From our inbox to you, From Patti Wigginton on: Handfasting

SGC Admin: Yep it`s getting to that time of the year when it`s most popular for “tying the knot`… If you have ever wondered what goes into the Pagan celebration of hand-fasting (or getting married) check out Patti`s article below… :) 

Hands tied with ribbon at wedding hand fasting ceremony Stock Photo - 3337510

Handfasting Season is Here!
Looking for information on how to hold a Pagan handfasting ceremony? Here’s where we’ve got it all covered, from the origins of handfastings to jumping the broom to selecting your cake! Also, be sure to learn about magical handfasting favors to give your guests, how to make sure you’ll have a magical ceremony, and who can actually perform your handfasting!

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Patti Wigington
Paganism/Wicca Expert
Handfasting History: An Old Tradition Made New  
Handfasting was common centuries ago in the British Isles, and then vanished for a while. Now, however, it’s seeing a rising popularity among Pagan couples who are interested in tying the knot. Many Pagan couples choose to have a handfasting ritual instead of a traditional wedding ceremony. READ NOW
Handfasting Tips: How to Have a Magical Ceremony  
Spring is here, and love is in the air! For many people of Pagan faiths, this is the time of year for a handfasting ceremony. If you’re lucky enough to have someone you love this much, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind while planning your handfasting ceremony. READ NOW
Handfasting Favors: Magical Gifts for Your Guests  
t’s become traditional to give each of your guests a small wedding favor. Typically, these are small trinkets with either the date of the event or the couples’ names on them. However, if you’re having a Pagan or Wiccan handfasting, rather than a traditional wedding ceremony, why not come up with an idea that celebrates your spiritual path, as well as announcing your commitment to the community? READ NOW
Who Can Perform a Handfasting?  
Handfastings are becoming more and more popular, as Pagan and Wiccan couples are seeing that there is indeed an alternative for non-Christians who want more than just a courthouse wedding. A common question among Pagans is that of who can actually perform the handfasting ceremony itself? READ NOW
More About Handfasting  
Wondering about jumping the broom, handfasting bonfire safety, deities of marriage, and how to choose the perfect cake? We’ve got it all here, including a sample ceremony template that you can use!

How to Choose Your Handfasting Cake
Jumping the Broom: A Besom Wedding
Handfasting Bonfires: What You Need to Know
Deities of Marriage and Love

Sample Handfasting Ceremony Template
Handfasting Basket (Thirteen Blessings)

READ NOW

 

About Paganism/Wicca 

From out inbox to you from DailyOm on: “Visiting Sacred Sites“

Visiting Sacred Sites
The Spirit of a Place

Stone Hedge - England Stock Photo - 182524
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Keith Levit

by Madisyn Taylor

 

Visiting a sacred site can be a useful tool to open something within you that has remained inaccessible.

From time immemorial, the hands of men and women have built sites guided by both the earth’s life force and benevolent beings of light. It is because of this guidance that the sites we deem sacred have long served as repositories of wisdom, energy, and illumination that can be accessed by all. The needs that inspire seekers to converge upon sites known to be sacred vary by individual. Some crave spiritual fulfillment above all else, while others hope to draw upon a site’s energy for the purpose of enlightenment, healing, or deep meditation, awareness and knowledge of information long gone.

Sacred sites can appear insignificant to those who close themselves off from the notion of a living earth. But sites can provide us with a link to a unified consciousness that involves the living and the dead, infinite cultures, the physical plane, and the spiritual world. When we look beyond well-known sites like Stonehenge, we discover energetically active sites such as the Iron Age fogou caves of Cornwall, England, or the pyramids of Meroe in the Sudan. Similarly, it is easy to imagine that hallowed places exist only in remote or exotic locales. Yet many of the most richly vital sites are easily accessible, and visiting these lesser-known sites can be a profoundly moving experience. One such site, Serpent Mound in Ohio, was thought to be created by the ancient Adena peoples nearly 1,000 years ago to align with the summer and winter solstices. Its precise purpose remains unclear, but many who visit the site conclude that it was meant to be a conduit through which cosmic en! ergy could flow into the earth.

The sacred sites that call to you from afar—capturing your imagination and resonating deep within your soul—will nearly always be those that can help you forge a deeper connection with the divine energy that sustains all life. During your pilgrimage, reaffirm your intention to accept whatever gifts are conveyed to you through the sites you visit. Your receptiveness will help you establish lasting relationships with these sites so that you can draw upon their peace and their power from wherever you are.

From our inbox to you from: EarthSky News “Giant sunspot turns towards Earth“

SGC Admin: For all you budding astronomers out there… :)

A vector illustration of a young boy looking at stars in the sky using a telescope Stock Vector - 11973405
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright: Atristicco LLC

 

Giant sunspot turns toward Earth
Sun-watchers have had their eye on giant sunspot AR2529. Check out these photos from the EarthSky community. Aurora alert for April 13!
Kepler is OK! Spacecraft recovered from emergency
Kepler mission engineers still aren’t sure why the planet-hunting spacecraft went into Emergency Mode last week.
Leo? Here’s your constellation
Late March, April and May are good months for identifying Leo the Lion. How to spot it, its history, and the telescopic wonders in this region of the sky.
Tonight … Moon near Gemini stars
Tonight’s moon is approaching stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini the Twins. Pollux is brighter and golden in color. Castor is pure white.
Yes, we still have lunar calendars
Beautiful wall poster gives you moon phases for 2016.

The Moon and Astrology: How it affects our daily life… Transiting Moon in Cancer April 2016:

The Moon and Astrology

&

HOW IT AFFECTS OUR DAILY LIVES… 

In astrology, the moon is connected to our emotions and reactions… how we are feeling on a given day may well be influenced by the sign that is visiting the moon… Each sign stays with the moon for up to 2.5 days…. :) 

The Moon Void-of-Course: 

There are times throughout the month when the moon isn’t fully immersed in any sign… this is when we say the moon is Void of Course… and when this occurs, we may feel “foggy” and “unfocused” … We may not be sure how we are truly feeling about a situation or a person…. Therefore it is not recommended that we make long-term commitments or important decision’s while the moon is Void of Course…. However there are 4 signs in the zodiac which may prove positive during the Void-of-Course moon… 

Good for Void-Of-Course Moon:

These v/c signs may prove to be quite productive times.

  • Cancer
  • Taurus
  • Sagittarius
  • Pisces…

Opportunity Periods  (thanks to astrologer Jim Shawvan):

There are other periods throughout the month that are known as Opportunity Periods, when it can prove to be a positive time for most people, however if you have challenging aspects happening within your own chart you may not be able to make use of opportunity periods. astrologer and Llewellyn’s Daily Planetary Guide for opportunity periods.

Present Moon Sign/Phase/House:

8403025-stone-monument-asterisk-cancer-symbol-at-water--3d-illustration[1]
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : drizzd
  • Date: April 12 2016
  • Moon Sign: Cancer @ 4:07 am (ET) 1:07 am (PT)
  • Moon Phase: 1st
  • Void-of-Course: April 13 @ 11:59 pm (ET) 8:59 pm (PT):
  • House(s): 9th house of travel, higher learning, publishing, advertising and legal matters
  • Opportunity Period: None. 

What does it all mean?

  • The moon is happy in the sign of Cancer because she rules here. Being sympathetic towards the worries of others is easier, we are more empathetic now. 
  • We can be more nurturing when there is a cancer moon
  • Domestic chores and responsibilities may be easier to do now, in fact some of us may be very happy making our home comfortable and safe
  • Cooking may be fun to do now,  so go ahead and try out that new recipe
  • The more emotionally sensitive of us, may take offense or feel slighted or more vulnerable during the Cancer moon… Caution is advised though, check your facts before you “accuse”. 
  • Some of us may feel needy, while others of us are happy to be the cuddler, helping our loved ones feel secure and in deed needed. Caution is advised that some of us can go over board on the needy thing during this moon period, so be careful if you don’t want to “scare” someone off… 
  • It’s a time for cuddles, caring, good food and just plain old lovings… :) Enjoy..
  • In the 9th house: Some folks could be tempted to take up a new hobby, or learn a new talent. It could be a good time for some to deal with legal issues. If you need to advertise something, now is a good time to do it… :)
  • This moon sign will have more of an effect on those who have the following in their charts. 
  • Moon in Cancer: (these folk may really feel the influence of the moon, emotions may be close to the surface)
  • Ascendant in Cancer:
  • Sun in Cancer:
  • Sun in Sagittarius
  • Moon in Sagittarius
  • Moon in the 4th, 9th house:
  • Aspects to the Moon or Capricorn
  • Ascendant or Mid-heaven in Cancer

Got a Question?

E-mail grunge symbol,clean Stock Vector - 31854609

 

 

 Copyright Greta McKenzie Astrology april/13/2016

Astrology and how it affects our daily life. Transiting Mercury Moves into Taurus April 2016: Mercury goes retrograde April 28 2016

 

3D render depicting the Greek God Mercury, messenger of the gods, the god of trade, merchants and travel Stock Photo - 16793380
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Linda Bucklin
  • Event: Mercury moves into Taurus

  • Date: April 5 to June 13 2016

  • Time: 7:09 pm (ET) 4:09 pm (PT)

  • Retrograde: Mercury turns retrograde on April 28

cute buffalo head cartoon Stock Vector - 15377114
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright : Masrobbi Alfaridi

What does it Mean? 

  • Mercury is the planet of communications and technology, he is what makes us think. He is also in “charge” of transportation
  • Mercury rules Virgo and Gemini
  • Taurus has to have both emotional and material security to be content
  • Taurus is ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty and money. 
  • Taurus is much slower to act than Aries is… she needs to be sure it’s the best decision, and she takes a bit longer to fully understand what is all involved. 
  • We could be slower on the uptake, and some of us could feel slightly frustrated at the pace…
  • Patience is in the cards for others, it will be easier for you to take your time and mull over your options… for the rest of us, we could be “chomping at the bit” to get going
  • We prefer to stick to what we know now, new ideas or projects or ways of doing things are more challenging to connect with
  • Slow and steady is the way to go now
  • Our thinking will be more on the practical side, tackling abstract issues may not go as well as anticipated. 
  • Some folks may be tempted to view the world through “blinkers” making it awkward for those around them… 
  • Those who have a tendency to be stubborn may be more so… hopefully their loved ones will be understanding and convince them with love and hugs to change their mind if the subject needs to be resolved now. 
  • Money issues could be on the agenda and if they are we are encouraged to take our time with them. 
  • We are more aware of our comfort needs now… so indulge… :) 

Mercury Retrograde: Enters Storm April 21, Goes Retrograde April 28 until May 22: In Storm until June 1 2016;

Try and Avoid the following: 

  • When Mercury is Retrograde or in its storm, it’s not the best time to begin any new projects. Work on the ones that are already in progress.
  • Because Mercury rules communications, technology and transportation, entering into any new legal contracts or signing important papers may not go as planned.
  • Predictions or expectations for or about such issues, (buying a house, signing a lease, a new job, a new study) will not go as planned.
  • If you have to proceed with important situations, be aware that changes are likely.
  • Make sure you find out all you can about everything, and make as many notes as possible. 

Try to follow the recommendations below: 

  • When Mercury is retrograde it’s  the perfect time to re-do and re-visit past issues…
  • Write down your ideas and the time they occurred. 
  • If it comes back on the market put another offer on that house you “lost” after your previous offer:  
  • Redecorate your home or office, check out your policies…
  • Bring up unresolved relationship issues and re investigate possible solutions.
  • Mercury retrograde gives us a second chance… :) 
  • Mercury in storm isn’t as strong as Mercury Retrograde, but it can still have a disappointing or challenging effect. 
Copyright: Greta McKenzie Astrology April/5/2016