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Monday, June 1, 2015

June


Lithemonath                                                                          june

June is the sixth month of the year and is believed that the month is named after the Roman Goddess Juno, who is the wife of Jupiter and is also equivalent to the Greek Goddess Hera. It is considered good luck to get married in this month. June’s birth flower is the rose or the honeysuckle. The birthstones are the pearl, the moonstone, and the alexandrite which all symbolize health and longevity. The zodiac signs for the month of June are Gemini (until June 21) and Cancer (June 22 onwards).

It is the month of Litha, the summer solstice. The summer solstice was second only to Yule in importance to the ancient Northman. This was the traditional time for holding the Althing in ancient times, also dedicated to Tyr, the God of Justice and Order. It is the month that has the most amount of daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shortest amount of daylight hours in the Southern hemisphere. As we pass through the longest day and the shortest night of the year, it is also appropriate to meditate on the good things of life.

Cweorth or Eoh for q ᛢ (Fire, action, power).  Cweorth is the Fire of purification and destruction.  The Fire element is a purifying, masculine energy, associated with the South, and connected to strong will and energy.  Sowilo or sæwelo is the name of the s-rune, meaning sun s.  Sowulo is the rune of potential and success, sun, energy and expansion.  The Teiwaz t-rune t is named after God Tyr, justice and honor.  It is a rune of justice, strengths, warriors and order.

The Sixth Hall is about day to day life. This time also rules daily life, health, hygiene, food, work, employees, service, skills, servants, small animals, clothing and sickness. It is about the service you give and your habits. Other keywords include: daily routine, working environment, skills, pets, animals and service.


2 Full Sun Moon M

As the largest object in the sky, the Sun is the source of light, heat and life.  The energy of sunlight supports almost all life on Earth by photosynthesis and drives Earth's climate and weather. It can also be a symbol of destructive power.  To the Norse, the Sun was known as Sunna or Sol and was considered feminine.  Now is when the sun energy is the strongest. 

The Moon gives off no light of its own but reflects sunlight from its rocky surface. What we call moonshine is actually sunshine reflected by the Moon. Plan a ritual to balance your spiritual and physical desires.

                              With your soothing rays of light,

                              wipe away the lines that

                              worries have etched on to my face.

                              Accept my troubles

                              and transform them into wonders.


2 Baldur's Day

Sacrifice something beautiful today in a way that gives benefit to others. Balder (also Baldr, Baldur) is a God of light and purity in Norse mythology, and a son of the God Odin and the Goddess Frigg.  He has numerous brothers, such as Thor and Vali.  Balder's wife is Nanna and their son is Forseti.  He is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light shines from him.  He had a good character, was friendly, wise and eloquent.

He had a dream of his own death and his mother had the same dreams.  Since dreams were usually prophetic, this depressed him, so his mother Frigg made every object in every realm vow never to hurt Balder.  All objects made this vow except mistletoe.  Frigg had thought it too unimportant and nonthreatening to bother asking it to make the vow.

Balder was ceremonially burnt upon his ship, Hringhorni, the largest of all ships after his death.  Nanna, Balder's wife, died of grief and was burned with him.  Balder's horse, with all its trappings, was also burned on the pyre.

                              Blameless Balder, shining God,

                              let your goodness and your reconciliation smooth my path on

                              Earth.  When my days here are over, light up death's darkness

                              with the promise of rebirth.  Help me to avoid evil and seek the

                              good.  Inspired by you, I will keep my reputation spotless, that my

                              life will be proclaimed a victory of the spirit, and my leaving it, a

                              tragedy.


4 Clean Air Day

The atmosphere of Earth is a layer of gases surrounding the planet Earth that is retained by Earth's gravity.  The atmosphere protects life on Earth by absorbing solar radiation, warming the surface through heat retention, and reducing temperature extremes between day and night.  Nearly all Earth beings need air to live, both animals and plants.

Clean Air Day aims to increase public awareness of two key environmental priorities: clean air and climate change, as well as to encourage the public to take action in these sectors.  The day is a chance to celebrate our environment by keeping our air clean, to share walking safety skills with children, to bring safety to our neighborhoods and reduce crime, to address traffic congestion, pollution and speed around our schools, and to spend valuable time with one another.  Go for a Nature Walk. Quit Smoking. Bike to Work.

                              Leaves scurry up and down your clear highways

                              and thoughts with black feathers rise cawing,

                              a stream of thick smoke carries up.

                              Today I opened my mouth,

                              and out flew your song.

                              I learned to ride on the rafts of wind,

                              send my thoughts spiraling up to your place,

                              where every breath is a blessing,

                              every breeze is a song.

                              So may it be.


6 Garden Day

Exercise the body is one of the thirteen goals of a Witch, along with breathe, meditate and eat correctly.  This is a difficult goal for many people but it is an important one.  Our bodies are wondrous things that the God and Goddess have blessed us with.  We should respect the bodies we have been given and keep them in shape.  A healthy body feels better both physically and emotionally.  We also live longer and are less encumbered during mundane activities and magical ones as well.  To exercise the body is to honor the Divine Friends.

National Gardening Exercise Day is celebrated each year on June 6.  This is a good day to get away from your desk or out of your house, go outdoors to work in the garden and at the same time get some nice exercise.

Many of us do not realize the amount of good exercise that we can get while working outside in the garden.  It involves a lot of walking back and forth as well as bending up and down along with other things.  Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine are also an added benefit.


7 Children's Day

Children's Day is recognized on various days in many places around the world, to honor children globally. Feed a homeless child.  Aid a disabled child.  Or just take some children on a hike, telling stories about things you see along the way.  Children's Day was proclaimed by President Bill Clinton to be held on October 11, 1998, in response to a letter written by a six year old boy inquiring if he would make a Children's Day for him. "National Child's Day" was proclaimed by President George W. Bush as June 3, 2001 and in subsequent years on the first Sunday in June.

Bush said: "Every child in every neighborhood has unique gifts to offer. We must nurture our children's dreams, help them develop their talents and abilities, and ensure their healthy development so that they may reach their full potential. Our success in this vital endeavor will affect the direction of their lives and the future strength and vitality of our Nation."

                              Strength and wholeness. I shall run and not be weary. I shall

                              walk and not faint. Come Divine Friends, With light and comfort

                              from above. Be our Guardian, Our Guide, Stay close by every

                              child's side.  So may it be!


9 Wane Moon

This is a time of personal reflection and inner guidance. Soon the light of the God will fade completely before the cycle will begin again.

                              Hail Manni, God of the Moon!

                              Forever pursued but never caught,

                              You turn through the night,

                              and ward us as we sleep,

                              Hail Manni God of the Moon!


13 Gerald Gardner Birthday

Gerald Brousseau Gardner (1884 – 1964), who sometimes used the craft name Scire, was an influential English Wiccan, as well as an amateur anthropologist and archaeologist, writer, weaponry expert and occultist. He was instrumental in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to public attention in Britain and wrote some of its definitive religious texts. He himself typically referred to the faith as "witchcraft" or "the witch-cult", its adherents "the Wica", and he claimed that it was the survival of a pre-Christian Pagan Witch cult.

Several years after Gardner's death, the Wiccan High Priestess Eleanor Bone visited North Africa  and went looking for Gardner's grave. She discovered that the cemetery he was interned in was to be redeveloped, and so she raised enough money for his body to be moved to another cemetery in Tunis, where it currently remains. In 2007, a new plaque was attached to his grave, describing him as being "Father of Modern Wicca. Beloved of the Great Goddess".


16 New Moon

This is the time when the Sage is transformed into the Warrior. It is a time of renewal and new beginnings.

                              As the tides flow, and the Moon rises above,

                              we are thankful that he has returned.

                              He watches over us, ever constant,

                              yet always changing,

                              and we are thankful for his light.

                              Bring us your wisdom, your guidance,

                              your protection, in the coming month.

                              You are behind me at every step,

                              watching and guiding me,

                              and I am thankful.


21 Odin's Day

In many traditions of Wicca and Paganism, there is a great deal of focus on the Goddess.  Sometimes, there's so much attention to the feminine that the masculine aspects get overlooked.  By welcoming the God of your tradition, you can honor the men who have impacted your life - whether they raised you, loved you or are being brought up by you.

Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.  Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June, though it is also celebrated widely on other days.  Typically, families gather to celebrate the father figures in their lives.  In recent years, retailers have adapted to the holiday by promoting greeting cards and traditionally masculine gifts such as electronics and tools.  Schools and other children's programs commonly have activities to make Father's Day gifts. 

Celebration of masculine energy within the Earth community. Do something in a leadership position, especially if it is difficult. Odin is a chief God in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard.  He was called the Alfadir (All-father), for he is the creator of the Germanic Peoples and the father of many important, powerful Gods and human heroes. Odin has only one eye, which blazes like the sun.  He is often pictured as an older man wearing a floppy hat and a blue-grey cloak.  His role, like that of many of the Norse Gods, is complex.  He is associated with war, victory and death, but also wisdom, magic, learning, sky, poetry and the hunt. 

Odensdagr in Old Norse, Wodnesdaeg in Old English, is the day of the Germanic God Woden, more commonly known as Odin. Speech is the appropriate word for Woden’s Day. On Wednesday, dwell deeply in the mystery of ansuz a and see where that leads you.

On some future Wednesday, I also recommend that you undertake the following Working—be intensely conscious of what you say, how you speak, and be aware of what others say and what they really mean as well. Try to say what you mean and mean what you say, but also learn to use words creatively, according to your Will and goals. Hone your skills in the use of language(s) but avoid the inane, unconscious, babble that only degrades your very being.

                              Allfather who art in Asgard, Hallowed be

                              thy name, thy Kingdome com, the Norns

                              fate be done, on Midgard as it is done in Asgard.

                              Give us this day our daily bread.  Forgive not

                              those who trespass against us, lead us

                              into blind confidence and deliver us unto your wisdom.

                              In Divine Friends Names, So may it be.


21 Midsummer

A day for the Sun and Fathers.  Open the House to others to share the ritual, or take it elsewhere. Like all the great high holidays, this ritual should be shared with the greater community. The gardens are blooming and summer is in full swing.  Fire up the barbeque, turn on the sprinkler and enjoy the celebrations of Midsummer!  Also called Litha, this Summer Solstice Sabbath honors the longest day of the year. In ancient times, the Sun was believed to be the center of the universe, the core of existence.  Take advantage of the extra hours of daylight and spend as much time as you can outdoors. 

The Summer Solstice or Midsummer was second only to Yule in importance to the ancient Northman.  It is a time for general laughter, bonfires, food and dances. The day is dedicated to Baldur, God of Light and in honor of Sunna, Goddess of the Sun.  A fire is lit in honor of a solar deity and the Sun, jumping through the flames will purify and renew energies. As we pass through the longest days and the shortest night of the year, it is appropriate to meditate on the good things of life.

The Sun is one of many objects in the sky that has been used in Wicca practices.  Early people believed the Sun was a symbol of the divine force that gave us life on Earth.  To physically feel the power of the Sun beating down on our skin, warming us, have it determine the length of the day and provide the light we need to survive under has made it an influential force. It is also a time for general merriment, meditations on the good things in life, food and dances.  

                              The tent is raised,

                              a cry goes up. She comes a radiant Sun

                              rejoicing, presiding, her day.

                              From end to end of the universe her progress.

                              No creature, no least being but catches fire from her.

                              For love, passion and energy for all.


23 Music Day

Unfortunately we know little about Viking music.  In ancient times, common Vikings didn't posses the technology of writing on vellum or paper. What little we know about the Vikings and their music has been passed down through the generations from outside observers.  The information indicates that music was used for a variety of reasons.  Sombre chants were used for sermons and sacrifices, while a livelier tune were played at festivities; then there were the bawdy tunes sang while drinking mead.

In attempting to reconstruct this music, modern scholars look to traditions in Iceland for further guides.  Iceland remained remote and maintained the language of the Vikings almost unchanged up to the present day, though there is no solid evidence of any unbroken musical traditions.  Viking musical instruments are very rarely preserved, because they would generally be constructed of wood or other perishable materials.  Archaeological digs have revealed quite a variety of instruments dating back to Viking times: pan flutes, horn pipes, lyre and lur.

Make Music Day, held annually in June, is a global celebration of music making. Taking place in more than 110 countries and 800 cities around the world, it is the perfect opportunity to meet and create new music makers. Completely different from a typical music festival, Make Music is open to anyone who wants to take part. Every kind of musician — young and old, amateur and professional, of every musical persuasion — pours onto streets, parks, plazas, and porches to share their music with friends, neighbors, and strangers.


24 Wax Moon

Used for attraction magic, inner love spells, protection for couples and healing energy.  This is a time for spells that attract, that bring positive change, love, good luck and growth. Gaze at the Moon and offer your love.

                              Ancient wise one, wayfarer of the night.

                              Take all that has to end, all that

                              must disappear and die with you,

                              into the darkness.  I welcome your

                              peace, I welcome the stillness.

                              As you disappear into the dawn, so

                              I choose to go within.

                              Blessed be.


25 Freya's & Freyr's Day

Ritual sex is appropriate on this day, or weather magic.  Freya (Freyja, Freia, Freja or Lady) is a Goddess associated with love, sexuality, woman, beauty, fertility, gold and death.  She is the 'wild woman' among the deities of the North. Freya is the owner of the necklace Brisingamen, rides a chariot pulled by two cats, owns the boar Hildisvini and possesses a cloak of falcon feathers.  Freya’s home is in Asgard, called Folkvang, “Field of the Folk”, and her hall is called Sessrumnir, “a space with many seats”.  Along with her twin brother Freyr and her father Njord, she is a member of the Vanir.

Freyr (Frey, Ing or Lord) is one of the most important Gods of Norse paganism. He is described as being very handsome, powerful, merciful and kind, and is called the 'God of the World'.  Freyr was associated with sacral kingship, virility and prosperity, with sunshine and fair weather, animals and was pictured as a phallic fertility God. Freyr is presented as one of the Vanir, the son of the sea God Njord, brother of the Goddess Freya. The Gods gave him Alfheim, the realm of the Elves, as a teething present. He rides the shining dwarf-made boar Gullinbursti and possesses the ship Skidbladnir which always has a favorable breeze and can be folded together and carried in a pouch when it is not being used.

                              Holy sister and brother,

                              Lady and Lord of the Vanir,

                              Golden of hair as the fields of wheat

                              Who bring riches of heart and hearth

                              To noble and common folk alike

                              You are the security wealth can buy

                              And the happiness it cannot.

                             

                              Lord Freyr, Corn God

                              Warrior without a weapon

                              Who gave his sword for love,

                              You who make the grain spring forth,

                              Show us faith in every harvest.

                              Bless the bonds of those whose love

                              Binds them to land, to hearth,

                              To commitment of permanence,

                              O God whose wedding was cursed and blessed.


                              Lady Freya, warrior woman,

                              Chooser of the slain warriors,

                              Teacher of magic and mysteries,

                              Mistress of Seidhr and mother of jewels,

                              Love Goddess and Lady of Springtime,

                              Flowers scattered in your footsteps,

                              Unashamed of love and pleasure,

                              Help us to remember

                              That there are many kinds of wealth.


                              Bless us, Freyr and Freya,

                              Most precious gems of Vanaheim,

                              With the gold of next year's grain and sun.


26 Poet's Day

The skald was a historian, storyteller, poet and singer of songs. The skald was highly respected in Viking society for his skills. They were common in both Scandinavian and Icelandic courts. Skaldic poetry would be spoken not sung. Bragi is the God of poetry in Norse mythology. 

The primary feature which distinguishes Norse poetry is probably the alliteration used. Alliteration means words which begin with the same sound, as in song ... sword, board ... brand or eagle ....  Another important feature of Norse poetry is the use of kennings. A kenning is a riddling reference to one item or concept which does not name it directly, but rather suggests it by the elliptical way in which the subject is spoken of, which causes the listener or reader to visualize the intended concept.  A simple kenning is found in the name Beowulf or "bee-wolf": the wolf is a kenning for "thief" hence the phrase becomes "bee-thief" which the Norse listener would understand to be a bear, which steals honey from bees.

Today is a day for all poets to celebrate their special talents and the vision that makes them so wonderful and dear. Poet's Day is a time to share special thoughts about poets and poetry.




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