Today's Goddess: Lucina
Saint Lucy's Day (Sweden)

Themes: Banishing; Kindness; Charity; Health; Protection
Symbols: Candles (light sources)

About Lucina: Lucina means light, and judging by her description and attributes, it is very likely that this Swedish Goddess was the prototype for Saint Lucy. Lucina is a mother and guardian, offering fertility, protection, and well-being. In worship, Lucina is often represented by a simple, lit candle.

To Do Today: To chase away winter's oppression and darkness, Saint Lucy's festival is one of lights and charitable acts. Saint Lucy is the patroness who protects against winter throat infections, and commemorating her (or Lucina) today keeps one healthy.

Begin the day in Swedish tradition by lighting a candle to represent the goddess's presence. After this a breakfast of coffee, saffron buns and ginger cookies is traditional fare. Coffee provides energy to give of yourself, saffron is often used in healing spells, and ginger promotes success in all your endeavors today.

To manifest Lucina's energy and keep the goddess close by today, carry luminescent stones like moonstone or cat's eye with you, then visit hospitals or elder homes in the spirit of giving of yourself. Lucina will bless thoseyou visit, and you, with well-being, productivity, and safety.

From "365 Goddess" By Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Samjna
Nobel Day (Various Locations)

Themes: Knowledge; Learning; Excellence; Reason
Symbol: Walnut (the mind)

About Samjna: In Hindu tradition, this Goddess is the source of all conscious thought and action. Her name even means "consciousness," and she is the patroness of learning, reason, logic and knowledge.

To Do Today: Every year at this time, the Nobel Prize is awarded for mastery in chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace keeping. It is a time to revel in humankind's achievements and limitless potential for good, motivated by Samjna's gentle leadings.

To honor this Goddess and the people who have achieved the pinnacle of what she represents, spend some time enriching your mind today. For instance, you might read field manuals applicable to your career to advance your knowledge; watch educational television; go to a library, or perhaps donate to its shelves some old books that you no longer read; organize a local reading group for improved literary appreciation; or turn off the television and engage in intelligent conversation for mutual edification. The options here are limitless.

For a Samjna charm that improves conscious awareness and your reasoning powers, carry a shelled walnut. The shape of this nut equates to the mind. Eat this at the end of the day to internalize her power for thoughtful actions.

From "365 Goddess" By Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Vesta
Feast of Vesta (Rome)

Themes: Home; Love; Fertility; Peace
Symbols: Fire; Donkey; Veils

About Vesta: In Roman mythology, Vesta was part of every fire. As such, Vesta commands the sacred fires of the hearth, the heart of spiritual and emotional stability in your home. Today was one other festival days, Christianized as the Feast of the Ass, which is a sacred animal to her. Traditional offerings for Vesta include homemade bread and salt cakes.

In works of art, Vesta was never shown directly but always depicted her in veils, possibly to honor her importance in Roman society. The vestal priestess was one of the few people considered suited to negotiating peace during war threats.

To Do Today: The first month of the year is a good time to think about the spiritual warmth in your living space. Ask Vesta to kindle those fires anew. Do this by lighting any fire source you have handy-a match, a candle, the oven, a pilot light-or, alternatively, just turn on a light as a symbolic fire. Be sure to keep this lit all day. When a fire goes out on Vesta's day, it's considered a bad omen, indicative of love being lost. To encourage peace on any battleground you're facing this year, light a white candle (the color of truce) and put it in a window to invite Vesta's presence (being sure it's safe to do so, of course). Then take a piece of bread outside, breaking it into small bits so the birds can carry your wish of harmony across the earth.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Sengen Sana
Mount Fuji Climbing Season (Japan)

Themes: Growth; Maturity
Symbols: Flower Buds

About Sengen Sana: Sengen Sana, a Japanese growth goddess, lives high on Fujiyama, giving her unique perspectives about each person's path in life. When you need to see yourself more clearly or inspire development in your spirit, call on her for aid. According to Japanese tradition, this goddess makes the flowers blossom today, just as she can make our lives blossom into maturity. She also governs cherry blossoms, which represent the beauty and fragility of life.

To Do Today: Put a nosegay of new blossoms on your altar or in a special place to remember Sengen Sana today. Use one as a bouton-niere to liven up your clothing and inspire progress in any situation that seems to be stagnating. After the day is done, dry the petals of the blossom and burn them on a day when you want a little extra motivation.

In Japan, this day is a time to honor those who have come of age (on turning twenty) in the last year. These people dress in new clothing to mark the transition and go to community centers to celebrate. In keeping with this theme, consider having a rite of passage for any children in your life who have shown unique maturity (no matter their age). Bring them into the magic circle, present them with ritual tools, let them choose a magical name, and then give them permission to participate as a full adult in all your rituals to come.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Merry Meet

Greetings & Salutations

Today's Goddess: Carmenta
Carmentalia (Rome)

Themes: Children; Fertility; Foresight; Birth
Symbols: Music; Babies

About Carmenta: Carmenta, the Roman Goddess of prophecy and birth, joins in our new year festivities by teaching us the value of preparedness and productivity. The only offerings acceptable to Carmenta are vegetable matter-as a birth Goddess, taking life is abhorrent to her.

Her magical, prophetic nature can be seen in Carmenta's name, specifically the root word carmen, meaning a spell or charm in the form of a song.

To Do Today: Put on some uplifting music while you get dressed this morning. Let it motivate the resourceful aspect of Carmenta within you for the entire day.

In ancient Rome, today was the second to last day of a five-daylong festival honoring Carmenta. Pregnant women offered her rice for a safe delivery, while those wishing to have children ate raspberries to internalize her fertility. Try either of these to prompt the successful completion of a project or to improve your physical, emotional, or spiritual fertility.

Romans considered this an excellent day to make predictions for a child. If you know someone who's expecting, take a ring on a long string and hold it still over the mother's belly. If the ring swings back and forth it indicates a boy; circular movements indicate a girl.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Gunnloed
Wassail Day (England)

Themes: Creativity; Wisdom; Health; Protection; Fertility
Symbols: Mead; Poetry; Cauldron or Cup; Apples

About Gunnloed: This Teutonic Goddess guards the mead (a honey wine often made with apples) of sagacity and the muse- a refreshment most welcome at the outset of a new year. In art, Gunnloed is depicted as a giantess; according to stories about her, she stood vigilantly by the magic cauldron of Odherie until Odin wooed her and stole much of the elixir away.

To Do Today: For inspiration and insight, pick out a cup that's special to you and fill it with apple tea and a teaspoon of honey (a mock mead). Stir it clockwise, saying,

Gunnloed, come to me, put ingenuity in this tea! Drink the tea to internalize the magic. If possible, sip it quietly while enjoying a good book of heartening poetry.

Alternatively, sip some mead, quaff some apple juice, or eat an apple today for health, and give a little of the leftover liquid to nearby trees. In Anglo-Saxon tradition, this festival marked a time to enjoy wassail, a spiced apple cider or mead with herbs. Farmers shared this beverage with the apple groves to keep them fertile. Wassail literally means "be well" or "be whole." Drink of the wassail cup to ensure yourself of Gunnloed's gifts of well-being, creativity, and happiness all year.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Nungeena
Festival of Perth (Australia)

Themes: Restoration; Creativity; Beauty
Symbols: Birds or Feathers; All Artistic Creations

About Nungeena: This Aborigine Mother Goddess took on the task of restoring beauty to the world after an evil spirit destroyed it with insects. Call. on her for assistance when you feel that a cherished project or goal has been ravaged similarly by malintent or negativity.

According to the legend, Nungeena made birds to eat all the insects Marmoo (an evil spirit) let loose on the world. But these were not just any birds: they were the most attractive of all-the lyre birds. In turn, the lyre birds made assistants like magpies to help with their sacred task. Together they renewed the world's beauty.

To Do Today: Dust off any home crafts or arts that have been neglected on a back shelf and work on them for a while today. If time doesn't allow for this, find some way to bring a little extra beauty to the world-toss some flowering seeds in an open field, deliver food or clothing to a charitable organization, or just smile at a stranger.

In Australia this is the Festival of Perth, a huge arts festival that features local talent including dancers, mimes, opera, musicians, and some sports competitions. If there are any art galleries in your neck of the woods, go to them today to honor Nungeena and enjoy the creative works.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Kupala
Water Blessing Festival (Bulgaria)

Themes: Joy; Health; Cleansing
Symbols: Water; Flowers; Fern; Birchwood

About Kupala: The Slavic Goddess of springs and water, Kupala, whose name literally means "to bathe", washes us with happiness and longevity. Oddly enough, she has a fire aspect too, which likely alludes to purification, protection, and transformation. Wildflowers, birch trees, and ferns were sacred to her.

To Do Today: To bring a year filled with joy, contentment, and health, leave a natural-fiber cloth outside today to gather dew. Use it tomorrow to bathe in Kupala's magic!

Take some flower petals to any moving water source (even a hose) and toss them on the stream. As you do, make a wish for something that will make you really happy. Let Kupala, in the form of the water, carry your wish toward manifestation. To rid yourself of sickness, negativity, or a bad habit before the year really gets rolling, find a safe fire source (such as a candle that's self-contained in glass). Put this on the floor and jump over it. As you do, say,

Old burns away; only the good, the good shall stay. Old to new, old to new, Kupala, my heart renew. This symbolically leaves the old behind and invokes Kupala's aid in your efforts for positive change.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Oshun
Saint Agnes's Day (Various Locatios)

Themes: Divination; Love
Symbols: Flowing Water; Seashells; Amber Beads

About Oshun: Oshun is a beautiful, oracular Goddess of love. Generous and beneficent, she opens her eyes to let us peek into what the future holds for relationships. According to legends, Oshun didn't always know how to tell the future. She was taught by Obatala, one skilled in divination, in return for retrieving his stolen clothing from Elegba. But Elegba exacted his price too. Once Oshun learned to divine, she had to teach all the other orishas the fortune-telling secrets.

To Do Today: Traditionally, Saint Agnes's Day is spent divining information about love's path and relationships in the coming year. Following Oshun's example, make a fortune-telling tool from three shells, each of which has a "top" and "bottom." If shells aren't handy, use three coins. Think of a "yes" or "no" question related to love. Three tops (or heads) mean "yes." Two tops mean things are generally positive, but uncertain. One top indicates a "wait" or a negative response, and three bottoms is a definite "no." Put the shells under your pillow before you go to bed to dream of future loves. Or, to encourage Oshun's problem-solving skills in a relationship, carry a small piece of amber or wear a piece of amber-colored clothing when you meet your loved one to talk things over.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Mother of Ten Thousand Things
Vietnamese New Year

Theme: Luck
Symbol: Any Lucky Totem

About the Mother: This Goddess represents the unknowable and uncontrollable things we face daily. In Indo-Chinese tradition, she is part of the Universe's ebb and flow, ever changing and ever the same. Turn to her when you feel as if ten thousand things in your life were up in the air.

To Do Today: Take out any item that you associate with good fortune. Name it after the one area in your life in which you need more luck (naming something designates its purpose and powers). Hold the token up to the night sky (symbolic of the Universe's vastness), saying:

"Mother, see this symbol of my need,. Empower it with your fortunate influence to fill my year with ____(fill in with the name of your token.)”

Carry this with you as often as possible to manifest that energy in your life.

In Vietnam, this holiday, known as Tet, is filled with ceremonies for luck over several days, including an offering to the goddess and ancestors to give good fortune a boost. Eating rice today invokes the spirit of prosperity. Or you can try a traditional divinatory activity today instead. Make a note of the name of the first person you meet today. If the name has an auspicious meaning, (check a baby-name book), your meeting presages a wonderful year filled with the Mother's serendipity.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Nokomis
Gold Rush Day (California)

Themes: Prosperity; Luck; Providence
Symbols: Golden Items; Corn

About Nokomis: In Algonquin tradition, Nokomis is the "grandmother" who supplies us with the earth's riches and gives nourishment to humankind in times of need. When people are hungry, Nokomis provides food. When there is no food to be found, she offers to let us consume her spirit, thereby continuing the cycle of life.

To Do Today: Today marks the anniversary of the discovery of gold in California and the resulting expansion westward in the United States. In keeping with this prosperous, fortunate theme, wear or carry something gold today to bring a little more of Nokomis's abundance your way.

For financial improvements, especially if you have any pressing bills, eat corn (any type) today. Before consuming it pray to Nokomis, saying:

Grandmother, see the sincerity of my need. Go to
your storehouse and dispense ___(fill in the
minimum amount you need to get by) so that I
might meet my obligations.

Eating corn internalizes the energy of the prayer so opportunities to make money start manifesting.

If you're pressed for time, grab a kernal of unpopped popcorn and put it in your wallet or purse to keep Nokomis's prosperity (and your cash) where it's needed most.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: Auchimalgen
Bonfim Festival (Brazil)

Themes: Protection; Blessing
Symbols: Silver or Lunar Items; Water; White Flowers

About Auchimalgen: A Chilean Goddess of the Moon, Auchimalgen protects us from all evils and disasters that lie in wait in the months ahead. Her husband is the sun, who blesses the land with light, while she shines through the darkness to keep her followers safe and inspired.

To Do Today: Count your blessings today, and give thanks for them. In our rushed society, this is something that often gets overlooked, and life is far more pleasant when we appreciate the little things.
Wear any silver-colored clothing or jewelry to honor Auchimalgen, and burn some lunar incense (coconut, jasmine, lemon or myrrh) to fill the sacred space of your home with her protection.

The Bonfim Festival takes place in Brazil today in a church known as the "church of happy endings" because it was built by a ship's captain in gratitude for a safe return to land. The priests of the area wash the steps of the church with flower water to cleanse and bless the sacred place anew, and as a way of thanking the gods for their ongoing kindness. In keeping with this tradition, sprinkle the doorway to your home with any floral scented water (or personal cologne or perfume) to draw Auchimalgen's beneficent energies to you.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: BRIGIT
Imbolc (Ireland)

Themes: Health and Inspiration
Symbol: A Cauldron

About Brigit: Brigit is the Irish Goddess known throughout Europe as "the bright one" because of her inspiring beauty and fiery qualities. Today is Brigit's festival in Ireland because it's the traditional first day of spring here, when lingering winter shadows are banished by the sun's radiance. Anyone desiring fertility, health, or creativity should invoke Brigit's blessings today, as the ancients did.

To Do Today: During the winter months it's easy to get a case of the blahs or sniffles. Brigit comes to our aid by offering us the spiritual elixer in her cauldron. Make yourself a nourishing broth today (like chicken bouillon) and serve it in a cauldron ( a three-legged bowl). If you don't have one, any cup or mug would do. Bless the broth by holding your hand over the top, visualizing golden light filling the liquid saying:

Brigit, hear my prayer and bless the cauldron (or cup) of inventiveness.
Renew my body, inspire my heart.
Throughout my life, your wholeness impart, So be it.
Drink the broth to internalize inspiriation.

For health, take any candle (a green one is ideal for healing) and carve nineteen crosses into it. The number nineteen and the symbol of the cross are both sacred to Brigit. Light this candle for a few minutes every day for the next nineteen days. Or, you can let the candle burn for nineteen minutes instead.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: SHIRATA
Bean-Throwing Day (Japan)

Themes: Luck; Protection; cycles; Happiness
Symbols: A Snowflake; Beans; White

About Shirata: This Japanese Goddess embodies the first snow, where she glistens and shines with incomparable beauty until she freely and joyfully gives herself to spring's warmth and melts away. By doing so, Shirata reminds us that while the year has only just begun, the wheel of time is ever-moving, and that we should make the most of every moment.

To Do Today: For happiness, cut snowflake a pattern out of a quartered piece of paper and carry it with you in your wallet as a charm. Make sure to visualize the snowflake being filled with brilliant white light, like that which is seen when the sun shines off new-fallen snow.

In Japan, this day is a time to chase away any malevolent influences that might hinder Shirata's joyful nature within us. People scatter beans and make loud noises to banish evil and carve lanterns with wishes to light the way for a better tomorrow. For our purposes, scatter seeds on the ground or plant beans instead so something beautiful as Shirata can replace any negativity in your life with abundant growth.

To internalize Shirata's happiness, prepare any white beans and eat them as part of a meal today. If you hold any rituals, use beans to mark the magick circle, scattering them counterclockwise to banish any unwanted influences.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco

Today's Goddess: AGATHA
Saint Agatha's Day (Italy)

Themes: Health; Well-Being; Protection
Symbols: Any Health-related Items

About Agatha: Saint Agatha was a third-century Italian martyr who now presides over matters of health and protects homes from fire damage. Many nurses and healers turn to her for assistance in their work. While this saint as a a historical persona ( not simply a rewritten Goddess figure), she certainly embodies the healthy guardian energies of the goddess.

To Do Today: Traditionally, candles are taken from a central location to people's homes to bring Agatha's blessings, So, get yourself a special Agatha candle, of any color, and light it in a safe place whenever you feel under the weather.
Take out your first-aid kit or bandages and bless it today, saying:

Restore vitality, well-being impart,
Saint Agatha, hear the cry of my heart.
On these tools of healing your blessing give,
That I may stay healthy as long as I live.

When you use any item in the first-aid kit, you can activate the restorative magick by repeating the incantation.
To protect your home from fire, take a sprig of misteltoe left over from the holiday saeson and put it near your hearth.
Invoke Saint Agatha's protection by saying:

Saint Agatha. let my home be protected,
Let these fires ne'er be neglected.
If you don't have mistletoe, substitute any red-colored stone.

From "365 Goddess" by Patricia Telesco