Marisol Velasco October, 2011

Now we all know what time of year is upon us….yes it’s our favorite holiday full of ghouls and ghost, candy and pumpkins Halloween!

But did you know why else October is such a special time of year?

It is believed that during this time of year the veil that separates the world of the living and the world of spirits is thin cumulating on October 31st when the veil is at it’s thinnest.  This belief goes way back to ancient times when the Celts believed that during this time the souls of the dead would come back.  October 31st was known as Samhain and was celebrated as the new year a time when crops were harvested and cold and darkness where upon us.

This belief of the thinning of the veil is celebrated throughout the world for example Mexico celebrates the Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) where families visit the cementeries not only cleaning and repairing headstones and plots but also taking the time to commune with the dead in the form of celebration where a meal is eaten and the families pray for their loved ones. Even the Roman church got involved celebrating All Saints Day to honor the saints and martyrs of the church.

As a result of the thinning of the veil between the worlds it is a prime time for Tarot card readings and any type of psychic work.   As a reader during this time you should be able to have an easier connection to the spirit world and your readings should be more fluid and accurate. As a client you will be more open to recieving a reading and this in turn allows your reader to give you a prime reading. The intuitive and psychic abilities of many people become magnified during this time of year.

If your in the process of learning the Tarot the month of  October should be used as a time for practice not only in the definition of the cards but also allowing yourself to listen to the internal voices and vibrations that reach you.

So keep in mind as we travel towards the end of the Celtic Year to focus on strengthening your inner connection and voice to the spirit world. Take some time to pull out your tarot cards and play yes play with them, look them over, handle them, cast them. Take advantage of not only the fun aspects of October but also the psychic aspects and enjoy not the candy and the vibrate connection that comes with All Hallows Eve.

Tags: cards, celtic, Divination, halloween, new year, reading, samhain, tarot

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Mother Moon September, 2011

The Journey

Often the thoughts that flow into my mind are those of wonder.  Wondering about how and why things occur as well as how they all connect and relate to me.  A curious one I am but that has been a trait of mine since I was young.  It was this inquisitive mind that gave me the nickname of nuisance when I was young.  It was a name I proudly bore until I realized its definition.  Through various questions to those around me or even complete strangers to reading all I could get my hands on about anything that seemed to excite me at the moment, I learned quickly that the world is made up of several  perspectives. It then became my quest to figure out which view was right.  This task turned out to not be as simple as I had first thought it would be.

My search led me to a spiritual path as I grew.  Growing up in the bible belt I did not blindly accept all that was fed to me in regards to how and why and who I was suppose to worship/follow if I was to be a good girl on the right path.  I listened to each story as it was told to me, intently I might add.  Yet when they were finished I would begin with the questions.  I remember when I was first told just because, that is how it is.  I guess they did not know me well, as such an answer was not going to satisfy me.  Being the quiet child that I was I would sit back and observe quite often.  A trait I am thankful for.  It is through actions not words that one shows their true self.  And this simply task answered many questions that the adults would not answer with their words.

My search led me to many places and to many understandings in regards to things that have crossed my mind.  In the end it brought me back to where I began, the earth itself.  Through observance of her ways and cycles I learned as much about myself as from any book.  My sanctuary became Mother Nature and it was where I went to worship.  When asked what path I followed I often found it hard to explain.  Although I had attended the church of man and learned much in my early days, it was not where I wanted to remain.  The Celtic/Druid path seemed best to describe the thoughts that filled me and the mannerisms that had become my form of worship.  So many of their beliefs and acts were already part of my daily ways.  I found a place that seemed to fit me well.

The Celtic/Druid path goes back to a time that has been forgotten by many.  A time when man watched the cycle of the year and lived their life as it spoke to them.  Technology was not what told them what or how to do something.  It was the signs that were given to them from nature herself.  Man respected nature and nature in turn respected man and gave of herself in many ways.  Sadly this practice is not as popular these days.  Man has become too consumed with the need to better himself and grow in an almost immediate sense.  He hurries around at a pace that makes him incapable of seeing the small miracles that occur every day via nature.  He loses sight of the things that are truly important and sees only the need to be more.  In doing so, he loses out on so much of who he is, who he was, and even more important who he could be.

I would like to invite you to join me In the coming months as I share with you a little of what I have found on my journey thus far.

blessings,

Mother Moon

Tags: celtic

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Jazz July, 2011

The Goddess Danu

Danu (Da-noo)  is the mother of the Celtic Gods, the goddess of rivers, and her name means knowledge, wisdom, wealth and abundance. She is also known as Dana, Anu or Don and she encompasses both light and dark, meaning she both gives and takes. She is extraordinary and is known as a triple Goddess, meaning that she can take the forms of maiden, mother or crone. She can embody all sorts of energy and forms so she can adapt to the current situation at hand.

The colours that represent her are green, silver, blue and black. Danu has the extraordinary capability to connect to more than one element, but she is mainly linked to water and air. Because of this, many animals are linked to her – including the snake, fish, mare, and seagull. Some other symbolism includes holy stones, amber and of course, flowing water. She is highly associated with fertility, growth, cultivation, and abundance, mainly since she nourishes the earth.

With her being considered the most ancient of the Celtic Deities it’s remarkable as to how few stories there are about her. They are hard to come across, even though the Danube river and a mountain on the face of Venus are named after her. However, it appears the most popular tale is in regards to the ‘Children of Danu’, her followers. It is believed that when Ireland was invaded, the children panicked and were able to shape-shift. Choosing to shift into Fae and Leprechauns. Some versions say that her followers were actually born from her, but that is up for debate. Because of her help with the children, she became known to provide positive interactions with the leprechauns and fae.

Danu has the amazing ability to provide one with luck and good wishes. She brings power and teaches us to respect one another and ourselves. Just as the mighty, powerful river flows into the vast, open sea, Danu brings us to our dreams. She helps us reach them and pushes us to motivation- showing us what we are capable of.  If you are feeling down, lacklustre, uninspired, and just not having any luck, Danu is the one to go to.

Tags: celtic, danu

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Drogo Empedocles June, 2011

Celtic Spells, Chants, Charms, Prayers of Making, Evoking, or Binding

All 3 are acknowledgments of the laws of nature. The first Welsh Spell says the spirit of water and earth elements shines even when the moon is dark. The second Gaelic Spell speaks of the Serpent’s Breath of Life & Death, and our will to make. The third English Spell describes how three aspects can be parts of one whole; as with the symbol “Y”.
1. Welsh Spell of Making
A elfyntodd dwyr sinddyn duw,
cerrig yr fferllurig nwyn,
os syriaeth ech saffaer tu,
fewr echlyn mor necrombor llun.
2. Gaelic Spell of Making (in Modern Irish Gaelic)
Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh
3. English Spell of Making (in American English)
One flows from Two,
Two Rivers are One.
One is Three,
And Three is One.

Tags: celtic, magic, magick, spells

• Spells & Rituals

Michele Burke June, 2009

Gaelic Healing Water Spell

Acquire equivalent portions of violet, rosemary, and lavender. After give power to them boil them in approximately one quart of water over a medium flame. Once the water has a rich color and the herbs begin to emit a scent throughout your kitchen, drain off the water off into a jar. An organic coffee filter works well for this. Leave the jar in the sunshine for an entire day to take in the glowing energies from the sun. (To add the healing powers of mercury to the spell do this on a Wednesday) Occasionally gaze into the jar to add your own energies to it.

Just prior to twilight bring back the jar from outside and clutch it tightly between your hands just beneath your naval. Feeling your yearning to be in good health filling the jar, with your mind’s eye envision the jar shimmering as brightly as the sun. Repeat this chant until you have filled the jar with such an overabundance of energy that it can hold no more.

By the sun and by the herb
wellness and I are now as one
spiraling energies now are merged.
Destructive energies now be purged…

Anoint the body where the infirmity lurks if you are uncertain as to where the foundation of them discomforts lies, pour contents into bath water.

Bibliography and Works Cited:

Davis, G. G. (1908). Celtic Healing Water Spell.  Retrieved from great grandmothers Book Shadows.

Tags: celtic

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Michele Burke May, 2009

Celtic Spirituality

Celtic Spirituality is and has always been based on the fundamental knowledge that all existence is born of cyclical nature and therefore, all existence whether human or from nature has a direct link connecting the otherworld to the realm of the material world. From the Druidic teachings handed down through the Welsh tradition we are shown that there is an unseen world that intermingles and affects our perceptible world.

Things are not always as they may seem. Everything that “is” exists on numerous synchronized levels. The human being, the cognitive creature that he is comprehends the world around him as having three dominions or levels as it were: the spiritual, the corporeal (physical), and the emblematic. Consequently, the Celtic culture became one with nature, thusly, expressing their beliefs through the varying possibilities of being. Moreover, Celtic religion has taught the appearance and manifestation of divine beings on Earth and reincarnation of the human soul.

The Celts saw every existing thing or being because being composed from the three realms of reality. These three realms overlie and interrelate with each other in magnificent ways. The astrophysical chart of the primordial Irish people consisted of three realms or spheres (Ord Draiochta na Uisnech, 2003).

known as the “Magh Mor (MOY-mor), Mide (Meath), and Tir Andomain (Cheer ANDO-vain.) In other words, the ancient Irish people “believed in the “Great Plain” of the upper realm of Sky, “Middleland” for the Earth (Land), and “Land-under-wave” for the lower realm of the Sea” (Ord Draiochta na Uisnech, 2003).

The Makeup of the Irish people’s entire reality existed of these three realms, which in combination made up their entire reality. There were and are no boundaries extricating these realms of being, the realms overlap and intermingle into on another; forever shifting and changing within time and realities.

The Three Realms

The Realm of Sky (Magh MOR)

The Realm of land (Mide)

The Realm of the Sea (Tir Andomain)

(Ord Draiochta na Uisnech, 2003)

Just as the Druids of the past we continue our search to seek out the boundaries, holding the thresholds of time and place as powerful and above all sacrosanct. The lands of Tir Andomain (Sea) and Magh Mor (sky) each have influence and authority in our mortal domain the realm of Mide (Land), just as the succession of the seasons is the caused by the oscillation of the Moon and Sun the cycles of death and life are affected by the sphere of the Sea which manifests itself into the realm of Mide (Land) (Ord Draiochta na Uisnech, 2003). Moreover, both Goddesses and Gods hold authority in Magh Mor, Mide, and Tir Andomain. Furthermore, even the mortal realm Mide influences the two other realms, for the depths of the lochs, the burial mounds, and even the caves are entrances to the underworld to the underworld.

Bibliography and Works Cited:

http://www.irishdruidry.org/publish/the-three-realms

Bountiful Blessings!!!

Tags: celtic, spirituality

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Michele Burke April, 2009

Belenus – Celtic God of Beltane

In Celtic mythology the Sun God Belenus worshipped in Britannia, Gaul, Italy, Northern Spain and Austria. Belenus has had shrines erected in his behalf from Aquileia (on the Adriatic) to England (Kirkby Lonsdale). Associated with healing and heat, the meaning of his name is Henbane God or the Shinning one.

It has been said the Belenus may be in fact the same deity as the God Belatu- Cadros from the Roman Empire period and thusly identified with Apollo. His companion is Belisama. Belenus’s name has appeared on inscriptions, concentrated primarily in Cisalpine Gaul and Aquileia, however, these inscriptions have also been found in Noricum and Gallia Narbonensis as well as other distant lands.

Beltane/May Day

Over the years Beltane has been known by many names, in contemporary Irish it is known as Lá Bealtaine, in Scots Gaelic it is known as Bealtiunn, the Welsh know it as the Calends of May (Galan-Mai) and on the Isle of Man (Manx) as Laa Boaldyn, Laán Tourey (Day of Summer) or Shenn da Boaddyn. Beltane is the start of the Summer Half of the Celtic year but what ever the name it is a festival of absolute joy.

A Large number of mythological Celtic events are associated with this day, balancing out it is opposite Samhain. The first people and co-creators of Ireland first landed on the island on Beltane. 300 years to the day later the inhabitants returned to their Other Worldly plane. It was on Beltane that the Tuatha De Danann invaded Ireland. On May Eve Pwyll and Rhiannon’s (the rulers of the Welsh Otherworld) son Pryderi was lost and later found by Teirnyon Twryf Vliant on another May’s Eve after which he was later returned to Pwyll and Rhiannon. The majority of these events concern the forces of darkness being defeated by light

Modern Day Beltane Festivals

One of the major sabbats today is the primeval Celtic fire festival. The Celtic fire festival is the time to observe the unification of the Sun God and the young Goddess, the time when winters darkness copiously retreats and life once more returns to the earth. Like Samhain, during Beltane the shroud between this world and other worldly realms is at its thinnest, in times of yore this was viewed as a time of impending mischief or danger from seditious spirits. Thusly, during Beltane it was a time to mollify these spirits and to begin preparing for the soil in hopes of a good harvest later in the year.

The May Pole

the May Pole represents the impregnation of the Earth Goddess by the Sun God, in the traditional May Pole dance, weaving the ribbons, joins two elements to form the third which represents life at its creation. The fire of Beltane lit in a pit or cauldron represents passions fire. Traditionally, one will jump over the fire for luck or fertility in the upcoming growing season. It is said that a woman will be exceedingly blessed if she becomes pregnant on Beltane. Men wear circlets of green while the women don blossom of circlets.

Excerpt from A Tree Song

Oh, do not tell the Priest our plight, or he would call it a sin;

But we have been out in the woods all night, A-conjuring Summer in!

~ Rudyard Kipling

Bibliography and Works Cited

Kipling, R. (A. D. 1200). A Tree Song. Retrieved March 21, 2009, from http://www.poetryloverspage.com/poets/kipling/kipling_ind.html

Tags: Beltaine, beltane, celtic, holiday, may day, sabbat

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Michele Burke March, 2009

Celtic Goddess’s of Fertility

Eostre is the Celtic and Britannia Goddess of fertility associated with the spring and the pagan feast day Ostara, Eostre gave her name to the Christian festival of Easter, Some of the present day Easter customs can be traced back to our ancestors who worshiped her in years gone by, e.g. they Easter egg.

Blessings of Ostara

In the fertility of the earth we celebrate around the mighty Ash

Promises of faith avail over the bleakness

Ostara you have stead fast against the winter wolves’

Bringing forth once again an end to the cold

In joyous exchange for summer’s blessed warmth

~ Michele Burke (2009)

Benedizioni di Ostara (Italiano)

Nella fertilità della terra celebriamo intorno il possente Ash

Avvalgono di promesse di fede nel corso del bleakness Ostara avete sostitutivi fast contro i lupi inverno ’

Portare via ancora una volta porre fine al freddo

In cambio gioiosa calore Beato dell’estate

Ho cercato di tradurre questo verse ho scritto in italiano ecco che cosa sono giunto fino con

Finora potrebbe dirmi se è corretto?

~ Michele Burke (2009)

ANU

Anu represents the Maiden aspect of Morrigu the Goddess of Mother Earth; she is the manifestation of moon, magic, air, prosperity and fertility.

Olwen

Olwen the Welsh (Celtic) Goddess of the spring flowers symbolizes the earth’s rebirth after a

long winter and love.

The Awakening

Beneath the ancient oak Olwen sleeps

Rhizome arms lie across flowering white breast

Hair blossoming like fragrant chamomile awakening in the spring

Il risveglio (Italiano)

Sotto la quercia antica sleeps chiara

Rizoma armi risiedono tutta della mammella fioritura bianco

Capelli fioritura come camomilla profumato risvegliando nella primavera

~ Michele Burke (2009)

Cerridwen

Cerridwen is th embodiment of fertility, luck, death, regeneration, the arts, poetry, science, inspiration and astrology.

Cerridwen’s Cauldron

In her cauldron she prepares a magical brew.

Yielding three precious drops, each drop its own bestowment has

One for wisdom, One of knowledge and one the secrets of times to come

~ Michele Burke (2009)

Magico di ’s Cerridwen (Italiano)

Nel suo calderone ella prepara un brew magico.

Cedendo tre gocce preziose, ogni goccia che ha la propria bestowment

Uno per la saggezza una delle conoscenze E uno i segreti dei tempi a venire

~ Michele Burke (2009)

Druantia

Queen of the Druids. Druantia mother of the Druid tree calendar and Goddess  of the Fir, Druantia is the embodiment of fertility, protection, creativity, knowledge, passion, growth, sex, and the forests and the tree’s.

Coming in April: Celtic God’s

Tags: celtic, fertility, goddess

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Michele Burke February, 2009

What is the Ogham? And where do they come from?

The Druid Ogham alphabet fits flawlessly into the mystic culture of the Celts. The rareness of the Ogham alphabet makes it easy to see why the Celta believe that it was bequested to them by the Tuatha de Danaan God Ogma (the God of Eloquence).

The source of the Ogham is shadowed in mystery. Unclear as to where and when the ogham alphabet began to be used. It has been said that Julius Caesar, (first century BCE), aknoledged that druids used the Ogham in Gaul, nevertheless, scientistific research to date has not been able to find any evidence of Ogham carvings previous to 300 CE. This gap in time shows to be mysterious and furthers the belief that the Tuatha de Danaan may well be responsible (this is my belief). Nevertheless, putting all mysteries aside let us move on to the important question of what we do know about this mystical alphabet and the individuals who used it?

Primaraly carved onto wooden staves this practice can be seen in Bardic Irish literature, and in fact by the names given to them (named after trees)early in th Oghams history. In the medieval manuscripts of Ireland the Ogham alaphabet known as the Beth-Luis-Nion referring to the first three letters of their Galic names, which coincedentaly are also names of trees. Beth is the birch, Luis mountain-ash or rowan, and Nion the ash tree.

In addition to the Oghams being used and recognized by their names they were also used in the Celtic Tree Calandar. These Druid Oghams comprised the Celtic calander in which it had  thirteen months, the extrady in the Celtic calandar was observed as a day of ritual to renew the year.

And inturn created  the druid calandar in association with the trees that the Oghams were linked to.

Shone the sunset red and solemn: Muirgen, where he leant, observed
Ogham

Down the corners of the column letter-strokes of Ogham carved.
“Tis, belike, a burial pillar,” said he, “and these shallow lines
Hold some warrior’s name of valour, could I rightly spell the signs.”
Letter then by letter tracing, soft he breathed the sound of each;
Sound by sound then interlacing, lo, the signs took form of speech;
And with joy and wonder thrilling, part a-thrill with fear,
Muirgen read the legend plainly, “Fergus son of Roy is here”.

~ Sir Samuel Ferguson, (1865)

So in conclusion one can see that even though there may never be a scientific explanation as to where and when th Ogham first came to be thouse of us who believe know it came from Ogma God of  the Tuatha de Danaan.

Bibliography and Works Cited:

Daugherty, M. (2006). The Celtic Tree Calendar. Irelands Own. Retrieved January 21, 2009, from http://irelandsown.net/celtictrees.html

Sir Samuel Ferguson, Lays of the Western Gael, 1865.

Tags: alphabet, celtic, druid, ogham

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Michele Burke December, 2008

Gaelic Healing Water Spell

Acquire equivalent portions of violet, rosemary, and lavender. After give power to them boil them in approximately one quart of water over a medium flame. Once the water has a rich color and the herbs begin to emit a scent throughout your kitchen, drain off the water off into a jar. An organic coffee filter works well for this. Leave the jar in the sunshine for an entire day to take in the glowing energies from the sun. (To add the healing powers of mercury to the spell do this on a Wednesday) Occasionally gaze into the jar to add your own energies to it.

Just prior to twilight bring back the jar from outside and clutch it tightly between your hands just beneath your naval. Feeling your yearning to be in good health filling the jar, with your mind’s eye envision the jar shimmering as brightly as the sun. Repeat this chant until you have filled the jar with such an overabundance of energy that it can hold no more.

By the sun and by the herb
wellness and I are now as one
spiraling energies now are merged.
Destructive energies now be purged…

Anoint the body where the infirmity lurks if you are uncertain as to where the foundation of them discomfort lies, pour contents into bath water.

Bibliography and Works Cited:

Davis, G. G. (1908). Celtic Healing Water Spell.  Retrieved from great grandmothers Book
Shadows.

Tags: celtic, correspondence, druid, realms, three realms

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