Aurora November, 2009

Tags: magic, magick, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora October, 2009

“Web of Desire Rite”

A solitary ritual to help you capture and bring something into your life.

Supplies

Silver cord

Five thin nails

Small wooden board

A tea light candle and holder

God and Goddess candles and holders

A small bell

Anointing oil of your own choice

Small piece of paper and a pen

Additional short length of the silver cord

Offering of food and drink

Chalice, plate and offering bowl

Preparation

Spend a lot of time thinking about something that you want to capture and bring into your life. It could be a new sense of self, such as peace and harmony or something tangible like a new friend or kindred spirit. In your mind, fully define what you are looking for, so much so that you can see it clearly in your mind’s eye.

Once you have decided what you want, set aside at least an hour of your time to make your web. Nail the five thin nails into the wooden board in a circular pattern. Thread the silver cord around the nails creating your own personal spider web. If you aren’t sure how to get started, check the internet for videos on how to make a spider web. Make sure that your web includes an small inner circle, because you will need that for the ritual (see photo), however your web should look unique and be meaningful to you, so don’t try to just copy the picture.

Rite

Sit down in a comfortable position and ground yourself in your own traditional way. When you are ready, cast a sacred circle and call forth the Elementals in your own traditional way. Invoke the God and Goddess, welcome them to your circle, and light the God and Goddess candles on your altar.

Using the paper and pen, write down the item of your desire. Role the piece of paper up and tie it with the additional piece of silver cord. Set it aside for now.

Anoint the web in a deosil direction by placing some oil on your index finger and use it to trace the outline of the web. While you are doing this, think about the different tools that you can use to bring the item of your desire into your life. The tools might be “of the self”, such as working on becoming more friendly and open, reliable, trustworthy, etc. The tools could be “of action”, like joining an in-person social group, based on a hobby that you have. Think about whatever tools you could use to gain what you are looking for. Anoint the web fully three times, saying:

Creatrix of the night, blessed spider,

Weave with me a strong net,

To catch that of which my heart is set.

When you are done anointing the web, light the tea light candle. Hold the slip of paper high above it (don’t light it on fire!). Say:

Webmaker, see with the light of this sacred fire,

Here is object of my wish and my desire.

Place the slip of paper in the center hole of the web. Say:

Tangle it, without harm, in my web,

Using the natural energy flow and ebb.

Ring the bell three times, and say:

With the blessings of the Gods I do call forth,

And with the Elementals East, South, West and North,

Ring loud and true, sending forth my prayer,

Drawing out the object to capture in my snare.

Make an offering of food and drink in the name of the God and Goddess, thank Them and bid them farewell. Thank the Elementals and let them take their leave.  Open the magick circle.  This rite is complete.

Tags: magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora September, 2009

Tags: magic, magick, ritual

• Spells & Rituals

Witch1979 August, 2009

The Ritual Connection

From time immemorial we have desired guidance from the God/dess, and sought ways in which we can connect with and honor those powers we hold in reverence.  Many in the mainstream find prayer or meditation to fulfill their needs in this area, or they attend services where they can participate to a limited extent in the ceremonies led by the priests of their congregation.  The purpose of such rituals is to enact symbolic events that the observers understand to hold a deeper meaning than the actions themselves.  Realization of that meaning on the mental, emotional, and spiritual levels unites the individual with the divine.  But while churches tend to leave most of the actions to the clerics and expect their constituents to connect passively, Wicca invites all of its members to participate directly in its ritual workings, whether solitary or as part of a coven.

If you are working as a solitary there is no one to direct the course of a ritual for you.  As a matter of fact it can be difficult to make a start as a beginner.  What do I do?  Am I doing this right?  These are common questions that pop up when working rituals on one’s own instead of in a group setting or coven.  Several good books will provide a basic outline for common sabbat or esbat ceremonies, but even then it can sometimes feel as if you are reading a script more than invoking a deity.  Yet part of the beauty of Wicca is that you do not have to follow a script!  Witches celebrate spontaneity, as is fitting for an earth-based spiritual practice.  Many Wiccans create their own rituals based solely on the inspiration of the moment and their setting.  It is the feeling and intent they put into their words that matters, not the phrases themselves.  Knowing this takes the stress out of solitary ritual – What do I do?  Do what you feel is right!  Am I doing this right?  If it feels right then yes!  That may sound a bit glib, but the point of the matter is to just let go and forget about making mistakes. It is next to impossible to connect to a deity if you are wound up with worry.

That being said, just as most Wiccans share a common language of symbols and tools, most also follow a general structure in their rituals to identify it as Wiccan.  While no part is mandatory to an individual, these steps would be part of most group rituals, and each part has its purpose and place.  An excellent book that explains the reasoning behind the stages of a Wiccan rite is The Elements of Ritual by Deborah Lipp.  Before adding or omitting any steps it would be wise to study each part to know how those changes might affect the overall working.

Typically the first stage involves purification of both the participant and the area where the ritual is to take place.  Purify in this sense is another way of saying clearing one’s head and getting in the right frame of mind to connect to the God/dess.  This can be as simple as a grounding and centering exercise or as elaborate as a perfumed bath.  Most practitioners find a routine specific to them that they can rely on to trigger the correct mental state.  Purifying the space is the act of setting an area apart from being just an ordinary room and clearing it of any negative energy in preparation for ritual.  A besom or broom, sprinkled salt water, and/or incense are common ways to accomplish this.  The area you are working in will be host to the temple you create while there, and should be an outer reflection of your inner centered state.

A Wiccan’s ritual temple is held within the magic circle.  Such a circle is formed by the will and imagination of the participant, forming a barrier against outside intrusions and also serving to concentrate any energy generated within.  Covens and traditional forms of Wicca have very specific methods for circle castings, with the High Priestess using her athame or sword to project a visualized blue-white flame while pacing the outlines of the circle in a clockwise direction.  The representations of each element upon the altar are often brought around the circle as well, always in a clockwise or deosil direction.  Once the circle is established many Wiccans “call the quarters”, which is to say they invoke the energies associated with each of the cardinal points.  All of these actions reinforce the equilibrium maintained within the sacred space that is necessary to connect to the higher spiritual planes.  In a sense the witch is projecting their centered state into the area around them and calling upon forces within or beyond themselves to bless the work they intend to do.

Now the way is prepared for the main purpose of the ritual, which is the invocation of the God/dess and any magical or ceremonial work to be done.  Invocations can be anything from spoken prayers to words uttered while in self-induced trance states.  To invoke deity is to ask for guidance and blessing.  What we feel we cannot accomplish or realize on our own we ask to be aided with.  We can also invoke the divine out of simple reverence and a desire to honor that which is greater than but also part of ourselves.  Acknowledging the God/dess in our rituals makes the work we do sacred and set apart from the everyday.  We call upon what is highest and best to witness our endeavors.  And each time we do we hope to bring a bit of that spirit into our awareness to enrich our lives as a whole.

If the occasion calls for any magical work or special observance (for instance if it is a sabbat or esbat) it is typically performed after the invocation.  When all practical work has been accomplished it is time to reverse the process and deconstruct the sacred space.  This serves to bring the witch back into a more ordinary consciousness.  First the participant should ground any left over raised energy.  Visualizations can be used, as can the tradition of Cakes and Ale.  Eating a bit of food helps bring your focus back to your body and the material plane.  Any deities invoked or energies called upon should be thanked for their aid and released.  This is not so much a dismissal as a courteous farewell.  If you invite someone in its rather rude to have them show themselves out!  Traditional Wiccan practice has a variety of ways of circle deconstruction, but in its basic form the energy used to create the circle is reabsorbed either into the witch or his/her athame for future use.  With that the ritual is complete!

With this basic outline a solitary Wiccan has a tool to create any custom ritual for their own purposes.  The heart of the ritual is the invocation and practical working, which is only limited by the imagination of the individual.  I have a simple candle ceremony I have worked into my sabbat rituals to honor the Goddess in her triple aspect of maiden-mother-crone.  On my altar I keep a white, a red, and a black candle, and at the appropriate point in the year when the Goddess’s phase changes I transfer the flame from one to the other.  This is done with a silent prayer of welcome for the new aspect that has arrived and I meditate for a bit to try to connect with the new energies.  Such an observance is not elaborate or accompanied by eloquent poetry, but it works for its purpose which is to help me connect with my deity.  This is the true function of all religious ritual.  It just takes a bit of experimentation to help the new witch find out what works for them.

Journal for the Month of July:

I’m reading two new books this month, Progressive Witchcraft by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, and Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen.  The first is a very interesting read after having read A Witches’ Bible which was written by the Farrars a couple of decades ago.  It definitely reflects an evolution of Wicca and witchcraft over the decades, at least from one person’s perspective.  I am currently on a chapter that relates aspects of witchcraft to the Eastern chakra system.  I found it extremely interesting in that it draws parallels between the blue of the throat chakra and the blue flames visualized in traditional rituals and circle castings.  In my last ritual I connected each quarter call to the opening of the chakra connected to that element and was pleasantly surprised by the results.  It helped me connect my visualizations to the energy I was projecting, a stronger macrocosm-microcosm connection if you will.

The second book has been extremely interesting not just in learning more about classical goddess archetypes, but also more about myself.  The author makes a distinction between three classes of goddesses: the independent virgins, the vulnerable relationship-orientated wives/ mothers/daughters, and the transformative Aphrodite (in a class all her own).  Each of these archetypes is a potentiality in every woman, and the book goes into the challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of each in turn.  It’s given me a new perspective on the particulars of each goddess’ qualities and which I may chose to call on for a particular working.  It’s been a fascinating read and I highly recommend it to all.  Once I’m done with this one I’m moving on to her other book Gods in Everyman for some perspective on the guys!

Until next month, blessed be! )O(

Tags: 101, New, newbie, ritual, Wicca

• Articles

Aurora August, 2009

Pathways Rite

A solitary ritual to clarify your path ahead.

Supplies

Table salt

Pepper

A small bowl

Matches

One black votive candle and holder

One white votive candle and holder

One candle and holder to represent the God

One candle and holder to represent the Goddess

Small plate with deep edges

Offering bowl

Small bowl of extra virgin olive oil

A large piece of hardy bread on a plate

Chalice with beverage
Rite

Sit down in a comfortable position and ground yourself in your own traditional way.

When you are ready, stand up and cast a sacred circle and call forth the Elementals in your own traditional way.

When you are ready, invoke the God and Goddess and welcome them to your circle.  Light the God and Goddess candles on your altar.

Place the deep-sided plate in front of you, and pour the table salt into it, so that it nearly fills the entire depth of the plate.

Smooth out the surface of the salt with your fingers, while repeating:

Salt of the earth,

You are of me and I am of you.

We are one, sacred and true.

With your pointer finger, slowly trace a spiral into the flat surface of the salt, leaving a deep trail in the salt as you start at the center of the plate of salt and work your way out. As you are doing this, think of the direction you want to take in your life. What are the things that you want to accomplish? What are your goals?

When you are done, gently pour some pepper into a separate, small bowl. Take a pinch of pepper between your index finger and thumb, and think about where you are in your life at this very moment. Gently sprinkle the pepper onto the center point of the spiral. Say:

I am at the center of this moment,

but I have a path before me.

Take another pinch of pepper, and begin sprinkling it along the path of the spiral. Continue this until you have added pepper to the entire spiral (see photo).

Light the white votive candle, and repeat:

Walking on pathways sacred and true,

Walking along, journey’s not through.

Left turns and right turns and circling back,

Finding my way on this unique track.

Beneath me is earth, above me is sky

To my left and my right, other’s stumbling by.

Doubt is present, and fear passes through,

Yet I’ll find my way, because my compass is you.

Breath on my lips, earth under my feet

Fire in my belly, and water tastes so sweet.

Guided by the Gods, my paths become clear,

As I follow my own way, the choices draw near.

Light the black votive candle and say:

The paths are before me, laid by the Gods,

Yet my steps are my own, and I make my own odds.

The spice of my life, choosing one way or the next,

Make me who I am, beautiful and complex.

Take some time to commune with the God and Goddess, asking them any question you might have about your road ahead.

When you are ready, sprinkle some salt and pepper into the olive oil. Tear off a piece of the bead and dip it into the oil, then present this, your offering, to the God and Goddess, placing it in the offering bowl. Raise you chalice in honor the the God and Goddess and then pour some of the beverage into the offering bowl. Partake of the remains of the offering yourself, as you wish.

Thanks the God and Goddess and bid them farewell. Thank the Elementals and let them take their leave.  Open the magick circle. This rite is complete.

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora May, 2009

Home Cleansing Rite

A solitary ritual to spiritually cleanse your home.

Supplies

Athame

Sage bundle

Abalone shell

Bell

Holy water/oil

Broom (besom)

Tray

Matches

Jar candle (small, light yellow or blue)

Chalice with drink (your choice)

Plate of offering (your choice)

*Tea light candle and holder (one for each window)

Preparation

Place an unlit tea light in a holder on each window sill in your home. Place your athame, chalice and plate of offering on your altar. Set the tray on another table in your ritual room, and place the matches, jar candle, holy water, bell, sage bundle and shell on it. Lean the broom on the wall next to your home’s main entrance. Next, shower/bathe in only candlelight before dressing in your traditional ritual robes and jewelry.

Rite

Sit down on the floor of your ritual room, and place the palms of your hands together, in a prayer-like position, bringing them in close to your body.  Inhale deeply and hold for a few moments, then exhale. While you are doing this, imagine your personal energies beginning to swirl within you, centering around your solar plexus. Do this until you can feel the hum of energy moving and spinning in your body.

When you are ready, stand and pick up your athame. Go to the center of the room.

Pointing your athame to the West, and say:

By the waters at the dock,

Point to the East and say:

and the fog of haze,

Point to the North and say:

By hardness of the rock

Point to the South and say:

and the heat of blaze,

Walk a complete circle deosil (clockwise) and say:

I cast this circle with the power of elements four,

Point the athame to the sky and say:

And the power of the fifth is at my core.

Point your athame to the floor and say:

This circle is cast. So mote it be.

Put your athame down on your altar. Go over to the table with your tray of ritual items.  Forcefully clap your hands together and then rub them together for a few moments. You should feel the energy growing within and between them.

Anoint the top of your left hand with the holy water/oil in the shape of a God symbol, while saying:

I anoint myself in the name of the God. May my hands yield the banishing power of the God.

Anoint the top of your right hand with the holy water/oil in the shape of a Goddess symbol, while saying:

I anoint myself in the name of the Goddess. May my hands yield the purifying power of the Goddess.

Place the anointment water/oil back on the tray. Light the jar candle on the tray and say:

May the universal energy move as I wish, as I cleanse this space.

Light the bundle of sage, but then blow out the flames, so the bundle is only gently smoking. Place inside the abalone shell (to catch the ashes).

Pick up the tray and walk to the main entrance of the home. Pick up the bundle of sage and draw a banishing pentagram in the air. Then, ring the bell three times. Anoint the door knob with the holy water/oil. Repeat:

Smoke in air and music sound

May my blessings carry ‘round

With sage and chime,

Now is the time,

To drive away all harm and fear

Only good may dwell in here.

Move widdershins (counterclockwise) through the house, repeating the actions and verse at each window and outside door.

Light the tea light candles at each window (watch out for the curtains!) and anoint their sills with the holy water/oil.

End by returning once more to the home’s main entrance. Open door and use broom to sweep outside all that is unwanted, saying:

Be gone with you, the toxic and the foul,

Reside no more and end your prowl.

You are welcome not in this abode,

I am captive no more of your heavy load.

Return the tray to your ritual room, and then move around the house deosil (clockwise) going to each window. Open the window, being careful not to knock over the candle! Repeat:

With this candles flame and smoke,

the power of negativity I revoke!

Blow out the candle, blowing the smoke out of the window, then close the window. Move on to each of the tea lights in the windows until they are all blown out, then return to the ritual room.

Pick up the chalice and plate of offerings and go to your home’s main entrance that leads outside.  Using your own words, offer the God and Goddess your libations and a taste of your offering. Pour some of the drink on the ground outside, and toss some of your offering on the ground too.

Return to the ritual room. Partake of the remaining drink and food, while thinking about all the positive energy now attracted to your home since you have banished all the negative forces.

Thank the God and Goddess in your own way.

When you are ready to end the rite and open the circle, stand up  hold your hands high about your head with your palms facing up. As you repeat this, slowly bring your hands down to your sides (palms down) and sink the circle’s energy into the floor and ground beneath:

By the waters at the dock and the fog of haze,

By hardness of the rock and by the heat of blaze,

I open this circle with heart pure this night,

May the power of the elements stay or take flight.

Within me, my spirit is at home and remains

Renewed and refreshed like the powerful rains.

So mote it be.

Blow out the jar candle after the circle’s energy has dissipated. Place it on the mantle above your fireplace or in the family room. Repeat this ritual whenever you feel the need.

Notes

*Please use caution and common sense when burning candles.

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Boudicca Andarta April, 2009

Parilia: the Ancient Roots of Earth Day

Parilia is a Roman holiday in honor of the god Pales (whose gender is uncertain).  As the guardian of the flocks and herds, April 21st was set aside as a day for shepherds to cleanse both himself and his flock.  Rural in nature and predating the founding of the city of Rome, in time it became more urban over time and instead of being officiated by a shepherd, the ceremony was led by a priest.    In more recent times, this holiday became Earth Day, where we set aside time to remember our responsibility to the environment.

When in the hands of the shepherd, acting as his own priest, the ceremony was very personal in nature.  He would decorate the pen with greenery and place a wreath on the gate.  At sunrise, the shepherd would kindle a purifying fire made of straw, olive tree braches, laurel and sulfur and the crackling of the fire would be interpreted by the shepherd as a good omen for the coming year.    Once burning, the shepherd would jump through the fire and drive his sheep through as well, purifying them one by one.  Then he would give an offering to Pales of millet cakes and milk before wetting his hands with dew and repeating prayers to the East.  These prayers would be to protect himself and his flock from what we would call “bad Karma” brought on by accidentally trespassing on sacred grounds or mistakenly removing water from a sacred well.  Finally, the shepherd would conclude his ritual by drinking burranica (a mixture of milk and boiled wine) before jumping through the fire three more times.  The urban version of this ritual was a combination of the above ritual with other Roman religious practices, but this time the shepherd was replaced by the temple priest.

This is an excellent excuse for you to add some Spring decorations to you home and you could place a flower wreath on your front door.  For this particular spell, the altar can face the East and you can add some greenery (real if you can obtain it or faux from a dollar store if there isn’t any Spring growth just yet) to it if you so desire.  If you have a Cauldron or a Thurible for a small and contained fire, then so be it, but if not, then use a candle instead.  For your offering, have a small bowl of milk and you can replace the millet cakes with cookies.  In the aspect of Earth Day, you may also wish to add to your offering, giving something to the furry or feathered creatures such as bird seed or corn or even donating pet food to your local shelter.  If performing this spell outdoors, take a few moments to “tidy up” the lawn, your personal environment.

At your altar, light the fire (or the candle) and say:

“I call to Pales, ancient guardian;

On this Earth Day for protection.

With Your sacred fire, I burn away the past.

Together we make magick with this spell I cast.”

Sit before your altar, close your eyes and firmly see in your mind what refuse from your life’s environment that you will dispose of.  Take mental note of what Spring Cleaning you need to do to make way for the positive changes coming your way.  The, because Nature abhors a vacuum, make a mental  “checklist” of new actions and habits you will employ form this day on to have a protected, prosperous life.  If you feel so inclined, take the time to meditate on this and ask your Totems or Guardian Angels for any wisdom they have to share with you.  When finished, open your eyes, place the offering of cookies and milk ion the altar and say:

“I start my life anew on this day of Spring.

In return I give to You these offerings.

For the good of all and with harm to none,

So say I, so shall this be done!”

Place the cookies and milk outside for the Faeries and animals of nature -overnight and dispose of the next morning.

Sources: Encyclopedia of the Gods by Michael Jordan

Pagan Book of Says by Nigel Pennick

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Articles

Aurora April, 2009

Work to ‘Bee’ Done Rite

This purpose of this solitary ritual is to help you focus on projects that you need to get done.

Supplies

Athame

Wand

1 white pillar candle & holder (universal energy candle)

2 white taper candles & holder (God and Goddess candles)

6 beeswax tea light candles

1 bee figure (statue, pendant, etc.)

1 9×12 inch wooden plaque & painting supplies

Picture of your favorite flower

6 strips of yellow construction paper & a pen

Clover stick incense

Yellow and/or black altar cloth

Small bowl of honey & spoon

Small plate of buttermilk biscuits, sliced in half

Chalice of mead

Offering bowl

Ziplock baggie

Preparation

Paint a light yellow hexagon, surrounded by a deeper yellow background with a black border, on a 9×12 inch wooden plaque. Find a picture of your favorite flower or draw/paint one in the middle of the hexagon.  Allow the wooden plaque to dry fully before you perform this ritual.

Bake six buttermilk biscuits on the same day that you will perform this ritual.

Altar Set-up

Place the hexagonal wooden plaque in the center of the altar. Place the 6 (unlit) beeswax tea lights around the outside of it, one at each side.

Rite

Sit down in a comfortable position and ground yourself in your traditional way.

When you are ready, stand up and cast a sacred circle using your athame.

Call forth the Elemental guardian winds at each of their quarters by drawing a hexagonal-shaped portal in the air deosil using your wand.

When you are ready, invoke the God and Goddess and welcome them to your circle.  Light the God and Goddess candles on your altar.

Light the center candle on your altar to represent the universal energy of magick, and say:

This rite has begun.

Holding the flower picture in front of you (or touching it, if you painted it on the plaque), repeat:

I am the flower, flourishing and full of promise.

The honeycomb is my life, my world.

I have a greater purpose, so I have work to be done.

Whether mundane or magickal, these are my tasks.

Take out the six strips of yellow paper and a pen. Write down the six most important tasks that you need to complete as soon as possible, one task on each piece of paper.

Sort the tasks in order of their importance with the most urgent on the top and then read them out loud, one by one.  After you read each task, fold the paper and slip it under one of the unlit tea light candles, starting at the top of the plaque and moving in a clockwise motion.

Hold both your hands, palms down, over the plaque, and say:

Great Goddess in the form of bee,

Your presence I carry within me.

Constant hum of work to be done,

My tasks, I have finally begun.

Pick up the figure of the bee and hold it forth, and repeat:

Honey Bee take flight,

Let me have the sight,

The strength and the will,

To make the buzzing still.

Place the figure of the bee in the middle of the plaque, on top of the flower picture/painting. Turn the bee figure, so it is facing the top side of the plaque, the location of which you placed your most urgent and important task.

Light the stick of clover incense and wave it over each of the unlit tea light candles, repeating:

Honey Bee to green clover,

Let this task soon be over.

Dip your finger into the small bowl of honey and rub a small amount of the honey onto your lips, then say:

Honey brings the truth to light,

My honeyed speech is true and right.

I vow to finish my tasks at hand,

As I will it, so is it planned.

Take one of the biscuits and use the spoon to drop some honey between the two pieces and then combine the pieces together again. Hold it in front of you and dedicate the offering to the God and Goddess. Break the whole biscuit in half and drop both halves into the offering bowl.

Hold the chalice of mead aloft and dedicate the libations to the God and Goddess. Pour a generous amount into the offering bowl.

Partake of a piece or two of biscuit (adding honey, if you like) and drink from the chalice of mead.

Take the remaining biscuits and break them apart, placing the pieces into the zip lock baggie.

Thank the God and Goddess and bid them farewell. Thank the Elemental guardian winds, and close their portals behind them by drawing the hexagon in the air widdershins with your wand. Open the magick circle. This rite is complete.

After the Rite Instructions

Toss the offering bowl contents outdoors for nature’s creatures to enjoy.

The bee figure should be facing (pointing) to the task that you are currently working on. Light the tea light candle each evening for a few minutes to remind you that you have work to be done.

When you complete the first task (the most urgent one), turn the bee figure clockwise to the next task to be done. Each time you complete one of the tasks, take a handful of the crushed biscuits and toss it outside for the birds to enjoy.

Continue the pattern until all tasks are complete. Consider holding another rite when all tasks are complete to thank the Goddess (in her bee form) for her aid.

Note: Picture seems to show the hexagon as white, but it is, in fact, a light shade of yellow.

Tags: magic, magick, rite, ritual, Spell

• Articles

Boudicca Andarta March, 2009

Idhunna’s Day: March 20

March 20th in the Norse Tradition is the day of the goddess Idhunna who is the personification of the light half of the year.  Also known as Idhunn, Iduna or Idun (Germanic), She is a Nordic-Icelandic goddess.  The consort of Bragi (the Poet God), she was widely worshiped during the Viking period (700 AD) and earlier until the Christianization around 1100 AD.  Some historians say that She is strongly connected to the Norse Tree of Life, the Axis Mundi, Yggdrasil.  On this day, She brings joy to humankind by appearing in the form of a sparrow.  Her name means “the Renewer” because she is a goddess of healing.    Associated with the Viking Runes Eihwaz and Gyfu (the gift), She bestows the gift of rejuvenation and holistic balance.

As the Keeper of the Golden Apples of Immortality, Idhunna is the bearer and guardian of the magickal fruit of Aesir (the principle group of gods of the Norse pantheon).  This is the fruit of life and eternal youth for the gods of Asgard, supplying them with immortality.  Because of this role, she is known as the “Goddess of Eternal Renewal” and the “Goddess of Youth”.  As you can imagine, Idhunna and her apples were in high demand.

Because these powers were coveted by the giants, Loki was blackmailed into abducting Idhunna, giving Her to the giant Thiassi (father of the goddess Skadi) as a form of payment for the construction of Odhinn’s Valhalla (the Hall of the Slain).  It tuned out that the Golden Apples were useless to the Giants because the power did not lie in the apples themselves, but in Idhunna; unless they were given directly from Her healing hands, they had no regenerating power.   Because it was Idhunna who helped sustain the life-force of divinity, after some time without the Golden Apples, the gods began to age.  Ironically, Loki was the one who rescued her and her apples and they were returned to the Aesir.

A sweet fruit of the soil, the apple is a long-time symbol of the wisdom of the Universe.  Representing our Earth, when cut sideways, the apple reveals the five-pointed star, symbolizing humankind and it’s ages, vitality, health, wisdom and more.  This life-sustaining fruit of heaven is guarded by Idhunna who maintains the vitality and health all of the Norse gods.  This is Her gift to them, and if you ask, this can be Her gift to you as well.

Ideally, perform this mini-ritual on March 20th, but you an always perform this on a Monday, which is Her day, if your schedule doesn’t work out.  This is designed to leave your old life behind, to renew with the Spring, and bring healing to your life.

Decorate your altar with the colors of silver and green (Her colors) and if you are in an area where there are apple blossoms on the trees, sprinkle a few of those on your altar as well.  In lieu of apples made form gold, purchase some Golden Delicious Apples from the grocery store.  You will also want to give her an offering of seeds; any will do, as these are a symbol of initiation as seeds contain the concentrated power of potential that is ready to burst into form.  Other supplies you will need will be a knife to cut the apple, a candle (silver or green would be perfect), a plate to cut the apple on and a bowl for the seeds.
To call to Idhunna, light the candle and say:

“Goddess Idhunna, Lady of Light,

At this time of growing bright;

Lady, visit me as the Sparrow,

May I start a new life on the morrow.”

With the knife, cut in the side of the apple the rune Gyfu, which you can easily make with an “X”.  Meditate upon what gifts you wish to receive form Idhunna, be they health, vitality, renewal, regeneration, or anything else that you desire.  Literally see these gifts coming to you and hold these thoughts firmly in your mind.

Cut the apple cross-ways exposing the Star of Wisdom inside and say:

“Ancient fruit of Universal wisdom,

Keeper of the Pentagram,

Growing on the Tree of Life

Renew me now and free me from strife.”

Take a bite or two of the apple and as you state the sweetness, take in the sweetness of your new life.  Literally “taste” the success and happiness that is coming your way.

Finally, place the seeds in the bowl and say:

“Idhunna, I Thank You for Your gift,

On the morrow, my life I uplift.

I put the past behind, I am healed and whole,

I have potential like the seeds in this bowl.

My life is mine, but with Your aid,

My garden is tilled by hoe and spade.

Thank You for Your vitality,

My thanks to You and Blessed Be.”

These are you offerings to Idhunna, and do take the time to care for them on a regular basis.  If you can, plant the seeds outdoors and care for them daily.  If your region has not yet thawed, then plant the seeds in a pot of earth and when able to, transplant the sprouts outside.

Make sure to place some of the apples outside for the animals and the nature spirits!

Sources:

Exploring the Northern Tradition by Galina Krasskova

Norse Magick by DJ Conway

Northern Magick by Edred Thorsen

Pagan Book of days by Nigel Pennick

Rites of Odin by Ed Fitch

Rune Mysteries by Silver Ravenwolf and Nigel Jackson

Tags: goddess, idhunna, norse, rite, ritual, Spell

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Onagh Hopke March, 2009

The over arching Theme of The Everyday Witch column, is “Foundations for Successful Witchcraft”. 

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

make up that foundation and at its core are considered  “The rudimentary knowledge one should have before committing oneself to the Craft”.   

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

provide The Everyday Witch with the tools to notice the” magic in the mundane” and to use that knowledge to conduct effective Spelling.   In order for us to make communicating with the Gods & Goddesses in our daily lives a natural occurrence, we must first experience the magic of

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

first hand.

We begin with Belief.  When a Witch possesses the Belief that s/he CAN practice effective Magic, then s/he WILL practice effective Magic.  Correspondence Witchcraft provides validation for the Witch with visual images.  The March Column continues our project from February, the tool to assist in visualizing

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

essential to the practice of Witchcraft and Magic.  As I stated in last month’s column, our project is timed to the moon and is designedso that is5 to be completed in time for Ostara 2009.

All the panels should be applied to the box/pages/etc by the first weekend of March

The full moon falls on March 10th, a Tuesday. March is the Wishing Moon, the best time for the dedication ritual, of your new magic tool.  Dedicating the box on the Wishing Moon will intensify your focus as you use the box. Remember, this ritual is not for a specific wish, but to channel the energy of the Wishing Moon, into the box and charge it with Full Moon energy.

The Spring Equinox or Ostara is a time for planting and seeding to prepare for the new growth in the coming year.  It is a time that is culturally rich with fables, myths, scripture and lore.  The Spring Equinox has been the bridge of Correspondence and the bedrock of the Eclectic Witchcraft movement in the modern age.  Because I practice Witchcraft as a Religion and Science, my beliefs center on worship of Deity.  Correspondence Witchcraft is classified as a Religion only when it incorporates God & Goddess worship during the execution of Ritual and Spell work.  Therefore, the practice of Correspondence Witchcraft is quite hands-on with focused engagement.  Like other American Religions, this path requires a commitment.

I turn now to the practice of our Craft, with the examination of our Ostara/Spring Equinox ritual, including magical spell working.  The ritual I have chosen to publish here with PaganPages.org is the culmination of over 9 years of practice.  The original baseline structure for the ritual is the result of Lady Sankofa’s work with Sankofa Pride 2000 through 2003.

If you are looking for inspiration for your project, here are some links, and videos:

Oberon Zell Magical Correspondence – youtube link

While Hekate & Hermes are play a significant role in the springtime lore of Persephone’s return to the Earth, these Gods of the Underworld are rarely celebrated as new Spring Love.

We are all familiar with the role of Hekate as Persephone’s guide in the Underworld.  Hekate uses her torch light to show Persephone the way out of the Underworld.  It is also Hekate, with the assistance of Hermes, negotiates the ransom of Persephone.  One can imagine the quick-witted and resourceful Hekate working out the deal between Demeter & Hades and Persephone & Hades.  We might even imagine Hekate, the Queen of the Witches, solving this dilemma on her own.

The celebration of Love & Courtship between Hekate & Hermes reminds us that through the Sacred Marriage are we able to accomplish anything we set our goals on.  Please check The Everyday Witch myspace and website for the completed Ostara Ritual.

Correspondence is the foundation, Spelling is the structure.

As promised, the Full Moon Ritual Structure and Spelling/Meditation Outline.

Most of you know that there are hundreds of books available on this subject.  My intention is not to reprint age old information, but to give you another perspective.  The idea is to focus on the intentions, thoughts, states of being, rather than the physical execution of the ritual and spell.

Your magic box/panels become the central focus of the stream of consciousness.  Pay attention to things happening in your life, images you see daily.  You want to take just a moment to think about which God & Goddess you want to work with for this Sabbat Ritual.  Obviously, this article will be using Hekate & Hermes.

The overarching structure of the ritual is as follows:

Set up altar, declare sacred space/altar devotion, and declare intentions

Cast circle try to use sage, holy (salt&rose) water and a bell – it’s formality.

Call Quarters

Invite God & Goddess

Meditation & Spell Work

Cakes & Ale (Communion, Bread & Wine)

Release God & Goddess

Release Quarters

Open Circle

The Altar and Sacred Space/Temple, should be set up to reflect Spring, and Romantic Love.  While both Hekate and Hermes have a dark and erotic side to their relationship, this celebration is about Love.  The colors of these two Gods is Gold, Yellow, Orange, Brown and Green and of course White.

Correspondence – Hermes:

Greek God of communication, Magic, Medicine, Merchants, Thieves and Liars.

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

: opal, fire-opal, agate, vervane, hermaphrodite, jackal, swallow, ibis, ape
Roman God Mercury.
Egyptian/Kemetic God Toth

Related to Dionysis, Zeus, and Hekate, but is connected to all of the Gods as the Divine Messenger.

Correspondence - Hekate:

Greek Goddess of the Crossroads, Queen of the Witches, Magic, Herbs, and Women.

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

: honey, dogs, black ewes

A Key, A Rope and A Dagger. With the Key to the underworld, Hecate unlocks the secrets of the occult mysteries and knowledge of afterlife. The Rope symbolizes the umbilical cord of rebirth and renewal and the Dagger or Athame is a symbol of ritual power.

Related to Persephone, Demeter as the Triple aspect, but is connected to all of the Gods.

It is important to consider how you will call your quarters.  I have chosen to invoke The Royal Stars of Persia for the Elemental Watchtowers.

Endowed with almost archangelic power, these legendary stars of antiquity are Aldebaron, Regulus, Antares and Fomalhaut, and in the epoch of 5,000 years ago they were considered to be guardians of the four corners of heaven and watchers of the directions, forming a heavenly cross near the ecliptic.

http://www.queenofcups.com/AR27article.htm

Aldebaran, King of the Vernal Equinox, the Eye of Taurus, Ruler of the Eastern Sky, Guardian of the Elements of Air.

Regulus, King of the Summer Solstice, the Heart of Leo, Ruler of the Southern Sky, Guardian of the Elements of Fire

Antares, Queen of the Autumn Equinox, the Scorpion’s Tail, Ruler of the Western Sky, Guardian of the Elements of Water.

Foralhaut, Queen of the Winter Solstice, the Heart of Pisces, Ruler of the Northern Sky, Guardian of the Elements of Earth.

Meditation & Spell Work

This is where the magic box comes in handy.  For the Magic, you need an egg, some marking pens and the magic box.

During the meditation portion of the ritual, you should play some light background music.  Take the egg and handle it gently.  Write on the egg all of the things you want to purge or cast out of your life.

Once you have written on the egg, sing your favorite chant, or recite the Witches Rune, to charge the egg.  Place it in your magic box.  It may stay in the box for up to one Mon Cycle.

At the next Full or Dark Moon (your choice), take the egg and find a crossroads far from your home.  Ideally you want a location that you do not frequent and in fact have no plan to ever visit again.  Walk to the center of the crossroads and smash the egg.  Walk away, do not look back and go on with your life as usual.  Within 30 days or one Moon Cycle you will begin to see change.

Remember to use keywords in your research for correspondences.  You can start with a Goddess, a color or a season and branch out from there.  The inter-relationships you choose for your ritual and spell work will provide the foundation for your magic.  Solitary practice can take longer, simply because you must conduct all the research yourself.  Group practice is easiest, as you have many hands to help in the crafting of the circle.
Resources:

The Everyday Witch – http://www.geocities.com/girleegeek/

The Everyday Witch at Myspace – http://www.myspace.com/theeverydaywitch

Correspondence table –

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

.htm">http://www.geocities.com/girleegeek/TheEveryDayWitch/Witchcraft_

Correspondences

• February Correspondences
• Imbolc Correspondences

.htm

To Ride a Silver Broomstick

To Stir a Magic Cauldron – Silver Ravenwolf

Moon Magik – DJ Conway

Tags: correspondence, meditation, rite, ritual, Spell

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