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January starts the year with a plethra of fun, frolicsome festivity. The new year in particular is celebrated by at least 170 nations. The month gets its name for Jana, a moon goddess, which explains the abundance of water-related observances this month (in esoteric traditions, the moon represents water element). It's also named after Janus (Jana's husband), the gatekeeper of heaven, who sees the past and future. This couple oversees the year's beginning by offering you refreshed prespective and hope for a better tomorrow. In terms of energy, January focuses on beginnings. It's a time for personal renewal, starting any beloved project, and sustaining those things already in progress. Magick for health, protection, and prosperity is particularly augmented by working during this month. |
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January 18 Festival of Perh (Australia) Nungeena Themes: Restoration; Creativity; Beauty Symbols: Birds or Feathers; All Artistic Creations About Nungeena: This Aborigine mother goddess took on the task of restoring beauty to the world after an evil spirit destroyed it with insects. Call on her for assistance when you feel that a cherished project or goal has been ravaged similarly by malintent or negativity. According to the legend, Nungeena made birds to eat all the insects Marnoo (an evil spirit) let loose on the world. But these were not just any birds; they were the most attractive of all - the lyre birds. In turn, the lyre birds made assistants like magpies to help with their sacred task. Together they renewed the world's beauty. To Do Today: Dust off any home crafts or arts that have been neglected on a back shelf and work on them for a while today. If time doesn't allow for this, find some way to brings a little extra beauty to the world - toss some flowering seeds in an open field, deliver food or clothing to a charitable organization, or just smile at a stranger. In Australia this is the Festival of Perth, a huge arts festival that features local talent including dancers, mimes opera, musicians, and some sports competitions. If there are any art galleries in your neck of the woods, go to them today to honor Nungeena and enjoy the cretive works. |
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January 19 Water Blessing Festival (Bulgaria) Kupala Themes: Joy; Health; Cleaning Symbols: Water; Flowers; Fern; Birchwood About Kupala: The Slavic goddess of springs and water, Kupala, whose name literally means "to bathe," washes us with happiness and longevity. Oddly enough, she has a fire aspect to. Which likely allude to purification, protection, and transformation. Wildflowers, birch trees, and ferns were sacred to her. To Do Today: To bring a year filled with joy, contentment, and health, leave a natural-fiber cloth outside today to gather dew. Use it tomorrow to bathe in Kupala's magick! Take some flower petals to any moving water source (even a hose) and toss them on the stream. As you do, make a wish for something that will make you really happy. Let Kupala, in the form of the water, carry your wish toward manifestation. To rid yourself of sickness, negativity, or a bad habit before the year really get rolling, find safe fire source (such as a candle that's self-contained in glass). Put this on the floor and jump over it. As you do say, Old burns away; only the good, the good shall stay. Old to new, old to new, Kupala, may heart renew. This symbolically leaves the old behind and invokes Kupala's aid in your efforts for positive change. |
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January 20 Aquarius Begins (various locations) Oya Themes: Justice; Tradition; Zeal; Femininity Symbols: Fire; Water; The number Nine About Oya: A Yoruban mother goddess and spirit of the river Niger, Oya flows with us through the last day of January, strengthening our passion for and appreciation of life. She is wild and irrepressible, like the fire she's said to have created, yet Oya presides over matters of fairness and custom, using that fire as the light of truth. Artistic depictions of Oya show a nine-headed woman whose bosom speaks of fertile femininity. To Do Today: Enjoy a glass of water when you get up to begin generating Oya's zest for life in your body and soul. This is also very suited to energies of the day. Aquarius represents the Water Bearer who continually pours inspiring, creative waters from celestial spheres into our lives. Get out and do something daring today. Invoke Oya through your pleasure and pure excitement. Dare to dream; then try to make that dream come true somehow. If there's some area of your life that needs more equity, try making this Oya charm; Take any small candle and carve. Oya's name into it. Have a glass of water nearby. Light the candle to invoke the goddess. Hold the water over the candle, saying, What injustice consume, Oya's waters quell. Drop a little water on the candle, then trim off the taper, carrying it with you to draw justice to you. |
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January 21 Saint Agnes's Day (various locations) Oshun Themes: Divinations; Love Symbols Flowing Water; Seashells; Amber Beads About Oshun: Oshun is a beautiful, oracular goddess of love. Generous and beneficent, she opens her eyes to let us peek into what the future holds for relationships. According to legends, Oshun didn't always know how to tell the future. She was taught by Obatala, one skilled in divination, in return for retrieving his stolen clothing from Elegba. But Elegba exacted his price too. Once Oshun learned to divine, she had to teach all the othe orishas the fortune-telling secrets. To Do Today: Traditionally, Saint Agnes's Day is spent divining information about love's path and relationships in the coming year. Following Oshun's example, make a fortune-telling gool from three shells, each of which has a "top" and "bottom." If shells aren't handy, use three coins. Think of a "yes" or "no" question related to love . Three tops (or heads) mean "yes." Two tops mean things are generally positive, but uncertain. One top indicates a "wait" or a negative response, and three bottoms is a definite "no." Put the shells under your pillow before you go to bed to dream of future loves. Or, to encourage Oshun's problem-solving skills in a relationship, carry a small peice of amber or wear a piece of amber-colored clothing when you meet your loved one to talk things over. |
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January 22 Bonfim Festival (Brazil) Auchimalgen Themes: Protection; Blessing Symbols: Silver or Lunar Items: Water; White Flowers About Auchimalgen: A Chilean goddess of the moon, Auchimalgen protects us from all evils and disasters that lie in wait in the month's ahead. Her husband is the sun, who blesses the land with light, while she shines through the darkness to keep her followers safe and inspired. To Do Today: Count your blessings today, and give thanks for them. In our rushed society, this is something that often gets over-looked, and life is far more pleasant when we appreciate that little things. Wear any silver-colored clothing or jewelry to honor Auchimalgen, and burn some lunar incense (coconut, jasmine, lemon, or myrrh) to fill the sacred space of your home with her protection. The Bonfim Festival takes place in Brazil today in a church known as the "church of happy endings" because it was built by a ship's captain in gratitude for a safe return to land. The priests of the area wash the the steps of the church with flower water to cleanse and bless the sacred place anew, and as way of thanking the gods for their ongoing kindness. In keeping with this tradition, sprinkle the doorway to your home with any floral-scented water (or personal cologne or perfume) to draw Auchimalgen's beneficent energies to you. |
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January 23 New Year of the Trees (Israel) The Earthly Mother Themes: Nature; Earth Awareness Symbols: Trees About The Earthly Mother: This Essene goddess embodies nature and teaches us how to live in harmony with the earth. The Essenes portray her with the elements personified as four angels (earth, air, fire, water) plus two companions named Joy and Life, all helping the Earthly Mother in her work. What a magickal blend to bless and energize this first month! To Do Today: In the spirit of making every day Earth Day, why not launch the new year by giving something back to the earth int he tradition of the Israelities? Today (the fifteenth day of Shebat on the Hebrew caldendar), plant a tree to rejuvenate the land. If you wish, name the tree after a deceased loved one, as the Israilites do. According to lore, doing so brings that person peace in the afterlife. If your location or finances don't allow for tree plantings, just water a tree. By so doing you symbolically feed the whole earth. Sit down for a moment or two afterward and meditate. Feel the rich soil beneath you, and feel how it nourishes and enriches all living things, including you. Finally, as you're walking around, pick up any stone that catches your eye. Put it in your pocket to carry a piece of the Earthly Mother with you as a gentle reminder that the earth is a sacred, living thigns that blesses us daily. |
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January 24 Gold Rush Day (California) Nokomis Themes: Prosperity; Luck: Providence Symbols: Golden items: Corn About Nokomis: In Algonquin tradition, Nokomis is the "grandmother" who supplies us with the earth's riches and gives nourishment to humankind in times of need. When people are hungry, Nokomis provides food. When there is no food to be found, she offers to let us consume her spirit, thereby continuing the cycle of life. To Do Today: Today marks the anniversary of the discovery of gold to California and the resulting expansion westward in the United States. In keeping with this prosperous, fortunate them, wear or carry something gold today to bring a little more of Nokomis's abundance your way. For financial improvements, especially if you have any pressing bills, eat corn (any type) today. Before consuming it pray to Nokomis, saying, Grandmother, see the sincerity of my need, Go to your storehouse and dispense ______ (fill in the minimum amount you need to get by), so that I might meed my obligations. Eating the corn internatlizes the energy of the prayer so opportunities to make money start manifesting. If you're pressed for time, grab a kernel of unpopped popcorn and put it in your wallet or purse to keep Nokomis's prosperity (and your cash) where it's needed most. |
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January 25 Vietnamese New Year Mother of Ten Thousand Things Theme: Luck Symbol: Any Lucky Token About the Mother: This goddess represent the unknowable and uncontrollable things we face daily. In Indo-chinese tradition, she is part of the Universe's ebb and flow, ever changing and ever the same. Turn to her when you feel as if ten thousand things in your life were up in the air. To Do Today: Take out any item that you associate with good fortune. Name it after the one area of your life in which you need more luck (naming something designates its purpose and powers). Hold the token to the night sky (symbolic of the Universe's vastness), saying, Mother, see this symbol of my need. Empower it with your fortune influence to fill my year with _____ (fill in with the name of your token). Carry this with you as possible to manifest that energy in your life. In Vietnam, this holiday, known as Tet, is filled with ceremonies for luck over several days, including as offering to the goddess and ancestors to give good fortune a boost. Eating rice today invokes that spirit of prosperity. Or you can try a traditional divinatory activity instead. Make note of the name of the first person you meet today. If the name has an auspicious meaning (check a baby-name book), your meeting presages wonderful year filled with the Mother's serendipity. |
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January 26 Jun Ti Chinese New Year (China) Themes: Long life; Luck; Fertility; Wisdom; Tradition Symbols: Dragons; Sun and Moon Symbols; the Numbers Three and Eighteen About Jun Ti: This chinese Buddhist godess oversees all matters of life generously. In works of art she is depicted as living on Polaris, the star around which all tings revolve, including each individual's fate. She has three eyes for wise discernment, eighteen arms holding weapons with which to protect her people, and a dragon's head that symbolizes her power and wisdom. To do today: Jun Ti can help yo live a more fulfilled life this year by overseeing your fortune and well-being. To encourage her assistance, think silver and gold (or white and yellow) --the colors of the moon and the sun. Wear items in these hues, or perhaps have a glass of milk followed by pineapple juice in the morning to drink fully of her attributes! On or around this day, the Chinese take to the streets with new year festivities that last two weeks. Eating various rice-based dishes today encourages fertility, respect, and long life, while wearing new shoes brings Jun Ti's luck. It is also customary to be on one's best behavior and honor the ancestors throughout the day for good fortune. The climax of festivities is a dragon parade, the beast, Jun Ti's scared animal, being associated with ancient knowledge and tradition. So, find a way to commemorate your personal of family customs today to draw Jun Ti's attention and blessings. |
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January 27 Roman Planting Festival (Rome) Ceres Themes: Fertility; Earth; Harvest; Growth Symbols: Grains (especially Corn); Poppies; Bread About Ceres: Ceres, the Roman goddess of corn, returns our attention to the land today to begin preparing for spring's crop plantings. At the same time, Ceres reminds us to plant some figurative seeds of character now so they will mature throughout this year. Ceres's name translate as "create." Ceres is truly the creator and mistress of our morning feast table, having lent her name to modern breakfast cereals, which shows her affiliation with essential food crops. To Do Today: For growing energy and earth awareness, east any grain based food today. Ideal choices include corn bread, corn flakes, puffed wheat, buttered corn, or corn chowder. If you're a gardener, or even if you just enjoy a few houseplants, today is the perfect time to tend the soil. The Roman's took time out from their other duties and spent an entire week around this date blessing the land. They invoked Ceres as the essential vegetable spirit for aid after the seeds were laid into the ground. While we may not be able to spend a week doing likewise, a few minutes of caring for the earth is well worth the time. Put any seeds you plan to plant on an altar or in another special spot. Visualize a yellow-golden light filling and fertilizing them. Leave them here to absorb Ceres's energy until your traditional planting seaons begins. |
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January 28 Up-Helly-Aa (Shetland Islands) Fulla Themes: Abundance; Protection; Cycles; Magick Symbols: Gold-colored items; Hair About Fulla: The Teutonic sister of Frigg, Fulla visits with fulfillment this year, just as her name--which means "fullness"--implies. In legends, Fulla had long golden hair bound by a golden band. She guarded her sister's enchanted casket of slippers, giving her an additional association as a protectress of magickal tools. To Do Today: In metaphysical traditions, hair is sometimes used in spells to empower them. In this case, to evoke Fulla's protection over your magickal tools, use a piece of your own hair. Pull one strand and adhere it in some manner to any tool that you want guarded from undesired energies. As you attach the hair say, Fulla, safeguard this _____, even as you mindfully guarded Frigg's treasures. If the hair ever falls off, recreate the spell. The festival of Up-Helly-Aa has ancient origins and closely resembles Viking funeral rites, except that it's meant for the season of winter! People on the Shetland Islands gather to watch the burning of a longship. The fire's golden flame lights the way for spring's and Fulla's abundance. It also expels evil spirits. In keeping with this custom, light as many lamps or candles as you can in your home, ideally yellow ones, and leave them on for a while to cast out any lingering darkness. |
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January 29 Hikuli Dance (Mexico) Spider Woman Themes: Magickal Charms; Growth Symbols: Spiders; Woven Items About Spider Woman: Spider Woman appears in the m yths of the southwestern Native Americans as a resourceful helper who spins magickal charms and each person's fate. No matter what problems or obstacles you face, Spider Woman creates the right network of energy to put you on the road toward accomplishment. To Do Today: In metaphysical traditions, all life is seen as a network within which each individual is one strand. Spider Woman reveals the power and purpose of each strand psychically and keeps you aware of those important connections in your life. To augment this, get a native American dream catcher, which looks like a web, and hang it over your bed so Spider Woman can reveal her lessons while you sleep. Or, carry a woven item with you today. It will strengthen your relationship with this ancient helpmate and extend positive energy for success in all you do. In Mexico, the Native Americans perform the Hikuli dance today, searching out peyote for their religious rites. As part of this ceremony, worshipers dance to reach altered states of awareness, honor the ancestors, and help crops to grow. So, if your schedule allows, put on some music and boogie! Visualize a web as you move, and empower your future path with the sacred energies of Spider Woman's dance. |
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January 30 Festival of Pax (Rome) Pax Theme: Peace Symbols: White Items; Corn; Cornucopia; Olive Branch About Pax: Pax is the Roman goddess of peace; she urges us to keep harmony among one another as a sacred commodity throughout the year. On coins, Pax appears youthful and often bears an olive branch to extend the hand of truce or a cornucopia, indicating that there is an abundance of peace for those who truly seek it. To Do Today: Remember Pax by wearing or carrying something white today and offering to make amends with someone with whom you've had an argument. Alternatively, make a funnel from a piece of white paper (like a cornucopia). Leave this somewhere predominant. Each time you have an angry or discordant thought, toss a coin into the funnel. At the end of the day donate these coins (plus a few dollars) to a charity that promotes peace. Roman custom dictated that the images of all leaders were to be placed at Pax's feet on this day, as if to invoke her amicable energy in their interactions. This isn't a bad idea for modern leaders, either! Take any pictures you have of world leaders (check newspaper and magazines). If you can't find pictures, write their names on white paper instead. Put these in a pile before a white candle. As you light the candle, say, Pax, let peace fill their hearts. Let all hatred depart. Peace be between me and thee, and all those I meet. |
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January 31 Festival of Saravati (India) Sarasvati Themes: Learning; Wisdom; Communication Symbols: White Flowers (especially Lotus); Marigolds; Swans About Saravati: A Hindu goddess of eloquence and intelligence, Sarasvati extends a refresing drink from her well of knowledge to complete the month with aptitude. In Hindu tradition, Sarasvati invented all sciences, arts and writing. In works of art she is depicted as white-skinned and graceful, riding on a swan or sitting on an open lotus blossom. To Do Today: Today is an excellent time to embark on any course of study or to reinforce your learning in a specific area. In Hindu tradition, Sarasvati's festival is held on or around this date. During the celebration, students gather in the Katmandu Valley (Nepal) bearing gifts for the goddess, who visits here today. Traditional offerings at the temples include lotus and marigold blossoms and incense, while students often bring pens or books to invoke Sarasvati's aid with their studies. Adapting this a bit, try dabbing your personal tools or educational books with a little lotus oil, and burn any sweet-scented incense to improve your awareness (rosemary is one good choice). To generate Sarasvati's assistance in matters of communication, find a white flower and remove its petals. Place these in any moving water source, saying, Sarasvati, let my words bear gentle beauty and truth, falling lightly on others' ears, even as these petals to the water. Let the water (which also represents this goddess) carry your wish. |
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