Good Afternoon,
I recently celebrated a birthday and each year I like to discuss birthday related information and this year I thought I'd discuss birthday history and magicks. Things that you can do to bring a little magick into your life, around your birthday.
Birthdays have a long history and celebrations for birthdays are found in many ancient cultures. It is believed by scholars and social archaeologists that the ancient Egyptians were the first to celebrate birthdays, but only the Pharaoh's birthday, and not his actual day of birth but the day of his or her's coronation to Pharaoh. It was believed the day of the Pharaoh's coronation, he became a God, and that day was celebrated every year as the 'birthday' of the Pharaoh.
The Greeks were responsible for introducing the birthday candle. By blowing out a birthday candle you are really performing a candle spell that goes back over 5,000 years ago. The ancient Greeks had their temple to Artemis a Goddess of chastity, virginity, the hunt, animals and the natural environment. The Greek people would go to her temple, bring little moon shaped cakes and light tiny candles around the cakes in her honor. They would then ask Artemis to grant them a wish, blow out a candle and eat a small cake. This ritual has evolved into the birthday candle ritual we have today of bowing out the candles and then eating the birthday cake. But the Greeks, just like the Egyptians were not celebrating the birthdays of the common man, but of the Gods and Goddesses.
It wasn't until later when the Romans started celebrating the birthday of the common man, and take note of the word man. Women's birthdays were not celebrated or recognized until sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries. The Germans are responsible for creating the children's birthday parties, the kinderfeste. The Germans also created the equivalent to the modern birthday cake. Before too long everyone wanted a celebration for their birthday, complete with cake and candles. Many cultures came together to evolve into what we call today the birthday celebration.
Gifts for the birthday celebration also have a long and varied history. Probably the most famous of birthday gifts were the Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold given to the baby Jesus by the Magi. Many people mistakenly think these gifts were given because they were expensive riches but these three items are magickally known for their protective properties, and we all know that the baby Jesus needed protection from those who wished him harm. Other historical gifts were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon that King Nebuchadnezzar II gave to his wife. The first Faberge' egg was commissioned by Tsar Alexander II for Empress Marie Fedorovna for an Easter gift. Soon gift giving became a widespread practice amongst the Earth's people and continues to this day.
Well, that's a bit of the history of the birthday celebration, but what about the magicks I promised? Well when your birthday comes around, look to find when the nearest full moon occurs. Either before or after your birthday. On this day, of the full moon, write on a piece of paper all that you wish to come to you in the coming year. Material things are acceptable. Save this bit of paper, put it someplace safe and you can look at it throughout the year, but definitely look at it again the following year to see what has manifested for you. You will be surprised!
Have a birthday feast with certain foods to set the stage for the upcoming year. Have sweets like a cake, ice cream or pastries to bring in sweetness of life, happiness and joy. Breads for abundance and wealth, fruits and vegetables for good health and physical stamina. Also surrounding yourself with friends and family ensures that the upcoming year you will be surrounded by loved ones and not be alone.
Be sure to have candles on your cake and blow them out after asking Artemis to grant you your wish, She still listens to those who invoke Her. But most of all, enjoy your birthday and take a moment to reflect on the past year and all you experienced and then look forward to the upcoming year and all it will bring you. Most of all, have a Happy Birthday!
Peace and Happiness
© 2010-2015 Faith M. McCann. Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. Please note that the copying and/or further distribution of this work without express written permission is prohibited.
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