Goddess Speak Sanctuary of Solace Newsletter - April 2023

“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. (Sonnet XCVIII)” ― William Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Sonnets

April Dates of Interest:

• April 1 - April Fools' Day, International Fun at Work Day
• April 1 - PPDLV present: Learn 'The Witch's Dance" w/ Wolfhager Hexenbrut
• April 5 @ 9:34 pm - Full Pink Moon
• April 7 - National Beer Day, World Health Day, International Beaver Day, National No Housework Day
• April 11 – National Pet Day
• April 13 - National Scrabble Day
• April18 - National Velociraptor Awareness Day
• April 19 – New Moon in Aries @ 9:12 pm
• April 22 - Earth Day
• April 23 - PPDLV/SoS present: The Wicker Man!
• April 28 @ 8:00 pm - Sanctury of Solace Beltane Zoom Ritual (follow link to RSVP for free!)
• April 29 @ 7:00 pm - Sanctury of Solace Beltane In-Person Ritual (follow link to RSVP for free!)
• April 30 - International Jazz Day!

"A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, A cloud, and a rainbow's warning, Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue—An April day in the morning." - Harriet Prescott Spofford

The Sacred Tree Calendar

Part 9

Alder (Fearn) Moon

4th Moon of the Celtic Year

(March 18 - April 14)

At the time of the Spring Equinox, or Ostara, the Alder is flourishing on riverbanks, roots in the water, bridging that magical space between both heaven and earth. The Alder month, called Fearn by the Celts, and pronounced fairin, is a time for making spiritual decisions, magic relating to prophecy and divination, and getting in touch with your own intuitive processes and abilities. Alder flowers and twigs are known as charms to be used in Faerie magic. Whistles were once made out of Alder shoots to call upon Air spirits, so it's an ideal wood for making a pipe or flute if you're musically inclined.

Alder helps you face up to the things you've been avoiding. It also was believed that Alder allowed access into the faery realms. Alder tree essence is invigorating, and it also reduces nervousness and anxiety.

Spells to aid success in your business and academic ventures work well at this time of year. Sow the seeds of your success now.

Alder roots enrich the soil, and its timber resists decay.

When immersed in water it hardens to the toughness of stone.

Because it was the source of fine strongly colored dyes, it was associated with the art of fabric making and the Goddesses of spinning. Alder reminds us of the need to blend strength and courage with generosity of spirit and compassion.

Alder was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of "whistling up the wind" began with this custom.

The Song of the Alder Fairy

by Cicely Mary Barker

By the lake or river-side

Where the Alders dwell,

In the Autumn may be spied

Baby catkins; cones beside —

Old and new as well.

Seasons come and seasons go;

That's the tale they tell!

After Autumn, Winter's cold

Leads us to the Spring;

And, before the leaves unfold,

On the Alder you'll behold,

Crimson catkins swing!

They are making ready now;

That's the song I sing!

I move forward with ease and grace. I honor the energy of alder, for the protection of my inner oracle. I will listen to the voice of the Goddess Within. So mote it be.

Excerpts from: The Goddess Tree

Interview for PPDLV with:

~ Wolfshager Hexenbrut ~

The video that started it all!

Who is Wolfshager Hexenbrut?

Rev Nancy: "We are an eclectic group of Witche's who gather together, and Dance the Traditional Broom Dance, from the Original Mother Group in Germany, we Promote, Sisterhood, love and Community, we dance to help raise funds for good causes, and to help to educate the Mundane Community about Witchcraft."

When did you start the Las Vegas chapter?

Rev Nancy: "Our Chapter was born on December 31 st 2021, and we've grown steadily."

How many members do you have, and how often do you meet?

Rev Nancy: "At this time we have 38 Dancers , and on our fan page we have over 1.3 k following us...

We practice on Monday and Thursday evenings, and then for s he ok was we add practice dates, but if we can get together inbetween for fun we do, there's a dancers meeting approximately once a month, and an Elders meeting as needed, either online or we get together."

Is the 'Witch Dance' difficult to learn or require a certain fitness level?

Rev Nancy: "No, it's pretty easy, all it requires is the desire to learn..."

What type of venues do you perform for?

Rev Nancy: "We've performed at the Artifice, Weve performed at Bone Dance, The Bad Fairy Ball, The Lupercalia Masquerade, and did a month at Opportunity Village, we also performed at the Renn Faire, and will be at Pirate Fest and the Highland Games, we will also be performing on April, 1 st for Pagan Pride Las Vegas, teaching the dance."

How do I get involved and what kind of time commitment should I expect?

Rev Nancy: "If you'd like to become involved with our group, look up Wolfshager Hexenbruts Las Vegas Nevada Chapter Witche's, Dancers Page and hit Join.... we'll sweep you up, or contact myself JerryNancyGordon thru messenger let me know or send a friend request and let me know, or contact, Angela Reddemann, the same way....

We are time flexible as well, ....

Expect to gain a family, and to have a lot of fun !"

Be sure to join us on April 1st for an introductory class on The Witches Dance!

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” – Khalil Gibran

April's Lunar Spotlight

April's Full Pink Moon (aka Alder Moon)

Adapted From: The Farmer's Almanac

Venture outside on the night of Wednesday, April 5, to catch a glimpse of April’s full Pink Moon. This full Moon actually reaches peak illumination at 12:37 A.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 6, which means that it will be at its peak on the night of April 5 in more westerly time zones.

For the best view of this lovely spring Moon, find an open area and watch as the Moon rises just above the horizon, at which point it will appear its biggest and take on a golden hue!

This year, April’s full Moon is the first full Moon of the spring season, which began with the spring equinox on March 20, 2023. This means that April’s full Moon is the Paschal Full Moon—an important Moon to those who celebrate Easter, since Easter’s date depends on the date of the Paschal Full Moon.

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon (i.e., the first full Moon of spring), which means that it will be celebrated this year on Sunday, April 9 (following the full Moon on April 5-6).

Although we wish this name had to do with the color of the Moon, the reality is not quite as mystical or awe-inspiring. In truth, April’s full Moon often corresponded with the early springtime blooms of a certain wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata—commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox—which also went by the name “moss pink.”

Thanks to this seasonal association, this full Moon came to be called the “Pink” Moon!

ALTERNATIVE APRIL MOON NAMES:

In April Moon names, references to spring abound!

• Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin) and Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota) reference the melting ice and increased mobility of the early spring season.
• Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit) and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala) speak to the plant growth that will soon kick into high gear.

Other names refer to the reappearance of certain animals, including:

• Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota)
• Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota)
• Frog Moon (Cree)
• Along the same vein, Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe) notes the time to harvest sucker fish, which return to streams or lake shallows to spawn.

According to legend, now is the time when this fish comes back from the spirit world to purify bodies of water and the creatures living in them. (This name may also be applied to the February Moon, to honor the sacrifice of the sucker fish in order to feed the Anishinaabe peoples, traditionally helping them to survive the winter.)

MOON PHASES FOR April 2023 (dates and times are for Las Vegas, NV )

• Full Moon: April 5, @ 9:34 pm
• Last Quarter: April 13, @ 2:11 am
• New Moon: April 19, @ 9:12 pm
• First Quarter: April 27, @ 2:19 pm

MOON FACTS:

• A full Moon in April brings frost. If the full Moon rises pale, expect rain.
• On April 20, 1972, the lunar module of Apollo XVI landed on the moon with astronauts John Young and Charles Duke aboard. Thomas Mattingly remained in orbit around the moon aboard the command module.
• One day later, on April 21, 1972, Apollo XVI astronauts John Young and Charles Duke drove an electric car on the surface of the moon. It’s still up there along with some expensive tools and some film that they forgot.
• According to folklore, the period from the full Moon through the last quarter of the Moon is the best time for killing weeds, thinning, pruning, mowing, cutting timber, and planting below-ground crops.

“They came on one of April’s most brilliant days–a day as sparkling as a newly-washed lemon…a day when even the shadows were a melange of blue and orange and jade, like the shadows that poured from the tipsy brush of Monet.” – Beverley Nichols

April Full Moon Magic:

Wigington, Patti. "April's Full Wind Moon"

In April, about halfway through the month, the thunderstorms of March are beginning to subside, and the wind picks up. Seeds are being blown about on the breezes, spreading life all around from one place to the next. In fact, this lunar cycle is often known as the Seed Moon. Trees have buds on them, spring daffodils and tulips abound, and the birds are nesting once more. Much like March, this is a time of conception and fertility and new growth.

• April is a good time to work on magic related to new beginnings, whether you're hoping to develop new relationships, grow professionally, or create new projects for yourself.
• This month's full moon is also called the Seed Moon, so do some planting magic, plan out your garden, and get your seedlings started.
• Because April's moon is associated with the wind, now is a good time to explore the symbolism of the winds that blow in from each of the four directions.

Correspondences:

• Bright primary colors such as red, yellow, and blue–and their many combinations–are associated with the ongoing spring season.
• Gemstones like quartz, selenite, and angelite are connected to the element of air. Leave stones outside on a windy day to absorb the energy of the elements.
• Trees, including hazel, forsythia, lilac, and willow, are beginning to bud in April, and represent the beginnings of new life for the coming summer.
• Gods and goddesses like Ishtar, Tawaret, Venus, Herne, and Cernunnos all represent the greening of the earth, and the coming of the fertility season, which is right around the corner.
• Herbs like dandelion, milkweed, dogwood, fennel, and dill are associated with air, in part because their seed pods will blow away and spread on a breezy day.
• The element of air is strongly tied to this month, because of the winds that may pop up out of nowhere to surprise you.

Magic for the Season:

This is a good time to work on magic related to new beginnings. Looking to bring new love into your life, or conceive or adopt a child? This is the time to do those workings. It's the time to stop planning, and start doing. Take all those ideas you've had brewing for the past couple of months, and make them come to fruition.

April does tend to be a wet, soggy month in many areas, so now is a good time to gather up rainwater for use in magic and spellwork. Leave a few glass jars outside in the open so you can collect water for different magical purposes. For instance, rain that accumulates during a soft, light drizzle can be used in rituals for calming and meditation. On the other hand, the water that fills your jar in the middle of a late-night, thunder-and-lightning deluge is going to have a lot of energy in it–use this for workings related to power, control, and assertiveness.

Don't forget, this month's full moon is also called the Seed Moon. Do some planting magic, plan out your garden, and get your seedlings started. In the weeks leading up to Beltane, do this planting ritual to get new things growing in your garden and in your life as a whole. The very act of planting, of beginning new life from seed, is a ritual and a magical act in itself. To cultivate something in the black soil, see it sprout and then bloom, is to watch a magical working unfold before our very eyes. The plant cycle is intrinsically tied to so many earth-based belief systems that it should come as no surprise that the garden is a magical place in the spring.

The Magic of Wind

Because April's moon is associated with the winds–for obvious reasons–now is a good time to explore the winds that blow from each of the cardinal directions. For instance, the North Wind is associated with cold, destruction, and change–and not always the good kind of change. If you've got some bad stuff looming on the horizon, now's the time to work through it. Do this not just by changing yourself, but also the way you respond to other people and to events that are taking place in your life.

The South Wind, in contrast, is connected to warmth and the element of fire, which in turn is associated with passion and power. Fire is a destroyer, but it also creates, so if there is a passion that you've lost in your life–whether it's romantic or something else–work on doing what you need to do to rebuild it.

The winds of the East are often associated with new beginnings; in particular, focus on new careers, education, or other aspects of your life that are related to communication and your intellect. Finally, the West Wind is tied to the cleansing and healing powers of water, so if you need to get rid of things that are causing you heartache or pain, let the wind blow them right out of your life.

“The most beautiful springs are those that come after the most horrible winters!” – Mehmet Murat ildan

New Moon in Aries

Excerpt from article by: Chelsea Jackson w/ Elite Daily

The beginning of spring is always a time of major rejuvenation. The earth will slowly start to come alive after a bleak, dreary winter — and in a way, so will you. As the sun continues through the cardinal fire sign of Aries this month, you’ll feel more motivated and energized than ever. March marked a major adjustment period, but your April 2023 horoscope is all about springing forward.

The month begins on a social note, as a full moon in Libra takes place on April 5. Since this lunation is ruled by Venus, expect revelations to be all about love, love, love on this day. Since April is mostly a fiery month, this full moon is particularly significant, because it’s shedding light on how important it is to find solid ground and come together. Almost one week later, on April 11, the sun and Jupiter will conjoin in Aries, bringing energetic new developments to your world. Pay close attention to the dynamic, present-day growths unfolding in the Aries-ruled house of your birth chart.

Bustling new beginnings will ensue on April 19, as the solar eclipse in Aries transpires. As the first eclipse along the Aries-Libra axis, this rare astrological event is bound to bring some passion, action, and initiative to every zodiac sign.

The tone will begin to shift on April 20, as the sun moves into the stable sign of Taurus, bringing rash behavior and sudden action to a screeching halt. In fact, on April 21, Mercury will station retrograde in this sign, bringing a period of reassessments to where you seek the most comfort, security, and stability. Everyone will start to redefine things in an intentional manner in the Taurus-ruled house of your birth chart. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to lean into relaxation after a hectic Aries season.

Here are a few tips and tricks on how to prepare for the New Moon in Aries:

Setting Intentions:

New Moons are all about starting fresh and shedding our old skin. This is the time to hone your greatest ambitions and turn them into actionable steps forward. This month, you even have a little boost provided by driven and ambitious Aries. Think big and chase after monumental goals!

Start Something New:

Whether your new thing consists of cooking a new dish, trying a new sport, or meeting new people, a New Moon is the prime time for starting something from scratch! A fresh start is an exciting way to give you a little extra motivation for completing your goals. Don’t be afraid to dip your toes into the unknown right now.

Write it Down:

The first step to making your dreams and desires come true is writing it down! This might be more challenging under the influence of Aries as they like to take more unconventional approaches to planning. However, we still recommend doing this as it is one of the best things New Moon prepping.

Don’t Quit:

Motivation is one thing you should not be lacking this New Moon. With a fire sign under your wings, you will feel on top of your intentions. Stay true to the tasks you have at hand and focus on the reward you will receive at the end!

“There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.” – William Cullen Bryant

Craft Corner...

~ May Day Cone Basket ~

By: Patti Wigington - "Crafts for the Beltane Sabbat." 

In days past, as April rolled to an end, people would gather flowers and small goodies to put in May baskets to hang on the doors of friends, neighbors, and loved ones on May 1.

In the Victorian era, it became popular to send people messages told in the language of flowers. There was a fairly standard list, so if you received a bouquet of lemon blossoms, for example, you'd know that someone was promising you fidelity and faithfulness in their love for you.

Partial List of Flowers and Their Meanings:

One fascinating bit of history behind the May basket custom is that - in addition to the gifting being thoroughly anonymous - it's one of the few times of year when kids give gifts to adults, instead of the other way around. This is a great craft to make with little ones for them to present to grandparents, teachers, or other adult family members and friends

You can make this basket and fill it with the flower that sends the message you want to send along. Hang it on the door of someone special!

You Will Need:

• Heavy-duty paper
• Scissors
• Glue (or tape)
• Flowers of your choice

Cut a large circle out of heavy-duty paper. The best kind of paper for this project is actually the 12x12" scrapbooking paper—it doesn't tear easily, and it comes in an apparently endless variety of designs. To cut the circle, place a large dinner plate on the paper and trace it, and then cut it out.

Cut a wedge-shape out of the circle. Imagine the circle is a pizza with six slices, and remove one of those slices.

In addition to the circle, you'll need a strip about 12" long by an inch wide.

Roll the circle (minus the wedge-piece) up so that it forms a cone shape. Tape or glue the edges in place.

Attach the strip to the open end of the cone, to make a handle.

Finally, fill the basket with flowers. You may also want to add ribbon, raffia, magical herb cuttings, or some Spanish moss to jazz it up a little. Hang the basket on the doorknob of someone special, so that when they open their door, they'll find your gift!

Tips:

• Use ribbon or pipecleaner for handle.
• Add small trinkets by attaching to wooden skewers and add to basket.

“Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers.” – Byron Caldwell Smith

The Kitchen Witch's Cauldron

~ Small Batch Refrigerator Jam ~

Berries—full of seeds, and thus full of fertility—are prime ingredients for a seasonal Beltane feast, especially since this time of year is the best time to find lots of berries. If you have access to fresh fruit from local growers to feed your magical needs. For this Beltane recipe, we recommend using fresh fruits from your own garden or from your local farmers’ market – the more local, the better!

Remember to stir your jam with all the Beltane intentions you can muster!

“The April winds are magical, and thrill our tuneful frames; The garden-walks are passional, to bachelors and dames.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Summer is only the unfulfilled promise of spring, a charlatan in place of the warm balmy nights I dream of in April. It’s a sad season of life without growth…It has no day.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

April Book Review

Nature Spirits:

Wyrd Lore and Wild Fey Magic

By Danu Forrest

Shhhhhhh ...Can you hear the ancient dryad wisdom of trees? Do you know how to calm the spirits of storm and wave? Can you see theelusive and intelligent souls of trees, stones, rivers and clouds subtly infusing the world with magic, wonder and meaning? Do you want to know more?In this beautiful book, illustrated throughout by faery artist Dan Goodfellow, Celtic shaman Danu Forest reveals how to communicate with wild nature spirits for mutual benefit, working with air, fire and water, to grow in harmony with nature in all its splendour.

About the author:

Danu Forest is a traditional Celtic wisewoman, of half British and half Irish heritage. She is a writer, teacher and Celtic Scholar with an MA in Celtic studies, her thesis was on Celtic folk magic practitioners and the fairy faith. Danu lives in a cottage near Glastonbury Tor in the midst of the Avalon lakes, in the South West of England.

Exploring the Celtic mysteries for over 30 years, and noted for her quality research, practical experience, as well as her deep visionary love of the land, Danu writes for numerous national and international magazines and is the author of several books. She is a respected magical teacher, healer and seer offering readings and consultations, workshops and ceremonies, as well as online courses.

Reviews:

• WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information.
• "Fascinating" - FINANCIAL TIMES
• "Beautiful" - LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS
• "Rich and Artful" - THE LANCET
• "Genuinely mind-expanding" - FORTEAN TIMES
• "Excellent" - NEW SCIENTIST
• "Stunning" - NEW YORK TIMES
• Small books, big ideas.

April Laughs:

Write for Goddess Speak!

Goddess Speak accepts submissions for articles, stories, poetry, recipes, guided meditations, creative fiction, chants, artwork, photography and more. Please send submissions to Laurelinn, in care of  goddessspeakeditor@gmail.com. If your submission is selected you will be notified by email.