Chang Fei

God of war. Chinese. The counterpart of the god KUAN TI and often linked iconographically with him and the god LIU PEI, Chang Fei rules over the dark half of the year—autumn and winter.

Chung K’uei

God of the afterlife. Taoist (Chinese). He belongs to the heavenly “ministry of exorcism” and, though not the most senior (he is subservient to CHANG TAO LING), is probably the most popular within the category. He was originally a mortal working as a physician in the eighth century AD.

Cao Guo-jiu

Immortal being. Taoist (Chinese). One of the “eight immortals” of Taoist mythology, he was once a mortal being who achieved immortality through his lifestyle. The tutelary god of actors.

Ba Xian

Collective name for gods. Taoist (Chinese). A group of eight divine beings, once mortal, who achieved immortality through their exemplary lifestyles. There are many such groups in Chinese religious belief. The Ba Xian are probably the most widely revered.

INTRODUCTION TO A PAGAN PHILOSOPHY OF HERBS

(The following was compiled from several sources on the Web.)

Herbs are “Magick”. They have been the primary source of medicines for people of every culture and were considered magickal or spiritual by many of them. An ancient earth based spiritual belief system concerning herbs appears in many ancient cultures and civilizations such as Celtic, Chinese, India, and Native American philosophies just to name a few. Their religious beliefs shaped their view and relationship with the Great Spirit, and the relationships between their citizens. This was a belief system which also demonstrated a wholistic view of illness, and utilized herbs according to religious belief.

August Moon

M<

August Full Moon~Barley Moon
August 9, 2006, 6:54 am EST

This Moon is also known by the following names

Moon of the Green Corn, Sturgeon Moon, Dog Day Moon (Colonial American Name), Harvest Moon (Chinese), Fruit Moon (Cherokee), Women’s Moon (Choctaw), Moon When All Things Ripen (Dakota Sioux), Dispute Moon (Celtic), Corn Moon (English Medieval), Lightning Moon (Neo Pagan), The Barley Moon also signifies harvest, but Her message is much different than that of the Wort Moon:  It heralds the reaping of grain fields.  This is important to the Witch because grain holds the mysteries and cycles of life, death, and rebirth within its core.  Each kernel is the product of the first grain ever grown.  And yet this life renews itself every year to lend its energy and nourish our bodies.  There is little else on Earth more ancient or powerful.

CHINESE ASTROLOGY

Chinese astrology has more than 3,000 years long history. Ancient Chinese people invented the 10 Heavenly Stems and 12 Earthly Branches for chronological purpose.

Bixia Yuanjin

by Dr Anthony E. Smart

 
This Chinese Taoist Goddess is responsible for dawn and childbirth, as well as destiny. Dawn and childbirth are two concepts often, and quite understandably, linked in world mythology: the rising of the sun, the bringing of light to the earth, is equated with the child emerging from the darkness of the womb to the light of the world.