Boudicca Andarta January, 2010

Removing Obstacles with Ganesha

Ganesha is an Indian God with the body of a man and the head of an elephant. The God of wisdom and prudence, he is sometimes called Ganapati, Ganesa or Gajani and he is known as the God of Scribes and Merchants as well as the Lord of Obstacles.

For the purposes of January, we will use Ganesha to help us make wise decisions for the coming year (it is the time to make New Year’s Resolutions after all!) as well as to help to clear the obstacles that lie in the way of getting our goals accomplished.  But before we get to work, let’s take a longer look at Ganesha.

Ganesha has an interesting “parentage”.  I say this because Shiva is his father, but it seems that Shiva had no part in his creation.  Ganesha’s mother is Parvati and there are two legends that explain how she brought him to life.  One is where she used flakes of her skin and the other is where she formed Ganesha form her sweat mixed with dust.  Although now he is depicted with an elephant’s head, this was not how Parvati originally created him.

Ganesha is the only Indian god with an elephant’s head and the story behind this is an interesting one.  Or should I say “three” as there are three legends as to how Ganesha’s head was replaced by that of an elephant’s.  Sometimes he is depicted as having up to five elephant heads, but this is usually not the case.  Ganesha rides a rat and he also has one trunk and four arms holding a shell, a mace, a discuss and a water-lily.  But back to how he got his head…

Both of these legends basically start out the same.  Parvati, Ganesha’s mother, appointed him to be the guardian of the gate to her abode, most notably when she was taking a bath.  Like a good son, Ganesha took his job very seriously and when Parvati said she wanted to see no one,  he turned everyone away, including his father Shiva.  As you can imagine, Shiva didn’t want to be told “no” by his son, but Ganesha flatly refused.  Now, here is where the story starts to waver.  Shiva either lost his temper and accidentally decapitated him, or, he lost his temper and he ordered the decapitation himself.  Regardless as to which version of the story you hear, Parvati was furious by what Shiva did to her son/servant.  In one story, Parvati told Shiva that she wanted nothing to do with him until the situation was rectified, and in the other version, she took actions into her own hands.  In the fist version, Shiva relented to his wife and he said that Ganesha could have the head of the first animal to pass by, which happened to be an elephant.  In the second version, Parvati was the one to secured the head form the first passing creature.  Either way, Ganesha ended up with an elephant’s head.  In the third account, after creating him, Parvati took Ganesha to the other gods to show him off.  Sani (Saturn), didn’t seem to be impressed and burned his head to ashes and it was the compassionate Vishnu that saved him by providing the elephant’s head.  Maybe this is how Ganesha came to be known as the god to call upon when needing to overcome obstacles.

Beloved by the Hindu people, Ganesha is the benign deity to invoke to overcome your difficulties, before going on a journey, moving into new house or starting a new business.  You can see how he can be a great ally when starting new beginnings, especially at the New-Year.  But don’t feel as though you can only call upon him at this time as Ganesha is also the god of wisdom, art, guarding households and fertility (he may have originated as the local forest deity which is a “yaksa”).  Representing both force and cunning; Ganesha rules over good luck, successful enterprises, worldly success and prosperity, writing, literature and books, beginnings and journeys, peace, building and taming dangerous forces.

In India, there are little statues of Ganesha everywhere as he remains one of the most popular Hindu deities.  You can see how popular he is due to his frequent appearances in other deity’s temples.  Sometimes his sculptures are painted red but his offerings are always flowers and dishes of rice.  When worshipped during his August festival, it is said that your wishes will come true.

You to can tap into his wisdom and compassion to set your New Year’s intentions off to the right start.  To get started, you can set up your altar with Sandalwood incense, a bouquet of fresh flowers, a red candle, a bowl of rice and a statue or picture of Ganesha (you can substitute a picture of an elephant if you are lacking a picture of Ganesha).  You will also need a pen and a piece of paper to make out your “wish list” for the coming year.  You can choose to either create Sacred Space or cast a Magick Circle in the manner or your tradition, whichever works better for you.

Place the statute/picture of Ganesha upon your altar and say:

“Ganesha, both man and elephant,

God of scribes and merchants;

Tonight I call upon your prudence

So I start my year with success.”

Now place the offerings of rice flowers before the picture/statue and say:

“Tonight I make a list of goals,

And I ask you to remove all obstacles;

Please grant me financial fertility,

So I know prosperity.”

Light the incense and the red candle and say:

“Lord of Obstacles, share your wisdom

So I can make wise decisions.

As my prayers rise, please light my way

As I step onto this journey.”

Now for the work on your part.  Get out the pen and paper and if you haven’t already prepared a list, brainstorm now as to what you want to bring into your life this coming year.  Also make sure to list what things are obstacles to reaching your goals, especially the things that you will do to sabotage your own success.  Ask yourself what needs to be guarded, where you need to apply force, which situations require cunning, where you can start new beginnings and what areas of your life need more peace.  Make a plan as to how to “stay on track” throughout the year to ensure your prosperity and happiness.

To close your spell, in your own words ask Ganesha to stay with you on your journey and then thank him for his help.  If possible, let the candle burn out and then bury the leaving on your property.  Dispose of the rice in the morning (after the essence has been removed).  Replace the flowers when needed and whenever you feel the need, light another stuck of incense and ask Ganesha for an extra “boost” of wisdom when things get “sticky”.

SOURCES:

• Encyclopedia of the Gods by Michael Jordan
• Moon Magick: Myth & Magic, &

• Recipes

  • HearthBeats: Recipes from a Kitchen Witch
, Rituals & Spells by D.J. Conway

Tags: ganesh, magic, magick, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

John Conlin January, 2010

Embracing the Wolf Moon

For me, every full Moon represents an opportunity to peer into an aspect of nature and try to find the spiritual relevance for the path I seek to walk.  There are many names given to the full Moons of each month and I believe that each of us must decide which best fits the place we live. In doing so, remember to acknowledge the memories of the past, while maintaining an awareness of the present and casting an eye toward the future. This month, January, I am going to share how I celebrate and understand the Wolf Moon, through my ritual.

I set my altar basically the same for each full moon. I use three candles to form a triangle. There is one to honor the Goddess, one for the God and the third candle to signify the energies joining to create a full moon. Along with the objects I’ve chosen to represent the elements, I will place a few items, small statues and photographs that visually remind the Circle of the wolf. In addition, I include an incense of pine or cedar, something that is able to conjure the deep dark of a forest, an anointing oil of similar design and an ambient music source that contains wolf sounds. If you are unable to find oil you like, try using a small branch from a conifer.  I find that when you include items that pull the senses more deeply into the ritual, the mind more easily follows and stands open within the sacred space. There are many gods and goddesses who are connected with wolves among the different pantheons, too many to mention here, so I suggest that each person does a little research to discover the deities who best relate to their own individual path.  The rituals I lead always begin with a breathing exercise with everyone standing around the altar. Once we have all relaxed and stepped away from the mundane, I start the circle cast. Most reading this probably have a circle cast, so I will not go into detail about the cast that I use. However if there is any interest in learning another one or any questions regarding casting circle, perhaps I can address this in a future column. This is a good place I think, for me to say how honored I feel to be asked to share how I experience this world and to share a little about myself. I am blessed to live in a place, with my wife and our two wolf dogs, where the Earth still sings loud and clear. Here in the forest, I am allowed to witness the cycles of nature. It is a place where salmon come to create anew and are granted release from their long promise. It is a place where a raging river reminds me that change is the only constant, while ancient trees stand patient and wise. Most important though, it is a place that whispers to the spirit, of the magick that exists in just a single breath of fresh air.

Once the Circle is cast, the space is cleansed, purified and sealed, the calls to the Watchers of the Quarters are made. The female and male leading the ritual then call to the Goddess and to the God and in turn light the appropriate candle. Together they hold a large wooden match, igniting it within the God’s flame while saying,” the God shines his light”. Then while moving the lit match into the Goddesses’ flame they say,” the Goddess captures and enchants the light”. Finally they light the full Moon candle saying,” and this night, bathes the world in her light and love”.  When this is completed and the altar is aglow it is time to speak of the meaning and the direction for the ritual. I feel it is important to give those in the Circle a basic framework so they can be at ease with me leading them into a meditative state. For this moon I let them know that we will be thinking about the significance the energies and spirit of the wolf may hold for each of us. Next I will light the incense and begin passing the wolf photographs around the Circle. As everyone is looking at the pictures and connecting in some way to the wolf, I make my way around the Circle to anoint their foreheads and say, ”I connect you to the Earth”. Once anointed each person takes a comfortable seat, within the Circle, closes their eyes and listens. The music begins, a lone wolf howls and I remember when,….

in the midst of a cold winter’s night we huddled together in fear of the wolf. He was a hunter, a walker of shadow, silent and ghostly he would come. Out of the darkness, from where the forest held its secrets and I dared not venture, the wolf crossed into my world.  I sat by the fire, fighting the sleep that called to me tirelessly and felt my heart beat ever faster as the howls grew closer.

Now I have taken much of the land for myself and seemingly conquered the night. I am safe, warm, dry and fed, yet I feel that there is something missing. It is not a thing I have forgotten to gather, but instead something I have lost. Perhaps my quest for dominance has quelled too much, the mysteries of life and I have allowed complacency to overshadow ancient fears that once raced my blood.

I have come full circle and now, as I peer into nature, I can realize what the wolf was always willing to teach me. To embrace the dark of night in the same way I do the light of day, to step away from the fire’s light and trust my eyes to see within the shadows and to remember that I am still a part of the wolf’s world. There is a haunting honesty I can hear in their calls, a cry out to remember that we feel something more, something that we need, to feed our spirit.

After I share these thoughts with out loud with the Circle, I tell everyone to continue with their own journey and I let the music finish. When it is done I give them a few minutes of quiet before gently bringing everyone back to the Circle. We share cakes and ale in some form, honor the Goddess and the God, release the Watchers, then begin to close our Circle. Once the Circle is been opened, we go outside to make an offering and give back some of our energies to the Earth.

Goddess of all that is, within and beyond all that I comprehend,

Maiden of magick, Mother and Crone of Earth and Moon,

I stand beneath you and I am complete,

a precious moment in between.

When I am more than just a man (or woman)

and nothing less than what I dream.

A glimpse of that which always holds true,

of the life that flows through me from you.

Tags: magic, magick, moon, rite, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Mama Donna Henes January, 2010

Are you cyclically confused? In a ceremonial quandary? Completely clueless? Wonder no more.

Ask Your Mama™

The What, When, Where, Why, How, and Who of

Ceremony & Spirituality

by

©Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman

A Question of Spell Casting

Dear Mama Donna,

This has been a nightmare year for me. One terrible thing after another has been happening. My whacko neighbor keeps hinting that she has put a spell on me. Things have been so incredibly horrendous that I am beginning to believe her. I am totally spooked. Can you put the spell back onto her?

-Helpless in Brooklyn

Dear (Not-So) Helpless,

No, no, a thousand times no!

Your question is one that I receive fairly often, and the answer is always, “Absolutely Not.” Ritual magic is not meant to manipulate others, but to tranceform one’s self. We all need to assume personal response-ability for our own thoughts and actions, our point of view, our path.

There is plenty that you can do for yourself to alleviate, mitigate, make sense of, and maybe even completely alter your current situation — from the inside out. And I would be glad to work with you to that end.

We could purify you from the all the pain and disappointments you have been suffering. We could cleanse you of your paranoia and sense of persecution and defeat. We could begin to repair and enrich your sense of center, of confidence, esteem, and autonomy. We could ceremonially re-claim the sovereign power over yourself that you have given away to this person.

We could work to exercise your will — the will to will your will — to maintain a positive and self-nurturing mode of living. We could create affirmations, blessings, amulets, altars, prayers, protections, and ceremonies for you so that you feel completely safe and free from negative influences — especially your own. We could find creative ways to identify, focus, dedicate, manifest, and project your desire and hopeful intentions for meaningful change.

But we cannot work on your neighbor, or anyone else, without her awareness and permission. We cannot, without consequence, interfere with someone else’s fate. If it gives you any comfort, remember that all things that go around, have a tendency to ultimately come around — all in the course of the cycles and without any interfering help from us!

If she is indeed sending you hateful energy, that is on her, as they say. What you need to deal with is: What is on you?? If, after consideration, you truly want to cast a spell on someone, there are individual (not necessarily representative) unscrupulous practitioners* of every stripe and persuasion who will perform any spell you want for as much money as they can squeeze from your desperation. But then, that is on you.

You mention feeling helpless. We are all helpless to a certain degree in this life. Things happen. Shit happens. Bad things happen to good people every second of every day. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to rise to whatever the occasion in the finest way that we can. To adapt. To expand. To evolve. To grow. To know. To thrive. Cause and effect, guilt and blame are completely beside the spiritual point.

We can choose to accept adversity as a life lesson — not a punishment, mind you — but as an instructor. A very scary, mean one whom we will never forget. A strict disciplinarian with a sick sense of humor and a wooden ruler. The hardest of times teach us the most about our essential selves; and if all those old wives are right, what doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger. Who ever said it was going to be easy, anyway?

The ability of making the best of things is probably our most noble and powerfully human attribute. When life serves us lemons, we can, like Dolly Parton, make lemonade. Or lemon meringue pie. Or lemon furniture polish. Or we can paint lemons, or compose lemon odes, raps, sonatas, arias. Sing the sad songs of lemons. Meditate on lemons, keep a lemon journal, or take a lemon bath.

We can work on developing the trust that everything that happens, happens for the ultimate good. Karma, Fate, Tao, Dharma, synchronicity, serendipity, don’t march in a straight line. The patterns of connection aren’t necessarily clear or obvious or immediate. But in this complex web of a universe of ours, one thing ultimately does lead to another, and it is at our discretion what to do when it does.

Yours for every positive possibility,

Mama Donna

* Certainly most practitioners are well intentioned and completely ethical. But there are always exceptions. As always, use your judgment and trust your instincts.

**Send your questions about seasons, cycles, celebrations, ceremonies and spirit to Mama Donna at: CityShaman@aol.com

Tags: casting, magic, magick, Spell

• Articles

Aurora December, 2009

Making Positive Changes with Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom

December 16^th is set aside on the Greco-Roman calendar for the goddesses Sophia and Sapientia.  You may notice the word “sapiens” in the name Sapientia, as this is the Roman Latin word for “wisdom”.  This is why we humans are called “Homo Sapiens”.

But the Romans “stole” this goddess from the Greeks, and to them she was called Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom.  This Greek principle was actually adopted by the Gnostic Christians and she was the primordial female force in the cosmos.  She was sometimes called Pistis Sophia because Sophia descended from the “goddess” Pistis (which means “faith”) who was one of the rulers before the cosmos was even created.  Because of her Christian “roots”, Sophia was widely worshipped during this time of early Christian influence.

According to the Gnostic Christian writers of the time, who were a blend of Judaic, ancient near-Eastern and Greek philosophies, Sophia is described as a primeval element of light.  She as Pistis was one of the Archons (“rulers”), the primordial celestial deities of the universe and the creators of mankind.  In the war between light and dark, Pistis Sophia was the challenger to the primordial “shadow” that became chaos.  She also acts as a mediator between the immortal Archons and humans, or “Homo Sapiens”.

THE SPELL

This is the time of year when we look forward to the Mid-Winter Solstice.  Even though it is the shortest day and longest night, we know that every day after will bring more and more light as we approach the warmth of Spring.  One week after the Mid-Winter Solstice we plan to celebrate the time of Janus, where the month of January gets its name, the time of looking ahead and making resolutions and looking back and analyzing what lessons we have learned over the past year.

You can use the power of Sophia to bring back the light in your life, to make wise decisions and to set goals for the coming year.  For this spell, you only need a candle (color of your choice, white is ideal), a pen, a piece of paper, a calendar and your will to take control of your future.

Gather these items and call to Sophia:

“At this time of the waning light,

Awaiting the rebirth of the sun;

I call to the primeval element of light,

Pistis Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom.”

Light the candle and say:

“I light this candle in honor of You,

To attune with your brilliance.

In this coming year of new,

Please guide my pans with intelligence.”

Now get out your pen and paper.

Look over the past year and ask yourself what lessons you learned (“mistakes” are learning experiences after all!) and what changes you need to make so that the coming year runs more smoothly.  Brainstorm and make a list of goals that you would like to achieve for yourself.  Next, figure out what you need to do to accomplish those goals.  Now, put these items in order of importance.  Spread them out over the span of the entire year if you need to.  Don’t try to makeover your entire life in a couple of weeks.  Be honest with yourself and take baby steps if you have a lot to get done.  “One thing at a time” as they say.

Then, get out your calendar for next year.  Write in brightly colored marker when you will tackle each thing on your list.  When working on things that you wish to attract to you, place these things on the parts of the calendar where the moon is waxing.  Conversely, when working on things to rid from your life, place these “to-do’s” at the time of the Waning Moon.  It’s also a good idea to not make any plans during the time of Mercury Retrograde or when the moon is Void-of-Course as you may get frustrated because these plans will likely not get off the ground.  Again, spread your work out and allow yourself plenty of time to get it all done.  Slow and steady is just fine.

Whew!  That was a lot of work, but, you didn’t do it alone, you had the help of a goddess.  Make sure to giver Sophia your thanks.

“Pistis Sophia, my thanks to You,

For guiding this work I do.

For the good of all and harm to none,

So say I, so shall it be done!”

The next step is to tap into the faith aspect of Pistis Sophia.  You have to have faith in yourself that you will make these positive changes.  Keep in mind that others may not have the same faith in you as you have in yourself, so you may want to keep this your little secret.  Their negative “jabs” may just get you to quit, so don’t give them the opportunity!  Just keep plugging away, and you’ll get your “to-do” list crossed off in no time.  If you feel like something on your list is too tough, simply light a candle and call to Sophia to help you puzzle it out.  Also, to keep the faith, support your physical actions with visualization ad affirmations.  If things don’t play out as you have planned, that’s OK, just reformulate your plan and keep at it.  Don’t ever give up on yourself!

Sources:

Yule:  A Celebration of Light and Warmth by Dorothy Morrison

Encyclopedia of the Gods by Michael Jordan

Tags: magic, magick, sophia, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Aurora November, 2009

Tags: magic, magick, ritual, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Boudicca Andarta November, 2009

Financial Abundance with the Help of Mawu

Mawu, pronounced MAH-woo and sometimes alternatively spelled Mahu, is a West African Mother Earth creator goddess associated with both the sun and moon.  Sometimes she is seem as a moon goddess, the twin sister-wife of the sun god Liza (alternatively spelled Lisa), but sometimes “she” is seen as one androgynous or hermaphroditic deity, Mawu-Lisa.  When seen as two separate deities, Mawu and Liza are the children of Nana Buluku and the parents of Xevioso.

Mawu is said to have created all life on earth with her husband Liza, but after doing so, she worried that it might be too heavy, and so she asked for help from the serpent Aido Hwedo.  Another androgynous being, it curled up beneath the earth and pushed it up into the sky.  She also requested aid in creating more animals out of clay, so she asked the monkey Awe, who turned out to be arrogant and challenged Mawu and tried to show that he, too could give life.  When Gbadu, the first woman that Mawu had created saw all the chaos that had ensued, she called out to the children of the earth to remind them that it is only Mawu that can give the gift of Sekpoli, the breath of life.  To drive this point home, Mawu gave Awe a bowl of porridge that contained the seed of death; the she and no other is the giver and taker of life.

As Mawu is no stranger in asking for help, you can call upon her to learn how to live in harmony.  In these financially traumatic times, she ensures that our needs are abundantly met without causing any harm to our planet.

The Spell:

This spell is designed to be so simple that you can perform it anywhere or at any time. If you have the option of waiting to time your spell work, then perform this under the light of the Full Moon.

The only supply that you need is your need; your need to have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, food in your stomach, reliable transportation, etc.  You have the option of casting a circle and performing a full ritual, or you can simply gather your bills and ask for Mawu’s help in keeping your checkbook in the black and out of the red.

It wouldn’t hurt to light a candle or a stick of incense and to give an offering from your heart to Mawu (such as flowers or cowrie shells).

When you feel that you have everything ready for your particular situation, say:

“Mawu, goddess of earth, sun and moon,

I ask that you grant to me this boon.

Mawu, Mother Goddess, creatrix of life,

I call to you to help end my strife.

Please, let us work in harmony,

And all my needs be met abundantly.

For the good of all and to the harm of none,

So say I, so shall it be done.”

Source: Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards Guidebook by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.

Tags: financial abundance, magic, magick, mawu, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Boudicca Andarta October, 2009

Halloween Black Cat Magick: calling upon the Egyptian Bast

We know the day as Samhain, but the non-magickal call it Halloween.  And what is Halloween without the iconic black cat; fluffy tail, arched back and seated on the back of a witches’ broom.  Besides being associated with Witches, how did the infamous black cat get to be the unofficial ambassador for the holiday?  Well, many goddesses have had feline companions of one sort or another including the Norse Freya and the Greco-Roman artemis-Diana but the goddess that is possibly best known as a cat is the Egyptian Bast.

Bast, or Bastet, wasn’t always as we know her today, she started out as Sekhmet.  Over time, Sekhmet transformed herself to meet the needs of the people and became two separate divinities, one the fierce Sekhmet who was called upon for protection, and the other was the gentle Bastet who was called upon for personal assistance in matters of conception.  In either form, Bast was the daughter of the sun-god Re (sometimes said to be the eldest daughter of Amun), but in the guise of Sekhmet, she was the “rage in his eye” and acted as the instrument of his vengeance.  The Egyptian Trinity was Sekhmet-Bast-Re and Bast was honored and venerated during special holidays through the imbibing of wine, beer and sometimes grape-juice.

During the worship of Bast and Sekhmet, the cat became a symbol of the goddess energy.  Cats were venerated for two-thousand years and the earliest known portrait of Bast dates back to 3000 BC.  Initially, she was portrayed as a lioness (Sekhmet), but from 1000 BC onward she took the form of a cat (Bast’s son Mihos has the head of a lion, so perhaps he has more of Sekhmet’s traits than those of his mother).  Bast is the more peaceable and benign form of Sekhmet and has both lunar and solar energies.  Bast is usually pictured as a woman with a cat’s head but sometimes with a lion’s head (Sekhmet) and has nurturing, motherly qualities.

As the benevolent form of Sekhmet, Bast is associated with domesticity, fertility, pleasure, healing and protection.  Her symbols are the sistrum, basket and the alabaster jar.  During her worship, her cult center was at Bubastis.  The cat was considered sacred and there were cat cemeteries full of mummified animals.  During the Helenic period, she was synchronized with artemis and took the more Sekhmet form of Pakhet (“she who tears”).

THE SPELL:

This is a very simple spell where you will ask for Bast’s help in a personal situation.  Perhaps you are looking to conceive a child or need healing.  Or, you could call upon Bast to quell your “bad side” (Sekhmet), and request help with your temper.  And, either version of the goddess (the benevolent Bast or the vengeful Sekhmet) could use their claws to protect your or your loved ones (cubs).  Whatever you feel you need help with, you will simply speak from your heart to the Goddess.

Supplies: most likely you don’t have an alabaster jar lying about, and you may not have a Bast statuette, so you can use a simple basket to represent Bast.  For an offering to her, you can choose between beer, wine or even grape-juice.

Begin by either creating sacred space or casting a circle in the manner of yoru tradition.

Open up the spell by calling to Bast:

“On this day of the Celtic Samhain,

I call upon the Egyptian Lion;

The Trinity: Sekhmet-Bast-Re,

Please bless me on this day.”

Place the basket on your altar after saying:

“Sacred Black Cat of Halloween,

Traveling worlds seen and unseen;

I honor this day the Egyptian Bastet,

Symbolized here by this basket.”

Hold up your offering of wine/beer/juice and say:

“By the magick of your lives of nine,

I give to you this offering of wine.”

Place the wine either in the basket itself or directly in front of it and say:

“I give to you this libation,

in exchange for aid in my situation.”

Speak to Bast in your own words as to what in your life needs to be rectified.  Let it all out and cry if you need to.   You should meditate to try to get an answer, so perhaps you would like to have a pen and paper nearby in case you get some immediate guidance from Bast.  When finished, express your gratitude to Bast by saying:

“My thanks to you, black cat goddess,

Egyptian queen in a lion’s dress.

I wish a happy Celtic New Year to you.

Please guide me in the work I do.”

Be sure to leave the offering overnight and then dispose of the remainder in the morning!

SOURCES:

Egyptian Paganism for Beginners by Jocelyn Almond & Keith Seddon

Encyclopedia of the Gods by Michael Jordan

Halloween by Silver RavenWolf

Offering to Isis: Knowing the Goddess Through Her Sacred Symbols by M. Isidora Forrest

Tags: black cat, halloween, samhain, 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

Boudicca Andarta September, 2009

Balance Through the Sacred Apple

One of the fruits most associated with the Autumnal Equinox is the apple.  You can use it as an altar decoration or as part of your Sabbat feast.  This versatile yet average-every-day-fruit has some very ancient magickal roots.

The Apple Tree is associated with the goddess, most specifically Ishtar, Aphrodite (Venus), Hera, Athena, Freya, Cerridwen, Pamona and Idunna.  The Greek Pamona and the Norse Idunna are perhaps the best known for their sacred, magickal apples.  Pamona was considered both a Hamadryad (a wood nymph) as well as a goddess while Idunna was a maiden goddess of the earth.  Pamona as the goddess of the apple tree tended a sacred grove of them while Idunna was in charge of the Golden Apples that maintained the immortality of the Norse pantheon.  Due to its magickal correspondences, the apple is also associated with Venus (Aphrodite) as it is a fruit of the element of water and when sliced cross-wise, it reveals to you the pentagram or the Star of Knowledge, the same shape that the planet Venus makes as it travels through the skies.

The pentagram that resides within the apple is called the Star of Knowledge is because according to Druidic lore, the apple tree is the keeper of all knowledge, and since ancient times, the apple has been a symbol of love, fertility, magick and wisdom.  These markings also represent the womb of the Mother Earth Goddess, from whom we come from and to whom we must return.

It is also a Faery Tree, so make sure to plant one in your yard as an invitation to them.  When picking apples for the Autumnal Harvest, make sure to leave a few hanging on the tree to show respect to the Faeries, the spirit of the tree as well as the Mother Earth Goddess.

THE SPELL

This is a very simple spell; you only need an apple (Golden is preferred, but not required) and a knife to cut it.  Make sure to wash your apple before using it magickally!

Either create sacred space or cast a magick circle in the tradition or style of your choice.

Standing at your altar, hold the apple up to the Gods and say:

“Fruit of the Faery Tree;

Keeper of the sacred pentagram.”

Cut the apple cross-ways to expose the Star of Knowledge and then say:

“Fruit of the Tree of the Goddess;

Containing wisdom ancient and old.”

Take a bite of the apple slice, making sure to notice its watery goodness and taking in the sustenance.  Say:

“I take Your wisdom within me,

I am balanced in every way.”

Close your eyes and meditate as to how to be bettered balanced in all aspects of your life. Contemplate as to how to give equal time to the different hats that you wear In both your mundane and spiritual life.  Ask Pamnona, Idunna and Venus to share Their wisdom with you.  When done, say:

“My thanks to the apple Goddess,

So say I, so shall it be done.”

Place the remaining apples outside as an offering to the Faeries!

SOURCE: Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon by Ellen Dugan

Tags: apple, autumn, ellen dugan, equinox, mabon, Spell

• Spells & Rituals

Boudicca Andarta August, 2009

Odin’s Ordeal

Odin, like the Greek Zeus, is the principle deity of the Norse pantheon.  Spelled Odin, Odinn, Odhin, Othin or Odhinn; his name is derived from Old Norse meaning “wind” and “spirit”.  One of his nicknames is “Thundur” which means “one who thunders” or “the stretched one”.  Odin received this title after what we now call “Odin’s Ordeal” where, according to the Edda, he hung himself from the Tree of the World for nine days and nights.

The World Tree, also called Yggdrasil, is where Odin sacrificed himself in an initiatory manner to gain the knowledge of the Runes.  For nine long days and nights, hungry, thirsty and in tremendous pain, he stared into the abyss after piercing himself with his own lance and sacrificing one of his own eyes.

The number nine is considered the most sacred in the Norse concept of numerology.  Odin’s nine nights hanging from the World Tree also coincides with the nine nights it takes the human soul to travel to the Underworld.  The Celts, who found the number three to be significant, felt that the power of three times three to be the most powerful as it multiplies to the sum of nine.  Just like Odin did when he sacrificed himself, the Norse saw how the number nine always “gives itself to itself”.  Take a look:

1 X 9 = 9

2 X 9 = 18 and 1 + 8 = 9

3 X 9 = 27 and 2 + 7 = 9

4 X 9 = 36 and 3 + 6 = 9

5 X 9 = 45 and 4 + 5 = 9

6 X 9 = 54 and 5 + 4 = 9

7 X 9 = 63 and 6 + 3 = 9

8 X 9 = 72 and 7 + 2 = 9

9 X 9 = 81 and 8 + 1 = 9

Odin’s passion for the knowledge of the Runes is what led himself to self-sacrifice and therefore brought the Runes to mankind.  This sacred event is commemorated from August 17th, the first day hanging from Yggdrasil, to August 25th, when Odin spied the Runes and with the last of his energy, fell from the World Tree screaming and seized them.

The Spell

This spell is designed to be as simple as possible.  You won’t need to make a run to the New Age Store for supplies, but you will need a few things:

Supplies:

* Something to work your spell for.  Pick something that you need or want or desire.  Perhaps you need a new job or a promotion at your current place of employment.  Maybe you need a new car or to be able to fix the vehicle that you already have.  Whatever it is that you need, you will be working towards it for nine nights in a row.  The happy new is that you will not have to go through the same ordeal that Odin experienced!
* 9 candles; color and size of your choice (you might want to try tea-lights as they are inexpensive and do not burn very long so you don’t have to worry about leaving them unattended or relighting them)
* Peace, quiet and time (you will need time each night to meditate undisturbed).  Also, try to perform this spell and meditate at the same time each night for maximum results.

On August 17th, light the first candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 1, on this night my spell’s begun.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the things that you need to start to change to meet your goal.  If you need to, keep a notebook next to you to jot down any ideas that pop up.

On August 18th light the second candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 2, on this night I change my view.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on how you can re-program your thought processes to bring about the change that you desire.  What have you been doing that has impeded your won growth?  What can you do to get out of your won way?  Again, have a pen and notebook handy just in case you need to make yourself a spiritual “to do” list.

On August 19th light the third candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 3, one this night I am set free.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on how you are throwing away all of your old concepts and you are opening yourself to the positive changes to come.

On August 20th light the fourth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 4, one this night I open the door.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the fact that you have closed one door and you are ready to open a new one.  Open the door, and learn what is on the other side that will aid you in your spell-working.

On August 21st light the fifth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 5, on this night I come alive.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on how you are like a seed that has grown into a plant that is now blossoming and will bear fruit.  Water yourself…give yourself fertilizer…feel the warmth of the life-giving sun…and watch yourself grow!

On August 22nd light the sixth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 6, I stay vigil for mental tricks.”

Take nine deep breaths and mediate on how you may sabotage yourself.  We all hate change, and sometimes we can set bear-traps to step into to impede our own progress.  Find ways to keep yourself on track in spite of any roadblocks that may come your way.

On August 23rd light the seventh candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 7, I call in the power of Earth and Heaven.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the power of Mother Earth and Father Sky.  Ask Them for Their help.  Ask Them for their wisdom and guidance.  You are Their child and They want to help you.  However you see Them, have a “family meeting” as to how you can obtain your goal.

On August 24th light the eighth candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 8, I call in the power of the ladies of Fate.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the Norns, the three women that tend to Yggdrasil; who represent the past, present and future.  Or, you could tap into the Fates, their Greek counterparts.  Either will work.  Chat with them about what in your past has lead to where you are today.  Ask them what you are doing today that will lead you to tomorrow.  Finally, ask them what you can do tomorrow that will bring about your desire in the future.

On August 25th light the last candle and say nine times:

“By the power of 9 times 9, what I’ve worked for is now mine.”

Take nine deep breaths and meditate on the final outcome of your desire; what you’ve been working towards for the last eight nights.  Set a date; make a deadline if you can.  If you need to, use a calendar and a fire-engine red marker and make a big circle.   See the image firmly in your mind.  See how your life will change for the better after you have obtained your goal; how will it affect your environment?, your friends and family? or your day-to-day life?  Take the time to set these images in your mind like cement or concrete.

Finally, say your thanks nine times to the Universe and go about making things happen!

Sources:

* Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum
* Lammas: Celebrating the Fruits of the First Harvest by Anna Franklin and Paul Mason
* Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism by Edred Thorsson
* Pagan Book of Days by Nigel Jackson
* Rune Mysteries by Silver RavenWolf and Nigel Jackson

Tags: magic, magick, odin, Spell, zeus

• Spells & Rituals