{"id":5731,"date":"2011-09-01T01:10:10","date_gmt":"2011-09-01T06:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=5873"},"modified":"2011-08-20T20:30:39","modified_gmt":"2011-08-21T01:30:39","slug":"wicked-wonderful-witchery-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2011\/09\/01\/wicked-wonderful-witchery-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Wicked Wonderful Witchery"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Banishing Power of Fire: A Ritual<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no denying the hypnotic, mesmerizing power of fire, whether in the gentlest candle flame or in the terrifying destruction of a forest fire.\u00a0 Of the four elements, fire is the most volatile and fast-acting.\u00a0 Its effects are often permanent and dramatic on the physical plane and the same can be said for when it is used in magick.\u00a0 The element of fire encompasses passion, determination, action, success, anger, sex, big changes and fast transformation.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to have access to a bonfire to harness the energy and spirit of fire in your spells and rituals.\u00a0 Most of us have to make do with candles, and this is fine:\u00a0 a small flame can pack just as much energetic punch as a large one, so long as your intent and belief are strong.<\/p>\n

Think about it.\u00a0 Fire is truly amazing.\u00a0 It can turn wood into ash, water into vapour, paper into a whirl of smoke.\u00a0 It can make things disappear, in a way.\u00a0 It is a natural fact that a forest or prairie grows faster and lusher than ever after it has been consumed by a large-scale blaze.\u00a0 For this reason, I feel fire is perfect for use in banishing and purifying all types of negativity, be it bad habits, self-defeating thoughts, shyness, a lingering broken heart, loneliness, poverty or even negative people that keep popping up in your life. \u00a0Ridding yourself of these things clears the way and makes room for personal growth.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is a simple spell or ritual using a candle flame to banish negativity.<\/p>\n

You will need:<\/p>\n

-a black or white candle (I prefer black for banishing, white for purifying…\u00a0 it really is your own preference).<\/p>\n

-a small twig about the size of a pencil stub.\u00a0 Some trees with a history of being connected with banishing and purifying are Lilac, Peach, Pine, Cedar and Birch.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t find any of these, any twig will do in a pinch.<\/p>\n

-A small piece of paper.\u00a0 An alternative to the paper is a shred of birch bark, if you have it.\u00a0 Birch is associated with cleansing and purification, and the bark is thin and paper-like.\u00a0 The more natural materials you have the better, after all.<\/p>\n

-A fire-proof dish (Cast iron is good).<\/p>\n

-This ritual is best done during a full moon, or just after.\u00a0 Then as the moon continues to wane and decrease so should your problem.<\/p>\n

Before you begin, decide what you would like to remove from your life.\u00a0 Do you want to stop attracting hurtful relationships?\u00a0 Maybe you have trouble saying no, or you have an excess of stress in your life.\u00a0 It can be any influence, energy or thought you\u2019d like to stop experiencing, as long as you are not trying to harm anyone.\u00a0 This ritual will not make your boyfriend\u2019s Ex spontaneously combust, in other words!<\/p>\n

When you are ready, do your usual circle casting or calling upon deities if you wish, depending on your beliefs or if you feel a need to incorporate your own tradition into it.\u00a0 Light the candle and spend some time feeling its heat with your hands, appreciating its powerful bright light in the darkness.\u00a0 Note how it melts the wax and consumes the wick.\u00a0 Know that it has the same ability to transform and cause change to your life.\u00a0 Respect it and acknowledge its power.\u00a0\u00a0 Once you feel you have achieved an understanding for the fire, take your twig and dip it into the candle flame.\u00a0 Allow it to burn for a couple of seconds and then blow it out.\u00a0 When all the embers are dead, it will be blackened with soot.\u00a0 Using the black soot like ink, start to write out the word, phrase or a symbol of that which you are letting go of.\u00a0 You may chose runes, a simple drawing, a personally designed sigil, initials, or to simply print out a word.\u00a0 If your black \u201cpencil\u201d runs out, dip it into the flame again, blow it out, and continue until you are finished.\u00a0 Draw with power and feel what you are doing.\u00a0 Pour your problem into the drawing and paper.\u00a0 An easy way to do this is to picture a bubble of light in front of you.\u00a0 Fill it up with your negative feelings about the issue.\u00a0\u00a0 See the feelings leaving you and entering the bubble in the form of splotches of color.\u00a0 Once you feel unburdened and lighter, sink the \u201cbubble \u201c into the paper, symbol and stick.<\/p>\n

When you are done, extinguish the stick thoroughly and hold the paper in both hands.\u00a0 Pour the negativity into it until you are cleansed and empty.\u00a0 Do this as long as you wish, until you feel the heaviness begin to lift or your focus starts shifting.\u00a0 Then, light the paper carefully on fire with the candle (you may want to use tongs to protect your fingers).\u00a0 Set the paper in the fire proof dish to burn.\u00a0 As the fire consumes the paper and the symbol of your ills know that the spirit of fire is also consuming the problem and rendering it powerless.\u00a0 Symbolically, your problem is going up in smoke.\u00a0 Burn the remainder of the stick in the dish as well.<\/p>\n

You can either let the candle burn out on its own now, or over the duration of the waning moon light it for a while each night and pour your negatives into the fire until the new moon.\u00a0 You can bury what is left, compost it, throw it into a body of water or otherwise dispose of the candle stub at this point.<\/p>\n

In my experience this is an empowering and transformative ritual, which helps with personal growth and inner strength, and helps cleanse out lingering grievances from the past.<\/p>\n

Bright and fiery blessings to you!<\/p>\n

***PLEASE exercise caution and common sense when using fire.\u00a0 Don\u2019t wear loose clothing.\u00a0 Keep fire away from flammable items and surfaces.\u00a0 Keep a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby.\u00a0 Don\u2019t leave a candle or any flame unattended, ever.\u00a0 Use a sturdy candle holder and a flat surface.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Banishing Power of Fire: A Ritual There\u2019s no denying the hypnotic, mesmerizing power of fire, whether in the gentlest candle flame or in the terrifying destruction of a forest fire.\u00a0 Of the four elements, fire is the most volatile and fast-acting.\u00a0 Its effects are often permanent and dramatic on the physical plane and the same can be said for when it is used in magick.\u00a0 The element of fire encompasses passion, determination, action, success, anger, sex, big changes and fast transformation. You don\u2019t need to have access to a bonfire to harness the energy and spirit of fire in your spells and rituals.\u00a0 Most of us have to make do with candles, and this is fine:\u00a0 a small flame can pack just as much energetic punch as a large one, so long as your intent and belief are strong. Think about it.\u00a0 Fire is truly amazing.\u00a0 It can turn wood into ash, water into vapour, paper into a whirl of smoke.\u00a0 It can make things disappear, in a way.\u00a0 It is a natural fact that a forest or prairie grows faster and lusher than ever after it has been consumed by a large-scale blaze.\u00a0 For this reason, I feel fire is perfect for use in banishing and purifying all types of negativity, be it bad habits, self-defeating thoughts, shyness, a lingering broken heart, loneliness, poverty or even negative people that keep popping up in your life. \u00a0Ridding yourself of these things clears the way and makes room for personal growth.\u00a0 \u00a0Here is a simple spell or ritual using a candle flame to banish negativity. You will need: -a black or white candle (I prefer black for banishing, white for purifying…\u00a0 it really is your own preference). -a small twig about the size of a pencil stub.\u00a0 Some trees with a history of being connected with banishing and purifying are Lilac, Peach, Pine, Cedar and Birch.\u00a0 If you can\u2019t find any of these, any twig will do in a pinch. -A small piece of paper.\u00a0 An alternative to the paper is a shred of birch bark, if you have it.\u00a0 Birch is associated with cleansing and purification, and the bark is thin and paper-like.\u00a0 The more natural materials you have the better, after all. -A fire-proof dish (Cast iron is good). -This ritual is best done during a full moon, or just after.\u00a0 Then as the moon continues to wane and decrease so should your problem. Before you begin, decide what you would like to remove from your life.\u00a0 Do you want to stop attracting hurtful relationships?\u00a0 Maybe you have trouble saying no, or you have an excess of stress in your life.\u00a0 It can be any influence, energy or thought you\u2019d like to stop experiencing, as long as you are not trying to harm anyone.\u00a0 This ritual will not make your boyfriend\u2019s Ex spontaneously combust, in other words! When you are ready, do your usual circle casting or calling upon deities if you wish, depending on your beliefs or if you feel a need to incorporate your own tradition into it.\u00a0 Light the candle and spend some time feeling its heat with your hands, appreciating its powerful bright light in the darkness.\u00a0 Note how it melts the wax and consumes the wick.\u00a0 Know that it has the same ability to transform and cause change to your life.\u00a0 Respect it and acknowledge its power.\u00a0\u00a0 Once you feel you have achieved an understanding for the fire, take your twig and dip it into the candle flame.\u00a0 Allow it to burn for a couple of seconds and then blow it out.\u00a0 When all the embers are dead, it will be blackened with soot.\u00a0 Using the black soot like ink, start to write out the word, phrase or a symbol of that which you are letting go of.\u00a0 You may chose runes, a simple drawing, a personally designed sigil, initials, or to simply print out a word.\u00a0 If your black \u201cpencil\u201d runs out, dip it into the flame again, blow it out, and continue until you are finished.\u00a0 Draw with power and feel what you are doing.\u00a0 Pour your problem into the drawing and paper.\u00a0 An easy way to do this is to picture a bubble of light in front of you.\u00a0 Fill it up with your negative feelings about the issue.\u00a0\u00a0 See the feelings leaving you and entering the bubble in the form of splotches of color.\u00a0 Once you feel unburdened and lighter, sink the \u201cbubble \u201c into the paper, symbol and stick. When you are done, extinguish the stick thoroughly and hold the paper in both hands.\u00a0 Pour the negativity into it until you are cleansed and empty.\u00a0 Do this as long as you wish, until you feel the heaviness begin to lift or your focus starts shifting.\u00a0 Then, light the paper carefully on fire with the candle (you may want to use tongs to protect your fingers).\u00a0 Set the paper in the fire proof dish to burn.\u00a0 As the fire consumes the paper and the symbol of your ills know that the spirit of fire is also consuming the problem and rendering it powerless.\u00a0 Symbolically, your problem is going up in smoke.\u00a0 Burn the remainder of the stick in the dish as well. You can either let the candle burn out on its own now, or over the duration of the waning moon light it for a while each night and pour your negatives into the fire until the new moon.\u00a0 You can bury what is left, compost it, throw it into a body of water or otherwise dispose of the candle stub at this point. In my experience this is an empowering and transformative ritual, which helps with personal growth and inner strength, and helps cleanse out lingering grievances from the past. Bright and fiery blessings to you! ***PLEASE exercise caution and common sense when using fire.\u00a0 Don\u2019t wear loose clothing.\u00a0 Keep fire away from flammable items and surfaces.\u00a0 Keep a bucket of water and a fire extinguisher nearby.\u00a0 Don\u2019t leave a candle or any flame unattended, ever.\u00a0 Use a sturdy candle holder and a flat surface.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":152,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5731","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\/152"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5731"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5731\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5597,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5731\/revisions\/5597"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}