Let’s Spell it Out
Let’s Spell It Out
The Magic of Gift Giving
By Gail Wood
For pagans, The Wheel of the Year turns at Samhain and we move inward as we wait for the promise of Yule, its gift to us is the return of the light. Like so many other spiritual paths and religions, we are also beginning the time of celebrating gifts from our gods, whether it is the return of sunlight, the birth of a son, or the passing over of danger and injustice. We also seek to emulate the generosity of our gods in our own celebration of giving. Unfortunately gifts and gift giving also brings stress and worry. Worries about money, qualms about family dynamics, and worries about time and choosing the right gift all drain our enjoyment of this season.
The energy of the Universe is one of constant motion between the polarities; of giving and receiving, male and female; of dark and light and so forth. Never truly still, the Universe is constantly creating and expanding. As magical people, we can step into that energy and be a true part of the holiday giving and receiving. We flow into that power, use it, and, and contribute to the expansion. When we do that, the motion will help us lose the power worry and negative emotions have over us.
While this might seem a notion too big to harness, we can do so in many simple ways. Spells help practitioners move into the flow of energy and make changes in their lives and their attitudes.
What anxiety these simple shopping lists can evoke. Can I afford the gifts? Will he/she/they like the gift? Will I have the time to get everything done? Can I infuse the gifts with love, affection, or respect (can I overcome resentment, anger, despair where this person is concerned? and can I find what I want? All of these questions make even the making of a list a daunting task.
A Good and Affordable Shopping List Spell
You will need:
Paper
Pencil
Small eraser or part of an eraser
An empty coin purse or wallet
A dime, a dollar bill, and a penny
A clear crystal
A bell
Your athame and wand
Do this spell before you altar. If that is not possible, perform this spell at a table surrounded by the sacred objects you usually use. List all the recipients of your gifts along with what you plan to give. If you have a budget, write the number(s) at the bottom. Ring the bell to call the attention of the empowering spirits of air, fire, water, earth and the spirits. Chant this rhyme:
Here’s my list, my shopping list
Remind me soon of the ones I’ve missed.
Place the dollar bill on the paper with the crystal to amplify the magic.
Bless these items and all my money
So I can be generous, kind, and even funny.
Touch the paper with your wand to energize it.
Fold the dollar bill three times. Place it with the dime, the bit of eraser, and the penny in the coin purse. Fold the list and tuck it inside the list. The eraser is in case you need to change your list.
Close the purse and hold it up and say
Time enough to go out shopping
Success and love without stopping
Bless my gifts with my love.
As below, so above
As I will it, so mote it be!!!
And off you go. When the shopping is done, there is more to do including wrapping the gifts. Often a tedious chore, you can look at wrapping as a magical act infusing your gift with your loving energy. If you are wrapping, envision the gift as the person or your positive relationship and see the paper or bag as a shawl or envelope that keeps it all together. Tape can keep a connection between you and the other person, and a bow or other embellishment can be that extra pizzazz of fun every relationship needs! As you get it ready to go, whether you deliver it in person or through the mail, you can send it off with a chant:
The merry light of the season
Gives me the cheerful reason
To wish you love and happiness.
With this gift may you find the best
Of life and love, and joy.
From my heart I give freely
All the sweetness of this season.
Blessed be and so mote it be.
No matter what you might feel or long for, chanting these kinds of ditties can make the stress of family gatherings and holidays recede into the background. The only person you can truly change is yourself so let the delight of the charm be yours, regardless of what the recipient may feel or how they may act. If you know a gathering is going to be full of stress and undercurrents, be sure to ground yourself in the love of Mother Earth and surround yourself with the love of your gods. Find the good in a situation so that you may be blessed with the merriment of the season. May you find delight at each turning of the Wheel.