Monday Musings: Breaking Free in Uranus Retrograde


I am an Aquarian, ruled by the planet Uranus. OURANOS (Uranus) was the primordial god  of the sky. The Greeks imagined the sky as a solid dome of brass, decorated with stars, whose edges descended to rest upon the outermost limits of the flat earth. Ouranos was the literal sky, just as his consort Gaia (Gaea) was the earth. Uranus goes retrograde from July 29 through December 29 this year. Freedom is the theme of this rx, and it's time to look at life from a fresh perspective.

Unlike other planetary retrogrades, Uranus becomes more potent during the rx periods. Basically, Uranus wants us to get real with ourselves. It's time to shake things up and determine what's really important in life. If you're in a bad relationship, stuck in a job you don't like, living in a place that doesn't feel right or spending time with the wrong people, Uranus will alert you to this in coming months. The realization may dawn on you slowly, and it may involve an uncomfortable period of anxiety -- but when you do have those epiphanies, pay attention. Make the needed changes; break up, make up, change jobs, move or do whatever you need to do to shake it up and move on to something better. In other words, be brave and embrace your freedom to go after it. And, the heavens are in your favor.

According to astrologer Kelley Rosano:

"Saturn and Uranus make a fabulous trine (harmonious energy flow) starting in December 2016. This supportive aspect continues all of 2017.  They dance in harmony from 20 degrees Aries/Sagittarius into 0 degrees Taurus/Capricorn. This can mead a promotion. A windfall. Sudden Opportunities to do the things you only dreamed about. It can empower to make the needed changes in your life with grace and ease. You can work within the system to make positive changes. You can work within the structures in your life and make it better. This is creative revolution for greater freedom. This energy empowers your creative self-expression. Free yourself. You will free all. All Are One."
Take the time to figure out what you really want in life. Be bold, be brave, be blatant about it. It's time to make things happen the way you want.

Go, rebel ;)

The Sunday Stir: July 24-30


A light read for your Pagan Sunday Morning!






In the News

Disclaimer: These are not authored by me, nor are these necessarily articles with which you may agree or believe. These are meant to provoke thought and discussion. These are out there, on the net, and are being read daily.

South African Pagan’s Rights Alliance fights against witch-hunts

Fresh veggies, clothes offered at Pagans in Need food pantry

Damh the Bard sings mystical myths of pagan folk

Old-time religion to be found at Pagan Pride Las Vegas Project Ice Cream Social

New webseries Bwitches combines feminist comedy with witchcraft

Witch Hunt: Build Your Altar and Celebrate Lammas With Us

'Witch' Prison Revealed in 15th-Century Scottish Chapel



Book Review The Big Book of Practical Spells



Description: Practical, inspirational, and comprehensive, The Big Book of Practical Spells is a useful tool and resource for beginners and experienced devotees of the magical arts. Here in one majestic volume is a basic introduction to magic; a psychic glossary; a primer on the four elements, colors, and magical supplies (including minerals and botanicals); and a compendium of spells for any situation you may face.

With Judika Illes as your guide, you will learn how to enhance your psychic power, cleanse your aura, protect yourself from malevolent powers, and create and use a wide variety of spells. There are spells for marriage, fertility, pregnancy prevention, babies and children, money, healing, and transitioning to the next life. These are spells that will help make life easier, more productive, and stress free.

Previously published as Pure Magic (and also as Earth Mother Magic).

This is a delightful book for anyone's reference shelf. As always, Judika Illes writes conversationally, and the reader is given a sense that we're sitting down in her kitchen with a nice cup of tea, just talking about practical spellwork. The author is thorough and well-researched, without making the book seem too academic. Her passion for the subject is evident throughout. This book would appeal most to those just starting off in the Craft, but is also an excellent source or review for those who are well-versed in the art of spell-casting.

You can find this book at Red-Wheel Weiser for $18.95


Astrology


Monthly Horoscopes from Darkstar Astrology
Weekly Horoscopes from Tarot.com

Remember to get your Daily Magic Guide on the Facebook page each morning!




This Week's Totem: Dragonfly



Key words: Power of Light,/Color, Illusion, Dreams

Dragonflies are very ancient- they’ve been around for over 180 million years. They inhabit both water and air, and it is not unusual to find those with this totem who had very emotional childhoods, but as they mature, they balance it with greater mental clarity and control. As dragonflies are always found near water, the combination of the two is important to those with this totem. 
Dragonflies are daytime creatures, and summer is their power-time. This is usually true for those with this totem, and they need to be out in nature to recharge. Dragonfly people are masters at illusion and are adept at dream interpretation. While they seem delicate, many indigenous stories speak to dragonflies having been dragons whose form was changed, or souls of ancestors. 

Dragonfly people are very strong in spirit and make excellent healers. You may find that you are called to heal others on a metaphysical level. Dragonfly’s main predator is the frog. It is helpful to study those traits in order to do shadow-work. Frog medicine is also that of a healer, but mostly through use of water. 

Dragonfly totem is the totem of transformation. It can help you throughout your life on your spiritual journey, as you grow and transform. 



Have a wonderful week!
Sláinte (to your good health and happiness)
 Kallan Kennedy  is a writer from Irish/Greek (Celtic) origins  living  in  Northeastern Maryland, USA. She has served the community in  several  capacities as Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Stew for six  years, and  sponsor of Samhain's Sirens for four. Both projects were  laid to rest in  2015. She is currently doing artful things and playing  in the woods.

  She holds a degree in Religion and Philosophy, and is working on    degrees in English and History. She is both an ordained minister and  a  U.S. Navy veteran.

  She is an adventurer, bibliophile, and baking enthusiast who loves learning, science, religion, philosophy, geography, anthropology, politics, peppermint, her children and grandchildren, friends and friends who are family, being outdoors, animals,  walking, hiking, and the earth.