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| May gets its name from the Roman goddess Maia, who embodies the earth's renewal during spring. Next to New Year's Eve,. May Day was among the most popular holidays in the old world, marking the time when the sun's warmth and nature's fertility began appearing in the land. Later, well over one hundred nations chose to celebrate Labor Day on May 1, giving everyone a much-needed rest from winter's tasks. For the purpose of your magickal escapades, the theme is definitely blossoming and liveliness. Use as many flower parts as possible in spells and rituals, and go outside frequently to get closer to nature. Energies emphasixed by this month include craetivity, inventiveness, fertility, health, and metaphysically "spring cleaning" any area of your life or sacred space. |
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Gawai Dayak (Malaysia) Boru Deak Parudjar Themes: Harvest; Blessing; Longevity; Courage; Opportunity Symbol: Soil; Rice About Boru Deak Parudjar: The Malaysian creatrix and guardian of life, Boru Deak Parudjar grew bored of the upper realms and jumped away from them as soon as an opportunity opened up. It is this type of adventurous spirit and leap of faith that she inspires today. In local legend, Boru Deak Parudjar's father sent a bit of soil to water to await his daughter in the lower worlds. The earth grew to sustain the goddess. This change in the water made the Naga (a primordial sea serpent) very angry--he wiggled until Boru Deak Parudjar's earth began to cleave, creating mountains and valleys. Which just goes to show that stirring things up sometimes has a good outcome! To Do Today: Following ancient custom, the elder of the house makes sacrifices and prays poetically for direction, the goddess's blessings, health, and a good harvest. Foods include rice dishes and rice wine. So, add any rice dish to your diet today: rice cereal for Boru Deak Parudjar's growth-oriented energy, rice pudding for her sweet blessings, herbed rice to spice up your life with a little adventure. When you need a bit of this goddess's courage, place a piece of rice in your footprint (someplace where it won't be disturbed). As you put the rice in the imprint, say, Let courage guide my feet all day. |
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Hay on Wye (Wales) Fuwch Gyfeilioru Themes: Creativity; Communication; Arts; Learning; Knowledge Symbols: Cow; Milk About Fuwch Gyfeilioru: Fuwch Gyfeilioru is the Welsh goddess of knowledge, inspiration, wisdom, and happiness. Appearing sometimes as a elfin cow, she has an endless supply of magickal milk that refreshes ailing dispositions with joy and creatvity. To Do Today: The Hay on Wye is a Welsh festival of words and language, specifically in the form of plays, music, debate, poetry, and other creative written and verbal forms that certainly honor Fuwch Gyfeilioru in spirit. In keeping with the theme, take out your magick insight, then read it over. You'll be pleasantly surprised by your awareness of metaphysical matters and your growth in the last few months. Drink a glass of milk, consume milk by-products, or include beef as part of a meal to physically accept Fuwch Gyfeilioru's powers into yourself. Focus intently on your goal as you eat or drink, and don't forget to thank the goddess for her gift by way of a mealtime prayer. To motivate a little extra creativity, make a milk shake (any flavor, but add a pinch of cinnamon for energy or nutmeg for luck). The blender "whips up" Fuwch Gyfeilioru's energy in the shake as you incant, Creativity I claim, by my will and in the goddess's name!
Drink expectantly.
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Ch'un Hyang (Korea) Bai Mundan Themes: Love; Devotion; Romance; Femnininity; Promises Symbols: Any Items Associated with Love and Romance; Peony About Bai Mundan: This goddess is beautiful and sensual but also filled with only the most honorable intentions. It is her sacred task to tempt the ascetics in the keeping of their vows (turning the tables somewhat on the theme of this holiday). Her name means "white peony," a flower that in Chinese tradition affords this goddess's protection. To Do Today: This holiday celebrates the herione in an ancient story, Ch'un Hyang, who secretly married a nobleman's son. Even when beaten by a lusty governor, however, she remained devoted and refused all advances, as if guided by Bai Mundan's fidelity and esteem. For modern-minded people, this basically means "loving the one you're with" and really appreciating their companionship today. If it's spent quality time alone with them, by all means, do so! Bai Mundan's energy is wherever two hearts emit true, faithful emotions. If you don't have a partner, try this Bai Mundan love spell. You'll need a white peony (or any other white-petal flower, like a daisy). Slowly tear off all the petals, saying, Bai Mundan, for love I ask; help me in this sacred task. Let the earth and air accept all the petals but one, which you should carry with you as a love charm. Release it in thankfulness when your wish is answered. |
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Gemini (Various Locations) Iambe Themes: Communication; Creativity; Art; Humor; Playfulness Symbols: Paired Items About Iambe: Iambe means "speech," indicating this goddess's intimate connection with the art of communication. In Greek stories, Iambe always had a witty (and sometimes satirical) comeback. This may be why she was credited with creating the writer's bane of iambic pentameter verse ( a metered verse with two distinct acents). In mythology Iambe's used this form of peotry to cheer up Demeter, with tremendous success. To Do Today: Astrologically, the twins personify individuals who have dual natures: they are filled with charm and creativity but also seem elusive, like Iambe and her poetic method. You can remember Iambe and learn more about her style today by reading Shakespeare, one of the few humans to master it (or perhaps rent one of the recent Shakespearean movies)! If that's not your preverbial cup of tea, use this invocation to Iambe as a prayer, part of a ritual, or whatever is appropriate for you: Iambe, I sing your mystic poems. From dots and tittles, the magick's sown. With celestial pens, you scribe each spell, and lessons in joy, may I learn them well. Iambe, your metered muse confounds, yet where'er it's spoken, magick abounds, full and fierce, potent and free, and when I hear it I know, that the magick is me! |
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Bonfire Night (Scotland) Macha Themes: Victory; Success; Protection; Fertility; Fire Symbols: Red Items; Acorn; Crow About Macha: Macha means "mighty one." Macha used her potency to clear the land for wheat, giving her associations with fertility. She also used her might to protect the Celts' land against invaders, thereby becoming a war goddess and guardian. Art show her dressed in red (a color abhorrent to evil) and with blazing red halt, forever chasing off any malevoence that threatens her children's success. To Do Today: Taking place around this date, this festival originally had strong pagan overtones, the fire being lit specifically for ritual offerings that pleased the goads and goddesses and ivoked their blessing. Additionally, the bright, red fire looked much like Macha's streaming hair, and thus it banished any evil spirits from the earth. So don any red-colored clothing today, or maybe temporarily dye your hair red to commemorate this goddess and draw her protective energies to your side. Eating red foods (like red peppers) is another alternative for internalizing Mach's victorious power and overcoming any obstacle standing in your way. Or, find some acorns and keep them in a Macha fetish bag (any natural-fiber drawstring bag). Anytime you want her power to manifest, simply plant the acorn and express your wish to it. Mach's potential is in that acorn, ready to sprout! |
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Tubilustrium (Rome) Bellona Themes: Protection; Victory; Communication; Strength Symbols: Swords (or Athame); Spear About Bellona: She who kindles the fire of the sun and the fire in the bellies of warriors, Bellona is both of mother and a battle goddess, being the female equivalent of Mars with a distinct diplomatic twist. Those who call upon Bellona receive strategy, tractfulness, and a keen sense of how to handle explosive situations effectively. To Do Today: Romans spent today ritually cleansing their trumpets for battle and honoring the people who make the trumpets. In this part of the world, a horn not only signaled a charge but invoked the goddess's attention. So, for what personal battle(s) do you need to sound Bellona's horn today? Find a horn with which to do just that (perhaps a kazoo or a piece of construction paper rolled to look like a megaphone). Shout your battle plans to Bellona so she can respond with all her resources to help you. If you use to a sword, athame (sacred knife), or wand in magick, today is an excellent time to take out that tool and invoke Bellona's blessing upon it. Oil and sharpen the blade, polish the wand, then hold it in your hand as it it were a weapon, saying, Bellona, see this implement of magick, which, as any, has two edges - for boon and bane. May only goodness flow through this tool, and may I ever remain aware of the responsibility for its use. So Mote it Be! |
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Furrow Day (Cambodia) Po Ino Nogar Themes: Growth; Harvest; Fertility; Community Symbols: Clouds; Saltwater; Rain; Soil About Po Ino Nogar: This agricultural goddess name means simply "great one" in Cambodia, likely due to the fact that she brings fertility to the earth and its people. It is her duty to protect the fields and harvests. Epics sometimes symbolize Po Ino Nogar as a gentle rain, because local myths claim that she was born in the clouds and still controls the water's generative gift to the land and to our souls. To Do Today: Members of the royal family in Cambodia used to plow the fields today to appease Po Ino Nogar and ensure fertility to the crops. For modern purposes, think about tasks that need to be plowed thought - paperwork that's been neglected, communicating to someone with a difficult demeanot, a project put on terminal hold. As you till the metaphoric soils of that situation, you also encourage Po Ino Nogar's growth-oriented energy in them. If your spirit or humor has seemed a bit "dry" lately, try this Po Ino Nogar visualization. Close your eyes and imagine a blue-white cloud over head with the face of a smiling woman formed by its creases. As you look, the cloud releases small light drops that pour softly over you. As they do, your skin absorbs the light, as well as the goddess's energy. Continue the visualization until you feel filled to overflowing. |
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Shavouth (Israel) Holy Spirit Themes: Communication; Mediation; Universal Law; Blessings; Change; Health; Purity; Truth Symbols: Light About the Holy Spirit: In both Gnostic and Hebrew writings, the Holy Spirit is a female force. In New Age vernacular, she is seen as a white light energy. The Holy Spirit pours upon people to communicate divine missives, including messages of well-being and blessing. She also mediates on our behalf with other facts of the divine, using order, universal law, and wisdom as a force for positive change. To Do Today: The Feast of Weeks in Jewish tradition centers around the return of Moses from Mount Sinai bearing the Ten Commandments, and the promises made by God for a home "flowing with milk and honey." Consequently, suitable edibles today include dairy products and anything sweetened with honey to internalize divine promises for your life. To know what those promises might be, ask the Holy Spirit to show you: pray and meditate. Visualize a sparkling white light pouring over you. Write down any insights, images, or phrases that come during this time. Don't be surprised if you get words in a different language. This is glossalia (tongues) and may reveal secrets about past lives through the languages represented. If you don't have time for meditation, at least burn a white candle today to honor the Holy Spirit and her spiritual gifts. |
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Well Dressings (Europe) Cordelia Themes: Blessings; Prayers; Beauty; Fairy; Wishes Symbols: Flowers; Water About Cordelia: A British nature goddess, Cordelia is part of every spring and summer flower that blossoms. This is the beauty she brings into our lives today, along with all the positive energies of spring. Traditionally, Cordelia does not appear until May, when the earth is fertile enough to sustain her glory. Art sometimes depicts her as being as citizen of fairy realms, and perhaps a flower princess. To Do Today: Well-dressing festivals go back to animistic times, when people believed sacred wells held beneficent indwelling spirits. To appease these powers, people decked the well with Cordelia's symbols: garlands of springs flowers. The then asked for the god's , goddesses', or spirits' favor. So, if you have any type of fountain or well nearby, today is a day for wishing! Take a small offering (coins if a fountain; a flower if a natural water source) and toss it in while whispering your desire to Cordelia. To draw the attention of cordelia and her companions, the fey, into your life, take a dollhouse chair and glue any or all of the following items to it: thyme, straw, primrose, oak leaves, ash leaves and hawthorn berries or leaves. Leave this on a sunny windowsill (preferably one with a plant on it) to encourage fairy guests, who will bring all manner of spring frolic into your home. |
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Festival at Bath (England) Sulis Themes: Healing; Sun; Blessings; Wishes; Community; Offerings Symbols: Water; Wheat; Cakes; Fire About Sulis: The Celtic goddess Sulis oversees all sacred wells and springs, which give healing and other blessings to those who pray at them. She also has associations with the sun, which explains the ever-burning fires in her temples. To Do Today: On hundred miles outside London, Sulis's ancient natural springs lie as they did for over seven thousand years until they were discovered by the Romans, who used them for ritual, wish magick, socialization, and healing. The Festival of Bath revels in this regions' history, especially Sulis's hot springs, which continue to bring thousands of visitors here annually, few of whom know that the springs are ten thousand years old and part of Sulis's spirit. To my mind this equates with enjoying time in a hot rub or suana (perhaps you can take part of the day at a local spa). If a spa isn't possible, let your bathroom get really steamy from a hot-water shower, then sit inside for a while absorbing Sulis's cleansing power into your pores. Releases your tensions and dis-ease to her. Maybe light a candle to represent Sulis's presence with you, and meditate as you relax. Remember, the bathroom is one of the few places you can be assured of a private moment with the goddess, so take advantage of it! |
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Ute Bear Dance (Colorado) Bear Woman Themes: Health; Psychic Abilities; Fertility; Unity; Love; Kinship; Instinct; Nature; Rebirth; Energy Symbols: Bear About Bear Woman: Among the Native Americans, Bear Woman power is intimately interwined with the earth, protecting its creatures and helping humans in hunting. Because of the way bears interact with cubs. Bear Woman refocuses our attention on the importance of family unity, warmth, and love (especially in exteneded families like that of the tribe). To Do Today: The Bear Dance was once held in February as bears emerged from their caves to commermorate the Ute's common ancestry with ears. Continuing the traditon ensures the tribe's health as well as ensuring ongoing communication with Spirit on important matters through Bear Woman. To adapt this custom, dress up in a furry coat or fuzzy clothing and imitate a bear. This acts as a form of sympathetic magick that draws Bear Woman's energy to you and helps you commune with it for positive personal transformation. Also stop at a nature or science shop that carries stone carvings and get one today. Carry it to connect with Bear Woman's strength, endurance, and other positive attributes that you need to your life. Dreaming of bears today reveals a bear totem or spirit guide in your life offering guidance, or a special message of help from Bear Woman. |
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| Ashtart Byblos Day (Lebanon) Themes: Love; Prophecy (especially by stars); Hope; Protection; Victory; Romance Symbols: Star; Fire; Red and White items; Lion About Ashtart: A Lebanese goddess for the lovelorn, Ashtart fell from the heavens as a star and landed in Byblos. She became the city's patroness, renowned for her prophetic insight, assistance in relationships, and protectiveness, especially when one faces a difficult battle. This tremendous power explains the artist depictions of Ashtart riding a lion (a solar/fire symbol) or having the head of a lion. To Do Today: International music festivals have been held in Byblos since the late 1960s to celebrate it as one of the oldest towns in the world with ongoing inhabitants (and an ever-present goddess!). It was here that a forerunner of the alphabet developed, inspired by the papyrus export trade. With this in mind, take a piece of onion-skin paper and describe your emotional needs on it with red ink or crayon. Burning the releases the wish to Ashtart and begins manifesting the magick. Honor Ashtart and gain her insight by star-gazing tonight. If you see a falling star and can repeat your wish for love three times before it disappears, folklore says it will be granted. If you see a meteor shower, count the sparks you see while thinking of a suitable binary question for this goddess. An even-numbered answer means "yes"; an odd-numbered answer means "no." |
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Memorial Day (United States) Seshat Themes: Honor; Learning; History; Time; Karma Symbols: Books; Writing Implements About Seshat: Seshat is the Egyptian record keeper of the gods and goddess to whom history, writing, and books are all sacred. Seshat reminds us that to change both our collective and our individual futures, we must first learn from the past. Measuring time and helping people plan out sacred buildings, Seshat often appears in art with a seven-pointed rosette and a wand (likely to inscribe her notes). To Do Today: A time to remember people who have died in battle, Memorial Day also affords us a moment to remember those who have fought for freedom in alternative faiths. For the phrase "never again the burning" to mean something, we have to open out "broom closets" and begin educating the public about the beauty of magickal traditions instead of using the usual hype. If you know someone who's been curious about magick, sharing your knowledge today honors. Seshat and all the people who have kept records of our metaphysical legacy even when risking their lives. Attend to your magick books today; read, write, make notes of your experiences with all due diligence, and ask Seshat to help you see the bigger picture. Don't dawdle today! Commit yourself to eliminating the phrase "pagan standard time" from your vocabulary. Being timely is something thsi goddess appreaciates. |
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Flores de Mayo (Philippines) Sisina Themes: Offering; Prayer; Love; Devotion; Home; Relationships Symbols: Spring/May-Blossoming Flowers About Sisina: The Filipino goddess oversees the realms of orderliness, beauty, and love. Traditionally, she protects marriages against discord, but she may also be called upon to settle inner turmoil within your soul and restore self-love. To Do Today: People in the Philippines say good-bye to May with bouquets, flower offerings, and an array of sweet foods to honor the month's sweetness and beauty. Sometimes they ask Sisina to join the festivities by setting a place for her at the table. This particular custom appears in several other cultures and it is a simple, lovely way of honoring the goddess. Just leave a plate with a fresh flower on your dinner table. This draws Sisina's presence, you wish, also leave an offering of sweet bread or fruity wine in a special spot to thank her. As you go about your normal routine today, take time to enjoy any flowers you see, and be very considerate of the special people in your life. Sisina will see the effort and continue blessing those relationships with harmony. |
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