December, 2009  Issue 28

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Quote of the month: "Meditate, commune, listen in quietness.  Heighten your awareness of the truth within."                - Lynn S. Marks, Messags from God: 365 Simple Truths for Success	Magical Tip: "The sense of 'need' and 'longing' must be suppressed when working magic, as such feelings prevent the full release of power toward the desired goal."    - Raven Grimassi, Spirit of the Witch: Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Witchcraft
Magical Events for December:  December 2 - Full Moon (Long Nights Moon) in Gemini December 12 - Hanukkah begins  December 16 - New Moon in Capricorn December 18 - Islamic New Year December 19 - Hanukkah ends December 21 - Yule/Winter Solstice - Sun enters Capricorn December 24 - Christmas Eve - Celtic Tree Month of Birch begins December 25 - Christmas Day December 26 - Kwanzaa begins December 31 - New Year's Eve - Full Moon (Blue Moon) in Cancer - Lunar Eclipse	December Special Events:  Since December's events fall under the Wing Academy classes, I decided to use this space to talk about the celestial special events of the Blue Moon and Lunar Eclipse at the end of the month. The modern definition of a Blue Moon is a second full moon occurring within a single calendar month.  The original definition from The Farmer's Almanac determined the Blue Moon as the third full moon in a season of four full moons, so as to maintain the twelve names of the full moons in the ecclesiastical calendar.  A year with a thirteenth moon skewed the calendar.  December's Blue Moon is in the sign of Cancer, so magical operations having to do with growth or any venture undertaken at this time will flourish.  It is also a good time for endeavors requiring psychic awareness or expansive imagination.  The Lunar Eclipse brings the opportunity to perform magical operations regarding the banishing or elimination of something you no longer want in your life.  During this celestial event, you can target a bad habit, your bills, removing blocks to progress, or anything else that bothers you.  Always cast your spells with harm to none and with the intent being for your highest good.
Thursday, December 3, 2009, 7:30 pm to 9 pm Eastern 10 EmPOWERaids to Inspire Mind, Body and Spirit Explore your inner child while learning these quick, easy , powerful methods of intuitive guidance.  These 10 emPOWERaids will aid in the healing and expansion of your body, mind, and spirit.  Be emPOWERed to your full potential by breaking old habits of self denial and start creating a life of abundance. Only $40! Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm Eastern Meditation for the Active Mind You’ll learn 6 different methods of meditating that you can use RIGHT AWAY to become more focused, spiritually connected, relaxed, and self-aware.  We’ll even take you through a guided imagery meditation that will be a virtual walk in the forest.  Join us for this magical journey inward and learn the secrets of active meditation. Only $25! Registration is quick and easy!  Sign-up today at http://www.forestwitch.com/Classes&Teleseminars.html	Gemstone of the Month:   Blue Topaz The name "topaz" comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "fire," hence it is associated with the element of Fire and the sign of Sagittarius.   Topaz comes in several colors, with the blue aligned with the throat chakra (5th chakra) and the third eye (6th chakra).  It provides mental clarity and the ability to clearly communicate your desires.  It stimulates the ability to think about and learn complex concepts and ideas.  This stone is a natural amplifier of psychic ability and helps when seeking to tune into inner guidance or to perform spiritual readings for others.  The blue topaz is an ideal stone for performing healings on the spiritual and emotional levels, as it possesses calming energies.  It is also beneficial for healing in the physical body; in particular, sore throats, speech impediments, and the general health of the neck and throat.  This gemstone can stimulate creativity and promotes the expression of ideas.  It bolsters confidence to trust one's own decisions.  An interesting quality of the topaz is that its energy acts through the laws of attraction and manifestation, wherein the colors trigger manifestation activities and the vibration of the stone has a magnetic effect.  It is a powerful stone to be used for visualizing what you wish to manifest and for meditation. Blue Topaz vibrates to the number 3, the number of manifestation.
Featured Product:   Handcrafted Books of Shadows Book of Shadows and Grimoires have fascinated common people throughout centuries. Witches’ and Wizards’ library shelves are filled with large leather bound volumes with parchment pages full of powerful incantations, spells, charms, recipes, and texts written in calligraphy, mystical drawings, and bits of herbs poking out from the pages. Dragon's Breath Book of Shadows (Made with real Amber) In modern times this old art has been neglected and forgotten by many. We all have been stocking our magickal libraries with books purchased from common bookstores. The classic beauty of a Book of Shadows in our libraries will benefit every Witch and Wizard. While modern books are excellent and irreplaceable for magickal studies, the goal of these artisans is to reawaken the art of creating leather bound magickal books just like in the old times, which will be passed down from generation to generation. While they create Grimoires that are concentrated on the specific magickal goal (ex. Love, Prosperity, Protection, etc.), they also carry the original Book of Shadows, which contains rituals, charges, magickal laws, and other information that will help you to practice your craft successfully. For Witches and Wizards who want their Book of Shadows to be blank and start working from scratch, we have an amazing collection of leather bound hand-made Books for you to choose from. Have a particular design in mind? Please send us details and we will make your dream Book come true! These amazing magickal tomes are handcrafted by artisans who create these special volumes with the highest quality to the degree that these books have been known to increase in monetary value.  Check out the full selection of magnificent leather-bound books of shadows and select the one that aligns to your personal power, magickal purpose, and ultimate intent.  It can take up to eight weeks to create your book, so the sooner you place your order, the faster you'll have it in your hands! http://www.forestwitch.com/Handmade_Book_of_Shadows.html	Gift giving:   Holiday shopping can be challenging - the crowds, the time constraints to getting it all done in time, and the uncertainty of Aunt Betty's sweater size.  Battling the crowds to give another boring gift is counterproductive.  Cut yourself a break and shop online!  Opt for the extraordinary by giving spiritually-based gifts that promote positive energy for the highest good of your loved ones!  With affordable items in any price range, it will also be for the highest good of your budget.  To make it even better, I'm offering free shipping* through the end of December.  Choose from these great gift ideas and order today so you can check it off your list! Under $25: The gift of entertainment Coven by Diane Wing, takes you on a mystical journey through time with the Coven of the Triad Witches.  Signed copy upon request.  Read reviews and an excerpt at http://www.forestwitch.com/Books.htm -  only $18.95! Under $40: The gift of self-awareness Insight Stones allows you to get the answers to your questions and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others.  This easy-to-use tool includes a guide book that will have you tapping into your intuitive guidance within minutes.  See the video and purchase at http://www.forestwitch.com/InsightStones.htm - only $34.95! The gift enlightenment The Psychic Connection Package - Save $40 when you purchase five 15-minute online or phone readings for $160 (a $200 value!).  You can use them all yourself, give them away as gifts to 5 friends ($32 each, regularly $40 each), or split it between you and a friend.  A printable gift certificate will be e-mailed to you at time of purchase.  Go to  http://www.forestwitch.com/tarot_readings.htm click the "add to cart" button and select the five-reading option from the drop down menu. Any denomination:  The gift of choice A Forest Witch Gift Certificate is the perfect gift for when you can't decide which gift is best.  Let your special someone select from any Forest Witch products and services.  Gift certificates can be made out in denominations of $25, $50, $75, and $100.  For other amounts, please e-mail me and we can create a certificate to your specifications.  Each certificate is customized with your special message.   http://www.forestwitch.com/forest_witch_gift_certificates.htm *Domestic shipping only.
Arachne's Alchemy: This section of the newsletter was formerly titled "Ask Arachne."   Your questions are always welcome and can be e-mailed to me at arachne@forestwitch.com to get a direct reply.  My decision to change the nature of this section stems from the desire to share with you all kinds of esoteric and occult knowledge in a way that transforms, inspires, and enlightens.   Let's begin with why I chose the word "alchemy" to describe the information in this section.  Alchemy was thought to be the futile attempts at turning lead into gold.  While it was the precursor to modern chemistry, the metals, minerals, and processes named in the practice of alchemy are symbolic representations of the true path to manifestation and transformation.  The transformative properties of alchemical operations allow the base components of the self to be separated, purified, and combined to attain spiritual enlightenment.  The psychologist, Carl Jung, interpreted alchemy as an ancient art of psychological transformation using the language of metalworking.  Alchemical processes are represented in the tarot card The Magician.  The invisible power he draws down is Mercury, which represents Spirit working through him.  His red robes symbolize Sulphur, which represents the Soul (psyche), Wisdom, and the power to take action.    Sulphur is the transforming power represented by the Magician in his red robes.  Another element in Alchemy is Salt, which represents the body.  It is the component that conserves Mercury and prevents decay of the spirit.  Occultist Paul Foster Case describes Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt as all being part of the "Philosophical Egg" or human aura which is the "vessel of glass" in which the matter of work is brought to perfection.  Sulphur is the formative power inherent in the life force that drives us to undertake work that will lead us to higher levels.  Ultimately, the way we interact and connect with Spirit, bring it in through our Soul or Psyche, and work our body to take action allows us to transform ourselves and our lives.  I'm looking forward to bringing you information in future issues that allows you to use the hidden or occult realm of understanding in everyday living.