Idhunna’s Day: March 20

March 20th in the Norse Tradition is the day of the goddess Idhunna who is the personification of the light half of the year. Also known as Idhunn, Iduna or Idun (Germanic), She is a Nordic-Icelandic goddess. The consort of Bragi (the Poet God), she was widely worshiped during the Viking period (700 AD) and earlier until the Christianization around 1100 AD. Some historians say that She is strongly connected to the Norse Tree of Life, the Axis Mundi, Yggdrasil. On this day, She brings joy to humankind by appearing in the form of a sparrow. Her name means “the Renewer” because she is a goddess of healing. Associated with the Viking Runes Eihwaz and Gyfu (the gift), She bestows the gift of rejuvenation and holistic balance.

As the Keeper of the Golden Apples of Immortality, Idhunna is the bearer and guardian of the magickal fruit of Aesir (the principle group of gods of the Norse pantheon). This is the fruit of life and eternal youth for the gods of Asgard, supplying them with immortality. Because of this role, she is known as the “Goddess of Eternal Renewal” and the “Goddess of Youth”. As you can imagine, Idhunna and her apples were in high demand.

Because these powers were coveted by the giants, Loki was blackmailed into abducting Idhunna, giving Her to the giant Thiassi (father of the goddess Skadi) as a form of payment for the construction of Odhinn’s Valhalla (the Hall of the Slain). It tuned out that the Golden Apples were useless to the Giants because the power did not lie in the apples themselves, but in Idhunna; unless they were given directly from Her healing hands, they had no regenerating power. Because it was Idhunna who helped sustain the life-force of divinity, after some time without the Golden Apples, the gods began to age. Ironically, Loki was the one who rescued her and her apples and they were returned to the Aesir.

A sweet fruit of the soil, the apple is a long-time symbol of the wisdom of the Universe. Representing our Earth, when cut sideways, the apple reveals the five-pointed star, symbolizing humankind and it’s ages, vitality, health, wisdom and more. This life-sustaining fruit of heaven is guarded by Idhunna who maintains the vitality and health all of the Norse gods. This is Her gift to them, and if you ask, this can be Her gift to you as well.

Ideally, perform this mini-ritual on March 20th, but you an always perform this on a Monday, which is Her day, if your schedule doesn’t work out. This is designed to leave your old life behind, to renew with the Spring, and bring healing to your life.

Decorate your altar with the colors of silver and green (Her colors) and if you are in an area where there are apple blossoms on the trees, sprinkle a few of those on your altar as well. In lieu of apples made form gold, purchase some Golden Delicious Apples from the grocery store. You will also want to give her an offering of seeds; any will do, as these are a symbol of initiation as seeds contain the concentrated power of potential that is ready to burst into form. Other supplies you will need will be a knife to cut the apple, a candle (silver or green would be perfect), a plate to cut the apple on and a bowl for the seeds.
To call to Idhunna, light the candle and say:

“Goddess Idhunna, Lady of Light,

At this time of growing bright;

Lady, visit me as the Sparrow,

May I start a new life on the morrow.”

With the knife, cut in the side of the apple the rune Gyfu, which you can easily make with an “X”. Meditate upon what gifts you wish to receive form Idhunna, be they health, vitality, renewal, regeneration, or anything else that you desire. Literally see these gifts coming to you and hold these thoughts firmly in your mind.

Cut the apple cross-ways exposing the Star of Wisdom inside and say:

“Ancient fruit of Universal wisdom,

Keeper of the Pentagram,

Growing on the Tree of Life

Renew me now and free me from strife.”

Take a bite or two of the apple and as you state the sweetness, take in the sweetness of your new life. Literally “taste” the success and happiness that is coming your way.

Finally, place the seeds in the bowl and say:

“Idhunna, I Thank You for Your gift,

On the morrow, my life I uplift.

I put the past behind, I am healed and whole,

I have potential like the seeds in this bowl.

My life is mine, but with Your aid,

My garden is tilled by hoe and spade.

Thank You for Your vitality,

My thanks to You and Blessed Be.”

These are you offerings to Idhunna, and do take the time to care for them on a regular basis. If you can, plant the seeds outdoors and care for them daily. If your region has not yet thawed, then plant the seeds in a pot of earth and when able to, transplant the sprouts outside.

Make sure to place some of the apples outside for the animals and the nature spirits!

Sources:

Exploring the Northern Tradition by Galina Krasskova

Norse Magick by DJ Conway

Northern Magick by Edred Thorsen

Pagan Book of days by Nigel Pennick

Rites of Odin by Ed Fitch

Rune Mysteries by Silver Ravenwolf and Nigel Jackson

  It's seems as if the Earth is trying to shake itself apart with the current earthquake activity. Close to two months ago the 7.0 quake in Haiti killed an estimated 230,000 people and triggered a worldwide relief effort. On the 27th of February Chile experienced an 8.8 magnitude earthquake that put most of the world on Tsunami watch. The current death tole is around 800 but will surely rise. Yesterday Chile had another earthquake of a 6.3 magnitude and Taiwan experienced a 6.4 (no current deaths reported). So many earthquakes in such a short amount of time. Sound the first trumpet and lock the door to your bomb shelters!
  Japan may be struck next. In the last couple of weeks over a dozen of the giant oar fish have floated to the surface. The Japanese have a long tradition that says the oar fish are an omen of impending tremors. The giant oar fish are believed to be the cause of many different folklore around the world due to their ability to grow up to fifty feet long. However, these fish aren't commonly seen due to their natural habitat being 600 feet under the surface of the ocean. Japanese marine experts don't know why so many of these fish have been found recently, but predict it has something to do with the other earthquakes throughout the world.
  An incredibly interesting side effect of the Chilean quake on the 27th is that NASA research scientist Richard Gross of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reports that NASA estimated the Earth's axis shifted 3 inches and the rotation slowed about 1.26 microseconds (a microsecond is one millionth of a second). He also reports that it is common for the Earth to be effected in a grand scale by earthquakes. The changes experienced on the 27th are far from dramatic, and are in no means a sign of death impending.
  In fact, these very coincidental earthquakes are far from coincidence. They all lay along what researchers call the "Ring of Fire." The Ring of Fire spreads across the Pacific Ocean and encompasses several of the Earth's plates. The ring hosts 75% of the world's volcanoes, including Mount St. Helens, and 90% of the world's earthquakes. Earthquakes are very common along the Ring of Fire and happen many times a year. People rarely notice these earthquakes because they don't hit populated areas. Due to the recent earthquakes destroying so much civilization, the world has become aware of these reoccurring quakes. Scientists report that current events, although tragic, show no more activity than normal.
  So it's probably safe to sheath the trumpet and step foot out of your hole. The world is not ending, not by any scientific measure at least. Nature is a wild rampant force and sometimes we forget that the Earth maybe our home, but we're guests on it's surface. The Earth in no means is hospitable and in the grand scheme of things, has little concern for us humans. Welcome to the Ring of Fire.

References:Chilean Quake May Have Shortened Earth Days, Chile earthquake death toll climbs to 800, did earthquake shift earth’s axis?, USGS, Taiwan earthquake disrupts power and rail, Taiwan earthquake measuring 6.4 sparks widespread panic; scores injured but no casualties, The Ring of Fire, 2010 Haiti earthquake

Rebirth Through Oya Spell: Yoruba/Santeria Feast Day of Oya-2/2

Oya is the Orisha of death and rebirth and spring is the season of moving from the death of winter to rebirth. She is the Keeper of the Cemetery, her home is the graveyard and the spirits of the dead are her subjects. Oya has a relationship with Iku; the Spirit of Death whom she precedes, accompanies and carries with her on occasion. When death strikes, Oya is the last breath taken along with the spirit Iku.

On a much lighter note, Oya is also the river goddess of Yoruba as well as the deity in charge of wind, lightening, storms and thunder. As Guardian of the River Niger, her river symbolism is polished stones. Lightening came from her consort Shango.

Shango took Oya from Ogun. She was originally Ogun’s wife and she stole his tools which were weapons of war from him. The tools became part of her altar and when Ogun confronted her, she replaced the tools with farm implements. Shango had a gourd of medicine which enabled him to split lightening and one day Oya dipped her finger in it and after tasting the medicine she shot fire out of her mouth when she spoke. From then on she used her forked lightening to help Shango fight his battles.

Oya is seen as a strong woman who because of the war became fearless and courageous in the face of danger. She is a proud, self-willed woman whose wrath is so terrible that it must be avoided at all costs. Oya is represented by two swords that reflect her fighting ability.

Another symbol of Oya is horns. Her sacred animal is the wild buffalo which she turns herself into. Her color in the New World is purple but reddish-brown in Yoruba. She is also known as the “Mother of Nine” as she had nine children.

The Spell

SUPPLIES: Purple candle, offering of shell corn, sword (or Athame)

Light the purple candle and call to Oya:

“I call to Oya

Of death, rivers and storm;

And on Your Feast Day

I ask to be reborn.”

Place the offering upon the altar and calls to the Buffalo totem:

“Sacred Buffalo Woman

Chief of the animals upon Earth

I give to you this offering

And ask for my rebirth.

Grant to me survival skills,

Prosperity and courage,

Fertility and abundance

And fill me now with knowledge.”

Holds the sword up high and say:

“Oya, I ask for the death

Of my old life.

Please cut away what holds me back

And free me now from strife.

I wish today to be reborn

And ride upon Your wind.

Oya, grant to me the change

Let my new life begin.”

Take a moment to visualize the negatives being cut away and the void being filled by the positives that you yearn for. When the visualization is complete, say:

“So mote it be!”

Make sure to place the offering outside for the animals and nature spirits!

  Google, one of the largest growing companies in the world, is looking to create a experimental fiber internet service for test communities up to 500,000 users in size. This experimental internet would be one-hundred times faster than the standard broadband offered locally, with an estimated 1 gigabyte download speed. Grand Rapids appears to be an ideal candidate for Google's experiment and has a lot of support towards the project. Google plans on having an active decision in the process, but the best way to support the possible upgrade is through the official site. Grand Rapids just recently setup a wifi network through WiMax and was a test market for a fiber ring years ago, but the speeds currently offered are not much better than the typical cable package at a much more expensive price, hundreds to over a thousand dollars per month. Experts expect Google's prices to not be any better. The project is estimated to cost half a billion dollars, which would yield prices in the several thousand dollars range. However, it's not too far off to consider Grand Rapids as a test choice for the California based Google considering they already have a center in Ann Arbor.
  Google's internet is far from the only news the over a decade old multi-billion dollar corporation. Google this past Wednesday donated two million dollars to Wikipedia.com, the online encyclopedia. Sergey Brin, Google's co-founder had this to say about the donation "[Wikipedia] [is] one of the greatest triumphs of the Internet…this vast repository of community-generated content is an invaluable resource to anyone who is online." The two million dollars is a fifth of Wikipedia's target revenue for the year.
  With all that has been said about Google, they just keep growing. With the offer of their first droid phone through Motorola to the countless internet services they provide for free, many corporations are having a hard time competing with the big G. Microsoft and Yahoo! have announced a Search Alliance. The two companies are looking to merge efforts for the time being in an attempt to steal back some of the advertising power that Google has dominated. The companies hope to have their new searches up and running in the United States by the end of 2010 to the beginning of 2011.

References: GR hopes to be lab for Google, How Much Will Google's Fiber Network Cost?, Google Gives To Wikipedia, Wikipedia:Google, Search Alliance

Guardian Statue Household Protector Spell
by Rev. Merrie Hutchins (Boudicca Andarta)

The Roman festival of Compitalia honored the Lares for their help. The Lares are household hearth deities said to reside with each family as a type of protection. The story began with two children born from a liaison between the god Mercury and a mute Naiad named Laura, whose tongue had been cut out by the god Jupiter. The Lares became widely revered by Romans as house guardians and were depicted as monkeys covered in dog skins with a barking dog at their feet.

Another Roman deity associated with the hearth and fire is the goddess Vesta. She too, became a popular household guardian, depicted as a woman of great beauty holding a lighted torch and a votive bowl. Her mortal attendants were the Vestal Virgins, who were selected for office of guardians of the sacred flame from the age of six for a minimum of 30 years, during which they were expected to maintain a vow of chastity on penalty of live burial. The Vestals dressed in white gowns trimmed in purple and were highly respected members of roman society, enjoying many privileges. During the Vestalia festivals, donkeys were decked with wreaths. Vesta worship was abolished by Emperor Theodosius in 380 AD.

SUPPLIES: Guardian statue (or symbol) to become your household protector, incense, candle, water, salt, wand

First, clean the statue from any dust or dirt. Light the incense; pass the statue through the smoke three times (or if the statue is too large to lift, pass the smoke three times around the statue) and say:

“By the power of Air and incense,

My Lare guardian statue is blessed.”

Light the candle and pass the statue three times through the flame and say:

“By the power of Fire and flame,

My Lare guardian protects me from maim.”

Sprinkle the statue with three drops of water and say:

“By the power of Water and Sea,

Of danger my Lare will warn me.”

Finally, sprinkle your statue with three grains of salt and say:

“By the power of salt and Earth,

My Lare guardian now is birthed!”

Pick up your wand and circle above the top of the statue three times and say:

“By the power of Spirit and light,

Negative entities my Lare will fight.”

Now ask for the blessings from the goddess Vesta. Hold you statue up and say:

“Vesta of the Hearth and Fire

Your blessings now I acquire

Of my Lare Guardian

Let not negativity in.

Beautiful Vesta with Your torch,

Negativity can’t make it past my porch.

Lares and Vesta, please protect me,

As my will, so mote it be!”

Place the guardian statue in a place perfect to keep you property or house protected.