June's Full Moon is tonight. This Full Moon is referred to as the Strawberry Moon, the Windy Moon or the Green Corn Moon.  June brings with it vibrant energy. Domestic and wild foods begin to flourish; berries and other soft fruits begin to ripen. Now is the time for picking juneberries, strawberries, mulberries, raspberries, and cherries. This is the time to take advantage of the long days and spend time outdoors in the garden.

This photo is a shot of the Full Moon in Montana. My friend Stéphan Ferry, promoted this photo, taken by Sarah Peters:

From what I gather, Sarah has been learning photography from Stéphan and I believe learning from him--Steve, if you're reading this, correct me if I'm wrong please. You can see more stunning photos, by him, at his website: http://www.BackcountryGraphics.com


Correspondences for the June Moon:

• Colors: Sun colors -- gold, yellow, orange
• Gemstones: Topaz, agate
• Trees: Oak, maple
• Gods: Isis, Cerridwen, Persephone
• Herbs: Parsley, mosses, skullcap, mugwort
• Element: Earth

Do spells and rituals tied to the abundance of staple crops, such as corn and their respective deities.

This Saturday morning, June 26th, there's going to be a lunar eclipse—and for many residents of the USA, it's going to be a big one.

The eclipse begins at 3:17 am PDT (10:17 UT) when the Moon enters the sunset-colored shadow of Earth. By 4:38 am PDT (11:38 UT), the moment of greatest eclipse, 54% of the Moon's diameter will be covered. From beginning to end, the event lasts almost three hours.

Although the eclipse is only partial, it will be magnified in size and charm by the "Moon Illusion"--a result of the eclipse occurring close to the horizon from viewing sites in the USA.

For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through trees, buildings and other foreground objects. In fact, a low Moon is no wider than any other Moon—cameras prove it—but the human brain insists otherwise.

Who are we to argue?

The effect will be particularly strong in western and central parts of the USA and Canada where the Moon will be setting as the eclipse reaches maximum. (Observing tip: Look low and to the west just before dawn.) The fact that the extra size is just an illusion in no way detracts from the beauty.

People in New England and northeastern Canada will justmiss it. The Moon sets shortly before the eclipse begins.

Halfway around the world, observers in India, Japan, and parts of East Asia will experience the same phenomenon. They'll see the eclipse on Saturday evening as the Moon is rising. The Moon Illusion will be fully active as Earth's shadow sweeps across low-hanging lunar terrain.

It almost makes you feel sorry for people living on the dreamy islands of the South Pacific. There the eclipse takes place directly overhead, high in the midnight sky where the Moon Illusion does not work. That's okay. A partial lunar eclipse is a beautiful thing all by itself.

Credit to:

NASA Science News for June 24, 2010
and
Ravensgrove Coven

The next Sabbat isn't until August, which gives me pretty much all summer to think about Nature as a whole; not about what Sabbat is next and how to celebrate and what to plan.

This whole debacle with the BP oil spill actually really scares me--I fear for the ecosystem. I came across this video today, a song by Disturbed, who I don't normally listen to but the lyrics and the video really caught my attention.

Today is the Summer Solstice! WOW--can you believe it already?! Most celebrations were over the weekend. I, unfortunately, didn't get to any.

We just got back from Ohio visiting family and so there was lots of laundry to do, housework to catch up on and work to finish. Oh and motorcycles to buy...let's just say CJ had a good Father's day.

I need to stop with the excuses though. It's so easy to get caught up in life and sometimes the things that should be a priority, like spirituality, seem to fall to the wayside. 

Did you go to a celebration? What about a simple ritual at home? That is what I am planning for tonight!

Just got back from getting a tattoo of the Witchlets! This is the photo I gave the tattoo artist:

I didn't like the tentacle things nor the fact that the dragons reminded me of penises, LOL. I told him the dragons were representing my children and so I didn't want them to look mean either. This is what he came up with:


Olivia is red (Aries >> Fire) Wyatt is blue (Scorpio >> Water) Dante is green (Virgo >> Earth)

I LOVE IT and I highly recommend Dan at Art Bomb Tattoos in Massillon, OH

This year has gone so fast! Litha, or Midsummer, is an indicator that the year is about to begin waning, thus winter would be again returning. Can you imagine?! Winter is on it's way...we're half way there!

This is the time to gather loved ones close and celebrate community. The Summer Solstice a Sabbat known for huge gatherings; huge Covens reconnecting, family reunions, and even block parties all seem to manifest during this time of the year.

What will you be doing this Litha? We'll be gone most of the week--going to visit CJ's family, but we'll be back in time for Full Moon and Litha; I just haven't planned anything yet.

My cousin is due with her second child this summer. I was invited to the baby shower, unfortunately I cannot go--we will be in Ohio visiting CJ's family. I have been looking at personalized baby gifts online; I think giving a gift that has been personalized has so much more meaning than one that has not.

In fact, although I don't consider myself Wiccan, I did have a Wiccaning for Olivia and she got some very beautiful gifts.

  Wiccaning Certificate

I think I will give her all those gifts on her 16th birthday.

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE my job? Well, I DO! I also adore my clients because they are non-judgmental; I don't have to hide who I am.  I got this picture from my newest client today, along with some text that definitely made me smile!

Laundry denial oh Pagan Goddess cast the spell of "laundry disappear" and I will worship the Cricket Gods tonight so all the wrong doings in the world will be righted!!!

Ahhh--I love my life : ]