St. Patrick’s Day as people know it is a holiday for wearing green, drinking (green) beer and generally having fun. A loved day and one which has been observed by the Irish for a thousand years. Celebrated amongst the people of Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. St. Patrick’s Day a public holiday for the people in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Montserrat, Newfoundland and Labrador.
St. Patrick himself has a story beginning where he was born in Roman Britain in 387AD. At age sixteen Saint Patrick was kidnapped by Irish Raiders and made a slave in Ireland. Much to Saint Patrick’s luck, he was able to escape and return to Britain where he joined a church and studied to become a priest.
Saint Patrick eventually went back to Ireland in 432AD where he tried to convert the Irish from Celtic polytheism, using a shamrock (or clover as people prefer to call it) to explain the group known as the Holy Trinity. After nearing thirty years of evangelism Saint Patrick died on March 17th 461AD.
A popular legend of Saint Patrick is that he rid of the snakes in Ireland, however, snakes were never in Ireland in the first place.
The colour in association with Saint Patrick originally was blue but later became green as it is known today. Shamrocks are also popularly seen on Saint Patrick’s Day due to how the very saint is said to have used them. Parades are common on this day along with the dying of water such as with the Chicago River. Religiously, this day is also celebrated in honour of Saint Patrick.
Parties where Irish foods and drinks are common on Saint Patrick’s Day just like parades, with pubs (especially Irish pubs) having Saint Patrick’s Day parties where Irish music tends to be played. Foods that one is likely to see on this day happens to be bacon, cabbage and potatoes.
For me, Saint Patrick’s Day this year is drawing to a close. I may have done little to celebrate this day but for others the day is just beginning. As people would say, may the luck of Irish be with you.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Pertho
Pertho is the rune of the fortnight of 13th January to 28th January and rules over the hour of 1:30 to 2:30. Pertho means ‘chance’ and ‘destiny’, the group known as The Three Norns and Frigga are the goddesses associated with this rune. 
Other associations to Pertho besides the deities mentioned is of mysteries and with the amusement created from the revelations from the very mysteries. Pertho is the rune also associated with birth and death, making it a rune of beginnings and endings of all. Pertho’s name is said to mean ‘pawn’ or ‘gaming piece’, with the shape of Pertho said to look like a dice cup on its side and making it a rune largely in association with gaming.
When Pertho appears upright as either the first or only rune in a divination reading it is telling a quick message, whatever question wanted to have answered is not meant to be known. When this rune appears in the middle or end of a reading it has the meaning of fate is on your side and celebration will be eventual as problems will be solved and knowledge shall be increased. Any information that one gets also should be taken with discretion when this rune appears upright.
When Pertho appears in a reading inverted it tells of a bad time, especially for gambling and taking caution might be a good option.
Other associations to Pertho besides the deities mentioned is of mysteries and with the amusement created from the revelations from the very mysteries. Pertho is the rune also associated with birth and death, making it a rune of beginnings and endings of all. Pertho’s name is said to mean ‘pawn’ or ‘gaming piece’, with the shape of Pertho said to look like a dice cup on its side and making it a rune largely in association with gaming.
When Pertho appears upright as either the first or only rune in a divination reading it is telling a quick message, whatever question wanted to have answered is not meant to be known. When this rune appears in the middle or end of a reading it has the meaning of fate is on your side and celebration will be eventual as problems will be solved and knowledge shall be increased. Any information that one gets also should be taken with discretion when this rune appears upright.
When Pertho appears in a reading inverted it tells of a bad time, especially for gambling and taking caution might be a good option.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lavender
With all the variants of lavender out there, I am referring to any type of lavender when it comes to magical properties. Not much to my surprise, lavender has the magical property of love and makes a great herb to choose from if doing a love spell. Pieces of paper rubbed with lavender makes the paper itself great for writing love notes on. Rubbing lavender on oneself is for the purpose of attracting love.
Lavender is also a herb of protection, where one can wear lavender for against cruel treatment and the evil eye. Wearing lavender is said to also make it easier to see ghosts.
Dried stalks of lavender along with individual flowers can be dried and be burnt as incense sticks, making it useful for spells and rituals for love and protection.
The smell of lavender also helps with longevity, making it something to smell on a regular basis.
Sometimes people need help with insomnia or with getting a better rest, lavender just happens to be one of those plants that you can use to aid in sleep. Putting lavender in a pillow case is what is suggested to do when needed for the help of overcoming insomnia and get a better sleep.
Lavender is also a herb of protection, where one can wear lavender for against cruel treatment and the evil eye. Wearing lavender is said to also make it easier to see ghosts.
Dried stalks of lavender along with individual flowers can be dried and be burnt as incense sticks, making it useful for spells and rituals for love and protection.
The smell of lavender also helps with longevity, making it something to smell on a regular basis.
Sometimes people need help with insomnia or with getting a better rest, lavender just happens to be one of those plants that you can use to aid in sleep. Putting lavender in a pillow case is what is suggested to do when needed for the help of overcoming insomnia and get a better sleep.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Japan
Many people probably have been keeping their eyes on what is happening in Japan. Apparently over two thousand people have been confirmed dead with at least ten thousand people expected to have died. From what I’ve heard today, a second explosion at a nuclear power plant has occurred and there have been warnings of possibly a second tsunami and earthquake. Good luck to those in Japan, and may the country have the blessing of not having to deal with another earthquake or tsunami anytime soon.
I also have been hearing word of how the very earthquake and the events that have so far followed are one big sign of how the world will end next year. Last time I checked, the world ended back in 2000.
At least at the start of 2013 I will be able to say I survived on the end of the world twice.
I also have been hearing word of how the very earthquake and the events that have so far followed are one big sign of how the world will end next year. Last time I checked, the world ended back in 2000.
At least at the start of 2013 I will be able to say I survived on the end of the world twice.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Yellow Emperor
The Yellow Emperor, better known as Huang Di (also spelt Huangdi), is the man said to be the ancestor of all Chinese, the founder of Chinese civilization and the first of a group known as the Three Sovereigns where he ruled from 2697 to 2587 BC or 2696 to 2598 BC. The name of the Yellow Emperor is Gongsun Xuanyuan and his birth is said to be in Shou Qiu (which is modern day Qufu found within the Shandong Province), becoming first a farmer then later founder of Chinese civilisation.
Before Huang Di became an emperor, order and government is said to be unknown to the world, which he is credited for. During his reign as emperor, Huang Di is said to have been challenged by a rebel god, aided by the Yellow Emperor’s son Fei Lian, whom sent fog and rain to drown imperial armies. However, Huang Di’s daughter, Ba, used her powers to dry up the rain and helped greatly with defeating the rebel god and Fei Lian.
Huang Di is said to have has many achievements, including teaching how to build shelters, how to tame wild animals and how to grow what is known as the five cereals. Huang Di is also known as an inventor, having credit for the invention of carts, boats, bow sling, Chinese astronomy, the Chinese calendar, sound laws, a type of football and clothing. Huang Di also requested a historian, Cang Jie, to create the first Chinese character writing system, with such a request being taken and done. Huang Di also had a wife, Leizu, who taught how to weave silk from Bombyx mori silkworms and how to dye clothes.
Along with gods Fu Xi and Shennong, Huang Di took part in the creation of the musical instrument known as the guqin.
Huang Di is said to have had an interest with medicine and introduced one of the earliest forms of martial arts in China due to this interest, seeing martial arts as a source of good health and self-defence.
Before Huang Di became an emperor, order and government is said to be unknown to the world, which he is credited for. During his reign as emperor, Huang Di is said to have been challenged by a rebel god, aided by the Yellow Emperor’s son Fei Lian, whom sent fog and rain to drown imperial armies. However, Huang Di’s daughter, Ba, used her powers to dry up the rain and helped greatly with defeating the rebel god and Fei Lian.
Huang Di is said to have has many achievements, including teaching how to build shelters, how to tame wild animals and how to grow what is known as the five cereals. Huang Di is also known as an inventor, having credit for the invention of carts, boats, bow sling, Chinese astronomy, the Chinese calendar, sound laws, a type of football and clothing. Huang Di also requested a historian, Cang Jie, to create the first Chinese character writing system, with such a request being taken and done. Huang Di also had a wife, Leizu, who taught how to weave silk from Bombyx mori silkworms and how to dye clothes.
Along with gods Fu Xi and Shennong, Huang Di took part in the creation of the musical instrument known as the guqin.
Huang Di is said to have had an interest with medicine and introduced one of the earliest forms of martial arts in China due to this interest, seeing martial arts as a source of good health and self-defence.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Totems: Turtle
Turtles are rather interesting creatures and there are many ideas of what the turtle represents (to some longevity, others cowardice).
This totem teaches the power of being at a slower pace, “slow and steady” you could say. Being fast doesn’t mean everything is better, being slow gives time to develop something, a project or an idea. After all, being late is better then being rushed.
The turtle teaches to be careful in new situations. Being in a new situation doesn’t mean one is safe, one could be lost or confused, and this is why being careful is important. Carefulness can be of what actions is taken, or what actions should be considered to not be taken.
Patience is very much a lesson of the turtle. It is can patience in waiting for a job to be done, a goal reached or for something to happen. Being patient itself can make things a lot easier, where impatience may get one in plenty of trouble.
Turtles are greatly known for their strong shells, while at the same time the turtle tells of self-protection and the importance of it. It might be a good idea for those with a turtle as a totem to learn how to protect themselves.
Offerings to the turtle may include fish, crayfish and shrimp.
This totem teaches the power of being at a slower pace, “slow and steady” you could say. Being fast doesn’t mean everything is better, being slow gives time to develop something, a project or an idea. After all, being late is better then being rushed.
The turtle teaches to be careful in new situations. Being in a new situation doesn’t mean one is safe, one could be lost or confused, and this is why being careful is important. Carefulness can be of what actions is taken, or what actions should be considered to not be taken.
Patience is very much a lesson of the turtle. It is can patience in waiting for a job to be done, a goal reached or for something to happen. Being patient itself can make things a lot easier, where impatience may get one in plenty of trouble.
Turtles are greatly known for their strong shells, while at the same time the turtle tells of self-protection and the importance of it. It might be a good idea for those with a turtle as a totem to learn how to protect themselves.
Offerings to the turtle may include fish, crayfish and shrimp.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Eihwaz
Eihwaz is the rune ruling the fortnight of 28th December to 13th of January and hour of 0:30 to 1:30. The meaning of the rune Eihwaz is adaptability and the deity relating to Eihwaz is the god of hunting, Ullr.
Eihwaz itself has much association with trees, symbolizing three trees, the apple tree, poplar and yew. Eihwaz’s association seems to be strongest with the yew due to the fact that bows were often made from yew itself and that the god Ullr is said to use a yew bow. Since yew is also a tree found often in graveyards, Eihwaz is also a symbol of the past growing into the future. Eihwaz has connection with the world tree, or Yggdrasil, and with horses (especially so for the eight legged horse of the god Odin, Sleipnir). The herb symbolizing this rune is bryony.
When this rune appears it encourages risk taking and now is the time to take action. With Eihwaz considered a lucky rune for those who gamble and live by their wits. For students, the appearance of Eihwaz is a indicator of benefits.
Long term benefits is what is suggested by Eihwaz, even if it means going through a short time of stress and frustration. Indication of process is what Eihwaz tells, where adaptability and a readiness to make quick decision is needed.
Eihwaz is an overall positive rune with no inverted meaning.
Eihwaz itself has much association with trees, symbolizing three trees, the apple tree, poplar and yew. Eihwaz’s association seems to be strongest with the yew due to the fact that bows were often made from yew itself and that the god Ullr is said to use a yew bow. Since yew is also a tree found often in graveyards, Eihwaz is also a symbol of the past growing into the future. Eihwaz has connection with the world tree, or Yggdrasil, and with horses (especially so for the eight legged horse of the god Odin, Sleipnir). The herb symbolizing this rune is bryony.
When this rune appears it encourages risk taking and now is the time to take action. With Eihwaz considered a lucky rune for those who gamble and live by their wits. For students, the appearance of Eihwaz is a indicator of benefits.
Long term benefits is what is suggested by Eihwaz, even if it means going through a short time of stress and frustration. Indication of process is what Eihwaz tells, where adaptability and a readiness to make quick decision is needed.
Eihwaz is an overall positive rune with no inverted meaning.
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