Greetings
Ok, so my Datebook Spell took a bit to get going. It’s been a
slow month but now it is picking up. If you tried my spell, please let
me know how it is working for you.
I have just added my newest pendulums to the Infinite Flame website.
I created these back in October but have not had time to put them
online. As I mentioned above, this month has been slow so I took advantage
and finally put them here.
I also updated my Enchanted Moon site (finally!) and added a page to
promote the fact that I can create magazines. This page has the two
issues of The Muse that I worked on, put there as an example
of my work but if you missed this magazine when it was around, be sure
to download
the PDF version. This was a truly wonderful publication and it was
fun to work with Storm on it. (She gave me permission to put these on
my site)
To continue our Wheel of the Year candle set, Alicia and I are going
to create an Imbolc candle
this week and empower it on the holiday. We have the colors, stone,
and scent all set. I will have more on this in my Imbolc
Newsletter and will have the candle on the site as soon as it
is done. We are making this candle attuned to the energies of Imbolc
but not so much Bridget. We plan to create another candle devoted
just to Her as She is the Goddess that we honor when we create our
candles.
Year of the Earth Ox
There is a lot going on today: new moon, solar eclipse (at 2:59am so
not visible in the States) and the Chinese New Year of the Ox begins.
I have always been interested in astrology and my sister & I discovered
Chinese astrology back in the 80’s. She found a book that combines
the two, The New Astrology by Suzanne White, and we wondered
at its accuracy. Well, as soon as she read the first two lines of the
section that was me, a Leo Snake, she claimed it was very true. The
lines read "The Snake born in Leo is always right. Even if he’s
wrong". Hee hee. Actually I can admit when I am wrong, but
it has to be proven with charts and graphs and documentation : )
My point is that if you are interested in astrology, take a look at
the Chinese years, it may help you better understand why the two people
you know who share a zodiac sign are not so much alike if they do not
also share a birth year.
So what does The Year of the Ox have in store for us? According to
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes:
"We will feel the yoke of responsibility coming down on us
this year. No success can be achieved without conscientious efforts.
The trials and tribulations the Ox year brings will be mainly on the
homefront. It is a good time to settle domestic affairs and put your
house in order. This year will no doubt bear fruit, but the motto
is: "No work, no pay!" Time waits for no man; if we are
too lazy to sow then we can blame no one if we have nothing to reap.
We will find a great many things requiring our attention, and the
list of what needs to be done will seem endless. The Spartan influence
of the Ox will be a constantly cracking whip over our heads. Better
to apply oneself diligently than waste time arguing with the authorities.
They will prevail, as the year of the Ox favors discipline.
Most conflicts this year will arise more from a lack of communication
and refusal to give in on small technicalities than anything else.
But hang on and be patient. Everything will be sorted out and we will
be rewarded for our efforts -- so long as we remember to do things
the conventional way. This is no time for tricky shortcuts. For the
rebels, it may be worthwhile to point out that although the stoical
Ox is soft-spoken, he carries a big stick, and this is his year."
Wow. Ok, well, you can find out what sign you are, if you don’t
know already, by checking out either one of the books I mentioned or
one of the many books out there on the subject. You can probably find
out online too. Some books, like the Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes,
will tell you how your sign fares in each of the 12 years.
The Scent of an Ox
I was wondering what scent would be best for the Chinese New Year 15
day celebration. None of my books listed any, and a search online revealed
some interesting facts but not much scent-wise. I did find out a bit
about Chinese incense. It is a very important part of their daily rituals
and prayers. They believe, as do many witches, that the smoke from the
incense carries their prayers up to the heavens. Here’s a bit from
the web page http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/festivals/0497_Incense.html:
"At first, incense was brought to China from India. Merchants
from China traveled across deserts and mountains, along part of what
is known as the Silk Route, in their quest to buy incense. The route
was notoriously dangerous, with robbers being a constant threat, but
it is said that the mystical properties of incense were held in high
esteem, even by bandits, who feared to attack shipments of incense.
The import of incense continued for several decades until demand finally
exceeded supply and the Chinese decided to learn for themselves how
to make incense."
So I guess a good way to celebrate the Chinese New Year is to burn
incense. My guess would be any floral or spicy scent would do. They
do use sandalwood incense often.
The scent that came to me is cherry blossom, I have not seen
it as an essential oil but I have seen products with that scent. According
to Magical Oils by Moonlight, cherry blossom is used for happiness,
harmony & balance, and peace.
Mandarin is a citrus fruit which is also known as Mandarin
Orange or Tangerine. It is native to China but now Italy is the
biggest producer of Mandarin Oil. Mandarin itself brings happiness but
if you do not have it, orange also brings happiness along with harmony
& balance, good luck, prosperity and love. All citrus scents will
uplift your mood so a nice blend of mandarin or orange, lime, bergamot
and grapefruit will help get rid of those winter blahs as you celebrate
the Year of the Ox.
~~~~Rhiannon Rose
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