Saturday Strolls Through Astrology #3

Hope your weekend is going well. Mine has been going well so far. It's Saturday night again, so here we go through our next trek into the Zodiac signs. The Signs of Fire. The Fire signs of the Zodiac are Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

Like last weeks Air Signs, Fire signs tend to love freedom. Conversely from air however, this is more a freedom of action, being able to do what they want to do, while air tends to want freedom of thinking, ideas, and how to express themselves.

Aries is the Cardinal of the fire signs. Aries is also considered to the be the first sign of the Zodiac. They  tend to really like having things go their way. They can be very much go-getters, always seeming to be charging forward, very much in a ram like fashion.  It is ruled to by Mars, a leader of warriors, many Aries find themselves in leadership positions, though can have a hard time if things aren't going their way.

Leo is the Fixed sign of Fire. They are tend to be showy and LOVE to have an audience, though they can do quite on their own. They can be very generous and warm. They are also some of the most loyal friends you can have, defending those they care about fiercely. Though they can also be rather vain, and hell may have no fury like a women scorn, but a Leo scorned can be pretty darn close.

Sagittarius is the Mutable sign. They can see the grand scheme of things really well, but have a hard time spotting the fine print. They can also be rather, well blunt, lacking in tact when trying to make their point. They have no problem traveling, tending to see everywhere as their place in the world, though loving to learn about various people and cultures.  They also tend to do do very well in the areas of religion and philosophy because they can really sink their teeth into it, find out everything about it by deeply engrossing themselves.

Next week will will move to the so called feminine signs, beginning with the water signs of Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio.

This week's discussion question is the same as last weeks, only related to Fire Signs, look more into them, and see what else we can notice about them. How are they similar, how are they different even amongst themselves? If you know that you are an Fir sign, what qualities about your sign do you agree fit you, what things do you disagree with? Remember these as we move into later areas such as your ascendant and moon signs. They might make sense of these issues.

Have an awesome week everyone,
Rune

Convocation!

This can be considered a post that is very late or right on time depending on the week. I do plan to do another C post to make up for not posting last time. My post this week is on something I am looking forward to at the end of the month, Convocation, which is a gathering of various spirituality minded people, mostly pagan and shaman. This is a yearly gathering that happens every February here in Michigan.

This will be my first time going to Convocation, this will also be my first larger step into the larger local, and national, pagan community. I hope to meet a lot of people and learn a lot. I may be doing a lot of things over the internet, this how ever is on a much more personal level. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a more than a little nervous. This is really stepping out of my comfort zone and going to a large gathering of people like this. Another thing that gets me, this is a group that some people in that group that will already know who I am and some of the things I have been doing, how scary is that? Though the time is right to step away from just behind the computer screen and the air waves.

My list of things to do, not the least of which being meet a few of the other Radio host of the Pagans Tonight Network that will be there. Starting with a ritual by Selena Fox on Thursday night, been really been looking forward to meeting her after hearing and reading about her for so long. Hope to attend a class by Mark Mandrake, though so many things are going on I'll have to look and see the class schedule that is given right at the door to see exactly what I will do that weekend.

I am hoping my spiritual life will only grow with this experience. Grow in my spiritual family, what ever there path may be. If you are going to something similar, have a blast and learn what you can! My discussion question for this week is "How are you getting involved with your own local community, do you have any advice for those that are just beginning to search for their Pagan brothers and sisters?"

Rune

Saturday Strolls Through Astrology #2

Where we begin our Journey through the signs of the Zodiac. Beginning with the Air signs of Libra, Gemini and Aquarius.

Greetings again everyone. It is Saturday Night, and here I am, almost late at typing a post once more. So glad I am not working for a company with this. They might just have to fire me for not meeting deadlines, ha. This week we begin to really get to it by starting to look through the zodiac signs that the planets will be moving through, which we can later use to get incite about ourselves. We will start by going through the Air Signs.

The signs of the Zodiac that belong to the element of Air are Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Air signs tend to be high intellectual and heavily into logic. Their minds are always going, this could be both good and bad. Constant over thinking can lead to indecisiveness. Something else to note that all the Air signs are Masculine signs.

The first sign we will look at is Gemini. Gemini mutable sign that is ruled by Mercury. Gemini is also known as the Twins. Many can seem to have different views on things from minute to minute, this can result from having two different personality ruling them in the twins. Though Mercury transfers new information quickly, causing them to input new information in moments, also making them very adaptable. They can be born story tellers.

Next we come to Libra. Libra is a cardinal Sign ruled by Venus. Libras can take the incisiveness as well. Though this comes from wanting to do things their way while remaining diplomatic. After the fact they can feel guilty about their choices for going to far in one of these directions, either not thinking of others, or not thinking about themselves.

The Last Sign is Aquarius, called the Water Bearer. Many people mistake the placement of the sign based on the nickname, wrongly placing it as water sign. Aquarius is a Fixed sign that is ruled by Uranus. They can be seen as taking a little bit of everything when it comes to beliefs and how they live. They like to study the human condition, know more about how they think and act. They can be the least judgmental of signs, despite liking to get things their way. They are more likely to praise someone for being who they are. People seem to come to them for help and advice, many Aquarians find themselves worrying about other problems more than their own.

I managed to get this finished on time, even if i didn't post it so. Next week should be a little bit earlier, though will still be posted late Saturday Night. Next week we will be looking into the Fire Signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.

This week's discussion question is on the Air Signs, look more into them, and see what else we can notice about them. How are they similar, how are they different even amongst themselves? If you know that you are an Air sign, what qualities about your sign do you agree fit you, what things do you disagree with? Remember these as we move into later areas such as your ascendant and moon signs. They might make sense of these issues.

Saturday’s Strolls Through Astrology #1

Beginning our look at astrology with a basic over view of the zodiac signs.

Hello everyone, I hope you are have a had a great start to your weekend. I know mine has been going well so far. This is another one of those posts I’ve been meaning to get on to writing for awhile now. Maybe I should higher someone to stand behind me and make sure I get on these things LOL.

There was so much interest in my Astrology post for the Pagan Blog Project that I have decided, in time with my own beginning studies on the subject that I will be making a weekly blog post. Considering that I seem to have a name for the segment, it will probably remain on Saturday. Giving me something to post on the weekends. This will serve to help me keep in time with my studies as well as generate interest for anyone else who wants to study Astrology as well. So I will more or less be the piano teacher that learns the material hours before teaching the students, only admitting it.

Let us begin our studies in common western Astrology. Most begin applying it, as shall we, using what is called Natal Astrology, which is used to to discern the alignment of planets at the time of ones birth to determine qualities of a person. Though in time we will probably look at other ways much the same information can be looked at in other areas as well.

We will begin our studies of course with a quick mention of the signs. In western astrology there are 12 signs that are based off constellations we see in the sky. These signs, known as the signs of the Zodiac, are:

1. Aries the Ram
2. Taurus the Bull
3. Gemini the Twins
4. Cancer the Crab
5. Leo the Lion
6. Virgo the Virgin
7. Libra the Scales
8. Scorpio the Scorpion
9. Sagittarius the Archer
10. Capricorn the Goat
11. Aquarius the Water Bearer
12. Pisces the Fish

Many of you have already noticed that I have not put any dates next to the signs. I have done this on purpose because while many people know of the dates when the sun is in those signs, that is only one part of the picture and I wish to show that they interact with all the other facets of astrology as well. I will do a few posts on how the sun relates to these signs after we finish going through them.

The signs are broken down in 3 major ways. I am of course being very quick and general while explaining these divisions, there are much more to each these categories then what I am saying now. The ways of dividing them are:

1. Polarity: This one causes a lot of problems for people today. Because of the language used. They are divided among Positive(Masculine) or Negative(Feminine) traits. The language is seen as overly sexist and I agree. We both have traits of both the Masculine and Feminine, and neither are better or worse the other. They way they look more to me, would be external and internal signs.
2. Modality: These how these signs express themselves, how rigid they are. Cardinal (actively seeking change), Fixed (Like the Status Quo), Mutable(very adaptable). 
3. Elements: They can be divided by the elements of Air, Earth, Fire, Water. Each element has has 3 signs to itself.

I saved elements for last because that is how we are are going to travel through the signs based on their elements. We will begin with the Air signs of Gemini Libra and Aquarius.

My Discussion Question for this topic is rather simple. “What is your previous experience with Astrology?”

Brightest Blessings

Rune

 

P.S. Source information is mainly from The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk and Astrology for Dummies by Rae Orion.

Births and Rebirths!

I’ll be honest, I had a few topics that I was thinking about this week. This is a post that can be stated as waiting till the last minute to write. A very good friend of mine was thinking of writing this topic when she realized something that fit more to her. Now she only gave me the topic name and not exactly what she was planning to write, so this will probably be something very different then she was planning.
The ending weeks of January and the first weeks of February are a time of many birthdays around me. I can think of six in rather quick succession of each other, two separate occasions where more then one ending up on the same date.
Birth is a theme that appears over and over again when it comes to spirituality and religion. Especially when it comes to themes of gods. Usually, but not always, a sun god will die and be reborn with the season changes. They also seem to touch on the the theme of birth as a renewal. Mystery Cults such as Christianity and Mithra take rebirth as a complete transformation of the body and soul.
Another theme that one runs into a lot when it comes to births and rebirths is of course reincarnation. Usually seen as being born over and over as you learn lessons that aid you to obtain a specific goal. In the east it could be as nirvana. In my pagan practice, I believe that we are slowly gaining lessons and getting closer to return to the Divine Whole.
A new thing that I’d like to add to my blog is add a discussion question to the end. Hopefully to stir conversation. I know in the future I am planning a few controversial posts. Those I’d really like to have some heavy discussion and hope we can remain adults and learn from each other with them. My question for this week is rather simple.
“Do you in your practice have any special views of Births and Rebirths, or do you do anything special to recognize their occurrence?”
Brightest Blessings to you and yours!
Rune.
Thank You to Synderryn for the Topic Idea. Good luck with your own posts for the Pagan Blog Project!

(Edited because apparently I can't spell LOL)

The Quintessential Triple Goddess Brigid

Here comes my second post for the Pagan Blog Project. This is one post that I have had planned out since I heard about the project. For this Goddess is very important to me. She is my Matron Goddess, Brigid. I am also very happy it fell on his day that I get to write a very little bit about her, for it is also my Birthday.

Brigid is a Triple Goddess. Though not in the way many modern practitioners apply the concept. She does not fit into the feminine deitic aspects of Maiden, Mother, Crone in this roll. She is Creator(Poet), Warrior(Smith), and Sustainer(Healer). She is also a hearth Goddess, and is associated with fire, which can be applied to all three of her personalities. In some traditions she it is said that there are three Brigids all sisters who each take one of her roles. This has lead to some confusion on whether  she was truly a Triple Goddess.

Her feast day is Imbolc, which falls on the 2nd day of February  in the modern calendar. Strangely fitting that this festival is also called Candle mass,considering her association with the fire element.  It also falls well into her preview of sustainer and healer by bringing new life to the world. Ushering in the shifting tides that will soon bring spring.

My coming to Brigid was a very recent discovery. A well placed hammer to the head is a good way to put it. Save relatively few spots I’ve always done work in the medical field for as long as I have been working,  such as a direct care worker or food service in a hospital. Lately I’ve been drawn more and more to writing, feeling that flash of Inspiration, like a fire in the night. Other little things came to make it rather clear it was Her.

I now truly come to the heart of my post. That all being said, I sometimes worry if I am doing enough. I rarely feel that I am communicating with her. Worried that I am neglecting that spiritual bond with my Matron. Also, find myself at a loss at how to rectified it if it is the case. Even in my Christian days I felt a little silly talking out loud to the Divine. I mean I did it, sometimes for a decent amount of time when I had problems. Though now it doesn’t seem like that is the right way for me to worship. I hate that me me me mentality when it comes between me and my relationship to spirit. One that seems to give it self so naturally to modern Christianity. I do not say this to be unkind to them, my history is dear to me and I would not change it for the world. Though I feel it is as if I am in the midst of a growth spurt, when the pains are happening before the actual growth occurs.

I can only move forward and see where that may lead, though I say this now Lady of the Flame, thank you for all that you have done and what you will continue to do that I see, and that I do not see. May I grow in understanding of you as I Follow. So Mote it Be.
Blessed Be, and Merry Part, till we Merry Meet Again.
Rune!

The Young Witches Radio Post #1 Intro and Omens

I’m part of the Pagan Blog Project this year, but I also want to do more then one post of week and I think adding a few more regular segments to the blog will help in this endeavor. As some of you may know, I am one of the co-host of the nightly Blog Talk Radio Network Pagans Tonight. I am currently on the Sunday Program, The Young Witches, which airs at 9:00 PM EST/ 8 PM CST. The show is targeted to older teens and twenty something pagans, though is open to everyone who wishes to listen. I will post a link to the nights show on the blog.

I want to do this as sort of a companion piece to the show. I’m not sure when I want to post however, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I can post earlier in the day before the show, giving an idea on what the radio topic is for the evening as well as a little bit of information to kind of raise interest on the topic. I can also wait and post right after our show is done and do a more detailed post about the topic, allowing me to use the research I have done that didn’t end up on the air. Either way it can be a good place to have questions placed that will allow me to learn more about the topic by answers.
This weeks show will be on Omens. Omens, according to Dictionary.com are  “anything perceived or happening that is believed to portend a good or evil event or circumstance in the future;portent.” Simple enough, an omen is something that happens that precludes something else, usually in a rather odd or strange way.

The most common examples have to do with luck. I fully admit that I could be wrong here, but my understanding so far has been if it is something that just happens it is an omen, if it is something you do it’s a superstition. Black cat crossing your path is a omen of bad luck. While breaking a mirror is a superstition that also means bad luck.

Catch Danielle Young and I as we discuss Omens and other phenomena tonight at 9 Eastern on the Young Witches.


The Young Witches is brought to you by Witch School International.




Edited for Paragraph Separation, and the link to the show archive can be found Here!