Tonights Blood Moon

If you're looking for information about the four lunar eclipses in 2014 - 2015 that are referred to as the Four Blood Moons, please skip over to the following article: The Four Blood Moons. The article you're reading right now is about the October full moon, sometimes referred to as the Hunter's Moon or Blood Moon, and it is a different subject altogether.
In October, we see the Blood Moon travel through the sky. This moon is also called the Shedding Moon or the Falling Leaf Moon. Coming right before Samhain, it's a time when the nights are crisp and clear, and you can sense a change in the energy around you.

 

Correspondences:

• Colors: Dark blue, black, purples
• Gemstones: Obsidian, amethyst, tourmaline
• Trees: Apples and yew
• Gods: Herne, Apollo, Cernunnos, Mercury
• Herbs: Apple blossom, pennyroyal, mint family, catnip, Sweet Annie
• Element: Air

This is the time when the veil between our world and the spirit world are at its thinnest. Use this time for spiritual growth -- if there's a deceased ancestor you wish to contact, this is a great month to do it. Hold a séance, work on your divination, and pay attention to messages you get in your dreams.

Also Known As: Shedding Moon, Falling Leaf Moon, Hunter's Moon

Tonights Full Moon - The Cold Moon

In January, the nights are long and dark, and many of us are trying to stay warm under a blanket of snow as the Cold Moon approaches (in some cultures, the Cold Moon is the name given to December's moon, instead). The native tribes of North America called this time the Wolf Moon, because this was when the wolves were howling, hungry, outside lodges where people stayed warm within. This time of year, we're all feeling a bit slow and "off" as our bodies adjust to chillier temperatures.
Correspondences:

• Colors: Black and white, silver
• Gemstones: Hematite
• Trees: Birch, Hazel
• Gods: Inanna, Freyja
• Herbs: Thistle, nuts and seeds, marjoram
• Element: Air

This is a good time to work on magic related to protection, both physical and spiritual. Use this time to develop your inner self, and advance spiritually, becoming closer to the higher aspects of your deities.
 
Also Known As: Wolf Moon, Chaste Moon

-The Crafty Witch

The Sword & The Staff

The Sword

It represents fire and is used for many of the same purposes as the knife. Its
main use is for casting the circle. All authors agree that the sword is
optional, and that a replica is appropriate. Most suggest that some part, either
the handle or an inscription be added to make a purchased sword more personal.
All agree that if it is possible the sword should be made by the owner or a
coven member, but unless you are a blacksmith you are unlikely to be able to
manage the blade. The handle could be made or at least decorated however. There
are a number of suppliers of fine replica swords that cater to the SCA and Renn
Faire groups, keep your eyes open and you may find just the one for you. They
are also readily available at occult supply stores, often of lesser quality, but
also lesser price.

The Staff

The staff or stang is commonly included among the tools of Traditional witches
as well as Wiccans. It represents air and is, in effect, a long wand. It should
be made out of hardwood, equal in length to the height of the owner, and
decorated with feathers, leather, crystals, carving or engraving according to
Buckland. The staff has little practical use being largely ornamental. Farrar
and Cunningham do not mention it. A staff or walking stick can be a very
personal accessory since there are so many options for decoration. One can affix
any number of items to leather cords to dangle from the top, and it can be
carved with symbols, runes, the owners magical name - any meaningful words you
like. I recommend putting a rubber cane tip over the bottom to provide traction
and avoid marring floors.

Valiente tells of her traditions use of the Stang, a type of staff. It serves as
an emblem of faith and walking aid to and from meetings, a sign one is of the
craft, and a personal altar. The stang is forked at the top. It is of ash, cut
during the full moon with your knife. A small coin must be left with the tree as
payment for taking the branch. The stang must be shod with iron by driving a
nail into the bottom of it, the purpose being to hold the magical charge within
the stang once it is consecrated. Garlands and arrows are hung on the coven
stang for the four major rites. In some traditions the stang rather than being
forked at the top has a forked antler or even a whole skull with antlers of a
deer or similar animal. It may be decorated with fur, feathers, crystals or
other objects as well.

*author unknown

-The Crafty Witch

Elemental Correspondences

The elements in this case refer to the four basic elements of alchemy, Fire, 
Earth, Air, and Water, rather than to the elements of chemistry. Historically, 
in the west, it was believed that all things were made up of various proportions 
of the elements. Each of the elements was studied to determine it's nature and 
characteristics which were set to writing by the early alchemists. Each of the 
four correspond to various traits, feelings and purposes. In Wicca each of the 
cardinal points is associated with one of the four elements, as is each of the 
points of the pentagram, with the addition of spirit for the uppermost point.

The designations of the elements are somewhat different in the East, in China 
they are Metal, Wood, Fire, Water, and Earth. Wood dominates in spring and the 
East, Fire in summer and the South, Metal in the autumn and the West, Water in 
the winter and the North. In India the elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Air and 
Ether. In Tibet they are La - vitality, Sok - life potential, Lu - bodily 
health, Wangthang - personal power, and Lungta - wind horse.

The following charts outline the nature of each of the elements. Elemental 
correspondences may be invoked in ritual by representations or symbols of the 
elements. A candle or oil lamp may represent fire, incense may represent air, a 
bowl or cup of water may represent water, and sand or a stone may represent 
earth. In ritual the elements are also represented by the ritual tools; the 
Athame, the Pentacle, the Wand, and the Chalice; the attribution of these and 
descriptions of their use is on the Ritual Tools page. Choose the element that 
corresponds best to your ritual intent. Elemental Correspondences Western

 

Symbol/Color & Element

Fire - Red

Earth - Green

Air - Yellow

Water - Blue

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-The Crafty Witch