 |
 |
| |
| Departments |
Home
Columns, Special
Topics & Features:
The Columns:
Angels, Guides, &
Loving Spirits:
Angel Blessings:
with Dr. Doreen Virtue
Ask Valerie Morrison,
Internationally
Acclaimed Psychic
Trust Your Vibes
By Dr. Sonia Choquette, PhD.
Internationally Acclaimed Psychic Healer & Author
Love Letters
by Erika Morrell,
Soul Mate Medium™
Astrologer's Notes:
Carin Martin,
Astrologer
Donna Cunningham, MSW, Astrologer
Basil Fearrington,
Astrologer
Diana Stone,
Astrologer &
Huna Shaman
Jeff Jawer
Astrologer
Ray Merriman,
Financial Astrology:
MMA Market Week
Noel Tyl,
Astrologer
Daily Aspect Calendar
by Care
MoonWatching with Dana Gerhardt and Friends
Starlight Musings
by Nancy Sommers,
Mundane Astrologer
Creating Bridges:
The Spiritual &
Philosophical
Act of Power
Discovering the Key to Living Your Sacred Dream
by Lynn Andrews
Avant-Gardening:
Insights
by Frank &
Vicky Giannangelo
From The Heart:
Alan Cohen
Teachings from the Western Mystery Traditions: The Esoteric "Paths of Return"
by Jacquelyn Small, Eupsychia
Spirituality in Daily Life: by Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron
The Conscious Column
by David Ault
Spiritual Mastery
for the 21st Century
Dr. Gwen MacGregor
Encounters on the
Shaman's Path with
Dr. Hank Wesselman, PhD.
Anthropologist, Zoologist, Author, Shamanic Healer & Teacher
The Divine Human
by Ornesha De Paoli
Awakenings
by Karen Johnson
Worshipping by Wondering with
Sankara Saranam, MA Founder of the Pranayama Institute
Wisdom Walks in Circles
by Margaret Lewis
Author & Shamanic Practitioner:
Water For The Dry Sponge: Chronicles and Essays
by Shaun Brown,
Be Well Publications
“I of my own knowledge…”
by Frank DeMarco,
Author & Psychic
Crystals, Minerals
& Gemstones
Light and Love with Crystals, Minerals & Gemstones
by Raven,
Raven Crystals
Furry & Feathered Family Members:
Dr. Carson's Holistic Animal Care
by Dr. Kathleen Carson, D.V.M.
Animal Insights
by Charlene Boyd, Animal Communicator,
talk-to-animals.com
Healing & Alternative
Health:
"Spirit and Practice
of the Wise Woman
Tradition"
By Susun Weed
The Holistic Mystic,
by Lonny Brown
Medical Intuition: Tune
in to Your Body and Improve Your Health
by Caroline Sutherland, Sutherland Communications
Transformational Healing through the Violet Flame!
by Eva Kettles
Herbs for Health
with Kami McBride
Cure Your Cravings
...For Life
Rena Greenberg,
Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming & Hypnotherapist
Humor:
Wake Up Laughing.Com:
Swami Beyondananda
Interviews:
Watch for Upcoming Announcements
Kabbalah:
Kabbalah Revealed:
Rav Michael Laitman, PhD, Kabbalalist
Numberscope Forecast
by Vincent J. Barra
Oracle & Divination Systems:
Be Your Own Oracle
by James Wanless, Ph.D. Creator of the Voyager Tarot Deck
Resources:
Archives
Blessings & Messages
The Book Nook
The Directory
Event Calendar
Historical Notes & Data
The MetaPersonals
S.O.L.A.R.®:
S.O.L.A.R ®
Beyond Materiality. Beyond Spirituality. Toward the Complete Human Being...
by Martin Lass, Emissary
Tarot:
Moment to Moment
by Gigi Miner
Author, Tarot Consultant, & Teacher
Reviews:
Tarot, Cartomancy,
Oracle Decks,
Books, & Software.
by Bonnie Cehovet,
Tarot Educator
Tidbits:
Almanac of the Ancients
by TripleMoonGoddess
News Briefs
Op-Ed
Pearls of Wisdom
by Astro Aeon
& Astro Care
Symbols, Seals,
Amulets & Talismans
The What in the
World Department
Trivia & Life's Other
Novel Moments
Publisher's Corner
General Information:
Advertising Information & Opportunities:
The Directory Advertising Rates
Premium Pages:
Groups 1, 2 & Display
Advertising Rates
The BookNook
Advertising Rates
About
The Meta Arts Magazine
Editorial Submission
Information:
Contact Us
Legal Notices
|
|
|
|
|
|
Almanac of the Ancients:
June 2007
|
|
|
by Triple Moon Goddess |
|
|
We finally made it to June! The month when summer “officially” begins ! That is how it feels to me anyway. I love the warm weather, the smells, the feeling of grass beneath my feet. A wonderful time to play Tai Chi outdoors where it is traditionally done. The ancients have been celebrating the warm weather already for the year and asking for fertility for crops and animals for months now. As we already discussed, some calendars were split into summer and winter...the light and the dark. There were no other seasons mixed in. It was one or the other! According to the Gregorian calendar that we now use, we have some spring this month and some summer. The days are getting warmer now, no matter where you live in the northern hemisphere. Flowers have bloomed, and the grass already needs to be cut. Time to get outside and enjoy Gaia!
The summer solstice is upon us in the northern hemisphere, the southern will have the winter solstice at the same time. June 21 will be the northern summer solstice, and the winter southern solstice. The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, the day when light overcomes the darkness. ”Solstice” comes from the Latin “sol” which means “sun”, and “sistere” which means to “stand still”. On the solstice the sun seems to stand still in the sky , it seems to hesitate and give us more light and warmth than any other day. Many cultures and religions celebrate the solstice, most notably the Pagans and Wiccans (it is one of their four lesser sabbats). They honor the sun and Gaia with bonfires and celebrations. The bonfires are to boost the sun’s energy and to assist it and honor it in bathing Gaia, Mother Earth. They also note that the days will now become shorter and shorter after the solstice, leading us back to winter. Everything in its’ cycle, the wheel is always turning. The ancients were always looking ahead, as it could mean life or death to them. The petitioned their gods, honored them and celebrated. They thanked Gaia for her abundance and bathed in the warm sunlight, knowing that it would now eke out of the skies, a little less each day until the winter solstice was upon them.
In places such as Sweden and Norway the sun will shine for 24 hours on Midsummer, it will never set! In Japan, Britan and Norway, people will stay awake all night to celebrate the longest day, and welcome the first of the darker days of the new cycle. Most of you may have to work the next day, so I wouldn’t recommend this particular celebration, however it would be fun to stay up until at least midnight to celebrate the longest day and welcome the shorter days.
The name June comes from the ancient goddess Juno, whom the ancient Greeks called her Hera. She was the Queen of the gods. Every year in July , she was honored in a festival called Matronalia, but we will save that for next month!
June shares the sun signs of Gemini, the Twins and Cancer , the crab. An air sign and a water sign respectively. The birth stones are moonstone, alexandrite and pearl, and the traditional flower is the rose. The Pagan deities that were worshiped this month are Juno and any god or goddess of love or beauty, like Venus. Bring something of great beauty into your home this month. It may be a piece of art, or a beautiful moonstone, some roses, or a statue of an ancient goddess of love and beauty.
The ancients were celebrating and we can still celebrate along with our ancestors and teachers who were full of wonderful knowledge that thankfully has not all been lost. It is so easy to take the ancient festivals and incorporate them into our lives. I have given some suggestions below on how to take that ancient rite and make it a practical and easy celebration for your day. Let’s settle in with a glass of lemonade or iced tea, and see what celebrations we can plan for the wonderufl month of June!
June 1- Festival of the Oak Nymph-This is a Pagan festival where all hamadryads were honored. The hamadryads are female nature sprits who live in the trees. Plant a tree, or place an offering under one, preferably an oak, that is already growing. Put some scorns in your home, and the nymphs will bestow a blessing!
Carna- The ancients ate beans, hot bacon and emmer mixed together to honor the goddess Carna, from her name we get the word “carnal” and she is believed to be a goddess of the flesh. Some also claim her to be the goddess of door hinges and handles. She is also believed to be a goddess of food consumption. So when you have a meal today, especially one with meat, thank Carna! If you do not eat meat, maybe oil that squeaky hinge!
June 2- A Pagan festival called Shapatu of Ishtar. Ishtar was a Babylonian goddess of love, fertility and war.
Birthday of Apollo, god of medicine, healing, light and truth. Treat yourself to a Reiki treatment or massage today to honor Apollo.
June 3- In ancient Rome this was a festival day for Bellona. She is one of the Roman gods that has no particular mythology associated with her. It is believed however, that she was originally a goddess of war.
Cataclysmos, an ancient Greek festival, still celebrated today that honors departed loved ones. On Cyprus prayers are still said for the dead, sacred dances are preformed and water games are played.
In Japan there is a Buddhist ritual performed for young girls on this date to honor the goddesses Befana, Bona Dea, Kuan Yin, Rumina, and Surabhi. These are all goddesses of love and compassion.
June 4- Full moon in Capricorn , enters Aquarius at 7:15PM.
Hersephoria- Greek women worshiped Aphrodite on the full moon before the solstice.
June 5-The Corn Dance is held annually by Native Americans of the San Ildefonso Pueblo in the southwest. The nature spirits, Earth Mother and Rain People are honored.
In mediaeval calendars, this is listed as the “day the birds stop singing”.
June 6- In Thrace there was an annual festival called Bendidia dedicated to the lunar goddess Bendi. A good night to go outside and look at the still bright moon!
June 7-Vestalia (penus vestae)- The ancient Romans held an annual festival to honor the hearth goddess Vesta. The celebration began on this day, and lasted 8 days. The shrine of Vesta was opened only to married women, and when the festival was over the shrine was closed to all except the vestal virgins who cared for the shrine. During the festival an unborn calf was sacrificed at the shrine. Vesta is the goddess of hearth and home, of the home fires and warmth of the home. Vesta had a weakness, being that she could never fall in love! It may be a little warm to start a fire in the fireplace today, but perhaps roast some marsh mallows over a campfire or bar-b-que and thank Vesta for the warmth of your home!
June 8- Let’s move to the far east. In China The Grain in Ear festival celebrates the grain gods to ensure a rich harvest, while in Japan there is a rice festival. Women wear traditional kimono and recite prayers of thanks and abundance. Rice straw fires a re-lit to thank the gods. So today have some rice or other grains and thank the gods and gods of grains and fertility. This would be a great day for some Chinese take out!
Mens, or Bona Mens, the ancient goddess of the right mind is also honored on this day. See what you can learn today that is new...wait , you just may just have! Her temple was built in 215BC on the Capitoline Hill.
June 9- Vestalia is still going on this date, and this day in particular is when the celebration spilled out into the streets. Women would walk barefoot around the temple, while the vestal virgins prepared foods for the ritual that included mola salsa (grain and salt). Water was poured from vessels with rounded bottoms that could not be put down without tipping over and spilling. Take a barefoot walk in the grass!
June 11- Matralia/Fortuna-In ancient Rome the women honored the goddess of dawn on this day in the Mater Matura (temple). Remember that the Vestalia is still being celebrated during this time. In Greece, it was Eros that was celebrated. Women asked for blessings for their children, and other children in their families, such as nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. A slave woman representing night was driven from the temple to allow dawn(light) to enter. The temple of Fortuna was right next to the Mater Matura, and Fortuna was also honored on this day as part of the celebration. Fortuna is the goddess of luck and good fortune. Maybe you could have a reading done today.
June 12-Arrephora-Athenian women performed a ritual this day that we still do not have much information on. It was said to link Athena and her servants to Aphrodite and her . Traditionally the Greeks did not harvest any crops on this date.
Mut- The Egyptian patron goddess of Thebes was honored on this day. Food offerings were made to her near the Nile River.
Zeus is also honored on this day by wearing oak leaves and lighting candles.
June 13- Lesser Quinquatrus- A festival from ancient Rome that lasted three days. The guild of pipers (those who played during any ceremony such as funerals, sacrifices, and feasts)dressed in masks and women’s clothing and roamed the streets drinking and singing. The procession began at the Temple of Minerva who is said to have invented the pipes. Listen to some flute music!
June 14- New Moon at 11:13 PM in Gemini. For those of you that are into manifesting, spells, or prayers, this is a good time to ask for a new beginning in any part of your life!
June 15-Last day of Vestalia. The temple was cleaned and anything that was remaining in the temple was thrown into the Tiber River. The penus (storehouse) was closed and only the vestal virgins remained. This was the first day in 6 weeks where it is felt appropriate to marry.
St. Vitus- It is said that this obscure fourth century martyr was thrown in prison where he watched angels dance for him. He is the patron saint of dancers, and hence the term “St. Vitus Dance” which is associated with epilepsy and chorea. He is thus the patron saint of those with these diseases.Take time to dance, even if no one sees you!
June 16-Silver Chalice Day- An ancient Pagan ritual still practiced by Wiccans around the world. Everyone gathers in a circle with a silver chalice of wine or fruit juice, to rejoice and thank the goddess and the Horned God ( male nature gods). When many people read “horned god” they immediately associate him with the devil, that is not the meaning of the horned god, but that of male nature gods.
Midsummer day celebrations are held in Sweden on this date. There is dancing, feasting on herring and drinking of schnapps.
June 17-In ancient Greece Eurydice who was a tree nymph that became an underworld goddess after a snake bite, was honored .
In Nara Japan, there is an annual purification ceremony to drive away the evil spirits of the rainy season. Lily stalks are blessed by 7 white robed priestesses and a traditional dance is performed.
June18-The Copts celebrate this day as the Tears of Isis, it is around this time that the Nile floods and the flooding was originally believed to be caused by Isis, a mother goddess, crying.
In ancient Rome, the goddess Anna was honored. She is the goddess of the “ring of the year”.
June 19-Day of All Heras. In ancient Rome, all women were honored on this date.Take a girlfriend or female family member to lunch!
June 20-Pagans in parts of England still celebrate the Day of Cerridwen to honor the ancient Celtic goddess of fertility. Vervain is offered to the goddess, green ribbons are tied to trees and green candles are lit.
Summanus- The ancient Romans honored the god of night lightning. Jupiter was the god of lightning during the day! There was a dedication at the temple, which ironically was struck by lightning and burned in 197 BC!
Midsummer’s Eve- Herb Evening- This is said to be the most potent night for gathering magical and healing herbs, especially St. John’s wort, vervain, mugwort, ivy and mistletoe. A great day for camping, hiking of just harvesting some herbs.
June 21- Summer solstice/ Midsummer/Litha/ Alban Hefen in the northern hemisphere. On the Julian calendar it was June 24. Since we already talked about the summer solstice in the intro I will not go into it deeply here. The Oak King will leave and the Holly King will return.It is also said to be the best day for cutting diving rods.The ancient Russian cultures honored the goddess Kapala as part of the solstice celebrations, she is of course a goddess of fertility. Just remember to be careful with any bonfires or campfires, we want you and Gaia, all around for the winter solstice!
Sun enters the sign of Cancer the Crab at 2:06PM
June 22- Dragon Boat Festival-On the Chinese calendar this is the fifth day of the fifth month, and that is considered to be unlucky. So to scare away the evil spirits, the Chinese bring out the dragons! In modern times this holiday is also used to celebrate the poet Chu Yuan who was exiled by Emperor Huai. The poet was so overcome he took a large stone into the Milou River and drowned himself around 277 BC. People threw food into the water, so tht the fish would eat the food and not their hero. Rice, mugwort and bamboo were thrown. Today the same items are thrown into the water during the festival. There are boat races of highly decorated canoes, usually disguised as dragons. Wear something with a dragon on it today, or read some poetry!
June 23- Midsummer Night’s Eve/ St John’s Eve. This midsummer celebration was originally on another calendar (Julian) and celebrated on the 24th, this celebration remained attached to the old date of the Julian calendar, not the Greogorian.
St John's wort doth charm all witches away
if gathered at midnight on the saint's holy day
any devils and witches have no power to harm
those that gather the plant for a charm
rub the lintels with that red juicy flower
no thunder nor tempest will then have the power
to hurt or hinder your house; and bind
round your neck a charm of similar kind.
Traditional English proverb
It is believed that if you can find a fairy on this night, they will speak in human language so that you will understand them. In Ireland this is the night of the fairy goddess Aine’ and her sister Finnen. There are still rituals held today at Lough Gur in County Limerick.
This night is also said to be the perfect night for love divination.
June 24-Old Midsummer Day
The ancient Romans celebrated Fortuna on this date. She is not only the goddess of luck, but of fertilization. She was worshiped by farmers, gardeners, and women who wanted to become pregnant. The sun is at the top of the wheel of fortune, a perfect time to honor this goddess! It is believed that on this day Roman women invaded the men’s public baths.
In San Juan Spain it is believed that if you wash your face in the sea on this night , at midnight, you will have the gift of eternal beauty. Maybe treat yourself to facial today!
The Incas of Peru worshiped the sun god Inti Raymi on this date. Llamas were ritually slaughtered, and priests used the entrails for predicting the future.
Zuni corn dances are still held around this date to honor the corn harvest.
June 25-The goddess Parvati is honored in India annually on this date. She is the wife of Lord Shiva, and a mother goddess.
June 26-In Iceland an ancient tradition claims that the shadow of Mount Scartarius points to the center of the secret earth on this date at noon. Giant creatures dwell there.
Salavi, the Spruce Tree Rain God is honored by Native Americans on this date. This is part of a corn ripening ceremony. The corn mothers and others are also honored.
June 27-Native American Sun Dance-Many Plains Indians still honor the sun with this sacred dance, it certainly is not for the fainthearted.
The ancient Romans made sacrifices to the Lares on this day. Lares were deities of the household and protected homes. Statues of Lares were always placed high up in the home, sometimes they were even on the roof. Most households also included a statue on the table during meals.
June 28- Birthday of the Greek goddess Hemera, the goddess of daytime. The festivals last from sunrise to sunset. She is the daughter of Erebus and Nyx, literally “darkness” and “night”.She is said to be part of the triple goddess Eos (dawn), Hemera (day), and Hespera (evening).
June 29-In Appleton England, a centuries old Pagan tradition is still carried on. A hawthorne tree is decorated with flowers, flags, ribbons, in a celebration known as Bawming the Thorn.
This day is also sacred to an ancient voudoun (voodoo) god , Papa Legba. He is the spirit master of the crossroads, and is the most important deity of the religion.
June 30-Day of Aestas- the ancient Roman corn goddess of summer in honored each year on this date. Corn bread is also baked and served by many cultures including Wiccans, and Native Americans. This day is sacred to the goddesses Ceres, Changing Woman, Chicomecoatl, the Corn Mothers, Demeter, Gaia, Ge, Hestia, Iatiku, Oraea, Pachamama, Spider Woman and Tonantzin. The last day of each month is also sacred to Hecate. Food offerings are left out in her honor.
Full moon (Blue Moon) at 9:49 AM
I hope that you all enjoy the “official” beginning of summer. There are so many fun and easy ways to celebrate these traditions today. I have made some suggestions, and I am sure that you can come up with even more! Venture outside and enjoy Gaia and the warm weather! May you all have a safe, happy & healthy June!
Please remember to feel free to contact me at triplemoongoddessgina@hotmail.com , if you have any questions or just want to drop me a line!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Triple Moon Goddess,
Psychic Tarot Consultant
& Author
|
 |
Triple Moon Goddess has been psychic all her life, receiving her first deck of cards, 36 years ago, at age ten.
As a Psychic, she is currently reading on KEEN, Kasamba, and in person, most recently, in Evansville, IN.
In addition to a BA in psychology from Montclair State in NJ., She has studied Mediumship with Denise Ilwaine, and currently studing Reiki.
She is a student who "plays Tai Chi", and enjoys playing with energy.
Triple Moon Goddess also teaches monthly metaphysical classes at the Bead Angel, in Evansville, covering different topics each month. She has also taught Tarot classes and psychic development classes; led "ghost hunts", and "seances".
She has attended many metaphysical classes, both in person and correspondance (before the internet!). She also teaches quilting!
As an avid reader, she loves to pass on everything she can to others.
She was the editor on "C.R.U.M.B.S.," a New Age self help book., and currently writing a book on tarotand readings.
She is the mother of two children, one of which is autistic, and teaches her a great deal about viewing the world through different eyes.
Email:
triplemoongoddessgina
@hotmail.com
Web:
www.Keen.com/
Triplemoongoddess
URL
www.myspace.com
/triplemoongoddessgina
Blog URL
http://blog.myspace.
com/
triplemoongoddessgina
|
 |
You'll find it in
The
Directory! |
|
|
|
|
