{"id":17122,"date":"2018-06-01T01:10:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-01T06:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=18044"},"modified":"2018-06-01T01:25:05","modified_gmt":"2018-06-01T06:25:05","slug":"witches-in-the-wardrobe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2018\/06\/01\/witches-in-the-wardrobe\/","title":{"rendered":"For My Witches in the Wardrobe"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For My Witches in the Wardrobe<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Being a Witch can be difficult when you have to hide who you are. It makes it a challenge to practice your Religion or Craft. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I, myself, am \u201cOut of the Broom C<\/i>l<\/i>oset<\/i>.\u201d Now that is a phrase that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The thought that a person has to hide who they are turns my stomach! No matter WHAT it is they are made to feel they need to hide about themselves! But, I understand not everyone has the freedoms I do. No, I am not talking american, I am talking the freedoms of everyday life! It could be the freedom of being an adult woman, who can stand on her own and not live in my parents household so can speak for herself. It could be the fact that my family accepts me in all my ways. Not all families are open-minded. Mine really isn\u2019t. I\u2019m just a loud mouth. They are used to me. \ud83d\ude42 <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anyway this column is to you, my Witches. My letters to you, my love letters of sorts. My thoughts, ideas, & expressions of love, faith, and devotion. Ways we can express ourselves in the corners, and cupboards, in locked rooms, or screaming out loud in code, so no one knows. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In this column I will discuss ways to bring Witchdom into your everyday lives. Ways to express your Paganness on the downlow. How to be you, but without shouting, \u201cI am a Witch, Hear me Cast!\u201d I will share ideas, crafts, thoughts, & experiments in hopes that we can all lead more fulfilled lives. Hopefully, I will hear back from our readers on how these ideas help, and maybe hear some of your ideas on how you bring spirituality into your everyday lives in ways that help you in hopes of helping others.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For the first installment where should we begin but with Candles!!! Yes Candles!! What is not the most Witchy item in our toolbox but The Candle?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

(<\/span><\/span>Photo by <\/span><\/span>Micheile Henderson<\/span><\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now using candles in your daily life without anyone knowing you are a witch can be as simple as burning smelly candles in your house to soothe yourself and others or as deep as coordinating colors, scents, & inscribing sigils on them when no one is around or in the privacy of your bedroom.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Scented Candles & the Witch<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You can burn scented candles all day long and no one will assume you are a witch. Scented candles are for everyone. Male or female, young or old!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Every grocery store, internet store, dollar store, & general store sells scented candles. Heck, most stores sell scented candles these days, even bookstores! Many will even tell you what they are for on the wrapping. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You can find nice enough lavender candles for relaxation in your near by dollar stores. Or, if you like to spend a little more on your candles, you can find some like this one that I found in Barnes and Nobles. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

It cost $18.95. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, <\/b><\/i>a quick lesson here<\/b><\/i> \u2026 it says<\/i> Dream on it and has a quote by Thoreau, but<\/i> the scent is Bamboo & Green Tea. Bamboo is for wishes and luck. Green tea, also, is for luck and success. So<\/i> that goes with realizing your hopes and dreams, rather than, having good sleeping dreams. Do not simply go by what a box says. Always look up correspondences for ingredients yourself! That is very important. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Color Coordinating your Candles<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Something else to consider with candles for Magickal Purpose is Color. Here is a quick reference guide to Color Magick with candles to help you when choosing the hue of your candles to coincide with what you are preparing:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

White \u2013 Divining, Purity, Healing, Exorcism<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Pink<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Love, Friendship, Emotions<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Purple<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Power, Spirit, Wisdom<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Red<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Strength, Lust, Courage<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Green<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Luck, Wealth, Fertility, Ambition<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Blue<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Tranquility, Health, Patience<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Yellow<\/b><\/span> \u2013 Learning, Comfort, Confidence, Joy<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Black \u2013 Banish Negativity, Retribution<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Now, these are just a few choice correspondence words to go along with each color. I think from these jump off points, though, you can pick which colors to work with for different goals. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Inscribing Candles for your Purpose<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What type of candles do you prefer to use for Magick? I, personally, use Chime Candles for magick.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I like to have my candles burn through for my spells completely, I do not like to put them out. I find that votive, 3-day, or 7-day candles try my patience. Chime Candles burn for approximately 2.5 hours. They are 4.5 inches tall. On the proper day, moon, time, what have you, when I need my magick done, I want it done. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But, me, I like to enhance my Candle Magick by inscribing words or symbols on my Chime Candles for my exact purpose. I feel this carving into them is concentrating energy, focus, and my pure intent of my goal. A meditative moment of sorts. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I do not carve deeply as the candles are not thick. I have used a pin or sewing needle to do the job. I have used my feather quill from my Altar. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What I do, for example, is if a friend is feeling ill, I may take a blue Chime Candle and carve with pin or quill his or her name on one side and the word health on the other with a heart for my love for them and a pentacle to seal the deal. It does not have to be the neatest of carvings as the candles are not the easiest to carve into.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Before lighting my candle I will hold it between my hands and imagine what I want it to manifest. Sometimes a whole story will come to mind. I will let that story play through in my head. I will hold it and dream it for as long as I feel I need to before lighting it. Sometimes a few seconds, sometimes minutes, sometimes longer. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

This can all be done in the privacy of your own home, in your private quarters, in a meadow, or a corner of a park. No one need know what you are doing. You can go about your business of doing what you need to do while the candle burns in the room you are in, while you babysit it for the 2.5 hours it takes. Never leave a candle unattended. If need be, you may put it out and relight it later. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I have carved my intentions around the tip in a hurry for privacy. Around the tips of candles and let it burn down passed a certain line to cast the spell, so then you need not wait for an entire candle to burn out. Write your friends name around the tip of candle instead of up and down and let the candle burn down 10 minutes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reuse the Old<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What to do with all those old candles you may have lying around that you can no longer get to light. You know the ones I mean, with the too short wicks where you can no longer get your hands safely in the jars, or where the wicks have somehow just disappeared for some reason! Here\u2019s an idea!!! You can always make new candles from them. These candles you get to infuse with spells or intentions of your own. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There are many ways to DIY candle leftovers. Here are a few sites I found with great ways to do it:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Live the Fancy Life<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Sandpaper & Glue<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Happy Go Lucky<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Summer Sun Candle DIY Way<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another good way to melt the old wax out of candles to make new candles from them is to use the Summer sun! Take your old candles and bring them outside during the heat and leave them out there for some time to melt. Keep covers on them and let nature do it\u2019s job. When they are melted remove the old wicks. Place a new wick you have purchased, from either your local craft shop or online, into the new jar or whatever you will be using as your candle holder. Be sure it is safe to use!! Pour the wax into the new holder with the wick. You can use anything you feel fit to hold the new wick in place like a pencil or skewer. Whatever works for you. Then leave it to set. You may need to fill the new candle holder more than once. You can mix scents & colors. Play around. Make your own Witchy Creations! You can even play around with your holders when you learn what is safe to use. Like using sea shells and bottle caps as new candle candle holders for instance!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Until Next Time\u2026<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It has been a lot of fun and I look forward to next month\u2019s column. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Stay Witchie, even if it\u2019s just between you and me -xoxo<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jennifer Sacasa-Wright<\/b><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is simply a Witch. She runs PaganPagesOrg eMag. \u00a0She loves hearing your opinions &\u00a0thoughts on the eMagazine and welcomes comments. You can email her at jenniferwright at paganpages dot org.\u00a0 When she is not working on PaganPagesOrg she is creating in some other way & trying to make the world a better place with her family.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  For My Witches in the Wardrobe Being a Witch can be difficult when you have to hide who you are. It makes it a challenge to practice your Religion or Craft. I, myself, am \u201cOut of the Broom Closet.\u201d Now that is a phrase that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The thought that a person has to hide who they are turns my stomach! No matter WHAT it is they are made to feel they need to hide about themselves! But, I understand not everyone has the freedoms I do. No, I am not talking american, I am talking the freedoms of everyday life! It could be the freedom of being an adult woman, who can stand on her own and not live in my parents household so can speak for herself. It could be the fact that my family accepts me in all my ways. Not all families are open-minded. Mine really isn\u2019t. I\u2019m just a loud mouth. They are used to me. \ud83d\ude42 Anyway this column is to you, my Witches. My letters to you, my love letters of sorts. My thoughts, ideas, & expressions of love, faith, and devotion. Ways we can express ourselves in the corners, and cupboards, in locked rooms, or screaming out loud in code, so no one knows. In this column I will discuss ways to bring Witchdom into your everyday lives. Ways to express your Paganness on the downlow. How to be you, but without shouting, \u201cI am a Witch, Hear me Cast!\u201d I will share ideas, crafts, thoughts, & experiments in hopes that we can all lead more fulfilled lives. Hopefully, I will hear back from our readers on how these ideas help, and maybe hear some of your ideas on how you bring spirituality into your everyday lives in ways that help you in hopes of helping others. For the first installment where should we begin but with Candles!!! Yes Candles!! What is not the most Witchy item in our toolbox but The Candle?   (Photo by Micheile Henderson)   Now using candles in your daily life without anyone knowing you are a witch can be as simple as burning smelly candles in your house to soothe yourself and others or as deep as coordinating colors, scents, & inscribing sigils on them when no one is around or in the privacy of your bedroom.   Scented Candles & the Witch You can burn scented candles all day long and no one will assume you are a witch. Scented candles are for everyone. Male or female, young or old! Every grocery store, internet store, dollar store, & general store sells scented candles. Heck, most stores sell scented candles these days, even bookstores! Many will even tell you what they are for on the wrapping. You can find nice enough lavender candles for relaxation in your near by dollar stores. Or, if you like to spend a little more on your candles, you can find some like this one that I found in Barnes and Nobles.     It cost $18.95. Now, a quick lesson here \u2026 it says Dream on it and has a quote by Thoreau, but the scent is Bamboo & Green Tea. Bamboo is for wishes and luck. Green tea, also, is for luck and success. So that goes with realizing your hopes and dreams, rather than, having good sleeping dreams. Do not simply go by what a box says. Always look up correspondences for ingredients yourself! That is very important.   Color Coordinating your Candles Something else to consider with candles for Magickal Purpose is Color. Here is a quick reference guide to Color Magick with candles to help you when choosing the hue of your candles to coincide with what you are preparing: White \u2013 Divining, Purity, Healing, Exorcism Pink \u2013 Love, Friendship, Emotions Purple \u2013 Power, Spirit, Wisdom Red \u2013 Strength, Lust, Courage Green \u2013 Luck, Wealth, Fertility, Ambition Blue \u2013 Tranquility, Health, Patience Yellow \u2013 Learning, Comfort, Confidence, Joy Black \u2013 Banish Negativity, Retribution Now, these are just a few choice correspondence words to go along with each color. I think from these jump off points, though, you can pick which colors to work with for different goals.   Inscribing Candles for your Purpose What type of candles do you prefer to use for Magick? I, personally, use Chime Candles for magick.     I like to have my candles burn through for my spells completely, I do not like to put them out. I find that votive, 3-day, or 7-day candles try my patience. Chime Candles burn for approximately 2.5 hours. They are 4.5 inches tall. On the proper day, moon, time, what have you, when I need my magick done, I want it done. But, me, I like to enhance my Candle Magick by inscribing words or symbols on my Chime Candles for my exact purpose. I feel this carving into them is concentrating energy, focus, and my pure intent of my goal. A meditative moment of sorts. I do not carve deeply as the candles are not thick. I have used a pin or sewing needle to do the job. I have used my feather quill from my Altar. What I do, for example, is if a friend is feeling ill, I may take a blue Chime Candle and carve with pin or quill his or her name on one side and the word health on the other with a heart for my love for them and a pentacle to seal the deal. It does not have to be the neatest of carvings as the candles are not the easiest to carve into. Before lighting my candle I will hold it between my hands and imagine what I want it to manifest. Sometimes a whole story will come to mind. I will let that story play through in my head. I will hold it and dream it for as long as I feel I need to before lighting it. Sometimes a few seconds, sometimes minutes, sometimes longer. This can all be done in the privacy of your own home, in your private quarters, in a meadow, or a corner of a park. No one need know what you are doing. You can go about your business of doing what you need to do while the candle burns in the room you are in, while you babysit it for the 2.5 hours it takes. Never leave a candle unattended. If need be, you may put it out and relight it later. I have carved my intentions around the tip in a hurry for privacy. Around the tips of candles and let it burn down passed a certain line to cast the spell, so then you need not wait for an entire candle to burn out. Write your friends name around the tip of candle instead of up and down and let the candle burn down 10 minutes.   Reuse the Old What to do with all those old candles you may have lying around that you can no longer get to light. You know the ones I mean, with the too short wicks where you can no longer get your hands safely in the jars, or where the wicks have somehow just disappeared for some reason! Here\u2019s an idea!!! You can always make new candles from them. These candles you get to infuse with spells or intentions of your own. There are many ways to DIY candle leftovers. Here are a few sites I found with great ways to do it: Live the Fancy Life Sandpaper & Glue Happy Go Lucky   The Summer Sun Candle DIY Way \u00a0   Another good way to melt the old wax out of candles to make new candles from them is to use the Summer sun! Take your old candles and bring them outside during the heat and leave them out there for some time to melt. Keep covers on them and let nature do it\u2019s job. When they are melted remove the old wicks. Place a new wick you have purchased, from either your local craft shop or online, into the new jar or whatever you will be using as your candle holder. Be sure it is safe to use!! Pour the wax into the new holder with the wick. You can use anything you feel fit to hold the new wick in place like a pencil or skewer. Whatever works for you. Then leave it to set. You may need to fill the new candle holder more than once. You can mix scents & colors. Play around. Make your own Witchy Creations! You can even play around with your holders when you learn what is safe to use. Like using sea shells and bottle caps as new candle candle holders for instance!         Until Next Time\u2026 It has been a lot of fun and I look forward to next month\u2019s column. Stay Witchie, even if it\u2019s just between you and me -xoxo \u00a0 *** About the Author: Jennifer Sacasa-Wright\u00a0is simply a Witch. She runs PaganPagesOrg eMag. \u00a0She loves hearing your opinions &\u00a0thoughts on the eMagazine and welcomes comments. You can email her at jenniferwright at paganpages dot org.\u00a0 When she is not working on PaganPagesOrg she is creating in some other way & trying to make the world a better place with her family.   \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17122"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17122\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17122"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17122"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}