• Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Herb Wreath   Merry meet! This issue’s WitchCrafting column offers an idea for a Lughnasadh project. By the first harvest festival, most herbs are abundant. Gathering them to make a wreath is one way to preserve them, letting them dry to decorate your kitchen and flavor your food. For this project, I bought a round wire form at the Dollar Tree, and used florist tape and green plant twist ties I already had. Sage, mint, chives, and oregano were harvested from my sister’s garden. Because it’s still May in New England, I purchased additional herbs from the grocery store: rosemary, thyme, and dill. Use the botanicals available to you, giving…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    A Wheel of the Year     Merry meet. Samhain and the end of the pagan year is a good time to create a Solar Wheel using Indian corn, a common seasonal decoration. Gather eight ears of corn that are the same length and have husks. To represent the quarters, pick four that are similar in color, and select another color for the cross-quarters. Using all one color, or a random selection can also represent the eight sabbats. A wire wreath form, bent metal hanger, grapevine wreath, or circle of sturdy cardboard can serve as a base. You’ll also need a small cardboard circle. Attach two ears of corn opposite…

  • Monthly Columns

    Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting a Book of Shadows and Light

      This month continues a series of exploration about Our Relationship to the Divine…. Our Relationship to the Divine Part Three: WHAT will I offer? …. The Divine flows within me. The Limitless All supports me. All Beings of Spirit and Essence are my teachers. I AM the corporeal out-picturing of the Divine’s desire… One of the first concerns that many have in their quest for connection to a particular Deity is what they will be able to offer in return for the gifts of a Divine Being. In times of old, offerings were an expected component of any interaction or wished for interaction with a Deity. And, in many…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Walking With Magick     Merry meet. This month’s column features a job I commissioned by Kerry Bower of Kerry’s Creations. I knew what I wanted, but I didn’t have the materials, patience or artistic ability to turn shoes and boots into works of Pagan Art.     First she cleaned the shoes with Angelus brand leather cleaner.     Using Angelus brand paint, she freehanded her designs. There are other brands of acrylic-based paints created specifically for leather you can use. Do not mix brands, and never apply heat to help the paint dry.     “The key to bright colors is to paint multiple layers and let each…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Crafts for Witches: DIY Oracle Cards     Merry meet. I have several oracle decks, but only one really speaks to me – the 41-card Lunar Nomad Oracle by Shaheen Miro that was based on the Lenormand deck. Some oracle cards are numbered with a word or two. Some come with a whole paragraph on them. Some have guidebooks explaining the creator’s intent. One of the best ways I can think of to really get to know the creator’s intent is to create your own deck. Think of it as art magic. Oracle cards can be a divination tool and a prompt for introspection. I find them helpful for answering…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Crafts for Witches: Black Salt     Merry meet. Witches use black salt to absorb unfavorable energies, boost protection spells and guard against negativity. It is also used in cleansing, healing and banishing, making and breaking hexes, and casting powerful circles. I consider its energy somewhat stronger and different than that of white or pink salt. While you can buy it, it is better if you make your own. Most recipes for black salt are very much the same, and all will draw off negative energy and provide protection.     You’ll want a mortar and pestle in which you will grind together your ingredients. I used a small cast…

  • Crafting Articles

    Hekate Doll Transformation

    So my one friend loves Hekate & I decided to make her a gift that she would love. I make custom dolls, but for some reason had never made a god or goddess, just creepy random dolls. But, I was up for the challenge. I used three different dolls to make up this one. I took the head from a snarky looking Barbie, the body of a Monster High doll that was missing her hands and then hands from a different Barbie.     The first things I had to do was strip the doll doll down to it’s core. I removed the face with acetone and cut the hair…

  • Crafting Articles

    The Sacred Spoon

    Balancing Meals – Root Chakra   I have been called a kitchen witch by many and never truly understood what the term meant until it was explained to me, somewhat recently, as a witch who put all of their loving and healing energy into their food, and love to feed others with these caring energies. That just about hit the nail on the head. I love being in my kitchen making tinctures, salves, teas, and potions; I enjoy putting all of my loving and healing energy into them to help others heal. And I LOVE to cook. So of course I love creating good, healing food for those I care…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches

    Directional Stones     Merry meet. At a pagan event perhaps a decade ago, I made a set of stones to mark the five essential directions. For almost that long, they followed me from desk to desk and no one ever questioned or commented on them. I recently made another set to give away.     All it takes are a selection of rocks, and paint pens or permanent markers. Rather than these pictures, you could use alchemy symbols, your own stylized design or even astrological signs.     The five essential elements exist in all of nature, including our bodies and personalities. By being aware of the energies earth,…

  • Crafting Articles

    WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches – Nature Weaving

    Nature Weaving Merry meet. Every season has its gifts. Exploring nature and responsibly collecting its offerings will provide materials both to decorate your altar and to make a Nature Weaving to adorn your sacred space, a door, the corner of a room, a garden, or a porch.     Options for a frame range from a Y-shaped branch to a large picture frame. Using hemp cord, twine, string or yarn, tie one and to a corner or end. Wrap the cord twice around the stick or frame; keeping it taut, bringing the cord to the opposite side, again wrapping it twice around before continuing from side to side, keeping it…