April Newsletter 2009

[Neamhain Riona]

~April Newsletter~


History of April Fools

April Fools' Day, sometimes called All Fools' Day, is one of the most light hearted days of the year. Its origins are uncertain. Some see it as a celebration related to the turn of the seasons, while others believe it stems from the adoption of a new calendar.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.

Problems With This Explanation
There are at least two difficulties with this explanation. The first is that it doesn't fully account for the spread of April Fools' Day to other European countries. The Gregorian calendar was not adopted by England until 1752, for example, but April Fools' Day was already well established there by that point. The second is that we have no direct historical evidence for this explanation, only conjecture, and that conjecture appears to have been made more recently.

Constantine and Kugel
Another explanation of the origins of April Fools' Day was provided by Joseph Boskin, a professor of history at Boston University. He explained that the practice began during the reign of Constantine, when a group of court jesters and fools told the Roman emperor that they could do a better job of running the empire. Constantine, amused, allowed a jester named Kugel to be king for one day. Kugel passed an edict calling for absurdity on that day, and the custom became an annual event.

"In a way," explained Prof. Boskin, "it was a very serious day. In those times fools were really wise men. It was the role of jesters to put things in perspective with humor."

This explanation was brought to the public's attention in an Associated Press article printed by many newspapers in 1983. There was only one catch: Boskin made the whole thing up. It took a couple of weeks for the AP to realize that they'd been victims of an April Fools' joke themselves.


Spring Fever
It is worth noting that many different cultures have had days of foolishness around the start of April, give or take a couple of weeks. The Romans had a festival named Hilaria on March 25, rejoicing in the resurrection of Attis. The Hindu calendar has Holi, and the Jewish calendar has Purim. Perhaps there's something about the time of year, with its turn from winter to spring, that lends itself to lighthearted celebrations.

Observances Around the World
April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western world. Practices include sending someone on a "fool's errand," looking for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.

The French call April 1 Poisson d'Avril, or "April Fish." French children sometimes tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Growing Moon

Also called: Hare Moon,Seed or Planting Moon Planters moon, Budding trees moon, Eastermonath, Ostaramoanoth, Pink MOon, Green Grass Moon.

April 1st: Festival of Kali in India. The Fortuna Virilis of Venus in Rome. Day of Hathor in Egypt.

Arpril 3rd: Wicked_faery's Birthday

April 4th: The Megalesia of Cybele, or Magna Mater, in Phrygia and Rome, commmorating the arrival of the goddess to her Roman temple. A seven-day festival.

April 5th Festival for Good Luck in Rome; the goddess Fortuna.

April 8th The Hana Matsuri, the Flower Festival, in Japan; honor of the ancestors and deocration of shrines. The Mounichia of Artemis in Greece; a day of Moon cakes.

April 11th In Armenia, the day of Anahit, goddess of love and the moon.

April 12-19: The Cerealia, or return of Persephone, in Rome, honoring Ceres and her daughter.

April 15th Festival of Bast

April 22ndFestival of Ishtar

April 28-May3 The three day festival of Flora and Venus, or the Floralia, in rome; goddess of sexuality and spring flowers.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Correspondences

Plant Faeries

Basil, chives, dragons blood, geranium, thistle

crimson red, gold

Daisy, sweetpea

pine, bay, bergamot, patcholui

ruby, garnet, sard

pine, bay, hazel

bears, wolf

hawk, magpie

Kali,Hathor, Anahita, Ceres, Ishtar,Venus, Bast

Power flow: energy into creating and producing, return balance to the nerves. Change, self0confidence, self=reliance, take advantage of opportunities. Work on temper and emotional flare-ups and selfishness.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Ham,Spinach and Cheese Strata

1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 box (9 oz) Green Giant® frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
2 medium red bell peppers, cut into strips
1 cup sliced leeks
3 cups diced cooked ham
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1 loaf (9 oz) ciabatta or French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)
7 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz)

1. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In 10-inch skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add spinach, bell peppers and leeks; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until crisp-tender. Remove from heat.
2. In baking dish, layer ham, spinach mixture, 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese and the bread. In large bowl, beat eggs, milk, mustard and pepper with wire whisk until blended; pour over bread. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese and the Italian cheese blend. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 4 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
3. Heat oven to 325°F. Bake loosely covered 40 minutes. Uncover; bake about 30 minutes longer or until top is golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Herb incense of the month

Allspice Burn to attract money and luck and to provide extra physical energy.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

* I am posting the full ritual, But I do not cast circles personally and there are too many parts of this ritual for me to do. So I will downsize it for myself and post it in another forum to share. *

Full Moon Ritual April,9th 2009

Full Moon Ritual, to be performed anytime in honoring of the Goddess Hecate in Her full moon aspect and/or performing any type of full moon magick and requesting Her assistance, or any other Full Moon Goddess, in your magick. Also, since this is a Full Moon ritual, and not a Sabbat, and you are working with Moon's energies........Her energies......., there is no need to call in any God. Moon rituals are sacred and for the Goddess only. You call in the Goddess and God at Sabbats, as the Sabbats are the interaction between the Goddess and her Consort...between Earth and Sun. And the Moon......is for the Goddess only!

Arrange your altar with all of your tools and other items the way you wish and then bless the altar saying:


I bless You now that You may aid
The energy flow as magick is made
I cast out negative energy
Leaving only the positive to live and breathe
Within you as I start this Rite
Blessed be in joy, love and light.


Then pick up the wand and draw an invoking pentagram in the air above the altar. Replace the wand and say:

Blessed Be, O Creature of Light
Tools now of magick with power and might.


RITUAL SWEEP WITH BESOM (going widdershins)

Witche's Broom, swift in flight
Cast Out Darkness, Bring in Light
Earth be hallow; Air be clear; Fire bright; as water heals
A sacred bridge this site shall be, as my will, so mote it be.

CAST THE CIRCLE with your magickal sickle or staff. (Note, some Witches are using a Sickle to cast the Circle of Hecate. The sickle is the symbol of the Crone--of harvesting and death. It is an ancient women's tool--more so than the sword.)

By the power of the Witch’s Staff (or sickle)
is the Magick Circle made.
A strong enclosure, a power-full room,
Safe within the Goddess’ womb;
A sacred place, a world apart
Where energies merge and Magick starts.
With Air and Fire this Circle I tread
To know our will is Magick ‘tis said.
With Water and Earth, this Circle is complete
To dare and keep silent after we meet.

Bless and consecrate the water, incense, and salt with your athame on your altar by casting out any impurities and uncleanliness of the spirit unknown. Then combining salt and water cleanse circle with a chant. Then combining incense (air) on fire (charcoal) cleanse circle with a chant. You do this by going deosil

EVOKE QUARTERS & LIGHT THEIR CANDLES

Hail Ye Mighty Ones of the East, Power of Air and mind
I summon and stir thee up to attend and protect this rite
as I perform a Full Moon Ritual this night.
I bid thee Hail and Welcome.
(Light the candle and do an invoking pentagram in the air)

Hail Ye Mighty Ones of the South, Power of Fire and energy
I summon and stir thee up to attend and protect this rite
as I perform a Full Moon Ritual this night.
I bid thee Hail and Welcome.
(Light the candle and do an invoking pentagram in the air)

Hail Ye Mighty Ones of the West, Power of Water and emotions
I summon and stir thee up to attend and protect this rite
as I perform a Full Moon Ritual this night.
I bid thee Hail and Welcome.
(Light the candle and do an invoking pentagram in the air)

Hail Ye Mighty Ones of the North, Power of Earth and stability
I summon and stir thee up to attend and protect this rite
as I perform a Full Moon Ritual this night.
I bid thee Hail and Welcome.
(Light the candle and do an invoking pentagram in the air)

CIRCLE IS SEALED (make an invoking pentagram in the air over your altar)

The Circle is sealed and I am
completely cut off from the outside world
so that I may give honor to the Goddess Hecate,
Great Goddess of the Dark Moon.

LIGHTING THE TRIPLE GODDESS CANDLES

Three Candles I do Light
In Honor of Thee, O Goddess this sacred Night
White for the Maiden pure as Snow
Red for the Mother full within, and
Black for the Crone, old and wise

DRAWING DOWN THE MOON-
INVOCATION TO HECATE, GODDESS OF THE FULL MOON

I call upon She who unveils all mysteries!
Oh Mother of all Creation, Goddess Hecate,
the Three and the One.
Goddess of fertility and fullness.
Oh wise one, filled with Luna's secrets
whose torches of the Moon light the darkened sky.
Full-orbed Hecate, Mistress of enchantments,
Queen of Heaven, Earth and the Underworld,
Protectress of all Witches,
Come Now into me your Priestess
Fill Me with Your Presence
Oh Gracious Queen of all Witches as I attend this Rite.

(Imagine or see the Full Moon and see this haze descending from the moon into you. Feel Her slowly envelope you, starting at the top of your head and slowly moving down to your feet. Feel this vibrating energy of the Goddess Hecate fill your very being. When Her energies reach your feet, know that you are walking as Hecate, as She is you and you are She. Note: you can use this invocation or another one from Invocations to Hecate)

CHARGE OF THE GODDESS

I am Goddess of three Moons.
I am mistress of the Night.
I am the richness of the Earth.
I am the Moon and the Seas.
I am all that was and is and ever shall be.
Nor has any mortal ever seen that which lies beyond my veil
for I am indeed mistress of mysteries and the keeper of the keys.
I am Queen of all living things, for I Am Goddess of Nature.
I smile and the radiance of the Moon is everywhere.
Gather in secret if you must,
but do not tarry too long behind closed doors,
for it is in the richness of the earth and the boundlessness
of the sky that my true temple is to be found;
And the Moon, and sun and stars will keep your secrets.
I am all these things and more.
Hear my words my children and worship and be glad.
Look for me within these things but above all,
within your own soul, for it is there I am.
I have been with you in the beginning
and I shall be with you at the end.
I am the womb of new beginnings,
as yet unimagined and unknown.

PRAISE TO HECATE

In this most sacred Night of the Full Moon
And mystical hour of the night
Does the Goddess Hecate reign supreme
And in Her name do I now give Her praise.
HAIL TO THEE HECATE; HAIL TO THEE HECATE
HAIL TO THEE HECATE, TRIPLE GODDESS OF THE MOON

If you wish to do some sort of magick for prosperity, happiness, love, work related, this would be the time to do it. You can do candle magick, poppet, parchment magick, etc. If you would like to take a journey to the realm of Hecate to receive Her message to you, you will find a journey in Samhain Ritual to Evoke Hecate But other than that, this ritual can stand alone to simply honor the Goddess Hecate when the moon is full.

Blessings of Cakes and Wine - wine should be in Chalice and with athame bless the wine and then the cakes as follows:

I bless thee of Creature of Wine (cakes)
Knowing that when I drink (eat) of the
I partake in the powers of the mysteries of You
Great Goddess Hecate

LIBATION (Take the chalice of wine in both hands and hold it up and say smile

In honor of the O Great Goddess Hecate
Do I pour this Libation and drinketh this Toast
All Life is your Own
All fruits of the Earth your power, your wisdom, your liberation
I thank You for Your blessings and strength
Join with me; Feast with me; Enjoy with me.
(You can pour a few drops of wine onto the ground in front of the altar as an offering to Hecate, if you are outside. If you are in your temple, then pour some wine into your Libation bowl along with an offering of cakes) Then raise the chalice to your lips and drink.)

(You can now medicate, consult the tarot, or any other divinatory devices, or simply sit back and relax. Remember eating of the cakes helps ground you from the energy of the circle, and from the cone of power that you built if you did magick.)

THANK YOU AND FAREWELL

O Hecate, My Queen, My Goddess
You who awaits for me at the end of Life.
I thank you for thy blessings and of your spirit from your
Cauldron of the sacred fire on this night of the Full Moon
I bid thee farewell
(Put out Goddess candle)

Thanking the Triple Goddess

Wise Crone, who face is hidden from the starlit night
Thank you for joining my sacred this night.
I bid thee farewell
(Put out Crone/black Candle)

Mother, nurturer and giver of life
Who dances across the nightly sky in your silvery light
Thank you for joining my sacred circle this night
I bid thee farewell
(Put out the Mother/red candle)

Maiden, bringer of new ideas and inspiration
Who dances across the sky in carefree glee and anticipation
Thank you for joining my sacred circle this night
I bid thee Farewell
(Put out the Maiden/white candle)

QUARTERS RELEASED (I go widdershins, since I went deosil to welcome)

Mighty Ones of the East,
Wise Ones of Intellect and Mental Powers
I thank you for your presence on this magickal Night
Ere Ye depart to your sacred realm
I bid thee Hail and Farewell
(Put out the candle and do a banishing pentagram)

Mighty Ones of the North,
Ancient Ones of wisdom
I thank you for your presence on this magickal Night
Ere Ye depart to your sacred realm
I bid thee Hail and Farewell
(Put out the candle and do a banishing pentagram)

Mighty Ones of the West,
Mystic Ones
I thank you for your presence on this magickal Night
Ere Ye depart to your sacred realm
I bid thee Hail and Farewell
(Put out the candle and do a banishing pentagram)

Mighty Ones of the South,
Ancient Ones firey light and passionate vitality
I thank you for your presence on this magickal Night
Ere Ye depart to your sacred realm
I bid thee Hail and Farewell
(Put out the candle and do a banishing pentagram)

Return to the East and draw a banishing pentagram in the air with your wand to break the seal of the Circle.

CALLING BACK THE CIRCLE ( I go widdershins in calling back the Circle. Use whatever tool you cast the Circle with. I prefer using my sickle of Hecate or staff/wand)

Power cast and then forgotten is power wasted
Wherefore do I call ye back O Circle of Power
into my mighty staff (or sickle)
By the holy flame, this Circle disappears and becomes no more
Everything is as it was since the beginning of time.

The Circle is opened by unbroken
May the love of the Goddess be ever in your heart
Merry Meet and Merry Part
and Merry Meet again

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Ceremony for Birthing Your Wishes and Desires


Setting aside a few minutes each month during the new moon phase to focus on yours wishes and desires will help give you clarity of mind and fill your heart with promise. When it comes to setting goals or planning ahead for your future there is no better time to get started than during the new moon. Any intentions stated or written down carries power, so please take care in considering the things that you really want. The saying "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." is fair warning whenever setting your new moon intentions into motion. But, no worries. The moon has its phases and so do our individual wants and needs. This is why it is a good practice to rededicate your list of intentions each month when another new moon visits.
Prep for Upcoming New Moon Manifestation
Check a moon phase calendar for the next upcoming new moon.

Set aside 20-30 minutes to do the ritual itself.

Supply suggestions:
notebooks
pen and colored markers
scissors
scotch tape
candle
matches
incense
smudge sticks
meditation CDs

Prepare yourself a sacred space where to perform the ceremony when the new moon arrives
Setting your New Moon Intentions in Motion
Cleanse your sacred area with an opening prayer, a sage smudging, and/or by burning some incense.

Light one or more candles.

Center your being and calm yourself in whatever way is appropriate for you. Take some deep cleansing breaths, slip in a meditation CD to listen to, and/or leisurely sip on a cup of relaxing herbal tea.

Open your notebook, and date the first page. Write down these words "I accept these things into my life now or something better for my highest good and for the highest good of all concerned." or something similar. Below your affirmation statement, begin writing down your desires. Your list may consist of only one item or you may have several pages written down. Try not to limit yourself. If having many things in your life helps to fulfill you then don't deny yourself wanting these things.

During the month when an item on your new moon list comes to you, don't merely cross it off of your list, take the time to rewrite the list in its entirety eliminating the manifested item from the listing. This is highly recommended. At the same time you may add whatever else that you have decided you would like. Feel free to reword any of the original phrases if they better fit your life now. It is natural that your desires will change as time advances.

A second notebook will be used as a manifestation scrapbook where you paste in pictures or catalog clippings of items that you want to manifest. This is a fun project so enjoy yourself. You will soon be amazed how these things begin to find their way into your life once you start this process.
Rededicating your New Moon Intentions
Each month at the new moon rededicate your intentions by renewing your list at a repeated ritual. This is accomplished by rewriting your list out using a fresh sheet of paper. Don't get in the habit of simply scratching out the items you no longer desire and adding the new stuff to the bottom of your old list. You don't want clutter and sloppiness energies messing up your new stuff do you? Disregard any items that no longer feed your soul and add new things that do.

It is helpful to salt and pepper your manifest list with smaller items that will manifest quickly, such as tickets to the ballet, lunch with a friend, or a day at the spa. You may think that smaller things are too trivial to put on your intention list... Wrong! Things that tend to manifest with little effort still deserve to be written down. Write down everything that you desire, no matter how little or simple. If it is something that makes you happy, write it down. Manifesting smaller items on our lists actually creates a steady flow of energy to the list. These smaller manifestations create movement, allowing an ebb and flow of the tides. We are dealing here with the moon cycles after all. Besides, sometimes we forget to appreciate the smaller pleasures in our lives while we are waiting for the BIG stuff to come in. If you only write statements like, "I want to win the lottery" in your notebook then you are limiting yourself by not allowing abundance to flow to you from other avenues.

 

[wicked_faery]

Spring Quotes & Poems

April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go. ~Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer. ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations. It is not much matter if things do not turn out well. ~Charles Dudley Warner

Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~Hal Borland

April is a promise that May is bound to keep. ~Hal Borland

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood

And Spring arose on the garden fair,
Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;
And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast
rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.
~Percy Bysshe Shelley, "The Sensitive Plant"

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men. ~Chinese Proverb

The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun's kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze.
~Julian Grenfell

The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
~Robert Frost

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring. ~George Santayana

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Audra Foveo