March
Also called: Seed moon, Plow moon, Renewal moon, Crow Moon
This month is sacred to the Roman god Mars, hence the name March. Mars is similar to the Greek god Ares, Tiu or Tiwaz of Central and Northern Europe, Teutates of the Celts, and Tyr of the Norse. For the Romans this was the beginning of the year.
Correspondences:
Nature Spirits: Mer-people, Air and Water beings
Herbs: broom, high John root, yellow dock, wood betony
Colors: pale green, red-violet
Flowers: jonquil, daffodil, violet
Scents: honeysuckle, apple blossom
Stones: aquamarine, bloodstone
Trees: alder, dogwood
Animals: cougar, hedgehog, boar
Birds: sea crow, sea eagle
Deities to explore:
Isis, Morrigan, Hectate, Cybele, Astarte, Athene, Luna, Juno
Holidays:
March 1: The Matronalia in Greece and Rome; a festival of Hera and Juno Lucina, among the Celts the feast of Rhiannon was held
March 4: In Greece, the Anthesteria, a festival of flowers dedicated to Flora and Hectate
March 5: Celebration of Isis as the ruler of safe navigation, boats, fishing, and the final journey of life
March 14: The Diasia to ward off poverty in Greece
March 17: Festival of Astarte in Canaan, the Liberalia in Rome
March 18: Sheelah�s Day in Ireland, honoring Sheelah-Na-Gig the Goddess of fertility
March 19-23: The Lesser Panathenaea in Greece, honoring Athene
March 20: In Egypt, the Spring harvest festival of Isis
March 21: Spring Equinox, Festival of Kore and Demeter in Greece
March 22-27: The Hilaria, festival honoring Cybele in Greece
March 23: The Quinquatria, the birthday of Athene/Minerva in Rome
March 29: The Delphinia or Artemis Soteira , of Atrmis in Greece
March 30: Feast of Eostre, the German Goddess of Spring and rebirth
March 31: Roman Festival of Luna, the Moon Goddess
Burn Jasmine incense. Place on you altar a bowl of fresh water with a light flower floating in it. Light a white candle.
Go to your altar and sit in the darkness with only the candle lit. Look at the flower and think about the wonders of nature. Think about its power to bring the flowers back year after year and how this power affects your life.
Feel your own roots sinking into the earth, drawing energy back up to you. Reach your arms up towards the moon, feel its energies adding to you. Let these two energies swirl through you, cleansing, healing, and balancing.
Place both hands on the ground and let the energy sink back into the earth.
Surround your altar with images of animals, such as cats, deer and wild animals. In the center set a glass of wine and a small cake with a single candle in the center.
Take a drink of the wine and light the candle. Then say:
Lady of wind things, Moon Huntress
Mistress of magic and enchantment
I chant your name for protection
Artemis! Artemis! Artemis!
I whisper your praises to the crescent moon
Cradle my restless spirit
In the secret places of your deep woodlands
Renew my life, swift Artemis.
Take a bite of the cake and another drink of the wine. Tell the Goddess why you need protection then thank her for the help that will come. Put the rest of the cake outside as a feast for the birds and animals and pour the wine to the earth.
Take a cleansing bath then stay nude. Sprinkle salt around the area you plan to work. Place a black candle on each side of your altar and light rose incense. Place your tarot cards or runes on your alter.
Stand with your arms stretched out and say:
The cycle of the moon has turned once more
The moon hides her light from the uninitiated
Those who follow the ancient paths know that her power is not gone
Is not diminished
The wisdom of the Dark Mother is there for for all who truly seek her
Tap the alter three times with your hand or wand.
Hear me, O Carrier of Wisdom
My voice flies through the night to you
Show me new pathways I must tread
To change my life and make it new
Light the incense and lift it over the altar. Set it down. Tap the cards or runes three times with your hand or wand, then circle it three times clockwise, tap three more time. Read your cards or runes as usual.
