Magickal Happenings with Oshuyn...

Once again we're blanketed with a fresh new layer of the cold white stuff, the dreaded and forbidden nasty 4 letter word...SNOW!  I know, it's one of the beautiful gifts that the Universe has graced us with and I'm all for it, I'm just meant to be somewhere tropical and warm and sunny with the sweet smell of the ocean near by. I'll just hold that thought and all that is included in that though in my minds eye and feel the sand and sun and water and hear the breeze and smell the sweet air and try my hardest to stay inside today!

Here are some common symbols and their means...

The five-pointed star within a circle is the most common Pagan symbol,and it is typically used to identify oneself as a Pagan or Wiccan. Thefive points represent the 4 elements plus the spirit, and the circleconnects them all. A five-pointed star without the circle is sometimescalled a pentagram, rather than a pentacle. Based on numerology, thefive points means the pentacle symbolizes the Earth element and can beused as an Earth symbol on an altar.

The inverted (or upside down) pentacle is a symbol of some reputation.It is typically associated with Satanism, though that is not acompletely accurate description. The true emblem of the Church of Satanis the sigil of Baphomet, which is a symbol with a goat's head and aninverted pentacle. Within Wicca, the upside down pentacle stands forthe 2nd degree in some traditions.

Yes, this is the symbol from the popular TV show "Charmed". Why theychose the triquetra for their Book of Shadows, I would say for theprotection the symbol carries, or possibly because it's exotic withoutbeing threatening. Like the triskele, this Celtic symbol embodies thesacred number 3, as seen in the 3 phases of the Goddess (maiden,mother, crone) and the 3 elements of nature (land, sky, sea). Duringthe period of early Christianity, the triquetra took on further meaningas the Holy Trinity. This symbol is also seen with a circle goingthough it.

The triple moon is a Goddess symbol that represents the Maiden, Mother,and Crone as the waxing, full, and waning moon. It is also associatedwith feminine energy, mystery and psychic abilities. You often see thissymbol on crowns or other head-pieces, particularly worn by HighPriestesses.

The short and traditional meaning for the ankh symbol is "everlastinglife". This symbol is a hieroglyph seen in countless ancient Egyptiancarvings, usually held in hand by Gods and pharaohs to show how theypreside over life (in other words, are immortal). In these images, theankh is held by the loop rather than the base. The ankh is a popularsymbol among Pagans, likely due to the similarity to a Christian crosswhich makes the ankh much less shocking to others, as compared to apentacle.

The seven pointed star has a few names: septagram, septacle, Elven staror fairy star. The number seven corresponds to the spirit realm, whichis why this symbol is associated with elves or fairies. There are noset representations for each of the points, but they are sometimeslabeled: earth, air, fire, water, above, below and within. Theseptagram is also associated with astrology because the classical viewof the sky contained seven planets.

The unicursal hexagram is a variation of the 6-pointed star. The moretraditional way of drawing a 6-pointed star is in the double trianglesof the Star of David. But Aleister Crowley created his own design, tocreate a symbol that could be drawn in one continuous line. The number6 represents unity and balance, specifically balance between man andthe Divine.

This maze-like symbol is associated with the triple aspect of the Greekgoddess Hecate. She is considered a 'dark' goddess by some, and rulesover cross-roads and the Underworld. Hecate is also known as theGoddess of the Witches. This isn't a particularly common symbol amongWiccans, but you do see it occasionally.

The Eye of Horus can be a bit of a confusing symbol. It is seensometimes as the right or sometimes as the left eye. The left eye isEye of Horus and is connected with the moon. When it's the right eye,it's the Eye of Ra, and associated with the sun. Though some sourcessay there is no distinction at all. The Eye represents the eye that waslost by Horus when he fought with Seth over the murder of his father,Osiris. The symbol is worn for protection and to ward off evil spirits.

There are many variations on the basic triskele (or triple spiral)symbol. The one illustrated here is very simple to illustrate the basiclook of the symbol. The triskele is a Celtic symbol, and symbolizes thepower of life and rebirth. It combines the spiral (often used toillustrate the cycle of life) and the number 3 is a sacred number, asseen in the phases of the triple Goddess. This symbol is also referredto as a triskelion.

For those of you enjoying the bitter coldness and the blanket of white I'm very happy you are enjoying it.  For those of you who are glaring out your window and wishing for warmness, I feel your pain.  For those of you who are feeling sand between your toes and the sun and water that my soul longs for...I would LOVE to visit you!

In Light & Love

Oshuyn