Friday - The Sailors Dread

For sailors, Fridays were once filled with dread, for they believed that witches reigned supreme on Fridays and as such could weald great powers over the waters.

The Bristish admiralty once decided to prove the absurdity of this superstition and so ordered the keel of a new ship to be built on a Friday, named the ship Friday, launced her on Friday and gave the command to a man called Friday. However, although the ship was new and sea worthy when it left port, neither it or the crew were ever heard of again!

From 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements'

The Season of Water

Ours is a world dominated by water, from soft rains and still lakes to iced glaciers and flowing rivers. None however can compare either in size or temperament to the wild untamed oceans that surround every outcrop of land.

These vast bodies of water once provided the beneficial environment in which life began to develop and even today support the greatest variety of living organisms on earth, from microscopic algae to the largest living creature - the blue whale.

It is little wonder then that these waters were revered as sacred, a fact which has led to many Gods and Goddesses becoming associated with our seas and oceans.

The oldest of the water Gods was Pontus, produced by Gaea herself at the very edge of time. Gaea's later union with Uranus produced Oceanus whose power was inferior to none but Zeus. As time passed however the Olympians stamped their authority over both the earth and the waters, with jurisdiction of these being given to Poseidon, whilst Oceanus was guided towards retirement.

Read more: 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Elements'

Meteor shower

This month brings us yet another heavenly spectacular, the first of which is tomorrow night (5th November) when the Taurids meteor shower peaks. There is a chance of some spectacular fire balls from around midnight to early morning, especially as the moon sets around 1 am to darken the skies.

Many of the planets are also in view including Mercury which shines at its best on the 9th, whilst Venus, Mars and Saturn are visible between the 9th to the 14th. One of the best meteor showers in 33 years due later in the month will blog with more details then, meanwhile enjoy the firewaorks and the shower.

Beauty comes in many forms

We all revere youth and fresh faced beauty and spend thousands of pounds trying to recapture that which all too fleetingly flies away. What we often fail to realise however is that beauty is present in many forms - a well lined face - silver hair - a knarled and naked tree - a barren field of rich dark soil and the inner beauty of the soul. At this darkening time of year, when the light is fading and the earth turns to rest, rejoice and give thanks for the gifts of the crone.
The following is an excerpt from a Samhain poem in 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Whispers'. The book will tell you what happens next.

The Mermaid

Intermittent moonlight
Silvers her greying hair
And I become aware
That the woman I live with is ageing.
Upon a once perfect canvas,
Lines are worn
Where time has drawn
Its hand across her face.
I yearn for youth and beauty,
One to excite
And bring delight
To satisfy my longing......

The Birch Moon

The new moon is due at 20.55 today and was known by the Celts as the 'Birch Moon'. It was under this moon, during the sacred festival of Samhain (now Halloween) that the journey of sacred inner awareness was practiced and was mirrored in the natural world as it too entered a time of rest and retreat.

The birch moon was seen to hold a promise of things to come as during this month the Samhain celebrations saw the dying of the old year and the beginning of the new. Birch was also seen as having protective qualities, a useful tool to see the old tribes through the dark days to come.

Read more: 'Mrs Darley's Moon Mysteries'

Preparing for Winter Ills

With this beautiful autumn weather still warming our island, winter seems months away and yet we all realise that soon enough the cold will creep in, no doubt accompanied by coughs colds and flu.

The elderly and the vulnerable are offered the flu jab, whilst many of us wait until illness strikes before resorting to cold and flu remedies. This winter however, why not try to some good old fashioned remedies that won't harm your body, but which may help to prevent illness taking hold?

The number one remover of ills is the humble onion. Not only does it help build immunity (along with garlic) if eaten, but if cut in half and placed in a dish of water in each room in the house it absorbs germs and viruses in the air.

A bunch of rue hung over the doors and windows is also capable of purifying the air as will burning 3 drops each of juniper and tea tree essential oil in a little water.

For more information on healing Read 'Mrs Darley's Pagan Healing Wisdom'

Heavenly October

Another exciting month in the heavens is in store as the Orionids meteor shower explodes across the early morning skies after midnight on the 20/21st October. This is however a difficult shower to predict and may be visible any time between the 17 th and the 25th. It produces around 20 meteors per hour of yellow and green which often appear as fireballs.

Jupiter can be seen in the east from the 13th just below the moon as it sets, but on the 27th it reaches its closest point to earth, therefore through a telescope some of its largest moons may be visible.

It is a month which sees the end of British summertime as we move back to GMT and also one which heralds the end of the old Celtic Year at the festival of Samhain (Halloween) . This is a time to put to rest all that no longer serves us and one which offers us the opportunity to create a new and fertile space in which to live and thrive.