Dark Moon- Happy New Year

So it is almost midnight and I'm lying in bed listening to the fireworks going off in the neighbourhood; ( NT- it is legal to have fireworks for Territory Day so many people have them for New Year Christmas Easter Birthdays etc etc etc).

 

Happy New Year to everyone it is now midnight Darwin time

So what is going to happen this year, it will be a great year.

This is my approach for the year- positive attracts positive. When you believe in something then of course it is true- yes I know many are saying but but... I will say again if you believe it is true then for all intents and purposes for you at least it is true. In general we can't keep approaching life with negative thoughts and purposes. 2013 is my year to change my thoughts and I hope to pass that on to at least one other person.

So how am I going to do this, not 100% sure yet. I was thinking of memos around the place- like on the bathroom mirror. Do a lot more reading, and just remind myself each morning why I get out of bed. I love life and I love my life. !00% positive can be trying at times, so I will need to set up things to keep reminder myself.

I am thinking of creating a witches square and collating a word with the four elements to bring positive change. I got this idea from a website as it was talking about witches squares. I could create this and then print on some nice paper. This could then be hang on the wall near my alter.

I have been in a bit of a creative mood. I created a scrapbook page for the December full moon. I will also create a similar page for the dark moon in honour of Goddess Morrighan. If you watch Merlin on ten like we do then you will know the name but this is not the goddess. Though in " The mists of Avalon" she is also connected to Arthur. There may be a connection somewhere, I know I write as if they are real people I do believe that they are part of history- names, combined stories,muddled, lost but there are fragments of truth. Got off track but will get back there eventually. I have also been creative with putting together my grimoire. This is now in two separate folders with my own dividers made by me and I have covered the folders with leather to be decorated when I find what I am looking for.

I have also been cleaning out my supplies cupboard, I found a couple of things I forgot I had, don't you love that.

I would love to be able to make a broom but alas that is not a skill I have but I do own one that Ness and I brought at The Royal Darwin Show. The gentleman that made it only makes so many a year as he told us there is not a great call for them. A pity witch or not they are the best broom to sweep  floor.

Traditionally Birch was used so of course I researched- (and brorrowed from lots of people)

Birch: (Betula pendula, B. pubescens, B. lenta, B. alba) Also known as beithe, bereza, berke, beth, lady of the woods. Magically- Protection, exorcism, purification, health, beginnings, prosperity, cleansing.. The witch’s broom was traditionally made from birch twigs. It’s renowned for its purifying nature. It is also highly protective. Planet: Venus Element:  Water Deities: Thor.

Coleridge the English poet of 1772 - 1834 called the Silver Birch the "Lady of the Woods" because of the way she gentle sways with the wind as it blows through it's branches. Should you have any Birch around where you live maybe go to her and ask if she could help you with any healing or blessings, but don't forget to leave her some treats. If not, just sit and watch her sway and dance with the wind.  It's a peaceful feeling. This silver also appearance  also creates a connection with the moon. Often a witches broom will be made from silvery Birch. Diana can also be connected to the birch.

How to make a besom

Things You'll Need

• One length of Ash wood. It should  reach from the ground  to just below your navel and range from an inch and a  half to two and a quarter inches in diameter.

• Birch twigs, as many as you want in  your broom. Notes on choosing and length are included below in  "tips".

• Thin strips of willow bark, to bind  your birch twigs with.

• Work within a sacred area: As with any sacred tool, a besom should be made  within sacred space. You should begin as a normal ritual, by casting a circle  and giving thanks. Purify and dedicate the wood before you begin construction.  'Charging' the broom to any specific purpose should be done after the broom is  completed, or while weaving the twigs to the stave.
• Place the strips of birch into the water and leave them to soften for at  least 10 minutes. The longer you leave them, the easier it will be to work  with.
Preparing the Handle: Anoint and bless your ash wood stave with the essential  oil. Sigil/rune carvings or any other ornamentation of the handle should be done  at this point. If the besom is to be dedicated to a specific purpose or deity,  you may ask them to bless it as you begin crafting.  
• Weaving the bristles: Gather all of your birch twigs and arrange them into  small, even groups. Remove two pieces of the willow bark and lay them side by  side on a flat surface. Tie the two bark pieces together by wrapping a short  length of thread around the end several times and knotting it off. Take the  first group of birch twigs and crisscross the willow strips back and forth  between each piece to bind them together (this is weaving). Tie off the other  end of the willow strips with thread. Do not worry, the thread will not show in  the finished broom. Repeat with the remaining groups of birch twigs. The thread  may be omitted, but it makes the weaving considerably more  difficult.
• Attaching to the broom: There are multiple ways to do this. Some drill a  small hole in the end of the ash stave and thread yarn through it, then wrap the  yarn around each bundle of twigs. A second method is to tie together each willow  strip so that the birch twigs form one continuous panel. The panel is then wound  tightly around the end of the stave, and secured by tying additional willow bark  around it. A third method is to wrap each small group of twigs directly to the  handle with yarn or thread. Whatever your method, you will want to "finish" the  broom by weaving an additional two inch swath of willow bark about one inch from  the top of the bristles. Some traditions attach small charms, or weave herbs and  sea salt in amongst the bristles before attaching the "finishing" layer of  willow bark. Once you have "finished" the besom, you may dedicate it to a spirit  or deity of your choice, or charge it with protective energies. Traditionally,  it can be hung over a doorway or stood with bristles facing upwards to protect a  home. It is also used to "sweep away" residual psychic energies and negativity  in a circle. Continue with the remainder of your ritual and close/ground the  circle as normal.
             
• Read more:  How to Make a Besom | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2308391_make-besom.html#ixzz1rm7b7qCL

• Tips & Warnings
• Choosing your birch twigs:
• Traditionally, the twigs are at minimum the length of your forearm and no  wider than your pinkie finger. Some more modern covens use extremely thin, long  twigs that are bent over double before being woven (twice as long and half as  wide as traditional branches). You want the twigs to be fresh (green) when you  work with them. If they are too dry and brittle, they will crack during the  weaving.
• For a rougher look, you may want to leave the birch twigs on a branch and  bind the branches themselves to the ash handle.

• Of course being in the Southern Hemisphere I would use local trees, I do like the birch. There are some lovely trees in Canberra.

To honour the birch- we have the Birch Moon which is the first full moon after Yule, so for me that will be late July or early August.

I was also do some research on fairies as one of the things I found was a fairy ring from uncle festers. This led me to Banshees...... another time.

Ness and I are currently watching a new series lent by a friend about hauntings. I think I spent more time criticising it then watching. It was not good, a few of the stories may have had something to them but the show produces/ directors over dramatised used effects and it become unbelievable to me. Ness fell asleep. It's back to our other shows, this one we will pan.

Well it's is 1 am I will post this during the day, it may need some editing. It's now the afternoon and I have given up trying to put the photos I had for this blog- they are not copying pasting uploading downloading, basically it is has been a difficult hour, so on to next time.

Blessed be
Michelle