APPENDICES Appendix
A: The Witch's
Pyramid Appendix
B: The Moon Appendix
C: Music in Magick Appendix
D: Instructions for
Life Appendix
E: On raising
children Appendix
F: The "Broom
Closet" Appendix
G: Different
Traditions of Witchcraft Appendix
H: Kabbalah Appendix
I: The Lost
Continent
- by Aleister Crowley Appendix
J: That Old Black
Magic Appendix
K: Nostradamus Appendix
L: Prophecy and
Inspired Works from Cloudy Appendix
M: The Laws of
Magick Appendix
N: Karmic Blackjack
Is
this
what I think it is?
Yes. Yes it is. And much
more.
The following information is from my
own collection,
as well as contributions from the private collections of some of our
frequent
visitors. Wherever possible, I've credited the original
authors.
If I've miscredited something, please email me and let me know.
I cannot stress enough how important
it is
that this information be treated with all the care and respect in the
world.
If knowledge is power, then what you will find on this page is powerful
indeed. And as with all power, you must take extreme care in
wielding
it.
PLEASE, if you're not experienced
enough to
clean up your own messes (if you don't know what I'm talking about,
then
you're NOT), skip everything from the halfway point of this page and
down,
and return here at a later time, when you're better able to cope with
any
negative side-effects of your conjuring.
If you have any doubts whatsoever
about your
ability to control that which you might bring on, I strongly urge you,
out of love, to seek out an experienced and highly regarded teacher in
this area. There's no dishonour in admitting what we don't
know...
only in rampant ego overcoming common sense.
I apologize in advance for the
seemingly complete disregard for order and ease of use in this section
- I've tried to keep things as organized as I can, especially as
relates to the Crystals & Gems section. In the not-so-distant
future, I hope to set up some sort of "search" window for this page,
but in the meantime, I'd suggest using your browser to search for
occurences of the words you're looking for. (I know, dangling
participle...)
Okay,
How Do I Use It?
You can browse by simply scrolling
down. If you're looking for specific information, use the Index
on your left, and click on the area you'd like to peruse.
Important: Do NOT
select "Print All" on this page unless you've got a LOT of paper in
your Printer... try "Print Current Page" instead, and save a tree
or 50.
Bide the
Wiccan Laws we must,
In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.
Live and let live,
Fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the Circle thrice about,
To keep the evil spirits out.
To bind the spell every time,
Let the spell be spake in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch,
Speak little, listen much.
Desoil go by the waxing moon,
Chanting out the Witches' Rune.
Widdershins go by the waning moon,
Chanting out the baneful rune.
When the Lady's moon is new,
Kiss the hand to her, times two.
When the moon rides at her peak,
Then your heart's desire seek.
heed the North wind's mighty gale,
Lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind come from the South,
Love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the wind blows from the West,
Departed souls will have no rest.
When the wind blows from the East,
Expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree,
Burn it not or cursed you'll be.
When the wheel begins to turn,
Let the Beltane fires burn.
When the wheel has turned to Yule,
Light the log and the Horned One rules.
Heed ye Flower, Bush and Tree,
By the Lady, blessed be.
Where the rippling waters go,
Cast a stone and truth you'll know.
When ye have a true need,
Hearken not to other's greed,
With a fool no season spend,
Lest ye be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part,
Bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Threefold Law you should,
Three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow,
Wear the blue star on they brow.
True in Love ever be,
Lest thy lover's false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An' ye harm none, do what ye will.
Dedication
I dedicate
this
book
To my Lady of
Night
She who
illuminates
the darkness
May its words
spread
Her light
'Cross the world
round.
I
dedicate
this
book
To
the Lady of
my heart
She
who holds the
key to my soul
May
its words
spread
love
'Cross
the world
round.
I am but a
humble
warrior
'Gainst ignorance
and hatred
I pray for
guidance
and intercession.
Let this book be
a sword of Light
Shield of Truth
And vessel of Love
They
are
blinded,
oh Lady
Help
them to see
your Truth.
Creed
I believe in the
love of
the
Goddess
I believe in her love and
mercy
I believe in the power of self
I believe in the needs of many
I believe in peace when
possible
And force when needed.
I believe in the sanctity of
life
And the obligation to protect
it
I believe in objective right
and wrong
And the duty to see right
done.
I believe in the need for
freedom
and choice
And the responsibility to
choose
rightly.
I believe that our sexuality
is a gift
And we must not dishonour the
Giver by squandering it without feeling.
I believe in unconditional
love
And the ability of others to
feel it.
I believe in eternity
And the balance that is so
vital
Between light and darkness
I believe in generosity
I believe in helping others
before myself
I belive in the fallibility
of mortals
And the divinity that compels
us to make amends and apologies.
I believe in destiny
I believe in the possibility
of changing it
I believe in the power of
people
To alter their environment
Through great magicks
I believe in Truth and Justice
I believe in Order
And...
Above all else...
I
believe in myself.
What is Wicca?
Wicca is a nature-oriented
faith
that recognizes the sanctity of life in all forms. It presents
the
Divine in both male and female aspects and as incarnate through all
life.
It has no heirarchy, no dogma, no organization. It is a faith
based
on love, not guilt.
Wiccans use their innate
powers,
which all people are born with to varying degrees, to alter their
environment.
This act is called "magick". They celebrate 8 holidays, or
"Sabbats".
4 major ones, and 4 secondary ones. Wiccans freely accept people
of all faiths as equals, believing themselves to be no better or owrse
than anyone else. They are open-minded people who view life as
something
to be learned from, instead of simply being endured.
Wicca has few rules.
Most
are common sense statements that have equivalents in all major faiths,
such as Christianity's Golden Rule. It has no singular leader, or
style of worship. It can be practiced by small congregations,
called
Covens, or by single Wiccans called Solitaries. In groups,
Wiccans
tend to agknowledge those with greater experience as their superiors
but
owe no allegiance or favours to any but those whom they deem worthy of
such. They work together to achieve common goals. Wicca's
primary
symbol is a five-pointed star within a circle, one point up. This
is a pentacle.
Wiccans do not believe in
the
devil, and therefore could not possibly be devil worshippers.
Most
Wiccans, in fact, find such people extremely distasteful. There
are
many different branches of Wicca, called traditions. Some
traditions
have strict rules, while some have relaxed rules or none at all.
Although some Wiccans choose to devote themselves to a tradition, many
simply improvise their
path as they go.
Wiccans devote their lives
to
the pursuit of joy and balance. They learn from mistakes and move
on, trying to connect to the Divine within themselves. Wicca is
part
of a larger movement called the Pagan movement, or New Age. It
shares
many beliefs with other faiths within the movement, such as the respect
for nature and life which is so important.
Wicca is not just humans
existing;
it is humans BEING.
"The Ancient Art"
Once upon a time, a long time ago,
there were people who believed in laughter, joy and
love. They believed in many deities, but the most important to them was
their Great Mother Goddess. They believed in and lived with
the powers of Nature. They revelled in the Wind, the Rain,
the Snow and the Sunlight. They marvelled at and
revered the changing of the seasons and saw therein
great excitement and wisdom to be gained. They
knew that if they tended, cared for
and loved the Earth, in return She would
provide for, care for and love them. They saw that
all around them the world was filled with Life,
much as their own but in many different and wonderful
forms. They felt the life of the flowers,
plants and trees and respected them for
that life essence. They looked about and
observed all the many types of animals and saw that they
were kindred to them and loved them. They
felt and observed the great Love of the Goddess all about
them and knew kinship with the Moon. They were
practitioners of The Old Religion, worshipers of The Great Mother.
Witch! The
very word instantly invokes visions for each of us, visions which vary
greatly from individual to individual. Many of these
visions, however, are quite false, brought about by many centuries of
severe persecutions, mis-representations, prejudice and, in
recent years, lack of knowledge. Witchcraft! What is it really?
Witchcraft is the
oldest, most irrepressible religion in the
world because it stimulates the intellect, promotes a
simple, practical way of life and, most
importantly, is emotionally satisfying. Its roots lie
in the ancient Matriarchal systems of Goddess
worship. A religion of Nature in which
the primary deity is female (The Essence of
Femininity, The Earth Mother, The Great Mother, etc.).
It was easy for
the Wise Ones to look at the world around them and see the great
importance of Feminine Principle. The female
was, indeed, the one who bore the
young, perhaps the most magickal of all events to
ancient man. Then, she played by far the
most important role in rearing the young,
being totally responsible for feeding, for without
her milk there was no life past birth. She was responsible
for the teaching and early care of the young. In all youths
the greatest comfort and nurturing love were
connected with the mother. These
revelations and experiences could hardly lead to any other choice
than the total reverence and deification of the female.
Although The Great
Mother is the most important deity, Witches do,
generally, recognize many Goddessess and/or Gods and
are, therefore, polytheistic. The tenets of
Witchcraft are few but all-encompassing, for with
three simple Universal Observations all of life can be explained
and understood:
1) Reincarnation - Mortality
2) Cause & Effect - Magick
3) Retribution - Morality
Reincarnation enlightens
the Witch to the fact that, as we come to this
material world over and over in a series of learning
periods, or lifetimes, we will eventually have to experience all
things, be all things, understand all
things. This creates a great tolerance for other viewpoints
in the Witch.
Cause & Effect, and
an understanding of it, allows the Witch to see what makes
the world work and how to live most efficiently. It
gives them a great advantage in that it explains the working of
Magick.
Retribution shows the Witch,
in graphic terms, that every thought one might have, every action
one may take, is returned in like kind. This
realization forms the basis of the Moral Code of the Witch.
The Patriarchal
Societies which evolved in later times had no tolerance for
the Goddess religions and systematically set out to destroy the
material vestiges, kill or convert the adherents and wipe
out all knowledge of them. They destroyed the temples and
other places of worship, desecrated
the sacred groves and magickal places,
attempted to pervert the old deities, mutilated and totally suppressed
sacred art, tore down libraries and burned books,
tortured and killed the practitioners
of the Old Religions, demeaned,
persecuted and oppressed women in general and passed
strictly enforced laws which made theirs the State Religion
and forbade all other viewpoints.
Despite the
centuries of insidious persecution,
deliberate destruction and perversions at
the hands of the Christian Conspirators,
Witchcraft has survived.
Common
Inquiries
"I've
heard the terms 'White Witch' and 'Black Witch'. Can
you explain?"
In this
connotation, white is referring to Positive, Black is
referring to Negative. A White Witch then is someone
who tries to do Positive or Good things. Black Witch
could be a term used to describe someone who deliberately does Negative
or Bad things. A True Witch believes in the Law of
Retribution and would never deliberately harm anyone or
anything or participate in Negative or Destructive acts.
"Devil
worship?"
Witches do
not worship the Devil.
Witchcraft predates Christianity and does not
incorporate a belief in the Christian Devil.
The Wise Ones did deify
the Masculine Principle and quite often He was depicted as
The Great Horned God; Pan, Cernunnos, the
Great Stag, The Green Man. To the
Traditional Witch, the Masculine Deity (the Goddess’
Consort) is very important, revered and loved. He is the
perfect Father, the Lord Protector. The Horned God of
the Witches is loving, kind and good.
"Don’t men
have difficulty with a supreme female deity? There are some
groups which give equal status to the
female and male deities."
Neo-Pagans are, by
definition, people who attempt to live with the Old Country
Ways in a new, modern day manner. And while, in this modern
era, equal status for the deities may be popular, as
it relates to Witchcraft it
is historically incorrect.
Therefore, a group which does not
recognize the Goddess as primary deity is not
practicing The Ancient Art. Indeed, they, generally,
know very little about Witchcraft,
despite their claims. Traditional
Dualistic Witches do most emphatically
believe that women and men are equal,
but have no trouble relating to the
Goddess. The Male Witch finds great comfort and solace in
his Great Mother.
"Do I have
to join a Coven?"
No. It is
not necessary nor is it desirable for a great many
people. Some people enjoy the support and companionship a
Coven provides, others enjoy solitary worship. The Coven,
which is an extremely close knit worship group, may not be
possible for some because of location, family climate, availability,
etc.
"Why is
Witchcraft secretive?"
The horror of the ‘Burning
Time’ is still very real to the Witch. The past
persecutions were severe. Even so, in today’s
more enlightened society the need for complete secrecy
has lessened and many are able to share their
beliefs openly. Very few, however,
are willing to expose their very personal and private
religious expressions to others who may not understand.
"What do I
have to do to become a Witch?"
The answer to this
question is very simple. To become a Witch one must
follow the religion of Witchcraft. To do this one must
believe in the Goddess as primary deity and
follow the three basic tenets. How
simple! How uncomplicated! How
Pagan! Everything else concerning witchcraft is
simply minor details. Details that vary from
Aspect to Aspect, Coven to Coven and
individual to individual. The details are relatively
personal. They should not become more important than the basic
tenets. If you do not understand, believe and
practice Witchcraft, you are not a Witch. No one can
make you a Witch. Reading about it can not make you a
Witch. An Initiation can not make you a Witch.
Saying you are a Witch, one thousand and fifty two times, can not make
you a Witch.
In the search for your
individual path beware of those who would take advantage of
you. Do not fall prey to the unscrupulous
charlatans who would swindle you in a monetary sense (mail-order
courses, charges for teaching or initiations, vows of
poverty, etc.), exploit you sexually or manipulate
you for their own personal ego-trips.
Copyright
(c)
1981 The Witching Well Education &
Research Center.
Used by
Permission
Elements
The Elements have been a
part
of man's ancient and arcane lore since its inception in pre-historic
times.
Different traditions associate them with various things. The
following
is a list of my associations, but by no means is it exclusively correct.
AIR
Direction:
East
Rules: The mind;
all mental, intuitive, and psychic work; knowledge; abstract learning;
theory; windswept hills; plains; windy beaches; high moountain peaks;
high
towers; wind; breath.
Time: Dawn
Season: Spring
Colours: White;
brighht
yellow; crimson; blue-and-white.
Zodiac: Gemini; Libra;
Aquarius.
Tools: Athame; sword;
censer.
Spirits: Sylphs, ruled
by King Paralda.
Angel: Michael
Wind: Eurus
Sense: Smell
Jewel: Topaz
Incense: Galbanum
Plants: Frankincense;
myrrh; pansy; primrose; vervain; violet; yarrow.
Tree: Aspen
Animals: Birds
Goddesses: Aradia;
Arianrhod;
Cardea; Nuit; Urania.
Gods: Enlil; Khephera;
Mercury; Shui Thoth.
Direction:
Center
& circumference; throughout & about.
Rules:
Transcendence;
transformation; change; everywhere & nowhere; within & without;
the void; immanence.
Time: Beyond
time;
all time is one.
Season: The
turning
wheel
Colours: Clear;
white; black.
Tools: Cauldron
Sense: Hearing
Plant: Mistletoe
Tree: The
flowering
almond
Animal: Sphinx
Goddesses: Isis;
The Secret Name of the Goddess; Shekinah.
Gods:
Akasha;
IAO; JHVH (The God of Moses and Abraham).
Chakras
In the Art of Magick, one
of
the most important methods of developing heightened self-awareness is
through
the awakening and development of the subtle energies of certain nerve
centers
known as the Chakras.
Although there is
literally
a Chakra for every nerve in the body, the particular Chakras that the
Practitioner
is most concerned with are the Seven Chakras. To awaken their
subtle
energies is accomplished by getting in tune with the Primary Nerve
Current,
known as the Kundalini or Serpent Power. In Magick, the Kundalini
is also called the Astral Light, and is represented by a serpent.
The Chakras are the occult
senters
of cosmic energy in the human body. They are not really a part of
the body, but rather correspond to certain parts of it, thus we call
them
occult (secret).
It is an essential object
of
the training of the practitioner to arouse the serpent power, and
thereby
energize and develop the subtle energies of the interior Chakras.
The Seven Chakras Are:
b) Sahasrara (Crown)
Chakra;
also the "Spirit Gate"
a) Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra
g) Visuddhi
(Throat) Chakra;
also the "Wind Gate"
f) Anahata
(Heart) Chakra;
also the "Fire Gate"
e) Manipura (Solar Plexus)
Chakra; also the "Earth Gate"
d)
Svadhistthana (Navel)
Chakra
c) Muladhara (Root)
Chakra;
also the "Water Gate"
To attune one's self to
the
energy of a specific Chakra is quite simple.
Close your eyes and clear
your
mind. Experience everything around you, but do not focus or
fixate
on any one thing. Smell the scents around you; listen to the
sounds
around you. Feel every sensation, even the brush of breeze on
your
skin. Become aware of the energy within you; the force within
every
muscle. Focus on one of the Chakra points. Feel your body's
natural energy rushing to that point. Feel the tingling sensation
as your energies attune to that Chakra. Wait as long as
necessary,
until the tingling is replaced by an overwhelming calm and feeling of
one-ness.
If this is unsuccessful,
it
is recommended to try the above in total darkness, with as little
background
noise as possible.
The above skill will
become
invaluable in many aspects of a Practitioner's life, and should be
mastered
before proceeding with further training or further reading of this book.
Grounding
Grounding is an absolute
neccessity
for all practitioners. It is the sharing of all emotion, energy
and
feeling with the Mother Goddess and nature.
After Grounding, the
practitioner
will feel at peace with themselves and their surroundings. They
will
find it easier to focus, and will be better able to tell if something
goes
awry due to their harmony with their environment and its
energies.
Failure to ground regularly will begin to interfere with all aspects of
a practitioners Magickal abilities.
To Ground:
Get
into a comfortable position, in an area (preferably somewhere in
nature)
you feel comfortable in. Visualize all your cares, sorrows,
fears,
frustrations and emotions as a tangible thing. Think of nothing
around
you, concentrating only on your feelings. Let the feelings pass,
as though a package or a ball or lump, from Chakra to Chakra beginning
with the Crown and working down. As each Chakra is passed, you
begin
to feel lighter and more peaceful. After the "package" reaches
your
Root Chakra, let it travel through you into the ground. Here,
your
sorrows and frustrations et al are shared with nature, earth and the
Goddess.
You should now feel refreshed and focused, as your emotions and spent
energies
no longer hold dominion over you, but vice-versa.
Crystals & Stones
Crystals and gemstones,
when
worn as a charm or carried on one's person, can greatly magnify one's
own
abilities in a certain area. They are also beneficial in the
casting
of spells. Their actual and practical use in both cases will be
discussed
later in this book.
Cleaning
Crystals
Remember to clear your crystals. There are a few ways to do this. You
can use dry salt or salt water. If you use salt water, mix one
tablespoon of sea salt in a glass or ceramic container...do not use
plastic. Also, check to make sure that the specific type of crystal can
be placed in salt. Not all crystals can be cleared this
way. Stones can be cleared by placing them in sunlight or
moonlight, in the rain, or burying them in the Earth. Full
sunlight can clear stones in about an hour but some colored gemstones
may fade (pink, purple, light blue, Fluorite). You can also leave
stones outdoors on full moon nights but stones clear less quickly this
way. Hanging gemstones from the branches of a tree during a rain storm
will gently clean them. Gems can be buried in the Earth (or a pot
filled with soil) for a period of time. A full moon cycle is ideal.
Crystals & Gemstones
and
Their Uses
Adamite -
Blue, blue-green, yellow-green. Brings gifts of heart
& mind together for balance, inner strength, and steering steadily
through life. Creativity & entrepreneurial thinking, and new
directions for business/personal growth. Blue: Creativity, throat,
mouth, ears, breath of life, lymph. Green: Lungs, heart, thymus,
endocrine glands.
Agate - Good for
transmutation;
helps with the emotion of acceptance; gives a mellow, blended aspect;
beneficial
in stomach area. For stomach, colon, liver,
spleen, kidneys, Xray/radiation. Blue
Lace: Patience, peace. Cools. Crazy Lace: Spiritual powers:
aids with energy lows. Relieves
emotional pain. Opens the way for laughter. Healing attributes:
strengthens the heart. Clears energy blockages. Brings vitality
to major organs. Green Tree: Spiritual powers: Major abundance
stone. Native American Power stone. Aids in finding
purpose. Healing attributes: All around healing stone. Used
for liver and sinus. Fine for capillaries and pain relief. Turitella:
Spiritual: Guidance to past lives, a gift from the stars, safety,
protection, dispels old programming, aids in any type of transition,
the survival stone. Healing: Energizing, reinforces the thymus, works
with the skeletal structure particularly the hands and feet. Relieves
swelling, tiredness and fatigue. Soothes the stomach, aids
elimination. Helps in the absorption of zinc, calcium, magnesium
and Vitamin A.
Agate (Botswana) - Use with
high-pressure oxygen therapy; smoke inhalation.
Agate (Fire) - Master healer
with colour therapy; enhances all essences; grounds and balances;
sexual
and heart Chakra binder; burns energy; metabolism.
Agate (Moss) - Emotional
priorities;
mental priorities; colon; circulatory system; pancreas; pulse; blood
sugar
balance; agriculture.
Draws new friends. Relieves
exhaustion and heals problems with the neck and back. Money &
happiness spells. Centering. Bloodsugar, anorexia/food issues,
lymphnodes. Balances emotions. Iris: Insight, restores nerve feeling
and healing after injury/burns.
Agate (Picture) - Left/Right
brain imbalances; epilepsy; autism; dyslexia; visual problems; blood
circulation
to the brain; apathy is eased. Gaze into for
meditation. L/Rt. brain balance. Pineal, pituitary; coordination.
Alexandrite - Low
self-esteem;
difficulty centering; central nervous system disorders; spleen;
pancreas.
Clear violet-green, lt. Blue or orange-yellow iridescence. Color
changes with angle. Opens heart, solar plexus, and especially crown
centers/chakras. For healing, centering, self-esteem. Rare and
Powerful. Opens to higher self, disattachment, psychicness, spiritual
love, joy, and luck. Excellent tissue regeneration; especially Central
Nervous System. Amazonite - Receptive. Element:
Earth. Solid lt. blue/turquoise.
Gentle, friendly, calming, soothing; Opens throat, heart, and solar
plexus centers for self-statement, artistic creativity, healing.
Throat, thyroid, nerve and brain paths. Reduces self-damaging behavior,
increases straight posture of self-respect, confidence, grace,
self-assuredness with communication. It works to provide clarity and
insight. This works
both for the confidence required of the good gambler and for
the self-confidence building that leads to every success. Amazonite
creates a feeling of power. It's the original "you can get what you
want if you want it bad enough stone". It also leads one away from the
self-destructive behavior that sometimes surfaces when we experience
disappointments. Amazonite is the stone that clearly leads one to
understand that "more is never enough". Great for any in a 12-step
program of any kind. All of us feel aggravation from time to time.
Reach for your Amazonite and feel a surging of peace and calmness
flow to your heart center. Amazonite also aligns the physical and
astral bodies. Many times we feel out of sorts when these two bodies
are not nested together. If you feel disconnected in the morning after
awakening, sit for a minute with your Amazonite and visualize your two
bodies coming together. Amazonite has been used to enhance
communication between lovers, and as a general all purpose healing
stone for health maintenance. There is also a quality that appears to
assist in reactivation of blocked neural passages. Good for pinched
nerves, spinal difficulties and could be helpful for bursitis.
Amber - Memory loss;
eccentric
behaviour; anxiety; inability to make decisions; thyroid; inner-ear and
neuro-tissue strengthener; activates altruistic nature; realization of
the spiritual intellect.
Projective. Elements: Fire & Akasha. Clear yellow or orange ancient
petrified resin (possibly pine tree). Electromagnetic. Opens
solar plexus chakra for mental clarity, mood balance, confidence.
Stomach anxiety, spine, Central Nervous System, brain, memory loss,
cell regeneration. Excellent detoxification and protection from
radiation, especially x-rays, sun, computers, airport, planes and
others’ energies.
Sacred use (incense/worn) by Asian and American Indians, and worldwide.
Energy magnet, increases enjoyment. Aligns mental and emotional
bodies. High electrical charge for positive energy. Harmonizes
Yin and Yang. Excellent in use in rituals for enhancing your
beauty and tractiveness. Helps to attract love and stimulates happiness
and pleasure. Used for both good luck and as a protective amulet and is
extremely protective against negative magick which has been directed
against you. Increased effectiveness of spells if placed on altar.
Increases strength while relieving or curing health conditions.
Protects children.
Amethyst - Headaches; blood
sugar imbalance; Left-brain imbalances; edginess; facilitates healing;
inner peace; psychic insight; stimulates Third Eye; aid for meditation;
spiritual opening and internal surrender.
Receptive. Element: Water. Translucent, purple/lavender quartz.
Psychicness, imagery, mind quieting. Wear when sleeping or when awake
to reduce anger, impatience, and nightmares. Brow and crown chakras.
Headaches, eyes, scalp/hair, pituitary, pineal, blood sugar balance.
Especially aids sobriety; alcohol/food/sex/other addictions. Famous
ancient detoxicifier (especially helps with poisons, alcohol.) Keep in
pet’s water to reduce fleas. Spiritual: Enhancing self-esteem, peaceful
sleep, moderation, calmness, perception and opening one’s spiritual
side. Healing: Headaches, assimilating foods, banishes pimples and
rough skin, and treatment of arthritis. Enhances mind, intuitions and
insight, inner calm. Soul Stone. Eases compulsive/obsessive
behavior (desire for food, tobacco, drugs, alcohol, etc.) calms an
overactive mind, increases self-esteem, aids sleep. Spiritual, inner
peace. Calms fears, reduced stress, dispels doubts and negativity,
relieves depression and promotes good judgement. Includes vivid dreams,
increases mental powers and is useful in psychicism. Draws pure, true,
emotional love. Angelite - Medium blue to white
crystals. Fairly newly discovered.
Psychic connection to oneness with universe, angelic realm, spiritual
guidance. Astral travel, heightened sensory awareness. Seeing
paths to surmount challenges. Aligns physical and etheric fields for
healing self & others. Regenerates and rejuvenates ill or depleted
areas.
Anhydrite - Heavy metal maism
is alleviated. Apache Tears - Projective.
Element: Fire. Small, dark,
smoky-translucent Obsidian pebbles. For looking within, protection,
vision quest/purpose. Gently grounds and unblocks lower body and
endocrine glands/chakras. Aids healing. Represents tears of grief shed
by Native American women after their loved ones’ deaths due to invading
troops. Spiritual powers: Stimulates release of grievances. Opens
past lives. Reveals negative karma. Protection. Healing attributes:
Eliminates toxins. Reduces fear. Alleviates muscle spasms. Support,
protection, repels negativity, aids in time of grief. Ease and releases
pain, loss, sadness, anger, etc. to help heal and go on with life.
Transforms and aids in the release of lower emotions. Good for scrying.
Extremely potent and protective. Apatite - Transparent dk. blue,
yellow, clear. Blue and purple are used
especially to heal and stimulate throat chakra and kidney point for
self-statement, teaching, healing mouth, throat, thyroid, high blood
pressure, stuttering, etc. Reducing hunger. High calcium content
strengthens bones, muscles, mineral assimilation. Apophyllite - Clear, white,
light green striated crystals. Very
powerful for deep, peaceful stillness and alpha state/meditation/dream
recall. Clairvoyance, out of body travel, etc. Green is most powerful:
Heals and brings joyous openness to the heart chakra. as it opens the
brow and crown chakras. Clears mental fuzziness and channels for with
higher-self and angelic realm contact. Helps see truth for growth.
Aquamarine - Fluid retention;
coughs; fear; thymus gland; calms nerves; problems with eyes, ears,
jaw,
neck, stomach and teeth; mental clarity; meditation.
Clear light blue, blue-green. Tranquilizing, uplifting, openness,
innocence, light-heartedness, creativity, communication,
self-awareness, confidence, purpose. Throat (& spleen) chakras.
Heart, immune system, thymus, lymphnodes, especially: mouth, ears, etc.
Affects etheric and mental levels. Releases anxiety, fear,
restlessness, peaceful stillness like the flow of a forest stream.
Breathing allergies, water travel, journeys, sea goddess, seeing
through people, protection. Aragonite - Translucent
purple-pink-brown hexagonal, or white needle
crystals. Deep, peaceful meditation; uplifts emotions. Centering,
overview, patience under stress, helps us navigate managerial/personal
challenges with a clear head and steady hand. Giving and receiving
easily. Balances yin-yang. Eyes, brain, Central Nervous System, heart,
opens spiritual/brow chakra for day-to-day living with an open heart
and mind. Centering self during stress and anger. Problem
solving, patience and will power. Stimulates communication with higher
planes.
Aventurine - Eliminates
psychosomatic
ills; fear; skin diseases; near-sightedness; positive attitude;
creative
insight.
Projective. Element: Air. Translucent dark/lt. green quartz.
Heals emotional pain/fear/imbalance by dissolving blocks in the heart
chakra. Historically also draws out heat of fevers, inflammation, nerv.
system stress. In your bath water, a soft, soothing stone for general
healing. Universal love, truth, prosperity. Much like Moss Agate.
Green: Spiritual: Protects the heart, enhances creativity, working with
spirit guides, enables abundance and brings good luck and money.
Healing: Works with lungs, heart, adrenal glands, calming troubled
emotions, and sexual organs. Joy, balance, clarity. Peach: Spiritual
powers: Personal power, draws prosperity. Used for contacting Spirit
Guides. Inspires creativity. Healing attributes: Excellent for
fertility, strengthening the urogenital systems.
Azurite - Arthritis and
joints;
surfaces psychic blocks that form physical blocks; helps one let go of
old belief systems; dissolves fear and helps transform it into
understanding.
Receptive. Element: Water. Solid deep blue, blue-purple. Activates brow
and throat chakras. more assertive communication and alert, quiet, deep
access to subconscious and other times/places/lives. Psychicness,
creativity, decisiveness, deeper insight, seeing truth, reduces
depression, anger, abnormal cell growth. Hi copper content stimulates
thyroid, sinus, skin cleansing, spleen, nervous system, mental and
etheric bodies.
Azurite (Malachite) - Skin
diseases; anorexia; calms anxiety; lack of discipline; powerful healing
force to physical body; emotional release. Psychicness.
Bloodstone - Circulation;
all-purpose
healer and cleanser; stomach and bowel pain; purifies bloodstream;
bladder;
strengthens blood purifying organs.
Projective. Element: Fire. (Heliotrope) Solid dark green, red flecks.
Electromagnetic (high iron). Ancient Egypt, Atlantis used to calm,
ground, revitalize. Classic for wealth, menstrual cramps, anemia,
bloodclots, hemorrhoids, birthing/reproductivity, imbalance.
Cleansing heart and blood circulation, marrow, thymus, lungs. Boji Stones - Solid round,
grey-brown discs with high iron.
Grounding, electromagnetic. Balances body’s energy field. Many have
found they reduce pain by holding 1 in each hand. Recharges
electrically in sun. (Store boji’s apart - magneticness neutralizes
each other. Also wearing/holding with tiger’s eye or other stone
containing asbestos may bring on ill feeling.) Brass - Flattens and grounds
energy (poor conductor); not generally
used for healing; can dull/block energy. May be used as shield,
reducing sensitivity and awareness. Calcite - Milky yellow, peach,
green, white or clear crystals.
Soft. Red/Pink: Receptive. Element: Water. Powers: Doubles the
power (all calcites doubles the power) of any energy directed to it.
Also directs energy to specific points. Fosters spirituality, creates
peace, sweeping action to balance and clear the chakras. Used in love
rituals, it is calming, centering and grounding. Releases negative
emotions. Aids feeling protected emotionally. Eliminates stress.
Reduces hypertension. Brings rejuvenation and revitalization to
the entire body. Works with the circulatory system. Green: Receptive.
Element: Earth. Tranquility; soothes spiritual heart; helps us learn
from lessons in each situation and new options. Clarifies visions,
imagery, astral travel and recall. Helps us replace fears, old ways
with healthier ones. Cleans toxins and fumes from body. Needs
cleansing if sticky. Fosters spirituality, creates peace, sweeping
action to balance and clear the chakras. Great for toxic fume damage.
Used to eliminate infections and viruses. It provides a barrier to
diminish the effect of disease-producing micro-organisms. Cleans out
parasites. Called the money stone, green calcite brings back
double anytime you give. Used by Native Americans to enhance the annual
Give-Away ceremony. Clears the body and the immediate environment of
toxins. Keep one in your car! Blue: Receptive. Element: Water.
Eases pain (especially back). Uplifting, joy, happiness, humor. Fosters
spirituality, creates peace, sweeping action to balance and clear the
chakras. Removes emotional blocks, balances one’s emotional state.
Reduces any feelings of intensity and overload. Often used during times
of change and uncertainty. Increases the will and opens channels of
communication. Gold/Yellow: Spine, bones. Detoxification of
kidneys, pancreas, spleen. Decalcifying joints. Clear/Optical:
Clearer vision & communication, wellness, general cleansing.
Orange: Projective. Element: Fire. Fosters spirituality, creates peace,
sweeping action to balance and clear the chakras. The higher wisdom and
philosopher’s stone. Creates a joyous attitude and sense of
clarity. Spiritual evolvement is a result. Works with the third eye for
intuition and to bring peace and protection to all the other chakras.
Banishes worry and anxiety. Used for headaches, tired eyes and
releasing energy blocks. Also directs energy to specific points.
Fosters spirituality, creates peace. Healing Attributes: Works with
improving function of the kidneys, liver and spleen. Used to promote
de-calcification of bone growths. Also aids in assimilation of calcium.
Is called the happiness stone. Clears and creates an open mind while
reducing skepticism. Is one of the most powerful protection stones,
giving energy wherever held to the body. Orange calcite should be used
with care as it is a powerful stimulant to the sacral chakra. It
is reported to restore lovers, heighten desire, increase sexual
function and frequency. Calcite of orange attracts new love,
enhances one’s charisma and puts a smile on your face.
Carnelian - Grounding;
stimulates
curiosity and initiative; focuses attention to the present moment; use
with Citrine on lower 3 Chakras; digestion.
Projective. Element: Fire. Chalcedony (jasper) qtz. Translucent.
Confidence, boldness, initiative, dramatic abilities, assertiveness,
outgoingness. Precision, analysis, appetite, awareness of feelings.
Orange and yellow chakras. Warms and cleanses blood, kidneys,
stimulates appetite, emotions, passion, sexuality, physical energy,
reproductive system, menstrual cramps, arthritis, kidneys, gall
bladder, pancreas. Historically also used to pull excess fever out
through the feet. Spiritual Powers: Stone of courage. Helps to analyze.
Banishes sorrow. Enhances will. Healing attributes: Improves skin
disorders, used for allergies and colds. Works with PMS. Useful in
spells relating to lust. Very helpful in all forms of healing. Can also
be used to guard against people who try to read your thoughts. Celestite - Receptive. Element:
Water. White, clear, or cool lt. blue
cluster crystals. Soothes nerves, stress. Quiets mind. Serenity,
harmony, easiness, stillness for receiving, connection to spirit,
overview, creativity. Aids throat chakra; honesty, openness, stress,
worry, hearing, thyroid, potassium/manganese deficiency, Central
Nervous System, tiredness. Fades in sunlight. Cerussite - Clear/misty white
to brown. Helps us be centered,
confident, capable and versatile amidst life’s challenges. Grounding to
here/now and higher self. Graciousness, good
listening/communication skills.Translates higher concepts to everyday
language. Psychicness, clarity. Shows what we can/can’t change.
Letting go (stress, addictions). Insomnia, central nervous
system, coordination, general healing. Both grounds root chakra and
opens crown (& throat) chakra. Plant growth, protection against
bugs.
Chalcedony - Touchiness;
melancholy;
fever; gallstones; leukemia; eye problems; stimulates maternal feelings
and creativity; release. Charoite - Purple, solid. Newly
coming into greater use. Works
with indigo & violet chakras to transmute/lift us out of emotions,
fear. Seeing old patterns with new possibilities. Opens heart,
inspiration, service, seeing clearly (mentally, physically,
psychically), faster healing. Some find useful also for entity release
work and alcohol/liver detoxification. Chrysoberyl - Translucent Gold
or Green Cat’s Eye (often confused with
qtz. Tiger’s Eye, but rarer). Usually clear, green or green/brown,
nongreasy. For acquiring more prosperity. Confidence, self-pride,
healing. Amplifies other gems.
Chrysocolla - Emotional
balancer
and comforter; alleviates fear, guilt, and nervous tension; facilitates
clairvoyance; arthritis; feminine disorders; eases labour and birth;
thought
amplifier.
Receptive. Element: Water. Solid lt. blue/blue-green. Gentle,
soothing, friendly. Excellent for heart chakra; flushes and heals heart
blocks (loss, hurt, guilt, fear) for allowingness, flexibility,
self-forgiveness, peace of heart, patience. Keeps one in light, love,
and healing daily. On Throat, expressing feelings, verbal and artistic
creativity, thyroid. Also, heart bloodsugar, and emotional balance.
High conductivity from copper draws out pain, heat (fevers,
inflammations, arthritis). Excellent therapeutic aid for healing loss,
incest, other traumas. Cleanses auric field. Dreams and Earth
healing. Supports letting go. Releases toxins physically and
emotionally. Replaces anxiety with Universal Love. Drives off fear and
illusion. Increases wisdom, attracts love. Major attractor of
wealth and prosperity. Opens bottled emotions. Aids creativity.
Hold in your left hand to dispel fears, illusions and negative
thoughts. The colors of greenish/blue to almost white/blue are soothing
and relaxing. This is a stone that produces thoughts of peace and
restfulness. With worry banished, mental clarity is enhanced and
problem-solving inspirations are unfolded. Recently Chrysocolla has
been used to aid in ionizing the air. It purifies the environment
either at home or at work. It processes negativity and assists in
stabilizing a balanced atmosphere. Furthers understanding between
people and releases animosity, guilt and frustration. An excellent tool
for aiding communication blockages. It helps one remain silent
when that is the best path. Or helps one to speak in their own behalf
when such a course is desirable. Provides insight for healing.
Chrysocolla works towards perfection in areas of bodily and emotional
health. Has specifically been used in cases of asthma, TB, emphysema or
any lung condition. Increases breathing capabilities. A number of users
report visionary experiences when held to the third eye. A useful
meditation tool. And a practical enhancement stone for guided
imagery.
Chrysoprase - Gout; eye
problems;
alleviates greed, hysteria and selfishness; V.D.; depression; promotes
sexual organ strength.
Receptive. Element: Earth. Bright translucent green chalcedony. Uplifts
heart chakra. Greater flexibility, wisdom, generosity, self-confidence.
Heals depression, excess self-focus, emotions/sexual imbalance. Placed
on heart, neck, or on brown for meditation.
Citrine Quartz - Projective.
Element: Fire. Clear yellow qtz. For Solar Plexus chakra, mental and
emotional clarity. Problem-solving, memory, willpower, optimism,
confidence, self-discipline, digestion. Reduces anxiety, fear,
depression, stomach tension, food disorders, allergies.
Detoxification: Spleen, kidneys, liver, urinary system, intestines,
etc. Electromagnetic. Prevents nightmares and have good nights sleep.
Helps tap into user’s power to give energy to magick. Can be used as a
good luck stone. Increases self-esteem. Promotes creativity. Heart, kidney,
liver and muscle healer; appendicitis; gangrene; red and white
corpuscles;
digestive tract; cleanses vibrations in the atmosphere; creativity;
helps
personal clarity; will bring out problems in the solar plexus and the
heart;
eliminates self-destructive tendancies.
Clear Quartz - Transmitter
and amplifier of healing energy; clarity; balancer; channeller of
universal
energy and unconditional love; all-purpose healer; programmable. Copper - Excellent energy
conductor! Sends and amplifies thoughts,
healing, and gem electrical energy into wearer’s energy field. Next to
skin: Detoxes and soothes arthritis, rheumatism, other inflammation
problems. 3rd chakra: stomach, intestines, etc. Warms, releases
resentment, anger, etc. built up in joints as arthritis.
Exhaustion recovery, circulation, balances warm sun energy and cool
lunar energy. Energize with sun. Coral - Receptive. Elements:
Water & Akasha. Calcium and calcite.
Red and orange: stimulates 1st and 2nd chakras for energy and warmth,
fertility. Energizes emotions. Muscles, blood, heart, reproductive
system; thyroid, metabolism; meridians; spine, bone and tissue
regeneration. (Avoid if high blood pressure, fever, anxious.) Pink:
Heart chakra, increases sensitivity, caring, compassion. White:
Soothes; heals meridians, stress, smell ability, nerves. Black:
Creativity, repels lower energies. Cuprite - Deep wine red. (High
copper content) Opens flow of 1st/root
and 3rd/stomach/power centers, Kundalini energy, willpower. Also, with
heart chakra: strengthens thymus, heart, blood, and oxygen, metabolism,
stamina and healing. Historically also heals relationship with father,
the yang side of us, masculinity (for men) and confidence/security
issues. Access past life parent info for healing issues. Danburite - Clear crystal.
Powerfully radiates bright, pure, white
light, filling our body, mind, and spirit (and relationships) with
loving light. Excellent to cleanse, purify, or debrief. Fills 3rd eye
and crown chakra with joy and illumination. Brings truth, honesty, a
smile to the heart and open receptivity to mind and spirit. Strengthens
mind, nervous system, life force, awareness. Program for particular
uses. Excellent healing tool. Desert Rose - Lt. brown. Gently
grounding; clarifies thinking and
mental vision, perception. Quiets worry, brings out practicality.
(Related to Selenite) The spirit of these Selenite clusters send the
message to stop, take time for self, smell the roses, find beauty in
the day, and to enjoy every precious moment. You are reminded of the
Divine in everything and everyone. The spirit here assists you in that
joyous feeling of being connected.
Diamond - All brain diseases;
pituitary and pineal glands; draws out toxicity; poison remedy. Projective.
Element: Fire. (Carbon) Powerfully absorbs and amplifies
thoughts/attitudes of user, other gems, and wearer’s strengths and
weaknesses. Prosperity, generosity vs. misery; love vs. distrust;
overview, spirituality vs. lust, immediate gratification. Used
with loving, clear intent; clears blocks, opens crown chakra; spiritual
love, peace. Clarity, trust, confidence. Cleanse thoroughly it can hold
our other’s previous attitudes, emotions. Ancients also used for
detoxing. Diopside - Clear, deep green.
Deep healing and expansion of heart
center, love, commitment, trust humbleness, heart, lungs, etc. Yin. Dioptase - Tiny deep blue-green
silicate crystals. Its powerful green
reaches deep into the heart chakra to release and heal sadness,
heartache, abuse, neglect. Converts loss (recent/childhood) into
self-love. Empowers heart with new depth, strength, healthiness,
courage, ability to love deeply, unconditionally. Connects emotional
heart with spiritual heart to receive abundance. Promotes genuineness,
sincerity, emotional balance, self-worth, deep well-being. Central
Nervous System, lungs, heart, blood pressure, stress. Can send healing
deep into the earth. Dolomite - Pink/pastel/milky to
clear. Clear varieties, especially pink
are used to softly open and heal heart chakra. Soothes hurt,
loneliness, anxiety, etc. Facilitates giving and receiving, generosity,
spontaneity, creativity, energy uplift. Calcium content strengthens
bones, teeth, muscles, woman’s reproductive system; helps PMS.
Brings joy. Banishes sorrow. Calms and relaxes. Opens the heart. Works
to reduce hyperactivity. Helps asthma, kidneys and adrenals. Radiate a
soft energy of love that is hard not to notice. Aligns energy points.
Can also be used to provide stoppage of any energy leaks. Encourages
original and creative thinking. Type A personalities are benefited as
well as hyperactive children. Eilat Stone - Excels in healing
emotional and physical aspects of
heart/lungs and throat chakras. Flushes out/heals hurt, fear, stress,
loss. Antidepressant. Sinuses, mouth; bone and tissue
regeneration. On Solar Plexus: Aligns the subtle bodies, harmonizes
heart, mind, and body. Wholeness, peace of heart, self-statement,
creativity. Balances yin/yang. Draws out pain, inflammation,
fever. Elestial - Special form of
clear/smokey qtz. Changes
confusion/illusions to clarity, seeing truth, overview.
Psychicness, openness to higher self/God/spirituality. Stimulates crown
chakra/pineal to rise above situations, emotions. May initially
intensify lower thoughts (ego, denial, self-judging) to release these
blocks to open heart/mind. Healing brain cells from drug/alcohol
use. “All-seeing Stone” brings infusion of light. Use as a bridge stone
to enhance energy flow between chakras. Emerald - Receptive. Element:
Earth. Beryl. Strengthens heart chakra
for abundance, growth, peace, harmony, patience, love, fidelity,
honesty. Lifts depression, insomnia. Knowingness of the heart,
peaceful dreams. Breathing, heart, lymph nodes, blood, thymus,
pancreas (blood sugar rebalance), labor/delivery, eyesight, and etheric
field. Excellent general healer. Ancient blood detoxifier and
antipoison. Androgynous. Epidote - Deep green, striated.
Strengthens overall health, heart,
well-being, energy. Courage, stamina. Helps take good care of one’s
self (food, rest, etc.). Ability to increase whatever one tunes
into. It’s the stone for all reasons. Augments personal power.
Greatly enhances perception. Noted for its power in creating rapid
spiritual awakening. Enhances intuition and perception. Powerful
cleansing of emotional body. Use with caution. It releases pent up
emotions and opens blockages like no other stone. Fluorite - Projective. All
rainbow colors. Important balancer,
healer. Opens heart (especially green), throat and 2 highest
chakras for clarity, overview, seeing additional truths/realities.
Spleen bones, teeth, lungs, detoxification, anxiety, insomnia. Clear
and Purple: Objectivity; clears the way for new things, upliftment,
aura cleanse, 3rd eye, eyesight, sinuses; repels colds. Enhances other
gems. Green: Stills mind and heart, harmonizes and recharges all
chakra. Blue: Throat, nose, ears, soothing; karmic impasses resolved,
atonement relieved. Yellow: Focus, cooperation, group alignment.
Yttrium: Lavender, well-being, serenity, peace, connection with
universe/God/eternal life force. Clusters: Lowers work/life stress
(helpful on your desk). Double Pyramid: Aligns spirit with physical
plane, inner with outer awareness, and 2 sides/brain; crown chakra,
illuminating karmic lessons. Spiritual: For spiritual growth, called
the guidance stone, dissipates negativity, aids in concentration &
memory. Healing: Canker sores, ulcers, heartburn, sore throat,
infections and the intestinal tract. Opens wearer to influence of
other stones. Grounds excess energy. Fuchsite - Muscovite. Mica-like
flaky light green.
Light-heartedness, friendliness, compassion, recovery, immunity. Speeds
deeper healing. Garnet - Projective. Element:
Fire. (Only clear is used for
healing.) Red: 1st and 2nd chakras. Warms, energizes emotionally
and physically (arthritis, frostbite, paralysis), grounds. Used by
ancient cultures. Exhaustion, low BP, detoxing and strengthening blood,
muscles, kidneys, gallstones. Stimulates life force and sexuality,
hormone balance, antibodies, fertility, persistence, stamina, passion,
confidence and stubbornness. Yang (avoid if excess anger, impatience,
high blood pressure, heat, inflammation, etc.) 1st/root chakra. Orange:
Warmth, energy. 2nd chakra. Gem Silica - Gem quality
Chrysocolla. Highly evolved. See Silica. Geodes (OCO) - Receptive.
Element: Water. Athletes and chess players,
gamblers and entrepreneurs, job seekers and romance seekers...all love
Oco geodes. Victory stone. Related to the Goddess, Geodes are symbols
of fertility and a companion to the creativity of the egg. Used
world wide to consecrate altars, ceremonies and new beginnings. They
also are famous for bringing good luck and blessings. Use in weight
management to easily see the desired self. One of the finer tools for
self empowerment. An unbelievable aid to visualization. Assists
in understanding what one is viewing. Helps in traveling and in
contacting spirit guides or totem animals. A powerful Shaman’s stone.
Here is the tunnel. The journey is waiting. A fantastic healer’s and
healing stone. Some of the pieces we have are convoluted on the outside
and look much like the human brain. Used for brain tumors. Excellent
for balancing right brain, left brain activities. There is a
combination of intuition and motivation for right action that leads to
success. Raises self esteem without creating ego. Gold - Excellent all-purpose,
high level gem amplifier and electrical
conductor, especially on solar plexus and heart chakras.
Strengthens meridians, nerve system, digestion. Positively charged with
warming sun energy. Often worn by teachers/healers, especially after
much self-healing (addictions, childhood). Attracts prosperity, stores
and amplifies thoughts/emotions/energy (greed too). Yang. Pink: Gold
and copper. Lovingness, warmth, spirituality. White: Combines sun
and moon’s energy, thus higher conductor and amplifier. Goldstone - Medium brown with
tiny coppery glitter. Reported to be a
man-made form of sunstone originally created when alchemists were
working towards creating gold. Gently uplifting, mildly helpful to
solar plexus chakra, to reduce stomach tension and protect center of
body. Hawk’s Eye/Falcon’s Eye -
Natural green, grey or blue tiger’s eye-like
quartz. Helps gain perspective to see/face situations fully. Seeing the
overview clearly and unflinchingly, as from a Hawk’s eyes.
Stomach and brow chakras. Blue: Deepens meditation. helps us see the
truth (self, others, situations) in order to grow. Hematite & Marcasite -
Projective. Element: Fire. Silver-gray
metallic. (High iron, mercury) One of the most grounding of all
stones (root chakra). Condenses scatteredness, fuzziness into mental
clarity, concentration, memory, practicality, helps study, bookkeeping,
detail work, sound sleep. Confidence, will power, boldness.
Egyptians used also to calm hysteria and anxiety. Yang. Helps us adjust
to being physical. Spleen, blood, cleanse. Can deflect. Regroups after
jet lag, stress, birth, anesthesia. The mind stone, unlocks blockages,
both cools and draws heat, banishes negativity, aids in concentration.
Reinforces immune system, muscular aches and pains, blood disorders,
leg cramps and fractures. Grounding & centering, focus, self
discipline. Good for scrying. Draws illness out of body. Herkimer Diamond - Projective.
Elements: Fire & Water. A special
clear quartz. Shifts brain powerfully into alpha/deep stillness,
opening the brow and crown chakras for a strong, clear channel, psychic
readings, meditation. May make one too “high”/spacey to wear. The
“dream stone” - in meditation or pillow, it wonderfully enhances
visualization, astral travel into the light and dream recall. Amplifies
and stores thoughts, energy; use as bridge to stimulate energy flow up
through the chakras. Cleanse often. Hiddenite - A spodumene, like
kunzite. Green. Best known for drawing
prosperity. Clears heart to receive. Eases love or $ loss.
Calming. Howlite - White. Gently absorbs
and uplifts stress, tension, anxiety,
emotional intensity, etc. Quietly loving, calming. Works with the heart
center, bringing greater gentleness, patience, tact. Helps bones,
teeth, and other calcium aspects of body.
Iolite (Cordierite) - Clear
bluish-lavendar. Opens a light pathway from
throat chakra up through crown. Truth, simplicity, imagery, peace.
Living at higher awareness level. Alcohol/addiction detoxificator,
sobriety. A newer stone recently more available. Jade - Receptive. Element:
Water. Solid to translucent green. Health,
wealth, longevity stone. Ancient Chinese used also for courage, wisdom,
justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility,
generosity, peace, harmony. Lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and
blood detoxification, nervous system. Androgynous. A gentle, steady
energy. Nephrite: Sacred stone of protection. Integrates
the subtle bodies of man into the subtle bodies of the Universe.
Assists in balancing energies between partners. Can also balance the
male - female energies within each person. Used to stimulate white
blood cells. Recuperation for excess stress as it aids the adrenal
glands. A recovery stone. Can regulate metabolism and often used for
colic in children. In both Greece and Spain the name for the stone
translates as “kidney stone” for its aid to any complaints of the
kidneys. Put some nephrite jade elixir in your bath water to help in
releasing toxins. Especially helpful in cases of radiation. A calming
and detachment stone from the emotional ups and downs of living. Great
in dream work, both for analyzing and for working into lucid dreaming.
Helps mental activity with clear judgment and an increased ability for
focus and concentration. Aids in promoting effortless self-discipline
in any skill or endeavor. Builds self esteem and confidence.
Stimulates the adrenal glands, regulates metabolism and promotes white
blood cells. Protection, wisdom & courage, forms a shield, good
luck and prosperity. Jasper - Chalcedony qtz.,
multi-colored, solid. Yellow, orange, brown,
green. Yellow for stomach, intestines, liver, spleen areas, earthy
grounding. Green: Receptive. Element: Earth. Respiratory/heart
chakra. General tissue regeneration; mineral assimilation;
general healing. Darker colors: more grounding. (Also less conductive
for healing.) Red: Projective. Element: Fire. Spiritual: Most powerful
energy stone, stimulates sexual energy, protection, pacing and Shamanic
journeying. Healing: For liver, kidneys, bladder, aura cleansing
and for extended hospitalization when energy is low. Yellow: Spiritual
powers: Aids memory retention. Activates will. Heightens awareness.
Brings clarity. Healing attributes: Regulates the nervous system.
Soothes the digestive and urinary tracts. Jet - Receptive. Elements:
Earth & Akasha. Protection,
anti-nightmare, luck, divination, health. Black amber. Absorbs
negativity. Strengthens psychic awareness. Utilized in health and
healing spells. Worn to maintain proper engery flow within the
body and avoid ill-health. Kunzite - Receptive. Element:
Earth. Spodumene with lithium.
Pink, clear. Powerful, high level stone. Strengthens healers, teachers.
Opens the emotional heart and spiritual heart. Unconditional
lovingness, compassion. Healing abuse/loss/addictions. Helps emotional
balance, confidence, connection to higher self, oneness. Reduces
depression, mood swings, stress, radiation. Brow and crown chakras.
Deepens altered state, psychic readings, healing, being centered
emotionally and spiritually. Distinctive flattened crystals with
deep striations. Encourages self-esteem and helps to remove
insecurities. Relaxes your heart space. Enables pent up communication
to come out in a thoughtful caring manner. Simply dissolves
negativity and fear. Works to contact spirit guides, angels, nature
spirits and totem animals. Further enhances communication with these
entities. Sets up a pathway for continuance of contact. Stimulates
intuition while in meditation. Opens the door way to the subconscious
and provides a shield for unwanted energies. Used to eliminate energy
blockages. Clears meridians and helps to reduce cholesterol.
Works to strengthen the physical heart. Widely used for addictive
disorders and calming nervous disorders. It is extensively mined for
its Lithium content. Kyanite - Light blue,
splintery. Placed on brow, this opens 3rd eye and
throat chakras. Enhances psychic images, foresight, consciousness,
meditation, communication. On 3rd eye; answers questions, especially in
imagery. Brings out our natural ability to manifest things into reality
via thoughts, visualization. Tranquility. Labradorite/Spectrolite -
(Clearer/lighter)/(Darker) Subtle
green/blue/yellow/etc. metallic irridescent. Brings forth each person’s
strengths to share with the world. Originality. Easier, more
restful sleep. Helps us relate to others. Opens energy flow to solar
plexus and brow chakras and whatever other centers are most in need.
Still evolving along with us. Fragile, avoid salt cleansing. Assists in
contact with other vibratory planes. Facilitates bringing intuition
into earth plan thoughts. Harmonizes the physical, emotional,
mental and spiritual bodies. Provides clarity to insights. Fosters
faith, clarity of thought and patience. Increases focus and
concentration. Eliminates interference from a pendulum users own
thoughts. Lapis Lazuli - Receptive.
Element: Water. Solid, med. to dk.
blue. In meditation, opens brow chakra; higher guidance, intuition,
connection to higher self, overview, decisions for good of all.
Organizes, quiets mind. Opens throat/thyroid chakra; self-statement,
writing, creativity, dream insight. Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia,
autism, shyness, nervous system; MS, speech, hearing, pituitary, DNA,
lymph, inflamation, pain (especially head), protection. Larimar - A gentle, soft,
sky-blue Caribbean healer. Brings tranquility
of water/sea and air to heart and mind. Soothes and uplifts hurt, fear,
depression, pain of life, changes with love. Self-statement,
patience, acceptingness, simplicity, creativity, artwork. With red
spots: helps gentle people be assertive. Cools, draws out inflamation,
fevers, sunburn heat. Especially helps the creativity and throat chakra
(shoulder, thyroid, nose). Pleasantly uplifts the heart and eases
stress. Lepidolite - Receptive.
Element: Water. (Contains Lithium and
mica.) Solid lavendar to soft pink, dull, sparkly. Calms and
relaxes. Gently eases intensity of feelings, stress, mood swings,
depression, manic-depression, self-criticism, anxiety, addictions,
worrying. Brings hope, relief, gentleness, self-love, patience,
self-forgiveness, unworried sleep, mental/emotional balance,
well-being. For master gland and immune system, skin, DNA. Balances 2nd
and 3rd and brow chakras with new spiritual love. Fragile; salt water
cleansing may cause it to break apart. Lodestone - (Magnetite, Iron)
Metallic black, natural magnet. Related
to (and works like) hematite for grounding, clear thinking, focus
(detail work, decisions, etc.). Electromagnetically pulls toxic blocks
and pain from energy meridians, pancreas, and lower glands. Old story
of its use for faithfulness test: Unfaithful one is said to fall out of
bed if touched by this stone. Malachite - Receptive.
Element: Earth. Steady pulsing electromagnetic
energy. (High copper content) On brow: Stimulates physical and psychic
vision, concentration. For heart and solar plexus centers:
Stomach, liver, kidney stones, lungs, immune system, radiation, MS,
circulation. Powerful with azurite or chrysocolla for healing. Releases
and draws out pain, inflammation, depression, anger; heals blocks.
Protects well by powerfully cleaning the auric field, rapidly absorbing
undesirable energies, including: computer, TV, and other radiation,
etc. Place in the 4 corners of a room to cleanse carpet toxins/gases.
Clean very frequently - daily if possible! Increases power to send
power toward your magickal goal. Used in protective magick. Traveler’s
guardian stone. Relaxes the nervous system and calms stormy emotions.
Promotes tranquility and ensure sleep if worn to bed. Held, it dispels
depression. Manganese w/Rhodonite -
Spiritual powers: Facilitates resolve,
determination. Promotes spontaneity. Connects to Angelic beings.
Healing attributes: Works with kidney and bladder, relieves water
retention. Diminishes free radicals. Meteorite - Usually solid,
dull, mottled, brownish to black.
Noniron varieties amplify thoughts/telepathic sending/receiving,
greater awareness, some connection to extraterrestrial life.
Odd/unusual energy, best used by those drawn to them. Microline - See Amazonite. Moldavite - Greenish to
brown-green Tektite (fell to earth). Dull
outside, deep clear green inside. Powerfully expands psychicness,
channeling. On heart chakra, eases longing to leave earth. On
pillow, brow, crown: Telepathic access to spiritual laws, info from
higher regions/places to help us and Earth to be healthier and more
spiritual. An intense meteorite helping people incarnating from
elsewhere be more comfortable here on earth (reducing asthma, toxin
sensitivity, emotional intensity, epilepsy). May make some too spacey;
be sure to ground self after use and before driving. Fragile - Don’t
salt cleanse! More rare, expensive and powerful than a plain “tektite”. Moonstone - Receptive. Element:
Water. Feldspar (contains aluminum).
Translucent with white, pink, yellow, soft sheen. Soothes stress,
anxiety, women’s hormones/menstrual imbalance, lymph. Enhances
intuitive sensitivity via feelings and less overwhelmed by personal
feelings. Greater flexibility and flow with life. Connects 2nd and 6th
chakras and pineal for emotional balance, gracefulness. Helps all be
more comfortable with our gentler feminine/yin receiving side.
Especially for water signs. Morganite (Pink Beryl) -
Related to Emerald and Aquamarine.
Clear/soft pink to violet, translucent to clear. Inspires spiritual
lovingness, compassion, equality, upliftment, empathy, patience.
Spiritual heart chakra. Also heart, lungs, breathing, throat,
oxygenation. One of the highest frequency stones available. Mother Of Pearl - Receptive.
Element: Water & Akasha.
Beads/decor made of glossy pearly inside of pearl oyster shell. (Isn’t
a stone.) Carries the gentle, peaceful healing energy of the sea.
Relaxes, soothes emotions, sensitivity, stress. Obsidian - Projective. Element:
Fire. Solid/translucent black to smoky.
(Incl. “Navaho/Apache Tears”) Objectivity, dis-attachment,
grounding. Protection, grounding, divination, peace. Reduces
fantasy/escapism. Absorbs and dissolves anger, criticism, fear, etc.
thus protective. Black: Absorbs dark and converts to white light.
Friendly. Can’t be misused. Root chakra. Brings higher chakra
light into lower ones; cleanses, uplifts. Changes fear into flexibility
with change. Snowflake: Clairaudience and owning our lower aspects for
growth; healthy balance. (Be aware - obsidian balls help to see truths
by initially amplifying beliefs, patterns, fears, blocking our growth.)
Spiritual powers: Brings purity and balance. Opens clarity for
unwanted circumstances. Healing attributes: Used for creating smooth
skin. Works with clearing veins and clearing eyes. Used to sharpen both
the internal and external vision, one of the most important “teachers”
of the New Age stones, teaches one the truth of oneself in relation to
ones ego, depicts the contrasts of life-day and night, darkness and
light, truth and error. Serenity & relief. Green: Heals broken
crystals and charges them. Onyx - Projective. Element:
Fire. Protective. Balances and grounds.
Absorbs and flattens emotional intensity. Androgynous. Can’t
conduct or retain healing energy/programming very well. Black: Root
chakra. Grounding. Protection, defensive magick. Great for defense
against negativity. Can be used to reduce sexual desires. Onyx is an
extremely potent protective stone and is widely known for its ability
to protect against psychic attacks and hexes. Green: Heart/4th chakra.
Yellow: 3rd, seriousness, logic. Blue: 5th chakra. The more
translucent/clearer ones are more effective. Opal - Receptive/Projective.
All elements. A silicate. Contains
water, correlating with our emotions. Clarifies by amplifying and
mirroring feelings, buried emotions, desires (including love and
passion). Less inhibition, more spontaneity. Crown and Brow
chakras. Visualization, imagination, dreams, healing. Easily
absorbs, stores emotions and thoughts. Fragile. Fades/cracks in sun,
heat, salt, acidic foods. Moisten frequently with water or oil. Some
cancel/negate other gems (backfires if not used for good of all). May
change color with high energy/intensity people. White: Balances
L/Rt. brain. “Black”/Dk blue: One of the most potent. Fire Opals: May
stimulate passion, temper, energy. Pearl - Receptive. Elements:
Water & Akasha. White: Symbol of pure
heart and mind; innocence, faith. Of the sea, it has watery and lunar
elements, thus balancing emotions, especially for water signs. Absorbs
thoughts, emotions. For solar plexus chakra (digestion, stomach,
immunity) and emotional stress. Low integrity or anger rebounds to user
(like Opal). Cleanse frequently. Fire signs less compatible unless
drawn to Pearl. May cool and soothe. Gold and Black: Also for
prosperity. Pink: Works especially with the heart chakra. Pearls
work best without other gems. Divers wear for shark protection. Peridot - Receptive. Element -
Earth. Clear bright
green/green-yellow. Clears heart chakra, pathway, strengthening
breath of life, prosperity, growth, openness. Used by Egyptians,
Aztecs, Incas to gently cleanse and heal the physical heart chakra
(lungs, lymph, breast). Yellower gems also for solar plexus
chakra (stomach, liver, adrenal). Helps understand relationships, other
realities. Alleviates depression, anger, fear, jealousy, anxiety. Petrified Wood - Receptive.
Element: Akasha. Spiritual: For grounding,
seeing into past lives, getting rid of worries, and stabilizing.
Healing: Strengthening bones and skeletal system, backache, and to
stimulate thickness and luster in hair. Phenicite (Phenakite) - Milky
white to clear crystal. A powerfully
loving, healing, spiritual stone. Clearer stones intensely opens 3rd
eye, crown and transpersonal chakras as a white light channel.
Clairvoyance/spiritual communication, meditation, astral travel.
Energizes meridians and healing of other stones. Prehnite - Spiritual powers:
Dreaming and remembrance. Enhances
one’s protective field. Brings peace and calm. Healing attributes:
Builds the immune system. Useful for anemia for blood disorders.
Clearly the color and unusual touch generate a serenity and
tranquillity uncommon even in the typical stress release stones. This
is a most powerful stone. Has been used to aid in remembering dreams.
Rub Prehnite just before going to sleep and ask for assistance in lucid
dreaming. Due to its ability to rapidly move one into the other world,
Prehnite has long been used as a secret stone of Shaman’s. Because it
can carry one into both the sub-conscious and the earth’s astral it has
become known as the “Prediction Stone”, and as such is much in demand
by channelers. Do not take Prehnite lightly. Before you go contacting
entities make sure you have some understanding how to let them go, how
to ascertain that you are truly in touch with the same energy (entity),
and that you have some knowledge in limiting the vital life force any
discarnate entity can absorb from you. Prehnite is par excellence
for visualizations of any kind. It provides a smooth transition
into meditation. One of the top stones available for self-hypnosis and
auto-suggestion. In healing, Prehnite has been used to reduce high
blood pressure and control hypertension. We have recently found that
this remarkable stone can be used to balance meridians and also to
activate (balance) acupuncture and acupressure points. Pyrite (Fool’s Gold) (With iron)
- One of the most grounding stones in
use today. Used for focus, practicality, logic, memory, clearing fuzzy
thinking/scatteredness, etc. like Hematite. Helps Yellow Chakra:
Stomach, intestines, ulcers; sulfur and mineral assimilation,
circulation, body acidity imbalances, depression, illusions/lack of
clarity about situations/people. Great for grounding spaciness after
meditation/psychic readings. Represents Sun’s golden energy. Quartz (Rock Crystal) -
Receptive/Projective. All elements.
Clear, many forms and colors! Probably the most versatile multi-purpose
healing stone. Easy to cleanse, store info/energy in, program or
amplify energy and healing with. Can both draw and send energy.
Powerful clear ones open brow, crown, and transpersonal chakras for
meditation, sending/receiving guidance. Stimulates natural crystals in
body tissues and fluids to resonate at new healing frequency. Works
with all chakras and master gland. All With Chlorite: Powerful for
sending and advanced specialized uses. Blue (or gray/lavender): A good
healing stone for linking heart with throat and brow chakras to expand
self statement and creativity, plus refining communication skills to
new levels. Eases throat tension. Immune system, thyroid, iodine
and B Vitamin use. Some say shining light through Blue Quartz can help
reduce need for glasses. Still evolving. Yin. Rose: Projective.
Element: Fire. Translucent to clear pink. Love, beauty,
peacefulness, forgiving, lovingness, self-love, emotional balance.
Soft. Gently soothes and warms heart center. Emotional healing, loss,
stress, hurt, fear, low confidence, resentment, anger. Slowly eases
childhood traumas/neglect/lack of love, low self-esteem. Cleanse and
recharge often. Especially if fades. Aligns mental, emotional, and
astral bodies. Spiritual: Self acceptance, healing emotional wounds,
stress, calm, peace and reducing haste. Healing: Clears body
fluids, reduces wrinkles, clears skin, pain relief, coughs, burns,
blistering and lungs. Rutilated/Rutile: Clear quartz with metallic,
golden rutile, copper, or blue/gray titanium fibers that powerfully
electrically conduct and amplify energy/thoughts/programming for
healing. Intensifies/deepens altered states. Opens Crown/brown
chakras for meditation, clairvoyance, telepathy, insight. Some make one
too spacey or scattered to wear. (Induces Alpha) Stimulates immunity,
strength, blue corona, imagery, dreams. Golden fibers may increase
radiation protection and health rejuvination. Each stone’s
energy/qualities are unique. Androgynous. Smoky Quartz: 2 kinds: 1.)
Smoky, rootbeer, or chocolate-colored clear
crystals. The clearest, most intense ones powerfully open the crown
chakra drawing light down the root chakra, inducing Alpha/deep
meditation for channeling/higher guidance, deep relaxation, lovingness.
Ancient use also to stimulate meridians, kundalini, and correct
fertility/PMS/reproductive imbalance. Stores info well. Aleviates fear,
anxiety, depression, emotional stuckness, etc. 2a.) Dense, dull,
solid/semisolid black/brown, less attractive. Very grounding,
opposite of other smokeys . May feel dense, heavy, nonconductive. 2b.)
Many were irradiated to turn them this flat, dark color with white edge
of base. If so, they’re not useful for conducting light/healing,
thus less useful for wearing or healing. Rhodochrosite - Projective.
Element: Fire. Energy, peace, love. Solid
to clear pink. Gentle, yet probably the most vibrant loving stone to
heal the heart chakra, especially for giving/receiving love. Also
for loneliness, loss, heartache, fear, insecurities, inner-child
issues, abuse, incest. Helps self-forgiveness, deservingness and
trust issues, spiritual- and self-love, desire to live, purpose. Best
worn 24 hrs. a day. Electromagnetic. Stronger than Rose Qtz. Solar
plexus, stomach (anxiety), food addictions, anorexia, asthma, eyesight
(especially emotional not-seeing, to avoid pain), thymus. Specialized
uses to detox/heal blood, liver, cancer. Rhondonite - Projective.
Element: Fire. Peace, anti-confusion. Pink,
black inclusions. Works with heart chakra; helps us express confidence
and lovingness on physical plane in day-to-day ways. Calms and feeds
the soul through the heart; love and service. Soothes nightmares.
Stress, heartache, loss, etc. Ancient use also: Speech/hearing
problems/growth, fear, illness (emphysema, asthma). Strengthens
mantras, chanting, affirmations, singing, toning. Spiritual: Finding
one’s greatest potential, the love stone, reducing tension and stress,
attention to details and clarity. Healing: Arthritis, anxiety, joints,
emphysema and heart disorders and sensitivity to light. Rubellite (Red Tourmaline) -
Strengthens, grounds/rejuvenates,
warms. Unites heart and body for love, courage, passion, energy,
stamina, steadiness. High lithium content (thus pink/red color) brings
emotional balance, lovingness, devotion in a down-to-earth way.
Balances body’s electrochemistry. Heart and root chakras. Helps detach
from personal pain. Releases reproductive chakra blocks; stimulates
fertility. Used to strengthen and detox blood and immune system
and to ease radiation effects. Yang. Ruby - Projective. Element:
Fire. Red corundum. Contains chromium
(blood sugar balance). Warms, energizes after exhaustion.
Strengthens physical and emotional heart (4th chakra), love, courage,
confidence, vitality, stamina, strength, leadership, success over
challenges. Intensifies all emotions (passion, jealousy,
impatience, love). Attempted use for pressure/control (for love, etc.)
backfires onto user. Used for reproductive/root chakra; infections,
cholesterol, clots, blood detox (alcohol, caffeine, etc.), sexual
blocks. Stimulates circulation, menses, pituitiary, healing the earth. Rutile - See Quartz - Rutilated. Sapphire - Receptive. Element:
Water. Corundum. Blue, green, pink,
purple, clear. Related to Ruby. Blue: Communication, insight,
intuition, clairaudience, inspiration, spiritual prayer/devotion,
peacefulness. Detoxing skin, body. Antidepressant. Cools, contracts,
soothes, thus reducing inflamation, fevers, nosebleeds. Hearing
problems, TB, burns, etc. Nervous system (& epilepsy) and
meridians. Strongest if next to skin. Especially throat chakra.
Star: Also, wisdom, will, centering, cheerfulness, luck. Reduces
radiation effects, anxiety, procrastination. Some effects subtle.
Black: More grounding. Protection. May strengthen by posing challenges
to overcome. Selenite - Element: Water. A
Gypsum. White/clear striated crystals.
Mental focus, growth, luck, immunity, kundalini. Centuries-old
recordkeepers of events/information. Smoothes emotions. Holding
crystal, visualize it bringing white light/energy (higher
ideas/consciousness) from transpersonal point above head down through
body, out through feet into earth/physical plane. Place on 3rd eye for
stored info. May help physical and emotional letting go. Reproduction,
spine and nervous system, emotional and athletic flexibility. Sends
healing to the earth. Expands sensitivity, field of awareness. Serpentine - Projective.
Element: Fire. Protection, lactation. Guard
against poisonous creatures. Spiritual powers: Assists visualization
and meditation. Aids in raising the Kundalini. Clears chakras.
Healing attributes: Eliminates parasites, helps diabetes and
hypoglycemia. Best used when directing the energies. Silica (Gem Silica) - The
highest, purest form of gem quality
Chrysocolla. One of the highest evolved blue-green stones. (Also
see: Chrysocolla). Silver - Excellent for mental,
emotional, and physical releasing and
cleansing. Works on mind/emotions to see overview, emotional balance,
patience. Like the moon’s energy, it has gentle, cool, smoothing
effect. Thus it reduces inflamation, fever, nervous system stress. Best
with the gentler, cooler-colored gems. Works with pituitary and upper
energy centers. Generally Yin. Smithsonite - Light blue, pink,
or lavendar fuzzy bubbles.
Harmonizes and aligns heart, throat, and brow chakras for smoother
communications, leadership, perceptiveness and depth in relationships,
and expansion into new areas. Meditation clarity, and
receptiveness. Insight via dreams, dream recall. Versatile;
Historically works well in many areas, especially throat chakra, nose,
lymph, immunity; tissue elasticity. Chakra corresponds with stone color. Sodalite - Receptive. Element:
Water. Healing, peace, meditation,
widsom. General communication and writing stone. Logic, ideas, truth.
Balances body energy levels via thyroid, pituitary, lymph, and other
glands. Helps throat chakra, insomnia, neck, mouth, hearing,
bloodsugar, etc. Cooling and drawing for infections, burns, sinus
inflamations, high blood pressure, etc. Spiritual: Stimulating courage
and endurance. Release of subconscious fears and guilt. Inner conflicts
harmonized. Balancing for spiritual rather than psychological
growth. Promotes understanding. Often called the Wisdom Stone. Aids
concentration. Healing: Treatment of digestive orders, balances gland
metabolism, especially good for conditions of stress and worry, has
been used in cases of lymphatic cancer. Can aid in the absorption and
distribution of calcium. Opens throat chakra. Physical healer.
Transformative. Spectrolite - See: Labradorite Spinel - Blue, green. Calms,
alleviates stress, depression.
mental rejuvenation. Most commonly used to aid in detox (together with
fasting, enemas, and alcohol/chemical detox of blood and organs,
including skin.) Red: Also for strength, Kundalini. Staurolite (Fairy Cross) -
Elements: Earth, Air, Fire & Water.
Brown/grey, crosslike extrusions. Represents 4 elements and joining of
spirit with earth/matter. Spirituality, compassion, allowingness,
dis-attachment. Focus centered on the here and now. Stilbite - Pale
pink/gray/white. Pink is especially helpful with
loving, creative energy, acceptingness, allowingness, letting go,
manifesting. May vivify/heighten physical senses, esp. taste.
Detoxifies. Gentle self-statement. Sugilite (Luvulite or Royal Azele)
- Receptive. Element: Water. Solid,
purple. Important healer’s stone used to gently draw out pain
(headaches too), inflamation, stress, disease, toxins, emotional
blocks. Protects, absorbs and dissolves anger, hurt, unwanted energies.
Is placed on brow to alleviate depression/despair, stress. Brings
spirit/light into physical body and heart for healing. Balances
adrenal, pineal, pituitary, lt./rt. brain. Peace of mind, well being,
spiritual love. Androgynous. Facilitates psychic awareness. Sulphur - Projective. Element:
Fire. Solid/clear yellow.
Rejuvinating, especially if one does a great deal of thinking/mental
work and little physical exercise. Mental clarity, focus, analysis,
understanding, willpower, discipline, confidence. Used in Egypt and
modern hot springs/baths for arthritis, pain, rheumatism, swelling,
lymph, cysts, hemorrhoids. Traditionally very healing for wounds,
cleansing and healing skin, sinus, pancreas, liver, syphilis, appendix,
indigestion, insomnia, depression, etc. Strengthens endocrine
glands. Found in garlic, mustard, chives, onions, horseradish,
etc. Repels garden bugs. 3rd chakra. Helps to eliminate negative
thoughts and emotions. Good for flashes of inspiration and as aid to
self-growth and perfection. Used in protective rituals or in home as a
general magickal “ward”. Sunstone - Projective. Element:
Fire. Aventurine feldspar with
gold-orange metallic sheen. Warms the heart and lifts/rejuvinates the
spirit. Protection, life force, grounding. Energy, health and sexual
energy. Tanzanite - Clear,
blue-purple-violate Zoisite crystal. (Use clear ones
for healing meditation.) Placed on brow, it powerfully opens brow plus
crown centers for clairaudience, visions, spiritual connectedness,
protection, manifesting. Helps expand our physical and mental seeing,
hearing, hair, skin. Thulite - Avocado green with
patches of pinkish red. Balances the
four lower chakras. These are often thought the most difficult to bring
into line as they affect our desires, sensuality, will and emotions. A
marathon runner’s stone. Works with breathing and allocation of energy.
A creators dream as focusing on Thulite brings one quickly into altered
states of consciousness with the ability to perceive inspiration when
presented. Aids in answering questions involving love and logic. A
healers dream as this stone can be worn or taped to the body for rapid
absorption of its healing energies. Work well with the intestine, lower
bowel and helps with pre-menstrual problems. Has been used successfully
for fertility. There is a toxin release and an immune building
combination that makes this a fine candidate for any weight management
program. Tiger’s Eye - Projective.
Element: Fire. Chalcedony Quartz Cat’s Eye.
Yellow-gold. Confidence, willpower, clear thinking (and thus speaking),
personal power in life. Yellow/solar plexus chakra. (Not as strong as
citrine or Topaz.) Works on mental plane; amplifies thinking and
manifesting what you think about (careful!), will. Helps separate
thoughts from feelings, so centered, less emotional. Digestion,
stomach, anxiety, ulcers, bones. Use with malachite or pearl for
mental/emotional balance, understanding. Helps change anxiety, fear and
obsessiveness into practicality, logic, etc. Yang. Green or Blue: See
Hawk’s Eye. Topaz - Golden or
pink/”Champagne” crystal. Golden: The most powerful,
electromagnetic of yellow/solar plexus gems. A strong, steady, high
level gem for mental clarity, focus, perceptivity, high level concepts,
confidence, personal power, stamina. Helps mood swings, insomnia,
worries, fears, depression, exhaustion, nervous system stress, stomach
anxiety. Also works somewhat with the crown chakra.
Liver/pancreas detoxification, bloodsugar balance, tissue and backbone
strengthener (physically and emotionally). Radiates warmth, sun/light
energy, protection. Excellent for water signs, teachers, excess
work stress, manifesting, higher-self connection. Brings emotions and
thinking into balance. Pink and Champagne: Works also especially with
the heart for love, spiritual compassion. Blue: Alignment with our
higher self, creative statement, writing, focus on your path. Tourmaline - A powerful,
electromagnetic, striated gem.
Strengthens body and spirit (and meridians), transmutes lower frequency
thought/energy to a higher frequency of light and brings light/spirit
into the physical. Radiates light protection for wearer. Clearer =
higher frequency, effectiveness. Especially for nervous system;
blood/lymph toxins. Black: Powerfully deflects/shields against unwanted
or dark energies, especially for sensitive people. Grounds
spiritual/light energy into root chakra, for centeredness amid chaos.
Neutralizes fears, resentment, neurosis, obsessions, intestinal or
spine energy blocks, toxins, constipation. Place at feet, knees, or
base of spine for groundedness during/after healing. Radiation
protection. Blue (Indicolite): Wonderful for aligning with higher self
for deep insight, vision, intuition, mental peace, patience, nerve
system. Throat chakra. Green: Receptive. Element: Water. Taking
heart, will to live, lifeforce, prosperity, compassion. Energizes
central nervous system (for neualgia, migraine, burns, etc.).
Opens/heals physical and emotional heart chakra (lungs, asthma, etc.).
Cleanses meridians and blocks, stimulates new growth, rejuvinates
heart, lymph, immune system. Thymus and entire body health. Yang. Pink:
Emotional and spiritual love, healing loss, emotional pain, fear,
self-gentleness (especially with severe illness like cancer, emphysema,
etc.). Best in combination with counseling. Most powerful together with
Kunzite or Rhodocrosite. Self-love, compassion, release of old hurt.
Trust. Red: See Rubellite. Watermelon: (Red/pink and green)
Brings together compassion, passion, depth of heart with lifeforce and
groundedness (red). Emotional and spiritual love (light pink) expressed
in the physical heart chakra. (Green) Excels for immune system and
life-threatening illnesses. Balances metabolism, endocrine system;
harmonizing. Empowers other tourmalines. Yin/yang balance. Turquoise - Receptive. Element:
Earth. Lt blue/blue-green. A good
general healer for all illnesses and excellent conductor (high copper).
This gentle, cool, soothing stone is a Native American classic.
It opens the throat chakra for open communication, creativity,
serenity, spiritual bonding, upliftment; Opens the heart chakra for
giving/receiving. Symbolizes our source (spirit/sky) and spiritual love
for healing, help. On brow: Psychic connection to great spirit.
Strengthens and aligns all meridians, chakras, and energy fields. Like
amethyst, it protects and detoxes from alcohol, poison, pollution,
x-ray/sun radiation. Ancient absorber of “negativity”; protection from
“evil eye”. Brings wisdom. Helps anorexia, headache, fear, etc.
Throat, lungs, asthma, infections, teeth, TMJ, hearing, high blood
pressure, creativity block, depression. Dull, paler=weaker. Works well
with Chrysocolla, best with Silver. Used for healing on every
continent! Androgynous, balances yin/yang. Fades in sunlight, sweat,
oil, dishwater. Avoid bleach/chlorine! Ulexite (TV Stone) -
White/translucent. Insight into self and others;
seeing solutions to difficulties. Somewhat 3rd eye opening. Some find
it helpful for amplifying dreams, imagination, imagery, fantasy states
for creativity (not recommended if addictive or escapism tendency). May
fall apart if soaked in water. Unakite - Spiritual: Personal
power. Taking charge of one’s life.
Guardian of fate, protection, leadership. Power used with gentleness,
charismatic, enhances visions and journeying, balances the emotional
body, rebirthing, unlocks blockages and allows release. Healing: Used
to discover the root causes of disease or malfunction, balances weight
distribution to desired places. Variscite - Solid cool, pale
green. Eases depression, fear, worry,
anxiety, impatience, stress of a hectic/pressured day by bringing calm
and stillness to even the most busy/talkative mind, thus a good
meditation stone. Works on astral and etheric level for healing via the
central nervous system and at DNA level. Centers the solar plexus and
heart chakras. Also slightly helpful for intuition center. Skin and
blood vessel elasticity, impotence/male reproductive healing. Wavellite - Light green. Opens
the heart chakra for clearing the
emotional body. Provides understanding for emotional issues and help
with healing them. Excellent for detoxifying. Wulfenite - Translucent yellow
to red, mostly orange crystal.
Invigorates and harmonizes emotions, passion, appetite. Warms and
grounds. Helps us get in touch with feelings. Used for healing and
warming reproductive chakra (especially women’s). Spleen and yellow
chakras, and digestion/nutrition assimilation. Cleanses and uplifts
emotions, muddiness, stuckness or imbalance in spleen chakra. Reduces
confusion in relationships. Overcomes limitations. A stone of
transition. Used frequently for magick. Zircon - All colors. Clear,
colorless, natural form: Works with the
crown chakra and transpersonal point (and pituitary and pineal) for
Universal Truth, intuition, durability, steadiness, integrity and
connection with “All That Is.” Eases depression, insomnia. Also
historical poison detoxifier. Man-made (cubic Zirconia or “CZ”) is not
nearly as strong/effective as natural. “Pink Ice” is pink CZ. Zoisite - Green with red
streaks of ruby. For trust in the universe,
releasing fears. Strengthens heart, energy/adrenals and reproductive
chakra. General health.
Amulets,
Talismans, and
Charms
Concerning
Talismanic Magick
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
A Talisman is, to all intents and purposes, a "charged" or
"consecrated" magical object with symbols and/or words inscribed on it
which are intended to represent particular cosmic energies which the
Witch is applying in the practical operations of his holy Magick, to
accomplish a particular goal. It is used by the Witch as a magical link
with the particular type of force which is invoked or evoked by him to
accomplish his Will. A Talisman is basically any object which one
ritually charges or
consecrates with an occult force or energy which the Talisman itself is
intended to represent, and this must only be done with strict magical
intent.
The words and symbols used on a Talisman are very important. By the use
of magical words and symbols the Witch can transform a so-called dead
material substance into an outward sign of an invisible grace. Divine
words and symbols are drawn on Talismans as magical links with the
spiritual energies that they are intended to represent; they indicate a
definite connection with the
magical energies which the Witch seeks to invoke or evoke for purposes
of doing his Will. The Hebrew Alphabet, also called the Magical
Alphabet, is used by most Witchs to compose significant magical words
on their Talismans. But Latin, Greek, Arabic, and English can also be
used. The Enochian language is, of course, used for Talismans which are
created from that system.
Symbols, like words, indicate something significantly magical, and they
impress upon the mind of the Witch the nature of his intent and the
nature of the force or energy which the Talisman represents. The
Talisman becomes linked, through the mind of the Witch, with the force
or energy which the symbols are intended to signify. There are many
types of symbols that can be used to inspire the imagination of the
Witch with the appropriate force. You can draw the symbol of the Planet
or symbols related to that Planet. This can be applied in all cases,
whether you are making a Talisman of Jupiter, Mercury or any other
Planet. Sigils are
appropriate symbols by which to properly charge Talismans and impress
upon the mind of the Witch the nature of the force or energy of his
intent. Sigils are signatures of invisible beings - - such as
angels -- that are invoked or evoked for the purpose of charging
Talismans. Sigils are, to all intents and purposes, magical symbols
that represent the nature and power of certain ideas or beings that
correspond with the force or energy of one's Will.
A Talisman can be a symbol of the influences of a Planet, made from a
sympathetic stone or metal or from parchment paper. Such a Talisman
would be constructed on the day of the week which corresponds to the
Planet. To each Planet is assigned an Intelligence or Angel and a
Demon. Each Planet, Intelligence and Demon have their own special Seals
or Sigils. Demonic Seals should
never be inscribed on Talismans except to perform an act of Black
Magic. Their Seals would be written on a Talisman made of the opposite
metal or colored paper to that which corresponds to their Planet, since
the Demons represent forces contrary thereto. But Celestines are
obligated to never perform acts of Black
Magic, which tend to obstruct the Will of the Witch. All true
acts of Magick are acts of Will, and all acts of Will are acts of Love.
It written in the Rede, "Do no Harm". Black Magic is contrary to
the Ways of Love; it is a false attempt to master and misuse the laws
of Nature. Let us here keep in mind those enlightening words of the Old
French Magus Eliphas Levi: "To affirm and will that which ought to be
is to create; to affirm and will that which ought not to be is to
destroy."
From a psychological point of view, the Planets are objects of
classification in the mind of man. We may classify under the presidency
of the Seven Ancient Planets various human and spiritual influences,
attributes or qualities of man. Any proper book on Astrology can direct
you in this fundamental knowledge. The basic idea is to understand
which Planet you will classify your intent under to make effective your
Magical Talisman. For instance, if your intent is to cultivate better
health, then you would classify this intent under the presidency of the
Sun. You would therefore make a Talisman of the Sun. If your intent is
to find a lover, then you would classify this intent under the
presidency of Venus. You would therefore make a Talisman of Venus.
In the centre of each Talisman, it is an appropriate and effective idea
to write One Word which signifies your single intent or One Will. It is
said that "The Word is the Will." If your intent is Love you
would write this word in the centre of the Talisman. This One Word may
be written in Hebrew, English, Enochian or in any other language; but
it is a suitable idea to write it in the particular language you are
most familiar with. However, Sigils may be formed by the use of One
Word, and these Sigils may be used instead of writing an actual word on
the Talisman.
Listed below are the various correspondences of the so-called Seven
Ancient Planets.
TABLE
OF
CORRESPONDENCES
PLANETS
GODS
DAYS
COLOURS
METALS
PERFUMES
Sun
Ra
Sunday
Yellow
Gold
Cinnamon
Moon
Isis
Monday
Violet
Silver
Jasmine
Mars
Horus
Tuesday
Red
Iron
Dragon's
Blood
Mercury
Thoth
Wednesday
Orange
Mercury
Musk
Jupiter
Amun
Thursday
Blue
Tin
Cedar
Venus
Hathoor
Friday
Green
Copper
Sandalwood
Saturn
Set
Saturday
Black
Lead
Myrrh
What is to follow are eleven ritual steps by which to effectively
charge a Talisman to accomplish your Will. These are simple steps and
can be easily performed by anyone whose intent is pure and right and
has minimal training. Let all make the simple attempt at
completing the simple task of making and charging at least one Talisman
after reading this lesson.
Eleven Ritual Steps
1. Purify the area of any negative energies.
2. Cast the circle.
3. Ignite any candles or incense you might be using.
4. Take the talisman in your hands and become one with it; feel
the inherant energies of the object.
5. Visualize the desired effect.
6. Chant aloud the purpose you wish for the talisman, until you feel
your energies begin to flow into the object as you say the words.
7. Visualize your intent coming to pass. See the realization of your
Will. Then vitalize your imagination with force and fire, enflaming
your mind with power, to accomplish your One Will.
8. Become one with the energies of the talisman again, this time
noticing the change in the object's energy.
9. Give the talisman it's elemental blessing, based on the ruling
planet of the desired effect.
10. Thank the gods and godesses whom you called upon to aid you in the
task.
11. Dismiss the circle.
The best Talisman to construct and use, for performing a specific
magical operation related to your one True Will, is a personal Talisman
of some sort. It should be constructed with One Word in its centre
representing your one True Will and any symbols that you have a
personal affinity for and that represent the force that the Talisman
will be charged with.
It is very important to keep in mind, when charging your Talisman, that
THE ONLY POWER OF THE TALISMAN IS IN THE IMAGINATION AND WILL OF THE
WITCH. Without the practical application of these two vital powers of
the human mind, there is no possibility for success in the scientific
operations of
Talismanic Magick. All works of Magick, human or divine, depend upon
the practical application of these two vital powers.
Concerning the essential power of imagination, Eliphas Levi stated the
following: "Imagination exalts the Will and gives it power over the
Universal Agent" and "Imagination applied to reason is genius."
What
is a Pentacle?
A Pentacle is a symbol of a person who
is a Pagan. A Pagan would wear a Pentacle just like a Christian would
wear a cross, or a Jewish person would wear a Star of David: If
you wear a Pentacle, or plan to wear one, you should know what it
means. A
Pentacle is
a five-pointed star. All of the sides are
the same
size, which makes the Pentacle balanced. Each of these points is very
important our lives. Let's look at them one at a time.
SPIRIT/ETHER: Spirit
is
the top point. It represents the creators
of all life, the God and the Goddess together. The God and Goddess are
very important to us because they give us life and help us work the
magick that we do. They love us and care for us every day of our lives.
The God and Goddess have given us the four elements and these elements
are the other four points.
AIR:
Air is important to all of us. We
breathe it all the time. If we did not have air we would die. Take a
deep breath, feel the air.
WATER:
We also need water to survive. If we
didn't have water we would shrivel up and die. We have water in our
mouth and eyes; the blood in our bodies is wet. Move your tongue around
your mouth, feel the water.
FIRE:
Fire is warm, even hot sometimes.
Feel your body it is warm. Every person has fire in their body.
Sometimes when you have too much fire in your body you have a fever.
EARTH:
From the earth we get our food which
keeps us alive. Our body is also made up of earth, it is solid; touch
your arm and feel it.
So the next time someone asks, "What does that star mean?" you can
say: "It is a Pentacle. It represents the four elements Air,
Fire, Water, and Earth, that's the four points of the star. The fifth
point is the Spirit the God and Goddess who we love.
Spirit
is Purple Air is
Yellow Water is Blue Earth is Green Fire is Red
The
Imbolc Love Necklace Spell
Ancient mystery, magic night Cut pink rosebuds by fireside
bright. Thread of white, a needle sharp Candle red to stay the dark.
Place all upon the altar stone Consecrate from witches bones. Cast a circle from
outstretched hand Call the quarters, make it
grand.
Elements are good, and angels
too Universal love can be their
cue. Banish winter, out, out, out Raise your staff, turn thrice
about.
Throw Yule greens in the fire, Dance to bring in Spring's
desire. Dress the dolly, corn she be The harvest bride from last
year's seed.
String the rose buds, one by
one Circle and tie when you are
done. Empower it now, hold it high Ask the Gods to bring love
nigh.
Raise your energy, bright and
strong Hum a tune of loving song. Release your power, quickly
please Ground and center, feel at
ease.
Dismiss your quarters, circle
down Open the space with a rapping
sound. In the morning, when the sun
doth rise Place the dolly under new day
skies.
Leave her there, without the
gown To summon prosperity all year
round. When Autumn chill doth kiss
your cheek Return the doll to the ground
or creek.
Save the necklace, keep it
close Give it to whom you love the
most. Kiss them once upon the lips Tell them it's an Imbolc gift.
Tools of the Craft
Altar
Construction and Setup
An altar is a place where you work magick, commune with your chosen
deities, have a quiet contemplative moment, or just ground and center
to re-energize after a hectic day. Many Pagans just starting on their
path, or even some that have been on their current path for a number of
years, have yet to set up an altar, and indeed may even be a little
intimidated by the idea of getting it 'just right'. Also, some Pagans
who do not consider themselves Wiccans may wonder if an altar is
necessary for them. Even many Wiccans may wonder if they real need an
altar. Many 'experts' consider an altar to be of utmost importance.
Others think the only importance is what the individual places upon it.
Thus, in this light, an altar may or may not be important to an
individual; and a non-Wiccan Pagan may have the same regard for an
altar that any Wiccan may. Thus, an altar can and, if right for the
individual, should be used by non-Wiccan Pagans as well. But what
if you set up an altar and you don't 'get it right'? This is
impossible, as you will see. Setting up an altar means setting it up
properly for you; the Goddess and/or the God won't care whether the
altar is 'perfect' or not. Perfection is in the eye of the altar-maker:
What seems right to one person may not have any meaning at all to
another. That's the beauty of Paganism; if something doesn't feel right
to you, change or trash it! The joy and meaning of Paganism comes
from the heart, the mind, and the body; not from some external source
that must be appeased. 'Thou art Goddess. Thou art God.' While these
phrases are most often found in Wicca, generic Pagans (such as myself)
can, and do, use them and find the full meaning in them. Since the
Goddess/God (sometimes referred to as 'God/ess') is within us, is part
of us, whatever feels right for us will feel right for the God/ess
(within reason, of course -- murder may 'feel right' for some people,
but murder is a negative, destructive activity that no Pagan would
think is part of her/his religion). I recently set up an altar
for myself, and pretty much did it my way. I started with the wooden
stand for an old fish tank, since it was sitting around just collecting
dust; better to use it for a good cause! I then set up five candles on
it, one for each element/direction (yellow for east/air, red for
south/fire, blue for west/water, green for north/earth, and white for
spirit), and placed them in the appropriate places, although north is
set to the northeast, east to the southeast, south to the southwest,
and west to the northwest, with spirit being true north. Between/among
these candles (which are held by brass candleholders), I have a woven
basket of autumnal potpourri, my athame (which is a dagger-like letter
opener with a metal sheath), a tea-candle/cone incense burner in the
shape of a mound of jumbled skulls (representing the God of the Dead,
perfect for the season), and a cauldron (speckled-green, and originally
a candleholder)
to represent the Goddess. This setup is not complete; I also wish to
find an appropriate altar cloth to cover the untreated wood of the old
aquarium stand, as well as other trinkets and symbols that would
complete it (such as a pentagram of some sort). Also, it would not have
the same meaning for everyone. For me, it works, which is an example of
how the altar should be geared towards yourself and not just set up
because a book or someone else told you that was how to do it.
Next, the altar should be dedicated to the Goddess and the God (or
whatever deities are in your pantheon). When I dedicated mine, first I
grounded by imagining the power of the earth below my feet (it was
somewhere down there under my apartment floor!) to be flowing into my
body. Next, I invoked the directions by lighting the yellow candle
first and inviting the Spirits of the East/Air to witness the
dedication; then the red for Spirits of the South/Fire, blue for the
Spirits of the West/Water, and green for the Spirits of the
North/Earth. Then, I lit the white candle and invited the Goddess and
the God to witness the dedication. I lit an incense and put it in the
incense burner, and used the smoke from it as the
consecration/purification medium, passing the tools over it, then over
the flame of each of the candles, in the order in which I had lit
them. Next, I verbally dedicated the altar and all the tools to
the Goddess and the God, pledging that I would never use the altar or
any of the tools to bring harm to another or to produce negativity in
any way. I ended by extinguishing the candles in the reverse order that
I had lit them and thanking the Goddess and the God, and each of the
Spirits, for attending, then grounded again, imagining the energy
flowing harmlessly back into the earth. Then, I was done.
An altar does not always have to be any man-made item, nor does it have
to be indoors. Indeed, given that Paganism is a Nature-oriented
religion, the best place for ritual is outside (in the woods, on a
night of a full moon...or where ever *grin*). A large rock, a tree
stump, the ground...all of these make perfect altars. As for the tools?
Tools are really unnecessary; they can make you feel more attuned to
what you're doing, they can help to ground and center, and they can
help direct energy for magick or simple worship, but they are not
necessary. You are the direction/energy/guiding force in your ritual.
Therefore, you are also your own altar. Always do what feels right at
the time; listen to the advice of others, follow it if it feels right,
but most importantly, do what feels right to you as you worship your
deities in your own way. The setting up of an altar may or may not be
important to you; if it is important, fine, do it, but do it your own
way, so it'll be an extension of you, rather than some table that
eventually becomes disused and a nuisance.
Book
of
Shadows
Your Book of Shadows is your most important form of record keeping and
a reflection of your spiritual journey. It is an ever-evolving volume,
or volumes, that will change and grow along side of the individual
creating it. It becomes a record of all of your magickal workings,
spells, and their results, as well as, any
knowledge you have gleaned along the spiritual path you have chosen.
Since our tools are such personal extensions of ourselves I think it is
difficult to tell someone what they "have to" do when building one. You
will create a unique book by recording those sacred individual events
and all that is holy to you. Ultimately your Book of Shadows will
become your reference manual on your spiritual path.
There are guidelines that are generally followed by most people that I
know and by myself. I have included them here and hope you find some
measure of help from them. Be aware that if you feel something else
should go into your book then you should be sure to follow that
instinct. I will refer to the Book of Shadows as a BOS, henceforth, in
this article.
My private BOS is actually 3 separate volumes kept in three ring
binders. One binder is titled Potions and Recipes and contains things
such as recipes for bath products and toiletries, cakes and ale and
crafting projects. The second section titled Spells contains ritual and
spell work WOW! What a concept! :) and the third section titled
Grimoire contains all the correspondences, information and lore that I
have studied and used in my journey. You might use this method yourself
and perhaps keep a separate journal in a blank
bound book or in another binder.
There are those who like to use blank bound books for their BOS and
they add to them as needed, along with their journal entries. There are
drawbacks to this option that should be considered. These
drawbacks do not make the task an impossibility. They just must be
thought about, and measures taken, to see that they do not create any
problems. One should number all the pages and create a table of
contents in the beginning of the book and/or and index in the back of
the book. Although, time consuming to begin with, this will save you
countless hours of running through the book page by page when you need
a particular correspondence, spell or ritual. I have seen books done
with this method and the owner simply used the book from front to back
and when the book was full they created an alphabetical index in the
last several pages and then just used a new book to continue on with
their record keeping.
To many people, keeping a BOS in their own hand is the only way that is
acceptable. Actually there are some traditions that demand such.
There are benefits to this method, one of which is that a person will
absorb much of the information while doing the actual writing in their
book. Something to consider if you decided on this method is that you
will be filling the book with your own unique energies while writing.
This will make a personal and tangible connection between you and your
book.
I find nothing wrong with using one's computer, with its variety of
fonts and graphics, to create a book that is not only beautiful but
also unique and easy to read. There are those who wish to keep their
books on disk in order that they may replace or rewrite sections with
ease. I use a combination of these methods. I write my book with a
computer program and keep it on disk, but I also print the hard copy,
whose information I keep in the different sections I explained earlier.
I also cover each page with a vinyl sheet protector. This has saved me
on many an occasion! Dripped wax, spilled wine, water and
oils are all hazards around your beautifully created pages. The sheet
protectors offer one resolution to these problems that will, again,
save you not only time copying or reprinting items that are ruined but
also the paper you would normally have had to replace.
Many beautifully bound books are available for purchase. You may also
wish to create your own unique volume. Fabric may be used to either
cover or create a storage bag for your BOS. Silk, wool, linen or cotton
are good choices if you prefer natural fibers (or your tradition
requires it), or velvet or satin are nice if you like other "posh"
fabrics. If you wish to put herbs in the cover of your book, you might
do so by wrapping or gluing the outer cover in fabric and sandwiching
the herbs between the book cover and the fabric. You might also decide
to prepare a fabric bag in which to store
your book and any herbs you may choose can be put into the bottom of
the bag. You may also wish to sew the herbs into the walls of the
bag if you are creating a lined bag. This second option will save you
from having to sift the herbs out of the book's pages (and vinyl
protectors if you decide to use them) when you go to use the book or
write in it.
Things to consider including in your BOS are listed below. If you can
think of
anything that I have missed please e-mail me with your suggestions and
I will be glad to include them here.
A dedication
A protection spell for the book
A blessing
Table of Contents
Glossary of terms
Traditions in Wicca
Magickal Ethics-Wiccan Rede, Laws of Return, etc.
Beliefs & Doctrine
Paranormal studies
Herbalism
Recipes
Ritual and holiday foods
Bath Salts
Oils
Incense
Meade and other drinks
Correspondences
Amulets
Planetary hours
Color magick
Crystal, gemstones and minerals
Elements
Herbs, Plants and Trees
Wheel of the Year
Moon Phases
Chakras
Animal Totems
Oils
Incenses
Days of the week
Planets
Months of the Year
Dream interpretation
Magickal Symbolism and Alphabets
Crafts
Listing of Books and Sacred Texts
Divination studies
Dowsing
Egg
Smoke, Flame, Fire
Astrology
Runes
Scrying
Pendulum
Phallomancy
Palmistry
Tarot
Tealeaves
Numerology
I-ching
Face Reading
Pedomancy
Gastromancy
Kumalak
Playing Cards
Ouiji
Tyromancy
Phyllorhodomancy
Onychomancy
Omphalomancy
Uromancy
Medicine Cards
Shamanism
Wheel of the Year - traditions
Rituals & Spells - actual rituals and spells along with outcomes
for those performed
Circle Casting
Cleansing and Consecration
Blessings
Quarter calls
Meditations
Prayers
Candle magick
Ritual Construction
Rites of Passage
Invocations
Music/Chants
Tools
Web-weaving - a list of contacts and web addresses
Dragon Lore
Fairy Lore
Humor
Index
Staves &
Wands
The staff and the wand are to common and important tools of several
crafts, including shamanism, Wicca, Witchcraft, Oriental religious
practices, and most native magick from around the world. The
staff is a representation of the world tree, a symbol used in ALL
religion - including (believe it or not) biblical religions. When
you meditate, or go into trance, having your staff to lean on can
enhance your journey by connecting the wood in the staff to the
universal spirit of the world tree. For the Wiccans and Witches,
the wand is a miniature version of the world-tree staff - it is
commonly used to assist in casting circle and directing energy.
Some use crystal wands, or wands made of different metals - these work
and feel much different, since they are not connected to the world
tree. The non-wooden wands connect to the mineral world, and are
used for people who connect more to the lower world and work with earth
spirits, such as the fairy, sprites, and nymphs.
There are unlimited variations on staffs and wands - I will describe
here just one way that I happen to like very much and found to be very
powerful when working in the shamanic context. This is by no
means the 'only' way - always use a way that is comfortable for
you. Use any ideas you wish and combine them with what works for
you – everyone works differently.
The technique used here may be especially good for those running a
coven or a group - it can be used as an achievement system to visually
and magically show a persons experience level.
The Staff:
You will need to collect a few things together before starting this
project - they are: a wooden staff of a comfortable length, some
leather scraps, some leather or sinew straps (or heavy string or
twine), some epoxy or other durable and water-proof glue, some lacquer
or wood finish, some pretty feathers, and wood working tools such as
chisels or Dremel tools. You don't need to be a gifted wood
carver to make your staff unique - if you don't feel comfortable
carving wood, you can either cut designs into the staff or you can
epoxy a finial-type decoration on the top of your staff. If you
are going to use a finial, skip step number two.
Step 1. Prepare your
staff for a long time of use and honor the
wood.
The staff you choose should ideally be some sort of hard wood, or cedar
(pine tends to leak sap and rot after just a few months) – you can get
a piece of wood for a staff from any renaissance festival, a
construction site where new housing is going up (find a cut down
sapling), or even a hardware store (closet poles can work just
fine). If you go scouting in the woods for a fallen tree, be
careful that the wood is not starting to rot - if you get a tree
branch, the tree should be newly fallen. When you find your
piece, clean it of all the branches and bring it home. Light some
incense and and seal the aura of the wood - clutch it tightly and
empower it with your essence. Give a ritual to the wood, and make
it a place of honor in your heart - this wood will be your companion
for a long time.
You can cut down a sapling for your staff, but there is a process to it
that is very important to follow. Many people do not like to cut
down saplings that are alive, since we already have a hard enough time
keeping the forests safe - though there is a good method for this that
the Native Americans of the East coast tribes used (according to
several books anyway). First, go into the forest and take a full
day looking for the perfect sapling - it should stand about ten feet
high, be very straight, and have few branches on it. Go to the
tree, and meditate with it - let it know that it has been selected for
an Earth empowering and sacred task. Give the tree an offering –
usually tobacco. Remember were the tree is, and leave. Over
the next several weeks, come into the forest and visit the tree - get
to really know it while it is still alive and growing. Become
familiar with the section of forest that it calls home. Visit
during the day and night, during the sun and rain, during the heat and
the cold - each time you visit, leave another offering for it.
Also, pay respects to the trees surrounding your tree - also let them
know that you will be taking their companion soon, and that it will be
for a sacred and honored task. After a while, you will know when
the time is right to actually take the tree. Go into the forest,
and cut the sapling as quickly and painlessly as possible - a hand axe
should fell the sapling in two or three blows. Take the sapling
and remove the branches - cut a section that you will be using for the
actual staff (usually a good part is from a foot above the stump
spanning 5 feet up). Take the remaining and unused parts of the
sapling and arrange them around the freshly cut stump. Give
offerings to the stump, and to the surrounding trees - give an oath so
that the forest knows that this is for a good and sacred cause.
You should leave with the blessings from the forest.
Step 2. Carve the staff
and mark it with your energy
If you are not good at carving, or can't for some reason, you can drill
a hole in the top and put a finial on it (a finial is the decorative
piece used for the ends of curtain rods). Otherwise, get either
some chisels, a pocket knife, or a Dremel tool and carve the top into a
symbol or icon that represents you. I personally like the Dremel
tool best, and can carve easily with it. Carve whatever you wish
- a goddess head, a dragon, a wolf, a rabbbiit, whatever. If you
don't want to carve a 3D sculpture, symbols will work fine as well -
such as Ogham, Runic, Witches Runic, English, or just random symbols.
So long as it represents you, it is fine - in case of a horrible
mistake, I usually make the staff extra long so I can chop the top off
and start over. If you get it right the first time, chop the
bottom off to make the height correct. Whatever you do, make sure
to sand it thoroughly after you are done - this will help the wood to
stay more durable.
Step 3. Treat the wood
Take the lacquer that you purchased and give the staff several thin
coats. Many people do not like the shiny look on their staff and
don't coat it - I have to recommend against this, since it will prevent
long-term outdoor use. If you have a camp out, and bring your
staff, the morning dew will start to rot your staff. If you don't
want the shiny look, get a matte finish. Outdoor porch and patio
finish (Water Seal®, Thompsons®, Sears®, etc.) work very
good. If you used a light color wood, you may even want to stain
it first - you can be creative with your staining, using green or red,
or using multiple wood type stains together (giving a natural tie-dye
effect).
Step 4. Decorate the
staff.
Next, take the scraps of leather you collected and wrap them anywhere
you see fit on the staff - like to just wrap a section towards the top
of the staff - some like making runners and fringes on the staff.
Take the leather or twine straps and let at least twelve of them hang
off of the staff - these will be used to collect totems over the years,
so you will need a few. Using different color pieces of leather
can make a nice effect. Below are some examples you can use for
ideas.
Step 5. Add your first
totems
The straps hanging from the staff are to hold major totems and gifts
that signify achievements. These totems should not be arbitrary -
they should have deep meaning to you and represent major developments
in your craft. When you first make the staff, take an item that
shows your experience up to this point - if you wear a pagan symbol for
a necklace, and have been wearing it for several months, this would be
a great start. Some people change their necklace about every 6
months to a year, and these make great stepping stones - when you see
them, you can easily remember your state of mind from the time you took
it off and put it on the staff. The necklaces are also something
that has constant intimate contact with you, and journeys through life
with you at all times while you wear it. Other things that would
be are are: anything you find you get as a gift during major rituals,
things you find from your animal guides, gifts from friends and
spiritual group members (especially teachers).
FOR COVENS: This can be a great achievement systems for group members -
as they reach various 'levels', they can receive items for their staff
- when a coven member sees a fellow covenn mmember with a very full
staff, they know that the person has a good amount of experience
(similar to the medals that generals wear, or even merit badges in the
scouts).
Your staff is now your magical companion, and should always go with you
to all magical functions. As time goes on, it will keep
collecting your magical essence, and become a very powerful tool for
you. As many years go by, and the staff becomes old and worn, it
will be like an old friend - you can also go through the collection of
medallions on it and keep past experiences alive and in the present.
How Wands
Are Made
Work in a Sacred Space when making Wands. When creating a personal
ritual tool such as a Wand, working in Circle helps you to focus your
energies and blend them with the particular intent of each Wand. In
Sacred Space, You attune yourself with the Creative Powers, touch your
Muse, and listen to the Goddess as you work. Art and Magick become
entwined as the Wands take form. At the Full Moon, any Wands you have
created in that Moon cycle are charged and blessed in Sacred Circle
before being used. The Wands are made from natural tree branches,
gathered gently and respectfully from a area around where you live,
during the New moon. The branches are stripped of bark and allowed to
dry for one Mooncycle. Both branches and crystals are cleansed and
purified with herbs and the powers of the Moon and Sun. Each Wand is
set with a natural crystal point of clear Quartz, Amethyst or Citrine
on the projective end, (you do not have to add a crystal, but it is
nice if you can) and is wrapped with soft velvet to form a handle on
the receptive end in a color appropriate for its magickal intent (this
does not have to be done either if you don't want to but I prefer to)
Both crystal and cloth handle are wound 'round with Copper or Silver
wire (you can also use leather, which is what I use) in spiraling
designs and the branch is then carved with Runes (or other
symbols/sigils/magickal alphabets if you wish to make a specially
customized wand) appropriate to the magickal intent of the Wand. Each
Wand should have a velvet pouch to match its handle, and a card
explaining the materials used in its creation. This is used for your
book of shadows. Good luck at making your wands and ALWAYS remember to
thank the tree for giving you the branch to make your wand.
Making
Your Own Wand
There are many ways to do this. You start with a fallen tree branch
that you feel is a comfortable size. Scrape off the old bark with your
bolline (a white-handled, ritual knife for harvesting herbs and cutting
them), or any knife. If the wand is for a specific purpose, anoint it
with an oil, or a few herbs. If it is a general-purpose wand, use a
general oil, altar oil, or if you have nothing else, use kitchen olive
oil with basil and cinnamon steeped in it. A few drops will do nicely.
You can buy embroidery string at any craft or hobby shop. The colors of
string appropriate for a general wand are the colors of the rainbow.
Remember: ROY G BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet).
You might
make the "handle" with a heavier string such as a satin rope. Squeeze a
little glue on the wood and wrap sections with the colored string. You
could stop at different spots and glue on tumbled stones. At the top,
glue a quartz crystal. A bag with herbs and a stone is a nice touch to
hang off the wand, too.
Wand of Air
Cut an 18 inch Lilac branch. Slowly shave only the bark off, no
wood. Make sure the branch is green. Holding the wand with your
thumbs, light incense under it, and let the smoke touch it. As the
incense burns, chant: "Spirit of Air, maker of wind. Bless
this wand to channel your strength
through."
Wand of Fire
Cut an 18 inch Cherry branch. Slowly shave only the bark off, no
wood. Make sure the branch is green (red). Resting the wand on
your thumbs, light a candle under it. Push wand in and out of the
flames while chanting: "Spirit of Fire, maker of
destruction. Bless this wand to channel your
strength through."
Wand of Earth
Cut an 18 inch Dog Wood (or Oak) branch. Slowly shave only the bark
off, no wood. Make sure the branch is green. Resting the wand on
your thumbs, slowly sprinkle dirt/earth over it while chanting: "Spirit of Earth, maker of Mountain.
Bless this wand to channel your
strength through."
Wand of Water
Cut an 18 inch Willow (or Drift Wood) branch. Slowly shave only the
bark off, no wood (Don't shave drift wood). Make sure the branch
is green (Not necessary for drift wood). Resting the wand on your
thumbs, slowly sprinkle water over it while chanting: "Spirit of Water, maker of sea. Bless
this wand to channel your
strength through."
The
Wooden Wand
You will need:
Piece of wood
knife
Goop
Crystal (or whatever you’re going to tip it with)
Wire; silver, copper, or leather strips (to wrap the end)
Sand paper
Clear seal or Polyurethane
Paint (optional)
Decorations (optional)
This is my favorite! To make your own wand, again:
1) Go into your yard or around your neighborhood, so the wood will be
from your area. As stated above, I usually find a piece fallen from the
tree, but if you cut a piece from a tree, tell the tree why you need it
and give the tree thanks, plus an offering, maybe some fertilizer. If
you cut it from a tree, you will also have to let it dry out before you
do the rest of the procedure. Try to have a piece fairly straight, but
a little bit of twist and turn to it makes it pretty and unique. The
wand can be any size, but typically, it is the length from your elbow,
to the finger tips of your hand.
2) Next you need to sand it well so it is smooth
3) Now your ready to hollow out an end of it, the end you want to put
something into. It can be a crystal, stone, river rock, small baby
pinecone, whatever appeals to you. I usually use a crystle. To hollow
it out, you can use a knife or a exacto knife (also called a carpet
knife, box opener ect)
4) Next you need to either paint it your choosen color or, as I usually
do, coat it with Clear Seal, or Polyurethane. Let it dry well at least
overnight, preferably 24 hours.
5) When dry, place a dab of Goop into the hollowed out end, and place
your chosen object into it. Let dry 24 hours.
6) When dry, you may wrap where the wand meets your chosen object with
silver or copper wire or thin leather strips. I usually use thin
sterling silver wire from the crafts store. Your wand may now be
decorated with feathers or left as is, which ever you wish. It's ready
to be consecrated.
The
Copper Wand
You will need:
1 piece of copper tube, apx. length from your elbow to your finger tips;
1/2" to 1" diameter. your choice
1 cap (for one end of the tube)
Goop
Wire; silver, copper, or leather strips (to wrap the end)
object to be placed ad the tip
Thick piece of copper wire (to go inside the copper tube optional)
Decorations (optional)
1) Go to a hardware store to purchase the copper tube, the cap (the end
piece), and the larger wire to go inside if you choose to use it.
Have them cut it to your desired length, and have them cut one end of
it, length wise, about 1/2" to 1", in a cross.
2) When you get it home, if you have chosen to put the wire (if not,
skip to # 3) inside, twist it in to a spiral sort of shape and insert
it inside the tube, so it is reaching from one end to the other. This
gives it a bit more energy generating power.
3) Goop the cap on the end NOT cut. Take a pair of pliers and spread
apart the cut area on the other end, this is where you will place your
chosen object.
4) Now place the object in the end, you'll have to maneuver the cut
pieces and your object to get it just right, and Goop it in place. Let
dry 24 hours.
5) Wrap the end where the object goes into the tube with what you have
chosen to use.
NOTE: You can wrap the length of the wand with leather or suede and add
feathers and beads, but Use your imagination to decorate to make it you
own.
Love
Candles
Heat dried apple peels (or apple-scented oil) and 2 teaspoons of dried
basil together with a cup of pink or red wax. When the wax is melted,
remove the apple peels and pour the liquid into a heat resistant
container you have chosen for a mold. For easy removal of the candle
after the wax has hardened, make sure the top
of the container is as wide or wider than the bottom. Before doing
this, anchor a wick to the bottom of the container by putting a spot of
hot wax on a penny or anything similar and attaching the wick to this
using another spot of hot wax. Hold onto the wick as you pour the wax.
Depending on the size of the candle, you may secure the top of the wick
to a pencil and span the top of the container to keep the wick straight
while the wax dries. When the wax has set remove the mold. Carve
you candle with symbols of love. Burn the candle for two hours at
a time during the full moon (for
companionship). Visualize your desire and meditate. You may chant
an incantation such as
" Full Moon and Candle light the way.
May love and joy find me and
stay."
Spirit Animals Circles
The following was written
by Cloudy in approximately 2002. It was in response to a lot of
uncertainty and accusations being thrown about within the social group
of Solitaries with whom he shares a Circle on Sabbats from time to time.
"I went down to the circle Saturday, at 7
pm.
On the way there, I entered the clearing that had, at one point, the
Swastika carved into one of the fallen trees. Those of you who
were there know what I’m speaking of. There were the remnants of
a fire there, centered around a tree stump about 3 to 4 inches in
diameter, Which begs the question: Was there a tree there,
that anyone can remember? I sure can’t, but it sure strikes me as
odd to put a fire pit AROUND a tree… The area was also covered in
black marks on the surrounding trees that proved to be scorch marks, as
though those sections of the trees had been on fire for a brief
while. This is odd, because the scorch marks sit about 5 feet
up. If I had to guess, my thought would be that someone had
lit the trees and then dowsed the flames. Which is a weak
explanation, I know, but much stronger than my “Ball Lightning”
thought. Also strange is the fact that the marks seem to
co-incide with a much larger fire around the aforementioned stump,
since they all seem to face that direction, as though the scorching had
come from the fire there.
I saw no TOSIRIUS marking, but I might have been in the wrong
place. Plus I’m not entirely certain if anyone eradicated that
already or not. I’m a little foggy on details from both of the
parties that have already posted about this. I’m just
confused. There was a “tag” on the same fallen tree trunk that
had born the Swastika, but it’s the same tag that someone has decided
to grace the park bench on top of the hill with.
I stayed on the path for a while, initially going past the circle to
see if I had in fact been looking in entirely the wrong place. I
quickly decided that I had little to no chance to find anything by
myself, since I didn’t know what I was looking for, where it was, or if
I’d already found it. That whole “confusion” thing again.
As for the circle itself: The door is completely gone, marked
only by a couple of long fallen tree trunks marking an entry point
approximately where the door was. The fire pit is still
completely intact, covered by a few sheets of plastic that have
basically always been in that area. As though it were being
protected from the rain? Interesting. The altar is
completely gone. The cornerstones, likewise. I must admit
at this point I’m somewhat impressed, since some of those stones were
FREAKING big. Most, of not all, of the larger stones are well
within view of the circle, though. They didn’t
roll/throw/whatever them far. Just out of order. About half
of the circle perimeter is completely gone, as though it were never
there. However, most of the circle as it runs from North to East
and West to South remains intact.
This changes absolutely nothing.
Our Circle is defined by the way people feel when they go there.
It is defined by the things we have done there. The feelings we
have shared, and the communion we have held with the Mother. Not
by stones. But by us. It is the circle we found for
Starsong’s handfasting. It is the circle we have held several
Beltane and Samhain ceremonies at. It is a circle that has, at
one point or another, brought comfort, security and peace to virtually
every one of our old group, and many of our new friends as well.
There’s an old song from my choir days that I’m reminded of at this
point… “Build me a church of soul and spirit, build me a church
of flesh and bone. I need no tower rising skyward, no house of
wood or glass or stone…”
No one has ever been forced to go there, and no one ever WILL be
forced. If there are other places that some people feel more
comfortable with, then they are more than welcome, in fact I ENCOURAGE
them, to seek out those places for their ceremonies. But to each
their own. We have never presumed that our spot would remain
secret forever. Other pagans have found it. It stands to
reason that partying youths or vagrants would have found it and, out of
malice or ignorance, tried to destroy it. But they CAN’T destroy
it… because our circle isn’t a physical thing you can touch, move
or see. It is us. It was there before we started digging
rocks from the ground. And, as of Saturday at 7 pm, even
desecrated, our circle still stands.
The world can be a frightening, embittering, cold place. If we
find a place that makes us feel comfortable, if there is a place of
MAGICK in our lives, how can we abandon that place because it’s become
inconvenient? I’ll move a few rocks, for appearances sake, before
a ceremony. I’ll spend a few extra hours before a ritual setting
the scene if it means I get to bask in the peace and history we’ve
found and had at that place. I think others will, too. I
don’t go there because of all the pretty rocks, lined up so
nicely. I go there because of how that place makes me feel.
I know I’m not alone.
Nobody has to go there. But to give up a magickal place because
of some ignorant jackass who feels a need to destroy beautiful
things? Not on my shift.
If we run from something like this… if we run because worshipping
has become less than 100% convenient…What does that say about our
dedication? What does that say about us? How will that play
in the eyes of those who have come before us and suffered so much for
our faith? For our right to CHOOSE our faith, even if they
themselves disagreed with the choice?
If we let ourselves be beaten back and defeated by a few ignorant,
scared little people… then perhaps our circle was destroyed after
all.
Our circle still stands… don’t destroy it with apathy.
Cloudy"
Auras
How
to see the Aura
To see the aura you have to be
able to relax and concentrate, at the
same time, and there is a trick to focusing the eyes in a special way.
1. You need
soft light to
train in, not dim, but good soft light. No
harsh light shining or reflecting in your eyes! Get a book and cover it
in Blue or Red paper. Stand it upright on a table several feet from
you. Experiment with the distance until you find what is best for you.
Make sure you have a plain neutral background. If the wall colour is
wrong, hang a sheet of neutral coloured paper or cloth as a backdrop. Note: The
auras of the colours
Blue and Red are the brightest and
easiest to see. Blue has a Yellow aura and Red has a Green aura. The
brightness and tone of the aura varies with the shade and tone of the
colour used, so use bright primary colours. 2. Close your
eyes, take a few
deep breaths and relax. When you are
calm, look at the book. Focus your eyes on nothing, a little to the
side and past it. Gently hold and get used to that focus but
don't strain your eyes or tense your eyes or forehead. Concentrate! you
need a gentle, steady un-focus, similar to day-dreaming. Note: When you
need to blink,
do so, or it will cause your eyes to
tense and water. Blink normally and quickly without changing focus, and
do not become preoccupied with it. It may cause the aura to disappear
for a second, but it will reappear quickly if you stay relaxed and hold
your focus. After a while
you will see a
pale narrow aura coming from the book.
Hold the focus, don't look AT it, soon a bright Yellow or Green aura
will start building up from the object. Don't change focus or look
directly at it or the aura will disappear. There is a
reason for this
strange un-focus. Your outer field of vision
is many times more sensitive than the focused area is. Have you ever
seen a movement, out of the corner of your eye, only to turn and see
nothing there? What you may have seen is an aura building up from
something and your outer field of vision has detected it. 3. Once you
have completed the
first step, gather several books and
cover them, each with a different coloured paper. Study these one at a
time and write down the auric colour for it. Next try using two at a
time, and watch how the auric colours affect each other. 4. Get a pot
plant or some
flowers and study it. The aura you will see
emanates from the living plant and also from the colours of the petals.
The Orange hue comes from the green of the stems and leaves. You will
also see a more distinct etheric and a shimmering optical effect around
them. This shimmering is the energy field or living aura of the plant. 5. For the
next step use an
animal, dog or cat etc, if you have one.
Try and observe them when they are resting. 6. Observe
your own aura. This
can be done both inside and outside in
the sun. Hold your arm out and study it against the sky or clouds.
Alternatively, lie down and look at your legs. Make sure the skin is
bare when you do this, and remember, grass will give off an Orange hue.
7. When
you feel
proficient enough, try it with a human subject.
Just remember not to try too hard. Do it exactly the same as in the
original exercise with the book. Get your volunteer to remove some of
their clothing and study the bare skin area against a neutral
background. On a human
subject, again, the
first thing you will see is the etheric
aura, like pale smoke clinging to the skin. Next you will see the
shimmering optical effect in the air extending from several inches to a
couple of feet deep, depending on the strength of their aura. Keep
trying and the aura's colour will build up, and out from, the etheric.
It will first appear as a narrow band of colour next to the etheric.
This will expand slowly, if you hold your focus, until it is several
inches or more thick. 8. The
brightness of a
person's aura has a lot to do with how they
feel. If they feel happy and full of life their aura is stronger,
larger and brighter. Try playing their favourite music, this will help
to energize their aura and make it easier to see. 9. Try it on
your volunteer
outside. Make sure the sun is behind you
and use clouds as a backdrop. Note: The
basic auras of
colours are as follows: Blue = Yellow aura,
Red = Green aura, Green = Orange aura, Yellow = Pale Blue aura, Orange
= Pale Green aura, Violet = Pale Gold aura, Indigo = Gold aura, Pink =
Iridescent Green. These colours will vary slightly according to the
shade and tone of the colours you use. It takes
practise to see the
human aura, so don't be disappointed if
you fail, or see very little, the first few times you try. If you
managed to see the auric colours of the books, you CAN learn to see the
human aura. Using this training method stimulates the forehead chakra,
which is responsible for this ability. With use, it will grow in
strength, and become progressively easier to do.
taken
from:
http://wicca-and-shamanism.freeservers.com/book-of-shadows/auras/
Runes
I.
Overview Runes are a method of
divination similar to the Tarot or the I Ching. The difference is
that Runes are a set of
25 stones instead of 78 cards or a set of sticks with patterns.
As with the Tarot, most of the Runes may be rightside up, or up side
down, the meaning differing with the case. There are also some
Runes that can not appear up side down. In practice, the Runes
may be made of any material; ceramic, stones, sticks, or drawn on cards.
II.
History Before the Germanic peoples of
ancient Western Europe possessed a true alphabet, they used pictorial
symbols to carve into stones their ideas and thoughts. The
earliest of these pictorial writings date from about 1300 BC. They were
probably linked to Sun and Fertility cults. Among the signs were
parts of the human body, weapons, animals and variations on the circle,
square, and swastika. These pictoglyphs later evolved into the
more abstract glyphs that were composed of lines resembling no
particular objects. That there was power endowed to those who
were adept at the use of these glyphs is indicated by the name given to
the glyphs themselves. These glyphs were called Runes, from the
Gothic Runa, meaning ‘a secret thing, a mystery.’ The Runic
letter or Runastafr was use to foretell the future by Runemal, or the
casting of the Runes. The Runes were inscribed into tools,
weapons, rocks, alters, and other personal items. Runes were also
used by the clergy as an alternative to the Latin alphabet. It is
believed that Runes were derived from a northern Etruscan alphabet used
among Italic tribes in the Eastern Alps. They may have been
developed by people living in the area of Bohemia. From the
beginning Runes were used for the casting of lots, for divination and
to evoke higher powers that might influence the ‘luck’ of man. There
were Runes that influenced the weather, the harvest, curses, the tides,
love, and healing. The Practicioner of Runemal was easily
recognizable by the very clothing they wore. As the 13th century
author of the ‘Saga of Erik the Red’ said, “She wore a cloak set with
stones along the hem. Around her neck and covering her head she
wore a hood lined with white catskins. In one hand she carried a
staff with a knob on the end and her belt, holding together her long
dress, hung a charm pouch.” As you can also see from this
passage, many of the Rune Masters were women. As time wore on,
the Runes themselves became standardized through out Europe.
Although in some places the Runes numbered as many as 36 or as few as
16. Twenty-four of these were the basic Runes, or futhark.
The name futhark comes from the first 6 Runes. There were 3
families of 8 Runes each, named after the Norse Gods Freyr, Hagal and
Tyr. These three aettir, as they
were called were:
The Anglo-Saxons are credited
with spreading Runes and Runecraft through out Europe. It is
unfortunate that more than 300 years ago the last of the Rune Masters
died taking with them the true art of Rune casting. In recent years
people such as Ralph Blum have tired to revive the ancient art of Rune
Casting through books, casting Runes, and through research into ancient
books and manuscripts for references to Runes.
III.
Descriptions and Meanings
A. Mannaz: Two
vertical lines
with a horizontal 'X' connecting the top of the two lines so that it
appears like a golf flag and its mirror image.
Normal: Essence is
water. Clarity, willingness to change is effective now.
Become right with yourself, then you can be right with others. Be
yielding, devoted and moderate. Only then will you have a true
direction. Inverted: If there is blockage
now, it comes from within. Look to yourself, not to others at
this time. Stop and reconsider. The outer enemy is but a
reflection of yourself.
B.
Gebo: An 'X'.
Normal: A union is at hand.
However, do not make this a total union, keep yourself. Let the
winds of Heaven blow between you and your partner. Inverted: This rune is
impossible to invert due to its symmetry
C.
Ansuz: An 'F' with
the arms pointing downward.
Normal: There is a new life
unfolding. Be aware during meetings with others. A
connection with the Divine may be at hand. Draw from the well for
yourself first, then you will have the strength to draw from the well
for others. Inverted: Failed communication
may seem to be a block. Remember, what happens now is timely to
your development. If the well is clogged, then clean it out.
D.
Othila: A diamond
shape with the two lower sides extended beyond the point at which they
meet to form legs.
Normal: A shedding of old
skins is called for. You may receive benefits, but it may require
you to give up something else. This may be difficult to do
because part of what you may have to give up is a portion of your
background. Inverted: Do not be bound by
old conditionings. You may be called upon to take a radical
departure from old ways. Be totally honest with yourself
now. Flow is the proper attitude at this time.
E.
Uruz: A tall vertical
line on the left, a shorter vertical line on the right, connected on
top by diagonal line. Similar to a ‘squared’ small letter ‘n’.
Normal: The life you have been
living is at an end. However, this is not a Rune of ending, it is
instead a Rune of new beginnings. There may be darkness of a
tunnel leading to the new life, but the light will be brighter at the
end. Prepare for the opportunity disguised as a loss. Inverted: You may fail to take
advantage of the moment. It is possible that your strength may
seem to be used against you. The seeming failure may come as a
minor or major jolt depending on your awareness. Remember, life
is a cycle and you will again reach this point to again have this
choice.
F.
Perth: A vertical
line on the left with an elongated ‘v’ connected to the top from the
right, and an elongated inverted ‘V’ connected to the bottom from the
right.
Normal: Inner changes are
taking place. Surprises may be in store. Nothing external
matters here, except as it shows you your inner self. Inverted: Do not expect too
much now. If you repeat the old, expect to suffer. Do not
focus on the past or you will neglect the true now. You may have
‘bad luck’ or recognize a specific block, or challenge. It
depends on your point of view.
G.
Nauthiz: A vertical
line with a diagonal line crossing it. The diagonal line runs
from the upper left to the lower right.
Normal: There is a definite
need for restraint. There will be holdups, and the need to
reconsider your plans carefully. If you can not restore harmony
at this time, restore balance at least. consider the uses of
adversity. Inverted: Here is the great
teacher disguised as the bringer of pain and limitation. Only at
the darkest hour do we see just how bright the light is within
ourselves. Cleansing is needed to strengthen the character.
Only after great darkness will we know and see the true light.
H. Inguz:
Two 'X's stacked on
top of each other and touching.
Normal: Now is the time of
great strength when completions can be finished and as a result new
beginnings started. Difficulties can be resolved and
clarified. The butterfly now emerges from the cocoon.
Movement may cause you to free yourself from a rut in your life.
There is danger, but like the King on a chess board, the movement takes
you out of check and danger. Inverted: This rune is
impossible to invert due to its symmetry.
I.
Eihwaz: A
vertical line with a short diagonal line running from the top towards
the lower right, and a short diagonal line running from the bottom
towards the upper left.
Normal: There maybe blockages,
but even they help our progress. You may seem to be powerless at
this point in time. Patience and waiting are called for.
Growth is promoted through inconvenience and discomfort. Wait on
the will of the Heavens.
J. Algiz: A
cross with both
ends of the horizontal bar pointing upward.
Normal: Control of the
emotions is called for. Correct actions are the only true
protection you have. If you are in pain, or turbulence, do not
try to hide from it, for it is only the pain and turbulence of
progress. Inverted: Health and associations are to be examined
now. If persons are ‘using’ you, and you know it in your heart,
then know that you are the one responsible for the outcome, not
them. Only then will you benefit from it. Winning may not
be possible, but in losing there is a form of winning through learning
and the progress takes place.
K. Fehu: An
'F' with the
horizontal lines pointing upward.
Normal: Clearly define what it
is that you desire. Is it wealth and possessions, or self-rule
and growth of will? Enjoy the good fortune of now but remember to
share it, for the mark of a well nourished self is the ability to
nourish others. Inverted: Your arrows
repeatedly miss the target either by an inch or a mile. Your ship
has come in, but you are at the stable awaiting a good horse.
Observe the situation, and ask, “What do I need to learn to further my
progress?” You now have the opportunity to see where your true
nourishment lies.
L.
Wunjo: Shaped like
the letter ‘P’ with the rounded upper portion being made from two
straight lines like the ‘greater than’ sign >.
Normal: The shifts that were
due are completed, the branch now bears fruit, and you can now reap the
harvest. Knowledge transforms itself into understanding.
Through new clarity existing ambitions, goal, or plans may be seen for
the limited undesirables they are. Inverted: The harvest is slow
to mature. A difficult passage is at hand. As seen in its
true light, everything is a test. There is light mixed with the
dark, but of clarity there is none now. Examine yourself and your
motives.
M. Jera: A
‘greater than’ sign
(>) above a ‘less than’ sign (<).
Normal: Beneficial outcomes
apply to what ever endeavor you have undertaken. It may take time for
no quick results can be expected. A span of time is always
involved. Not even the farmer can speed the harvest by tugging on
the young shoots. At the end of the season, rejoice in abundance.
N.
Kano: A 'less than'
sign (<).
Normal: This is the Rune of
the opening. Light now breaks through and dispells the
clouds. Through awareness of the light, understanding is now
available to you and you may be able to spread the light and
understanding to others. You are now the center where harmonic
and beneficent forces meet. Inverted: Clouds are now beginning to
cover the sun. A partnership may be passing away. If so,
remember that it is then no longer appropriate or valid for you in this
stage of development. Remember however that failure to notice
this passing away will result in a missed opportunity. Give up
gladly the old so that the new can be received.
O.
Teiwaz: An upward
pointing arrow.
Normal: Look within and delve
down to the foundations of your being. Here you will find your
deepest needs, and most powerful resources. Examine newly formed
partnerships, for there may be great works for you both to perform
together. This is a Rune of dedication and perseverance.
Patience may be called for now. Your real enemy just might be
yourself. Inverted: Danger may arise
from hasty or ill-timed actions. Associations may be short lived,
but remember that they have served their purpose. Are outcomes
your goal, or are you focused on the task for its own sake? Look
within for the answer.
P.
Berkana: Shaped like
the letter ‘B’, except the the two rounded portions are made from
straight lines, like the ‘greater than’ sign >.
Normal: Delve into things
deeply, with care and awareness. Resistance must be dispersed
first, then work may be begun. If you have dark corners, clean
them out now. If you need help to cleanse the corners, seek an
expert. Only then can the harvest ripen. Inverted: There is
interference with growth now. If you feel disheartened for not
taking the right action, relax. You may have the chance to act
again. Examine your motives. Are you putting your wants
before the wants of others?
Q.
Ehwaz: A large
capital letter 'M'.
Normal: Transitions and
physical shifts are occurring now. Steady growth and development
slowly accumulate. “As I cultivate my own nature, all else
follows. “Face the future with assurance. Inverted: If movement is
blocked, be sure that what you are doing is correct action. There
are no missed opportunities; we have to recognize that not all
opportunities are not for us. What is yours will come to you.
R. Laguz:
The right half of an
upward pointing arrow.
Normal: Reorganize and
re-align. Contact your intuitive self, and success will
follow. Relate to yourself correctly. Immerse yourself in
the experience of living without evaluating or understanding.
Inverted: Do not over reach yourself. Excessive striving can be
damaging. Are you really drawing upon your wisdom of
instinct? Go within yourself and honor your receptive side.
S.
Hagalaz: Shaped like
the letter ‘H’, with the horizontal bar at a slight angle slopping to
the right.
Normal: There is a need to
break free from constricting circumstances. There are some things
beyond your control. Though this Rune has only an upright
position, it operates through reversal. You may feel as though
you are waking from a long sleep and take some time to come to your
full senses. There may be a loss before there is a great gain.
T.
Raido: Shaped like
the letter ‘R’ with the rounded upper portions made of two straight
lines like the ‘greater than’ sign >.
Normal: Communication is
addressed by this Rune, especially when it has two sides. Inner
worth increases, but we must remember that we are not intended to rely
on our power alone. Ask guidance from the Powers above, and know
that in so doing, you will be doing the right action. Waiting may
be just the right action to take. If you wait, remove resistance
while waiting. Inverted: Personal
relationships are accented now. Break-ups may be more plentiful
than unions now. Keep a sense of good humor no matter what
happens. Even failures may be re-routed opportunities.
U.
Thurisaz: A vertical
line with a ‘greater than’ sign attached to the middle. The line
extends above and below the > sign.
Normal: There is work to be
done, both within yourself and without. You may be ready to
contact the Divine. You can now see that which is hidden inside,
and know that in so doing, you will be doing the right action.
Waiting may be just the right action to take. If you wait, remove
resistance while waiting. Inverted: Personal relationships are
accented now. Break-ups may be more plentiful than unions
now. Keep a sense of good humour no matter what happens.
Even failures may be re-routed opportunities.
V.
Dagaz: An elongated
‘X’ with both the left and right sides being close into triangles by
vertical lines.
Normal: A major breakthrough
is at hand. The right outcome is inevitable, but not
predictable. Timing is correct. If followed by the blank
Rune, the transformation may be so total as to portend a death, a
successful conclusion to your passage. The dawn has given way to
full daylight. But remember not to collapse yourself into the
future, for that would be reckless.
W.
Isa: A vertical line.
Normal: Winter has come upon
you. You seem to be frozen in ice and can not move.
Positive accomplishment is unlikely now. A cold wind is reaching
you over the ice flows of outmoded habits. Try to discover what
it is that you are holding onto that prevents the spring from
arriving. Shed the outdated, and the thaw will follow. It
may be that you have no control over the conditions causing the
winter. In this case remember that this is the way of Heaven and
Earth; winter follows autumn, but spring will always follow
winter. Watch for signs of spring.
X. Sowelu:
Shaped like a
single vertical bolt of lightning.
Normal: What you are striving
to be, you already are. This is the time for recharging and
regenerating yourself. You may have to retreat from pressing
situations, but make it a retreat in strength, not weakness. Let
the Sun illuminate the secrets you hid even from yourself. Always
remember however, that by yourself you can do nothing. Only when
you rely on the Divine can you accomplish anything of greatness.
Y.
Odin: This is the
blank Rune.
Normal: The unknowable and
unseen is active in your life at this time. In the beginning
there was nothing, and in the end, nothing remains. Control can
not be used on that which does not yet exist. As with the Fool in
the Tarot, you may have to leap over the precipice into the void.
But do so empty-handed and with utter faith. What beckons is the
creative power of the unknown.
IV.
Layouts Used for
Divinations A. Odins
Rune. Place the Runes into a cloth
pouch, and shake them up. Reach into the pouch and draw out a
single Rune. Make sure when the Rune is pulled out, and you turn
it over that you do not accidentally do not invert the Rune. This
Rune will reveal the crux of your present situation, or the basic
answer to your question.
B.
Three Rune Spread. Place the Runes into a cloth
pouch. Draw out three Runes and place them in a horizontal line
in front of you. Reading from the left to the right, the
positions represent; 1) You now, 2) the Challenge ahead of you, and 3)
the Best Outcome. Read the Runes and interpret them relative to
their position.
C.
Runic Cross Place the Runes into a cloth
pouch. Now draw out 6 Runes and place them in the following
order. Place the first Rune in the center of your work
area. This represents you now. The second Rune goes to the right
of the first Rune. This represents your past. The third
Rune goes to the right of the first Rune. This Rune represents
the future. The forth Rune goes below the first Rune. This
Rune reveals the foundation of the situation. The fifth Rune is
placed above the first Rune. This Rune is the challenge ahead of
you. The sixth Rune goes above the fifth Rune. This rune
represents the best outcome.
D.
Three Life Spread This spread is useful for
exploring past incarnations. There are five runes involved in
this spread. Place the Runes into a cloth pouch, and remove five
of them, placing them in the following order. The first Rune goes
on the right side of you work area. This Rune is your birth and
childhood of this life. The second Rune goes to the left of the
first. This Rune represents your present. The third Rune
goes to the left of the second. This Rune is your future in this
life. The forth Rune goes below the second Rune. This Rune
reveals your past incarnation. The fifth Rune goes above the
second Rune. This Rune is your future incarnation.
Interpret the Runes relative to their position and also relate them to
what must be gained in each incarnation.
[ed. note—I don’t agree
with
the majority of interpretations presented here, but figure that someone
will find it useful.—Amythyst]
Sabbats &
Rituals
INDEX: Drawing
Down The Moon Calling
Down The Moon Handfasting
Ritual
Less Elaborate Handfasting Ritual
Solitary Lugnassadh Ritual
(Aug. 1) Imbolc
Ritual (Feb. 2)
Samhain Ritual (Oct. 31)
Solitary Imbolc Ritual (Feb. 2)
Imbolc Ritual Meditation
Imbolc Lore
Candlemas Custom (Feb. 1)
Candlemas
Yule Information and Ritual (Dec. 21) Spring Equinox (March
21) Herbology God Themes
Drawing
Down
The Moon
Janet
and Stewart Farrar
In
this
ritual the Goddess becomes incarnate in the High Priestess. The High
Priestess stands in front of the altar with her back to it. She olds
the wand in her right hand and the scrounge in her left. She crosses
her wrists and crosses the wand and scrounge above them while holding
them close to her breast. The High Priest stands in front of her and
says:
"Diana,
queen of night
In
all
your beauty bright,
Shine
on us here,
And
with your silver beam
Unlock
the gates of dream;
Rise
bright and clear.
On
Earth and sky and sea,
Your
magic mystery
Its
spell shall cast,
Wherever
leaf may grow,
Wherever
tide may flow,
Till
all be past.
O
secret queen of power,
At
this
enchanted hour
We
ask
your boon.
May
fortune's favor fall
Upon
true witches all,
O
Lady
Moon!"
The
High Priest kneels before the High Priestess and gives her the Five
Fold Kiss; that is, he kisses her on both feet, both knees, womb, both
breasts, and the lips, starting with the right of each pair. He says,
as he does this:
"Blessed
be thy feet, that have brought thee in these ways.
Blessed
be thy knees, that shall kneel at the sacred altar.
Blessed
be thy womb, without which we would not be.
Blessed
be thy breasts, formed in beauty.
Blessed
be thy lips, that shall utter the Sacred Names."
For
the
kiss on the lips, they embrace, length to length, with their feet
touching each others. When he reaches the womb, she spreads her arms
wide, and the same after the kiss on the lips. The High Priest kneels
again and invokes:
"I
invoke thee and call upon thee, Mighty Mother of us all,
bringer
of all fruitfulness; by seed and root,
by
bud
and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit,
by
life
and love do I invoke thee to descend upon the body of this,
thy
servant and priestess."
During
this invocation he touches her with his right forefinger on her right
breast, left breast, and womb, repeats the set and finally the right
breast. Still kneeling, he spreads his arms out and down, with
the palms forward and says:
"Hail
Aradia! From the Amalthean Horn
Pour
forth thy store of love; I lowly bend
Before
thee, I adore thee to the end,
With
loving sacrifice thy shrine adore.
Thy
foot is to my lip
(he
kisses her right foot)
my
prayer up borne
Upon
the rising incense smoke; then spend
Thine
ancient love, O Mighty One, descend
To
aid
me, who without thee am forlorn."
The
High Priest stands up and steps backwards. The High Priestess draws the
Invoking Pentagram of Earth in the air with the wand and says:
"Of
the
Mother darksome and divine
Mine
the scrounge, and mine the kiss;
The
five point star of love and bliss
Here
I
charge you in this sign."
The
High Priestess should be in a trance now. This is a good time to do the
Charge or the Witches' Creed. When the Charge or Creed is finished, the
Goddess must be dismissed. It is bad magical practice not to do so.
The
High Priest faces the Priestess and says:
"We
thank you Our Lady for attending our rites. We bid you farewell till
next we call you. Blessed Be."
_____________________________________________
Calling Down The
Moon
Cast
the circle. Fill the Brazier. Join hands in meditation. The Leader
faces the north and says:
As
we
breathe in and out,
It’s
not just air we take in…
It is
the soft silver light of the Moon,
Symbol
of our Lady.
With
every pore of our bodies,
So we
breathe in and out…
And
so
does this circle become a fitting place,
For
our
Ladies presence.
Leader
faces the south and says (with arm in the air):
We
are
the children of the Moon,
We
are
born of light.
When
the Moon shoots forth a ray,
We
see
within it the Goddess, And
ourselves.
Leader
addresses all in the circle:
What
we
call in our hearts,
Goes
forth everywhere…
Echoing,
Beyond
the stars themselves.
And
we
need have no doubt,
That
we
are heard.
All
in
the Egyptian stance leader in pentacle stance calls names:
Priest:
Hearken onto our call Diana
Lady of the silver Bowl
All:
IO
EVONE Diana
Priest:
Hearken unto our call Aradia
Beloved daughter of the Sun and Moon
All:
IO
EVONE Aradia
Priest:
Hearken unto our call Queen Isis
Eternal Queen of the immortals
All:
IO
EVONE Isis
Priest:
Hearken unto our call Arianrhod
Lady of the Silver Wheel
All:
IO
EVONE Arianrhod
Priest:
Hearken unto our call Huldana
Queen of the night faring beings
All:
IO
EVONE Huldana
Leader
in the Iris stance gives the charge to turn to the inner Goddess:
I
am
the star that shines from the dark and twilight sea.
Bringer
of Dreams, Ruler of Destiny.
Thou
I
am known by a thousand names,
Yet
the
Whole round Earth doth Venor at me.
I am
mature and the beauty of the green earth
Lord
(Queen) of all the elements
Sovereign
of all things spiritual
Lord
(Queen) of Heaven, Lord (Queen) of Hell
Lord
(Queen) of dead
Lord
(Queen) of the blessed immortals
A
single manifestation of all the Gods and Goddesses that are.
Hearken
unto My words and look at me,
Forget
not whence thou didst come
And
to
where thou art called
And
in
the fulfillment of time
Thou
shall know
That
I
am that which is with thee, and,
In
thee, and of thee!
And
thus shall your spirit attain
To
the
deepest Mystery of Life
And
thus shall thine Inmost Divine Self be enfolded in the ecstasies of the
infinite
These
things have I made Law,
Enduring
for the million, million ages
The
Leader should feel like a vessel. Speak for however long you feel, and
the lower stand helper says:
Oh
Lovely Goddess (God) of the Moon,
Fairer
far than any star,
Gracious
Lady (Lord), our thanks to thee,
For
coming to us from afar!
All
sit
helper(s) says:
Will
my
Lady (Lord) join us?
Wait
for a response and state the purpose of the circle…
Do what
you plan to do…
_____________________________________________
Handfasting Ritual
High
Priest
High
Priestess
Challenger
at the East
Challenger
at the South
Challenger
at the West
Challenger
at the North
Swordbearer
and his Lady
The
ritual begins with a thrice rung bell...all assemble in the ritual
space with the exception of Groom and Bride, who are at this time in
separate rooms with the Swordbearer (Bride's escort) and his Lady
(Groom's escort).
When
all have gathered and are ready to begin, Groom is led by Swordbearer’s
Lady to the Altar, and left to stand with the High Priestess.
The
music begins, the signal for Swordbearer to escort Bride to the Altar
to stand beside the High Priest.
High
Priestess says "Here stand Groom and
Bride, ready to be joined on this
day, the twenty seventh of July, in the year 1999, of the common era."
All
"Let the circle be rightly cast!!!"
Quarter
Calls
East
"We
call upon thee Rapheal Angelic creature of Air Come bearer of the sword
of truth to witness this rite and guard this circle!"
All
"Hail Rapheal, and welcome!"
South
"We
call upon thee Micheal Angelic creature of Fire Come bearer of the
torch of desire to witness this rite and guard this circle!"
All
"Hail Micheal, and welcome!"
West
"We
call upon thee Gabriel Angelic creature of Water Come bearer of the cup
of love to witness this rite and guard this circle!"
All
"Hail Gabriel, and welcome!"
North
"We
call upon thee Uriel Angelic creature of Earth Come bearer of the bread
of life to witness this rite and guard this circle!"
All
"Hail Uriel, and welcome!"
The
Banishing
High
Priest takes up Athame and consecrates water and salt thusly
"Great
Mother, bless this water to thy service. May we always remember
the cauldron of life, death and rebirth."
"Great
Mother, bless this salt to thy service. May we always remember
the Earth and all her creatures"
Mix
three knife tips of salt into the water and say "Great Mother, we honor
thee!"
The
bowl is then carried around the circle, and the water sprinkled while
those gathered say
"By
water and salt we cleanse this place by the womb of the Goddess, we
purify this space"
The
High Priestess consecrates the incense and incense bowl
"Great
Father, bless this creature of Air to thy service. May we always
remember to listen to the winds of the ancient ones.
"Great
Father, bless this creature of Fire to thy service. May we always
remember the flame of spirit that lives in all of your creatures."
The
bowl is carried around the circle and the circle censed while those
gathered say "By fire and air we
cleanse this place by the breath of
the God, we purify this space."
The
Sword Bearer takes up his sword and inscribes the circle while
all gathered say "The circle now is
cast and we are between the worlds,
where life, death and rebirth are one. Into this space we call
now upon the Ancients."
Invocations
to the God/dess
High
Priest calls the Goddess thusly
"We
call upon thee, Lady as Danu, Mother of All To witness this rite and be
with your children"
All
"Welcome
Danu! Blessed Be!"
High
Priestess calls the God thusly
"We
call upon thee, Lord as Dagda, Father of All To witness this rite and
be with your children"
All
"Welcome
Dagda! Blessed Be!"
Statement
of Purpose
Swordbearer
says
"Why
have we gathered and what is our purpose?"
All
"We
have gathered to witness the joining of Bride to Groom, one to
another. We stand ready to make it so!"
Groom's
Ordeal
High
Priestess turns to Groom and asks
"Why do
you stand at the Altar of the Ancients?"
Groom
"I wish
to begin my journey into the arms, heart and life of my beloved, Bride."
HPs
"There
is an ordeal to be overcome before this can be so. Are you
willing to be challenged?"
Groom:
Yes
"Then
come lay aside all that you do not wish to carry."
Groom
is led to the fireplace where he throws in his banishing packet.
All
"What
is burned is truly gone from the life of our friend and brother, Groom."
HPs
leads Groom to the North
"Here
stands Groom, who wishes to be joined with Bride. Is there a
challenge from the North?"
CN
"There
is!"
HPs
"State
your challenge for he stands ready to meet it."
CN
"From
whence have you come?"
Groom
"I have
come from the land of solitude and tears."
CN
"Where
do you wish to go?"
Groom
"I wish
to journey to the East, home of the truth and mind of my beloved."
CN
"And
how do you journey?"
Groom
"In
perfect love and perfect trust."
CN
"You
have met the challenge of the North! Blessings of Earth go with
you!"
HPs
leads Groom to the East
"Here
stands Groom who wishes to be joined to Bride. Is there a challenge
from the East?"
CE
"There
is!"
HPs
"State
your challenge for he stands ready to meet it!"
CE
"From
whence have you come?"
Groom
"I have
come from the land of solitude and tears"
CE
"Where
do you wish to go?"
Groom
"I wish
to journey to the South, home of the desire and spirit of my beloved"
CE
"And
how do you journey"
Groom
"In
perfect love and perfect trust."
CE
"You
have met the challenge of the East! Blessings of Air go with you!"
HPs
leads Groom to the South
"Here
stands Groom, who wishes to be joined with Bride. Is there a
challenge from the South?"
CS
"There
is"
HPs
"State
your challenge, for he stands ready to meet it."
CS
"From
whence have you come?"
Groom
"I come
from the land of solitude and tears"
CS
"Where
do you wish to go?"
Groom
"I wish
to journey to the West, home of the heart and love of my beloved"
CS
"And
how do you journey?"
Groom
"In
perfect love and perfect trust"
CS
"You
have met the challenge of the South! Blessings of Fire go with
you!"
HPs
leads Groom to the West
"Here
stands Groom who wishes to be joined with Bride. Is there a
challenge from the West?"
CW
"There
is!"
HPs
"State
your challenge, for he stands ready to meet it."
CW
"From
whence have you come?"
Groom
"I have
come from the land of solitude and tears"
CW
"Where
do you wish to go?"
Groom
"I wish
to journey to the North, home of the strength and body of my beloved."
CW
"And
how do you journey?"
Groom
"In
perfect love and perfect trust."
CW
"You
have met the challenge of the West! Blessings of Water go with you!"
HPs
leads Groom back to the North
CN
"You
have come full circle alone. May this be your last solitary
journey. Blessed Be."
HPs
leads Groom to his place beside the Altar
HP
turns to Bride and asks "Why do you
stand at the Altar of the Ancients?"
Bride
"I wish
to begin my journey into the arms, heart and life of my beloved Groom."
HP
"There
is an ordeal to be overcome before this can be so. Are you willing to
be challenged?"
The
answer will most definitely be yes.
Bride's
ordeal is identical to Groom's and when she is taken back to her place
beside the altar, the handfasting can begin.
The
HPs
takes Groom by the left hand as the HP takes Bride by the same, and
they gently tug them forward where they will stand face to face,
holding hands.
The
HPs
takes up the wand as the HP takes up the rings. They say in
unison "May these rings be
blessed as a symbol of eternal
love." High Priest hands Bride the ring meant for Groom
and the
High Priestess hands Groom
the ring meant for Bride.
High
Priest asks
"Who
stands ready to defend and support the vows that will be made by Bride
on this day?"
Swordbearer
steps forward "It is I,
Swordbearer, who stand ready."
High
Priestess asks
"Who
stands ready to defend and support the vows that will be made by Groom
on this day?"
Swordbearers
Lady steps forward "It is I,
Swordbearer’s Lady, who stand ready."
Swordbearer
and SB’s Lady stand in front of the couple with their hands on the
sword as their hands are exchanged. High Priestess drapes cord
over the wrists of the couple, leaving them untied.
High
Priestess says to Groom
"What
vows will you make to Bride on this day?"
Groom
makes his personal vows to Bride
"How
long will you keep these promises that you have made?"
Groom
states the length of time he will keep his vows
"What
token will you offer in rememberance of these vows?"
Groom
"I give
you this ring as a token of my love. Will you accept it, and with
it, all of myself, mind, body, heart and spirit?"
High
Priest says to Bride
"What
vows will you make to Groom on this day?"
Bride
makes her personal vows to Groom
"How
long will you keep these promises that you have made?"
Bride
states the length of time she will keep her vows
"What
token will you offer in rememberance of these vows?"
Bride
says
"I give
you this ring as a token of my love. Will you accept it, and with
it, all of myself, mind, body, heart and spirit?"
Groom
better say yes or he's cut off.:)
The
High Priestess ties the first knot while saying
"By the
power of the Ancients and the Angels of the Elements and with the
blessings of those gathered here I bind you Groom, to your beloved
Bride."
The
High Priest ties the second knot while saying
"By the
power of the Ancients and the Angels of the Elements and with the
blessings of those gathered here, I bind you Bride, to your beloved
Groom."
Swordbearer
and Swordbearer’s Lady step forward with the sword in their hands, hold
it over the heads
of the couple and say in unison
"Be
ever mindful that you have made these vows in the presence of the
Ancients and the Angels of the Elements. We vow also to defend
and support the vows you have made."
Putting
down the sword, Swordbearer and His Lady make the last knot together.
"By
the
power of the Ancients and the Angels of the Elements and in the
presence of all gathered here, we bind you, one to another, Groom and
Bride, Lord and Lady, Husband and Wife. Share now the first kiss
of your
union."
Kiss
Swordbearer’s
Lady gives the couple her personal blessing, followed by
Swordbearer... then everyone follows, each in turn.:) This
is done while standing with the couple so we have lots of great photo
opps.:)
The
High Priest and Priestess go last.
Once
all the blessings are done:
High
Priest
"Let
your first act as Groom's Lady be the blessing of the Cakes."
Bride
takes the athame and says "I bless
these cakes by the power of
our love and the strength of our union. May all partake and be
merry with us!"
High
Priestess says
"Let
your first act as Bride's Man be the blessing of the Wine"
Groom
takes the athame and says "I bless
this wine by the power of our love
and the strength of our union.
May all partake and be merry with us!"
High
Priestess says
"Let
your first act as a couple be to serve your friends and family."
Groom
and Bride carry the cakes and ale around the circle, blessing each with
"May you never thirst"(M) and "May you never hunger"(F) If they
jostle, bump, spill or otherwise trip over each other, (remember they're
still bound!!!) they must stop and kiss.
When
everyone has been served by the newly bound couple, they go back to the
altar and nourish each other in the same way.
Closing
the circle.
This
can be written later, and is basically just thanks and farewell to the
Gods, elemental Angels, and the circle opening.
_____________________________________________
Less
Elaborate
Handfasting Ritual
Preparation
Long ribbon or soft rope (~ 3 feet)
Vows to exchange (written by the couple)
Small gifts (or rings) to be exchanged by the couple.
5 rose candles (Quarter and god candle (god candle can be red))
1 white candle (Goddess candle)
Gifts from the coveners/guests for the couple.
Ritual
Cast the circle normally.
Invoke the Goddess and God normally, or as below.
HPriest: We call upon you in the
guise of Eros,
Kindler of
desire,
Bringer of
love,
to join us
here and witness the bonding
of
<name> and <name>.
HPriestess: We call upon you in
the guise of Aphrodite,
Always
desirous one,
Sensual lover,
to join us
here and witness the joining
of
<name> and <name>.
Grounding meditation.
The HPriest and HPriestess motion the two people to be handfasted to
join them before the altar.
Couple faces the altar.
HPriest: (to one
of the couple, the female if the
couple are of
opposite gender) Do you
<name> join us here of your
own free will, to acknowledge
before the Lord and
Lady the bond that is shared
between yourself and
<other-name>.
Person1: (responds
(hopefully this will be a yes :)
if not,
go to closing).
HPriestess asks the other the same thing and gets response.
Couple turn to face each other and join their left hands.
Each now recites the vows they have prepared.
HPriest: (taking
the joined left hands, and the rope)
Here before witnesses,
<name> and <name> have
sworn vows to each other.
With this cord, I bind
them to the vows that they each
have made. (wrap
the cord loosely around both
arms) However this
binding is not tied, so that
neither is restricted by
the other, and the binding is
only enforced by both
their wills.
Couple: (turning
to face each other, in unison)
Heart to thee,
Soul to thee,
Body to thee,
Forever and always,
So mote it be.
Coven: So mote it
be.
Couple unbind thier left arms.
Couple exchange the gifts they have brought for each other. Coven
members and guests give couple good wishes and/or gifts.
Great rite and Cakes and Ale.
Bid farewell to God and Goddess as usual, or as below.
HPriestess: We thank you
Aphrodite, for your presence among us,
And as you
take your leave, we ask that you leave
among us, in
each of us, the ability to each be
Sensual lover,
and desirous one.
Hail and
farewell.
HPriest: We thank you Eros, for
your presence here this day,
And ask, as
you take your leave, that you leave in
each of us,
the ability to be
a Bringer of
desire, and kindler of love.
Hail and
farewell.
Dismiss the Quarters, and open the circle.
Relax, talk, and party :)
_____________________________________________
Solitary Lugnassadh Ritual
(Lugnassadh
= August 1)
Special
Notes: The turning point in Mother Earth's year: A harvest
festival in the Northern Lands. The waning God and the Waxing
Goddess. Spellwork for good fortune and abundance in all things
is especially appropriate.
Altar
Supplies:
Incense,
burner,
chalice
of water,
pentacle,
knife,
element
candles (four or five as your personal tradition dictates.)
wand,
chalice
of wine,
plate
of bread,
Cauldron
with orange or yellow candle in it,
fall
flowers,
ivy,
herbs
and leaves for decoration.
Altar
cloth can be orange or yellow (or both)
Circle
Casting
Banishing:
Circle the altar three times with salt water and then with smudge stick
or incense, saying these or similar words for each:
“By
earth and water I cleanse this space
By
the
womb of the Goddess I purify this place
By
fire
and air I cleanse this space
By
the
breath of the God I purify this place”
Quarter
Call:
Hail
to
the Guardians, Watchtowers of the East,
Powers
of Air, of mind and imagination
Guard
this circle and witness this rite
Hail
and welcome
Hail
to
the Guardians, Watchtowers of the South
Powers
of Fire, of will and passion
Guard
this circle and witness this rite
Hail
and welcome
Hail
to
the Guardians, Watchtowers of the West
Powers
of Water, of intuition and emotion
Guard
this circle and witness this rite
Hail
and welcome
Hail
to
the Guardians, Watchtowers of the North
Powers
of earth, of life and death
Guard
this circle and witness this rite
Hail
and welcome
(Optional
according to tradition)
Hail
to
the Guardians, Watchtowers of the Center
Powers
of spirit, of mystery and the unknown
Guard
this circle and witness this rite
Hail
and welcome
Casting
the circle
Standing
with athame in projective (right if you're a righty, left if
you're a lefty)circle the altar clockwise, three times while saying
these or similar words
"Here
is the boundary between the worlds, where life, death and rebirth are
one."
As
you
trace the boundary, be sure to visualize your own personal power (in
the form of blue flame or smoke if you like) flowing freely out of the
blade and creating a sphere around, above, below, and completely
encircling you.
Body
of
the ritual
Light
the cauldron candle and say
"O
Ancient Gods(of the Celts, or as you like), I do ask your presence
here. For this is a time that is not a time, in a place that is
not a place, on a day that is not a day, and I await you.
Set
the
plate of bread on the pentacle. Stand still and breathe deeply
for a few moments. Concentrate upon the cleansing power of the breath
and air. When you feel ready, say:
"I
have
purified myself by breathing in the life force of the universe and
expelling all the evil from me."
Lift
the plate of bread high, then set it back on the altar. Say:
"I
know
that every seed, every grain, is a record of ancient times, and a
promise to all of what shall be. This bread represents life
eternal through the cauldron of the Triple Goddess, Maiden, Mother,
Crone."
Eat
a
piece of the bread. Put the chalice of wine on the
pentacle. Hold high the wine chalice, then set it back on the
altar. Say:
"As
the
grape undergoes change to become wine, so by the sacred cauldron of
life shall I undergo change. And as this wine can give man
enchantment of the divine o sink him into the lower realms, so I do
realize that all humans rise or fall according to their strength and
will."
Drink
some of the wine. Say:
"As
in
the bread and wine, so it is with me. Within all forms is locked
a record of the past and a promise of the future. I ask that you
lay your blessings upon me, Ancient Ones, that this season of waning
light and increasing darkness may not be heavy. So mote it be."
Magickal
workings may follow according to your tradition. (Some do not do
magick at all during Sabbat rites.)
Dismiss
the God/dess...a simple prayer of thanks and farewell will suffice.
Quarter
Release
Release
the Quarters from North to East. A simple farewell as the quarter
candle is blown out will suffice.
Cakes
and Ale
Finish
the cakes and wine, mindful of it's grounding effect and also of
the sacrifice of earth, of grain, of grape, for our life and well being.
Closing
Holding
athame in receptive hand, draw the power used to cast the circle into
the knife with the words
"The
circle is open but never broken. Merry meet, Merry Part, and
Merry Meet again."
_____________________________________________
Imbolc
This
Ritual should be performed at dawn or midmorning, or it can be done at
dusk. Set up the Quarter candles (North - Green, East - Yellow,
South - Red, West - Blue). Set up your altar as desired, and face
it to the North, covering it with a white, red or brown altar
cloth. For this ceremony, decorate the altar with white flowers
(silk are acceptable), many white candles (as many as you can
comfortably fit on your altar - up to 13) or a Candle Wheel, and
anything else that feels right. Place the Cauldron in the center, with
a White candle to the left side of the Cauldron and a Green candle to
the right. Along with your usual ritual tools and items, have upon the
altar:
-
White, Red or Brown Altar Cloth
- Many
White Candles (up to 13, in holders) and/or a Candle Wheel
-
Priapic Wand or staff.
- White
Flowers (in a Vase, silk are acceptable)
-
Cauldron - with a White Candle placed to the Left side (in holder) and
a Green Candle to the Right side (in holder)
-
Imbolc Incense - blends of Frankincense, Myrrh, Jasmine, Camphor,
Cinnamon or Lotus
When
all is set up, don your Ritual Robe or other Ritual attire. Be sure to
wear your Magickal jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and
meditate for a little while - to ground and center.
Cast
the Circle... In addition to the God
and Goddess candles, light the Candle Wheel (if you have one).
Keep all the other candles out until the appropriate time. Sit
quietly meditating within the cast Circle for a little while...
When you feel ready, begin your ceremony with these words:
North:
"Blessed
be this season of Imbolc,
Blessed
be the Goddess, waiting Bride of the returning Sun God.
Mother
Earth stirs from Her long slumber.
The
fields and forests hear Her whisper to awaken.
The
creatures of Her realms answer Her summons.
Everything
waits in anticipation for Spring."
Tap
the
altar gently, three times with your Wand, and say:
East:
"This
is the Festival of the Maiden
Who
gives to all the breath of life.
This
is
a time of waxing light and receding darkness.
This
is
the season of purification, a renewing of life.
This
is
the time of the quickening.
At
this
time and in this place between the worlds,
I
come
into the presence of the Lord and the Lady
that
I
may gain wise and truthful counsel."
Now
comes a time of silent meditation while you ask the God and Goddess for
inspiration and guidance for the future...
When
you feel ready, tap the altar again gently with the Wand, three times
and say:
South:
"O
Ancient Ones,
I
know
my life's path is within Your keeping.
Only
with Your help and guidance can I hope to avoid any pitfalls and reach
my destination safely."
Light
the White Candle on the left side of the Cauldron and say these words:
South:
"I
salute the glorious Maiden Goddess,
Preparer
of new life out of darkness.
This
is
Her Season of the Wheel of the Year when She spreads Her blessings over
the land."
Light
the Green Candle on the right side of the Cauldron and say these words:
West:
"Behold,
the Lord of the Forests caresses the dreaming Earth.
As
there is a renewal within the plants and animals, so shall there be
renewal in my life also.
Groom
of Heaven and Earth,come
now to claim your waiting Bride."
Kneel
before the altar, light all of the many White Candles that are around
you. This symbolizes the young Goddess turning the Wheel of the
Year back to Spring. Then say:
All:
"From
this union comes the Light of the World.
Be
fruitful, oh Bride, and turn our Earth gently again to Spring.
Blessed
be the Sun God, coming back to us this day."
Lift
the Candle Wheel and pass it clockwise around the Circle to each member
at least three times, to symbolize the coming of the Light.
Reflect
on the meaning of this Sabbat to you. When you feel ready, continue by
placing the beverage-filled Chalice upon the Pentacle for a few
moments, then lift it high, saying:
West:
"O
Great Triple Goddess and Great Horned God,
Make
our life fertile with insight, good health, prosperity, and magickal
power.
Honor
to Thee, O Ancient Ones!
Merry
meet and merry part and Merry meet again.
So
Mote
It Be!"
All:
“So
Mote it Be!”
Drink
from the Chalice, pour a Libation to the Lord and the Lady and save
some to be put outside for the little people. When you are finished,
release the Circle in your usual manner.
_____________________________________________
Samhain Ritual
Everyone
gathers in the other room before the ritual. If people want to do
smudging, it can be done here. Also, the blessing of the salt
water and incense will be done here.
"Salt
is life and purifying. I bless this salt to be used in our
Samhain ritual. Let the blessed salt purify this water that it
may be used in our Samhain ritual."
"Fire
is alive and purifying. I bless this fire to be used in this
Samhain ritual. As air feeds the fire let the blessed fire purify
the air that it may be used in our Samhain ritual."
Music
will begin and the musician/s will lead a procession into the ritual
area. Following the musician/s will be a participant with a broom
to sweep away any unwanted energy, then people with the incense, salt
water, etc....
If
anyone is left, they can carry the cakes, ale, and other things being
used in the ritual. People can also bring remembrances of
ancestors to put on altar or to keep with them, and anything they would
like to place
in baskets for the four quarters. When we reach the ritual room
the procession will circle three times sunwise and then stop in a
circle.
High
Priestess:
Samhain
is the ending of the warm times, when darkness overshadows light, when
warmth gives way to cold. We come together to celebrate the cycle
of life to death to life, to honour the gods, and to remember our
ancestors.
Person
1 to east:
You
are
spring, nature's birth, and blossoms' first kiss of sun.
You
are
warm eastern wind carrying life's bounty upon its wings.
We
call
upon your youth and knowledge to watch over and join our circle.
So
the
earth blooms.
(Person
1 puts basket with rowan foliage on altar)
Person
2 to south:
You
are
summer, nature's ripening; blossoms turn to luscious fruit.
You
are
scorching southern heat healing and destroying all of life.
We
call
upon your energy and spirit to watch over and join our circle.
So
the
earth grows.
(Person
2 puts basket with oak foliage on altar)
Person
3 to west:
You
are
autumn, nature's harvest, fruit's ripening to maturation.
You
are
cool waters raining tears of love and sorrow.
We
call
upon your intuition and emotion to watch over and join our circle.
So
the
earth withers.
(Person
1 puts basket with apple foliage on altar)
Person
4 to north:
You
are
winter, nature's slumber, life's death.
You
are
bitter cold quieting the world around.
We
call
upon your sustenance and wisdom to watch over and join our circle.
So
the
earth sleeps.
(Person
1 puts basket with pine foliage on altar)
Person
5 to centre:
You
are
the year past and future.
You
are
the spirit and the void.
All
times are now
All
places are here
We
are
within all worlds.
So
mote
it be.
(Person
5 lights centre candle)
We
invoke you, opener of every gate
You
will reach us, you will teach us and reveal our fate.
Female:
The
children of the earth call out to the dead. Hear us, our
ancestors, our kindred. To all those whose bones lie in this
land, whose hearts are tied to it, whose memory holds it; ancient
tribes of this place, we offer you welcome.
To
all
of our grandmothers and grandfathers, our own beloved dead, blood-kin
and heart-kin; ancient tribes of our blood, we offer you welcome.
To
all
those elder wise ones who guide their people, wise women and men of
ancient days, we offer you welcome.
(lights
ancestor candle)
Person
6:
The
children of the earth call out to the spirits of the land. Hear us,
companions and teachers.
To
all
our allies, kindred of stone and stream, crystal and fertile soil,
pools and every water; kin of the earth, we offer you welcome.
To
all
our allies, kindred of the growing green, herb and flower, shrub and
mighty trees, root and stem and fruit. Green kin, we offer you welcome.
To
all
our allies, kindred of fur and feather and scale, all who walk or fly
or swim or crawl, we offer you welcome.
(Person
6 lights spirit candle)
Person
7:
The
children of earth call out to the shining ones. Hear us, eldest and
brightest. To all the shining ones, first children of the mother,
wisest and mightiest, loving and comforting; gods and goddesses, we
offer you welcome.
To
the
gods and goddesses of this place, ancient and powerful, known to us or
unknown; gods of this place, we offer you welcome.
To
all
the deities of those here gathered, you whom we worship, you who bless
our lives; o patrons and matrons, we offer you welcome.
(Person
7 lights gods/goddesses candle)
(Everyone
will sit if this is feasible. High Priest will tell a story of
myth. People are then welcome to tell their own stories about
their ancestors.)
Person
8:
As
the
year comes to an end, so must the weaknesses and habits that keep us
from reaching our goals. Now, in silence, we reflect upon
ourselves, both the good and the bad. We look for the wisdom that
tells us what we need to change and know that we have the power to do
so.
(Everyone
will then do a silent meditation.)
Person
9:
Into
the flames of the cauldron we cast our weaknesses, that we may move
past them.
(Everyone
will hopefully have come up with one ahead of time and written them on
the pieces of paper we'll have there.)
Person
10:
On
these disks of rowan, the wood of personal control, we put a reminder
of how we would like to direct our lives.
(Again,
we'll provide everything but the inspiration...<g>)
(Everyone
stands again.)
Person
11 (possibly with help, if needed) takes up the cakes and ale:
Ancestors,
we invite you to return to the earth this night; to share with us once
again the food you enjoyed in life. May these tokens of our love
renew and refresh you and merry may we meet again.
(Normal
cakes and ale, with everyone assisting their neighbour, with "May you
never hunger" and "May you never thirst". Portions are set aside
to give to the earth.)
Person
12:
Beloved
ancestors, spirits of nature, gods and goddesses, we thank you for your
presence and wisdom. We may close the gate tonight, but we will
always honour your memory as we live by these resolutions you helped
guide us to.
(Person
12 blows out ancestor, spirit, and gods/goddesses candle)
Person
1 to east:
As
the
cycle of the seasons begins anew, we know the earth will bloom
again.
(Person
1 takes rowan basket)
Person
2 to south:
The
earth will grow again.
(Person
2 takes oak basket)
Person
3 to west:
The
earth will wither again.
(Person
3 takes apple basket)
Person
4 to north:
The
earth will sleep again.
(Person
4 takes pine basket)
Person
5 to centre:
We
are
thankful for what we have learned in the past and will use this
knowledge for a better future.
Our
time is now
Our
place is here
We
are
within our own world.
So
mote
it be.
(Person
5 blows out candle)
(Music
begins again, circle 3 times sunwise, leave. Some or all proceed
outside to give foliage, cakes, and ale remains to the earth.)
This
Ritual should be performed at dawn or midmorning, or it can be done at
dusk. Sweep area, starting in the North and moving deosil, with your
magickal broom to cleanse the Circle area and "sweep away" any
lingering negative energies. Set up the Quarter candles (North-Green,
East-Yellow, South-Red, West-Blue) and/or other items symbolizing the
elements at the Four Quarters. Set up your altar as desired, and face
it to the North, covering it with a white, red or brown altar cloth.
For this ceremony, decorate the altar with white flowers (silk are
acceptable), many white candles (as many as you can comfortably fit on
your altar - up to 13) or a Candle Wheel, and anything else that feels
right. You will also need a Grain Dolly/Corn Dolly
dressed as a bride, a Bride's Bed, a Priapic Wand and some acorns or
other nuts. Place the Cauldron in the center, with a White candle to
the left side of the Cauldron and a Green candle to the right. Along
with your usual ritual tools and items, have upon the altar:
-White,
Red or Brown Altar Cloth
-Many
White Candles (up to 13, in holders) and/or a Candle Wheel
-Grain
Dolly/Corn Dolly - dressed as a Bride (to represent Brigid)
-A
Bride's Bed (a Basket will suffice)
-Priapic
Wand (acorn-tipped) and some Acorns (or other nuts)
-White
Flowers (in a Vase, silk are acceptable)
-Cauldron
- with a White Candle placed to the Left sidde (in holder) and a Green
Candle to the Right side (in holder)
-Imbolc
Incense - blends of Frankincense, Myrrh, Jasmine, Camphor, Cinnamon or
Lotus
When
all is set up, take a shower or bath for purification and don your
Ritual Robe or other Ritual attire. Be sure to wear your Magickal
jewelry, if you have any. Sit quietly and meditate for a little while -
to ground and center. When you feel ready to begin, play some quiet
peaceful music for the Ritual.
Cast
the Circle... In addition to the God and Goddess candles, light the
Candle Wheel. Keep all the other candles out until the appropriate
time. Also have the Grain Dolly lying in the Bride's Bed (basket) with
the Priapic Wand and the acorns nearby. Sit quietly meditating within
the cast Circle for a little while... When you feel ready, begin your
ceremony with these words:
"Blessed
be this season of Imbolc,
Blessed
be the Goddess, waiting Bride of the returning Sun God.
Mother
Earth stirs from Her long slumber.
The
fields and forests hear Her whisper to awaken.
The
creatures of Her realms answer Her summons.
Everything
waits in anticipation for Spring."
Tap
the
altar gently, three times with your Wand, and say:
"This
is the Festival of the Maiden
Who
gives to all the breath of life.
This
is
a time of waxing light and receding darkness.
This
is
the season of purification, a renewing of life.
This
is
the time of the quickening.
At
this
time and in this place between the worlds,
I
come
into the presence of the Lord and the Lady
that
I
may gain wise and truthful counsel."
Now
comes a time of silent meditation while you ask the God and Goddess for
inspiration and guidance for the future...
When
you feel ready, tap the altar again gently with the Wand, three times
and say:
"O
Ancient Ones,
I
know
my life's path is within Your keeping.
Only
with Your help and guidance can I hope to avoid any pitfalls and reach
my destination safely."
Light
the White Candle on the left side of the Cauldron and say these words:
"I
salute the glorious Maiden Goddess,
Preparer
of new life out of darkness.
This
is
Her Season of the Wheel of the Year
when
She spreads Her blessings over the land."
Light
the Green Candle on the right side of the Cauldron and say these words:
"Behold,
the Lord of the Forests caresses the dreaming Earth.
As
there is a renewal within the plants and animals,
so
shall there be renewal in my life also."
Take
up
your athame and touch the tip of it to the heart of the Grain Dolly,
and say:
"Groom
of Heaven and Earth,
come
now to claim your waiting Bride."
Kneel
before the altar, and using the Candle Wheel, light all of the many
White Candles that are around you. This symbolizes the young Goddess
turning the Wheel of the Year back to Spring. Then say:
"From
this union comes the Light of the World.
Be
fruitful, oh Bride, and
turn our Earth gently again to Spring."
Toss
the acorns into the Bed with the Bride. (The nuts are a fertility
symbol and are meant to seal the words you have just spoken.) Then
gently lay the Priapic Wand across the Grain Dolly, forming an "X", and
as you do, saying:
"Blessed
be the Sun God, coming back to us this day."
Lift
the Candle Wheel and carry it clockwise around the Circle with you at
least three times, to symbolize the coming of the Light.
Sit
and
quietly reflect or meditate on the meaning of this Sabbat to you. When
you feel ready, continue by placing the beverage-filled Chalice upon
the Pentacle for a few moments, then lift it high, saying:
"O
Great Triple Goddess and Great Horned God,
Make
my
life fertile with insight, good health, prosperity, and magickal power.
Honor
to Thee, O Ancient Ones!
Merry
meet and merry part and Merry meet again.
So
Mote
It Be!"
Drink
from the Chalice, pour a Libation to the Lord and the Lady and save
some to be put outside for the little people. When you are finished,
proceed with the Cakes and Ale Ceremony. Followed by releasing the
Circle in your usual manner.
_____________________________________________
Imbolc
Ritual Meditation Author Unknown
Settle yourself.
Close your eyes. Feel your body relax. Feel as the tensions
drain away from your face, your neck, your shoulders, your arms, your
torso, your legs. Sense the whole of your body, calm, heavy in
its relaxation.
Center yourself. Feel
for that calm, comfortable center in which
you are whole. Ground yourself. Extend yourself into the
Earth, your mother. Feel as your roots grow into the ground, as
you find your connectedness with her again.
This time is the time of
Imbolc, the midpoint between the Winter
Solstice and the Spring Equinox. The sun has begun his journey
back to full strength. He was born at Yule, and progresses through his
transformation from infant to young man. He is potential, waiting
to be realized. The days are lengthening as the nights
shorten. Each day the sun brings a little more warmth,
foretelling the thaw to come. For now, however, the Earth remains
in slumber, Spring still only a faint whisper.
Extend your senses beyond the
walls, to the world outside. Smell
in the crisp air the hard frosts that grip the land. The cold
grabs the inside of your nose, and every breath is a gasp. See
the dark gray skies. Sharp ice crystals bite into your cheeks as the
wind whips the tops off the snow drifts. A branch breaks with a
loud snap as cracks caused by summer storms finally lose their battle
with the weight of heavy snows.
Foxes sleep, snug in their
dens, as sparrows fight for a chance at the
feeder, not always refilled. The bright flash of a cardinal
contrasts starkly with the sullen white snow, a bloody gash across a
barren landscape. Ice coats the twigs and chimes in the breezes.
Rebirth seems remote - even the call of the goose is a distant memory.
But look into the barns and
the fields and watch the teats of the cows
and the ewes begin to swell. The milk is beginning to flow.
Old loin-fires of bulls and rams are soon to burst forth as the first
new calves and lambs. They will struggle up on unsteady limbs,
symbols of the green waiting impatiently to explode from the as yet
quiescent soil.
This is the time of
metamorphosis, of the promise of fruition of seeds
sown in seasons past. Brigid stokes these fires, inspiring the
bard, the smith, the healer. Fertility and creativity begin to
flow in this dormant season, as small things born at the solstice begin
to manifest, heralding the full flowering to arrive when the sun
reconquors his throne.
Fire. The fires in our
hearths. Feel the warmth, smell the
food cooking. The fires in our smithies. The clang of
hammer striking anvil, shaping raw metal into tools. The fire of
desire. The climax which joins cell with cell in the creation of
life. The fires of creativity. Music rings and voices flow
as living beauty is sculpted from idle words and actions. The
fire of transformation. The season of transformation from the
depths of Winter into the rebirth of Spring.
Now, slowly, gradually, come
back inside. Come back to us.
Begin to sense the world inside. Prepare yourself to celebrate
this season of Brigid, this season of fire, this season of
changes. Rouse yourself. Be ready to grab the spoke and
turn the wheel past the numbing cold of winter to the seductive promise
of Spring, as we join together in the celebration of Imbolc!
_____________________________________________
Imbolc
Lore
Imbolc (pronounced "IM-bulk",
"IM mol'g" or "EM-bowl/k") is one of the
Greater Wiccan Sabbats and is usually celebrated on February 2nd.
In the Celtic tradition it is celebrated on February 1st or the first
Full Moon in Aquarius. Other names Imbolc are known by include Imbolg,
Imbolic (Celtic), Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonii Tradition, or the
Druids), Candlelaria (Mexican Craft), Disting (Teutonic Tradition -
celebrated on February 14th) Candlemas (some Pagan Traditions and/or
individuals prefer this name), the Feast of Candlemas and St. Bridget's
Day (Christian), Oimelc, Brigid's Day,
Lupercus (Strega), the Feast of Lights, the Feast of the Virgin, the
Snowdrop Festival, or the Festival of Lights.
The name "Imbolc" or
"Oimelc",
which is derived from Gaelic, means
"ewe's milk" after the lactating sheep that are feeding their first
born lambs of the new season at this time of year.
This Sabbat is a time of
cleansing and newborn lambs, a good time for
the Blessing of seeds. It is a festival of the Maiden in preparation
for growth and renewal. Imbolc is a time to honor the Virgin Goddesses,
along with the first signs of returning life in a frozen Winterland. In
many places, the crocus flower is one of the first to show itself
popping up through the snow, and so it is also a symbol of this Sabbat.
Candlemas is a Festival of Light and is therefore celebrated by the use
of many candles.
Symbolically, many Pagans
choose to represent Imbolc by the use of
Candle Wheels, Grain Dollies, and Sun Wheels - these may be used in
ritual or simply as decoration. Candle Wheels are generally round
decorated "crowns" made of straw or some type of natural woven
substance which is ringed with either eight or thirteen red, pink or
white candles and decorated with colored ribbons. In many Imbolc
rituals, it is traditional for the High Priestess or the Maiden to wear
this "crown" during the ritual at some point.
Grain Dollies can be made many
different ways, and need not take on
human shape unless you desire. They are made of wheat or sheaves of
other grains such as straw, corn or barley. The sheaves are formed into
some semblance of a "dolly" by folding, tucking and tying here and
there. They can then be "dressed" in white cotton or satin and lace to
represent the bride. You may even choose to create a "bed" (from a
basket usually) for your grain dolly, commonly called a "Bride's Bed".
There are many Pagan books available on how to create Candle Wheels,
Grain Dollies, and Sun Wheels. Please refer to them for further
instructions on making these decorations. Imbolc is also represented by
burrowing animals, and the bride. Some otheraltar decorations may include
a besom (Witch's broom) to symbolize the
sweeping out of the old, a sprig of evergreen, or a small Goddess
statue representing Her in the Maiden aspect.
Imbolc can be symbolically
represented by a dish of snow, evergreens
and/or candles. Ritually, you may choose to light and hold candles
(symbol of light) within the Circle. You may also want to place a wheel
symbol upon the Altar. It is traditional upon Imbolc, at sunset or just
after ritual, to light every lamp in the house --- if only for a few
moments. Or, light candles in each room in honor of the Sun's rebirth.
Alternately, light a kerosene lamp with a red chimney and place in a
prominent part of the home or in a window. If snow lies on the ground,
walk in it for a moment, recalling the warmth of Summer. With your
projective hand, trace an image of the Sun on the snow. Other Pagan
activities may include the gathering of stones and the searching for
signs of Spring. It is considered taboo to cut or pick plants at this
time.
Appropriate Deities for Imbolc
include all Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, all
Fire/Flame Gods and Goddesses, and Gods and Goddesses represented as
Children. Some Imbolc Deities to mention by name include Brigid,Aradia, Anu, Arianrhod,
Athena, Branwen, Inanna, Selene, Gaia, Februa,
Februus, Pax, Cupid, Eros, and Diancecht.
Key actions to keep in mind
during this time in the Wheel of the Year
include planning and preparing for the times to come. Spellwork for
fertility and protection are appropriate, as well as those to help one
define and focus on spiritual and physical desires for the future.
Imbolc is a good time to get your life in order - whether physically,
mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or all of the above. Make plans,
organize, clean out drawers and closets to help create a refreshing
sense of bringing in the new and clearing out the old. Preparing
yourself and your home now will help to allow you to take full
advantage of the wonder and freedom that Springtime will bring.
The most common colors
associated with Imbolc are white, yellow, and
pink. However, light blue, light green, red and brown are also
appropriate colors for this Sabbat. Altar candles should be white, red,
pink and/or brown.
Stones to use during the
Imbolc celebration are turquoise, amethyst,
garnet and onyx.
Animals associated with Imbolc
include robins, sheep, lambs, deer, and
burrowing animals like badgers and groundhogs. Mythical beasts
associated with Imbolc are the phoenix, dragons and other types of
firebirds.
Plants and herbs associated
with Imbolc are evergreens and willow
trees, rosemary, angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, heather, myrrh, clover,
dill, and all yellow flowers. For Imbolc incense, you could make a
blend from any of the following scents or simply choose one: basil,
myrrh, frankincense, wisteria, jasmine, camphor, cinnamon, and lotus.
Foods appropriate to eat on
this day include those that represent
growth, such as seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower) as well as poppyseed
breads, muffins, and cakes. Also quite befitting are foods from the
dairy, since Imbolc marks the festival of calving. Sour cream dishes
are fine. Appropriate meat dishes should contain poultry, pork, or
lamb. Spicy and full-bodied foods in honor of the Sun are equally
attuned. Curries and all dishes made with peppers, onions, leeks,
shallots, garlic or chives are appropriate. Spiced wines, herbal teas,
honey, and dishes containing raisins --- all foods symbolic of the Sun
--- are also traditional.
_____________________________________________
Candlemas
Custom
At nightfall on Candlemas Eve
(February 1) an ancient tradition is
observed by witches. Every candle in the covenstead glows with living
fire to encourage the swift return of the sun and the spring
season. The holiday has a deeper significance too, for it is the
prelude to an interval of purification. This is the time of year to
eliminate from one's life all that encumbers --- from old clothes to
worn-out dreams. Just as candles illuminate the darkness, a witch seeks
to penetrate the hidden recesses of the mind and heart in order to
greet the coming season with a clear horizon in view.
Alchemists described the
climactic day of an experiment, when baser
metals were to be transmuted into gold, as "a day of projection".
Candlemas marks for us a period of projection, from February 2 to March
21, during which a personal transformation takes place.
Mundane matters such as
settling debts, returning borrowed items, and
catching up on correspondence are attended to during early
February. A systematic clearing out of drawers, cabinets and
closets eliminates unnecessary
articles which
accumulate over a year's time. Appraise all
your possessions to determine what should be discarded or passed on.
This stage of Candlemas Custom subtly increases the power of decision
and prepares us to examine the quality of our individual lives.
_____________________________________________
Candlemas
Candlemas is a celebration of
beginnings, initiations, saintings, and
circle starting. Deep in the cold of Winter, thoughts of life begin to
stir. Reflection has chosen the seeds of new works to be accomplished
in the coming year. The Goddess reigns supreme as that internal
reflection begins the transition to external actions. Now is the time
when wants and needs are expressed. But beware, wishes expressed on
Candlemas have a way of coming to past. Be sure you wish for what you
truly want.
_____________________________________________
Yule By Gordon Ireland
Yule, pronounced “you all”, or
jol is the Winter Solstice, the shortest
day and the longest night of the year. Yule, in Old Norse means, Wheel.
As the Wheel of the Year is significant in pagan culture, it is
important to note that Yule of the year means wheel. Which, if
having read the previous article, Samhain, in the 99, October issue of
The Seeker, it was noted that Samhain, may not have been the Celtic New
Year, but rather Yule. Yule, starting with the birth of God, and a
celebration of beginning of longer days, makes sense as the beginning
of the New Year.
Yule, of all the Sabbats, is
the one that causes the most confusion
among those who follow the pagan path. Specifically those who are new
to the path and are breaking away from their Christian faith and way of
life. Yule, is, has, and always will be a pagan holiday. With that
said, I guess I need to further elaborate. Yule has many pagan elements
and more pagan history in it’s foundation
and pagan rites than Christian has. Yule has been celebrated since the
beginning of time in the Northern Hemisphere. Many of the
cultures located in the Northern Hemisphere celebrate Yule, all with a
common theme, the birth of a God. Most of these Gods are associated
with the Sun or with death and re-birth. Yule, like Christmas,
celebrates the birth of God. Several pagan Gods, have Yule as their
birth date:
Ra Cronos Lugh Mirthra Odin
This list is my no means
complete, but does give you a general idea,
that more than one God has celebrated his birthday during Yule.
However, the Roman God Mirthra plays a most important role in the
preservation of Yule, and it’s other name, Christmas.
Approximately in the year 312,
Constantine, Emperor of Rome, declared
Rome Christian. This however was not done because Constantine was
Christian, he was not baptized until 337, it was more do to the fact,
that Rome was declining, and Constantine saw in Christian religion,
what Rome lacked, moral fortitude and the ability to self
organize. To attempt to persuade his fellow pagan Romans, he
choose Mirthra’s birthday (Yule) as the same a Jesus’, and from there
just let human nature take its course. It didn’t hurt that after many
hard fought battles, of which he won, had all armor and shields painted
with Christian symbols, and that he told the populace that the
Christian God granted Rome these Victories. In Rome, whoever controlled
the Army controlled Rome. Which raises the question of confusion
again. Did the Christians steal Yule, or did they preserve it for
us? It is important to understand that while historical facts and data
are important, they are not necessary to enjoy the Sabbat. If one
believes that Yule is a celebration of the coming of light, warmth, and
the birth of (insert god of your choice) that whether we call it
Christmas, Yule or the Winter Solstice is unimportant. Yule is the one
Sabbat that allows us to celebrate with other faiths without
compromising our own. There are many pagan/pre-Christian customs that
are still part of the Christmas celebration. The giving of gifts was
first founded in Rome to celebrate Saturn’s Festival. The use of jingle
balls is and Old Norse custom to drive away the evil spirits, in a time
and place where night was longer than day. Mistletoe is an old Celtic
custom and is commonly part of every household during Yule. The wreath,
the complete circle, representing the Wheel of the year, is also still
a custom.
Which brings us to the Yule
tree. The tree of choice is the Fir,
Evergreen or Pine. The reasons these particular trees where probably
use is because that these where the only trees that were considered to
be still alive, enternal. According to McCoy, these trees where sacred
among the Druids, as they were the trees that didn’t die. The Druids
would decorate the trees with images that represented their wants and
desires for the coming year.
It should be noted that while
Yule is considered a primarily Christian
Holiday, it does not do anyone any good, declaring their theft. Rather
we should be thankful that they have done such a great job of
preserving it for us, and relish the fact that you know, and
understand, why they decorate the tree, give gifts, and use bells. It
might make Yule at the homestead easier on those families of mixed
religion philosophies. So when someone wishes you a “Merry Christmas”,
don’t tell them I am not a Christian but rather say, “Merry Yule to you
also”, and know that Jesus wasn’t a bad guy, but rather in a very elite
group of Gods, who all celebrate their Birthday on Yule.
Ritual
The Yule ritual of course
would involve a Yule log. As stated earlier,
Yule logs are best made of Pine, Fir or Evergreen. The custom of
lighting a Yule log is the classic representation of the birth of a God
from the fire of the Mother.
Tools: Boline Chalk Myrrh oil Sea Salt Wine One candle- green Wood matches
First, one needs to say a
prayer of thanks to the spirit of the tree
before cutting it down. (It is always best if you can cut down your own
tree if possible.) After you cut down the tree, cut approximately 1-2
feet for the log. From the bottom, leave the rest intact to decorate.
Depending upon which ritual
tools you have, you can either take a piece
of chalk, and draw the symbol of the sun on the log. Or take you Boline
and carve a representation of the sun.
Place the log in your fire
place or burning pit. Open a circle around
it, calling the four corners, starting with the South: (fire)
Taking the wood match light the fire,
saying: “I light this fire in
honor of all, Thank you God for the light you will bring us, thank you
mother for the warmth of you son. Live within us.”
West: (water) pour the
wine on the log, saying: “You, who have died, is now reborn.”
North: (earth) sprinkling salt over
the log, saying: “Since time began we celebrate the birth of God. The
darkest of nights, gives birth to the new sun.”
East: (air) rub the oil onto
the carved sun figure, saying: “The Wheel has turned, full circle, we
call you back to warm us.”
“So mote
it be!”
Close circle.
This ceremony can be conducted
using candles, either by themselves or
by placing the candles on top of the Yule log. Though the latter can be
a fire hazard and the usual precautions should be taken.
_____________________________________________
Spring
(Vernal) Equinox
Ceremonies
The 24 hours of March 20,
known as the Vernal Equinox, are divided into
equal numbers of light and darkness, and herald the beginning of the
Spring season. In the Medicine Wheel of the Native American Lakota
tradition, Spring is in the Eastern Quadrant of our life's earthwalk
and of every project we undertake. Its animal totem is the Golden Eagle
that rises fearlessly into the heavens, high enough to consort with
Spirits and Wakan Tonka, the great Sun. Like the Sun itself, its colors
include all the shades of gold, and therefore, its symbolic Stones
include Citrine, Carnelian, and Topaz. In terms of human life, Spring
is the season of birth. It is the season when life and inspiration
arise once again from the darkness of hibernation into the light of the
sun and earth-reality.
It is easy to love Spring.
Throughout the ages, humans have taken a
natural delight in participating in Spring's approach and joyously
welcoming her arrival. It is the time to exclaim over the wonder of
children...children of every species of life. It is the time to exclaim
over childhood itself and new beginnings. It is the time to honor the
inspiration that engenders creativity. For inspiration, like breathing,
needs faith, before the beginnings of creativity can happen, and
creativity is the essence of life becoming itself, in every form,
again and again and again.
Spring is the season of Life
re-born. Through the ages, some societies
celebrated the blatant sexuality and fertility of the season with young
girls dancing around phallic maypoles. Some celebrated the season by
ceremoniously burning the greens they brought into the house for
safekeeping through the winter. A quick examination of the variety of
ceremonies include:
Leaving offerings of food and
milk for the Fairies ... Druid Scattering ashes, salt, or
soil from mountaintops onto fields ready for
new planting... Druid Wearing flower-decorated hats
or head wreaths ... Universal Rituals of sensuality
involving fruit and wine ... Roman Earth-centered carnivals
involving fertility and good harvests, such as
Mardi Gras, Carnival. Reverence to ancestry using
lime chalked faces, raffia skirts, banana
stalks, banana stickpins and bread ... African tradition Use of Palm Leaves - to
decorate graves ... French; To hang from homes as
protection ... Puerto Rican; To assure good harvest ...
Belgian; To ward off evil spirits ...
Cuban; To assure good health, luck,
love ... American/New Orleans. Use of Eggs, as symbol of life
... as part of Passover Seder plate
...Jewish; Searching for and
decorating...Universal; Baked into breads...Universal. Use of rabbits as symbols of
fertility and baby chickens as symbols of
new life ...Universal.
It is natural to celebrate
Spring by honoring new green growth. My own
favorite spring herbs include Parsley, Sorrel, Dandelions, Chickweed,
Nettle, Chervil, and Johnny pop-ups. I like to include them in
arrangements, salads, and soups. I like to smell them, touch them,
taste them. I like to internalize their Spring Energy and Power.
Here are some Herbal beliefs
from other times and/or other cultures.
Symbolic Use Of Plants
According To Druid Tradition
DANDELION - This edible,
medicinal, ubiquitous plant was considered to
have magical powers, especially when a wish was made over a dandelion
"puff" and the fluff was blown into the cosmos beneath a full moon.
HONEYSUCKLE - This plant,
beloved for its sweet nectar, was believed to
attract prosperity and increase psychic ability.
JASMINE - Perhaps it is the
potent, intoxicating scent of this flower
that has identified its perfume as an aphrodisiac able to inspire love
spells and prophetic dreams...among many indigenous societies.
VIOLETS - Herb of love and
protection.
Symbolic Use Of Plants
According To Native American Tradition (According to Sun Bear and
Wabun in THE MEDICINE WHEEL)
DANDELION for March-Apri1 ...
used by native healers as a spring tonic
and blood-restorer ... Dandelion people tend to "fly from one project
to another" with their unique high energy and to implement projects,
and cleanse the projects and people they come into contact with.
BLUE CANNAS for April - May
... eaten regularly by ancient native
Americans to keep their blood sugar level because of its insulin-like
property called "inulin" .... In bloom likes a sea of blue. People of
this time period, like the flower, have the ability to sustain and
sweeten life.
YARROW for May-June ... This
prolific plant is literally a medicine kit
unto itself. Its flower and leaves contain the abilities to cleanse the
blood, reduce fever, soothe mucus membranes, fight colds and flu, act
as diuretic, and help the digestive system. Externally, stops
itches, prevents infection, relieves insect-bite itching. Yarrow
people are a inspiring, balancing, and encouraging to those around them.
Spring and the Human Spirit
"April is the cruelest month,
breeding Lilacs out of the dead land,
mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull routes with spring rain." T. S. Eliot
Poet T. S. Eliot reminds us
that although it may be easy for many to
delight in the Spring of the year, sometimes it seems difficult to
empower the Spring within ourselves, especially when we seem laden with
troubles or sickness. Nevertheless, Spring is just the season to remind
us to renew our commitment to Life. It is the season meant to renew our
Faith in our own new Growth, our own new Creativity, our own new
Healing, our own new Risk-taking, our own new Love, our own new Paths,
our own new Life, which, both physically and spiritually is always
unfolding. Spring requires that we replace complaints with
affirmations, despair with hope, stagnancy with movement, death with
re-birth. When we don't do this, Spring becomes a difficult season to
endure, because anything negative seems so out of synch, out of
harmony, with the natural life-affirming characteristics of the season.
Spring exacts from us renewed love of life, renewed optimism. It is,
once again, another chance to come alive, along with the animals
birthing, the plants emerging, the earth re-warming, and the hours of
sunlight lengthening.
Suggested
Spring Ceremonies
For The Earth
Remember that the best
ceremonies are the ones you and your group
create, out of your own lives, your own needs, your own observations,
your own talents. Here are some suggestions.
1. Create a circle you and
others can walk into using stones, dried
corn, petals, dried tobacco or sage. Leave an opening in the eastern
section of the circle for entry. Symbols you might want to carry into
the circle include gold-colored gems like Citrine or Topaz, Spring
herbs or Greenery you have picked from your environment, feathers
symbolic of eagle feathers (eagle feathers are illegal because the bird
is on the endangered species...turkey feathers are acceptable
substitutes or feathers you find nearby dropped by theneighborhood birds during
their normal activity), hard boiled eggs,
palm leaves, etc., yellow candles, etc. If you are going to light
candles, take proper precaution, and have candle holders safely in
place before starting.
Enter the circle ceremoniously
from the east, and walk around the
circle until you return to the east, and affirm your faith in
Beginnings... in Birth, in Childhood, in Healing, in Seeds Growing, in
Inspiration and Creativity
of ideas and
solutions, in the Sun rising. It is best if you
spend some time deciding ahead of time what you want to say, although
some people like to be spontaneous and let the words flow as they will.
If you are stuck, you might say, "I honor the spring season by renewing
my faith in Beginnings, birth... etc. I renew my commitment to bringing
myself into harmony with nature's re-birth by taking the following
actions: (planting seeds, washing in rain-water, creating a safe haven
for birds, renewing my affection for the Child Within, doing a favorite
childhood activity, singing every morning, watching the sunrise..etc).
I am at peace in the beginning season of the Medicine Wheel. I am at
peace with all beginnings in my life. I affirm my faith in life. I
affirm my stewardship of all living things
on this planet. I take my place in the Sacred Circle of Life. I
have faith. I have faith. I have faith. Ho. So be it."
2. Renew your commitment to
all the "Families" of the earth, with whom
we share this planet: the two leggeds (humans), the four leggeds, the
wingeds/finneds/crawlers, the green standing people (plants) the stone
people, all those who have come before us and all those who will come
after us, the earth itself and her heavens. Bring a symbol of each, and
some spades. With ceremony and honor, mark out the space of earth where
you will dig a hole to bury the symbols. Symbols might include a lock
of human hair, a nail cutting from a pet or a statuette of an animal, a
feather, a leaf/flower/branch, a stone, the memory or name-on-paper of
a beloved ancester, an egg to represent life-to-come. Bless the
earth by pouring a wine libation or sprinkling with sage or tobacco.
Explain to the earth and heavens and to all present what is about to
happen. Then you, yourself, or with others, thank and bless each item
for sharing this earthwalk with you, and return it to the earth with
gratitude, asking that it be given the gift of life again and again,
throughout eternity. With great gentleness, scoop up some of the earth
with your hands and replace it over the items. Then fill up the space and
mark it with a rock. Leave some of your
spirit there to guard each of the families, as you leave.
Spring
Activities For Yourself
1. Organizing a "child's "
party for you and your grown friends (or, of
course, for children), and bring your favorite childhood foods, games,
and songs. Wear child clothes… a bonnet, or pinafore, or mary jane
shoes... or knickers...or carry a coloring book...or lunch box...or
Star Trek shirt...or doll...etc.
2. Have a story-telling event,
and tell a story from the first hero or
heroine of your life...the child you were.
3. Close your eyes and
meditate upon your first Spirit Memory, and
write it or draw it.
4. Give somebody a Gift of
Love.
5. Give yourself or somebody
else the Gift of Forgiveness.
6. Sleep outdoors, and watch
the sunrise.
7. Sit with your back against
a tree, and allow your blood and its sap
to rise together into the spring air.
8. Clean something you love,
and consider the cleaning act a prayer and
offering.
9. Sing a love song to a
beloved child or adult.
10. Sing a love song to
yourself. Write a love poem to yourself.
Write a love poem to your pet.
11. Sing a love song to this
earth and her heavens.
12. Lie on the ground, and
watch a crocus or violet or other spring
plant grow. Sketch it.
13. Lie on the ground, and
hear the stones sing. Sing with them.
14. Select a large, clean
leaf, damp with morning dew, look at it
closely, and see the face of the Source, then place it on your
forehead, or the top of your head, or your throat or heart, and connect
with its energy.
15. Paint a hard-boiled egg
with symbols of all the families of the
Sacred Circle (see above) with the heavens above and the earth below.
16. Hang a wind sock or
weather vane, and acknowledge the direction and
power of the wind.
17. Collect some rain water
for your bath. Gather some violet or
dogwood or rose petals, a yellow stone, some essential oil of
sandalwood/rosemary/lavender/and or mint, and wrap them tightly in a
handkerchief or bit of muslin. Soak the handkerchief in a cup of milk
and honey, and float it also in your bath water. Bathe in Spring energy.
18. Invite the fairies to
dance with you at nightfall.
19. Make Spring tea by filling
a jar with Spring water, add clean,
new-grown leaves of such plants as mint, parsley, lemon balm, catnip,
or chamomile that you know agree with you. (approximately 1-2 teaspoons
of herb to 1 cup of water). Cover and place in a clean place outdoors,
to steep for 24 hours under solar and lunar energy. Then strain, add a
touch of honey, and enjoy the mild, spring flavors.
20. For children: Get three
lima beans, and label mark them with
indelible colored markers: a smiling face for happiness, a red heart
for love and friendship, and a green leaf for success in school,
sports, whatever. (or make up your own symbols). Then breathe the
prayer of life onto them, and plant each in a pot of earth, labeling
the pots appropriately. Say thank you to the ones that grow into
plants. Figure out what you can do in your life to strengthen the
energies of those that didn't grow, and try again.
Springtime
Meditation
Close your eyes and take three
deep inhales and exhales, focusing on
your breathing. Imagine that you are sitting in a Sacred Circle of
Springtime. Bring the Springtime to all your senses. With your eyes,
see or sense the emerging of the new flowers and baby animals into the
world. See the shapes. See the colors. See the bright sun shining on
them. With your ears, listen to the sounds of Spring, the brooks
gurgling, the baby chicks calling, the lambs bleating, the children
laughing. With your nose, smell the smell of rich dark moist earth
nurturing new life, smell the aromas floating on the Spring breeze,
smell the lilies of the valley, smell the rain. With your
fingers, touch the satin of new buds, touch the bark of the old oak as
it springs to life once again, touch the curly wool of lambs, touch the
crumbling earth, touch a baby's cheek, touch your own cheek. With your
mouth, imagine the flavor of new asparagus stalks and strawberries.
Sense all the wonders of spring, renewed from winter's sleep, filling
your Sacred Space.
Now focus inside yourself.
Like the earth, you are a place of
nourishment and hibernation... for new ideas, for new health, for
new friendships, for new prosperity, for new life. See the sun rising
up inside of you too. Feel the rain nurturing renewal within you. Feel
the new warmth and light of Spring filling you from your toes to your
head, with the light of renewal. Feel the warmth and light of Spring
spill over and fill the Sacred Space around you with love and growth.
Take a deep breath and as you exhale, say: Spring and Renewal are with
me. Breathe and exhale and say: Spring and Renewal within me. Breathe
and exhale and say: Spring and Renewal surround me. Breathe and exhale
and say: Spring and Renewal protect me. In this Here, in this Now, I
re-affirm my Life. So be it.
Take three deep breaths. Say
thank you to the Powers-that-be for your
moment of safety and ease. Ask for protection for yourself, for your
safety, for those you hold dear, for other life forms emerging into
life, and for this sweet Earth and her heavens. When you are ready,
open your eyes, knowing that only good can come from what you've done.
Smile at the world. It is GOOD.
Spring
Introspection
Ask yourself, "From what
Natural Sources am I renewed this
Spring? From what Natural Sources do I receive my Inspirations
and my Energy this Spring?"
Make a list of your answers.
Go to those Sources, be they people,
books, prayer, the ocean, plants, a tree, a pet, music, a food, a
color, cleaning, sports, dance, a jewel,...say thank you, sit quietly,
and receive the gift.
_____________________________________________
God
Themes
Two God-themes figure
predominantly in Wiccan Sabbats: the Sun King
themeand that of the
Holly King and
Oak King.
THE
SUN KING
The Sun King rules the seasons and the cycle of life, death, and
rebirth. At Yule, he is the new babe, the embodiment of innocence
and joy. He represents the infancy of the returning light. At Imbolc,
his growth is celebrated, as the days are growing longer and light
stronger. At Ostara, he is a green, flourishing youth whose eye is
taken by the Maiden Goddess. On Beltane, he is the young man in
love who takes the Goddess as his bride. Their consummated marriage is
celebrated with maypoles and bonfires. At Midsummer, he consummates his
marriage in a union so complete that it becomes a death. He is mourned
at Lammas, and at Mabon, he sleeps in the womb of the Goddess. At
Samhain, he waits in the Shining Land to be reborn.
THE SUN KING
Represents: Life, death, rebirth
Gods: Dionysus (Greek god of fertility, wine, and merriment) Jesus
(Christian god of life, peace, and forgiveness)
Osiris (Eyptian god of life and death) Shiva (Hindu god of the seasons
and balancer of good and evil)
Colors: Green, gold, black
Plant: Evergreens
Bird: Eagle
Associated myths: Beauty and the Beast, The Nutcracker
THE OAK
KING AND THE HOLLY KING
The Oak King and Holly King are mortal enemies at Midsummer and
Midwinter, but they are two sides of a whole. Neither could exist
without the other. Two themes run throughout the Oak King and
Holly King saga. The first, of course, is the two great yearly battles
between the two. The second is the sacrificial mating, death, and
resurrection of each in his season. At Beltane, the peak of the Oak
King’s reign, he sacrificially mates with the Great Mother, dies in her
embrace, and is resurrected. (The Holly King on the other hand, mates,
dies and is resurrected at Lammas.) This is an enactment of the
natural fertility theme of the season and is not widely discussed, but
it is an important element in their roles as fertility gods.
The Oak King, the Lord of the Greenwood and golden twin of the waxing
year, rules from Midwinter to Midsummer. At Midwinter, he goes to
battle with his twin, the Holly King, for the favor of the Goddess. He
slays the Holly King, who goes to rest in Caer Arianrhod until they do
battle again at Midsummer.
The Holly King, the Lord of the Winterwood and darksome twin of the
waning year, rules from Midsummer to Midwinter. At Midsummer, he goes
to battle with his twin, the Oak King, for the favor of the Goddess. He
slays the Oak King, who goes to rest in Caer Arianrhod until they do
battle again at Midsummer.
THE OAK KING
Represents: Growth, expansion
Gods: Apollo (Greek god of the sun, music, and healing) Jupiter (Roman
god of light and sky)
Janus (Roman god of planting, marriage, birth, and other types of
beginnings)
Pan (Greek god of fertility, unbridled male sexuality and carnal desire)
Colors: Yellow, green, red
Plant: Oak, mistletoe
Bird: Robin
Associated myths: Robin Hood, King Arthur, Gawain (when he meets the
Green
Knight), the Green Man
THE HOLLY KING
Represents: Withdrawal, lessons, life, rest
Gods: Saturn (Roman agricultural god) Cronos (Greek god, also known as
Father Time)
Father Ice/Grandfather Frost (Russian winter god) Odin/Wotan
(Scandinavian/Teutonic All-Father who rides the sky on an eight-legged
horse) The Tomte (a Norse Land Spirit known for giving gifts to
children at this time of year) Thor (Norse sky god who rides the sky in
a chariot drawn by goats)
Color: Black, red, green
Plant: Holly
Bird: Wren
Associated myths: Santa Claus in all his variations, the Green Knight
(from Arthurian legend), Mordred (who struck down King Arthur), John
Barleycorn
Potions & Recipes
Imbolc Recipes
Basic
Dessert Crepes
Dessert crepes are delectable,
light and tender, and despite their bad
press as a fussy food, they are simple to prepare. If you can make
ordinary breakfast pancakes, you can make crepes. But they do need to
be prepared in a heavy iron pan. Special crepe pans differ from
skillets only in that the sides are lower and more slanty; if you don't
have a special crepe pan, any small, heavy skillet will do.
7/8 cup Flour 1 tablespoon Sugar 3 Eggs 2 tablespoons Melted Butter 2 tablespoons Cognac 1 teaspoon Vanilla 1/8 teaspoon Salt About 1 1/2 cups Milk
Sift dry ingredients and add
eggs one at a time, mixing well, until
there are no lumps; a mixer at low speed does this well. Add melted
butter and flavorings. Gradually stir in milk and mix until batter is
consistency of light cream. Let batter rest 1 or 2 hours.
Heat a heavy 6-inch pan well
and butter it. Pour in about 1 ½
tablespoons batter and tip the pan so that it covers the entire bottom.
Pour any excess batter back into the bowl. Cook crepe until it shakes
loose from bottom of pan. Turn with fingers or spatula and brown
lightly on reverse side. (Crepes may be kept for several days in the
refrigerator or for a month in the freezer.)
You may simply squeeze fresh
orange juice over the crepe, add a
sprinkle of sugar and roll it up. Or for a more elaborate treat:
Crepes
Suzette
Cream 1 cup butter with 1 cup
confectioner's sugar. Add the grated rind
of 3 oranges, the juice of 1 1/2 oranges, and 5 tablespoons Grand
Mariner or other brandy. Melt over low heat in a skillet or chafing
dish. Fold crepes in quarters and add a few at a time to the pan. Heat
very slowly, spooning the sauce over them until well saturated. Remove
to a heatproof platter and keep warm until all are done. Pour the sauce
in the pan over the crepes, add 1/4 cup warm brandy, ignite and serve.
Imbolc
Incense
3 parts Frankincense 2 parts Dragon's Blood 1/2 part Red Sandalwood 1 part Cinnamon a few drops Red Wine
To this mixture add a pinch of
the first flower (dry it first) that is
available in your area at the time of Imbolc (February 1st). Burn
during Wiccan ceremonies on Imbolc, or simply to attune with the
symbolic rebirth of the Sun --- the fading of winter and the promise of
Spring.
Candlemas
Ritual Potpourri
A small cauldron filled with
homemade potpourri can be used as a
fragrant altar decoration, burned (outdoors) as an offering to the old
gods during or after a Sabbat celebration, or wrapped in decorative
paper and ribbons and given to a Wiccan sister or brother as a Sabbat
gift.
45 drops Myrrh Oil 1 cup Oak Moss 2 cups Dried Heather Flowers 2 cups Dried Wisteria 1 cup Dried Yellow Tulip Petals 1/2 cup Dried Basil 1/2 cup Dried and Chopped Bay
Leaves
Mix the myrrh oil with the oak
moss, and then add the remaining
ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and then store in a tightly
covered ceramic or glass container.
Candlemas
Crescent Cakes
1 1/4 cups Flour 3/4 cup Sugar 1 cup Finely Ground Almonds 3 drops Almond Extract 1/2 cup Butter or Margarine,
softened 1 tablespoon Honey 1 Egg Yolk
In a large mixing bowl,
combine the first four ingredients. Add the
butter, honey and egg yolk and mix together well. Cover with aluminum
foil or plastic wrap, and then chill for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the
refrigerator.
When ready, pinch off pieces
of the dough (about the size of plums) and
shape them into crescents.
Place the crescents on a
well-greased cookie sheet and bake in a 325-
degree preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes. (This recipe yields
about one dozen Candlemas Crescent Cakes.)
Imbolc
Salsa
2 very large, very ripe
Tomatoes 1 small Onion 1 to 2 canned Seranno Chilies 1 tablespoon Cilantro (fresh
Coriander leaves), finely chopped Salt and Pepper to taste A dash Sugar
Peel and finely chop the
tomatoes. Finely chop the onion. Remove seeds
from chile pepper(s) and finely chop. (WARNING: two will make this
quite hot.) Place the first four ingredients into a bowl, season to
taste, and let sit, refrigerated, for several hours. Serve cold with
tortilla chips. (Serve with chile [vegetarian or con carne], beans and
rice.)
Easy
Yule Log
1 Package commercial cake mix,
preferably chocolate 2 cans (24 oz.) pre-made
frosting in a dark brown color Several tubes of cake
decoration frosting in green, red and white Several toothpicks Preheat over to 300 F. Grease
and line a jellyroll pan with waxed
paper. Mix the cake according to package instructions and pour a thin
layer-no more than ¼ inch thick-into the prepared jelly roll
pan. Bake the cake until just underdone. If you can’t tell by
looking then use the knife test. When the knife emerges not quite clean
from the center or the cake, and when a light touch does not bounce
back easily, it need to come out. Check the cake a 7 minutes and then
every 2 minutes after that. Do NOT over-bake or the dough will be dry
and hard to work with. Remove the cake from the over and let it cool
slightly. The remove the cake from the pan by lifting out the wax
paper. With the dark frosting, coat the top of the cake with toothpicks
and let it cook for about 5 more minutes. Cool the cake for 30 minutes,
and then frost it with the dark brown icing. Next, take the tubes of
colored cake decorating frosting and make holly and mistletoe over the
top. You can also use artificial greenery until it is time to eat the
cake. To finish, take a toothpick and etch lines into the frosting to
resemble tree back. (McCoy, page 70)
Spiced
Fruit Nog
12 eggs, separated 1 cup sugar ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground
cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground
allspice 2 cups apricot nectar 2 cups half-and half 1 (12-ounce) can evaporate 2 teaspoon rum flavoring Grated orange rind (optional) Combine egg yolks, sugar, and
spices in top of a double broiler.
Place over simmering water and cook, stirring constantly with a wire
whisk, until mixture reaches 165. Remove from heat and cool to room
temperature. Combine yolk mixture, egg
whites, apricot nectar, half-and half, evaporated mile, and rum
flavoring: beat at medium speed of an electric mixer until well
blended. Cover and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Pour
chilled not into serving cups and sprinkle with orange rind, if desired.
Yield: 2 quarts
Leg of
Lamb
1 Leg of Lamb Salt, pepper 1 cup heavy cream 2-3 tablespoons flour Put the leg of lamb on a grid
in a roasting pan and pour (2 pints) of
water into the pan. You can also put the Leg of Lamb in a roasting bag
without a liquid. Place into oven. Heat over to 150-175 de. C (280-325
de. F) And roast for one hour for each kilo (2 lb.) of weight. Baste
occasionally with the stock from the roasting pan. For the last
half-hour of cooking switch on the grill, (US broiler) and grill the
Leg of Lamb on both sides. If you use a roasting bag, remove it from
the bag for the last half-hour and grill in the same way. Strain the stock into a
casserole and skim off the fat. Thicken the
sauce with flour, or your favorite thickening, season and color with
gravy browning. Add the cream and remove from the heat. Serve with your
choice of vegetables and caramel potatoes.
Menagerie
Windigo, Spirit
of the Lonely Places
"Windigo never gives.
Windigo only takes.
You become a Windigo,
you give your life."
The Algonkian Windigo (also spelled Witiko, Wendigo or Weendigo) is a
seasonal, subartic man-eating spirit-creature. Sightings of the
creature usually occur in the areas of Southern Canada north of the
Great Lakes. Even before Europeans came to this continent, many Native
Tribes knew of the creature they called "Windigo". In some Native
American myths the Windigo takes an actual animal form; but in others
it is portrayed as a formless animal spirit. In its animal form the
Windigo is said to resemble either what is often called a Sasquatch or
Bigfoot - or else resembles a timber wolf (only much larger and
fiercer). Windigo fur varies from gray to brown to a mixture of both
and the Windigo has strong, short jaws with long, sharp teeth. The
cruel face of the Windigo is highlighted with horrid glaring eyes. In
its spirit form it is often described as looking like a giant, as tall
as the old timbers themselves, with a heart of ice.
No matter what form the Windigo takes, it always has a ravenous
appetite for human flesh. During the winter moons when food is scarce,
there always has been a great fear of the creature. The entire Windigo
species stalks the forests of the north in search of human flesh,
lurking silently in the shadows of trees. The Windigo can use trees as
snowshoes and therefore can cover vast distances in a single step. As
they travel from victim to victim, blizzards accompany the Windigo to
help them hide from the sight of their victims. The Windigo are clever
hunters - the cunning of the Windigo is that it knows how to keep out
of sight. One of the favorite hunting methods of the Windigo is to run
its prey into a tree, over a
precipice, or to exhaustion, where upon it will pounce upon the person.
It may or may not kill its victim (by ripping out vital organs in
seconds) before it begins to eat. Another Windigo hunting technique
involves the use of the Windigo's voice - the Windigo has a scream that
paralyzes its intended meal so that it cannot escape. When full and
well fed, packs of Windigo have been seen playing catch with human
skulls. It is a remorseless beast that will even devour its own family.
In the land of Cree and Ojibwa, some Windigo are believed to have once
been normal human beings who have become possessed cannibals. The
Windigo can 'infect' other humans (somewhat like the Werewolf), and
therein lies the unique power suggested in the double meaning of its
name. The root word is Algonkian for both "evil spirit" and "cannibal",
so Windigo describes both the spirit-animal and a way of acting like
one. Any person possessed by this cannibal spirit has literally become
a Windigo and is probably incurable. Some people choose this
transformation, others happen upon it. The latter cases are caused by
being bitten, by dreaming of the Windigo, or by being involuntarily
transformed by an evil sorcerer. 'Voluntary Windigo' are individuals
who go into the forest, fast for several days, and offer their flesh
freely to the species. A Windigo may adopt such a person as its own
child. The possessed human grows a heart of ice, has a craving for raw
human flesh, and behaves like the spirit-animal itself, although he
never gets to be as large as the supernatural being.
The only known way to avert Windigo possession is to throw excrement at
the creature. This confuses it enough for a small window of escape. If
this method doesn't work, the next choice is to go immediately to a
local shaman. If he can not help, the last resort is to kill the
possessed person, cut the body into pieces, and burn it to kill the
spirit so that it does not infect others. Some say a silver bullet can
also be effective.
***This is an installment of the 'Winter Gods, Goddesses and
Spirits
Series' done for the WitchesThree community mailing list. The series
and all its installments are copyrighted 1999 by Sarah Nunn (Sarah the
SwampWitch).***
The Dead & Undead Possession Chaos Magick
The Pact
by
Pete Carroll
Most occult traditions have
complex and highly ordered otherworld
cosmologies and metaphysical theories. Yet their accompanying
techniques are frequently a shambles. In contradiction to all this, one
of the fundamental insights of Chaos Magic is that if magical technique
is sharply delineated it will work because the universe itself is more
of a shambles than it appears. Or perhaps I should more respectfully
say that it has the magical property of confirming most of the
interpretations placed upon it. Thus a wide variety of metaphysical
paradigms can be made to fit, even if mutually exclusive.
So when selecting from the
Supermarket of Belief, the critical question
for the Chaoist is: how effective are the accompanying magical
techniques? Hence Chaoist magic is characterised by its cavalier
attitude to metaphysics and its puritanical devotion to empirical
techniques.
For some time Chaoist
orthodoxy has had it that cavalier metaphysics
and mythology are incompatible with the formal structure of a magical
teaching order. However, this need not be so if it is only technique
that is being taught and practised. Experience has shown that people
can come together and engage in highly productive exchanges of
practical expertise, and that a formal structure and a division of
labour encourage this.
The Magical Pact of the
Illuminates of Thanateros, or the Pact for
short, is an organisational structure for those wishing to perform
Chaos type magic in company with others of like mind. The Pact exploits
the device of a graded hierarchy, with certain checks and balances, and
is delighted to admit candidates with the drive and initiative to rise
rapidly through its structure.
Every occult revival begets a
magical child or two and Chaoist Magic is
the major synthesis to emerge from the occult renaissance of the last
twenty years. The Pact is amongst the prime vehicles designed to
develop and carry forward that synthesis well into the next millenium.
It is likely that the Pact will be to the end of this century and to
the beginning of the next, rather more than what the G.D. was in its time, a
century ago.
In practice a number of the
formal devices of the Pact are treated
somewhat more lightly than the written conventions might leed one to suppose, with members styling
themselves with such oddities as Frater
Vacuity or Soror Impropriety and so on, in deliberate parody of
tradition. The prime functions of the grade structure are to provide a
mechasnism for the exclusion of certain psychotic misanthropes and
neurotic creeps who are sometimes attracted to such enterprises and to
ensure that that which needs organisation is duly attended to.
Persons who, having read and
carefully considered the accompanying
information and conventions of the Pact, are interested in contributing to its activities
may submit an extensive letter of
application to:
OBLIVION, P.O.Box 18514, Encino, CA 91416-8514, USA
The
Magical Pact of The Illuminnates Of Thanateros
by Pete Carroll
Since the inception of the
Chaos Magic current some individuals have
elected to work alone whilst others have worked in concert in a loose
configuration of allied groups. The Magical Order of the IOT has in
practise functioned as a highly creative Disorder. This creative
disorder has spawned, among other things, a structure known as “The
Pact”. The Pact is, in contradistinction to the usual implications of
such a name, a friendly society for mutual support and encouragement in
the field of magic. The Magical Pact of the IOT represents another
phase of the current of Chaos Magic in which its practitioners elect to
work as an integrated force. The Pact is a vehicle for the pursuit of
the Great Work of magic and the pleasures and profits attendant upon
this quest. The Pact also acts as a psychohistoric force in the battle
for the Aeon.
Historically, all magical and
mystical organisations have used the
Hierarchical Gambit to create pressure for excellence on those working
at all levels of the hierarchy. Yet, positions of mastery within these
organisations have often depended more on questionable claims to
authority from concealed sources than from technical accomplishments.
Inevitably, the calling of
such bluffs has led to the undoing of these
organisations. However this old mechanism is not without its merits.
The Guru and Chela finally rebels both may gain greatly, although it
can as easily end in disaster.
Now whereas most individuals
are relatively sane and competent, most
organisations act as though mad and stupid. This is because most
organisations permit only positive feedback from below. Thus those at
the top are condemned to bask in deceitful reflections of their own
expectations and to issue ever more inappropriate directives. The
structure of the Pact overcomes these traditional problems whilst
retaining the invaluable pressure created by an hierarchical structure.
Within the temples of the Pact all members are encouraged to volunteer
techniques and concepts for experiment and appraisal, and the grade
structure merely recognises technical magical competence and
organisational responsibility.
Those in higher grades must
refrain from commenting on the lifestyle,
personal behaviour, tastes and morality of other members. Yet the structure of the Pact
forces a constant stream of negative
feedback to arise from below by institutionalising rebellion in the
office of Insubordinate. Thus as soon as a fair mastery of technique
and organisation is attained the Magister Templi, Adept or Magus
suddenly becomes subject to intense criticism as a teacher and
individual, and this is counted as a great reward.
The Pact is constituted in
four grades; Neophyte, Initiate, Adept and
Magus, numbered respectively 4*, 3*, 2*, 1*. In addition there are five
offices: the Priest or Priestess of Chaos may be taken as a side degree
of the 3* or 2*. The office of Supreme Magus is held by the head of the
Pact and is designated 0*.
The office of Magister Templi
designates the coordinator of the
activities of a particular temple and may be held by anyone of the 3* and above. The Archivist is
responsible for the records of a temple.
The office of Insubordinate may be held by anyone of the 4*. The Insubordinate is a
personal assistant to another member of the Pact
and acts as a goad, inspector and critic to that member.
The Pact is a
self-perpetuating oligarchy. Advancement into a grade
occurs at the invitation of those in that grade and in higher grades.
The Supreme Magus can only be
replaced by unanimous action by all the
membership of the 1*. The basic agreement implicit in membership of the
Pact is that higher grades provide organisation, facilities, tuition
and material, in return for which lower grades provide whatever
mundane, financial or magical services may be reasonably demanded of
them. Ultimate appeal may be made to the 0*.
The Temples
of the Pact:
A temple of the Pact may only
be founded by an Adept or Magus, or by an
Initate sponsored by an Adept or Magus, who will periodically inspect
the work of the temple. A temple consists of an assembly of its members
and may be convened in any enclosed or open space where privacy can be
assured. The Magister Templi will keep a record of adresses through
which members of his temple can be contacted. Such records must be kept
in such a way that they reveal membership details to outsiders. The
Magister Templi of a temple will also supply his superiors in the Pact
with an adress through which his temple can be contacted and they will
keep it in like fashion.
Members may belong to more
than one temple. For example an Initiate in
a sponsored temple may need to join the temple of his sponsoring Adept
or Magus to receive specialised teaching and advancement to the next
grade. All temples adopt a characteristic name by which they are known
within the Pact.
Sponsored
Temples:
It may be that by some
accident of geography a group of persons
aspiring to membership of the Pact forms in an area remote from centres
of pact activity. In this case one or more representatives of the group
may, by arrangement, present themselves before an Adept or Magus of the
Pact bearing from each member a handwritten or signed letter making the
Neophyte assertions in full together with any other evidence that the
sponsor may require. Then at the discretion of the Adept or Magus the
representatives may be given the 4* and the 3* and empowered to open a
temple and conduct work in these grades.
The office
of Magister Templ:
The activities of a temple are
coordinated by a Magister Templi, either
appointed by an Adept or Magus sponsoring the temple or chosen by those
of the highest grade present. The Magister Templi ensures that only
members of the appropriate grade or candidates for that grade are
admitted to the temple`s rituals. Visiting members of other temples
must give the appropriate signs and words to the Magister Templi in
private. The Magister Templi may delegate one or more assistant
Magister Templi.
The office
of Archivist:
The Archivist keeps a record
of the activities of a temple. The records
use only the formal magical names or numbers of those present. The
records detail the time and place of temple activities, together with a
brief description of whatever work was done, and what results were
achieved. If it is not possible to avoid recording confidential
information such information may be encoded but not enciphered by some
means approved by the Magiste Templi. The Archivist is personally
responisble for the security of the records and will ensure that they
will be rather destroyed than lost or stolen. The records of a temple
may be inspected by any Initiate or higher grade of that temple. The
records of a sponsored temple are open to their sponsor and a Magus may
inspect the records of any temple.
The Grades
and Grade Rituals:
Candidates for the Neophyte
grade are accepted on the basis of
interviews and briefings by members of the Pact arising from personal
recommendation or petition to the Pact. No person can be admitted to
any other of the Pact`s rituals and activities without first having
undergone the Neophyte Ritual. The Neophyte Ritual demands that the
candidate exhibit some commitment by providing a robe and ring to
specifications approved by the Pact, and that he reveal himself to be
an open mind free from dogmatic belief. Most of the Pact`s ordinary
business and most of its magical work are conducted with the temple
opened in the grade of Neophyte.
The Neophyte grade provides a
period of assessment during which the
Pact and the Neophyte test their commitment to each other. The Neophyte is at liberty to
resign at any time and may be dismissed at
any time. The Initiate Ritual marks the full acceptance of a candidate
into the Pact. The Pact is not bound to accept the resignation of an
Initiate. The confidential business and magical activities of a temple
are conducted with the temple opened in the grade of Initiate. The
Initiate seeks proficiency in all forms of magic and begins work on
Liber, and if desired, work leading to the side degree of Priest or
Priestess of Chaos.
The Adept Ritual marks the
candidate`s proficiency in magic and his
acceptance of the obligations to teach, to defend the Pact, and to
administer its structure and traditions. It is not normally necessary
to open a temple in this grade.
No ritual for the recognition
of a Magus is presented here. This grade
is conferred on those exhibiting outstanding magical ability and
potential for leadership within the Pact.
The
Insignia of the Pact:
The minimum furnishing of a
temple whether convened in an open or
closed space is the eight rayed star of Chaos prominently displayed. This may be presented in the
form of a banner or altarcloth, a
chaossphere, or by the star mounted on a staff. All grades wear a plain
full robe with sleeves and hood. The robe is most commonly black but
individual temples may elect to array their members in robes of some
other hue. The ring of the order is silver and bears an eight rayed
star of Chaos. It may be worn freely at any time but is not in itself
proof of membership or grade. Members of the Pact choose a single word
name and a number of three or four digits by which they shall be
formally known in the Pact and by which their deeds and comments are
recorded in the temple archives. Female members are denoted Sor. (Soror
or Sister), males as Fra. (Frater or Brother). Thus a full formal title
might be Fra. Aleph 252, 3* IOT.
The
Symbolism of the Grade Rituals:
The rituals presented here
constitute the minimum requirements for
opening and closing the temple and for recognising candidates in the
grades of Neophyte, Initate and Adept. Temples may elect to add
additional material to the rituals.
The Neophyte Ritual is a
marriage to the Pact, although, as in modern
tradition, divorce is permitted at any time. The candidate is asked to
assert the four qualities of the so-called Witches Pyramid: To Know, To
Will, To Dare and To Keep Silent. The candidate is welcomed with
raucous cheering and applause as befits such a bold and romantic
gesture.
The Initiate Ritual marks a
total commitment to the Pact and the
candidate offers to the Pact what powers he has in the four magical
virtues of Will, Perception, Imagination and Concentration. The
seriousness of the undertaking is marked by some moments of utter
silence which conclude the ritual.
The Adept Ritual marks the
candidate`s acceptance of executive powers
and responsibilities within the Pact. The ritual resumes the symbolism
of the four elemental weapons of Pentacle, Cup, Sword and Wand. The new
Adept is welcomed with laughter to lighten the burdens assumed.
The Signs
and Words of the Grades:
The signs and words of the
grades protect the Pact against infiltration
and imposture. They consists of words and gestures sufficiently
discreet to be exchanged in casual social intercourse without their
being revealed as marks of recognition to outsiders. The signs and
words are periodically changed by the 1*.
Notes on
the Rituals of the Pact:
Although the rituals are
presented as being led by the Magister Templi
they may be led by any deputy of appropriciate grade that the Magister
Templi appoints. It is customary for the Magister Templi to frequently
delegate in this way to provide other members of the temple with
practice in ritual leadership. (Usually the following rituals have an
additional suprising element incorporated.)
The Opening
Ritual and the Closing
Ritual:
The Magister Templi calls the
temple to order. The M.T. then leads the
temple in the Gnostic Banishing Ritual (GBR).
The M.T. then proclaims: I
open/close this temple in the grade
of Neophyte/Initiate/Adept.
The M.T. then gives the
appropriaiate signs and words and further
proclaims: For the pursuit
of the
Great Work of Magic.
The
Neophyte Ritual:
The M.T. calls the temple to
order and asks: Does any person here
object to this candidate? If there are no objections the M.T. leads the
GBR. The M.T. then adresses the candidate: Candidate,
I call upon you to make
the assertions of a Neophyte. Candidate,
do you Know that there may
be no ultimate truths ?
C: I do.
Candidate,
do you Dare to practice
the philosophy and techniques of magic ?
C: I do.
Candidate,
do you agree to Keep
Silent about the signs and passwords of this Pact and its private
business and not to reveal the identities of its members to outsiders
without their consent ?
C: I do.
(The candidate takes robe
and ring.)
Candidate,
by what name and number
will you be known in this Pact ?
(The
candidate gives his chosen name
and number.)
Candidate,
I recognise you as a
Neophyte of this Pact and I open this temple in the grade of Neophyte
with the signs and words of a Neophyte.
The M.T. gives the signs and
words and proclaims: For the pusuit
of the Great Work of Magic.
A few moments of raucous
cheering and applause follows.
The Initate
Ritual:
The candidate will have
provided himself with some token of Initiate
status previously approved by the Pact. This may for example be a magical weapon, an amulet or
some design to adorn a robe.
The M.T. calls the temple to
order and leads the GBR. The M.T. then
adresses the candidate:
Candidate,
I call upon you to
reaffirm your Neoophyte assertions. The candidate repeats all four
substituting "I" for "Do you" in each phrase.
Candidate,
I call upon you to make
your submission and to take the oath of an Initiate.
The candidate disrobes and
lies flat on the ground. Weapons are held
against vulnerable parts of the candidate`s body. The candidate then
proclaims:
I offer to
this Pact such powers of
Will, Imagination, Perception and Concentration as I possess. I bind
myself to the service of this Pact. Should I ever break its trust, may
I be stripped of all protection.
The M.T. then adresses the
candidate: Candidate,
arise and take up these marks of an Initiate. (The candidate re-robes
and takes his mark.) Candidate, I recognise you as an Initiate of this
Pact and I open this temple in the grade of an Initiate with the signs
and words of an Initiate.
The M.T. gives signs and words
and proclaims: For the pursuit
of the Great Work of Magic.
A few moments of utter silence
in which all members stand giving the
sign of an Initiate follow.
The Adept
Ritual:
The candidate will have
provided himself with some object to mark his
adepthood.
The M.T. calls the temple to
order and leads the GBR. The M.T. then
adresses the candidate:
Candidate,
I call upon you to
reaffirm your Neophyte assertions. (The candidate reaffirms them in
full.)
Candidate,
I call upon you to
reaffirm your Initate`s oath. (The candidate reaffirms it in full.)
Candidate,
I call upon you to make
the obligations of an Adept.
The candidate holds aloft his
mark of adepthoood and proclaims: I offer myself
as a shield for the defence
of the Pact and its members.
I offer
myself as a vessel through
which the Pact may pour the teachings of magic.
I offer
myself as a sword to the
Pact, to smite and confound its enemies.
I offer
myself as a staff which will
uphold the Pact.
The M.T. then proclaims:
Candidate, I
recognise you as an Adept of the Pact and I open this temple in the
grade of Adept with the signs and words of an Adept.
The M.T. gives signs and words
and proclaims: For the pursuit
of the Great Work of Magic.
A few moments of mindless
unrestrained laughter follows.
The Office
of Insubordinate:
Every Magister Templi is
attended by a personal Insubordinate chosen by
all members of the temple other than the M.T.. In addition, all
actively teaching Adepts and Magi of the Pact are attended by personal
Insubordinates chosen by their peers. Insubordinates may be of Initiate
grade only, and have five duties as follows:
To ensure that all teachings
and instructions are comprehensive and to
criticise or demand clarification of those that are not. This is the
duty of the Fool, to display ignorance or pretend to ignorance where
others pretend to understand.
To convey criticism with a
certain levity. This is the duty of Jester,
to poke fun at that which others find more politic to ignore.
To point out personal failings
and blindspots. This is the duty of the
Chaplain, to treat with personal matters impartially.
To receive personal accounts
of some aspects of personal magical
progress, though not necessarily to comment on them. This is the duty
of the Confessor, whose existence is a safeguard against sloth or
complacency.
To hold the right to veto any
instruction and to notify the 0* or the
1* of its exercise. This is the duty of the Inquisitor, to cicumvent
abuses of position.
Holders of the office of
Insubordinate are not styled as
"Insubordinates" within the Pact but rather they chose a two word title
to characterise their expression of the role. Such two word titles may
be chosen from any combination of the words Fool, Jester, Chaplain,
Confessor or Inquisitor. Traditionally one word is chosen to denote the
function the candidate is most temperamentally inclined to exercise and
one for the function least favoured. Thus the Insubordinate may choose
to be styled Inquisitor-Jester or Chaplain-Fool and so on.
Any particular office of
Insubordinate lapses whenever a fresh
Insubordinate is appointed in place of an existing one or when an
Initiate holding the office becomes recognised as an Adept. Some
temples prefer to rotate the office of Insubordinate at each meeting
either randomly or by turn. In other situations the post may be longer
term and the parties involved may elect to mark the assumption of this
relationship with the Insubordinate Ritual. Otherwise the noose which
is the mark of office of Insubordinate and which is displayed when
exercising the Insubordinate functions is simply passed to the new
holder of the office.
The Insubordinate will
normally conduct his official business with the
Recipient may well choose to brief his Insubordinate beforehand about
any controversial instructions he may intend to give to prevent the
public exercise of a vote.
The
Insubordinate Ritual:
The temple being already
opened in the grade of Initiate or Neophyte.
The candidate hands a previously prepared noose to the person who will
be the Recipient of his insubordination. The Recipient places the noose
about his or her neck, hands the free end to the candidate and kneeling
before the candidate asks:
R.: Will
you test me as my Fool, so
that all may understand ?
C.: I will.
R.: Will
you test me as my Jester, if
none else will criticise ?
C.: I will.
R.: Will
you test me as my Chaplain,
that no fault lie unremedied ?
C.: I will.
R.: Will
you test me as my Confessor,
lest I neglect my own progress?
C.: I will.
R.: Will
you test me as my
Inquisitor, if I exceed my authority ?
C.: I will.
R.: Then
how will you be known ?
C.: As
your ____ ____ .
R.: Then
take this noose my ____ ____
to remind us of our duties.
The R. then gives the noose to
the C..
The ritual is concluded by a
brief barrage of insulting and derisive
noises directed by all at the Recipient.
Some
Activities of the Temples of the
Pact:
The activities of a temple
will vary according to need and
circumstances and according to the grades and accomplishments of those
present. The following sections give some indication of frequent temple
activities in the sequence in which they are commonly performed.
The
Preliminaries:
The Magister Templi will
ensure that the privacy of the temple is
assured and that any visitors are on an appropriate grade. The M.T.
will announce any apologies for absence and give any preliminary
briefings required.
The Opening:
The temple is opened either
with a Grade Ritual or with the Opening
Ritual.
Training
and Practice:
Various members of the Pact
will, at the discretion of the M.T., lead
exercises in particular magical disciplines. These may include mind
control exercises, practice with the techniques of gnosis and practice
with magical instruments and techniques. Lectures and demonstrations
may be given and papers read.
Magical
Action:
At the discretion of the M.T.
various spells and rituals of Evocation,
Divination, Enchantment, Invocation and Illumination may be attempted
in support of the needs of the Pact, the temple or individuals. The
Mass of Chaos may be performed as a celebration or to ordain a Priest
of Chaos or for some other purpose.
Discussion:
The M.T. chairs a discussion
of various matters of administration,
planning, personal progress and research. Individuals may report on
their work with Liber KKK and other researches. Publications and
communications from other temples of the Pact may be reviewed.
The Closing:
The temple is closed with the
Closing Ritual and if necessary opened in
another grade for special purposes with selected participians. It is
customary for the work of a temple to be followed by some refreshment
and socialisation.
Upon
Various Matters of the Pact`s Business:
Few rituals of the Pact are
ever conducted using written cues.
!
Any ritual that cannot be
committed to memory prior to performance must be regarded as urgently
in need of simplification !
In general, when a complex
training exercise or ritual is being
performed one member fully briefs the participants beforehand and then
leads the main sequence giving instructions to other participiants to
deliver their own contributions at the appropriate points if necessary.
The M.T. must obtain prior approval from a Magus of the Pact if a
temple is to undertake paid magical work on behalf of outsiders or
other institutions. Approval must also be obtained if a temple is to
launch any form of magical attack although this may be waived in
compelling circumstances.
Excommunication:
In the event of a Pact member
exhibiting intolerable behaviour the
members of a temple may force an excommunication from the Pact by
simply majority, the M.T. having the casting vote. In the event that
the candidate for excommunication is the M.T. then his Insubordinate
has the casting vote. Excommunicants are barred from Pact activities
till further notice and members will not discuss magical or Pact
activities with them. Willful treachery may be rewarded with
Excommunication with Extreme Prejudice, in which case the Pact may
adopt a more active response towards the miscreant.
Astral
Projection
Step one:
Relax the body. According to Monroe, "the ability to relax is the first
prerequisite, perhaps even the first step itself" to having an OBE.
(out of body experience) This includes both physical and mental
relaxation. Progressive Muscle relaxation, coupled with deep
breathing exercises (inhale 1, exhale 2, inhale 3.... until 50 or 100)
are known to work well.
Step two:
Enter the state bordering sleep. This is known as the hypnagogic
state. One way is to hold your forearm up, while keeping your
upper arm on the bed, or ground. As you start to fall asleep, your arm
will fall, and you will awaken again. With practice, you can learn to
control the Hypnagogic state without using your arm. Another method is
to concentrate on an object. When other images start to enter your
thoughts, you have entered the Hypnagogic state. Passively watch these
images. This will also help you maintain this state of near-sleep.
Monroe calls this Condition A.
Step three:
Deepen this state. Begin to clear your mind. Observe your field of
vision through your closed eyes. Do nothing more for a while. Simply
look through your closed eyelids at the blackness in front of you.
After a while, you may notice light patterns. These are simply neural
discharges. They have no specific effect. Ignore them. When they
cease, one has entered what Monroe calls Condition B. From here, one
must enter an even deeper state of relaxation which Monroe calls
Condition C-- a state of such relaxation that you lose all awareness of
the body and sensory stimulation. You are almost in a void in which
your only source of stimulation will be your own thoughts. The ideal
state for leaving your body is Condition D. This is Condition C
when it is voluntarily induced from a rested and refreshed condition
and is not the effect of normal fatigue. To achieve Condition D, Monroe
suggests that you practice entering it in the morning or after a short
nap.
Step Four:
Enter a state of Vibration. This is the most important part of the
technique, and also the most vague. Many projectors have noted these
vibrations at the onset of projection. They can be experienced as a
mild tingling, or as is electricity is being shot through the body.
/their cause is a mystery. It may actually be the astral body
trying to leave the physical one.
For entering into the vibrational state, he offers the following
directions:
1.Remove all jewelry or other items that might be touching your skin.
2.Darken the room so that no light can be seen through your eyelids,
but do not shut out all light.
3.Lie down with your body along a north-south axis, with your head
pointed toward magnetic north.
4.Loosen all clothing, but keep covered so that you are slightly warmer
than might normally be comfortable.
5.Be sure you are in a location where, and at a time when, there will
be absolutely no noise to disturb you.
6.Enter a state of relaxation
7.Give yourself the mental suggestion that you will remember all that
occurs during the upcoming session that will be beneficial to your
well-being. Repeat this five times.
8. Proceed to breath through your half-open mouth.
9. As you breathe, concentrate on the void in front of you.
10. Select a point a foot away from your forehead, then change your
point of mental reference to six feet.
11. Turn the point 90 degrees upward by drawing an imaginary line
parallel to your body axis up and above your head. Focus there and
reach out for the vibrations at that point and bring them back into
your body. Even if you don't know what these vibrations are, you will
know when you have achieved contact with them.
Step five:
Learn to control the vibrational state. Practice controling them by
mentally pushing them into your head, down to your toes, making them
surge throughout your entire body, and producing vibrational waves from
head to foot. To produce this wave effect, concentrate of the
vibrations and mentally push a wave out of your head and guide it down
your body. Practice this until you can induce these waves on command.
Once you have control of the vibrational state, you are ready to leave
the body.
Step six:
Begin with a partial separation. The key here is thought control. Keep
your mind firmly focused on the idea of leaving the body. Do not let it
wander. Stray thought might cause you to lose control of the state.
Now, having entered the vibrational state, begin exploring the OBE by
releasing a hand or a foot of the "second body". Monroe suggests
that you extend a limb until it comes in contact with a familiar
object, such as a wall near your bed. Then push it through the object.
Return the limb by placing it back into coincidence with the physical
one, decrease the vibrational rate, and then terminate the experiment.
Lie quietly until you have fully returned to normal. This exercise will
prepare you for full seperation.
Step seven:
Dissociate yourself from the body. Monroe suggests two methods for
this. One method is to lift out of the body. To do this, think
about getting lighter and lighter after entering this vibrational
state. Think about how nice it would be to float upward. Keep this
thought in mind at all costs and let no extraneous thoughts interrupt
it. An OBE will occur naturally at this point.
Another method is the "Rotation method" or "roll-out" technique. When
you have achieved the vibrational state, try to roll over as if you
were turning over in bed. Do not attempt to roll over physically.
Try to twist your body from the top and virtually roll over into your
second body right out of your physical self. At this point, you will be
out of the body but next to it. Think of floating upward, and you
should find yourself floating above the body. Monroe suggests you begin
with the lift-out method, but argues that both are equally efficacious.
Spell
Preparations
"24
Steps to Construct a Spell" By Edain McCoy
1. Clearly understand and
define your magickal goal. Write it down or
state it out loud to help form it solidly in your mind. By doing this
you begin to invest the spell and the desired outcome with your
emotions and energy. If you have more than one need, you may wish to
spread them out. You can work more than one spell at a sessio but doing
so will dissipate and scatter your energies, leaving less for each
spell. If you feel you must do multiple spells, limit them to three and
try to relate them in some way, so that the energy you raise remains as
focused as possible.
2. Be sure of the ethics of
your hoped-for outcome. Approach the spell
from all angles to satisfy yourself that you are not violating anyone
else's free will or being manipulative. Many witches like to do a
divination first, to be doubly sure that their spell will not have any
unforeseen ramifications. If the results of the divination are
negative, try rethinking your intent to see if you can circumvent the
problem. Then do another divination and see what comes up.
3. If you wish to use a
specific element as a focus for your magick,
decide which one is most appropriate and collect items to represent
that energy.
4. Plan how you will visualize
your goal and believe in what you see.
The powers of the mind are only just now beginning to be explored by
science. We have all heard stories of terminal patients who have healed
themselves, and of faith healers who use belief to manifest miracle
cures. Visualization uses that power to form mental pictures that are
invested with personal energy and emotion. It is the soul that breathes
life onto all magick, and the soul that is the most important element
in its outcome. The moment you start visualizing the resolution of a
magickal need is the moment you begin to create the changes in your
deep mind necessary for the magick to manifest.
5. If you are working with
advanced magic, you will need to prepare a
long-range plan in accordance with the above guidelines. This will
entail checking moon phases, laying in enough supplies for the duration
of the spell, and planning how the energy can be sustained through each
day.
6. Gather candles, stones, or
whatever else you intend to use as a
catalyst for your focus or to direct the energy you will raise. Empower
those items with your personal energy by projecting into them the
energy of your goal. Keep in mind that these tools, including your
cherished ritual tools, have no power in and of themselves. The power
is not in the tools, but inside the Witch trained to use them. Without
you, they are useless. They merely provide a way to focus your energy
and a means for directing it towards its goal.
7. Decide upon your words of
power, the words or chants you will use to
help focus and raise energy. You may write them out, or simply remember
key phrases you wish to use as you improvise. Some Witches like to
create simple poems so they will be easier to remember.
8. If you wish to use a
special deity or mythic figure in your magick,
decide on which one or ones, and how you will evoke, invoke, and/or
honor them. You may wish to write out special prayers or blessings and
memorize them.
9. Decide when you want to do
the spell. This can be any time you
personally need the magick, at the time when you coven regularly meets,
or you may wish to take into consideration moon phases and/or other
astrological influences. If your life is as busy as most's people's
today, you may have to choose the only night when you will be free and
alone. The timing is much less important than the energy you bring to
the spell.
10. At the appropriate time,
gather what you will be using and go to
the place where you will perform the spell. This can be at your altar,
indoors, or outdoors, at your coven meeting site, or anywhere else that
feels appropriate, comfortable, and private.
11. Cast your circle and, if
you like, call the quarters, or do as you
would when opening up any other ritual. If you are using advanced
magickal techniques you will definitely need to employ these
visualizations to be effective.
12. Your magick is now
beginning in earnest. Invite whatever
elementals, faeries, spirits, or deities you wish to have present as
you work. They should always be welcome, but they are not necessary for
spellwork.
13. Clear your mind and begin
visualizing your goal. This is probably
the most important step in the spell-casting process and you should
invest the mental image with as much energy as you can muster. Recall
your need and make your emotional connection with it as deep as you
can, on as many levels as possible.
14. Raise energy within
yourself and pour it into the magickal
object(s) in whatever way feels right to you. This can be done as a
mental projection, through dance or song, or intense visualization.
15. Do whatever physical
actions your spell requires. Some need no
special actions, but many require some basic movement, even if it is
only lighting a candle. Use your words of power, light your candles,
bury your herbs, mentally charge your stones, and/or raise your cone of
power.
16. Take advantage of natural
phenomena that can help you raise energy.
A storm, for instance, is an excellent source of energy that any Witch
can draw upon to help feed a spell. Allow yourself to become part of
the storm and feel yourself physically drawing on its vast stores of
energy as you seek to raise your own energies or cone of power.
17. When you feel you have put
as much energy into the spell as you
possibly can, send the energy out to do your will. You can visualize
this as a cone of power being sent out, or use any other mental image
you like. Body language helps, too. Relax, throw up your arms, raise a
tool, kneel, send out a cone of power, or do whatever else makes you
feel the energy go forth. Be sure to direct it out from you visually as
well.
18. You should finish your
spell with words such as the traditional So
Mote It Be. Mote is an obsolete word for must. The phrase is synonymous
with Amen, So It Is and It Is Done. It is a statement of completion and
an affirmation that you know your magick is successful. All magick is
worked from the point of view that the desired goal is already manifest
- it will not come to be, but IT IS. Alwaayss phrase your magickal
desires in the present tense; for example, I have love in my life now,
or My bills are now paid in full. Talking of magick happening in the
future will keep it forever in the future, always just out of reach.
19. Meditate briefly on your
goal. Again, visualize it as already
manifest. Smile, breathe a sigh of relief, and know the magick is
already at work for you.
20. Thank and dismiss all
faeries, spirits, and deities who have come
to witness or aid in your magick.
21. Ground your excess energy
into the earth and open your circle.
Excess energy, raised during your spell work but not full sent away
from you when you sent it to do its job, lingers on and around you. The
best way to ground this excess is to place your hands, palms side down
on the earth, into a bowl of soil, or on the floor of your home.
Physically and psychically feel the excess energy draining out of you.
Know that it is being absorbed and dispersed into mother earth.
22. If you have ritualized
your spell, dismiss your quarters or do
whatever other endings your rituals traditionally require. If you are
working your magick with a coven this is standard practice.
23. Record your spell in your
Magickal Diary or Book Of Shadows with
the date, time, weather conditions, and any astrological data you wish
to include. This will be useful later when you have done enough spells
to look for patterns. For example, you may see that your most
efficacious spells were done on Sundays or when it was cloudy or
snowing, or when you had faeries present, worked with a particular
deity, burned green candles, or when the moon was full. Everyone has
different affinities, These patterns will help you pick the best times
for your spellwork.
24. Back up your desire on the
physical plane. This is a must. For
example, if you have done a spell for healing don't avoid seeing your
doctor. You will need all the help at your disposal to overcome your
illness, and magick and medical science make great partners. Until you
achieve your magickal goal you should spend some time each day focusing
on it by clearly visualizing it as a fait accompli. These added boosts
of daily energy can often mean the difference between success and
failure.
Spell Crafting
Creating a
Spell
Sure, it's fun to collect
dozens of books filled with other people's
spells, but it's also expensive. And what happens if you need a spell
when you're away from your library? Or you have the books, but none of
the spells in them seem quite right for what you want? Or one sounds
good, but you don't have any asefoetida on you (or whatever herb or
tool you're missing)? Or, darn it, you just want to do something a
little more creative than copying someone else's exact
procedures? Then you want to create a spell.
Know what you want to achieve.
What exactly is it that you want to have
happen? Are you trying to banish something? Find love? Get a job
interview? Get as specific as you can about the end product without
setting down how it has to happen. For example, you might say, "I want
a good but affordable red truck," but not "I want Ted down the
street to sell me his truck." There are two reasons for leaving the
"how" part open. First, it leaves more options for the energy to move
along its easiest path: it may be that Ted won't sell you his truck,
but someone else will run an ad next week, or you'll win a drawing for
a truck or enough money to buy one. Second, it frees you from the
ethical concern of trying to influence Ted's mind. If you're not in a
life-or-death situation, the fallout of manipulative magick is usually
not worth the temporary gain.
Know the phase of the moon.
There are a lot of other correspondences
you can worry about later, but this is the most influential and the
easiest to keep track of. If you don't know offhand (you might want to
start paying more attention in the future!) you can look it up, as even
many mundane calendars keep track of new and full moons. An actual new
moon or full moon is good for practically anything. If the moon is
moving from new to full, or WAXING, it's a good time to start or add
things. If the moon is moving from full to new, or WANING, it's a good
time to end or subtract things.
This doesn't mean that, in a
pinch, you're doomed unless you wait the
two weeks for the next good moon phase: for a lot of things, it's in
how you "spin" the spell that makes the difference. For example, if you
want to do a healing, and it's a waxing moon, focus on adding health;
if it's a waning moon, focus on subtracting injury or disease.
Know your strengths. If you've
done magick before, think about what's
worked for you in the past. Maybe you tend to get faster results if you
use candles. Or runes always flop for you for some reason. Or you're
good with angels, bad with Roman gods, a whiz at love spells, awful at
money spells. In the long term, you may want to work on strengthening
your weak points, but don't cripple yourself in your hour of need--if
you really need the spell to work, do what works for you NOW. If you're
new to magick or don't know yet what your strengths are, think about
what you like and dislike. If, like me, you're really into music, you
might want to try adding chanting or drumming to your spells. Don't try
to work magic with anything you're allergic to, either. (If any of this
sounds too obvious, trust me, it isn't. I spent the longest time trying
to work with charcoal incense because it was "more spiritual," in spite
of the fact that I can't breathe when charcoal incense is burning! Now,
heck with it, I use cones. I do much better work when my lungs are
getting enough oxygen.)
Know your client. If you're
doing a spell for yourself, you've already
taken care of this by exploring what you want from the spell and what
your strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes are. If you're doing
it for someone else, you need to find out as much as you can about this
person's motives and where they're coming from spiritually. For
one thing, you may not want to do a spell for them after all. A girl
might ask you to do a "love spell," and then when you talk to her, she
reveals that she specifically wants this guy on the track team, but
he's got a girlfriend, but since you're a witch (or whatever) can you,
like, make her leave town or break her leg or something and make him
like me instead? Unless you can talk her down to a more ethical spell,
say "Attract someone to me who will have these qualities that I like in
the track guy," you don't really want to get caught up in her little
melodrama. You would only be buying trouble for yourself and more bad
press for the Craft in general.
If you are going to do a spell
for someone, besides finding out their
motives and goals, you might want to consider where they're at
spiritually. In my own work, I try to tailor my spells to the beliefs
of the client, so that, for example, a Christian will get crosses as
their protective symbols, angels, saint candles, and hymns in the place
of chants, even though what I do for myself and other pagans is quite
different. Although all energy has one ultimate Source, different
streams of energy do feel different, and we will unconsciously block
those that feel too alien to us. If you don't feel up to altering your
work in this way, add a disclaimer to spells for other people, asking
that the energy move into their lives in the most comfortable and least
obtrusive way.
Know your correspondences.
Yes, darn it, we're back to these. This is
where you match up everything you've got so far and see what you
get. Let's say, for example, that you want to do a spell to help
you ace your science test. The moon is waxing, so you're going to
concentrate on increasing your knowledge and concentration. You know
you like Celtic gods and heroes, you're good with herbs and candles,
but chanting makes you feel like an idiot. Okay.
You learn from your trusty
books (yes, you still need them for this
part, unless you have the following memorized) that Wednesday is the
best day to start a knowledge spell, because it belongs to the planet
Mercury. Since the test is on Friday, you decide that's fine. (If you
couldn't wait, you could start the spell in the planetary hour of
Mercury, on whatever day or night you chose. For more punch, use both
the right day and the right planetary hour.) You choose Taliesin as
your godly patron, because as a bard he was full of knowledge. (You
might have chosen Merlin if you were in an Arthurian mood, or Brigid if
you wanted a goddess. If you liked someone other than the Celts, you
might pick Thoth, Hermes, Athena....) Your favorite herbal book
suggests lavender, peppermint, or thyme for jobs involving Mercury.
Your favorite color for "brain power" candles is yellow.
Here, then, is the spell you
might do: on Wednesday, before you start
studying, you say a little prayer asking Taliesin for help with your
studies. Knowing that Taliesin was a bard, and bards had to memorize
huge amounts of information, you hit especially hard on help with
memorization. You pick up a yellow candle, and while you cover it with
lavender oil or rub it with the raw herb, you imagine yourself
absorbing all the information you need as you study, taking the test on
Friday calmly, knowing the answers, and getting back a good grade on
Monday. You picture this very clearly in your mind; you do not try to
make a chant for it. Then, while you study, you burn the candle and
drink peppermint tea.
Remember to tailor your spell
not only to what you like and can do, but
to what you have available. Don't decide you simply must have a
homemade incense made with asefoetida for your spell to work if you've
never made incense before and don't know what asefoetida even is. There
is always more than one way to get something done--keep thinking until
you hit on something attainable. If you're short on supplies, the
following will work for practically anything: white candles; clear
crystals; plain vegetable oil (for dressing the candles); frankincense;
water you've charged with energy; made-up chants (yes, make something
up on the spot! it's fun!); good timing; and focus, focus, focus
Hexes
The
Importance
of Uncrossing
Uncrossing is one of the most important areas of magic that you will
every study. Uncrossing can handle just about any situation you will
come across in your magical life. Many times it's the ONLY way to help
yourself or another person.
If you're crossed you won't get any lasting results from your rituals.
If you don't remove the blockages in a person's life, they will keep
repeating the same mistakes over and over. While you may be able to
help them in the short run, they will continue to always go back to
their old ways.
Uncrossing unblocks and re-directs them back onto a positive path in
life. In magic, a crossed condition is seen as a spiritual
problem. The difference between a Hex and a Crossed Condition is that a
Hex is a sudden or acute bombardment while a Crossed Condition is
something that goes unnoticed for years as a simple but permanent
problem. No matter what the root of the crossed condition might stem
from, the results are always the same. Nothing in life seems to work
out for the person that's crossed.
In this sense we are all crossed in one area or another. I'm sure
if you look at your life, you'd find an area that is always a problem
for you. It may be in inter-personal relationships, monetary woes,
success, self-esteem, etc. You need to pinpoint that area of your life
and UNCROSS yourself.
A crossed condition occurs when one finds themselves unable to choose
the correct road in life. Unlike hexes that are sent to you by others
directly or even indirectly, a crossed condition is usually a
self-imposed handicap. A crossed condition is like having a
crossed wire in an electric device. Sooner or later the circuit
will overload and blow! The same holds true for your own life. If you
do handle the crossed condition, you will sooner or later screw up the
situation you're in.
Both hexed and crossed conditions involve the physical body. Most often
the central nervous system is attacked. This causes diseases of all
types, most tensions, migraine headaches, and etc. In a crossed
condition, you must not only uncross yourself form the problem, but the
situation that caused the problem. If you are always poor, you probably
got that idea form your childhood and parents. You need to uncross
yourself from the poverty taught to you by your parents. Look for the
Deeper Cause of your crossed condition.
The
Principle of Uncrossing
There are three steps to Uncrossing: removal, healing and
re-focalization.
You first find the true cause of the problem and then remove. The
hardest step is this one. The person you are working on will probably
fight the removal. Why? People hate change and generally love their
problems.
Once you’ve learned the symptoms, taken steps to remove the problem,
you need to start the healing process. The person will take time to
heal and adjust to their new life. They are used to being crossed and
they will not understand being uncrossed.
The final stage is the refocalization process. This is to guide them to
a new and positive direction. This will take time also. All adjustments
take time. Like healing, the person must start new and move on to a
better life. The body and mind must have the time to understand
their new feelings and to grasp all of the new opportunities. The
blockages once removed, create a vacuum and this disorients them.
Uncrossing
Oils
The classic Uncrossing recipe is: rose, bay, verbena, and lavender.
Each of the oils in the recipe relate to a specific phase of the
uncrossing process in all of the stages. The rose is spirituality and
love. The bay is strongly protective with commanding aspects to
help the person come through the uncrossing. The lavender is to calm
and bring peace to the afflicted. The (lemon) verbena is the cleansers.
In summary, the rose surrounds the person with love, the bay protects
and lends power, the lavender tranquilizes the person’s inner/outer
worlds and the verbena scrubs the psyche clean of its negative
afflictions. These are the forces at work in an uncrossing ritual.
White
Whereas black is the color of evil and hexing energy, white is
considered the spiritually pure color. White is the lack of color and
has no connection to the material plane making it pure in every way.
White candles being of neutral color are very susceptible to any oil
you put on them. Some sorcerers use white candles in all of their
rituals even the commanding rites! You may want to try this too but I
prefer to use the color schema myself.
The nature of the oil used on a candle focuses the higher spiritual
powers to cause effects more subtle than those achievable by using
colored candles.
By using a white candle in a love rite instead of the usual red or
pink, shows you are working more on the spiritual plane. While the red
candle is much more powerful for love, the white candle tends to
“screen out” the negative energies much better than any red candle. If
you are looking for your soul mate, then use a white candle to draw
this person to you as it’s the best way to go.
The other choice could be to use a spiritual oil on a red candle. This
would screen the energies coming in too. You would follow up with a
love oil after putting the spirit oil on. Though white for love is
slower, do not underestimate its power! Because it works on the higher
spiritual planes the affects will be potent and longer lasting.
Crossed
Conditions
Not all crossed conditions are bad. They are put there many times by
the spirits of the higher planes to trap you. This is to see if you are
worthy to grow in power as a sorcerer. The weak are taken down all
kinds of negative paths to self-destruction. That is part of the game
here on the earthly plane. It takes a special person to overcome the
blockages in life and grow in power. If it was easy, it would not have
any meaning!!! Only the elite in society will reach this goal.
By being confronted within ourselves by a crossed condition, we are
symbolically confronted by our own “dragon.” When you become a hero,
you free yourself from “Karma” by defeating the negative and disruptive
patterns, which cause us to constantly defeat ourselves. Most
people are lead by their destiny whereas the Hero is free to choose
his/her own destiny.
There are many traps waiting for you, whether they are religious,
sexual, monetary or egoistic. Society in general is also waiting there
for you to take you off your magical path. Society wants to dominate
and control you.
It tells you what you should buy, wear, and even how to act. One of the
worst paths for a student to follow is that of laziness. You find
less and less time to put into your magical practices. After all, there
are many other more “important” things to do. The other trap that you
can fall into is money.
Magical students seem never to have enough money to purchase the
lessons or supplies they need in order to do their rituals but they
seem to find money for what they really want to have: pizza, beer,
cigarettes, movies, etc.
There is always enough money for these things! Again this is a crossed
condition that is not allowing you to take control of your life. This
is extremely common. The initial investment is rather small but still
there are those who harp that they can’t find the time or real good
candles and oils are so “expensive.”
Doing uncrossing rituals will help to undo these destructive patterns
in your life. If you don’t change these patterns you’ll become a slave
to them and never achieve the power of a Master Sorcerer. Stop blaming
the world or others for your self-imposed problems. Get off your ass
and get moving! Action overcomes all! Inaction is evil!
Unexpected
Information
I’m always amazed at the new insights people report when doing or
having done uncrossing rituals. All kinds of new information starts to
flow to them. They have a greater understanding of their
problems. Sudden insights into the childhood, friends, family and
all are typical events during any uncrossing. To get these insights you
must spend a good amount of time with doing your Uncrossing rituals.
This is the beginning stage called Removal.
During this stage, you accumulate the most information about what is at
the root of your crossed condition. As your crossed condition is
lifted, you start to see all kinds of root problems come to surface.
This is all part of the ritual process.
In general, all uncrossing rituals are performed for SEVEN days! Seven
is the traditional number associated with Uncrossing. It symbolically
represents the uncrossing of each of the body’s seven chakras, drawing
upon the planets in sequence. These are: the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus,
Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The other planets are seen as affecting your
daily life.
For this reason, you usually work with Seven Day jar candles since they
take less attention and provide a constant set of lights. You can also
use the standard taper candles but they do lessen the power of your
ritual a little.
An excellent candle is the white Skull candle. Used generally for
extreme conditions or where “Karmic” factors may be in play.
The best planetary hours for doing Uncrossing rituals are Venus,
Jupiter and the Sun. The ritual should be begun in one of these
hours. You’d use Venus for crossed love conditions, Jupiter for
luck/money, and the Sun for all health problems. If you use a seven day
candle you would of course be using all of the planetary hours because
of the burning. If you cannot pinpoint the exact problem, then simply
start the ritual in the hour of the Sun.
There are times when the information you get will be very painful to
you. At times uncrossing yourself can be as hard as the crossed
condition itself. This is the cleansing out process. Just like in a
“healing problem”
health wise, you go through a healing crisis, where all the negative
energies flow out of you causing great pain. After this process, you
are totally healed.
The same with the removing of the psychic cancer, it is never easier,
but the reward is great. A crossed condition is like a cancer in your
life, slowly eating at you until it kills your soul.
Another strange effect of uncrossing rituals is that those who are
close to you start getting sick or start to show the same symptoms you
have been having. Notice these people VERY carefully, for they’re part
of your crossed condition. This is valuable information to have in your
life. Many times other people are at the root of your problem. Negative
and evil people are a major part of this world. If you let one of these
people get close to you or influence your life, you will become crossed
with them or from them. If this person is a person you care about, you
should uncross them too! If it is a person you are not close to, you
must stop seeing that person, or communicating with them.
Love is a major factor in any uncrossing ritual. The closer you can
come to understand this feeling the better. Most people have no idea
what love is.
Work with the meaning of love while you are in the uncrossing process.
The ritual itself will give you the insights you are looking for.
Uncrossing procedures to involve the element of power by using bay oil.
It is necessary in the healing process. A person has grown used to a
crossed condition thinks of his depression as “normal.” You must use
force to overcome this blockage. It’s the kick-in-the-ass that most
people need. The other problem with a crossed condition is that
it is a security blanket to the person carrying it. It may sound funny,
but usually a crossed condition is a result of a overly developed
defensive structures which the person has a falsely perceived to be
helping them to offset the agonies that the world appears to throw at
them. Often while doing an uncrossing ritual you will notice that the
crossed condition becomes worse, but this is the cleaning out process
previously spoken of.
The following altar setup was designed to uncross from a drug addiction
but it can be used to uncross a person from any serious problem:
Altar
Layout For Basic Uncrossing Procedure
The white candles are anointed with High Altar oil. The purple candle
is anointed with both Fiery Wall Of Protection and Uncrossing oils. The
blue candle is anointed with the Peace oil. The yellow candle is
anointed with Joy oil. The red book in the front is either your
personal Grimoire, Book of Shadows or Holy Book such as the Bible. The
big black circle on the bottom left is the censer.
The key to this rite is a doll, which was created out of white cloth
with purple thread. The herbal base for the stuffing was blessed
thistle to which was added: pine, bay, verbena, lavender, vetivert,
rose, camellia, storax and juniper. The stuffing was used both in the
doll and an incense for the rite.
The other key to the success of the rite is the LOVE the operator has
for the person who’s crossed and who this ritual is being performed on.
This unknown factor is a major plus in all rituals. How involved are
you with the situation. The love factor is important with a ritual you
do for another person. This is even more true with uncrossing rituals.
The ritual was started in the hour of the Sun. It was very successful!
The person is drug free to this day. The ritual was repeated on the New
Moon for several months, to keep the positive energies going to the
person. This is extremely important. The single burn at each New Moon
each month is based on the altar setup.
Can You
Beat The So-called Karma?
We’ve already stated how we think of Karma, but we’ll go more into the
forces of destiny that may rule some of you OR you choose to let rule
you!
Basically there is no bad Karma. You can overcome all your problems and
blockages in life with the rituals and practices in this course. You
must take control of your life and work daily to change it. The key
worked is PATIENCE! You must patient. You can’t change a life of
problems into a life of success overnight. It may take months or years
to totally rid yourself of all the blockages and hang-ups. If you are
REALLY screwed up, one uncrossing will NOT change your life but may
alleviate some of your tensions momentarily. Doing these rituals
frequently will change your life! There are many blockages your life,
physical and spiritual.
Seven Day
Uncrossing Ritual
The following is an excellent simple rite for Uncrossing. You
need to burn the following, once per day in the following sequence:
White candle anointed with High Altar Oil
Blue candle anointed with Peace Oil
Yellow candle anointed with Joy Oil
White candle anointed with Uncrossing Oil
Blue candle anointed with Uncrossing and Peace Oils
Yellow candle anointed with Uncrossing and Joy Oils
White candle anointed with High Altar, Uncrossing and Peace Oils
These candles MUST BE lit at the planetary hours of the Sun or Jupiter.
You must burn them on seven consecutive days. Never miss a day or the
ritual will not work! You also need to carve the name of the person
being uncrossed onto each candle you use. This type of ritual can be
used for any type of problem you have.
For example, if you are having monetary problems, you can do the
following
Seven Day Uncrossing ritual:
One White, Green, Purple candle each anointed with Uncrossing oil
White candle anointed with Uncrossing and Frankincense oils
Green candle anointed with Money Drawing oil
Purple candle anointed with Fast Luck oil
White candle anointed with Uncrossing, Fast Luck and Money oils
It’s recommended that you draw a circle around the candle each day
using either bay leaves, Helping Hand or Goona-Goona powder. You could
also form an inverted powder triangle moving towards you. These are
both excellent procedures to do. You need not change the powder every
day but just replace the candles and leave the powder as is. You also
need to sprinkle some of the powder into the candle flame of the
various candles. Sprinkling powder in white candles is not near
as powerful as with colored candles. You can also use talismans and
charm bags with this ritual. This procedure is particularly useful in
charging charm bags due to the varying magical energies, which you are
invoking through the different colored candles.
Notice that in both of the procedures we use only three colors of
candles.
In the first rite, we used white, blue and yellow. In the second rite,
we used white, green and purple. The combination of the three is basic
to the design of the ritual itself. You always need to have three
colors. Obviously this will take a little thought on your part but
basically the thing to keep in mind is that the symbolism of the
spiritual planes through the white candles. The symbolism for the
specific goal is to use a colored candle for things like love, money,
success, peace, etc. The symbolism for the sub-factor, i.e. peace,
tranquility, communication, energy, power, force, etc.
Uncrossing
Herbs
Absinthe (artemesia absinthium) Wormwood - TWISTING herb that works
best when the hex is new and hasn’t been going on for any length of
time. You’d use this in combination with Rose and Lavender to help
control its baneful nature. Since it’s a twister you can mix with
positive herbs to temper it.
Bitter Root (Gentiana Lutea) Gentian - Works like Low John. Brewed as a
tea to attract love but is generally used to uncross love problems. Can
be anointed with any of the strong uncrossing oils and given to the
crossed person to carry in a small red bag.
Dog’s Grass (agropyron reopens) Couch or Witch’s Grass - Both a hexing
agent and uncrossing herb depending on the others mixed with it.
Considered one of the BEST spell casting herbs. Commonly used in
powders and charm bags. If used in doll stuffing, it’s best to reserve
it for hexing or assisting one to break bad habits.
Geranium (geranium maculatum) Spotted Cranebill or Alum root - No need
to blend with other herbs to reach its maximum power! Still, it’s great
to mix with Rose, Lavender and Vetivert.
Huckleberry Bilberry - Though it’s a crossing herb, it is also noted to
reverse hexes. Best used with Sulfur and Asafoetida as an incense or
powder.
If you notice that its baneful effects are starting to surface, switch
to a more stable herb.
Hyacinth - Refocalizes and protects from psychic attack. Mostly
used by homosexuals to protect their love relationships.
Hyssop (hyssopus officinalis) - Cleanses both on the physical as well
as spiritual planes. It’s good to remove negative energies from your
past or the so called “Bad Karma.”
Sloe (prunus spinosa) Plum - Psychic cleanser often used in incenses
and charm bags. It’s good to eat them while performing uncrossing
rites. Use both the bark and berries (i.e. plums.)
Tormentil - Power herb known for its great protective qualities. Often
used to stop slander and bigotry. Used to bring tolerance &
understanding to an individual or situation.
Unicorn Root - Used like High & Low John roots. Protects and
refocuses the person that is crossed. Best to anoint the root with oils
such as Lavender, Rose or Vetavert.
Vetivert (vetiveria zizanoides) - Simply one of the best, efficient and
most powerful of the additives to use especially in uncrossing
rituals. Technically it’s a power herb than can be used to
strengthen hexing potions but it’s generally used with the best success
in uncrossing recipes. You can use this in love, luck and healing
recipes. Synthetic Vetivert is useless.
Woodruff (asperula odorata) - Generally used only as a protection herb,
but it’s also used in many uncrossing recipes for the protection
effect. Brewed as a tea, it makes a great floorwash and can be added to
a bath for its protection and uncrossing affects.
Uncrossing
Herb Analysis
(p) = Protective
(c) = Cleansing
(r) - Refocusing
Absinthe (p)
African Ginger (r)
Agrimony (p, c)
Ague Weed (Boneset) (p)
Angelica (p, c, r)
Anise (r)
Ash Leaves (p, c)
Bay (p)
Benzoin gum (r)
Bitter Root (Gentian) (p)
Blood Root (p)
Brimstone (Sulfur) (p, c)
Broom Tops (c)
Clover (c, r)
Cloves (p)
Curry (p)
Dill (r)
Dog's Grass (p, c)
Dragon's Blood (p, c)
Elder (p)
Five Finger Grass (p, c, r)
Flax (Linseed Oil) (r)
Fennel (p, r)
Frankincense (p, r)
Geranium (p, c, r)
Hawthorne (p, c)
High John (Jalap) (p, r)
Holy (Blessed) Thistle (p, r)
Huckleberry (p, r)
Hyacinth (c)
Hyssop (p, c)
Lavender (p, c)
Lilac (c)
Lotus (p, r)
Low John (Galangal) (p, r)
Marjoram (c, r)
Mistletoe (p, c, r)
Mugwort (p, r)
Nettle (c, r)
Pine Bark (p)
Rue (p, r)
Sage (r)
Sloe Bark/Berries (c)
Spikenard (p, r)
Tormentil (p, r)
Unicorn Root (p, r)
Valerian (p)
Verbena (p, c)
Vertivert (p, c)
Woodruff (p)
Wormwood (r)
Degrees of
Crossed Conditions
Largely depending upon how long a person has been suffering with a
crossed condition is indicative of its severity. In general, the
psychological concepts of “neurosis” and “psychosis” are helpful in
understanding how bad a crossed condition is.
A neurosis is a set of cluster or painful problems within the psyche,
which are difficult to work with and which tend to be destructive to
the person.
In this stage you still function well enough in society, even those you
are experiencing pain and tension in your life.
A psychosis represents a very advanced and difficult series of
behaviors, which have forced a person out of touch with reality. This
causes serious mental illness. Once a crossed condition reaches
psychotic levels, it’s very difficult to deal with magically because
the paranoid or deluded person has his wires and circuits so messed up
that a great deal of work has to be done. You can still help this
person, but it will take a ton of daily work to undo all the damage
that’s been done.
This isn’t the case with neurotic persons. They are easier to deal with
but are still a major problem. It’s far easier to help a neurotic than
it is to help a psychotic. Uncrossing is a healing art. As a healer you
must not overlook any possible technique which might bring positive
results or alleviate the suffering for your client. If a case is beyond
your expertise, you need to seek the help of a professional healer.
Leave no stone unturned in your universe because answers to personal
problems are very often quite simple. Due to the multiple layers of
neurotic defenses, the answer may appear to be more elusive than it
actually is.
The Stages
of Crossed Conditions
First: Slight feelings of disease, nervousness and a desire to short
circuit oneself in a particular area. Feelings of inferiority and
insecurity. An all pervasive sense of anxiety but still capable of
functioning in day-to-day activities. Strange or compulsive activities.
Depressed while having feelings of entities being around or watching
you. Odd people approaching you on the street. Trouble in minor areas
of your life, for example - getting the wrong change at a store,
getting the wrong order at a restaurant, and etc. Little things start
malfunctioning and you cannot concentrate on daily business matters.
Second: You receive very negative messages from people around close to
you.
Very often, the nervousness and self-abnegation have turned now to
actual physical symptoms resulting either in frequent illnesses or the
contraction of a chronic, long term illness. Nothing works out well in
your life, but you’re still able to force yourself to function in daily
life. You now have a general feeling of listlessness and withdrawal, a
state of constant insecurity or fear of being hurt or failing in some
way. One feels at odds with one’s universe, like a stranger in
your own life. You start to fall fast at this stage and you need to
take control now or risk serious damage to your mind and body. Your
life is Hell and it won’t get better unless you take positive action
now.
Third: Total incapacitation whether through physical illness or
psychological to stress. Now you are in BIG TROUBLE. Violent fits
of temper followed by a total lack of energy. Inability to hold a job
or support oneself in any meaningful way. Delusions of grandeur
accompanied by deeply rooted feelings of inadequacy. Paranoia arises
threats are viewed in all directions. Possible attempts at suicide or
strong thoughts abut doing it.
Depression, which seems will never end. Headaches, chest pains, stomach
ailments, etc. You’re at the end of your rope. You feel like you are
losing mind. If you allow yourself to reach this point, you’ll have a
great deal of work ahead of you to bring yourself back to normal.
Each one of these stages represents a different challenge to the person
working on the case. If you are lucky enough to work on the First
stage, you’ll be able to handle the case easily. The longer the person
stays in these states, the harder your work will be to remove the
crossed condition.
Not everyone goes through all of these stages. Some people will remain
in stage one for many years or never move past the stage they’re in.
Other wise you may move very quickly to stage three. Some get to the
second stage until they are uncrossed. This is very typical of a
crossed person. They generally stay in stage two for most of their
lives crossing into stage three and then back to stage two at different
times of their lives. This is time to get an expert practitioner to
help you or to perform the needed healing.
This takes the skill of a true master sorcerer to handle. The
information I will give you is generally for the first two stages. The
third stage seeks professional help both magically and through normal
health professionals.
The problem with most crossed people is that they let their illness get
to the point of near death before doing anything. That means you’re in
for a lot of trouble removing their crossed condition. Even after you
remove it, they will think they are still crossed. The mind takes
months and some times years to totally repair itself. That’s why its so
important to follow up your rites with calming and peace rituals. For
the person to repair and expect their cure, they need to be made to
feel good in all areas of their life. If you do not take these steps,
the person will tell you that your work had no affect.
This has happened many times to me personally. People that are crossed
for years expect to feel great in a few months. It may take you 6-8
months for remove a person that has been crossed that long. There is no
instant magic!
You need to tell the people you are working on this too. They
generally will fight you at every turn. You need to understand this,
and work through it.
By doing these kinds of cases you not only help the person crossed but
you learn a lot about yourself. You have to learn great patience to
deal with crossed people. Their depression will try to absorb you also.
As a practitioner working on the case, the negative energies from the
victim may try to harm you. You always guard yourself against
this. Dealing with ill and negative people will affect your own
life if you don’t guard against their energies. When working on these
cases, always do protection work on yourself too!
Baths
Nothing is as important to an uncrossing procedure than is a bath. This
is the single most important force in an uncrossing rite. You or the
patient must take baths with the proper Uncrossing herbal mixtures
included. Since Uncrossing is a psychic cleansing, part of the
cleansing is the actual cleaning of the external body. The protective
mixture in the Uncrossing bath cleanses your aura and etheric body of
all negative energies. Generally a crossed person should take at least
one bath per day and preferably in the morning. The best procedure is
to take a bath both in the a.m. and evening.
So far the best combination of uncrossing herbs found to help in the
bath are: Dragon’s Blood crystals and Seven Day Uncrossing formulas.
Combined, they’re powerful enough to wipe out any crossed
condition. As stated before, if you work with these type of
people you yourself will also need to take these baths at the end of
the day. The psychic trash and demonic influences around people being
uncrossed will affect you if you do not cleanse yourself.
You also MUST use a floorwash or spray in your home to keep it clean of
negative or demonic energies. Never overlook the simplicity of this! At
the very least burn Banishing incense daily. I do this daily whether or
not I’m working on a crossed person or not. You can never have a too
cleansed home or altar. If you’re doing this ritual for another person,
it’s very helpful to charge a charm bag for the person to carry at all
times. You should stuff the bag with the same herbs that are used in
the uncrossing oil. If it’s a serious case add Dragon’s Blood reed and
a pinch of Vetivert or any strong herb associated with uncrossing and
power of your choice.
No matter the seriousness of the case, have the person wear on their
forehead, the sides of neck, over the heart, above the pubic hair, and
the bottoms of their feet, Uncrossing oil on a daily basis. This
helps to cleanse and protect the body. While the person being uncrossed
is taking the bath, they should be visualizing their aura being
cleansed and purified by white light. Only think positive and healing
thoughts. The bath should last at least 15-25 minutes and should be as
hot as you can stand it.
For those that have crossed conditions that are affecting their
physical health, the bath is a great time to meditate and channel their
healing energies to those parts of the body which are affected the
most. The bath relaxes you allows the healing energies to flow better.
By adding the proper mixture to the baths, people have totally changed
their life around!
Evocation
To banish
negative energy:
Take the old and burn it
Burn it let it go
Fire starts within our hearts
And gives us room to grow!!
(Chaoshae)
_____________________________________________
Prayer
for
Ridding Negative Thinking
O Goddess within;
O God within;
O Goddess of the moon, the waters and the earth;
O God of the sun, the forests and the mountains;
I need to feel Your presence.
I need to be reminded of You.
Assist me to remember Your lessons;
Show me the key that will unlock my spirituality.
Blessed Be!
_____________________________________________
Goddess
Prayer
Beloved Goddess of the silver moon!
Mistress of mysteries-Queen of the sea!
I call upon thee in ancient names-
Artemis, Cerridwenn, Hecate!
Beloved sister of the hidden wood!
Child enchantress-Star of the night!
I call upon thee of the untamed wilds-
Descend with your laughter and secret delight!
Beloved Mother of the ageless womb,
From which the many worlds, at once, were born!
I call upon thee of the gentle Earth-
From whose breast, and whose belly our bounty is shorn!
Beloved wisewoman, spinner of fates!
Weaver of dreamwebs-bearer of death!
I call upon thee of the waning skies-
Grant me your vision and open my eyes!
Goddess I ask thee to live within me!
Grant me your knowing, and show me to see!
Lend me your wisdom and love for all things;
Goddess of magick, I call unto thee!
Artemis, Cerridwenn, Hecate!
Artemis, Cerridwenn, Hecate!
(Repeat until her presence is felt all around)
_____________________________________________
Chant
for
Moon Gazing
Hail fair moon
Ruler of the night;
Guard me and mine
Until the light
_____________________________________________
Chant
While Sun is Setting
Hail fair sun
Ruler of day;
Rise on the morn
To light my way.
_____________________________________________
Imbolic
Chant
Candle bright
Burning fire
Keep within you
Our/my desire.
Listen to the words I/we speak
And clear a path
To what I/we seek.
Let our/my wishes
All come true
As they burn
This night with you.
Blessed Be!
*This is a good chant to use with all candle magick spells. It can
prove miraculous results!
*This was written by Lady Themis
_____________________________________________
Lending
Strength Chant
Touch the person you want to lend strength to and say:
By the power of the stars
Channel my strength to ______.
Give _____ the strength they need.
If I am weak then let _____ be strong.
Give ______ my energy.
*Say repeatedly. BE CAREFUL!!! This chant will drain you. Do not stop
chanting until you are somewhere where you can collapse.
_____________________________________________
Incantation
Blessed Be!
Be silent
Be still
Resonate at will.
Resonate within yourself
Feel the energy
Feel the wealth.
Crystals heart
Loves mark
Radiant to all.
Colour spectrum
Divine light
Echoing its call.
Trusting now
Flying wide
Reaching out within.
Listen close
Ignore no more
For now it is time to begin...
*This was written by MoonFire
_____________________________________________
Blessing
for Children
Tomorrow
Faerie bless, and Faerie keep
Faeire watch me while I sleep.
Protect my hearth. Protect my home.
Protect my spirit as I roam.
Faerie guide me through the night
And keep away the shapeless fright.
Faerie bless and Faerie keep
Faerie watch me as I sleep.
A
Children's Bedtime Prayer:
Bright light, White light
Take away my fright
Don't let the darkness scare me.
There's nothing here to fear
Let me sleep the whole night long,
For I am safe in here.
White Light, Bright Light
Protect me throughout the night.
(This should be done cupping hands as if holding a ball of white
light. Toss ball into the air and imagine it bursting to
fill the whole room with protection.)
Bedtime
Prayer
Day is done, it's time for bed
Goddess bless my sleepy head
Earth and Water, Air and Fire
Bring gentle dreams as I retire
When the morning sun does rise
The God will bless my open eyes
Bedtime Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep
In the twilight dark sae deep
Lord and Lady in thy Light
Keep me safe and well this night
Bedtime
Prayer to Help With Nightmares
Mother Earth and Father Sky
Cradle me here where I lie.
Keep me safe the whole night long
As I rest in your arms so strong.
Mother Earth and Father Sky
Keep me safe here where I lie.
Bedtime Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep
Through the twilight, and dark so deep
Earth and Water, Fire and Air
Stay with me while Mom's not there
Elements guide me through the night
And leave with thanks at mornings light
Children's Chants
Lord and Lady, Lord and Lady
Once again, once again
We gather in our Circle, we gather in our Circle
With our friends, with our friends
The Goddess* loves me, this I know
Heart and mind they tell me so
In Her* arms I'll safely stay
Walking in the Pagan way
Yes, the Goddess loves me
Yes, the Goddess loves me
Yes, the Goddess loves me
My soul it tells me so
Children's Charges of the God and
Goddess
I am the Earth
I am the Moon
I am the Goddess, and I love you
I love you like a sister
I love you like a mother
I love you like a grandmother
Talk to Me
When you are mad, or sad, or scared
Think of Me, and thank Me,
When you are happy
You can find me on the wind
You can find me in the water
You can find me in your heart
and remember....
whatever you look like,
If you are girl,
You look just like Me
I am the Sun
I am the Stars
I am the God, and I love you
I love you like a brother
I love you like a father
I love you like a grandfather
Talk to Me
When you are mad, or sad, or scared
Think of Me, and thank Me
When you are happy
You can find me in the forest
You can find me in a fire
You can find me in your heart
And remember....
Whatever you look like,
If you are a boy,
You look just like Me.
Daycare
Chant
Lord and Lady this we pray
Keep me safe throughout the day
I'll learn new things and make new friends
and come home safe when my day ends
So Mote It Be
Goodnight Prayer
Now I lay me down to rest.
I pray that all the world be blest.
Lady Moon and Sister Star
Watch over me from afar.
Mother Earth is always there
And keeps me safe within her care.
The Lord of Dreams will dance and sing
And happy dreams will to me bring.
And when I wake to greet the day
Brother Sun will light my way.
Little Wiccan Creed
Oh Gracious Goddess, Mother Earth,
I call to Thee with love and mirth,
Oh Horn-ed Hunter of the night,
I pray to Thee; show me thy light,
As my heart grows strong,
Teach me right from wrong,
So I will be
One with Thee
As my will
So mote it be!
Lullabye and Goodnight
(sung to the tune of "Brahm's Lullaby")
Lullabye and goodnight
In a Circle of Light
To awaken in the morn
When the sun will be reborn
Lullabye and goodnight
Let your eyes now close tight
Lullabye and goodnight
Let your eyes now close tight
Lullabye and goodnight
Oh my baby sae bright
The Watchtowers all will come
"Til you greet the morning sun
East and South, West and North
I will call them all forth
East and South, West and North
I will call them all forth
Sleep, Baby, Sleep
Sleep, baby, sleep
In a Circle sae deep
The Watchtowers are all around
To keep my baby safe and sound
Sleep, baby, sleep
_____________________________________________
The Magick (a bedtime chant)
O golden light,
O silver light,
Please, weave your web around me
And protect me through the night.
My day is done, my night begun,
With dreams before me found.
I shall sleep in peace and light,
My protective circle bound.
_____________________________________________
This is a nice little rhyme
that ties Candlemas/Imbolc to Groundhog's
Day...
"If Candlemas Day be fair and
bright,
Winter will have another
flight;
If on Candlemas Day be shower
and rain,
Winter is gone, and will not
come again."
Alternately...
"If the sun shines bright on
Candlemas Day,
The half of the winter's not
yet away."
_____________________________________________
Bright Poet Queen
Spirit of Earth, Spirit of
Air, Water and Flame come to us as we share.
Bright Poet Queen, we seek
your advice - Brigid return from the kingdom
of ice.
The Imbolc flame burn higher
and higher - Brigid our mother, the
goddess of fire.
We drink the milk and light
every light - Brigid please come to our
home on this night!
_____________________________________________
Invocation
to Brid, Celtic
Triple Goddess
Brid, I call you.
Oh, Bright One! I call you.
Goddess of Fire, Healing, and
Inspiration, Hear my cry.
Help me stand strong like the
Rowan, that I may become your Brigand and
rise up against the darkness.
Oh, Bright Arrow! Guide my
judgment, protect me in my wanderings.
I will remember always ---
Brigantia.
_____________________________________________
Celtic
Goddesses of Old
Brigid smiles upon the land
"The Bright One" She is called The Sun and
Fire are of Her, This Goddess from days of old.
A Banshee's cry is heard at
night, telling who might die, Branwen
graces us with love, and Rhiannon grants us joy. And Cerridwen the wise
old sow, grants fertility.
Each Goddess of the Ancient
Path, both Maiden and the Crone, grant
wishes, love, and laughter still, the Ones from days of old.
Spells & Guided Active
Imageries
INDEX:
Divination
Simple Candle Magick
Candle Magick
Dream Magick
Scrying
When Magick Doesn't Work
River of Life Meditation
Divination
What is Divination? Divination is the art of using magickal tools and
symbols to gather information from the collective unconscious on the
nature of people, places, things and events in the past, present and
future. It contacts the psychic mind by tricking or drowsing the
conscious mind through ritual and by observing or manipulating tools.
Now, in English terminology: The use of your mind to see the past,
present and future.
The tools help your subconscious mind (younger self) to see past what
the conscious mind is telling it to see. You may see pictures as
flashes or see it as a movie. It may be as continuous action or just
blurbs of pictures. Not everyone "sees" either, some are more empathic
and will have "feelings" instead of visions.
Divination is useful prior to working magic. It's a good way to check
to see if a spell is necessary or should even be used. (Maybe you're
not looking at the whole picture? Maybe there is something else
involved that you hadn't thought of before?)
Once you've found the tool you want to work with my recommendation is
to start by learning all you can about that particular tool. Do
research. Then find yourself a place to sit undisturbed (turn phones
off) place the tool in your hands and feel the vibrations coming off
it. (all things have vibrations)
Tools of choice
Tarot: A deck of interesting picture cards, or you can use a plain deck
of cards. (I personally have never looked into using regular playing
cards but I know others who use them, check with your library for books
on Fortune Telling with a Regular Deck of cards) I recommend keeping
your tarot wrapped in silk to protect them from outer vibrations when
not in use. Also, when you first get your cards, leave them open to the
moonlight on a full moon to cleanse them, and to charge them. (A large
windowsill where they will be undisturbed is good, or some people have
used the dashboard of their car!) You can also do this periodically as
a cleansing, depending on how often you use them.
Tarot decks come from many different sources of artists. You need to
look at all the cards to make sure you like the pictures. This sounds
silly, but it's not. The pictures are actually what awaken your younger
self. You will see more through the pictures on the cards to help you
see the vision then you will really know from any book. Learn the
cards and what they say to you. Then if you're unsure of your results
double check it with the book (all cards come with their own
interpretations printed in a easy to read format in their corresponding
book). There is a really good workbook called "The Tarot Workbook" by
Emily Peach, and there are also other books and workshops that you can
take to learn. But the best way is just to meditate and use them.
Scrying: You can use a crystal ball or small chunks of crystals for
this. You would simply light a candle and place the crystal above the
flame (be careful not to place into the flame) you would gaze into the
crystal and you will see shapes and pictures. Some people use just a
crystal ball, and have the flame behind the ball, this method works
well too, especially if you have your ball on a stand.
You may find yourself thinking at first that your mind is playing
tricks on you but it's not. You are seeing things within this
stone. This is also referred to as crystal gazing. If you don't
have any crystals handy you can fill a black colored bowl with water
and do water scrying. This works especially well if you can catch the
light of the full moon in the bowl. Or even better, fill a black
colored bowl with water and place a crystal in the center and then you
will be surprised at what you see.
Anther form of scrying is done by simply staring into the flames of a
fire until you are in an altered state of conciousness, and letting
your intuitions and energies flow.
Cunningham puts out an easy book for learning all about crystals. Or if
you're more interested in crystal ball gazing, a good book is "The
Crystal Ball" by Sibyl Ferguson.
Dowsing: You can use a pendulum or a forked stick or metal rods. This
is excellent for yes and no questions. A pendulum can be anything
really, from fishing line and a small weight, to a necklace with a
crystal on the end. As long as it can be held in the hand and dangled,
it can pretty much be used. Dowsing is rather exciting when done with a
pendulum because you can design your own charts for answers and it is
really a very flexible tool. There are some who use these dowsing tools
to locate lost items. In ancient times a dowsing rod made out of a
forked stick would be used to locate water for the best planting
location. A good book for pendulums is called "Beyond Pendulum Power"
by Greg Nielsen.
Geomancy: The Earth has various laylines upon her. These lines are
looked at with special maps and used to divine the past, present and
future of the Earth. Astrological Geomancy is combining astrology and
geomancy wherein a set of random dots are correlated to type out an
astrological chart.
Graphology: Now this is also an interesting and very useful tool. It is
the study of an individual's script or handwriting. This is extremely
useful in all aspects of life. Have you ever wondered what a person is
really like before you become involved with them? This handwriting
analysis can tell you what the person is like right now. Word of
caution here: Be careful that you use a book to verify your accuracy.
Every formation of each letter, how it falls on the line, if it's open,
closed, slanted and all placements mean something. A good book for this
is "Handwriting Analysis" by Anna Aab.
I-Ching: This tool is the use of three coins or chips. Once tossed, a
linear pattern is determined by the right or wrong side of each
coin. Coins are tossed several times to determine a single
pattern. You can purchase these coins or you can simply use three dimes
to create the symbols. A book to learn the patterns and the symbols is
"I Ching In Ten Minutes" by R.T. Kaser.
Numerology: This is the use of numbers and the calculations of
them. Anything from your birth date and address to dream analysis
can be used. Tarologists and astrologists often will use numerology to
give a more complete reading. There are many different number lists out
there to be used. Find the one that best suits you. You can learn the
number system that best suits you and then use this to help you decide
on when is it a good day to do business, study, vacation, all aspects
of your life. It can also help you to learn what you may need to be
working on, your strong points and your weak points, by simply applying
the number system to your birth given name. A book on this subject is
called "Thru the Numbers" by Paul & Valeta Rice.
Palmistry: This is done by the examination of an individual's
hands. Every person has different hands. Just like our finger
prints, no two hands are alike. This is done by looking at the shape,
texture, size and lines of the hands and fingers to determine the
person's past, present and future. There is a really good workbook for
this called "The Palmistry Workbook" by Nathaniel Altman.
Runes: The use of stones or ceramic tiles inscribed with a magical
alphabet of the Germanic, Scandinavian or Norse symbols as a divination
tool is extremely old. Runes are excellent for dream analysis, spells,
and talismans, as well as for general divination. Out there now are
some great looking runes with good books to help you understand all the
symbols and the placements of the runes when shaken and thrown. In the
past we've made our own runes out of sculpey clay and adding a tiny
stone that best suited the meaning of each rune. Runes can be made from
anything that is small enough that you can hold at least 21 of them in
both your hands at one time. You hold the runes in your hands while
thinking of your question and then throw them down on to your work
space. Then it's a matter of reading the symbols and placements of the
runes as they have fallen. One book on Runes is "The Magic of the
Runes" by Michael Howard.
Wax drippings: This is a more esoteric form of divination, useful after
doing candle magick. You would allow your taper candle to totally burn
out all the way, leaving the drippings as they form, and then examine
them closely. Look for patterns or pictures that suggest themselves to
you. This can be used to determine how successful your candle magick
spell is likely to be. As a different form to determine other future
events, you can drip candle wax into a bowl of water and determine the
shapes and pictures that it suggests to you.
As you can see there are many, many forms that divination can take,
they are only limited to your imagination! Many people also use omens
(such as animals or other signs that "cross their path" during the day)
as divination tools. But whatever you choose to use, remember to
practice, practice and more practice! Get yourself some friends who are
willing to be "guinea pigs" for you and have fun. I also recommend that
if any of these forms of divination interests you please go to your
local library and do some research. You'll be glad you did.
_____________________________________________
Simple
Candle Magick
by Sally Dubats
For very simple candle magick, an elaborate ritual is not necessary.
Candle magick can become part of your everyday life. Simple
candle magick includes changing the mood within your home, sending
soothing or calming energy to a friend who needs it, motivating
yourself in the short term, even sending a little positive energy to
the world.
Simple candle magick includes any other number of goodwill actions you
would like to undertake. Simple candle magick pertains to general
outcomes and requires far less emphasis on formal ritual.
Simple candle magick can be used for changing the general mood in your
home, which can include banishing or clearing negativity directly after
a resolved argument, creating a relaxing environment after work,
creating a romantic atmosphere, creating a healing environment for a
relaxing bath, or creating quiet time for children before they go to
bed. Using the example of banishing negativity after a resolved
argument, it is important to note that the energy from an argument will
stay in a home, hanging in the air like cigarette smoke. To remove that
energy, simply anoint and bless a candle with peace, and light the
candle. Gaze into the light of the candle and visualize the light
generated by the flame moving swiftly to every part of your home. It is
important to visualize the light moving to every part of your home, and
not the flame! As the light reaches every corner and every person
within your home, see it changing the energy. Allow the candle to burn
for a short period.
That’s all there is to it. Use this simple method of candle magick for
any change in atmosphere that you wish to place in your home. For the
romantic atmosphere, sense the romantic feelings, imprint them into the
candle, and light the candle. For quiet time for children prior to
bedtime, imprint the candle with the feeling of your children being
content while coloring or some other quiet activity.
If you wish a more penetrating change in your home, to effect happiness
for example, create a candle arrangement specifically for that
purpose. Find a large, pink, pillar candle and bless and anoint it with
oil. Create a wreath to fit around the bottom of the candle.
Use wire and floral tape, as well as herbs or plants which are seasonal
and appropriate to the essence of happiness such as apple
blossoms in the spring, lavender in the summer, or juniper in the fall
and winter. As you weave the plants into a circle, imagine your home
being surrounded by happiness. Thank the plants for their help as you
work. Imprint the candle with happiness. Visualize that as it is
lit, it fills your home with the light of happiness. Next, place the
candle on a plate and fashion the wreath to surround its base, light
the candle, and enjoy the vibes! The wreath can be left to dry or
replaced as needed; however, use the utmost caution in not letting the
candle burn too near to the wreath as dried floral arrangements
are flammable.
You can also surround a candle with stones for the same purpose.
Simply place a pillar candle on a plate, and surround it with stones
for your desired outcome. A pink candle surrounded by rose quartz sends
a lovely vibration through your home. If you have a very large candle,
you can affix the stones directly to the candle by warming the wax with
a flame in a particular spot, and then carefully pressing the stones
into the soft wax of the candle.
Simple candle magick has the distinct ability to help you focus on the
truly important matters - your personal spiritual growth, the joy of
your home, sending love to family and friends, and sending loving
energy where strength is needed in the world. Seeing the delicate and
fragile light in your home allows you to focus on and live with joy for
all that is important.
From Natural Magick: Inside the Well-Stocked Witch’s Cupboard by Sally
Dubats
As in ancient times before civilization, fire has always been used to
promote a feeling of safety and warmth. When our fore barriers found
that sticks in the fire would burn longer and brighter with the fat
from a kill on it the first candles were born.
Fire has always held a sacred position in the hearts of human kind.
The use of candles whether from animal fat or bees wax were common by
the 5th Century A.D.
In the Middle Ages they found that bark from trees, berries, and other
dyes could be added to the fat or wax for coloration.
Michelangelo used ores to give candles a blue color. The Catholic
Church found that using red candles brought a higher level of energy to
their Hi Mass. Our Wicca mothers used to add hemp or aloe to green
candles for financial gain.
With the advent of color psychology we now know why yellow would be a
good color to stimulate the intellect. The full list of candle colors
and their associations are as follows:
White Day - Monday, Planet - Moon, Purity, Truth, Sincerity, Hi
Spiritual Ideals.
Gold Day - Sunday, Planet - The Sun, Attraction, Persuasion, Charm,
Confidence. Zodiac sign - Leo
Yellow Day - Wednesday, Planet - Mercury. Stimulates the intellect.
Anything to do with the mind or the brain. Business. Zodiac sign -
Gemini
Green Day - Friday, Planet - Venus. Vitality. Money. Balance. Zodiac
sign - Virgo and sometimes Taurus
Blue Day - Thursday, Planet - Jupiter, Lighter... Tranquility,
Understanding, Patience, Health. Darker... Impulsiveness, Depression,
Changeability. Zodiac sign -
Sagittarius The more teal or blu green belongs to
Aquarius
Red Day - Tuesday, Planet - Mars. Lighter... Honor, Love, Morality. Mid
rage... Hi levels of energy. Sexual energy. Darker... Martial pursuits,
hate, vengeance.
Zodiac sign - Aries, darker red - Scorpio Orange
Encouragement, Adaptability, Stimulation, Attraction. Zodiac sign -
Taurus
Purple Day - Saturday, Planet - Saturn, Ambition, Power, Royalty,
Darker... Restriction. Zodiac sign - Capricorn and Pisces. The more
lavender belongs to Libra
Brown No day or hour. Planet - Earth. Keeps thing as they are. The
darker the color the more stagnant things become. Black Reversing,
absorbing. Silver / Gray
Cancellation,
Neutrality, More Silver... True Moon Psychic Powers. Zodiac sign -
Cancer
What is on the following page is a list derived from several of my
teachers and my own experience:
Table Of Mental Poisons
1. Emotions Resentment. Bitterness. Hatred. Symptoms Skin rash. Blood
disorders. Boils. Allergies. Heart disorders. Joint pain.
To Cause: Black
To Cure: White
2. Emotions Confusion. Anger. Frustration. Symptoms Common cold.
Pneumonia. All respiratory problems.
To Cause: Red
To Cure: Green
3. Emotions Anxiety. Inpatients. Greed. Symptoms High blood
pressure.Ulsers. Near sightedness. Deafness. Heart attacks.
To Cause: Orange
To Cure: Blue
4. Emotions Cynicism. Pessimism. Defeatism. Symptoms Low blood
pressure. Anemia. Polio. Diabetes. Leprosy. Kidney disorders. Low
income.
To Cause: Dark blue
To Cure: Pink
5. Emotions Revulsion. Fear. Guilt. Symptoms Accidents. Cancer. Bad
Blood. Stammering. Poor sex life. Failure. Poverty
To Cause: Sick yellow/green
To Cure: White
6. Emotions Antagonism. Inferiority. Introversion. Symptoms Allergies.
Headaches.Heart murmur. Accidents. Lack of Friends.
To Cause: Gray
To Cure: Yellow
There are several very good books on Candle Magick but my favorite one
is, “The Candle Burning Encyclopedia” by Tina Ketch. It may be
geared a little more to xians than Wiccan but the colors and causes
hold true. It is also cross referenced and indexed.
Why does Candle Magick Work?
As a candle burns it releases not only it’s wax but it’s color into the
atmosphere. What ever has been connected with the candle as in the form
of embedded energy or written on the candle will transmigrate to a
plane where it can do what you have intended and focused on it to do.
A candle, like everything else used for a magickal purpose, has to be
consecrated. Use the general consecration for candles. They are
creatures of Fire or of Art.
After consecration a candle must be dressed. This consists of anointing
the candle with a special oil you have chosen for the purpose in mind.
If you are drawing money to you I would suggest “Money Draw”. If you
are healing a friend I would use “Health” oil. The recipes for these
and other oils and incense are in Herman Staler’s, “Magical Formulary”
or Scott Cummingham’s. Both are excellent.
To dress a candle correctly, dab some oil on your finger (and be
liberal) touching the top of the candle say, “As Above”. Touch
the bottom and say, “So Below”. Starting at the center touch the candle
with more oil and move your finger to the top. Lift you finger off and
place it again in the center and stroke the candle to the bottom.
Do NOT move your finger in an up and down motion. This confuses the
energies. Do this until the candle is coated.
There are many other things you can do to embed a candle to your
purpose. You can etch runes in it; a name on it; a purpose for it to
perform.. Really the list is endless.
Remember the chapter on timing? This is where it comes in handy. If you
are doing a Solar spell consult the table for the proper hour, i.e.,
Sunday on a Sun hour. Consult the celestial guide to see if Mars and
Saturn are not square, in opposition or conjunct to your purpose
(unless you are trying to reck havoc... watch that Karma) and that the
Moon is not V/C. (void of course). For a spell that is to bring things
to you the Moon needs to be “waxing” . For a repelling or banishing
spell the Moon needs to be “waning”.
Simple
Spells, Mixed Spells, and Complex Spells All the formulas given
here have the same basic concepts.
They are Timing, Intent and Focus. For timing one would go to the
Astrological
tables (celestial guide), Days and Hours table. For focus the Magical
Herb table, perhaps Gems too, and last but not least the Oil and
Incense formularies. (Not eazy being a Witch is it?). Next decided
whether the spell is going to need a Deity push (invoking the God and
Goddess of your choice) or maybe just an elemental. Decided how
much power this spell will need. (You wouldn’t use a nuclear weapon to
blow out a match but you do want to make sure that the spell will work.)
Simple Candle Spell
A simple candle spell consists of usually one candle of the necessary
color, the special purpose oil and the matching incense. The
spell will be performed on the correct time with all necessary symbols
ingraved on the candle. The candle is lit and allowed to burn all the
way down at one time.
Mixed Candle Spells
This gets alittle more complicated. There are 1 day spells as the one
above, 3 day spells, 7 day spells, 14 and 21 day spells. I have yet to
see a 28 day spell work. (Something about the Moon going full circle
nulifying the spell...try it if you don’t believe me..).
A 3,7,14,21 day spells all have the same thing in common. They
are started on the appropriate hour and last only one hour per day,
that is to say... If we are doing a Solar spell we would start on a
Sunday in the first hour (Sun hour for that day) and let the candle
burn for only one hour. The next day we would light the candle in the
first hour which would be a Moon hour on a Moon day. Lastly we would
light the candle again on the first hour of the last day and that would
be a Mars hour on a Mars day letting the candle burn all the way down
on the third day.
A note here about putting out candles. DO NOT BLOW OUT A CANDLE.
Snuff it. Blowing out a candle finalizes the energy not to mention
pissing of the Fire elemental. The only time you would blow out a
magickal candle is when you need and emergency STOP. There will be a
backlash so be prepaired.
Irregardless if the Moon is V / C on any of the other days you would
still follow through just as long as when you started the spell the
Moon was in a possitive aspect to your intent.
Adding power is really a simple process. Before starting the spell
write a chant that you will do upon lighting the candle each day.
Once the process of the spell is underway (the candle is lit) one could
write a petition to a Deity or an elemental using Dragons Blood Ink on
parchment and burn it with the incense in the thurible.
Further, one could use a sigil or seal and do the same thing. A sigil
or seal can be placed under the candle and burned later after the spell
is complete. The combinations are endless.
Specific gems and stones can be placed around or near the candle to
give it more power. Herbs can be embedded or sprinkled around the alter
area for more potential too.
Complex Candle Spells
Complex candle spells require some space. The idea behind them is that
you are building a world with candles and influencing that world by
moving the candles around as you would have events move in the physcial
plane. When candles move toward something then that “thing” is getting
closer to the person the spell is for. As the candles move away from a
person then that “thing” is moving away in turn.
In a complex spell there are many factors to contemplate. What
color candles do I use for what. What different incenses and oils for
what candle and how many different sigils or seals are necessary?
Before attempting the complex varity I would suggest reading all the
information there is. These are the hardest to reverse.
In general a candle spell
looks like this:
Gather materials ie., what color candle, type oil and incense. Will I
need inks? Will I need to write on the candle? Do I need to invoke the
God and Goddess? What is the Timing?
Cast a circle ( not absolutely necessary but I do it).
Consecrate candle
Write on candle (if desired)
Dress Candle
Write petition (if using one)
Add incense to thuaible
Light Candle and meditate on intent
Burn petition in thurable ( if using one) When the spell is complete if
you are trying to invoke something cast the ashes to the wind and bury
the excess wax in a secret place. If you are banishing something..
Throw the remains in the garbage.
To reverse a candle spell
(this works for most other spells too)
Gather all melted wax, burned incense, recopy all sigils, seals and
even the chant used in the spell you want to reverse or stop. (
Sometimes it isn’t available due to throwing things to the wind or
puting things in the garbage... get what you can!) Gather up a gray
candle. You will need reversing oil and incense.
On a waning Moon duly cast a circle. Place the candle in the middle of
the alter. Place all the items from the spell you want reverse or stop
around the gray candle. Using your athame point at the gray candle and
say: These things have I enmagicked be
will now cease to exisist, Go back
the way you have begun, cease now and desist. With harm to none and no
alarm the energies disipate, Return all things now as they were, I
relinquish them to fate. Nema, Nema, Nema (make banishing Earth
Pentagram and light candle) (let burn all the way)
_____________________________________________
Dream
Magick
Introduction
For centuries, sleep and dreams have been widely used in the
magickal/spiritual practices of many cultures. Many feel that dreams
reveal much to the dreamer and, sometimes, if one focuses their mind
hard enough, one can change their life or, better yet, find their
"direction" in life through their dreams. Since even science
hasn't been able to explain away all the mystery regarding sleep and
dreams, old fears and ideas about our "nightly adventures" remain
today. Just saunter on down to your local bookstore or page through a
current magazine on "psychic" phenomena. There are tons of stuff
on how to lucid dream, how to interpret your dreams, how to keep away
nightmares, tell the future through dreams, etc. Sometimes there's so
much "stuff" it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff.
General description / over-view of
what Dreamcraft is
Most of us who keep a dream diary or journal already do some
Dreamcraft. A dreamcraft-y person (practitioner) recalls their dreams
and records them, either by writing them out in notebook form or
recording them on audio tape, in order to later study and analyze them.
By studying the images in our dreams, we can come to a better
understanding of ourselves and our world. Sometimes we can weed out
specific information from our dreams which we can use to help us deal
with a situation or resolve a problem. And what better way to deal with
what bothers us than by "sleeping on it?!"
Have you ever, before going to sleep or while in the process of
daydreaming, successfully recalled an image of a friend, place, or
specific sensation (such as a scent, taste, or sound) and were actually
able to re-experience that image/sensation without actually
"experiencing" it? This is Creative Visualization and it is
the key to all magickal operations/ practices, especially so in
Dreamcraft. Thinking visually is natural for us, but focusing on your
visual images is a bit harder.
Dreamcraft practitioners, through meditation and actual dreaming,
recall and concentrate on a specific image that represents a person,
place, thing, or situation which they wish to gain insight on.
Through this visual "focusing", they can program their minds into
re-experiencing a dream or real life event. The benefits of this
are practical: in order to have power over our "inner-enemies" (which
are our problems, insecurities, obstacles,etc.) we must name them and
know them and not allow ourselves to walk "blindly" through life where
we won't be able to learn from them and resolve them.
When we are faced with a situation where normal answers fail and
frustration sets in, the last resort most of us turn to is the realm of
the Spirit (this is where prayer comes in--where we appeal to that
which is higher than us for guidance and intervention). To a magickal
person, dreams are an invaluable spiritual and practical resource of
helpful information. In dreams all physcial laws and worldly logic are
set aside. It is here, in The Dreaming, that we can produce the most
change--this is what Magick is all about. Anything is possible within
our dreams. Use this power!
The main point of Dreamcraft is to gain insight on life, confront that
which perplexes us, change our perception of "what's going on" to
"what's really going on", and do something about it in waking life.
A Basic Dreamcraft Ritual
Before getting into bed, cleanse, dress yourself, and make sure you
will have no distractions. Relax. Play soothing music, if you
wish. Make sure you have plenty of time to meditate and
sleep. If you have to be somewhere early in the a.m. and you're
just getting into bed late, you might have a problem.
Prepare a Dream Potion
To conjure forth prophetic dreams, drink an infusion of rosebuds or
saffron prior to going to sleep. It will not only facilitate the
dreamwork, it will also enhance vividness and aid in the recall of the
dream upon waking.
To help bring on spiritual guidance dreams, drink a mint tea before
retiring for the evening, or sleep with either Buchu leaves or mint
leaves underneath your pillow.
Mugwort, one of the most potent herbs of dreamcraft, aids in astral
projection and lucid dreaming when burned as an incense or placed under
a pillow. Many Witches who practice the art of dreamcraft brew a
magickal tea-potion from mugwort and drink it just before bed in order
to strengthen thier psychic and magickal dream powers.
The following herbs have been used by Witches and spiritual
dreamworkers since ancient times to enhance dream recall: mugwort,
passionflower leaves, and rosemary. Drink any of the three as a
magickal tea-potion just before going to bed or sleep with one of them
under your pillow.
Inhale the steam. Breathe deeply and slowly. Hold the cup of tea before
you and clear your mind of all "chatter." Gaze deeply into the tea. Pay
close attention to how it looks, feels, and smells. Let the cup of tea
be the "focus" that will aid you in total relaxation. Once you
are completely relaxed and your mind is free of all trouble, picture in
your mind what you'd like to be doing. Are you looking for a better
job? See yourself at your favorite work and feeling happy about it.
Searching for love? See yourself happy and in love with the person of
your dreams. Low on cash? See yourself
financially independent and happy. Health problems? See yourself well
and enjoying life.
Concentrate on a specific image that will represent what you'd like to
be doing. DO NOT let anything negative set you back. DO NOT ALLOW
YOURSELF TO DROWN IN INSECURITY. Say you want to concentrate on a job
promotion. (You've been working at the company for
years and just need a break). You pick the image of the characteristic
pin-striped suit and tie of an executive to represent the promotion- -a
job promotion you know you will have, regardless of your current
position. (Put your positive thinking to the test!)
Next, hold in your hand a stone (moonstone or octahedron are best for
this) or other small hand-held object (such as a dream-catcher,
feather, locket, etc.). The stone or object will be your personal Dream
Fetish. The Dream Fetish should always be with you at your bedside or
underneath your pillow. It is your "magick key"
to the Land of Dreams.
While holding your Dream Fetish, drink your Dream Potion. Savor each
drop to the last (while still keeping that specific image of what you
want in your mind). As you drink, let the image not only represent that
job promotion, but let it also represent YOU. With each sip, imagine
yourself putting on that pin-striped executive's suit. See yourself in
your new position dressed in that suit, smiling and happy. After
drinking, hold your Dream Fetish tight and say these words to yourself:
“I have drunk the magickal brew that
will take me to the Land of
Dreams. I have the magick key to unlock the mystery of my Dreaming. I
have the power within to make my dreams come true... So be it!”
Put the Dream Fetish beside your bed or underneath your pillow. As you
lie in bed, let yourself start to sleep, but remain awake.
Twilight images will come to mind. Just keep the image of yourself and
what you want locked in your brain. Again, DON'T WORRY. Keep the
visualization light and serene. If you want, you can add details to
it. As you finally find yourself entering sleep fully, formulate
these words in your mind:
“To great Morpheus I speak grant me
the wish this work to find.”
After waking, record all that you can remember, even if it's just
snippets and/or fragments. Recall all that you have felt, seen,
touched, and heard from your dreams. There could be some invaluable
clues in your dreams that will help you find what you seek. Even if you
don't remember the dream, your subconscious knows and you will be
unconsciously carrying things through to their fruition.
Dream Pillows
Rose Petals two parts
Lemon Balm two parts
Costmary one part
Mint one part
Clove one part
Lavender one part
Sew up with white or silver thread on purple cloth into a small pillow.
Decorate with lace, silk, embroider with designs, etc. according to
your fancy. Sleep on it to have vivid dreams.
Astral Travel Pillow
Mugwort three parts
Frankincense 1/2 part
Vetivert two parts
Sandalwood one part
Rose Petals one part
1 pinch of ground Orris root
1 Vanilla bean, crushed
Make into a small pillow of blue coloured cloth with yellow cotton
thread. Sleep on it to promote astral travel during sleep.
NOTE: After six months these pillows may lose their "fresh"
scent. You can reuse them by emptying out the old contents and
refilling them with new herbs. The easiest way to do this is to create
a "pocket" within these pillows. Sew the pillows with an open fold that
can be closed either by velcro or buttons. Also, to make it easier to
sleep on, pad it with cotton or downy goose feathers. How it will look
and feel is all up to you!
Dream Bath Sachets
NOTE: Each herbal bath sachet can be prepared in advance and saved til
needed.
Here are the instructions:
1. Add all ingredients into a mixing bowl.
2. Empower the herbs with your magickal goal.
3. Mix and grind the herbs.
4. Place a handful of the herbs into the center of a large square of
cheesecloth (or simply use an old washcloth).
5. Fill up a clean tub with warm water.
6. Place your herbal sachet into the tub and let steep until water is
coloured and scented.
7. Get into the tub and enjoy!
*If you don't have a bathtub, or if you just prefer taking a shower,
make up a sachet in a washcloth and scrub your body with it. These bath
sachets are for external use only. Make sure you are not allergic to
any of these herbs or you'll be sorry.
HERBAL
DREAM BATH SACHET No.
1 (For Dream recall and awareness)
Lemongrass three parts
Thyme two parts
Orange peel two parts
Clove one part
Cinnamon one part
Carnation one part
HERBAL
DREAM BATH SACHET No.
2 (For Divinatory Dreams)
Thyme three parts
Yarrow two parts
Rose two parts
Nutmeg one part
Lavender one part
Patchouly one part
HERBAL
DREAM BATH SACHET No.
3 (For Peaceful Sleep)
Catnip two parts
Hops two parts
Jasmine one part
Elder flowers one part
Dream Tea
2 parts Rose Wheat
1 part Each: Mugwort, Peppermint, Jasmine flowers, Cinnamon
Mix, add one tsp to a cup. Pour boiling water over this & let
steep, covered, for a few minutes. Drink before going to bed to promote
psychic dreams.
Dream Spell
Needed:
1 amethyst (chunk)
1 rose pedal (pink or red)
Parchment
Blue Ink
Fountain Pen
On the parchment, write the name of the person you wish to dream
of. Fold it in half three times and place it under the amethyst
next to your bed. Place the rose pedal on top of the amethyst. Say
aloud: “I wish to dream of (person's name)
tonight.”
If you wish for that person to dream of you, place your name next to
the person's name and link them together with a heart. Say aloud: “I wish (person's name) dreams of me
tonight.”
Then lay down and fall asleep. (Don't forget to charge the rose pedal
and the amethyst.)
Sleeping Positions
As you may know, there are traditional sleeping positions.
The head pointing North increases stability, calmness, prosperity and
quick recuperation from illness. Some say this is the ideal direction
in which to sleep, for the North is the source of magickal power.
The East has long been associated with religion and spirituality. It is
also the point of intelligence, of sharp mental powers and freedom of
mind. In this direction, the Sun and Moon rise, which has brought about
the belief that one should sleep East to West, following the natural
course of the heavenly bodies. Also, if you live in a hot area,
sleeping with your head to the East might cool you down. With
your head pointing South during sleep, nothing but weariness and
disease will afflict you, says old lore. This may also cause or
aggravate insomnia. For those who are frequently sick, the simple act
of moving the bed so that the head points North has seemed to produce
miracles. Sleeping with your head pointing West ensures love and
spirituality, increases sensitivity of all kinds and promotes psychic
abilities. It's ideal for those wishing to practice dream magic.
It has also been used to promote creativity and so is recommended for
artists.
To Protect you while you sleep
Mix salt and water from your altar in a small vessel. Starting at
the North side of your bed, going clockwise, sprinkle the salted water
while saying:
“Water and Earth Where you are Cast no spell Or adverse purpose Haste if not In complete accord with me As my word So be it.”
Visualize a protective box around your bed. And if your head board is
against the wall, pull the bed out before you do this, or walk over the
bed.
To Cause Dreams
You will need: Candle of your astral color and of the day of the week,
light blue, orange, and white candles, and a dream incense (lavendar or
mugwort).
Best day to perform this on: Whenever you want to induce dreams
-Arrange the candles on the altar with thhe astral candle in the
middle,
the light blue and white together above the astral candle and the
orange just below the astral candle.
-Light the astral candle, say: "Here
am I the subject of this rite."
-Light the light blue candle, say: "Here
burns tranquillity and
patience, necessary for the accomplishment of the desire."
-Light the orange candle, say: "Here
is the attraction of that desire,
that I may dream the dreams I would wish and see and experience all
that I will."
-Light the white candle, say: "For
Truth in all that I see, is this
flame lit."
-Close your eyes for a moment and see youursself enveloped in white
light.
After a few minutes open your eyes again and say:
"Whence comes the wind that blows
softly through the trees? And wither does it go? Yet in its gentle passing do we not
feel its soft velvet touch upon our
cheek? Like the flutter of butterfly wings, Now sensed; now lost! For all is reality we cannot reach in
and touch, and grasp the wind. It is there; yet it is not! How real too is our sense of sight When we see, in dreams, the ones we
love. Again we see them and talk to them, And walk and love again. Yet
are they there? Will they come when we call? Can we see and do what we will? Yes, and yes again. 'Tis true. All that which we desire to see, to
experience, In our dreams, is ours for the asking. Will, and it shall come! Ask, and it shall be given. Know that the power is within us, And all that we desire shall be ours!"
-Sit quietly for a few minutes before exttinnguishing the candles. This
ritual should be performed when dreams are desired.
Plants In
The Herbal Dream Garden
ANISDEED
(Pimpinella anisum). Curtin's Healing Herbs of the Rio Grande suggests
that in folklore the fragrance of aniseed keeps men from dreaming. It's
useful in relaxing blends.
BALSAM FIR
(Abies balsamea). Fir needles are a pleasant addition to relaxing
blends, good in combination with lavendar, hops and roses. They
impart an outdoors feeling to dreams.
CALENDULA
(Calendula officinalis). In folklore it is said that combining sage and
calendula blossoms will make dreams come true. Calendula, in
small amounts, can add restfulness to a blend, and moderate more spicy
ingredients.
CATNIP
(Nepeta cataria). This herb has been used for centuries to ease babies'
troubled sleep. Today, we use it in adult blends, to induce relaxation
and sleep.
CHAMOMILE
(Matricaria chamomilla). Chamomile is used for relaxation and pleasant
dreams. People who are allergic to ragweed should probably avoid using
this herb in their blends, as it sometimes causes similar relations.
CINNAMON
(Cinnamomum zeylanicum). Cinnamon has recently been proved by fragrance
researchers to be one of the most erotic aromas for men. Cinnamon
comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen tree. Use it
sparingly in dream blends for an erotic, romantic texture.
CLOVES
(Syzgium aromaticum). Cloves add a hint of spiciness, especially when
used with roses in romantic mixtures, but use them sparingly; just 3 or
4 cloves in a blend is plenty.
HOPS
(Humulus lupulus). This herb is actually the flower from a perennial
vine and there are several varities, including some considered "bitter"
and others "sweet". Sweet hop flowers are the ones used for
dreaming; they induce relaxation and peacefulness.
JASMINE
(Jasminum officnale or J. odoratissimum). The delicious fragrance of
jasmine will almost encourage dreaming when you're awake! The
dried flowers lend an exotic and romantic feeling to dreams, especially
for women.
LAVENDAR
(Lavandula spp.) Lavendar aids in easing headaches when you are awake,
and is useful in relaxing blends alone or in combination with roses and
mugwort. Combinded with jasmine and roses, lavendar adds warmth and
familiarity to romantic mixes.
LEATHER
While it seems an unlikely ingredient, leather is tanned with a product
that comes from oak bark. The scent of fresh leather trimmings adds
excitement and energy to dream blends.
LEMON BALM
(Melissa officinalis). In aromatherapy, lemon balm is used to relieve
depression, anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension. This herb combines
well with roses, lavendar, thyme, hops, and mint. A mix of lemon balm
and lavendar, in equal parts, is useful in relieving headaches and
stress.
LEMONGRASS
(Cymbopogon ciratus). A native herb of tropical regions, lemongrass
adds a bit of color and a soothingly safe, mildly exotic feeling to
blends.
LEMON VERBENA
(Aloysia triphylla). Native to Chile and Argentina, this shrub produces
delightfully aromatic leaves that can add a bit of lightness, even
feelings of flying, to the dream blend when used in small amounts.
LILAC
(Syringa chinensis). Use liiac for sweet, safe, and peaceful dream
mixes, in small amounts. It's also good in mixes for the sickroom, and
for travelers' blends. In larger amounts, lilac adds sensuality.
MARJORAM, SWEET
(Origanum majorana). Sweet majoram is often used in blends to ease
nervousness and restlessness during sleep. I find that this herb adds a
dimension of warmth, safety, and comfort to dreams.
MIMOSA FLOWERS
(acacia dealbata). Somewhat like jasmine, only milder, mimosa can add
an exotic, more complex feeling to drams. Mimosa and lemon balm are a
good combination for peaceful but slightly colorful dreams.
MINT
(Mentha spp.). Just a small amount of mint works like a tuning knob on
a television; It adds clarity, vividness, and color to dreams.
MUGWORT
(Aremisia vulgaris). In folklore it is said that this herb causes the
dreamer to remember his or her dreams. It does seem to increase
clarity, while also encouraging relaxation.
PASSIONFLOWER
(Passiflora incarnata). Used as a mild sedative in herbal medicines,
passionflower adds a quieting effect to the dream pillow. Flowers
and leaves are both used, but flowers are prefered.
ROSE
(Rosa spp.). Rose petals create a feeling of loving thoughts and
warmth. Used with more exotic herbs in romantic or adventurous mixes,
roses keep the feeling of the dream grounded in safety and peacefulness.
ROSEMARY
(Rosmarinum officinalis). In folklore, rosemary was used to ensure
sleep and keep away bad dreams. Rosemary works well with a bit of
lavendar, roses, mugwort and hops for a relaxing night's sleep without
notable dreaming.
THYME
(Thymus spp.). Herb lore of old claims that sleeping on a pillow of
thyme allows the dreamer to see fairies. I generally combine thyme with
roses, hops, lavendar and rosemary for a peaceful, quiet dream.
The technical term used for the art and practice of divination by
dreams is "oneiromancy."
Many types - nightmares or distorted imagery which are often caused by
environmental pressures or physical ailment; Dreams which are caused by
suppressed emotions; out-of-body (astral Projection) Prophetic dreams
which are vivid dreams pertaining to future events
that come true.
A significant number of dreams are prophetic in nature - three night in
a row especially. Prophetic dreams can reveal the future.
When sacred or transcendental images appear in a dream, it is called a
"high dream."
Telepathic dreams (ESP dreams) experience in which the dreamer pick up
thought energies from another person or a spirit. (Generally pertains
to events of the present).
Psychic dreams are dreams which contain important messages, warnings
and other communications - often so strong and profound that it awakens
the dreamer from their sleep.
Lucid dreaming is a term which is applied when a sleeping person who is
in the dream state is consciously aware that she is dreaming.
Dream Magic/Folklore
To dream about the future, gather mistletoe sprig on St. John's Eve and
place it under pillow before bed.
To experience prophetic dreams, pick a red rose during early morning
hours of Midsummer Day and fumigate it for five minutes over a brazier
of burning sulfur and brimestone. On a piece of parchment write your
name and your lover's. Wrap the rose in the parchment, seal it thrice
with wax, and then bury it in same spot where the rose was picked. On
midnight of the sixth day of the 7th month, dig up the rose and sleep
with it under your pillow for three nights in a row.
To see future spouse - stick 9 pins into the blade bone of a hare and
place it under your pillow on a night when the moon is full.
To receive a dream of future spouse, place 2 laurel leaves under your
pillow on St. Valentine's Day before you go to bed.
On a night of full moon, place under your pillow the tarot card known
as the Lovers to induce prophetic dreams about future lover.
To dream of a future marriage mate, gather ten ivy leaves in silence on
Samhain night. Throw away one of the leaves and place the remaining
ones under your pillow before bed.
To dream of your future spouse, collect 9 leaves of a "female" holly at
the stroke of midnight on a Friday (ruled by Venus). Place the
leaves in a 3-cornered handkerchief tied with 9 knots and place the
charm under your pillow before going to sleep. (This charm will not
work if you speak any words before sunrise.)
Pluck some wild yarrow from a graveyard and place it under your pillow
at night before going to sleep and your lover will appear before you in
a dream.
Herbs
of Dream Magick: The
following herbs are traditionally used by
Witches in magickal dream pillows and potions to induce prophetic dream
visions.
"Most people don't realize they've been dreaming until after they've
awakened and the dream has come to an end. Some people, however, are
conscious that they're dreaming. These people, called lucid dreamers,
can literally direct the content of a dream..."
"Some people may succeed in having a lucid dream the first night they
use the techniques; others ... may need to practice for several weeks
before getting results. "
Exercise One: Affirmation
A number of techniques facilitate lucid dreaming. One of the simplest
is asking yourself many times during the day whether you are dreaming.
Each time you ask the question, you should look for evidence proving
you are not dreaming. The most reliable test: Read something, look away
for a moment, and then read it again. If it reads the same way
twice, it is unlikely that you are dreaming. After you have proved to
yourself that you are not presently dreaming, visualize yourself doing
whatever it is you'd like. Also, tell yourself that you want to
recognize a nighttime dream the next time it occurs. The mechanism at
work here is simple; it's much the same as picking up milk at the
grocery store after reminding yourself to do so an hour before.
At night people usually realize they are dreaming when they experience
unusual or bizarre occurrences. For instance, if you find yourself
flying without visible means of support, you should realize that this
happens only in dreams and that you must therefore be dreaming. If you
awaken from a dream in the middle of the night, it is very helpful to
return to the dream immediately, in your imagination. Now envision
yourself recognizing the dream as such. Tell yourself, "The next
time I am dreaming, I want to remember to recognize that I am
dreaming." If your intention is strong and clear enough, you may find
yourself in a lucid dream when you return to sleep.
Exercise Two: Dream Flying
Many lucid dreamers report dreams in which they fly unaided, much like
Superman. Some lucid dreamers say that flying is a thrilling means of
travel; others, that it has helped them return from one of the more
harrowing dream experiences -- the endless fall. Flying is so
important because it's a form of dream control that's fairly easy to
master. It gives the dreamer an exhilarating sense of freedom. And it's
a basic means of travel in the dream world. During the 2-week period of
your experiment, try to focus on dream flight. If you're falling,
turn that fall into flight: Remember, there's no gravity in dreams. And
if you're simply going from here to there, do it with flight. This
simple activity will cue you in to the fact that you are, after all, in
a dream.
How do you make dream flight happen at all? We suggest that before you
retire for bed, you simply repeat these words: "Tonight I
fly!" Then, while still awake, imagine that journey. If you find
yourself flying, it will be a clear sign that you are in a dream.
In any case, when you realize you're dreaming, remember that you want
to fly. When you actually feel yourself flying, say, "This is a
dream." Make sure you start modestly, by simply floating above
the surface of your dream ground. As you gain confidence both in the
notion that you are dreaming and in your ability to control that
experience, you might experiment with flying a bit more. Run, taking
big leaps, and then stay aloft for a few seconds, so that you resemble
an astronaut walking on the moon. Try sustained floating and then
flying at low altitudes.
As your confidence increases, so will your flying skills. While
asleep, work on increasing your altitude, maneuverability, and
speed. As with speed sports, you should perfect height and
maneuverability before speed. Of course, you couldn't really hurt
yourself -- it's only a dream. But you COULD get scared. After you have
become proficient in dream flying, remember to ask yourself these
questions: "How high can I fly? Can I view the earth from outer
space? Can I travel so fast that I lose awareness of my
surroundings and experience the sensation of pure speed?" Throughout
your efforts in dream flight, remember that you're in a dream.
With this in mind, your fear will be held at bay, and your control over
the dream will be greatly enhanced.
Exercise Three: Dream Spinning
Even if you're a frequent lucid dreamer, you may not be able to stop
yourself from waking up in mid-dream. And even if your dreams do reach
a satisfying end, you may not be able to focus them exactly as you
please. During our years of research, however, we have found that
spinning your dream body can sustain the period of sleep and give you
greater dream control. In fact, many subjects at Stanford University
have used the spinning technique as an effective means of staying in a
lucid dream. The task outlined below will help you use spinning as a
means of staying asleep, and, more exciting, as a means of traveling to
whatever dream world you desire.
As with dream flying, the dream spinning task starts before you go to
bed. Before retiring, decide on a person, time, and place you would
like to visit in your lucid dream. The target person and place can be
either real or imaginary, past, present or future. Write down and
memorize your target person and place, then visualize yourself visiting
your target and firmly resolve to do so in a dream that night. When
following this procedure, it's possible that you might find yourself
visiting your target in a non-lucid dream; you will be aware that this
has happened, of course, only after you awaken. Nevertheless, you
should strive for lucidity by following the techniques outlined in
exercise one. Then proceed to your goal.
To do so, repeat the phrase describing your target in your dream, and
spin your whole dream body in a standing position with your arms
outstretched. You can pirouette or spin like a top, as long as you
vividly feel your body in motion. The same spinning technique will help
when, in the middle of a lucid dream, you feel the dream imagery
beginning to fade. To avoid waking up, spin as you repeat your target
phrase again and again. With practice, you'll return to your target
person, time and place. When spinning, try to notice whether you are
moving in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Exercise Four: Creative Dreaming
Up until now we have had little control over the occurrence of creative
dreams. But with lucid dreaming it may be possible to intentionally
access the creativity of the dream state. You can help determine
the feasibility of this idea by attempting to solve a problem in a
lucid dream. Before bed, decide on a problem you would like to solve.
Frame your problem in the form of a question. For example, "What is the
topic of my next book?" "How can I become less shy?" If you have an
illness, you might consider the problem, "How can I regain my health?"
Once you have selected a problem question, write it down and memorize
it. When doing the lucid-dreaming introduction exercises, remember your
question and see yourself looking for the answer in your next lucid
dream. Then, when in a lucid dream, ask the question and seek the
solution. You might be most successful at problem solving if you try a
direct approach. For instance, if your problem is health, try to heal
yourself in your dream. Then reflect on how your dream solution relates
to the waking problem. It may help to question other dream characters,
especially if they represent people who you think might know the
answer. You can even combine this task with the dream spinning and
flying tasks, visiting an expert on your problem. You can also just
explore your dream world with your question in mind, looking for any
clues that might suggest an answer.
_____________________________________________
Scrying
Scrying can be done with a number of different surfaces, from tea
leaves to crystal balls to shag carpets; the basic technique is similar
in all cases. Gaze steadily into the scrying surface (feel free to
blink or allow your point of focus to wander a bit; this is not a
method of self-inflicted torture). Eventually, you should be able to
pick out shapes or images in the scrying surface; these may appear as
crude sketches, or occasionally with the clarity of a photograph. You
will actually see these images with your eyes.
Once this happens, images may begin to form in your mind, no longer
projected onto the scrying surface. When this happens, allow your
attention to focus on these mental images. From this point forward, the
scrying surface is irrelevant; do not be distracted by it.
As the images become clearer, you will find that you know things about
what you are seeing – background information will come to the surface
of your mind. Pay attention to what you know about the images you are
seeing.
Surfaces which provide a random, high contrast visual texture, such as
black tea leaves in a white cup or orange sparks in a black ember, are
particularly good for the first stage of the scrying process.
However, the vividness of the visual images formed in this way may tend
to pull your attention back from the purely mental images that should
follow, thus disrupting the natural flow of ideas. Smooth, neutral
surfaces, like the surface of a dish of water, a crystal ball, or a
black mirror, provide relatively few visual cues to get you started,
but if you can make the transition to mental imagery quickly, the
visual surface will obligingly fade into the background.
Scrying exercise
Cast a circle. Seat yourself comfortably, breathe deeply a few times to
relax and center yourself. Gaze into the scrying surface for a while.
Write down:
What you saw
What images came to mind
What you found you knew about the images
Ground. Close circle.
Tea leaves: Use black tea leaves (peppermint works reasonably well if
you're decaffeinated) in a white tea cup.
Embers: Use embers (a wood fire outdoors or in a fireplace) at night.
Water: Use a dish of water in a darkened room, lit from the sides by
two candles. The dish should be a solid, neutral color.
Crystal ball: Use a crystal ball, as above (or a mirror, turned
slightly so you are not reflected in it -- try to fill the view with a
blank wall)
Learning How to Scry
The first step in learning how to scry is to select your crystal.
There are no rules for this process. Allow your imagination and
feelings to guide you to your instrument. Some prefer crystals that are
perfectly clear. Others enjoy inclusions and look for crystals with
"windows" or "doors." Whatever you choose, take time to bond with it.
Scrying tools become a direct extension of the scryer so it is best
that you develop an understanding of the tool. Taking the time to
meditate with your crystal is a good way to get to know it.
The effort and time taken in this initial getting acquainted phase will
pay off in the long run.
You are now ready to begin the actual process of scrying.
Choose a place where you are not likely to be disturbed. The amount of
light in the area should be no more than that emitted by a single
candle. An ideal source of light is a light box, the kind
normally used to display crystals. When you place your crystal on a
light box, no other light is necessary in the room. If you do not use a
light box, the light source should be placed low and behind you. This
positions your body between the crystal and the source of light,
eliminating the chance of direct reflection of the light by the
crystal. Dim light is suggested for the simple reason it enhances
concentration and eliminates distractions. As you become more
proficient at gazing, you will be able to do so in direct sun light if
you wish. Placement of the crystal in relationship to the scryer
is also important. Keep in mind you will be looking intently into the
crystal for at least twenty minutes at a time. Therefore, you do not
want to position the crystal in a way that will cause physical
discomfort. Remember, as your skill with scrying increases, so
will the time you spend in front of the crystal. Physical discomfort
will break your concentration and turn scrying into a chore. So pick a
comfortable chair, get relaxed, place your crystal at the proper height
and distance for best viewing, sit back and enjoy the experience.
Take a few deep breaths. As you do this, look intently into the
crystal. Staring promotes tearing of the eyes causing you to
blink. Instead, try to think of unfocusing your eyes. Just rest
your gaze on the crystal and allow your eyes to relax. At this stage,
you may find your eyelids wanting to close about half way. Allow this
to happen. During this phase, develop a conscious link between
your third eye and the crystal. An easy way of accomplishing this is to
visualize a ray of light coming out from your third eye and entering
the crystal. Some will experience a tightness in the forehead but
don't be alarmed if this sensation doesn't happen to you.
The next thing to watch for is the clouding of the crystal. A small
light will appear and from that light, clouds will form and
spread. There may even appear a tiny light show within the
clouds. You are well on your way. Eventually the clouds will
clear and pictures will emerge.
In the beginning, try not to judge the pictures or control the
flow. Trust you will be shown what you need to see in the
sequence you need to see it. As time goes on, the ability to ask
questions and receive answers will develop. You should keep a log to
facilitate a better understanding of what you are seeing and
experiencing. Just as with dreams, there is a symbology with
scrying. The most difficult part of scrying is figuring out what you
are seeing. At times you will see actual events happening now. Other
times, you may see events from history. Spiritual teachings may come in
the form of symbolic pictures. Future happenings can also come through
in symbols or actual scenes. It is often difficult to distinguish
reality from your own symbology. This is where your log comes in handy.
It is also helpful to record the time of day and phase of moon. This
will enable you to know when you are at your best and able to interpret
the information being given. I now have a tape recorder at my side when
I scry because the pictures or scenarios come so quickly I can no
longer take the time to write them down
Above all, relax, have fun, and enjoy the movies.
To
Charge and Consecrate a Scrying
Mirror or Stone
Make an infusion of the herb mugwort, while it's still warm, strain it
and then bathe the mirror or stone in the infusion, while softly
whispering this chant 9 times. As you do so, envision the mirror or
stone awakening to you and your own psychic abilities:
The Chant: Lovely oracle of magick worth, fair
creature of psychic light, the
truest answers, you shall bring forth, you shall be my eyes, my sight.
Making a Scrying Mirror
Method # 1
1. Find yourself an old wooden or metal picture frame. Make sure
that the frame is a dark color, as shiny
frames tend to reflect in the finished mirror. I prefer an oval or even
better a round frame of about 12" in diameter. Don't get one too big;
you will want to carry it around sooner or later. With very little
effort these can be found for a couple of dollars at any second hand
store, antique shop, or Goodwill Store. Flea markets, garage sales, and
swap meets are a gold mine for these frames and I have bought beautiful
ones for as little as 25 cents. Don't bother if the frame is a little
beat up, you can always paint or refinish it, but be sure the glass is
unscratched and clear. For a dollar or two glass can be replaced. I
have also bought a round piece of glass and lead trim from a stained
glass supply house and made some beautiful gifts from these. I have
even trimmed them in stained glass. Total cost? About $20.00.
2. Buy a can of high gloss spray enamel paint. Read the label and
make sure it is good for glass. Some paints are not. This can be
found at any hobby shop, or hardware store.
3. Remove the glass and clean it well with a good glass cleaner. Let it
dry for several hours.
4. Place the clean glass on a large piece of newspaper, being careful
to handle it by the edges so as not to get finger oil on the surface.
Spray paint the glass using quick even light passes back and forth
until the glass is covered completely. WARNING! do not allow the paint
to run! If you do the painting outdoors, be sure it is a sunny windless
day. You do not want the paper or other debris to blow onto the wet
paint and it takes several hours to dry so as to be handled.
5. Apply a second coat if necessary, but for the best effect it is best
to do this in one coat. The mirror effect will be flawless that way.
6. Place the glass back into the finished frame and you have your Black
Scrying Mirror. Believe me, it is every bit as good as any you can find
for sale.
7. Empower the mirror with a Full Moon Spell or any spell which works
for you. Once consecrated it is infused with your own personal
magnetism and should not be handles by anyone else. If someone picks it
up, reconsecrate it.
Method # 2
Another way to darken the glass would be to take an oil "candle". Pull
the wick up so it creates a smoke when burning. Smoke the glass trying
to keep it uniform. Then use clear coat to paint it.
Method # 3
You can also darken the glass with "window tint". The kind body and
graphic shops use to tint car windows. You can get that at any Canadian
Tire.
Scrying
Exercises - Basic
The only way to learn how to scry is to scry regularly. However,
there are certain mental exercises that can prepare the mind for
scrying and make its achievment easier...
EXERCISE ONE: A SIMPLE OBJECT
Imagine a simple physical object in your mind. The easiest way to do
this is to gaze at an apple, a pencil, a key, or some other object
close to you, then close your eyes and recreate it in your imagination.
Try to make it as complete and life like as possible. Turn the
object over in your mind and look at it from different angles, just as
though you were turning it in your hand. Be aware of its color
and texture, of the way the light gleams from its shiny surfaces.
You may work with the same object several days in a row in order to
visualize it with the greatest possible clarity, but before you become
tired of it, change to some other object. Keep the objects
simple. Remember, there is no success or failure here. It is an
exercise, not a test.
EXERCISE TWO: THE HUMAN FEATURES
Visualize the face and head of someone you know quite well. It may be
the face of a family member or a relative or a friend. Stick with
those individuals that you see on a regular basis. Examine the head
from all angles, including the back. Study the ears, the way the hair
hangs and curls, the lines above the eyes and around the mouth, the
color of the eyes, the texture of the skin. After you have a firm
visual construction of the face, animate it in your mind. Visualize the
person talking to someone as though you were watching a silent movie.
Cause the face to smile, laugh, purse its lips, frown, scowl, become
angry, look sad, and weep. Focus only on the image.
EXERCISE FIVE: SOUNDS OF NATURE
Remember in rapid succession the sound of a breeze in the trees, the
gurgle of a rocky stream, the whine of a mosquito next to your ear, the
crack of a twig beneath your shoe, the splash of a frog jumping into a
pond, the rustle of your feet as you walk through tall, dry grass, the
chirp of birds in the trees around you, the breathless whir of a
hovering dragonfly.
You can vary these sounds from day to day if you wish, but try to
connect them together into a single aural scene. You may want to
recreate the sounds of a beach, or of a kitchen when dinner is being
prepared, or of downtown traffic. Imagine the sounds alone as though
you were present but blind, and forced to rely solely upon your ears to
inform you about your surroundings.
EXERCISE SEVEN: OLFACTORY PERCEPTION
OF FAMILIAR ODORS
Imagine in succession the smell of a rose, garlic, frying bacon, newly
polished leather, a freshly cut orange, a cigarette, gasoline, vanilla,
and burning hardwood.
You may change and vary this list as much as you like when these same
scents become too familiar. It is not necessary to spend more than a
few seconds recreating each smell, but you must be certain that you
have actually evoked it in your mind. With practice, each odor will
become as distinct as it would be if it were in the room with you.
_____________________________________________
When
Magick Doesn't Work
by Van Ault
1. Every magician has occasions in which the magic s/he is
directing does not seem to work. The desired result, whether
internal or external, does not come into manifestation. These
occasions are opportunities for greater developement in the magical
arts, and by working through the disappointment and discouragement,
s/he can reach greater self-knowledge and technical expertise in the
Art.
2. I believe that magic always works. Magic is a tool, a
reality shaper. Like any tool, however, its ability is limited to
the operator’s knowledge and skill. For an illustration, let’s
use the bow and arrow. Your intention is the arrow and your
magical technique for directing that intention is the bow. You
use the technique to poise, balance and guide the arrow with the
strength of your determination and will.
3. What happens when this all works together optimally? The
will firmly grasps the clear intention, balances it upon the technique,
you gather your emotional and mental force, and then fire the intention
into the invisible world to be made manifest. In its own time and
way, your wish materializes.
4. Conversely, if you haven’t got the skill to bring all of these
efforts together, things can go askew. Your arrow can veer and
stray, or it may travel a few feet before losing power. Your bow
can break, or not be strong enough to propel the arrow. Or, you
may find that you’ve got your bow and arrow ready to use, but you
haven’t got sufficient strength to manipulate it.
5. I offer the following meditation process for those times when
it seems that your magic doesn’t work. When you’ve tried all the
techniques, when you’ve gotten no results, when you’re wondering if any
of this matters at all, the process in this meditation can produce
miracles and create a sense of completion. You can read the
script into a tape, or have a friend lead you through it.
_____________________________________________
River
of Life Meditation
by Van Ault
Find a comfortable place where you can relax and be completely
quiet...relax...allow your thoughts now to just come and go...come and
go...and take a deep breath in and hold it...(pause)...now gather up
the tension in your body, and release it as you exhale...take another
deep breath, and as you exhale, let go of anybody else’s energy or
thoughts you may be carrying....and breathe in new energy...breathe in
new possibilities...and allow your body to fill with lightness...feel
it becoming lighter and lighter as you relax more and more...relaxing
deeply...going deeper...feeling very light now...so light you could
almost float away..........
And as you relax, imagine a beautiful colored mist is swirling up
around you, billowing up around you into a cushiony, soft, cloud of
energy...and you are resting completely upon this cloud...and you are
safe...as you breathe in and out, let your thoughts just come and
go...relaxing more and more...and the cloud of energy now lifts you up
into the air and carries your down into your own inner world...down
between the boundaries of time and space...to a place of timeless
beauty and infinite possibilites...floating down now, going deeper and
deeper, leaving the outer world and its concerns far behind, as you
drift and float on this beautiful cloud....going further and
further...down below you is a rock, a giant rock...and the cloud gently
and effortlessly lands upon the rock and you step off it, as the cloud
swirls back into a mist and disappears for now.........
Stand upon this rock now, and feel the strength of it under your
feet...and as you turn around, you look out upon a great
river...flowing as far as you can see... seeming to come from some
infinite place...and disappearing into an infinite place...a flowing,
endless river of energy...this is the river of all life waters...all of
life draws upon the lifeforce that moves through its steaming
currents...look closely at the water...what color is it? it may
look like liquid light to you...look deeply into it, and sense the
power and depth of the river...what sound does it make as it courses
through its channels?...as you stand securely upon your rock, notice
and fragrance...and bend down and cup your hands in the living
water,and splash some of it on your face... feel the life giving force
on your skin...take a sip of the water...allow the river of life to
nourish you........
Now relax a moment upon the rock...and bring into your mind the magical
intention that never seemed to go anywhere...what were you trying to
accomplish?...what was the basic intention you had?...what was the
emotion behind the intention?...feel the energy of that emotion moving
onto the palms of your hands now... feel the energy
glowing...pulsating...breathe and allow your intention that you’re
still clinging to externalize...the energy of it is now
shimmering,glowing...swirling into a sphere...allow all of your desire
to flow into this sphere...and allow this sphere to appear to you
however it appears...and just observe what you see...you may see
pictures or symbols emerging within the sphere...whatever you see is
fine..........
When your sphere is completely filled with the last of your desire,
emotion, and intention, hold it aloft...feel the power of it in you
hands, a globe of power that you can now release...and look out into
the river of life...watch as its currents of possibility flow for ever
and ever,as far as you can see...and whenever you’re ready, with as
much and as little force as you need, throw the pulsating sphere into
the river...and give this intention to the life force of this great
river...watch as the sphere touches the water...and gradually
disappears into the current...........
Take a deep breath...as the sphere disappears the last of your
intention and emotion and desire merges with the source of all life,
from which it originally came...and leaves you........
Now complete any business here that you need to finish...take a few
moments to enjoy the flowing river of life,and know that the
possibilities it nourishes can bring miracles into your life
too..........
Take another deep breath, and notice tha colored mist is once again
swirling around you...billowing up underneath you to form a beautiful
cloud of cushiony energy, which is lifted up into the air, with you
upon it...relaxing into the cloud you are returning the way you
came...lifting up up through time and space, coming back from the inner
world...coming up... further and further... floating and drifting
back...coming back...bringing you all the way back into your body now,
into this room...bringing your attention completely back into this time
and place...take a deep breath and begin to re-orient yourself to the
outer world...and when you’re ready, count to three..., and on the
count of three open your eyes,and return feeling relaxed, alert and at
peace.
