A to Z Challenge -- Z -- PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND STARS. OH MY!

ZODIAC -- There are many different zodiacs out there.  The Western one we are familiar with.  Gemini, Capricorn, Virgo, etc. There are also the Chinese, Celtic, and others.

The origins of Western Astrology come from the ancient Babylonian and Mesopotamian as well as Sumerian and Egyptian, but here are the mythological origins from the Greek.  Aries -- Ram of the Golden Fleece, Taurus -- Europa's ravishment by Zeus, Gemini -- the twins Castor and Pollux, Cancer -- Hera's giant crab sent to attack Hercules during the battle with the Hydra, Leo -- the Nemean Lion, Virgo -- goddess of purity and innocence, Astraea.  Last to return to the heavens when Pandora opened the box and is associated with Dike goddess of justice, Libra -- scales of Themis, goddess of divine justice, Scorpio -- the scorpion that killed Orion, Sagittarius -- Chiron the centaur, Capricorn -- goat Amalthea who fed the infant Zeus or Pan, Aquarius -- Ganymede, Pisces -- Aphrodite and Eros escaping Typhon.

There are different versions of why the Chinese Zodiac (sheng xiao) animals are in the order that they are.  Most have the a competition that a heavenly being (be it the Jade Emperor, Yellow Emperor, etc.) has ordered. The race would decide the order.  The cat and the rat were friends, and it ends up somehow the cat was left out of the race by some means by the rat, albeit on purpose or not.  So once good friends are eternal enemies.  You can go HERE or HERE or even Wikipedia even to read.  Also the animals change with the different countries.  In different Asian countries, some of the animals are altered slightly, but on the whole they are similar.

The Celtic one is fairly new.  The ancient Celtic calender was more fluid, using the lunar cycle as a guide. It is also probable they were not named for trees or animals.  Most likely they were named for the quadrants.  Samhain, "Summer's End", would be an example.

So here is a brief rundown of signs and their months/years.

Western 

Capricorn  -- The Goat - Dec. 22–Jan. 19                             

Aquarius -- The Water Bearer - Jan. 20–Feb. 18

Pisces -- The Fishes - Feb. 19–Mar. 20

Aries -- The Ram - Mar. 21–Apr. 19

Taurus -- The Bull - Apr. 20–May 20

Gemini -- The Twins -May 21–June 21

Cancer -- The Crab - June 22–July 22

 Leo -- The Lion - July 23–Aug. 22

Virgo -- The Virgin -Aug. 23–Sept. 22

Libra -- The Balance - Sept. 23–Oct. 23

Scorpio -- The Scorpion - Oct. 24–Nov. 21

Sagittarius -- The Archer - Nov. 22–Dec. 21

Chinese

Zi – Rat – 1936, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 2008, 20

Chou – Ox – 1937, 49, 61, 73, 85, 97, 2009, 21

Yin – Tiger -- 1938, 50, 62, 74, 86, 98, 2010, 22

Mao-- Rabbit -- 1939, 51, 63, 75, 87, 99, 2011, 23

Chen – Dragon -- 1940, 52, 64, 76, 88, 2000, 12, 24

Si – Snake -- 1941, 53, 65, 77, 89, 2001, 13, 25

Wu -- Horse -- 1942, 54, 66, 78, 90, 2002, 14, 26

Wei – Sheep -- 1943, 55, 67, 79, 91, 2003, 15, 27

Shen – Monkey -- 1944, 56, 68, 80, 92, 2004, 16, 28

You – Rooster -- 1945, 57, 69, 81, 93, 2005, 17, 29

Xu – Dog -- 1946, 58, 70, 82, 94, 2006, 18, 30

Hai – Pig -- 1947, 59, 71, 83, 95, 2007, 19, 31

Celtic

Beth – Birch – Dec. 24 to Jan. 20

Luis -- Rowan – Jan. 21 to Feb. 17

Nion -- Ash – Feb. 18 to Mar. 17 

Fearn -- Alder - Mar. 18 to Apr. 14 

Saille – Willow – Apr. 15 to May 12

Uath -- Hawthorn - May 13 to June 9 

Duir – Oak - June 10 to July 7

Tinne – Holly - July 8 to Aug.4

Coll – Hazel – Aug. 5 to Sept. 1

Muin – Vine- Sept. 2 to Sept. 29

Gort --Ivy - Sept. 30 to Oct. 27

Ngetal -- Reed – Oct.28 to Nov. 24

Ruis -- Elder –Nov. 25 to Dec. 22


Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- Y -- LOG, GRAVEYARD, AND A DAY

YEW -- English Yew is a long lived tree found in many graveyards across Great Britain and many predate the churches, which may have roots in Druid groves.  It was a sacred tree to the Druids.  It was a symbol for immortality, death and rebirth.  It can live for 1000 years or more.  There are estimates that some trees are even 4000 years old!  It is one of the oldest known species of tree. Weapon handles were made from its wood.  Its a poisonous plant.  It has connections to the Otherworld.

YULE -- It is celebrated on the Winter Solstice, around December 21.  It is the rebirth of the God as one of the eight Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year.  Many of the Christmas traditions come from this holiday, including the hanging of mistletoe and the Yule log.

The Yule log was burned to celebrate the the rebirth of the sun.

Many cultures shared this celebration in different forms like the Egyptians, Celts, Norse (Juul), Romans (Saturnalia), and Germanic tribes.

The burning of the Yule log is a tradition that has been carried on for at least a thousand year or more.  A piece from the old Yule log (kept for protection through the year) kindles the new Yule log after a piece is taken from it for the next.  There are certain rituals and superstitions about how the log is decorated and received, but I'm not going to get into them.

YEAR AND A DAY -- December 23.  The Druid lunar months consisted of 28 days in each of the 13 months.  It was used in courts of law.  Mistletoe rules this day, which was called All Heal, Golden Bough and a few other names.

Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- R -- TOOLS, ETHICS, AND VIKINGS

RECEPTIVE HAND -- This is the hand the receives energy into the body.  Left for right-handed people and reversed for left-handed.

REDE -- This is the guideline for conduct.  I found endless forms that vary in words, length, and other things, but one line was the same in most of them (except that some did not have the antiquated ye): An harm ye none, do what ye will.  Some translate it as don't cause harm to others or yourself, but there are other schools of thought on this.

Here is an example of a simple, to the point Rede.  This particular one is quoted from Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft (Green Witchcraft Series) by Ann Moura on page 76.

Bide the Witch's law ye must,
in perfect love, in perfect trust.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An harm ye none, do what ye will.
What ye send forth comes back to thee,

So ever mind the Rule of Three.

Follow this with mind and heart,

and merry ye meet, and merry ye part.

RITUAL TOOLS --  By now, I've talked about chalices, cauldrons, pentacles, and a few more I'm probably forgetting.  These are all ritual tools.  Ritual tools are items used in ceremonies and magick.  They are cleansed of negative energy before used and are consecrated.  They are also charged with energy.  Bathing them in moonlight will not only cleanse but recharge them, but there are other methods.  Water, salt, sunlight, burying them, and smudging are all possible methods. It depends on what material the tools are made crafted from.

ROWAN --  Also called Mountain Ash, Witchesbane, Witchwood, and Thor's Helper to name a few.

This tree is one of the most sacred to Wiccans, witches, and the Druids.  It has a long history that weaves though the centuries.  Its ancient Celtic name was fid na ndruad, which means wizards tree.

It has association with fairies.  A lone rowan was believed to be a gateway to Elfhame, or in the Norse, Alfheim.

The wood is used to make wands, staves, and amulets.  It's used in protection and has been used for thousands of years.  Some believe that the rowan would banish evil spirits and they were planted near cemeteries.

The berries form a natural pentagram.  The cooked berries are edible and medicinal.

RUNES -- The divining rune system I will be focusing on comes from the Futhark language of the Norse and Northern Germanic peoples. The name Futhark comes from the first letters of this alphabet (F, U, TH, A, R, K). The origin of this writing systems is uncertain, but can be traced from about the 3rd century.  As with all languages, it went through changes as it evolved.  Examples of it can be found throughout Europe.

The mythological origins of the runes comes from a story of how Odin hung himself from Yggdrasil over the Well of Urd, where the Norns (think the Fates only more awesome) held their power over destiny.  He sacrificed an eye as well to gain the knowledge of the runes mystical powers.

One simple pattern takes only three runes.  They are drawn one at a time and placed right to left.  The first rune is your present situation.  The middle one is the the attitude and energy surrounding the situation.  The last, shows the probable outcome of the situation.

Like tarot cards, many of the runes can have different meanings when they are drawn upside down.

Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.

A to Z Challenge -- H -- CORD, HUNT, AND CROSSROADS

HANDFASTING -- A traditional trial marriage or engagement ceremony dating back to the ancient Celts.  Some believe that it lasted a 'year and a day'.  After the predetermined time, the couple could separate in a handparting, if they wished, or make the match permanent.  

The couple's hands were tied by a cord to symbolize their unity.  Many modern couples use the cord to signify what they wish from the relationship and to reflect their vows.  Colors like red, pink, and green are used to represent passion, love, and fertility respectively in the cord.    

Now, a handfasting is more akin to a wedding in truth. 

HAWTHORN --  One of the sacred trees.  It is one of the triumvirate of trees said to be the gateway to the fae land or to see fairies; Oak, Ash, and Thorn.

Hawthorns legends have that fairy live within them and that to cut one down was bad luck.

Parts of the tree were used as medicinal and edible substances, including the leaves and berries.

Magically, the hawthorn is used as protection and banishing evil spirits.  It's used to draw luck into your home at the new year.

Beltane and May Day are two of the prevalent celebrations where hawthorn is used.

The Greeks and Romans also used hawthorn in rites of marriage and as protection of virgin purity.

HECATE -- (Pronounced hek-uh-tee, also Hekate)  Let's just say She is one powerful goddess and is associated with many, many different things.  She is the 'Queen of Ghosts'; goddess of the cross roads, sorcery, childbirth, witchcraft, and others.  She is associated with the dark of the moon.

Pre-Olympian, Hecate came from Thrace and maybe even Egypt.  In the pantheon of Greek Gods, She was powerful in her own right.  Zeus gave her unprecedented powers to give and take away from mankind as she saw fit.  No other had that kind of power besides him.  She also had access to all three realms, Heavens, Earth, and Underworld.

Hecate's appearance has changed as time and cultures adopted her.  She went from young maiden (her associations to them) to the haggard crone (Medieval Church demonization).  Her statues were sometimes depicted with three heads as to signify she was ever vigilant.

Her origins are all over the place, depending on which place it was associated.  Some called her one of the last Titans, others had her as a Fury.

 At three-way crossroads, travelers traveling at night would leave offerings to her shrines for safe passage.  Hecate Trivia (Roman tri-via) was celebrated on November 30th.

Herne the Hunter

HORNED GOD --  This is an archetype to represent the God's masculine energy.

Cerunnos is one such version of this god; only he is antlered not horned.  Many times depicted surrounded by animals, he is assumed to be the Lord of Forest and Wild Things.

Herne the Hunter is another and could be considered one version of Cerunnos.  He may be a different god altogether. He is the leader of the Wild Hunt in some of the legends.  Herne may have been heavily influenced by the Anglo-Saxon.



Disclaimer: None of these pictures belong to me.  I found them on Google.