There are times when you may find that being around certain individuals or groups of people leaves you with feelings of discomfort. It may be that spending time with a particular friend feels draining or that dealing with a specific coworker exhausts you. Being around toxic or angry people is also draining. And you may even find that being surrounded by a crowd of people lowers your energy levels rather than perks you up. This is not that unusual. Each of us radiates energy and is capable of being influenced by the energy of other people. It is important to learn how to shield yourself, so you don’t unknowingly take on someone else’s energy. While some people know how to instinctively protect themselves from being adversely affected by energy, most of us need to discover and practice the technique that works best.
There are a number of ways to avoid being affected by people’s energy. Shielding is one preventative technique you can use. Center yourself and envision being enveloped in a cocoon of loving and protective light. This protective layer should allow you to consciously regulate the energy around you. The intent to shield oneself is all you need for this technique to work. You can even create a trigger word to assist you in quickly creating a shield. Say this word each time you create a new shield, until the word and the shield become automatically associated in your mind. If you run into a person whose energy you find draining, you may want to cleanse your own energy field after your encounter. Sage, cold showers, singing, mineral water baths, spending time in nature, and a simple break to recharge are all ways to accomplish this.
While it is important to know how to shield yourself from energy, there are those energies that you may not want to shut out. The energy of laughter from a newborn baby, the feeling of joy radiating from someone in love, and the frequency of calm emanating from an enlightened teacher are just some of the energies coming from others that you may want to have around you.
Mercury Retrograde… we hear and see this quite a bit in and out of the astrology world…. and sometimes Mercury gets a bad wrap when he goes retro… but it’s not all bad.. :) When Mercury goes retrograde it would appear from our Earth’s prospective that Mercury is moving backwards….. hmmm no wonder he can cause some confusion… Yet, if we can “respect” Mercury while he is in this position by applying the “rules” that fit with this circumstance, we can come out of this period with a smile instead of a frown… :)
The “rules” are as follows…
Pay attention to and do as many things possible with the two letters RE in front of the word… for example… REnovate: REdocorate: REdo: REcreate: REnew:
Try not to begin any new projects:
Might not be a good time to start a new relationship
May be a good time to renew a relationship (depending on personal chart data)
Try not to sign important documents. Exception renewing a mortgage, but be very careful about the small print.
If you need to sign important papers, make sure you understand everything, if you don’t ask questions.
Mistakes in communications and messages are highly likely during this period, so read and REread before you sign or commit.
Expect delays in communications or in getting your questions answered.
Expect misunderstandings in communications
Have patience when communicating
Have patience when waiting for a reply or an answer
New plans made during this time may not work out as planned or may need to be REdone at a later date
When Mercury is said to be in “storm” he is moving very slowly, the effects of the Mercury Retrograde will apply to a slightly lesser degree.
Mercury Turns Direct October 9 2015:
We can begin to look ahead now, communications should run more smoothly and we may feel “excited” about the future. However, keep in mind not everything will go as planned, as Mercury is still in his “storm” until the 13th.
The 3rd 2015 Mercury Retrograde, “storm” and when it turns direct dates are below.
Mercury enters its “storm” on September 9th 2015 {Write down new ideas with date and time they occurred, when Mercury is “back on track” go through them and discard the ones you know will not work, then see what you can do with the rest :)}
SGC Admin: From our inbox to you… From About.com Paganism/Wicca… On Samhain (Halloween) Traditions & Customs
Samhain Traditions & Customs
Samhain is coming up on October 31 for our northern hemisphere readers, and this is the season of the witches’ new year! Let’s take a few minutes to look at the traditions behind modern Samhain celebrations, a brief history, and some of the many questions that Pagans today have about reconciling the spiritual celebration of Samhain with the more secular aspects of Halloween.
If you’re one of our southern hemisphere readers, Beltane is right around the corner – be sure to scroll down to the link with Beltane customs and traditions!
Samhain is known by most folks as Halloween, but for many modern Pagans it’s considered a Sabbat to honor the ancestors who came before us, marking the dark time of the year. It’s a good time to contact the spirit world with a seance, because it’s the time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest. Let’s look at the history behind the season.
Here at About Paganism, we get a lot of extra reader mail this time of year. Here are some of our most popular topics, regarding how we as Pagans can interact with the non-Pagans in our lives during the Samhain season.
Interested in learning about some of the traditions behind the celebrations of the late harvest? Find out why Samhain is important, learn why black cats are considered unlucky, how trick-or-treating became so popular and more!
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-off-Course:
There are times throughout the month when the moon is not fully immersed in any sign… this is when we say the moon is Void off 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 off Course…. However there are 4 signs in the zodiac which may prove positive during the Void-off-Course moon…
Good for Void-Off-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.
Thanks to Jim Shawvan present day astrologer, William Lilly 17th century astrologer and Llewellyn’s Daily Planetary Guide for opportunity periods.
Void-off-Course: October 7 @ 5:10 pm (ET) 2:10 pm (PT) to 3:50 pm (ET) 12:50 pm (PT). Leo Moon v/c is not one of the 4 “good signs”
House(s): 10th & 11th: 10th house of responsibility, career, social standing. 11 th house of friends, groups, team and humanitarian work.
Opportunity Period: October 6 @4:31 am (ET) 1:31 am (PT) to October 7 @ 5:10 pm (ET) 2:10 pm (PT)
What does it all mean?
The Leo Moon Loves Drama, so be warned…
The Leo Moon loves to noticed and recognized, so be prepared to “pump up” your loved ones and if you happened to have a Leo influence in yourself, be aware of how you may be going about getting recognized or appreciated… If you play your cards right this could be a positive time when you get to be where you need to be.
Try not to be overly “vain” and be prepared for drama at any-time from any direction
Try not to over react and if it’s not you doing the over reacting, try not to get caught up in the drama, or to encourage the over reactor
It’s a good time to check out the local talent, take in a down town show, get starry-eyed with your lover, or perhaps look for a new one, as romance is high on the priority ladder during this time.
Might prove positive for hair cuts, make overs.
In the 10th house: For some of us focus will be on our jobs and career’s, and this may be a positive time for folk who are looking for work, so stay open to possibilities and watch for opportunities. Behave while in social/business situations. Those who have families may need to keep their work at work, when it comes to family time.
In the 11th house. (moves into the 11th house @ 7:52 am Sept 9) Joining in with group or team work can feel totally natural now, even to those of us who are more of the solitary types. Charity fund raiser and events can appeal to the general public, making this a good time to set up such events.
This moon period will affect everyone, but more so those who have the following in their charts: And those who have a strong Capricorn or Aquarius placement in their charts.
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-off-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 off 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 off Course…. However there are 4 signs in the zodiac which may prove positive during the Void-off-Course moon…
Good for Void-Off-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.
Thanks to Jim Shawvan present day astrologer, William Lilly 17th century astrologer and Llewellyn’s Daily Planetary Guide for opportunity periods.
Void-off-Course: September 5th 7:04 pm (ET) 4:04 pm (PT) to September 6 @ 1:40 pm (ET): 10:40 am (PT)
House(s): 9th & 10th: 9th house of travel and higher learning. House of ambition, career and organizing.
Opportunity Period: October 5th 7:05 am (ET) 4:05 am (PT) to October 6th @ 4:31 am (ET) 1:31 am (PT). Keep following through on your plans already in motion.
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: A good time to learn something new, continue learning a new subject or working on a project… if you have been working hard of late, take a few hours out to enjoy yourself before the moon slips into the 10th house.
In the 10th house: Good for getting down to business, organizing or dealing with property issues. Don’t forget to smile and have a little bit of fun too… “all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy” ;)
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)