Author: Anne Key

Fall Equinox – Blessings for Balance

Fall Equinox

Fall Equinox is a time of balance. This year during the day of September 23rd, all parts of the planet receive the same amount of light from the Sun. It is an excellent day to offer prayers to all parts of the world, that we may feel and know our interconnections. One of my favorite mantras for this day is: Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu: May all beings be happy. May all my thoughts, words, and actions contribute in some way to the happiness of all beings.

The Fall Equinox is at the apex of the autumn season, when growth is finished and readying for winter begins. Just as the trees will let go of their leaves, it’s time for all of us to take stock and see what we need to release. This day of balance provides us a moment of clarity.

It has been a busy last few months, chocked full of all sorts of astral happenings. So today, set aside a few moments for peaceful deliberation.  Reflect on where you’ve been and where you are going. No need to make lists or plan; just be. Let yourself be filled with this moment of lucidity as the season gives us a moment of balance. Remember to let go.

Wishing you all the beautiful gifts of the season — Anne

Historical and Astrological Tidbits on Mid-Autumn:

Mid-Autumn is the Fall Equinox. Equinox means “balance”, and this is the point when the dark and light of the day are most at balance. On a global scale, the equinoxes are at the points of the year when the entire world is in balance, with both Southern and Northern hemispheres receiving about the same amount of light. The equinox has another important feature as well: it is the only point during the year that the Sun rises in exact east and sets in exact west.  For while the Sun “stands still” at the solstices, the Sun moves very rapidly across the horizon at the equinoxes, leaving only one day to calibrate to the east and west. The Fall Equinox festival is also called Mabon (derived from Welsh mab meaning “son” or “boy”);Harvest Home (in British Isle traditions the time when the harvest is complete); and the Witches’ Thanksgiving. Astrologically, Mid-Autumn may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 0° Libra, which usually occurs between September 21-22.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Offering-IMG_6468-black.jpg

Power comes from within

Uncategorized

From Anne Key: “I hold my power in my hands…my security lies within.” This is the phrase that accompanies the 4 of pentacles in Mary Greer’s Tarot For Yourself. In my morning ritual, I asked for help on a new act I’m creating for our Oct. 3rd burlesque show in ABQ. You’ll get to read about my journey with burlesque in me second memoir (coming in Oct! Squee!), but for now, the act I am working on is based on the Descent of Inanna myth (see more about the myth here).

In this particular act, I have the costume, music, and props all worked out. What I don’t have worked out is, well, the “internal engine” of the act. Me. While I feel comfortable entertaining audiences with my smile and charisma, this will be the first time I have asked my audience to take a journey with me, a journey that they might not have signed up for.

I so admire artists that are brave enough to move their work out into the world without admirers, without support, without applause. I am able to do this in other realms (writing, for instance). So my work here is to root deep into myself, for my security lies within, and open my eyes, for I will see the power in my hands. Inanna’s descent strips me down, figuratively and literally, to the raw, unadulterated, authentic, naked me.

Dance your Prayers this Summer Solstice!

Uncategorized

sunrise_bosquedelapache3Sunday June 21st is Mid-Summer, the Summer Solstice. As penned by Shakespeare in his famous play, this is a time of high spirits, magic, and love. It is a time to surrender to the bright energy of the sun.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are living in the moments of the most light of the year. At the Solstice the sun stills, rising and setting at its northernmost position on the horizon the few days before and after Mid-summer, drenching us in almost unrelenting light.

Take this moment of stillness in the sun put down your work and turn up the music, pour a libation, and dance your prayers. This is a time for renewal, a time to open yourself to be filled with light, love, and passion. Laugh. Dance with the fairies. Drink in the light of summer.

Blessings of the Light to you this Mid-Summer’s Day!

Note on Dates: Astrologically, Mid-Summer may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 0 degree cancer. Summer Solstice (Latin: “sun ceases”) is known as Mid-Summer or Litha (from the Anglo-Saxon name for the month of June) and St. John’s Day (the feast day of St. John the Baptist).

Scorpio Full Moon!

Uncategorized

I drew the Moon card this morning and now this powerful piece about the Scorpio full moon from Chani Nicholas:”Scorpio teaches us about death and dying, about letting go and giving in to the transformation and healing that occurs in the dark. Taurus is the stabilization of our outer and inner resources while Scorpio details how we use the power we gain from them. In order for us to experience life we must face death. In order for us to celebrate life we must be able to bear witness to the entirety of it. ” Spend a moment to bask in this moon and accept the totality of life.

http://www.chaninicholas.com/renaming-blame-full-moon-in-scorpio/

Spring Equinox! Friday!

Uncategorized

Friday March 20th is Spring Equinox. Are you ready?

This year comes on strong beginning with a Pisces New Moon, heralding new beginnings. Spring Equinox always occurs when the sun moves into Aries, adding some fire. To top it off this year, we also have a solar eclipse (visible in Europe) early in the am on the 20th.

In short—this is an excellent time for new beginnings.

The moon begins a new cycle; Aries helps us move it along; and the solar eclipse (when the moon blocks the sun’s light) gives us a chance to disrupt old patterns and energize new ones.  I always think of the equinox as a time for calibration. It is the day when the northern and southern hemispheres are bathed in equal light, and it is the moment when the sun rises and sets in exact east and west.

First: Cleanse. Try some deep cleansing – smudging yourself, your house, your workspace. Take a cleansing bath letting everything go and watch it wash down the drain. It’s a perfect season for a “limpia” with an egg!

Second: Calibrate.  What do you want? What is your path? Where are you going? Get your sights aligned.

Third: Clear the space. This is the time of year that the earth beneath us is roiling with life, and pretty soon there will be an over-abundance of green shoots sprouting. They won’t all come to fruition, and some might crowd what you’d rather have bloom.  In this moment of stillness, balance and calibration, take time to consider what needs to go to make way for the new. Clear out the dead leaves and rubbish, look through your seed packets and decide what to plant.

So on Friday, take a moment to cleanse, calibrate and clear the space because spring is here.

Love and Blessings to you!

Anne

More about Spring Equinox: Spring Equinox is often called Ostara, or Eostre, named for a goddess of Germanic origin who is the namesake of Easter. For the Northern Hemisphere, Spring Equinox is Mid-Spring, signaling the height of the season, occurring at 1° Aries in Tropical system, on Friday March 20th at 4:45pm MT in 2015. History and ritual ideas: http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/spring.html  and I love these! http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=377863.0#ixzz3SUztkDAp&i

Spring Equinox Ritual Ideas

Uncategorized

This Spring Equinox on Friday March 20th is packed with juiciness, including a New Moon and a Solar Eclipse (visible in Europe). Plan a ritual! Here are a few ideas:

Spring Cleaning: I think one of the most important aspects of preparing for the equinox is cleansing, outside and in. It is the season for spring cleaning! Take a moment to go through your closet and donate items you don’t use. Dust your altar. I clean off my desk and dust my computer and keyboard.

Then take a moment to cleanse yourself. Try smudging, a cleansing bath or shower. I also love taking a “sun shower”—stand in the sunlight and let Her magick rays cleanse you. In all of these instances, open your heart and mind and let everything fall away. Shake yourself (just think of a wet dog!).

After cleansing, it is time to welcome in the new life. Eggs are wonderful symbols of new beginnings, and perfect for Spring Equinox. Try using an egg for a cleansing (see directions here).

Rattle Manifesto: Hand out strips of paper and have everyone write down what they want to bring to “hatch” this spring. Put the notes in plastic Easter eggs. I also like to put a jingle bell inside so that I can “rattle” my wishes into reality!

Let’s Bake: Make Easter Crown Bread. Here’s a great recipe.

Easter Eggs that will manifest!: Boil and dye eggs (try using beet juice!), imbuing them with your intention for what you want to bring to life. Peel and eat, bringing the intention into your body. Bury the shells in the yard for compost. When ready, use the compost to enrich the soil of your garden and plant something special, then watch your intention bloom and grow!

Whatever you do, take advantage of the sweet cosmic wave of new beginnings!