Beltane & The Fairy Folk

For the Northern Hemisphere, the Wheel of the year turns now to Beltane - the first celebration of Summer.  (April 30 - May 1)  In the Southern Hemisphere they will be celebrating Samhain and their Beltane celebration occurs on October 31 - November 1. 

Beltane, or May Day is a joyous celebration of life, fertility and growth.  The crops planted in spring are beginning to bud, flowers are blooming, livestock is mating - it's all about the creation of life in it's many forms.  It's no wonder that this special celebration has close ties to the Fairy kingdom and Elementals - as the workings of the guardians of earth, animals, and plant life are so abundantly clear to us at this time.

Beltane is the celebration of the Union of the broadest aspects of nature - the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine.  Mythology and Archetypical Fairytales tell of the Union between The Maiden Goddess and The Horned One - as the Goddess (Earth) is impregnated by the fertile seed of the God.  Thus, the overwhelming theme of this celebration is Sex, Romance, Fertility, and Union.

‘With fires lit across the land, a couple leaps whilst hand in hand, to mark their union and this rite, for they know tonight’s the night! As they run into the darkened wood, and find a grassy glade they should, remember well of who’s around, for bands of faeries all surround, the couple as they consummate, the faeries cheer and seal the fate, of plants and flowers, shrubs and trees, whilst the God’s upon his knees, impregnating the mother to be, from sowing deep his natural seed. And so in time the Goddess will birth, the magic that’s nature, on this Earth.’

 

Quote from Way of The Faerie Shaman by Flavia Kate Peters

 

 

Embracing the powerful flow of the Creative nature of the universe is possible at this time, and in allowing ourselves to truly connect with the Turning of the Wheel we must simply look around at all the new growth happening in nature around us; and then recognize that our own spirit is reflecting that fertile creative landscape.  Ask yourself - what Union within my life am I celebrating?  What growth is happening within me - and what can I do to further help that growth?

 

Connecting with the Faerie Realm can help us re-connect with this part of the Natural Cycle.  It's easy in today's society to feel disconnected from Nature.  Get outside, tend to your garden, yard, or potted plants, and express joy and fascination with the miracle of life happening all around you.  It is said that at Beltane, the veil between the worlds is thin, allowing us to more clearly see and hear the Faery Folk.  Spells and Magick or rituals involving honoring the Fae, calling them, seeing them, and working in harmony with nature - all are perfect for Beltane!  Make sure as part of your ritual, or before your ritual, you spend time in nature tending the plants or picking up litter; or even joyfully singing and dancing!

 

 

Beltane Eve Fairy Spell

Perform this ritual at Dusk on Beltane Eve (April 30)

 

"Gather together violets, clover, and St. John's Wort.*  Violets are a fairy favorite, clover is for prosperity and luck, and the St. John's Wort will protect you from falling under a fairy enchantment (or being Fairy-led).  Gather these plants together and tie them with a green ribbon.  Take the bouquet to the garden or a place in nature.  Blow the Fairies and kiss, and leave the plants as a gift.  Sit for awhile in the garden or place in nature, and meditate.  Breathe in the air.  Notice the scents.  The different plants around you.  The temperature, the breeze.  When you feel you are fully connected with the nature around you, say:

 

"Fairies from far and wide,

I offer you a gift.

tied up in green for luck,

and sealed with a kiss.

 

I can sense you,

if I'm pure of heart.

Bless me with luck and Fairy-Sight

to boost my Healing Art."

 

Blow them another kiss, relax and wait to see if they reveal themselves to you.  Don't fret if you don't see them this night - try again in the morning and evening of Beltane.  Listen to any messages the fairies may have for you - sometimes they have a special mission or task for you to complete before they will reward you with a visit!"

 

(Adapted from an article by Ellen Dugan)

*If you can't find or access the specific plants mentioned here  - substitute something different!  Trust your intuition to guide you to certain plants that you think the Fairies would like - and add any protective plant you can find for good measure!

 

Celtic Legend of Beltane and the Fey

"This was the Celtic beginning of summer, and also marked an important transition for the people of Faerie, for this was the time when the Milesian Celts landed on the shores of south-west Ireland.  With this, the last of the magical peoples (the Tuatha de Danaan) receded from the world of humans into the Hollow Hills and became the people of the Sidhe.  However, they and the other Fairy folk have not gone very far."  (from The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey)  Legend holds that the veil between the land of the Sidhe and the Human world is thin twice a year - at Beltane and again at Samhain - and these are times when it is easy to see and communicate with the realm of Spirit and Elementals." (from The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey)

 

Welsh Legend of Beltane and Rhiannon the Fairy Queen

"Welsh legend tells how the hero Pwll saw the Lady Rhiannon riding past him at Beltane and, after pursuing her, he eventually won her.  Rhiannon is one aspect of the Fairy Queen, riding on her white horse between the worlds.  As you sit quietly outside on a bank in the late spring dusk, listen for the sound of her horse's hooves and open your eyes to the shimmer of her sea-blue cloack.  When Rhiannon touches your hear, she will fill it with love and inspiration." (from The Fairy Bible by Teresa Moorey)

 

 

I'm a Certified Angel Card Reader!

I am very excited to announce that I am now a Certified Angel Card Reader!

I have added a new page to the blog called "READINGS" where you can learn about the type of readings I do, how to order them from me, and all about my qualifications and courses!

I am also adding different readings to my ETSY SHOP, so you can view readings there.

To celebrate with those of you who follow my blog, I am offering 15% OFF OF ANY READING ordered from my Etsy Shop - use the code HESTIABLOG15 when you order! (Expires May 31)

Make sure you follow my facebook page for updates, blog links, and other fun stuff!

Sunday Magick

Sundays are ruled by The Sun and are associated with Solar energy. On a Sunday you can empower your life and magick by accessing this masculine, fatherly, solar energy in your rituals or meditations.

Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange, Red Deities: Apollo, Ra, Horus, Sol, Atum, Helios, Amaterasu

Archangel Michael


For Meditations or Rituals on a Sun-Day focus on: Fathers, Masculine Energy, Authority Figures, Leaders/Leadership, Power, Prosperity, luck, vitality, energy, money/wealth, growth, protection, courage, strength, self preservation, the self/Ego, fire magick, candle magick, solar magick, life force, willpower.

SUNDAY HOUSEHOLD MAGICK The Sun is the Ego - or the self that we show outwardly to the world. In terms of the home - this is our front yard, the porch, windows, doorways, and entryway. Sundays are a good day to clean up and bless these areas of the home - like cleaning ourselves up before a date or interview; these outer parts of our home are the "first impression" of the home for visitors, friends, family and even yourself!

The windows are where the sunlight enters the home, so cleaning and blessing these can help us welcome Solar energy into our homes. Clean the windows and windowsills while focusing on the intention of your desire flowing into the home (luck, prosperity, protection, etc - choose your intention from the list above!)

Yard Work or a barbeque (if weather permits) are good ways to honor Fire energy while also blessing the home, yard, and self.

Sun-days are also a good day to honor the ancestors - especially male ancestors or strong leaders, soldiers, and fathers on the family tree. Honor the living male family members too - clean up or bless a part of the home they use the most, or cook them a special meal or help them with a project.

Sun Magick can be done in so many ways around the home. Use the above suggestions to create your own Sun-Day rituals and home blessings.

Invisible Illness Awareness Week - 30 Things Meme

 

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know – 30 Things Meme

1. The illnesses I live with are: Chronic Migraines, Sciatica, Chronic Neck Pain (possibly undiagnosed Degenerative Disc Disease), Clinical Depression (Depressive Disorder), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Insomnia
2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: Depression and Migraines were diagnosed at age 18 (1998), though the migraines at that time were Episodic, not Chronic.  Migraines became chronic when I was 32 (2012). Chronic Migraines are defined as 15 or more days of migraine a month.
3. But I had symptoms since: Depression/anxiety since early teen years. Sciatica and neck pain developed gradually over the years starting around 2003
4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: Listening to my body and allowing myself more rest and self care.  As a mother this is sometimes hard.
5. Most people assume: I have had people assume that I am lazy.  Calling out of work with a migraine I have had bosses and co-workers assume that I am lying.  I have had bosses assume I just had a hangover and tell me "you shouldn't drink so much" even though I hardly ever drink alcohol.  I have had friends and co-workers assume that I was using drugs because of being pale, thin, and having a "glassy look" to my eyes.  (even though I don't even take prescription narcotics or use other drugs)  I have had people assume that I am just seeking attention.
6. The hardest part about mornings are:  Getting out of bed!  Sometimes this is because of pain - I just want to stay in bed!  Other times this is because I didn't get much sleep, or didn't really get restful sleep - and I am just so very tired!
7. My favorite medical TV show is: House MD - I love the sarcasm and wit - and also love the medical mysteries of trying to figure out what an illness is without definite obvious symptoms
8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: My smart phone!  When I have days that I need to stay home and stay in bed, it helps me feel connected to the world and my friends rather than isolated and alone.
9. The hardest part about nights are: Getting comfortable, falling asleep, staying asleep.  Pain in my neck and hip mean that I must change position often.
10. Each day I take 7 (average) pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) Nortiptyline 20 mg daily - this controls my migraines and reduces the number of occurrences.  Without it I get migraines almost daily.  Ibuprofen to help with pain.  Some Vitamins.
11. Regarding alternative treatments I: am still seeking the right fit for me.  I am open to hearing about and trying new things - but it bothers me when people offer unsolicited advice or say "you should try this" - or when people assume I haven't tried a certain thing yet.
12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: I think I would choose something more visible - simply because I wouldn't have to worry about people assuming I was making things up.
13. Regarding working and career: I worked as a waitress for many years.  I am not currently working. It became much harder to work when my migraines became chronic and I would need a job with employers who were very understanding of my need to take frequent time off and avoid certain things.
14. People would be surprised to know: I am afraid every day.  Afraid of when that eventual "big one" (migraine) will hit again.  Afraid of how bad the pain will be today. Afraid of not being a good enough mom for my kids, and not being a good enough wife to my husband.
15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: There is no cure for chronic migraines.  They can be controlled, and symptoms can be treated, but this neurological condition is permanent.
16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Make new friends who understand and accept me.
17. The commercials about my illness: Drive me crazy!!  The "Excedrin Migraine" commercials really piss me off!  Very few people with migraines actually get relief from that medicine.  It is very good for a headache.  But does not really work for a true migraine - which is NOT a headache. And people who take any Over The Counter Medicine for Chronic Migraines are at risk for getting MOH - Medication Overuse Headache - which is a SEVERE, extremely painful ongoing migraine that is very hard to get rid of!  This can occur when you take any kind of medication more than 3 times a week.  This is not explained to people.
18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: Being able to go out without worrying about "will this cause a migraine"? or "how long can I be out before my back pain is too much for me?"  Just going out and not having to take medications with me, just in case - and needing to leave early or cancel plans altogether.
19. It was really hard to have to give up: Quality time with my family.  Driving at night (glare from headlights is not good)  Rollercoasters and carnival rides (not a good idea)  Certain foods and drinks.
20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: Crafts.  Jewelry making, paper crafts, writing, blogging, learning about medicinal herbs
21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: Take my family out on a fun day trip somewhere they really want to go.
22. My illness has taught me: A lot of self-awareness.  Being constantly aware of the signals my body gives me, because paying attention to those early warning signs is the difference between staying home or ending up in the emergency room.
23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: When people refer to my migraine as a "headache".
24. But I love it when people: offer support in the form of friendship, listening, offering help (not just offering advice but offering to do an actual thing for me)
25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: "Progress, not Perfection" - it reminds me that whatever small steps I take during the day are worth celebrating - even if the job isn't done, and even if it's not perfect - I did a thing and that is awesome!
26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: Find a doctor who will really listen to you.  Research as much as you can.  Try different  things on your own terms - and if it doesn't work for you, move on to something else.
27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: my own ability to handle things - I am stronger than I ever imagined.
28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: Help me with the kids!  Taking the kids out for awhile so I can rest while also knowing that my kids were getting attention and having fun!
29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: I want to help spread awareness.  Not just for migraines, but for all kinds of conditions that aren't visible.  There are many people who are struggling to get help, get a diagnosis, and have people take them seriously but their condition is not visible so they aren't taken seriously.
30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:  Happy!  Loved!  Understood!

Autumn Equinox - a poem

Autumn Equinox

I have survived the fiery kiln of summer
baked and purified under life-giving Sun
- that light so bright and strong
I craved it all winter,
yet somehow found it stifling and harsh
during those strong summer days.

Now I find
crisp cold mornings
balanced by hot cider and warm evening blankets.
Busy active days
balanced by quiet stillness of night.

I am finding balance again at the equinox
as I stand here on tip-toe at the precipice
between life and death, equal day and night will find me -

dancing

between consciousness and dream.

Looking behind, I gather my harvest.
Looking ahead, I gather my harvest.
It all somehow feels simultaneously
too small, and too
BIG.

I take this hardened shape of my spirit
purified in the fires of summer
and I paint it all the gold and red and orange shades of fall.
I glaze it with the cool rains of autumn.
Dying leaves fall from trees,
and old fears fall from my hair like dandruff;

I brush it all aside
and prepare a bed for myself
to welcome the coming dark nights of dreaming.
I dig down deep into the sleeping clay
of next year's creation.

W.J.M "Hestia's Muse" September 19, 2015

Mercury Retrograde Housekeeping Challenge!

It's Mercury Retrograde time again!  (This current Mercury Retrograde is September 17 to October 9th of 2015.)
You probably know that Mercury Retrograde isn't a great time to start any new projects, but it IS a great time to go back and finish up anything you started before!  Revise, edit, repair! 
As far as the household, Mercury retrograde is great for releasing excess belongings.  Get rid of clutter and trash and use this time to focus on releasing that which no longer serves you! Review my previous blog post; Clutter As a Block To Spiritual Flow to remember why this clutter can be so detrimental - and how freeing it can be to let it go!

I found this great list of simple challenges on Pinterest.  It's perfect for a Mercury Retrograde because it is a 21 Day challenge!  Mercury Retrogrades usually last about 3 weeks (21 days) and this gives you a simple area of focus for those days!

If you follow ("Like") my facebook page I will be putting up daily reminders for each challenge.

Have fun, keep it simple, and let this retrograde be a time of releasing that which no longer serves you in order to welcome positivity into your life in unexpected ways!  And you may find some great things to donate to charity!

What I'm Reading - Booknificent Thursday

I'm joining in at This Linky Party for Book Reviews - Booknificent Thursdays!

 

What I've been reading;

 

The Codex Alera (series)

 

I just finished the last book in the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher.  I devoured this series of six books in about 4 or 5 weeks.  I love Butcher's Dresden Files series and I wanted to check out his other series - I'm so glad that I did!  It has a different style and far different setting than the Dresden Files series.  The Codex Alera series is set in a world quite different than our own.  Alera is a realm of humans, yet each human has the ability to control a "Fury" - best described as an Elemental.  Some people can control more than one element, some people just one or two.  Except for Tavi - our main character who has never had any ability with Furycraft whatsoever.  In a realm where your position and level of citizenship depend on your level of Furycrafting ability - life isn't going to be easy for Tavi. 

Very early in the series we learn that there are other races of beings in realms outside of Alera - beings that Alera has consistently been at war with.  Within the realm of Alera itself a Civil War is brewing as there is no clear heir to the throne and a power struggle to claim the throne begins.  Through the six books we follow several characters in their adventures.  There is war, subterfuge, mystery, action, love and more.  These books have it all and are a great series for anyone who loves fantasy fiction.

 

The New Vesta Secret

 

I began reading The New Vesta Secret by Debra may Macleod.  If you follow my blog you know I have an affinity for Vesta.  I was thrilled to find an author who is renewing and helping create a modern Spiritual path honoring Vesta.  The author walks you through her own life and how she discovered and reinvented this path for herself.  I'm very much enjoying this book and it has renewed and uplifted my own spiritual home practice

 

Grimoire For The Green Witch

 

I'm reading Grimoire For The Green Witch by Ann Moura with a Pagan Book Club.  I'm enjoying the perspective of Green Witchcraft.  There is a lot of helpful information and spells, rituals, recipes, etc in this book.  Will review further when I am finished.