New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
Historically, today was Opiconsivia, a Roman festival in honor of Ops. She represents an aspect of the Great Mother Goddess, the Earth as source of crops and life. Her festival included a chariot race and horse parades. To celebrate this holiday, the presiding priestess should wear a white robe and a white veil. Lavish jewelry is also appropriate, since Ops is the goddess of opulence and treasure. Set the altar with flowers, figures of horses, vegetables and grains, stones, and other Earth ...
In ancient Rome, today marked the opening of the portal connecting Hades' underworld abode via a labyrinth to Ceres (Demeter), goddess of grain, vegetation, and the harvest. No longer closed, this allowed the spirits of the dead to walk among the living for a day. Offerings of fruits and special foods were placed at the entranceway to create harmony and pay homage to Ceres, who also presides over liminality, that in-between state marked by a temenos, or sacred boundary. Today then is a day for ...
When we wish each other "safe travel" or say, "have a good trip," we're actually administering a magical invocation of protection and safety. You can add to this effect with a travel charm. Cut a six- to eight-inch circle of blue cloth. In the center of the cloth, sprinkle a bit of lavender or sage and add small pieces of citrine, lapis, jade, and/or quartz. On a small piece of paper, inscribe the following: I fill the bag for travel safe, May magical powers guide you. Journey smoothly ...
Clear the air after a particularly unpleasant visitor leaves by sprinkling salt water on any doorways they may have passed through. Also lightly sprinkle anywhere they may have been sitting. Follow the salt water with a flourish of lavender incense. Visualize all of that unpleasant energy dissipating as though zapped by small electrical charges as you work. Allow the incense to finish burning itself out. ...
