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The Magic of Stars, by Sandra Kynes

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

The idea of using the stars for magic and ritual is not new. Medieval texts included details about stars and constellations, and how to determine the optimal time to draw their influence into talismans for spells, healing, and other purposes. A small remnant of this remains today in the use of birthstone jewelry.

The stars have always had a profound influence on people. Who isn't moved by a sense of awe when gazing at a star-filled sky? Many of the goddesses we acknowledge and worship have been known as star goddesses. Called by many names in numerous cultures, Astarte was ultimately known as the Queen of Heaven. An eight-pointed star was the symbol of Ishtar and her Sumerian counterpart Inanna. In addition, Wiccans and Pagans may want to take more of an interest in the constellations for the simple fact that our basic symbol, the pentagram, is a star. Unfortunately, beyond recognizing the Big or Little Dippers and maybe Orion's Belt, what star patterns do most of us know? Because of this, we are missing out on some very powerful magic.

For me, celebrating the esbats extends beyond the moon to the twinkling pinpoints of light that drape like a veil across the sky. A small corner of this mysterious veil can be lifted when we know what we are looking at. Oddly enough, despite the enormity of the universe, I have a sense of place when I look up at the night sky because I can find the celestial markers of the seasons. Just as we can draw down the energy of the moon, so too can we tap into the spiraling celestial magic of the universe. Truly as above, so below.

Most early cultures observed the seasonal differences in the night sky and noticed that the star patterns changed over the course of a year. Providing a longer count than the moon's monthly cycle, reckoning by the stars enabled people to mark time for planting, harvesting, and ritual. Visible year round, the circumpolar stars (and especially the North Star) provided markers for navigation through the night seas.

By the time the ancient Egyptians studied the stars, the major constellations had been known for centuries. Many of the star patterns we recognize today originated with Sumerian and Babylonian astronomers. The Greeks wrapped these constellations in their own mythology and created an ongoing drama in the night skies. These interpretations were adopted by other cultures and have been handed down to us. However, our orientation is different from the people of ancient times, and like gazing at clouds we may perceive something else among these star figures.

In my book Star Magic, I present an exploration of the night sky along with a new interpretation of the constellations that is relevant for twenty-first century Pagans and Wiccans. For example, the mythology of the constellation Orion portrays him as a hunter; however, I think this star figure can also be interpreted as Artemis, the huntress. Unlike the Greeks, early Arab astronomers saw this constellation as a female figure they called al-Jauza. Also, the name of the star Bellatrix, located on the star figure's left shoulder, is Latin, meaning "the female warrior." One other point is that the hour-glass shape of the constellation has a more feminine appearance.

While I explore the aspects of the Orion constellation as both hunter and huntress, what is not included in my book is an asterism within the constellation called Venus's Mirror. Like a constellation, an asterism is a discernible pattern of stars; however, asterisms are not officially recognized as constellations. Two famous examples of asterisms are the Big Dipper within the Ursa Major (the Great Bear) constellation and the Little Dipper within Ursa Minor (the Lesser Bear). Actually, the eighty-eight constellations are more than their familiar patterns—they are defined regions of the sky that include asterisms and other stars as well as large areas without visible stars. These official constellations were established by the International Astronomical Union in 1922.

As far as magic is concerned, let's take a look at the power we may find in Venus's Mirror. There are seven stars in this asterism. They include the three stars of Orion's Belt and three stars that are considered part of a group called Orion's Sword, plus one other star in the constellation. When we envision these stars as Venus's Mirror, five of them create a diamond-shaped mirror and two stars form a short handle.

The Orion constellation is a winter constellation visible in both the northern and southern hemispheres. If you are in the northern hemisphere, look towards the southwest to find Orion. From the southern hemisphere, look towards the northwest. The stars of Orion's Belt are the easiest to find. Once you locate them, orient yourself so the star figure is right side up, which means that the belt appears higher on the right and slopes down to the left.

The rightmost star in the belt marks the top corner of Venus's Mirror and the leftmost star in the belt is the left corner. The center star in the belt is basically along for the ride. From the left corner star, look to the right and you will see another bright star that is equidistant, forming a triangle with the two end stars of the belt. This star marks the right corner of the mirror. Let your gaze move down and slightly to the left to the bright star that marks the bottom corner of the mirror. Two other stars align below this star and form the mirror's handle.

In Latin, the word for "mirror" is speculum, from which the verb "to speculate" was derived. Speculating originally meant scanning the sky, usually with a mirror, to discern the movement of the stars. Originating in ancient Persia, the scrying mirror is one of the oldest forms of divination.

One way to use the energy of Venus's Mirror combines the idea of scrying and divination with Venus, the goddess of love, to help you find your true love. To do this, place a red or pink candle on your altar, and then lay a mirror (of any shape) in front of it. The primary stars in Venus's Mirror are blue and white. Gather five or six pieces of blue gemstones (such as turquoise, beryl, or blue tourmaline), and one piece of white quartz. These will be used to represent the stars of the asterism. Using four of the blue stones, lay out a diamond shape. If you choose to represent the center star of Orion's Belt, place another blue stone between the top and left corners of the diamond. From the bottom of the diamond and outside of the shape, place another blue stone and then the white quartz below that to mark the bottom of the handle.

Light the candle and then gaze at the reflection of the gemstones in the mirror. Reach out with your energy toward the gemstones as you visualize the stars of the Venus's Mirror shining above in the night sky. Visualize the light of the stars reaching down to the gemstones, and then draw the energy of the stars through the gemstones towards you into your heart center. As you hold this energy in your heart, say three times, "Venus with your starry mirror, Help to bring my true love nearer." With a soft gaze, watch the reflection of the flickering candlelight on the pattern of gemstones. Continue to watch the changes of light on the mirror and observe any images that may form and dissipate. Be watchful, but don't try to force yourself to see something.

Observe the light on the mirror for as long as it is comfortable, and then release the star energy from your heart center out to the world along with your intention. Close your eyes and sit in silence as you hold the image of the Venus's Mirror star pattern in your mind. Once more, say, "Venus with your starry mirror, Help to bring my true love nearer." Slowly let the image of the asterism fade from your mind, and then blow out the candle and end your session of star magic.

As in many forms of magic, what we desire may unfold quickly or it make take time. The mirror may reveal an image of a person, something associated with a person, or something that evokes a feeling or idea. It is also important to remember that when we want something may not be the right time to invite whatever it is into our lives, especially where love in concerned. If Venus's Mirror intrigues you, take time to become familiar with its energy and call on its power when you engage in divination for any purpose. When the time is right, this asterism may lead you to your true love. In the meantime, it may show you things that are relevant to other aspects of your life.

When you first start working with star magic, don't feel daunted if you don't know what you are looking at in the night sky. Take one season at a time and start with one constellation, asterism, or star. Learn about it and how to find it in the sky. Employ the classical mythology associated with the stars or your own, more relevant interpretations. Draw stellar power into your rituals and spells. Let the energy support you in divination, astrology, energy work, and everyday life.

The simple act of stargazing connects us with our ancestors because we can see what they would have seen. Looking at the stars also lets us experience the wonder that echoes down through the eons from people in the far distant past. The energy of the stars envelopes our planet and holds us in the web of the cosmos. In the great scheme of the universe we are so tiny, yet we are a part of something so vast and wondrous. Best of all, we can draw the magic of the stars into our lives.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2015. All rights reserved.

Please help! My daughter was born four weeks early, and the clock in our house stopped at the exact time she was born: 7:34 p.m. on February 25, 2006. However, the pendulum continued to swing for months afterwards even though the time never moved. (There is only one battery that ran both the time and pendulum.) When we moved in June 2009, I put the clock in a room downstairs. I have been afraid to change the battery for fear of ruining something. I was told that I should fix the clock or the stuck energy would hold her back from something in her life. What do I do? And what does this mean? I was also told that the clock stopped because she did not want to enter this world and had changed her mind but it was too late. Is this true? I am so confused because she is a miracle baby and is very smart and healthy.

Laurie

Susyn:

You don't need to worry about the clock stopping or having it fixed. Most likely, the clock was stopped by a guardian angel or loved one from the other side in order to mark the exact time of this important birth, in which case this not about your daughter but about the event.

Clocks that stop, computers that dim, and electronics that act up are typical signs of spiritual activity. The Spirit who caused this was trying to make its presence known, and this was the best way it could find to celebrate the birth of your daughter. If you think of a loved one who recently crossed over, perhaps a grandparent or other relative, you may find your culprit.

The idea that the clock being stuck could keep your baby from moving forward is nothing to concern yourself with. Notice that the part of the clock that keeps time is the only thing that stopped. We might view the pendulum, which continued to move, as representing life, breath and heartbeat.

Once you determine who it was that stopped the clock to mark her birth, you can decide whether or not you want to keep the clock as it is so you can treasure it as a sign from a loved one on the other side, or put a new battery in it to restore the clock to working order. Either way, this won't have any effect on your daughter. In fact, I think this whole experience serves as an indication that your daughter has a very special guardian angel watching over her from the spirit world, so it's a very positive sign.

The idea that your daughter changed her mind and did not want to be born is contradicted by the fact that she came four weeks early. That in itself proves that she was anxious to come into the world and could not wait another minute. You do not mention her date of birth or if her early arrival changed her astrological sign. This may be another factor to consider when pondering the meaning of her early arrival.

The soul is very particular about the time and manner in which it comes into the world. I have a nephew whose sign changed from the expected Libra to Virgo when he was born four weeks early. Since he has all the qualities of a Virgo, I like to think he knew exactly when it was time for him to be born. My own son, on the other hand, arrived six weeks late, thus changing his sign from Pisces to Taurus, and he carries many Taurus traits that have served him well on his journey through life.

When I focus on your daughter, I see her as healthy, happy and magical, with no signs of trouble around her, so please do not worry about the clock or the fact that she came four weeks early.

*****

Mata:

I've heard many stories about clocks stopping at the moment of death but this is the first I've heard of it happening at the moment of birth. I see two main possible explanations here, and neither of them are negative in any way.

The first possible explanation doesn't see special meaning in this event, for it attributes it to natural forces. One theory for why watches sometimes stop when someone dies is rooted in how our own energy can affect the energy of the things around us. There are some people who can never wear watches because their own energy is so strong it makes electrical things around them go haywire.

When electrical appliances go crazy at moments of emotional intensity, it may be because the strong energy of a person essentially caused the device to blow a fuse. If this was the case in your situation, it could be that your own energy at the intense moment of giving birth caused your clock to stop. It could also be that the energy of someone else in the family was so charged with the momentous event of your daughter's birth that it caused this to happen.

I'm not partial to this explanation myself, but if this clock is something you treasure, you were very anxious about the premature timing of your daughter's birth, and you had an intense delivery experience, it could explain this strange phenomenon.

The other possible explanation does attribute special meaning to this event. In this scenario, a conscious metaphysical being caused the clock to stop at that exact moment in order to send you a sign. That metaphysical being could be the soul of your daughter, but it could also be a departed relative who wanted to let you know they were there for this momentous occasion, or even a spirit guide telling you that this child was destined to be born to you for you have a very special spiritual bond.

Of these options, I would bet on a departed relative causing this striking sign, for it is very common for departed family members to gather around on special family occasions such as holidays, reunions, weddings, funerals, deaths and births. It is also common for them to try to reach out and let you know that they are there.

You say that your daughter is smart and healthy. As a wise woman I once knew often said, Don't borrow trouble. Since there are no real problems here, it's foolish to assume the worst. Further, if this is a sign related to your daughter's destiny, that destiny will prove stronger than anything that is done to this clock, so you should feel free to fix it if you'd like to have it working again.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.