I love herbs, as most witches do.  They give so much and ask so little, and under the right circumstances, can these bad boys pack a wallop!  In this type of venue our readers can be beginners, or seasoned veterans so it’s a challenge to write something that will hopefully have something for everyone. There are different methods of working with herbs, but before you begin trying different uses I cannot emphasize safety enough!  If you don’t already have one, invest in a good herbal reference book.  There are 2 by Scott Cunningham, Magical Herbalism, and Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs.  The Rodale Illustrated Encyclopedia of herbs is a good…

I stand inside the emerald woods In the twilight of the day I breathe in the ancient smell of trees And watch the squirrels play As darkness comes and the woods grow quiet I reluctantly must go Then as I turn to make my way I see a form I know Tall and stately, broad of chest Ancient wisdom in his eyes He gazed at me  and then he said “You’re a child of the wise” An antler crown sat on his head And he was beautiful to see And as we stood together there, I felt him study me Then he said to me ” you love the earth,…

Greetings my beloved brother’s and sisters.  In the course of writing a solitary Lammas to share with you it became more and more clear, through my guides, as well as funny “coincidences” there are lots of Sabbat celebrations to be found but very few rituals to rid us of the useless baggage we carry.  So dear ones, rather than directions for a solitary Sabbat, which comes only once a year, I will instead share a ritual to shed those unwanted items every one of us carry one way or another. In the interest of honesty and fair play I’ll go first, guilt.  Not just you’re run of the mill ”…

Protection is something that I take seriously, you never know when someone will unleash their hefty bag of cosmic crap in your direction, so like a good pagan boy/girl scout, “Be Prepared.”  I have charged some object’s with the intent of a constant watchful guardian type of protection, specifically I love to use gargoyles or griffins.  I have been fortunate enough to find some very cool gargoyle’s at Dollar Tree, especially around Samhain, so I bring them home and use this to empower them for their important work: I charge these sentries made of stone Stand in silent guard over hearth and home Project from them protective light That is…

Whenever spell work is planned most of us try to begin with a ritual bath or shower, and in my mind the raising of energy can actually begin then.  That is what lead me to the making of ritual bath soaps that are charged at the time of their making.  In addition to charging these I use corresponding herbs, oils, and scents to help as many of the senses to be involved as possible.  I also like to add color, body glitter, anything that helps the user truly begin the process in the bath or shower. Melt and pour soap base is carried at all most all large craft stores…

While going through my teenage years I found myself in spiritual strife Which religion should I join and dedicate my life? First came the Baptist preacher who promised soulful rest Then shortly after stating this his hand was on my breast Then I went to a revival that promised “Welcome one and all” Then the threats began to change our ways or into the pit of hell we’d fall I wondered if I was Baptised would I find that divine peace But every church I asked for this needed what was damn near a lease Then one day through happenstance I read the Wiccan Rede Do what you will and…

I came across this project for a birdbath in a gardening magazine and loved it.  Most pagans I know consider their gardens as a kind of sacred space, and more ofter than not wildlife interaction is something that is almost spiritual in and of itself.  Attracting that wildlife to you garden space gives you far more enjoyment than the space alone. This is a slightly more detailed and complicated project than similar ones I have done in the past but it is very unique and well worth doing.  The directions and supplies needed are as follows: Materials 40 pound bag of concrete, 40 pound bag of sand, Roll of plastic…

When things are going well in life it seems somehow easier to forget the practice’s we follow.  For the past few year’s I have tried to be thankful on a daily basis and have used a ritual from The Craft Companion by Dorothy Morrison: Light a white candle and incense and say the following: I give you thanks for all you do For obstacles and smooth roads too For challenges that make me grow And all the pleasant things that show That you are looking aftr me I thank you Ancients Blessed Be! Then a few months ago I decided to write and implement my own Thanksgiving ritual also: Wise…

At this time of year with Earth Day having just passed, and Beltane being here our thoughts turn to our gardens and the Earth Mother.  In that spirit I would like to share this with all of you. The Great Sunflower project is an organization that I first heard about and began following 3 years ago.  Due to the colony collapse of the honey bee, and the resulting damage to crops from the loss of pollinators, this is a project that’s not only fun it serves an awesome purpose. For 2011 they have started the “Add a yard to your yard” campaign.  The way it works is you set aside…

Now begins the time of year that we start our gardens.  Before I start working a patch of ground I like to spend some time there and talk to the nature spirits.  I touch the earth and ask permission to use it: I seek to borrow this ground from thee My reasons why, you’ll shortly see I will use this place in honor true And when I’m done return it to you This is a sacred space and I’d like to stay And use it’s gifts then go away After I use this place you’ve agreed to lend We’ll all part as brand new friends. After asking permission I sit…