicious – looking for problems that are not
really there. These aspects to Pluto are about power and control, so avoid
being unduly harsh in words and thought. Deceptive types will work behind
the scenes in a secretive and cunning fashion.
During your meditations, open your mind to the experience if truly letting go
of pent up or negative feelings and replace them with a feeling of tranquility.
Create an image of a gently flowing stream allowing your thoughts to flow along
this stream into the seven Chakra colors and beyond to the white light of
infinity. Feel your energy merging with the source in oneness, accepting
ultimate power, surrendering your cares, sinking into the pure bliss of the
shakti energies. You are never truly separated from the oneness of the Source
although at times life can make you think that you are. Whenever that happens,
take three deep breaths, close your eyes and return to your calm scene of the
flowing stream and infinite light descending,
New Moon, True Moon,
Star in the stream
Pray tell me my fortune
Tonight in my dream
The richness of love,
the glitter of gold,
The warm glow of health,
The good cheer of companions
These are a boon to my soul
New Moon, True Moon,
Star in the stream
Pray tell me my fortune
Tonight in my dream
Questions for this
New Moon
- How am I staying cloaked, afraid to come out and
express my inner talent?
- How am I trying to do too much too soon?
- How am I not moving out on my path?
- How am I locked into the paths of others, rather
than pursuing my own dreams?
- How am I ignoring my own illuminations?
Sheelah's Day, an annual festival to honor the fertility Goddess known as
Sheela-na-gig was held on this date in ancient Ireland.
Sheila
Na Gig is still seen carved in the decorations of Irish churches. The Goddess is
pictured as a grotesque, often cadaverous, woman squatting and holding wide her private
parts. Many Irish still know her as the protector of the poor and hang old clothes on
hawthorn bushes all month beginning on this day to avert poverty. It is likely that the
Australian term "Sheila," used as a name for any woman, refers to this ancient
deity and her carvings.
This day is a great one for the more passionate side of
romance and as such is sacred to Persephone.
The start of the Celtic Tree month
Fearn
The Alder is associated with courage and it represents the evolving spirit.
The period of the Vernal Equinox is an extremely important period in the Celtic
year. as it represents free will and liberty in a moral context. It is still
considered a crime to cut down a sacred Alder tree and he who does is considered
the cause of any trouble in the village.
On
the second day of the second lunar month, the Chinese eat dragon-scale
cakes and dragon-whisker noodles. . Earlier this day was called Mid-spring)
Harmony.
Sun Enters Aries
0.43 am PST
When the Sun is in Aries, we feel inspired to spontaneity, like we can do
anything because we're absolutely indomitable. Since Aries is the first of the
Zodiac, and therefore a youthful sign, this influence is one of child-like
abandon and invincibility. Fire Sign Aries energy asserts itself actively,
through engaging vigorously in life, regardless of the risk attached. Also,
Aries is a Cardinal Sign, so you can expect to exuberantly start a million
projects. Completion? Now, that's a job for some other sign. The Ram plows
headfirst into obstacles and plans with a blind fury and passion, pursuing an
objective feverishly but losing interest once the thrill of the chase wears off.
During this time of Aries Sun, take advantage of all this get-up-and-go: Accept
challenges for the sheer pleasure of trying to meet them.
A good time for:
- Enjoying the thrill of competition
- Accepting a challenge
- Helping others realize their strengths
For those of us not born in the sign of Aries we can try
accessing our own Aries energy this month by trying something pioneering, or
adventurous or courageous or daringly bold. If we're not up for something like that
we could settle for just being more energetic and maybe just a little bit more impulsive
or spur of the moment
Equal
day and equal night.
Equal dark and equal light.
First the light and then the shade.
Out of these our lives are made.
The Spring or Vernal Equinox occurs on this date, and is
celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world.
Rituals for the Vernal Equinox should always begin as close to sun rise as
possible.
Equinox is an ideal time to clean your home and welcome the new season. More
than physical cleaning, it is a time to remove negative energies and problems
that have built up over the winter months. A common belief is that all
cleaning/scrubbing should be done in a clockwise motion to fill the home with
energy for growth.
Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full
moon after the vernal equinox. It is also probably no coincidence that early
Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising
Sun on the day of the vernal equinox.
Spring Introspection
Ask
yourself, "From what Natural Sources am I renewed this Spring?
From what Natural
Sources do I receive my Inspirations and my Energy this Spring?"
Make a list of your answers. Go to those Sources, be they people, books, prayer,
the ocean, plants, a tree, a pet, music, a food, a color, cleaning, sports,
dance, a jewel,...say thank you, sit quietly, and receive the gift.
Festival
of Bast at Bubastis. The legend says that when Sekhmet, the
lion goddess, was roaring with rage and about to destroy all of humankind, Thoth
tricked her into believing wine was blood and the wine was so intoxicating that
she lay down and began purring and was transformed into the gentle cat goddess,
Bast. Whereas Sekhmet was associated with the sun, Bast is linked with the moon.
Bast is usually pictured as a woman with a cat's head surrounded by kittens. She
rules over festivals, intoxication, motherhood, sensuality and all the arts.
The city of Bubastis, the capital city of Bast, was also the wine capital of
ancient Egypt and drunkenness was an important part of her festival. Herodotus
said that more wine was consumed in Bubastis at the Festival of Bast than at any
other time of the year. People also feasted on honeyed breads, raisin cakes,
pomegranates, figs, roasted fowl and meats.
The Norse festival of Summer Finding is observed annually on this date.
The festival celebrates the Finding of Summer (i.e. Spring) when the light of the sun and the Goddess
Sunnu
becoming more powerful than darkness.
Nature constantly renews itself and the message of Summer
Finding is one of rebirth. The new Spring has come. It is a time when new life
has burst forth from the death of Winter. Humanity as part of nature can see
divinity in this law of death and rebirth. It is a time of purification (many
ancient customs are based on this). The eggs (of Easter), the "Easter
Bunny" (Ostara's sacred hare) are symbols of new life and fertility. The Sun wheels
of "hot cross buns" are symbols of the burning out of
Winter. A rebirth of Summer - a time of joy and purification.
The biggest social event in ancient Greece, the
Lesser Panathenaea, was
held annually this day to celebrate the birth of the Goddess Athena
The five-day Spring competition featured events in athletics, music, poetry, and
satire. Crowns of olive branches and flasks of olive oil were given to the winners of each
event.
Celtic Festival of Flowers. This day is dedicated to
Blath the
rainbow dragon of Flowers
And the Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the spirit of love felt everywhere
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
The snowdrop and the violet
Arose from the ground with warm rain wet
And their breath was mixed with sweet odor sent
From the turf, like the voice and the instrument.
Percy Shelly
This ritual should be done at dawn; 6:01 PST (Seattle) or 5:39 EST (Boston). This ritual should
be done outside or in clear view of the rising sun.
Purchase fresh flowers for your home and flowering plants or seeds for your
garden. Drape your altar with pastel shades of spring (I have a special
floral cloth I use). Place a pretty bowl of fresh water on your altar and
float a spring flower in it. Gardenias are perfect for this and may even
be in bloom. If you can't find the right
flower then float a candle flower in the water. Either burn a flowery incense, such as
jasmine, rose or honeysuckle or else put the essential oil in your aromatherapy
pot. Light your altar candles (either pastel or a very
light green) and invite Blath to join you. Look at the floating flower
and think about the wonderful powers of nature that bring the flowers back year
after year. Inhale the rich odor of the incense
Close your ritual by thanking Blath for her presence and opening the
circle. Now go out and begin planting the flowers using some of the water
from your flower bowl to energize them.
The
start of the cherry blossom festival in Washington DC. There are over
3,000 cherry trees in the capital which should be in bloom between now and April
11th. Every country has it's ways of measuring spring. In the US one
of the ways is the annual flowering of the cherry trees planted around the
Jefferson Memorial
Kwan Yin's first birthday
By
tradition Kwan Yin has three metaphysical birthdays that track her evolution
into a bodhisattva
Mercury
Shadow End
The birthday of the Goddess Kwan Yin
is celebrated annually in Taiwan on this date.
Smell
the Breeze Day: This is a holiday for your Feline companion.
According to what I've been told it dates back to the teachings of Bast in Egypt.
The best way to celebrate this day is for you and your cat to go for a walk or
spend some time outside together. If you have some flowering plants for
your cat to explore even better.
Wind from the west, fish and bread;
Wind from the north, cold and flaying;
Wind from the east, snow on the hills;
Wind from the south, fruit on the trees.
The
end of the World
