A Solitary Ritual of Thanks You will need: A large white or pink bowl One white candle Spring water Fresh flowers (that are white if possible) A piece of white cloth
This can be performed outside or in, whichever you prefer. Place the bowl on the ritual surface (your altar or the ground). If desired, cast a circle. Affix the white candle to the center of the bowl with warmed beeswax or with wax from another white candle. Pour water into the bowl. Place the flowers in the water (either take the petals off or pop the heads of the stems and set the stems aside). Light the candle. Visualize your reason for the ritual, remember why you are giving thanks. Touch the water on both sides of the candle with your fingertips, saying:
Look into the candle flame, then down into the water. Blow gently upon the water's surface and watch the flowers move. Meditate, commune and give thanks to the Lord and the Lady. Protection Bottle Making a Witch Bottle can be fun and I also enjoy it because it works very well. Protection Witch Bottles especially. This one in the form of a bottle is ideal for house protections. For this bottle, you will need: One medium-sized bottle or jar (baby food jars work well) Altar Pentacle Pieces of broken glass (BE CAREFUL!) Anything sharp (nails, thorns, pins, etc.) Herbs, choose three or four of these: basil, cinquefoil, garlic, hyssop, motherwort, nettles, rosemary, vervain. Black cord or embroidery floss Piece of parchment Black Ink (or you can use a black ink pen or fountain Pen marker
Gather all of your materials on your altar. Cast Circle, Call Quarters, Ground and Center. Place the bottle or jar on the pentacle. After each ingredient has been placed in the jar, write the following on the parchment with the fountain pen and black ink: Fold the parchment in half three times and place in the jar. Cap and seal it.Wind the black cord or embroidery floss around the top of the jar seven times in a counter-clockwise direction. When you are finished put the jar in a place where it will protect the thing was meant to protect. If this jar was created to protect a home or outdoor space, you may wish to bury the jar near the area or frontdoor. Grounding and Centering Grounding and centering is the absolutely essential first step for any energy working. It's the thing that makes sure you are pulling the energy from the Earth, instead of depleting your own resources. Without it, you will find yourself exhausted (or highly exhilarated)immediately after doing work, and then sick, headachy, dizzy, or faint afterwards. Sometimes the headache can persist for days afterwards. All of these are signs that something is wrong. Fortunately, it's easy to fix! Grounding and centering is a simple thing that is a natural ability in all of us. Sit comfortably, without any part of your body resting on any other part (no crossed legs, etc.) and smile. (It relaxes you wonderfully to smile.) Begin by looking at the diagram to the left. These are your Chakras. We aren't going to go into what they are, or how they work right now. For now, just look at them. Notice that they go up in spectral order, starting from red and going through orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. The first one is red and is at the base of your torso, near your anus. The second, orange one is about the width of both hands (with fingers held together, and including your thumbs) above that. In fact, in my experience, they tend to be pretty evenly spaced, and all about two hand-spans apart. The third is at the Solar Plexus (yellow), the fourth at your heart (green), the fifth at your throat (blue), the sixth at your "third eye" (indigo) and the seventh at the crown of your head (violet.) You probably already know this; but you have more than one body. The ones we are going to be concerned with here are your physical body, and your etheric body. Just assume for now that you have the body you are used to thinking of as "you," and you also have another one, larger and subtler, that has all the same parts and is around your physical body like two layers of an onion. The point of the first part of the exercise, centering, is to line the two bodies (the physical and spiritual) up so that the energy can flow freely. If this is really hard for you, visualize it starting with your crown chakra, the violet light on the top of your head, and going down your body and down the scale. But try to learn to do it the other way, because it makes grounding easier. For the second part of the exercise, Grounding, it is absolutely essential that you be centered. If you aren't, please go back and read that part now. Starting with your crown chakra, the purple spot at the top of your head, visualize (imagine) a cord of light going all through your body, connecting your chakras as it goes. See it coming down from the root chakra, and becoming a root itself. Feel it going through your chair, through the floor, through the foundation of the building, and into the ground. Feel the warm, fertile ground below you. And feel your root going deeper and deeper, down through the ground, down below the deepest well. There is a whole core of energy down there. The core of the planet is full of pure, clean, loving energy; and the Earth means her children to use it. So draw that energy up your root now, up through the ground, through the soil, through the foundation, and the floor, and the chair, and into your body. Feel that pure clean energy coming into your body. And pull it on up through your body, up through all your chakras, up through your crown chakra, up through the top of your head. And as it comes, it washes away all the tired, old, nasty energy, and fills you with clean, pure, fresh energy, energy from the Earth. And let it come out of the top of your head, and flow out like a fountain, like the branches of a tree, up and arching gracefully down, and flowing back into the Earth. You are sitting in the center of a circuit now; a circuit of energy flowing up from the center of the Earth, through your body,through the top of your head, and back down into the Earth again. See how that feels? If you are doing it right, you will be able to feel it. If not, try it again some other time. It's really not hard. Now, the important thing to remember at this point is not to get greedy and try to keep too much of the energy. When you are finished with the exercise, you should have exactly as much energy as is normal for you. No more, and no less. Just think of yourself as taking no more and no less, and your own body will even it out for you. It's nice and clean and fresh, but it's the same amount. If it isn't, you will wind up with one of the headaches again. And you don't want that! Keep doing this for a few minutes every day, and soon it will be as easy as taking a deep breath. And it will make you feel so much better! Not just when working with energy, but when facing any kind of stress, or tension, or fear, or exertion, or anything. Being grounded and centered just makes life a bit easier to take!
Grounding to Earth Here is a sample exercise to help you ground. In this example you will ground to earth. While grounding to any element is possible, earth is probably the easiest, especially if you are starting out. If another element calls to you, or you already have your own way of doing this. Feel absolutely free to use it. Stand or sit comfortably on the floor or ground. If you are not on the first story, that is okay, just be as close to the actual ground as you can for the space you are in. Visualize roots slowly extending from your feet (or other body parts touching the surface). Slowly they travel down, down, until the meet the soil. This is easy if you are outside, if you are not, imagine them traveling down throughout the layers of building, down through the foundation and eventually into the soil. Imagine the feel of the cool, secure soil all around your roots, keeping you safe, taking away all impurities. Aboriginal people who don't have much access to water bury themselves except their face in earth, and emerge totally cleansed and renewed. Imagine the smell of fresh, wholesome earth, as if you were turning over dirt to plant the first seed of spring. Imagine that you are a giant, primeval redwood (or other tree of your choosing). You are sturdy and confident. You are part of the earth, yet distinct from it. Your roots go down deep into the earth and all excess "nervous" energy, tension and stress flow down your roots and seep harmlessly into the earth, where the loving earth accepts and is nourished by it. In return the earth sends back calming nutrients, stability, and ancient serenity. You are an ancient tree, your roots go deep into the ground. You have been here before humans walked this area, you have seen so much. You have seen most of your old comrades die, be struck by lighting, be chopped own to build for the people, but you withstand. As you stand there, you think about the rings within your mighty trunk. The ones just inside your bark remind you of last spring's rain. The thin inside that of the cold year when you didn't grow so much. Continue to work inward until you reach the center rings, those rings of dark wood at your core that represent the inner you, your heart, your oldest part. Breath from that part. Suck the air in through all the rings to that central core. Feel your life force gather and recharge in you center. Pull it back from the outermost limbs where the growth may be unbalanced. Feel the sap brimming in your core. Once you feel totally charged, let it go and it will course through you, back out energizing you, but at your center is still the central heart of your energy, calm, full and ready for anything.
Grounding and Centering #2 Face East and center yourself. "I am grounded in the center of my being." Visualise energy of below. "I am supported by the powers of below." Visualise the God/Goddess of above. "I am guided by the powers of above." Visualise the unity of self with center above and below. "I am balanced in the axis of my being." Extend your hand to the East. Visualise and make contact with the powers of the elemental forces. Visualise clarity. "I am inspired by the powers of Air." Visualise purifying/transforming. "I am enlightened by the powers of Fire." Visualise healing/cleansing. "I am renewed by the powers of Water." Visualise nurturing/stability. "I am nurtured by the powers of Earth." Establish the balance of axis and elements. Feel this to be true. "The forces are in balance within me and about me." Feel the Sphere of the Circle. "The Sphere is placed." Feel the Cube of the Temple within the Sphere. "The Temple is established." Feel the Temple within yourself. "I am the Temple."
Scents and Oils It has long been one of man's beliefs that different scents effect us on many levels including the spiritual One of the main reasons for perfumes and colognes is this belief.
APPLE: Peace of mind, relaxation, love, wisdom. The Money Tree Spell You will need: Green candle annointed with pine oil Sweet basil (1tbsp of basil in right hand) Pine incense (Pass the basil over the altar candles and the green candle and incense 3 times and sprinkle basil around the green candle.) Green silk pouch White altar candles annointed with sandalwood oil 5 pennies, 4 old, 1 new Salt Water Orange candle annointed with basil oil Parchment On a waxing moon, set the altar in the east of yoru circle. This will need to be left up for a full waxing cycle. You will need easy access to a door. Take a new penny in your hand, Circle the altar deosil and say: "Bring to me what I see By thy power, Hecate." Spin rapidly deosil and go outside and toss the new penny in the air. Wherever it lands, bury all 5 pennies, saying: "I give thee money - Hecate Return to me prosperity. I give thee five Return by three As I will So mote it be." Return to your altar and snuff out the candles. Next week, at the same day and time, return to your altar with your talisman bag and the parchment. Light the orange candle. Visualize money flowing onto the altar. Unearth the coins and bring them to the altar. Wash them in the chalice water to purify them. Pass them through the incense smoke and the fire from the orange candle. Place each coin in the talisman pouch, old coins first. Add nine pieces of rock salt, close the mouth of the talisman pouch and face east and say: "Bring to me what I see By thy power Hecate. Altar power Must it be Earth and Air Fire and Sea Bring to me What I see By thy power Hecate." Place the bag inside your clothing and wear it every day for 7 days. Leave it on your altar every night visualizing prosperity. On the 7th day, hide it in the eastern portion of your house. A Tree Spell When you have found a tree to work magick with, take a large leaf, a charcoal tipped stick, a piece of flexible vine or natural-fiber cord, and a dime to the tree. Sitting beneath it, write or draw a symbol of your need with the charcoal. Rise and walk 9 times around the tree deosil(clockwise), saying the following or similar words: "Ancient one of the ancient Earth, Older than time can tell, Grant me the power at your command, To charge my magic spell." Repeat as often as necessary until you have walked 9 times around. When finished, tie the leaf around the trunk as tightly as you can with the vine. If this isn't possible, find a branch. When you are sure that the leaf is secure, take the dime and bury it at the foot of the tree in the Earth in payment for it's help. Now leave the area and let the tree do its work. To Break A Bad Habit Make a picture of yourself or the bad habit on a leaf or piece of bark. Take it to a proper tree and bury it at its roots. Place an offering to the tree in the hole with the leaf/bark and cover it up. Pour some water onto the spot and it's done. To Divine the Future Lie beneath leafy trees and relax, gazing up into the ever-shifting canopy of green above you. Watch the random patterns formed by the wind's gentle lifting and pushing of the leaves. This should drowse you to a state where you open up psychically and receive messages concerning questions you have. The Magickal Powers of Trees Almond: divination, clairvoyance, wisdom, money, loans, business Apple: healing, prosperity, love, perpetual youth Apricot:love Aspen:protection Birch:protection, purification, fertility, new beginnings Cedar:prosperity, longevity Coconut:purity, chasity, healing Cypress:past life workings, protection Elder:healing, protection, prosperity Elm:protection Eucalyptus:healing Fig:fertility, strength, health Hawthorn:cleansing, marriage, love, protection Hazel:divination, marriage, protection, reconciliation Hemlock:Not recommended for use Juniper:protection Lemon:divination, healing, chasity, neutrality Lime:same as Lemon Linden:protection Maple:divination, love Mulberry:knowledge, divination, wisdom, The will Oak:healing, strength, money, longevity Olive:peace, fruitfulness, security, money, marriage, fidelity Orange:love, marriage Palm:strengthPeach:love, divination Pine:purification, health, fortune, fertility, prosperity Rowan:protection, strength Walnut:protection, healing Willow:healing, protection, enchantments, wishing, easy delivery of babies Yew: Not recommended for use Purifying Emotions This spell may be performed on any evening during a waning moon. Place these elements in front of you: a white candle a bowl of water a bowl of salt dried sage in a vessel in which it can be burned SAY ALOUD: "I gather these elements to cleanse any toxicity that May cloud my ability to be in the flow of this cycle. I release negativity in my fire." (Wave your hand over or through the flame)
"I release blockages in my earth"
"I clear my own air"
"And I purify my water"
"I ask that this release be gentle. The Fires of Justice Candle Spell The Fires of Justice: Someone do something EXCEEDINGLY horrible and you feel they should be held responsible for their actions in a Just way, this spell is what is needed. However, assure your slate is clean because you too shall be held responsible for your own actions: What you need: Red Candle. What to do: Set the candle on a table and light it. Let it burn for a few moments. Gaze into it and relax. Now begin to think of what the person did that was horrible, try not to attach any emotion to it. Think about it for five minutes while gazing into the flame (blink normally). After five minutes of thought recite this charm with confidence and clarity:
"Fires of Justice Mental Healing You should use mental healing for stress. It is helpful for focusing yourself on a single task and relieving tension. It may also help with headaches and other tension related symptoms. It is simple and involves mostly relaxing techniques. First, prepare a bath of warm water. To this bath addone part sage, two parts lavender, one part cinnemon, and one part rosemary; just enough to have pleasent scent. Imerse yourself in the water. Feel the tension from your body and mind flow into the water.When you are imersed in the water, relax into a trance-like state. Feel your positive energy flow through your body. You should feel your energy magnified by the water. Sit in the water until it is no longer comfortable or cold. When you get out of the tub, you leave your tension and stress in the water. As the water washes down the drain, so does your stress.When you get out of the tub you should feel relaxed and positively energized. If you still feel tension, try a self purification. A Spell for Easing Grief or Sadness You Need: Any memorabilia which tends to powerfully evoke th sadness: letters, pictures, gifts, etc; and an object which reminds you of some upcoming event which is likely to bring you pleasure(it can be a holiday month in the future, for example), blankets or pillows. Sit while holding the memorabila, and allow the feelings to come freely. Say aloud why you are sad. It's okay to cry, yell, or pound. Find a key phrase that expresses your grief and say it out loud, over and over. Now visualize yourself being held closely in the Mother Goddess, who rocks and comforts you. Swathe yourself in the blankets and pillows, and rock gently back and forth as you feel Her warm embrace. After awhile, look at the memorabilia again, and recall that in the circle, all time is now. What you once had, you always have in your heart, as long as you don't shut it out. What you were given was real, and helped mold your life, and can never be taken away as long as you remember and cherish it. Remember the good times, and when you are ready, thank the Lady reminds that you had them. Now bring out the object that reminds you of the coming event: a visit to a favorite friend or relative, a special holiday, or a conference that should be exciting. Remind yourself that life goes on, that is still much to look forward to: this is only a tiny sample of the good times ahead for you. Ask Her to heal your pain. Open the circle, and go visit a friend. Spell for Depression You Need: 3 black candles 3 white candles cedar chips, rose petals, catnip, cinnamon
Go outside, somewhere where you can feel the air, and open a circle.
Kneel in the middle of the circle facing east. Place the candles in a
semicircle in front of you, and light each one. On a fire proof
plate, start a small fire of cedar chops. Sprinkle the rose petals,
catnip and cinnamon in the fire white saying:
When the fire dies down, splash a little blessed water on the fire.
Take the wet ashes and throw them as far from you as you can and say: Thank the elements for hearing you, and close the circle. 12 Steps for Pagans In Recovery (by Selena Fox) Step 1. We recognize that we have given away our personal power by addiction to substances, that this has resulted in dysfunctional living, and that it is time to begin reclaiming our power and restoring balance to ourselves and our lives. Step 2. Came to acknowledge that the Divine Power within can bring about healing change and harmony. Step 3. Chose to allow the Divine within of our own spiritual path to be the central guiding force in ourselves and our lives. Step 4. Examined ourselves deeply and honestly on all dimensions -- physically, mentally, behaviorally, emotionally, and spiritually. Step 5. Acknowledged to the Divine, to our egos, and to at least one ally what is unhealthy and unbalanced in our bodies, thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and souls. Step 6. Were ready for the Divine within to work transformation to restore balance to ourselves and our lives. Step 7. Sincerely invited the Divine within to dispel barriers to change and to facilitate transformation. Step 8. Made a list of all beings we have harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Step 9. Made direct amends to such beings as much as possible, except when to do so would cause harm to them or others or make a difficult situation worse. Step 10. Continued our process of self-examination, acknowledging our strengths as well as our problems, and promptly acknowledging our mistakes and our successes when they occurred. Step 11. Sought through spiritual activities to strengthen our relationship with the Divine within and to allow this dimension of ourselves to be the guiding force in our lives. Step 12. Having had a spiritual rebirth as a result of this process of healing transformation, we continue our work with these principles and are willing to share our story with those who come to us in need. Spell for Overdue Baby You will need: 1 orange candle A small bell or gong Facing East at Sunrise light an orange candle (for release and success and the colour of the womb chakra)Strike the gong/bell three times and say: "By the power of Three Bring forth this life that is ripe within me." Strike the gong/bell three times again and snuff the candle. Do this every morning until the baby comes (which won't be long!) Drink raspberry leaf tea throughout the day (Check with your doctor first). As you drink the tea visualise your womb a vibrant orange. Use clary sage oil in an oil burner and apply diluted three drops to one teaspoon jojoba oil on stomach. --->PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST AS CLARY SAGE IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING PREGNANCY BUT CAN HELP EASE LABOUR.<--- Pregnancy Spell #1 Light candles the color according to each direction. Say at each direction: "To you my child, my body is open To you my child, my mind is open To you my child, my heart is open By Earth, Fire, Wind and Sea, In to my arms you will be." Now spend some time visualizing your child and their safe delivery. It is best to do this spell during the full moon. Blessing for an Infant "Goddess, Bless my child with strength, Goddess, bless my child with good and calm. Protect him from harm, defend him, Break all spears that counter him. Uphold his strength and purpose, Give him good and Goddess, gladness in his world." Blessing for a Child "Light, be blessing on my child, Bring her ease and peace and grace Let her burdens fall away, Let her keep untroubled peace Bring her every lovely truth Bring her every heart-whole charm Bless her in her pride and youth And protect her from all harm." Pagan Baptism (short version) Anoint the child with oil and say: "I anoint thy feet, which have brought thee in our ways, I anoint thy hands, for they may work for what is right and true. I anoint thy heart, may it beat in love and strength. I anoint thy lips, that they may speak no evil and give forth truth. I anoint thy brow that thy mind shall seek the wisdom of enlightenment."
The mother now addresses the goddess:
The father takes the child and says:
The parents say together: Dangerous Herbs If you are pregnant, DO NOT USE any of the following herbs for any reason. Many can cause early contractions, birth defects, and even miscarriage. Make sure you check and see what herbs food and drinks contain before ingesting them. Check with your doctor or a herbalist if possible as well.
Angelica And now, herbs that EVERYONE should be weary of. Some can be used in small doses. Note that if you are allergic to any herbs regardless of whether it is on this list, avoid it.
Angelica Gardening by the Moon Long ago our ancestors gardened by certain natural "signs". One of these signs was the moon and its different phases. Many call these practices `Old Wives Tales' but some swear by them and refuse to plant any other way. After all, generation after generation, and many different cultures have been using moon signs to tell them what to plant and when, so there must be something to it. As a general rule, activities associated with growing, planting and propagation are best done as the moon is waxing or growing larger. Once the moon begins to wane or get smaller in the sky, activities should encompass anything besides growth. These activities can include pest control, pruning, weeding and tilling. From New Moon to Full Moon (when the moon is increasing), annuals that produce crops above the ground should be planted. From Full Moon to New Moon (when the moon is decreasing),biennial perennials, bulb and root plants should be planted. During the first quarter of the moon, plant annuals producing their crops above the ground, which are leafy and produce seed outside the fruit. Examples of this would be asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, onions, and spinach. Also, grains seem to do best when planted at this time. During the second quarter of the moon, plant annuals that produce crops above ground that vine and produce seed inside the fruit. This would include beans, eggplant, peas, peppers, squash,tomatoes and watermelon. During the third quarter of the moon, plant biennials, perennials, bulb and root plants. This would include crops planted in one season to winter over and produce next season. These would include berries, beets, carrots, onion sets, potatoes, radish, rhubarb, rutabaga, turnip, winter wheat and grapes. During the fourth quarter of the moon nothing should be planted. Instead dedicate this phase for cultivation, pulling weeds, insect control, etc. Most calendars have the phases of the moon printed on them. Watch the phases and try planting astrologically this coming season.
Spell to Heal a Pet Mix some healing oil, using: 6 drops Lavender oil 6 drops Camphor oil 6 drops Rosemary oil 1/2 ounce base oil (apricot kernel, jojoba, grapeseed, even olive oil) Annoint a black candle, a red candle and a brown candle with this healing oil. The black is for absorption of the negativity (the illness), the red is for strength and health, and the brown is an "astral" or "significator" candle for the animal. Place the brown candle between the black and red candles, and make a ring of stones around the set-up, using stones or crystals that you associate with healing (amethyst, quartz, agate...you choose whichever type or combination of types). Place some of the oil in your hands, and begin to rub them together, generating heat and energy. When you feel that you've built a small "bundle" of healing energy, place your hands on your pet, stroking it and giving it the healing energy you've built, making sure to concentrate on any areas where you feel or sense the illness. Focus on the candles, continuing to maintain contact with your pet, and visualize the strength from the red candle pouring into the brown candle, and pushing all the sickness into the black candle. Attune with the Goddess, and when you've got a good grip on the visualizations above (and the animal!), say:
"Goddess, with your healing touch Continue the stroking and energy flow until you feel that the spell is done, then allow the animal plenty of time to rest and heal. Obviously, if you wish to perform this spell in a cast circle, that's your choice. If you wish to continue the spell for a number of days (I'd suggest at least 3 days), and your pet has a special place where it rests or "lives" (such as a cage, etc.), ring this area, if possible, with the stones, place a red candle on one side of the area and a black candle on the other (annointed with the healing oil); focus on the red candle and project its energy into area with your pet, visualizing the illness being pushed out the other side, since there's no room for it, and into the black candle. Rub the oil onto your hands and stroke it into/onto the animal's body as often as you feel necessary. Festival of Lights In India, the goddess Lakshmi is much loved by the people, but has no separate cult of her own. She gave Indra the drink of soma (or wise blood) from her own body so he could produce the illusion of birth- giving and become king of the devas. She was born during the churning of the milk ocean. She is a deity of happiness, good health, success, love, good fortune, beauty, prosperity, and all the wealth of the world. Lakshmi's festival is called the Diwalii and honors this goddess as the wife of Vishnu. Hindu wives dance privately for their husbands during this festival; lamps are everywhere; good things to eat are produced. This is the Hindu New Year, a time of good luck and prosperity. Have as many candles as possible set around the circle. Play Indian music to set the atmosphere. If you have a statue of Lakshmi, put it on your altar. Burn lotus incense.
Press your palms together in prayer and bow, touching your fingertips
to your forehead. Say:
Listen for a few minutes to the music to get into its rhythm. Say:
Professional ability is not important. When the power is
sufficiently raised (you can tell by the feeling in the room), go
back to the altar and press your hands together. Bow and say:
Dancing goddess of the lights, Tree Magick: To Cure Backache Circle the tree nine times clockwise, asking it to ease your pain, using a chant such as this one:
"O great tree, O strong tree, Lay back against the tree's firm, solid trunk; press your back into the bark. Feel the tree absorbing the pain and your back releasing it into the tree. After a few minutes, rise and thank the tree by burying something precious at its foot. (taken from Earth Power by Scott Cunningham) CHECK OUT PAGE 3 of SPELLS!! More Spells! This Page was Last Updated: July 23, 2003 As always, read the DISCLAIMER. All spells are from various sources, friends, coven members, my own Book of Shadows, and other books. <--- Back to the Book of Shadows Page. <---Back to the Main Page. Copyright 2000-2006, Disclaimer. |