Morika Bernhard September, 2011

Back to School!

Here we are again!  The wheels on the bus do go ‘round and ‘round, as does the Wheel of the Year.  As we are heading into September, our thoughts are pulled in a million directions – kids’ going back to school and all that implies (i.e., shopping for school clothes, schedules, chauffeuring the kids, etc.) and our own work schedules/home schedules and getting everything to coincide and work together in some smooth synergy.

We want our kids to do well; AND, if we are also going back to school as adults taking advance courses, trade courses, or just a yoga class or craft class, we all need help with the “focus factor and some extra self-motivation.”

With that in mind, this spell is to help you with focusing your attention on what matters most and to help you (or your child(ren)) overcome apathy and ambivalence as the days grow shorter and the nights longer and temperatures cooler.  Use all that you can in your resource arsenal to assist you through the changing of the Wheel of the Year.

This is simple and can be done/said while driving the car if you wish.  (You can say the spell below easily enchanting your child by saying it out loud ‘over them’ as they are getting dressed, or you’re fixing their breakfast… etc. – Feel free to say it over an object you know they will use all day, such as a pencil or pen that they love.) We have to squeeze in some simple spells occasionally as not everything we do can take formal time.  On days you are going to need extra focus, use Rosemary essential oil and/or inhale a bit of Eucalyptus or Lemongrass.  You can dab a dot or two of any of those essential oils you may have on hand on your neck under each ear and on your wrist pulse points.  Inhale a couple of deep breaths before you take off for the day.  Say this spell when you have a second and repeat until you feel it has ‘taken’ — I say this often when I write my spell articles, that you will know when you are finished with an incantation.  You will feel comfortable with stopping and it’s then that you need to.

Spell/Enchantment to help you Focus and to Gain Motivation:

With this spell comes motivation,

To overcome hurdles in focus & education,

Let me embrace this higher place,

To do all work required with utmost grace.

‘An harm it none, this spell is done.

May you continue to learn, grow and enjoy the start of the Witches’ Season of the Year!

Blessings till next month,

Morika

Tags: focus, magic, magick, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Vivienne Grainger August, 2011

Well, hello. Nice to see you here.

What I hope to accomplish with this blog: passing on about forty years’ worth of practice in the Craft of the Wise, AKA being a witch.

Like most people, I’ve learned a few things, and messed up a few others before I finally Got It. I hope to share with you the ups, the downs, the occasional cosmic misfires, and the equally occasional cosmic successes, past, present, and future.

Spellcraft, writing a novel, that wicked slavemaster called “personal evolution,” doing the dishes, and cleaning out the litter box: it’s all fair game.

Along the way, I’ll tell you a few stories.

I’ll see you here every other month. Wanna come along for the ride?

To begin with, here’s the little jobbie I use to get all the details into place before I stand in front of my altar and get to The Work. (And then, yes, I copy it into my BoS, by hand.)

Clean copy first, detailed copy second.

Since it’s not fair to throw people off the pier without teaching them to swim, feel free to delete any references to astrology that you are not familiar with, and don’t care to learn. (It’s a math-heavy subject.) The really necessary questions are in bold. The incidental stuff’s in plain text.  And if you feel swamped just looking at it, go to the bottom, and read the disclaimer.

Then breathe.  See you here in a minute.

Goal of the Work

Detailed description of goal:

Why do I want this?

What purpose will it serve in my life?

How will it change my life?

Simplified description of goal, taking into account above two answers:

Chant derived from goal:

One-word description of goal:

Goal

Correspondences

• Beltane Correspondences

Phase of Moon:

Deity:

Method of raising energy:

Magical action:

Color:

Herb/Incense/Essential oil:

Planet:

Day of week most favorable for Work:

Planetary hour most favorable for Work:

Astrological Conditions at the Time of the Work

Is the Moon visible? If not, the Work must delayed until it is again seen as a slender crescent.

Will the Moon be or become void-of-course during the Work? If it is or will be, the Work must be rescheduled to fall outside a VOC period.

Will any planet be stationary direct or stationary retrograde over a planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work?

Will Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto contact any planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work?

Will the Moon transiting be through a sign (or house in my natal chart) which rules the goal?

Personal Considerations

Is any element represented in my chart by 4 or more occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?

Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element?

Is any element represented by no or one occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?

Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element?

Results

Worked immediately:

Didn’t work within 14 days:

Worked after _____________ days

TEMPLATE WITH DETAILS:

Goal of the Work

Detailed description of goal: I need a job. (Sometimes, it’s this simple.)

Why do I want this? What purpose will it serve in my life? I need the income. I don’t want to live on the street. Plus, I love what I do for a living, just not the people I currently do it with. (Note that there are two streams here: the person loves what s/he does for a living, AND s/he needs money to live. Both are equally important to hir, but the need for money can be said to be critical for most of us.)

Simplified description of goal, taking into account above two answers: I need an income-producing situation doing what I love.

Chant derived from goal: (The quality of your poetry isn’t all that important, but do try for rhythm. Just shut that inner critic up, and go for it. What I’ve produced below certainly isn’t, oh, Wordsworth, or even T.S. Eliot.)

What I love and money too

Comes when I have work to do!

One-phrase description of goal: Work I love for money.

Goal

Correspondences

• Beltane Correspondences

(My choice of author for correspondence lists is always Scott Cunningham. Scott’s been gone a while now, but his friends keep his lists up-to-date. Do be aware that his work is largely Egypto-Graeco-Roman derived.)

Phase of Moon: Waning to banish unemployment or waxing to draw a job. (Every magical goal can be stated in two ways: to draw the desired outcome, which can be worked during the waxing Moon, or to banish its opposite, which can be worked during the waning Moon. I have done Work at the wrong phase of the Moon when I was in grave need of help, and I did get results, although I had to wait until the phase changed to get them.)

Is the Moon visible? If not, the Work must delayed until it is again seen as a slender crescent. (In the Dark of the Moon period, those three days while She is not visible, there are simply not enough lunar energies to fuel any kind of Work. No work-around exists for this. Work done during this period will not be effective, your time, energy, and supplies wasted.)

Deity: (It’s best, if possible, to work with Someone Who has already come into your life. If that’s not possible, ask for help this time, but be prepared to give back the energy you asked for in devotion and sacrifice. As for sacrifice, virgins are a Christian fixation and dead animals cruel and unnecessary; wine or tobacco [though Venus doesn't like it, as it's an herb of Mars] work well for almost every deity, as does a candle in Their color, perhaps rolled in herbs sacred to Them.)

Magical action: (In our example, employment spells are usually seen as workings of the element Earth. The witch might use magnets, an Earth device if ever there was one, to pull a sigil scribed with hir name toward one bearing the symbol for the new job; once they are bound together with the magnets, s/he might lay them on a copy of hir resume. S/he could also bury them. If your goal is fiery, burn something, you pyromaniac [light a paper, or a second candle, scribed with your goal, from a candle scribed with your name; use one candle to partially melt the side of the other, fuse them, and allow them to burn together]; if it’s watery, consider drinking water imbued with your goal’s energy; if it’s airy, blow the symbols of goal and self together, or scribe a fan with your goal and use it to blow incense smoke over yourself. The possibilities are limited only by your own creativity; have fun!

Method of raising energy: (Usually, this involves repetitive movement or activity of some kind. Dance, do a simple sidestep around or in front of your altar; bust your favorite yoga moves; clap; play your Tibetan singing bowl; play a single short phrase over and over on a flute, guitar, rattle, or other musical instrument; chant; sing; dig in the garden. Almost anything will work, and work pretty well. Of course, it’s also possible to do this entirely in your mind, which, while quite difficult, is also ferociously good training in concentration.)

Color: (Very briefly: red for passion, pink for friendship, orange for attraction, black for repulsion, gray for dissipation [of energy], yellow for intellectual endeavor, green for growth of any kind, purple for horses, law, or publication, blue for honor, brown for practicality, and white for purity. White is also the go-to color when you don’t have the color you need. Looking to minimize? Orange, green, gray, black, and white cover all the possibilities.  Colors of what, you ask?  Candles, altar cloths, clothing … I suppose you could also, at need, paint yourself the necessary color.  Up to you.)

Herb/Incense/Essential oil: (Essential oils are wonderful for those among us who can’t tolerate incense smoke, or share a home with someone who dislikes the smell of burning herbs. They can be dripped into the pool of melted wax at the base of a candle flame, rubbed onto the candle itself, diluted with a little olive and dabbed on the pulse points, or used in a diffuser. Do be aware that they always carry the elemental signature of Fire; if you are working to put out a forest fire, for instance, they are not a good choice!)

Planet: (Very briefly: Sun for masculinity, Moon for femininity, Mercury for trade/writing/intellectual pursuits, Venus for affairs of the heart, Mars for war and affairs of the sex organs, Jupiter for expansion of any kind [including necessary weight gain], Saturn for contraction/discipline, Uranus for new ideas/astrology/TV/new technology, Neptune for film/poetry/dance/inspiration/drugs, and Pluto for the kind of can’t-go-back change embodied by nuclear power. Caution: it is incredibly difficult to work successfully with the outermost three planets. Don’t try this at home unless you are very sure you know what you are doing.)

Day of week most favorable for Work: (Very briefly: Monday corresponds to the Moon, Tuesday to Mars, Wednesday to Mercury, Thursday to Jupiter, Friday to Venus, Saturday to Saturn, and Sunday to, ta-da!, the Sun.)

Planetary hour most favorable for Work: (There is no “very briefly” for the subject of Planetary Hours. I have downloaded and use a free program called “Chronos XP’ which pops up the planetary hour on my desktop every time it changes, and allows me to look at days in the future to see when the hours fall. However: look up the sunrise and sunset times, subtract sunrise time from sunset time, and that is the length of the day. Divide that amount of time by twelve, and add the increment thus derived to the time of sunrise. That’s the hour of the Sun. Do it again for the hour of the Moon, and so on. When you get to sunset, find the amount of time between sunset and the following sunrise, divide by twelve, and repeat. The first hour after sunrise is always that of the planet the day corresponds to; see para above.  Told you it wasn’t brief.)

Astrological Conditions at the Time of the Work

Will the Moon be or become void-of-course during the Work? If yes, the Work must be rescheduled to fall after the VOC period. (Very briefly: period. During this time there is insufficient lunar energy to power the Work. There is no work-around. Work done during this time is energy, time, and supplies wasted.  Seventy-two hours after the moment the Moon becomes New, which is why New Moons are listed as “New Moon, Thursday, 2:27 PM EDT”), She is again a visible crescent.  It doesn’t matter if She is or is not above the horizon when this happens; it’s when She again has sufficient power to fuel a spell.)

Will any planet be stationary direct or stationary retrograde over a planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work? (Planets’ stations generate an enormous amount of energy. If I wanted to make a change of career, for instance, I’d hope for Jupiter SD on my Midheaven – money and progress in one swell foop.)

Will Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, or Pluto be contacting any planet or point in my natal chart? If so, how can I incorporate the energies of both into the Work? (These outer planets present rare opportunities. Their energies are quite powerful.)

Will the Moon transiting be through a sign (or house in my natal chart) which rules the goal? (Think of the Moon as a match: in terms of power, it hasn’t much, but it’s just what you need for setting things alight.)

Personal Considerations

Is any element represented in my chart by 4 or more occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?

Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element? (Your personal power is concentrated here; this is the easiest path for you.)

Is any element represented by no or one occupied signs, or signs on the Ascendant or MC?

Can I use herbs, colors, or magical actions from this element? (Lack of representation often gives a clue as to what you will work quite hard at unconsciously.)

Results

Worked immediately: (Yay you)

Didn’t work within 14 days: (Something probably went wrong; can you isolate what it was?)

Worked after _____________ days (Note any changes in Astrological Conditions which occurred, particularly changes of the Moon’s phase.)

---

So. Now that you know all of this, please don’t freak out and decide that it’s far too complicated, too freakin’ much work, ever to cast a spell. It isn’t. If you can’t deal with the above plethora of information, concentrate on choosing the correct wording for the phase of the Moon, a scent, and a color. Those last two work below the level of the conscious mind, and therefore have quite a lot of power; the first one is what is, and your magic won’t work if you ignore it.  Those three will give you maximum reward for minimal effort.

Do choose, down the road if not right this minute, to make a special friend of a particular deity: and don’t worry if one Chooses you, rather than you Him or Her.

May you find wisdom in the crafting of your goals, and happy casting.

Tags: magic, magick, spells

• Spells & Rituals

Modred August, 2011

The Pitfalls of Magic

Magic works.  It has the the power to change lives. But magico-religious thinking does have its pitfalls.

Magic is like an artist’s brush.  If you start trying to paint your house with it, you’re going to have big problems. I’ve been reading Tarot for myself and others for over thirty years, and I’ve never had a “bad reading” because I never try to find out who’s going to win the ball game this weekend.

And I’ve used my second sight to converse with deceased relatives.  I’ve received valuable advice and a sense of contentment. But I would never try to contact William Kidd in order to divine the location of his buried treasure.  If someone came to me and said, “can you talk to my late husband?” I’d reply, “No, I can’t. But with careful practice and study you could learn to contact him yourself, and you might gain insight, peace, and understanding.  But I don’t think he’s going to help you make sound investment decisions.  And you’ll need to be careful, because over-emphasis on the past is unhealthy. Both you, and the deceased, must move on.”

Magic is a subtle and gentle force at work in one’s life, not a psychic letter opener that can be used to view the contents of an sealed envelope in someone’s pocket, move objects, or bend spoons.  I pale to think of how much time and money has been wasted trying to magically win various lotteries.

Still, there are always those folks who make such claims.  And none of them have passed the Amazing Randi’s Paranormal Challenge and gotten that cool million bucks.  This is where magical thinking causes problems for witchcraft in general.  For many people outside the craft it’s hard to believe in magic at all, and hard to respect those who do.  But it seems to me that most folks would take witches much more seriously if we advocated a definition that contained the concept of unprovability — because that which can be proved stops being magic and becomes science — and avoided outrageous claims.  Not only would it enhance our image, it would create a much-needed buffer between science and magic.

We need that buffer, because whenever science and magic get entangled the results are disastrous.  Just ask Giordano Bruno, Darwin, Descartes, Galileo, Leclerc, and a hundred others who’ve felt the wrath of magical believers.  Talk to educators who’ve been fighting intelligent design theories since the 2001 Santorum Amendment signaled the still ongoing attempt to get biblical creationism taught in American schools.  Do a quick web search for “religious arguments against environmentalism” and see what pops up.  This is what happens when magico-religious thinking tries to dominate, or supplant, science.

Humanity can do better, and we witches can lead the way if we refuse to let magic masquerade as science.  Otherwise we’ll never be able to overcome the myths that keep us, and the world, in bondage; we’ll be of no help to humanity in avoiding climate collapse nor Armageddon.

Tags: magic, magick

• Articles

Morika Bernhard August, 2011

Stop Spell

It’s hot out there!  The nation is under a HUGE heat wave. You combine the heat with the humidity and you have a real mess that makes people grumpy, irritable and out-of-sorts.  This is a normal reaction to things we can’t control AND the effect those things can have on us (i.e., hot + sweaty + no relief + no control = Grumpy…. at the very least!)

Some people it can even bring out a nastier darker side when their environment seems to be in control and they are not liking it much.  In addition to the environment making some people and things difficult to deal with, there are a myriad of mediums that trigger a “not so nice” response from people.  Family situations, work situations, social gatherings, etc., can be a catalyst for a person to act out in a way that is less than admirable.

On that note, us witches have resources in our hat full of tricks to deter the effects that these people have on us.  Resources that will help us by keeping them at bay from bothering us, and us from responding to their issues and getting ensnared when we don’t want to.

Think of a work situation where “that” person is just bugging the living daylights out of you.  They just walk by and you want to leap on them and take ‘em out, let alone if they speak to you!  What about a boss that just can’t seem to be nice no matter what and is demanding of you, antagonizing, or passive-aggressive and it’s causing you real harm in the way of tense muscles, gnawing pit in your stomach, etc..  How can you stop these people from getting to you?

Glad you asked….Need to STOP something in its tracks?  Someone?  Some event?  Some situation?  Some gossip?

Evaluate carefully WHY you wish to stop the person, event or thing in your life from continuing on in the manner they/it are/is (this is important—don’t skip this step!)  Are your motives pure (c’mon…be honest!?)  Will this cause harm to another person?  To you?  If so, you should not continue with this STOP spell.  Ever mind the law of three.  Unless you want this same energy revisiting you, don’t send out anything negative.  Trust me…you WILL be sorry you did.

If something is happening (an event) that is causing you harm or distress and stopping it will be a GOOD thing for one and all, then by all means do this spell.  If you need to STOP someone from harming you (verbally, emotionally, or physically – you have every right to not be abused in any of these ways!), seek out appropriate rational measures to take care of your problem before choosing to do a spell such as this, then if all else fails, proceed carefully.

Wait until the dark moon (although do the bath and make up the oil ahead of time.)  This is a time of transformation, a time of new beginnings and growth.  A time to shed the old and start anew.

Take a ritual bath.  Draw warm bath water, add dead sea salts and 7 drops of a Lavender based oil (make your own with 2-4 drops of Lavender essential oil to a tbsp of carrier oil.  Or use a couple of tsp of fresh lavender tied off in a muslin bag and let the bag soak in the tub with you) Lavender is an excellent protection and calming herb and will allow you to both focus on the person/thing/situation you wish would stop bothering you and protect you in the process from outside energies while you focus on your spell.

As you soak, visualize your situation different—as you want it to be.   Stay focused on this outcome the entire time you are soaking.  Soak for at least 15 minutes, meditating on the desired outcome.   After your bath, sleep for a good 6-8 hours and put this out of your mind as much as possible.  The next day, make up your own Banishing Oil as follows or use one you already have that you have purchased.  This oil below is great because most items can be found in your kitchen already!

• Carrier oil – olive or canola is fine;
• A pinch of black pepper (right from your kitchen!) (banishing)
• A whole clove from your kitchen cabinet, or a pinch of powdered clove (for protection and for piercing illusions you may have)
• A couple of Caraway Seeds (protection from negativity)
• A pinch of garlic salt or better, a small slice of fresh garlic (very strong banishing properties)
• That’s it; but if you wish to make it extra strong, add a pinch of black salt and a tad of soil from your yard)
• Just use a small bottle that you have on hand for this oil.

Save your oil and let it brew/steep until the eve of the next New Moon preferably OUTSIDE (or inside where you WILL NOT be disturbed) set up a sacred space (however you are used to that is comfortable for you) – this does not need to be elaborate to be effective.  Dress in appropriate ritual attire and lend formality to this event as it is obviously serious in matter to you for you to go to this length to stop something; it warrants your respect in the way in which you present yourself. Cast your circle, call the quarters, and invoke your God and/or Goddess (that you are comfortable with.)

Again, heartfelt words are most important.  By all means use your own words if you prefer or feel free to use the words below.  Make sure you are well-grounded and centered and can remain focused.

If a candle is not already lit in your sacred space and/or altar, Anoint a black spell candle then light it.  After the candle is lit, drop 3 drops of the Banishing oil on top of the candle (not in the flame) in the wax pool.  Proceed with the following spell.  If this is in regards to a person who is bothering you and you happen to have a picture of them (i.e., a pic from an office party, or ??) put that on the altar and dab with a drop or two of the banishing oil.  Say these words over and over until YOU FEEL it is complete.  This will vary with each person.  When you SENSE it is done, it is done.

STOP SPELL

God and Goddess of darkest night,

Send ________________________ to flight

(put in the line whatever/whomever it is you are trying to “stop” or rid yourself of.)

Away from me, my home, I plea,

Keep trouble and ill-will away from me.

Burn these troubles in the sacred fires

And Replace them with my heart’s desires.

Bring Peace and Clarity, Strength of Will

Cut ties that bind that make me ill,

By power of Night, of Crone, of Moon,

So shall it be done~~quickly ‘an soon!

Bring Harm to None, this spell is done.

When you FEEL the spell is complete, proceed how you are comfortable doing in closing the circle, the quarters and releasing the Goddess.

Make sure to thank All Powers for their answers and then look up into the dark sky (if outside) or close your eyes and tilt your head upward and KNOW that this is done.  KNOW that this is over.  It is complete and will take hold.  Feel the energy through you and feel confident that what you have asked for is manifesting at that very moment.

As the candle is burning, carefully take it outside somewhere where you are able to bury it.  Do not blow it out.  Dig a small hole in DIRT (not grass or anything else).  Make sure the hole is large enough to hold the candle.

Now, take a handful of dirt and as you say, “So Mote It Be”, place the handful of dirt over the flame to extinguish.  Place the candle in the hole.  Cover the hole.  Stomp on the hole that is now covered 3 times.  Turn away and leave and don’t look back at the area that night.

Your spell is complete.

I hope you find this spell helpful and ‘till next month, may you be

spell-struck!  ~Morika

http://www.underthenewmoon.com

Tags: magic, magick, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Heather Obrien July, 2011

Metaphors

Our lessons have been geared toward putting our thoughts into a poetry form. Most of the writing has been straight forward about the topic. This month will be more of a challenge; I would like for us to explore metaphors.

Quick review:
~Similies are comparisons of unlike concepts using like/as.
I was as hungry as a lion.
~Metaphors are comparisons of unlike concepts without using like/as.
I was a lion ripping through the kitchen hunting for something to eat.

Similes are ultimately easier than metaphors because the comparison is more direct; you are able to clearly state the two things you are comparing, and why you are comparing them, in the sentence and you use like/as to connect the two ideas. (I was as hungry as a lion).

Metaphors are more difficult because the comparison is indirect. You briefly state the main item and elaborate on the compared item. Why you are comparing the items is also vaguely stated. In my experience, it is easier to write a simile and change it into a metaphor than it is to just write a metaphor cold. However, once you have the basic comparison, you can extend your metaphor for pages and pages.

The full moon is like a white frisbee

Mother Earth hurls the disc in the sky,
Canis Major chases it down through the dark
With Canis Minor on his heels.
It soars higher and higher all night,
Passing The Hunter poised to strike.
The pups are later joined by Sirius
In their quest to catch their toy.
Soon the disc begins to descend,
Caught again by Mother Earth.
The pups have had their fun,
They now wait for night fall again to play.
The three cuddle together and doze away
With the dawn.

I would like you to try to write a metaphor for a spellcast. This will be in the style of free writing, in poetic stanzas or not.

Tags: magic, magick, metaphors, Spell, spellwork

• Classes

Miss Dana July, 2011

Spell bound

Recently, a sweet neighbor was visiting and began talking of Paganism and Wicca. She met a fellow student who was talking to her about using spells to “get back at” other girls who were fundamentalist Christian. Both of these girls attend a rural, southern college which is  overwhelmingly attended by not just Christian, but Southern Baptist. My neighbor was uncomfortable with the conversation. She is a gentle soul who has been open to Spirit showing up in her life in any form. She was unsure about using “spells and magic” in this manner. She asked my opinion.

In our family, we have taught that, for us, a spell was active prayer. Intention focused and then action taken to make the prayer physical. In order to live and flourish in the deep south while following the Goddess path, we have looked for the bridges between our beliefs and the beliefs of our friends, family and neighbors. I reminded my friend that it is not necessary to advertise beliefs as much as it is necessary to live our beliefs. Walk the talk. We want others to be tolerant of our beliefs. We, in turn, must be an example by showing tolerance to others.

I then showed her our family altar. Anyone else would think it  is a collection of things on an antique table.  I have created an altar to Joy this month. With negative news and images bombarding us from all sides, I decided to dedicate the month of July to Joy.

There is a vase of colorful daisies and zinnias. A set of primary colored birthday candles are planted in a flowerpot with a spiral lollipop in the middle of them. I have candy which represents the four elements in a candy dish shaped like a pig. There is rock candy for Earth, sour spray candy for Air, red hots for Fire and a tiny bottle of Godiva chocolate liquour for Water. And then there are silly pictures of our family. It is designed as a touchstone for our days. One glance and a smile ensues. A smile is Gratitude expressed. And Gratitude is a prayer in action and according to our family beliefs, that makes for a kind of spell.

My friend began to understand and relaxed into a lively conversation about classes and boys and all the bad food in the college dining hall.  Joy was present.  I was grateful for the opportunity to ease someones heart concerning their chosen path.  We can wear pentacles and beautiful black gothic clothing or  we can wear t-shirts and silver moons. It is how the Divine is expressed through us that matters in my book.

Tags: magic, magick, spells

• Articles

Morika Bernhard June, 2011

Peace for Family Spell

This spell is primarily when you are wanting to restore peace within your family (immediate and/or extended); however, you can alter the words to focus on friends, co-workers, etc. should you wish.

Items you will need:

* Family picture of all people included in the focus of your spell (if not all in one picture, separate pictures is fine.)

*4 White Candles

* 2 Blue Candles

* Altar or work space for setting up your spell

* Incense (use an incense that has properties relating to peace – (see attachment to this spell, 2^nd page, for list of scents that have peace inducing properties)

* Chamomile Tea or Relaxing Blend Tea of some sort

Altar Set Up:

• Put a picture of your family or whomever is involved in the focus of your spell IN THE CENTER of the altar.
• Put a blue candle in the UPPER LEFT corner as you’re facing your altar and a blue candle in the UPPER RIGHT corner.
• Put a white candle at the TOP, to the LEFT, to the RIGHT and at the BOTTOM of the altar (as you are facing it.)
• Place Incense to the FAR RIGHT or FAR LEFT of your altar as you choose

Steps:

1.    Set up your altar ahead of time.

2.    Make yourself a STRONG cup of your relaxing blend tea (whatever works best for you.)

3.    You may cast your circle if you wish, according to your path, and invoke your God/Goddess as you choose.

4.    Light all 4 candles starting with the candle at the East going clockwise around.  As you light each candle, think of the purest white and brightest white light permeating the candle and your space – think of each family member as you are lighting the candles.  NOTE: The purpose of the 4 candles is Not indicative of the elements per se, but primarily to infuse your space with white pure light – light that is healing and as pure as possible – basically – we wanted your family pics to be encircled by white light (physically and spiritually)!

5.    Light the Blue Candles – There are 2 blue candles for this purpose:  Blue is also a healing color.  Having a blue candle at the top left and the top right, both, enables you, the spell worker to visually be able to see it covering both sides of the family (both sides of the situation, both sides of the story, of the argument, etc. – this is a psychological method that bypasses our conscious minds and permeates our subconscious where magick is derived.)  As you light both blue candles, see a flame blue as blue can be infusing with white light into your space.

6.    Light your incense.  Sit and breathe deeply for a moment or two.

7.    Prepare yourself mentally for the work that is to be done, relax, ground, center, shield and enter a trance (as deep as you are able to do.)

8.    Hold your hands over the pictures.

9.    Gather energy from the ground and envision it surrounding the pictures of your family.  Pull energy through your Crown Chakra from the Universe and see the white light infusing with the healing energy from the ground, extending through your hands and into the pictures of your family members (focusing on this energy truly encompassing each family member.)  See this white, blue and grounding light forming a rope-like bond between you and each member of the family.  See each family member’s face relax and smile and be at ease.

10.                       Say this prayer 7 times or until you “feel” it is done.

“Great Goddess, Great God, I send you my plea to heal my family.  Please mend the bonds between us this day.  Bring back love, peace and joy for your children, I pray.” (when you are done saying this and the spell feels complete, end with ~~~ “An harm it none, this spell is done.”

Bring yourself out of the trance, ground yourself by whatever means you have become accustomed to, or you can simply focus on roots growing from your feet into the ground.  Touch the carpet, or grass, or ground beneath you and in your mind, describe the texture.  These are excellent grounding techniques.

You may leave the candles to burn (please do not leave unattended) and the spell will be complete.  Or, you can extinguish the candles when you are done with your spell, and then light each day until the candles burn down, at which time the spell will be complete.

Discard the candle remains off your property or you can bury in the ground on your property or off.

*Peace Inducing Incense that can be used:

* Acacia

* Althea

* Basil

* Bay

* Benzoin

* Calamus

* Catnip

* Chamomile

* Cherry Blossom

* Gardenia

* Lavender

* Lilac

* Marjoram

* Passion Flower

* Pennyroyal

* Poppy

* Rose

* Rose, Yellow

* Rosewood

* Sage

*Valerian

* Verbena

* Violet

* Ylang Ylang

*List of Scents taken from Magical Oils by Moonlight by Maya Heath, Page 193.

Tags: family, magic, magick, peace, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Drogo Empedocles June, 2011

Celtic Spells, Chants, Charms, Prayers of Making, Evoking, or Binding

All 3 are acknowledgments of the laws of nature. The first Welsh Spell says the spirit of water and earth elements shines even when the moon is dark. The second Gaelic Spell speaks of the Serpent’s Breath of Life & Death, and our will to make. The third English Spell describes how three aspects can be parts of one whole; as with the symbol “Y”.
1. Welsh Spell of Making
A elfyntodd dwyr sinddyn duw,
cerrig yr fferllurig nwyn,
os syriaeth ech saffaer tu,
fewr echlyn mor necrombor llun.
2. Gaelic Spell of Making (in Modern Irish Gaelic)
Anáil nathrach, ortha bháis is beatha, do chéal déanaimh
3. English Spell of Making (in American English)
One flows from Two,
Two Rivers are One.
One is Three,
And Three is One.

Tags: celtic, magic, magick, spells

• Spells & Rituals

Rose Embyrs June, 2011

Cast A Spell On A Spring Garden

To bless your new spring garden with fertility and growth, follow these easy steps created from, “Spellcaster: Book of Magick”. Choose young plants and seeds, organic fertilizer and a sunny place in the yard to plant. Gather your gardening tools and ask the Goddess and Greenman for a blessing of your plants to grow and thrive. Now gather a few items to protect and enhance your garden with magick.

Items you will need:

Green ribbon.

Wooden stakes for each row.

Wand with an orange blossom, daffodil or orchid tied to the wand with green ribbon.

Apple, cut into small pieces.

1-5 geodes (rock crystals)

1-quart spring water.

½ cup of honey.

2-quart container to mix the apple, water and honey together.

Place a stake at the beginning of each row and tie a green ribbon on the stake. Place a geode near the soil in the middle of your garden. If you have 5 geodes form the corners of a pentagram around the garden. Turn the soil with the organic fertilizer and make the holes for each seed or plant. Use the apple/honey mixture and pour small amounts into each hole, saying:

My Goddess and Greenman, I summon you.

Let my plants thrive with this magickal brew.

With perfect love, I will tend my garden true.

To bring forth life and to honor you.

So mote it be!

Plant the seeds and young plants, then pour any remaining sweet nectar between each plant.

Bless A Tree In Need Spell

In the garden, park, or in the field, there may be a tree in need of care and nourishment. Coming to the aid of this living, yet struggling plant can be a blessing for you and the tree. Water, organic fertilizer and loving maintenance of a tree can ease your challenges and burdens in life. Taking on the care of another will bind you and the tree in magick.

As the tree grows strong and thick, the fallen wood each season may be used to make wands, a besom or another pagan craft. The fallen leaves may be used in spells and the seeds that drop may be used in witch’s bags for better sleep and digestion. Bark that sloughs off the tree as it grows may be medicinal or ceremonial in some way.

Bring a geode, banana and orange peels to the tree and bury them near the roots. Use a bucket of water each day and say:

With the Goddess’s love and Greenman’s skill

To this tree, I devote my magick and will

Give me the power to bring life anew

With my love and praise I give to you

So mote it be!

Many Blessings,

Rose Embyrs

http://www.roseembyrs.com

Tags: magic, magick, spells

• Spells & Rituals

Hearthkeeper May, 2011

Children in our Magickal Lives

Many of us, Pagan, Wiccan and Witch have children. Again many of us hide what we believe from our children, whether to protect them, avoid drama, difficult spouses or whatever. But there are those of us that have been teaching our children since they were babies and for us it can be very hard to include our children in anything outside of our homes. The Pagan Community at large is often negative about children in group rituals.  Now after asking I have found out that this is not because they do not want children in the circle, but that they do not want the rude, loud, bratty grabby children in circle. You know the ones I mean. The ones who dance around, play with the altar, talk to everyone and the parent says nothing. They are very disruptive. And since we cannot tell what kind of child is entering the circle it can often come across as negative.

There are some things you can do to make sure your family has a good ritual experience.

First- find out if it a child friendly ritual or group- you would not want to have to explain “skyclad” to your 5 yr old.  Although my son at 5yrs old would have been ecstatic with being able to be naked in public, there are some legal ramifications to that. Also you will want to know if Children are welcome before you show up with them. There are many more “family” covens and groups no than there ever were.

Second- start young teaching them to know that although they may be able to touch or play with YOUR altar stuff… other people do not feel as good about it.

Third- Teach them to sit quietly with you. And if they cannot then it is YOUR responsibility to remove yourself and your child from the circle. It is very disruptive to be meditating and have a small child scream in frustration or anger. Make sure they have either napped before or are willing to rest during the ritual.

Something that you can do is get together with other parents and have a “child friendly” ritual where the children have a chance to run and jump and sing to help raise energy and that there is a small snack to “bribe “ them with to quiet down when you need them too. But if the children are included in the entire ritual they will be less likely to scream and fuss.

Fourth- You can start the training for ritual courtesy at home. Have regular ritual in the house so you child can learn in the comfort of the familiar. DO NOT expect the child who has NEVER been exposed to a ritual to be well behaved in one.  This will also show them by routine where the elements are. How they are to behave during quarter calls. What to do during meditation (crayons and books work well during this time.).

Remember to raise your child in Love and joy. Let them know that you do not think poorly of them if they do not behave perfectly. But that other will want them to behave better if they want to come with Mommy and Daddy to the Big Ritual.

Next, teach them some of the fundamentals of our beliefs that are less likely
to change.

The Earth is our Mother as well as our Home. The more we do to protect Her, the better our future will be. Some may call Her Gaia or Mother Earth, but She is a constant in nearly all Pagan belief systems.
Teach them the Wheel of the Year as a beautiful, never ending
dance that celebrates nature in all its phases. It does not matter whether we
call it Beltane or someone else calls it May Day; it is the principles behind
the holidays that are important: a celebration of life, a celebration of
change, and a celebration of the natural world.

Show them how the Moon an how we all share the experience of going
through waxing, mature, waning and dark phases in our lives, and She is our
nightly reminder of this fact. Her monthly journey mirrors our own.

Encourage them to do Magick on their own. The skills we initially strive to
learn when we start out on the Path (meditation and visualization) , children
have not yet forgotten – they just call it daydreaming and imagination.
Children are naturally more creative and Magickal than adults. They may
surprise you by their ability. Teach them to cast spells in a very natural way.
There is no need for ritual even as an adult, so teach them simple chants and
spells.

Let your children figure out who the Gods are for themselves. Even in our own Pagan
culture we call Divinity by many different names and we see many different
faces.

Give to them that love of all things natural. Show them the magic of sitting
under a tree, watching the clouds, and growing things in the ground, by the
first crisp fall morning or the first sweet drops of snow in winter, the smell
of the ocean breeze or the brilliant colors of the first spring flowers

Now another issue that is important is to not force your child to follow just your religion. Teach them that there are other belief systems out there and that all paths lead to Deity (God/dess) That you are ok if they find God/dess in another venue as they grow. I had this rear its ugly head in a weird way. My then 16 yr old son decided he was going to be an Atheist. After a while he wandered back, but after time we found out that he was rebelling against my belief. And wow… where do Pagan/Wiccan/Witchy children rebel to…  I mean really… Most Christian children go Gothy and look at Satanism, Paganism and other “darker” beliefs. So where do Pagan Children rebel too. LOL.. but if you teach them about the different ways to look at God/dess then they will feel more in control as they will be better informed.

An interfaith household does have special problems, and paganism seems to present more than some other faiths. Many Christians especially have been taught that paganism is the antithesis of their beliefs, and most people of any religion will want the children brought up in their own religion… The solution could be exposing the child/ren to both religions and any questions they have are answered honestly. Respect is a big part of a healthy marriage and that includes respect for each other’s beliefs.

If your family has problems with your religion, respect will play a big part here too. Explain your beliefs to your parents, but be sure to explain their beliefs to your children as well. Make sure your children know that Grandma and Grandpa are not bad because their beliefs are different, and ask your parents to avoid denigrating your beliefs. If they have trouble with this, remember that they are scared. For most of them, paganism goes against everything they have ever been taught, and they may be truly concerned for your safety, or the safety of your “soul.” They may perceive a Wiccan lifestyle as a devaluation of their whole lives, of everything they worked for, everything they tried to teach you.

If your child is older( maybe 10 and up) when you find your way to Paganism/Wicca or Witchcraft. Then I recommend honesty with them. Let them know that you( as a person) are ever learning and that you recently learned about Paganism/ Wicca or Witchcraft and that it made you feel really good. So you learned more. And when you did it made you look at things differently. You know.. Explain it to them the same way you would a stranger.. To help them understand that you had a life changing moment and that this will be a part of their world from now on. And that you would like them to learn more about it as well so that they will understand better what You are doing.

Don’t try to make your children into little miniature versions of you. Remember that your children are individuals with their own needs and desires. They need your wisdom and guidance, but ultimately they need the power to make their own decisions and have you respect those decisions.

Until next time

Blessed Home and Hearth

The Hearthkeeper

PS. If there is anything you would like to see here.. please email me at  thehearthkeeper@gmail.com

Blessed be…

Tags: children, magic, magick

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