Next Full Moon Ritual: Sat., 10 Jan. 2009

If 2008 has seemed difficult, this may be a good time to begin metaphysical and literal house cleaning, so the dust from this year does NOT follow into 2009.

FOR THE UPCOMING JAN. 10 RITUAL: Coven-mates should begin thinking what they would like to accomplish (on a personal and/or group level) for the next calendar year. Saturday, 10 January, 2009, is when we will next build energy together (each member, as s/he performs individualized spell-work from their respective home, will incorporate the collective spell-work goals into his/her own ritual).

THOUGHTS: Sat., Jan. 10, 2009 Energies
Thanks to Yule/Winter Solstice (Dec. 21 was the longest night of the year, marking how the daylight hours now grow longer) we can shift our energy work to focus on the returning Sun. On Saturday, Jan. 10th, the Sun will be Capricorn (the goat who likes to "climb every mountain.) No sign is more directed toward its goals than Capricorn. So for January's ritual, it would be wise to focus on building a future that's stable and enduring: keeping in mind our individual responsibilities for helping others while remaining patient for our goals to come toward us steadily. Capricorn is ruled by the planet Saturn; the "Father of Time." This means we might want to focus on projects that take time to come to their positive fruition.

Nine is such a magickal number in Norse mythology. Not only did Odin hang upside down in the gallows of Yggdrasil (Tree of Life) for 9 days, but he visited the nine worlds during that time. During Ragnarök (where the world ends and is reborn: Ragnarök encompasses natural disasters and flooding where a great battle causes the death of many gods) Thor kills the great serpent Jörmungandr but will be poisoned by that snake and Thor staggers back nine steps before falling to his own demise. There are also nine daughters of Ægir (king of the sea in Norse mythology) and nine mothers of Heimdall (the "White God"/guardian of the gods).

An Old Norse war-spirit and god named "Hermóðr the Brave" rode Sleipnir (eight-legged horse) for nine nights on his quest to free Baldr (god of light & beauty) from the underworld. The giant Thrivaldi has nine heads. I could go on and on and on about the number nine and its importance this way!

Nine is the highest single-digit number in the decimal system. While the number three appears as a holy number in many cultures, nine is three times more powerful since it is the result of 3X3!

Can you tell that I have great hope for the year '09?

Let's start it by generating a huge power-surge (Jan. 10th) for happier realities! Keep in mind that the theme for 2009 will definitely be "change" (as the U.S. will swear in its new president, the financial situation will present new opportunities for creativity, etc.).

Perhaps, for February, we can focus on "getting the love you want. Feel encouraged to submit other ideas.

Lovingly,
SunTiger

Burning Through Darkness

On this full moon night, I received a message from Skuld, (the same way I receive psychic messages and successfully provide intuitive readings for clients). Skuld, if you remember, is the giantess-Norn who determines one's future.

She seemed to be directing me to utilize the Rune Naudhiz (pictured) for manifesting my desires. Yet I had only imagined that Rune as it related to a sense of need (or lack). So when I heard her message, I felt concerned that the Rune could generate some negative outcome.

That's when I was told this rune actually offers a very positive fulfillment -- as when someone's exceptional talents satisfy a great need expressed by the world (that person's input becomes a necessity for others).

Thus -- I now look at this Rune much differently than before. Interestingly, as I looked up Naudhiz's meaning from "The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Runes" (the best Rune Bible I've ever read) I realized confirmation of what I had learned earlier.

Yet another positive angle for examining this rune is from the book: "Naudhiz (PRONOUNCED: “NOW-THESE”) REGARDS: "The need-fire, which burns even through the darkest of times . . ."

Preparing For Dec. 12 (Fri) Full Moon Ritual

On Fri., Dec. 12, 2008, the full moon will be in Gemini, a "masculine", positive (extrovert) sign. Since Gemini is affiliated with the planet Mercury, and is a mutable sign, the most successful spells on that night will have to do with change, versatility and communications (i.e., successful interactions with other people).

Remaining conscious of the Gemini twins – and the benefit of remaining scattered – I felt this particular full-moon ritual should honor the present needs of each coven-mate individually yet in a collective way.

THEREFORE: As each Coven-mate submits his/her goals (via “comment”) for this Friday’s CyberCoven spell-work, the group can collectively include each goal submitted, incorporating that into individual spell-work, to build very positive energy and good results TOGETHER. (This is one way how we will support each other’s needs, as a Coven, while we each perform our individual rituals.)

PLEASE NOTE: While I recognize Nordic mythology and adhere to it, I am very willing to entertain unusual suggestions and ideas for enhancing our collective CyberCoven experience. Please offer your input!

MY ALTAR AND APPROACH THIS FRIDAY: According to Norse mythology, supernatural beings known as the “Norns,” typically depicted as three giant maidens, work to determine each person’s destiny and they spin the threads of fate at the foot of the Tree of the World, Yggdrasil. Since I’m teaching a new class, on Dec. 30th (something I feel is part of my “fate”) I will be calling upon the three most-commonly-known Norns; named “Urd” (she who deals with the past), “Verdandi” (who addresses the present) and “Skuld” (who determines the future). .

EMPLOYING RELEVANT RUNE WISDOM: Perhaps the most appropriate Norse Rune to represent the Norns would be Pertho (see picture) since it has much to do with psychic ability and “Wyrd” (loosely meaning “fate” or “karma”).

Often affiliated with the vagina, this rune also represents luck, chance, secrets and mystery. In my own astral work, I’ve utilized Pertho to appear invisible during soul travel. Meditating on Pertho is said to make a fuzzy psychic message become more clear to the practitioner. So I will be meditating on Pertho prior to my spell-work to make certain I’ve gathered all the tools and focused all the right attention where it needs to go.

As CyberCoven-mates begin to plan the ritual for this upcoming full moon, I’m hoping each of you will also take time to meditate on Pertho before you submit your input (here at CyberCoven.blogspot.com) in regards to what you hope our group will accomplish while supporting you, personally.

STARTING THE CYBERCOVEN LIST: My Dec. 12 spell-work goal, put simply, is for the right spiritually and emotionally prepared students to attend my Dec. 30th Pallomancy class – so they are prepared to learn and grow. I intend for this course to prove so successful I need to schedule another one.

(If any of this posting is unclear – or you need direct feedback before posting your spell-work goal – email me at SunTiger@usa.com)

Winter Wassail Recipe

"Wassail" is a hot and spiced punch that's familiar to the winter holiday season. You've heard of "Wassailing" where a group of folks travel house to house singing carols for the celebratory season. In cider-producing regions of England, the carolers actually sing to the apple trees. So in light of such festivities, I offer this recipe (coven members are invited to submit seasonal recipes of their own via SunTiger@usa.com).


Winter Wassail

Ingredients:
* 1 quart apple juice
* 1 quart apple cider
* 8 oranges
* 4 lemons
* 16 cinnamon sticks (10 for garnish)
* 8 whole cloves
* 8 whole allspice berries
* ¼ teaspoon mace (a.k.a. nutmeg)

Directions:
In a large pot, combine apple juice and cider. Wash and slice oranges and lemons. Throw them in. Create a spice bouquet by wrapping 6 cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, and mace in a piece of cheesecloth or muslin. Add to juice. Simmer for at least 30 minutes. Ladle into mugs. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

This recipe for Winter Wassail serves/makes 10