January
January, the first month of the current Gregorian calendar and the second month of Winter's rule, derives its name from the
ancient Roman god, Janus. The traditional birthstone amulet of January is the garnet; and the carnation and the snowdrop are the month's traditional flowers. January is shared by the astrological signs of Capricorn, the Goat and Aquarius the Water Bearer, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Antu, Felicitas, Inanna, Irene, Janus, Pax, and Venus.
More information on the Wiccan month of January

February
February, the second month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Winter's rule, derives its name from Februa, the name of a Roman purification festival held on the fifteenth day of February in ancient times. The traditional birthstone amulet of February is the amethyst; and the primrose and the violet are the month's traditional flowers.
February is shared by the astrological signs of Aquarius the Water-Bearer and Pisces the Two Fishes, and is sacred to the following pagan deities: Aradia, Brigid, Juno Februa, and the Wiccan Goddess in Her aspect as the Maiden. During the month of February, the Great Solar Wheel of the year is turned to Candlemas, one of the four Great Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of February

March
March, the third month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month of Spring, derives its name from the ancient Roman war-god Mars, who also presided over the fertility of the land. The traditional birthstone of March are the aquamarine and the bloodstone; and the daffodil and the jonquil are the month's traditional flowers.
March is shared by the astrological signs of Pisces the Two Fishes and Aries the Ram, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Eostre, the Green Goddess, the Lord of the Greenwood, Mars, and Ostara. During the month of March, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Vernal Equinox, on of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of March

April
April, the fourth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the second month of Spring's rule, derives its name from Aprillis, the Latin name for the ancient Roman love goddess Aphrodite. Other reference sources give aperite, the Latin word meaning "to open," as the origination of the month's name.
The traditional birthstone amulet of April is the diamond, and the daisy and the sweet pea are the month's traditional flowers.
April is shared by the astrological signs of Aries the Ram and Taurus the Bull, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities:
Aphrodite, Artemis, Astarte, Erzulie, Terra, Venus, and Ying-Hua.
More information on the Wiccan month of April

May
May, the fifth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Spring's rule, derives its name from the Roman Springtime goddess Maia, whose divine powers encouraged the growth of crops.
The traditional birthstone amulets of May are the emerald and the agate; and the hawthorne and lily are the month's traditional flowers.
May is shared by the astrological signs of Taurus the Bull and Gemini the Twins, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Artemis, Diana, Faunus, Flora, Pan, and all gods and goddesses who preside over fertility.
During the month of May, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to Beltane, one of the four Grand Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of May

June
June, the sixth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month of Summer, derives its name from the ancient Roman goddess Juno.
The traditional birthstone amulets of June are alexandrite, moonstone, and pearl; and the rose is the month's traditional flower.
June is shared by the astrological signs of Gemini the Twins and Cancer the Crab, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Juno, and all gods and goddesses who preside over love, passion, and beauty.
During the month of June, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Summer Solstice, one of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of June

July
July, the seventh month of the current Gregorian calendar and the second month of Summer's rule, derives its name from Julius (Julius Caesar).
The traditional birthstone amulet of July is the ruby; and the larkspur and the water lily are the month's traditional flowers.
July is shared by the astrological signs of Cancer the Crab and Leo the Lion, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Apt (or Apet), Athena, Sothis, Spider Woman, and Rosea.
More information on the Wiccan month of July

August
August, the eighth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Summer's rule, derives its name from Augustus (Augustus Caesar).
The traditional birthstone amulets of August are the peridot and the sardonyx; and the gladiolus and the poppy are the month's traditional flowers.
August is shared by the astrological signs of Leo the Lion and Virgo the Virgin, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Ceres, the Corn Mother, Demeter, John Barleycorn, Lugh, and all goddesses who preside over agriculture.
During the month of August, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to Lammas, one of the four Grand Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of August

September
September, the ninth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month of Autumn, derives its name from septem, the Latin word meaning "seven", as September was the seventh month of the
old Roman calendar.
The traditional birthstone of amulet of September is the blue sapphire; and the aster and the morning glory are the month's traditional flowers.
September is shared by the astrological signs of Virgo the Virgin and Libra the Scales (or Balance), and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Persephone, Thor, and the Wiccan Goddess in
Her aspect of the Mother.
During the month of September, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Autumnal Equinox, one of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of September

October
October, the tenth month of the current Gregorian calendar and the second month of Autumn's rule, derives its name from octo, the Latin word meaning "eight," as October was the eighth month of the old Roman calendar.
The traditional birthstone amulets of October are opal, rose sapphire, and tourmaline; and the calendula is the month's traditional flower.
October is shared by the astrological signs of Libra the Scales (or Balance) and Scorpio the Scorpion, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Cernunnos, Hecate, the Morrigan, Osiris, and the Wiccan Goddess in Her dark aspect as the Crone.
During the month of October, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to Halloween (Samhain Eve), one of the four Grand Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.
More information on the Wiccan month of October

November
November, the eleventh month of the current Gregorian calendar and the third month of Autumn's rule, derives its name from novem, the Latin word meaning "nine," as November was the ninth month of the old Roman Calendar.
The traditional birthstone amulet of November is the topaz; and the chrysanthemum is the month's traditional flower.
November is shared by the astrological signs of Scorpio the Scorpion and Sagittarius the Centaru-Archer, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Astarte, Calleach, Hathor, Kali, Maman, and Sekhmet.
More information on the Wiccan month of November

December
December, the twelfth and final month of the current Gregorian calendar and the first month Winter, derives its name from decem, the Latin word meaning "ten," as December was the tenth month of the old Roman calendar.
The traditional birthstone amulets of December are the blue zircon and turquoise; and holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia are the month's traditional flowers.
December is shared by the astrological signs of Sagittarius the Centaur-Archer and Capricorn the Goat, and is sacred to the following Pagan deities: Attis, Dionysus, Frey, Freya (or Freyja), Kriss Kringle (the Pagan god of Yule), Lucina, Woden, and the Wiccan Horned God (consort of the Wiccan Goddess).
During the month of December, the Great Solar Wheel of the Year is turned to the Winter Solstice, one of the four Lesser Sabbats celebrated each year by Wiccans and modern Witches throughout the world.

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Spiritual Lifestyle
You may find that you enjoy the more traditional side of spiritual practice (i.e., the ritual, mediation, magic) or you may find that spiritual practice for you is a morning jog or walk in the park. It sounds obvious to say, "You need to create the routine or practice that suits you" -- but how often do we wonder "Am I doing this right?." My experience is that the feeling of "rightness" comes with practice.

Also, keep in mind that as you and your environment change over the years your spiritual likes, dislikes, and needs may change too. I would encourage you to try something new every now and again -- you might stumble upon something that resonates with you in a way you never imagined.

Approaches to Spiritual Practice
Ann Moura describes three ways one can approach her spiritual path, which is Green Witchcraft. These principles can easily extend to blending Paganism with your current spiritual needs. In her book Green Witchcraft II, Moura describes these three approaches as folk art, personal magics, and religion.

1) One who practices Paganism as a folk art generally remains in a mainstream religion while continually blending the two spiritualities.

2) One who practices Paganism as "personal magics" is focused on learning to work with natural energy while ignoring those elements that are often associated with a religious system.

3) The third approach, Paganism as a religion, is for those who dedicate themselves to this spiritual path, learn to work with the Divine, celebrate the holidays, and claim Paganism as their only, or primary, spiritual path.

Where do you see yourself among these descriptions?

Ellen Cannon Reed is typical of many Wiccan authors who advocate Paganism as a religion. In her book The Heart of Wicca, she writes, "It requires more than just doing a ritual now and then. Yes, it requires more than just calling on the Goddess from time to time. It's not politics, not just reading books, not just pronouncing yourself Wiccan. It is a lifestyle, a worldview, a mind-set. It's something you are every day, not something you are only during ritual".

Make it a Priority -- It Takes Time
In The Circle Within, Dianne Sylvan talks about the ancient practice of sacrificing animals, which was to sacrifice something very necessary and precious. She makes the case that what we must sacrifice in our post-modern era is time. It takes time to develop a spiritual practice that is comfortable. It takes even more time to become so adept that we are able to teach others.

Divinity in the Ordinary
Another point Dianne Sylvan makes is the need to find spirituality in the everyday, work-a-day world. She writes, "I have known a handful of Wiccans who managed to develop an integrated magical/mundane existence, and the effect is amazing. These are truly powerful Wiccans, the ones whose every word resonates with Divinity" (I fully agree with her observation. I know how hard it is to dedicate time to spiritual development when there are so many things it seems we must do in a day, but her advice is worth considering. I take her reminder of this truth to heart -- spiritual growth shouldn't have to wait for grand rituals.

Consistency is Critical
A dear friend of mine who often serves as my spiritual director once gave me a guided mediation to try each day. It didn't do much for me although I did, quite faithfully, go through the motions. After trying this method for a week or so I announced to him that it just didn't work. In his wise way he smiled and said, "You can't control the Great Spirit. All you can do is make yourself available." Those words have stayed with me for a long time.

I have learned that I can't schedule a spiritual experience and make it happen. On the other hand, as I have made myself more and more available two things have happened. First, I have had the privilege of experiencing powerful spiritual experiences. Second, I have learned to 'tune in' or to be more perceptive in my spiritual life.

Enhancing Everyday Spirituality
Recently I came across words by Arin Murphy-Hiscock in her book Solitary Wicca for Life, which read
Remember that nonritual does not mean nonspiritual. As a Wiccan, your daily life is a spiritual experience.
What a great reminder to us all. We can find divinity in the ordinary and spiritual growth in the mundane. In his book Living Wicca, Scott Cunningham gives these suggestions of ways we can all enhance our spiritual practice.

Morning and evening meditation

Working arts or crafts with a Wiccan theme

Listening to classical or contemporary Pagan music

Tending or planting plants

Volunteering

Recycling

Journaling about your Wiccan involvement

Corresponding with other Wiccans

Meditating with stones

Writing new rituals

Experimenting with new methods of divination

Collecting magical herbs

Visiting gardens or parks

Listening and communicating with animals

Reading Pagan fairy tales to your children

I'm sure you can think of some items to add to that list. I think it is a great reminder for those of us like to do things as well as study.

Scrying is an old word for the practice of crystal-gazing or using some similar means to obtain clairvoyance. It is akin to the word "descry" which originally meant to reveal, as well as to discover by seeing. Scrying is a more general term than crystal-gazing, because it embraces all forms of developing clairvoyance by gazing at or into some object.

The object used in scrying is called a "speculum." Throughout the ages, a great many different objects have been used for this purpose. The transparent crystal globe, with the use of which most people are familiar, is only one of a great variety of such specula.

The practice of scrying is common to witches of all ages and countries. Like magick in general, it is as old as man himself; and it is still as popular with contemporary witches as it was long ago.

Witches seldom possessed a crystal ball for two reasons. First, a genuine crystal ball is a valuable and expensive object. Most so-called "crystals" are actually simply glass. The very latest development in this field is that of transparent globes of acrylic plastic. These are nevertheless described as "crystal balls" in the advertisements for them in magazines. Real rock crystal is a semi-precious stone; a ball made from it is heavy, and icy cold. It takes an expert to distinguish the real thing from imitations. Hence, valuable crystals usually round but sometimes egg-shaped or pear-shaped, became precious heirlooms handed down for generations and beyond the pocket of the poorer witch.

Second, such a possession was not only expensive and valuable, it was dangerous. To have such a thing found in one's house, immediately convicted the owner of magickal practices. In the days when witchcraft was a hanging matter, witches found it wise to improvise their speculum out of things which could be found innocently in any cottage -- a rule which they followed with many of their other tools as well.

Consequently, a black bowl filled with water is quite popular as a speculum. So also are the old-fashioned glass globes used by fishermen as floats for their nets. These often come in beautiful dark green or blue glass, and make fine specula.

Today, antique dealers sometimes sell these old fishing floats as "witch balls." They are not, although witches did use them.

Some witches use a blue glass bottle as a speculum, filling the bottle with water. A ball of black glass was particularly prized, some thinking it superior even to a genuine crystal ball. Others considered that the best speculum was a ball of pale greenish-colored beryl crystal.