Tonight is the full moon. Esbat time! This month, I was actually part of a fantastic impromptu esbat ritual last night. This time of the month is all about intention setting, bringing in new, cleansing energies that help us reach our goals. So last night, I made a huge list of the things I want to bring into my life this month. Well, really, in the next couple of months, but starting now. I can already feel the magick working. I'm 100% confident that all of my intentions will come true in a timely manner with a little bit of elbow grease, patience, and belief. I am a goddess; I am a witch; I am a woman. And all of those make me powerful. All of those make you, my reader(s), powerful. Whether you are male or female, Pagan, Judeo-Christian, Athiest, or something in between, you also have the power of your will and belief, of the moon and the sun and the Earth behind you. We are all divine; I believe that will all of my heart. It's only what we decide to do with that spark of divinity inside of us that matters. Do we manifest love and light and acceptance? Or do we spread hatred and upheaval? Personally, I vote for the former.

So, I hope you'll join me, whoever happens to be reading this, in setting the intention of peace and love for this next month. With the full moon, I invite into our lives love, balance, serenity and the remembrance of the power that we hold within ourselves. I invite any and all of my readers to invite the same into their own lives and into the world at large. Perhaps if enough of us set the intention for peace, and work at it, it will eventually come to pass.

So mote it be.

Impromtu Prayer

Funny how the smallest things can be some of the most spiritual. Sitting around a campfire in the company of friends for a few hours, watching the moon and the stars and partaking of good conversation can be the most grounding experience in the world, and perhaps one of the most fulfilling. Yes, full-blown intricate ritual is important. But so is sitting back and marveling at the natural magick that occurs all around us without our even noticing it.

So next time you're feeling stressed or afraid or overwhelmed, take a moment and remember the last time you sat with friends and family and roasted marshmallows, or went swimming in a stream, or even just walked around the park. Remember how marvelous it feels to know that you're loved. For you are loved. If no one else tells you that, know that I love you, as I love every one of the God and Goddess' creations. But recall that feeling of calm and love and let it fill you, let it wash away all the stress and the fear, and let it fill you with a sustaining light that will carry you through whatever troubles you are facing. Times will be tough; they're never easy. But if we can recall those moments of pure simplicity, pure love and beauty and magick, I feel that we can get through them unscathed and better people.

Blessed be,
Emer

Tarot Stories and Esbat Poem

Tonight is the Full Strong Moon esbat. Right on the cusp of Midsummer/Litha, and a great time for new beginnings. And tonight I have decided I want to try my hand at writing tarot stories for the minor arcana. I wrote a series earlier this year inspired by the major arcana, but the deck I had did not include detailed images for the minor arcana, only a representation of the number and the suit. My new deck includes the most beautiful pictures on every single card, and they're very inspiring. Wonderful for story sparks.

But for now, I'd like to share a poem I wrote for the last full moon and kept hidden for a while. I'm dedicating it to Ai and Brid, for all their creative help, and Artemis, because she's my wonderful moon goddess. I wish I had more creative title for it, though.


Esbat Poem
Tonight is a night of the Goddess,
The full moon hangs in the sky.
Tonight is a night of the Goddess,
The time for magick draws nigh.

For She lives in us all,
As a spark of divine,
And in Her we all do dwell.
Tonight is a night of the Goddess,
And I'm certain to mark it well.

Today is a day of the God,
Oh, the sun it does light the sky.
Today is a day of the God,
Oh, the time for worship draws nigh.

For He lives in us all,
As a spark of Divine,
And in Him we all do dwell.
Today is a day of the God,
Oh, I'm certain to mark it well.

Now is the time of Bright Spirit,
The stars twinkle in the sky.
Now is the time of Bright Spirit,
The time for great peace draws nigh.

For It lives in us all,
As a spark of divine,
And in It we all do dwell.
Now is the time of Bright Spirit,
Be certain to mark it well.

To Do: Witch's Edition

Did I ever mention that Aphrodite is one of the handful of clinger-ons to  the The Pantheon? Because she's around on occasion, generally fluttering around when me or my friends develop a new crush on someone, and might as well be part of The Pantheon when that happens. Or, when things like the Lover's Moon come around. It certainly is amusing watching a goddess prance around the room like she's drunk, just because it's a night for spells and prayers directed at her and her love god(dess) kin.
I have to admit, I've been pretty lax when it comes to celebrating Esbats. In fact, the only reason I know tonight is the Lover's Moon is from a Wiccan community I'm part of, that's holding an Esbat celebration tonight. It's one of the things I want to get better at, celebrating the moon. You'd think I'd be good at it, what with having a moon goddess as the mother figure of my private pantheon and all. Just goes to show I'm full of surprises.

On the note of things I want/have to do I'm thinking about trying to take some tarot training and go for my tarot certification. Of course, that means running down to the local metaphysical store and picking up another tarot deck that fits the training suggestions better. The deck I have only has basic representations of the numbers and suites for the minor arcana, and the training I'm looking at requires detailed images for both arcanas. I'm pretty sure I'll wind up being one of those people who collects divination tools: I already have two decks of oracle cards, a deck of tarot cards, a set of runes and a pendulum on the way. Ogham is on the list, too. I also need to run out to my garden to gather the herbs for the Litha ritual I'm planning on attending.

Righto. Now I'm off for my nightly meditation!

Blessed be.