Digital Collage Art by Silver RavenWolf — Day One of the Great Release Program!
Day One of the Magickal Release Challenge! by Silver RavenWolf copyright 2013
Sun in Sagittarius (Fire) Fourth Quarter Moon – Banishing/Rest Moon in Scorpio — Intense Power ruled by Pluto the planet of powerful change — Water Sunday — Ruled by the Sun Sunday’s Angel: Michael*
* Where some of you will choose to work with Gods and Goddesses or perhaps just “Spirit”, others may like communing with the angels during the program. Angels pre-date Christianity, and many of the more well-known angelic histories are actually related to real people (see my book Angels, Companions in Magick for more info). There are several different hierarchies to choose from when dealing with the angelic realms. The basic list I’ll be using here can be found in Three Books of Occult Philosophy by Henry Cornelius Agrippa edited and Annotated by Donald Tyson and published by Llewellyn World Wide. “The list is taken from the Conciliator of Pietro d’Abano, written in 1303, but first published in Venice in 1471.” — Page 535. However, I will mention other angels as the program progresses.
For the first half of the program, the Sun is in Sagittarius — this is a spiritual, go-getter fire sign with amazing adaptability. Ruled by Jupiter, the Great Benefic, Sagittarius covers adventure, good luck, knowledge, freedom, motivation and expanding horizions. Super energy for the start of the program! On Winter Solstice, the Sun moves into Capricorn — a far more serious energy focused on structure, rules, goal setting, patience, discipline, concentration and accomplishment. Ruled by Saturn, there isn’t as much razzle-dazzle as with Sagittarius; however, Capricorn can help you get the job done! Remember, the planet Saturn isn’t just about limits — it is about rewards, too! Think of the placement of the sun as the underlying melody of the program. You will notice the switch in energy on the 21st of December.
Moon in Fourth Quarter
We begin our program with the moon in the fourth quarter — normally seen as a time of rest, although some magickal practitioners use it for heavy banishing. If you don’t want to do any magick today — that’s fine. Throughout the program I urge you to go with your instinct. Do what feels right for you. The morning cleansing (Braucherei ritual on the last post) can be done during any moon quarter, and will not negatively impact you. However, if you choose to start it tomorrow (on the New Moon) that’s fine, too. Tomorrow we will be setting up our Release Program Altar — a special place to do our workings throughout the next 30 days. This program is for anyone of any religion — do feel free to massage it to suit your belief system and design something that speaks to your heart.
Today the moon is in Scorpio, an intense energy blended with the ruler of the day — the Sun, giving us a powerful mental boost to focus in the direction we choose. If you need to bust down some big, bad stuff in your life? Scorpio and its ruler, Pluto, can do the job. During the program, you can use all of the astrological information given, some of it — or…none of it! This is entirely up to you. The notes here are merely an indication of what is available for you to work with. View the information as a tool, not as a fated circumstance. Ask yourself first...do I feel this energy? And, How can I use this energy for my benefit today? The Angel of the Day is Michael. His energy is one of success, strength, and accomplishment. His name means “Perfect of God” or “Perfection of Spirit” or “Who is God”. Originally, Michael was worshiped as a God by the Chaldeans. He also rules marriage, mercy and music.
If you choose to work with the angels during the program expect to receive messages! If you receive a gift of oranges, stumble across something golden, see a butterfly, or find yourself looking at the painting of a lion — Michael is telling you that your petition has been answered. When you work with angels? Nothing is exactly as it seems!
Today’s Challenge!
For today’s challenge you will need a pen or pencil, and paper. Take a tour of your living area. Write down a list of what you would like to accomplish during the program. Is there a particular closet you’ve been meaning to get to? The attic? Basement? Garage? Shed? Vehicle? If you finish a challenge early, you can refer to this list if you feel an extra boost of determination! There are four “break days” this year — where you will be free to do whatever you like. You can take a break, or do something on this list. Keep the list by your morning Braucherei work. When you are finished with your list, go back and throw one thing away — something that is broken, worn out, or so dilapidated no one would want it. Donating? That’s for another day. Today, find one thing…and pitch it. Take a deep breath afterward, and say: “I release all negativity from my life. So be it! Peace with the Gods, Peace with Nature, Peace Within.”
Today’s Exercise
Last year we worked on speed cleaning exercises. They were so much fun I decided to keep them in the program. In the time allotted, you clean up, put away, straighten up, or throw out anything you desire. The challenge is to see how much you can get done in the time indicated. Are you ready? Okay! Today you have exactly three minutes. On your mark! Get Set! Go!
Summary
Today we covered a few basics as well as: (1) Made a To Do List that you can refer to throughout the program. (2) Practiced our first Speed Cleaning Exercise (3) Threw out one thing — something that was broken, worn out, or in such bad shape no one would want it.
Tomorrow: We will set up an altar (or sacred area) for our Release Program Work and have our overall Program Goal ready to write down. As tomorrow is a New Moon, it is Wish Day! You get to make nine of them! The moon will be in Sagittarius, double empowering the energy of that sign. Consider wishes for Good Luck, Freedom, Knowledge, Motivation, Answers, Agility, Achievement, Truth, Mental Peace, Intuition, or Finding Solutions.
Until tomorrow…Only the Good Remains Silver