Glamour and Beauty Spell

November 25th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under My Book of Shadows |

Glamour and Beauty Spell

The best time to perform this spell is during the Full Moon, although, you can also do it on a Friday during the Waxing Moon.

Ingredients/Tools:
Bowl of spring water
Herbs for beauty, such as lavender and catnip
A white rose that has been separated from the stem
Mirror

A ritual bath or purification ritual is recommended before performing this spell to sort of ‘clean the slate’ and allow Magick to start anew.

Cast the circle and become calm and centered. Sit or stand facing the West. Pour the spring water into the bowl and hold it up to the Western corner. Say:

I hail to the West and the forces of Water. Hear and aid me in this Magick tonight. Grant me your beauty, Shape and form this face and body and let me radiate with self love. With harm towards none, and for the free will of all, So mote it be.

Set afloat the rose on top of the water and stir it with your fingers three times round in a clockwise motion. Take the flower out of the water and hold it in your hands. Say:

By the powers of the West, The forces of Water, I charge this flower with love. Beauty is here; it shines with the power. Beauty is here, Contained in this flower.

Keep the flower in a box along with catnip and/or lavender to remind you of your true beauty. If a friend or loved one needs the power of love and beauty, tell them the story of the rose you have blessed and give them the rose to continue it’s power.

I hope you enjoyed this spell, and I hope you see the true beauty with your hearts.

The Familiar

November 24th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Lore |

Non-Pagan history describes familiars as low-ranking demons in constant attention to Witches for the purpose of carrying out spells and bewitchments. Familiars usually assumed animal forms - cats, toads, owls, mice and dogs seem to have been the most common - though virtually any animal or insect could be suspected. In the Witchcraft Trials, if so much as a fly buzzed in the window while someone suspected of being a witch was being questioned or tried, it was said to be her (or his) familiar. The inquisitors took the Bile to heart: those who had familiars were “an abomination unto the Lord” and should be “Put to death: they shall stone them with stones: Their blood shall be upon them” (Lev. 20:27).

Familiars - also called imps - were said to be given to Witches by the Devil or bought or inherited from other Witches. A Witch could have several of them. Cats were the favored forms, especially black ones. The fear that all cats were Witches’ familiars was one of the primary reasons for the famous cat massacres that swept through medieval Europe.

Familiars were given names like any household pet, which most of them undoubtedly were. Perhaps the best known familiar name is Pyewackett, the monicker the Witch’s cat in the movie Bell, Book and Candle, and a name that dates back to Renaissance England. Pyewackett, Matthew Hopkins (the famous Witch hunter) stated, was a name “no mortal could invent.”

During the Witch hysteria of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the obsession with familiars was confined mostly to England and Scotland, where they are mentioned in numerous trial records, especially those related to Hopkins. The Witchcraft Act of 1604 made it a felony to “consult, convenant with, entertain, employ, feed, or reward any evil and wicked spirit to or for any intent or purpose.” But the Malleus Maleficarum (1486),the major Witch inquisitor’s handbook, offers no instructions concerning familiars in theinterrogation and trial of Witches. The book does acknowledge that an animal familiar “always works with the Witch in everything.”

Familiars are also thought to shapeshift. To change form whenever necessary to perform the will of the witch. Often working in unison the familiar was not only thought to be the right hand of the witch but also possessed equal power to that of its owner.

So, how does one pet get to become a familiar?

Many witches will tell you that there is a spell that can be cast to bind you to your pet to become your familiar and thus creatiung a bond that you and your familiar have and utilize to transfer energy to eachother. Other witches will insist that this goes against the wiccan rede and you can not make or cause an animal to become your familiar. I honestly believe that the wiccan rede does not apply to this. Why? Because the rede strictly states “harm none”, you are not harming your animal, you are empowering it. Still most witches view the familair spell to be a wonderful bonding experience. My personal opinion is that I do not think that familiars are created. I think a familiar is given to you by the Goddess. I do not think you can go to your local pet shop and pick out a kitten or a puppy and deem it your familiar. Again, this is my opinion only so take it how you wish. I think that the familiar will come to you when you are ready. It may be a cat, dog, tortoise, bird etc etc. I actually have a Tarantula. He was given to me a year ago. He came to the window screen to get out of the flooding rains I imagine. He stayed all day. I told myself if he is still there (undoubtedly homeless) at the end of the evening, I will take him in. He was, and he was hungry. I took him in. He has been with me for 2 years now. He provides a great amount of focus. He reminds me to take things slow and to relax and work cautiously and precicely.

There are many spells online to bond you to your familiar if that is what you truely wish to do. I do not possess this spell because I do not feel the need to utilize such a spell. Its up to you to decide if you want to posssibly ask for a familair or create one on your own. To me both ways are fine, I just chose to recieve one instead.

Item Concecrating/Charging

November 23rd, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under My Book of Shadows |

If you want to obtain the best results with your tools, it is best to concecrate them first then charge them. This is how:

Consecrate an Object
Light some incense, preferably myrrh or patchouli and a white candle. You will also need a bowl of water and one of salt. Take the item, cover it with salt, place your right hand over the bowl (unless your left handed, then use your left) and envision a white light leaving your palm and passing through the bowl, washing away all negative energies. Then say:
Blessed Lord and Lady, with salt and smoke I consecrate this tool in your name. Let it serve me well.
Remove the item from the salt, shaking off the salt as you do so, then pass it through the incense smoke, sprinkle it with water, then pass it through the candle flame. Your item is now consecrated.

Charge item
 Hold the item above your head. Take a moment to feel the swirls of energy around you. You should be able to feel them tug at you like a current in a river. In a clear voice, say:
Let the sacred powers of the universe unite and fill this (item name) with energy. By the Moon, the Sun, the Earth and the Stars I charge this (item name) to do my will. So Mote it Be!
Close your eyes and envision an energy bolt striking the item and causing it to glow. You should feel a subtle vibration while you hold the item. Your tool is now charged.

To place a spell on a piece of jewelry:

Jewelry Spell

Light a candle, use the color that pertains to the spell you are casting (love, protection, money, etc)

It’s easy to make any piece of jewelry you own into a powerful talisman. Choose your favorite ring, necklace, earrings, bracelet, or other jewelry item that you wear often. First, clean the item with whatever method is safest for that type of jewelry. If in doubt, use water and toothpaste. As you clean, imagine any negative energy associated with the item being cleared away. Next, charge the item by either allowing it to sit beneath the moonlight overnight, or simply visualize your specific need as you hold the item in your hand.
Finish by chanting:

My body this (item)
does adorn,
May it serve me well.
(Keep me from harm) <—if this is for protection
whenever it’s worn,
May it serve me well.

You may change the chant to reflect your will. For instance you can say “To keep negativity away” or even “To draw love to me”

I love worry stones!

November 21st, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Lore |

I have a bunch. All over my house! Seriously! I believe one in each room. I always carry one on me as well. If you see me, ask me to see my worry stone. I’ll show you! Today in my pocket I have a thick Rainbow Fluorite worry stone. I like the thick heavy ones when I’m most stressed (Who isnt’ this time of year?) cause I know I’m rubbing it like mad!

What is a worry stone? Wikipedia describes it as such:

Worry stones are smooth, polished gemstones in the shape of an oval with a thumb-sized indentation. They originated in Ancient Greece. Held between the index finger and thumb, rubbing them is believed to lessen one’s worries. This action is a type of stim which can often create feelings of calmness and reduce stress levels. They enjoyed relatively large popularity in the 1970s.

 

I rarely leave home without one. Normally I rub the cat when I’m stressed but, its not always fesable to carry my 14lb orange tabby in my pocket. Not only would it make him crabby, but hes a bit on the weighty side too. I’d be walking around leaning to one side. Not to mention the constant meows of dismay.

You can get worry stones in many diffrent shapes and sizes. You can get them in crystal form, stone form, polished wood, glazed ceramic and even lucite. I prefer the crystal ones because gazing into thier beauty just adds to the calming factor.  The best way to chose a worry stone is first of all, get to your nearest metaphysical shop. You can buy them online but, you don’t really get to touch them and see if they are the right feel. This is most important. Once you find the stones, choose the one that is made just for you! There are many sizes. Pick one up at a time, rub it and see if this is YOUR stone. If this was ment for YOUR thumb and forefinger. Does it fit nicely? Does it have the right kind of weight? Are you able to grasp it easily, does its stay put and comfortable in your hand? Above all, how do you feel when holding this stone? If you answered yes or just right, then congradulations, you’ve found your stone.

Tinkling of Wind Chimes

November 20th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under My Book of Shadows |

You may have heard it when you entered the blog. Its just a virtual wind chime. I LOVE wind chimes. I love the sweet tinkling sound, there is just something magical about wind chimes. Wind chimes even have a place in wicca, yes they do!

• Bells and wind chimes are used to remove negative energy from a room or sacred space. If you’ve ever been to a Catholic mass, you’ve seen them ring bells near the altar before beginning communion.
• Bells and wind chimes attract fairies especially when hung near an herb garden or flower bed.
• In feng shui, wind chimes bless your home with harmony, happiness and good fortune. Hang near your front door.

Try incorporating windchimes near your altar. It can also be used as a representation of the element air when creating an air altar or even your Ostara and Beltaine altar!

Off the record here….

November 19th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Updates |

I’m gonna talk a little bit about my views in the wiccan and some pagan communities.  Those of you with delicate minds and easily offended eyes/ears, please read no further and just skip this particular entry.  As courtesy, this is a heads up.

For those of you still here:

I’ve been wiccan for the accumulation of 20 years.  One thing that has been going on and still to this day is the amount of secrecy that goes on within the community.

Listen, I’m not going to out you to your boss about your religious preference, I’m not going to tell you that you need to come out of the broom closet to your friends and collegues. Thats for you and only for you to decide, if or when the time is  every right. I completely understand that some people can NOT come out because of the possible reprocussions to thier jobs and or way of life. We do live in a prodominately christian nation and trust me, I’ve gotten horrible looks from people when they notice my pentagram jewelry. I can sympathize.

What I’m talking about is those of us that are IN the community and how we treat others within our wiccan community.  Why all the secrecy? Why is it when someone asks for a simple charm or how to perform a spell, you all clam up? Its always the same ol’ “Uh, you need to figure that out for yourself.” THAT is what I’m talking about, THAT is TOTAL BS. When I’ve asked people about why they wont talk, or why they blatantly tell the other wiccans to pretty much, eff off when someone comes to them with a question, I get the same answer. “Because I dont want to be responsbile for what may happen” That my dear readers is a chicken sh*t answer. I dont care how you look at it, thats WRONG. If anyone comes to you in need of advice GIVE IT. Why are you withholding? They are WICCANS JUST LIKE YOU! I mean once you comit yourself to the goddess it does’t mean you’ve automaticly been granted with all of the knowledge in the universe and can now perform effecitve rituals, charms and spells, now does it? You know, you’ve been there! So you’re saying to yourself “They need to join a coven if they want answers” WRONG AGAIN! NO! Don’t you get it? This is a religion, not a secret society! This isn’t masonry!! If wiccans are seriously seeking help, then they are serious about thier religion and trust me, unless they are 12 years old, they are pretty responsible. The very first thing you learn is “Harm None” and the “Three Fold Law”. You are a wiccan, you shouldnt even be practicing anything negative or damaging to your karma. You should know better. So if they ask for negative advice, just say simply “I dont know how to curse someone, I dont practice that sort of magick” Thats all you have to say! You don’t have to be a jerk about it! If someone is being emotionally abused by their friends, boyfriend or family member, don’t say “I’m not going to tell you how to psychicly attack them, so go away” just say “Here, let me show you how to protect yourself”

How is this community going to flourish and grow and goddess forbid be ACCEPTED in general society If you all treat eachother like unworthy annoying peons?  Do you see christians doing this? Do you see christians withholding information from eachother?? Do you see the “I’m not going to tell you how pray cause I dont want to be responsible” No! Christians will sit right down with you, in the middle of a freaking shopping mall and talk to god right then and there. You know why? Because even though they are christans, they are still VERY MUCH supportive of eachother. And I can tell you why. Do you want to know? You ready for this? Because they trust in thier faith 110%. Do you?  If you did, you’d be supportive of anyone that came to you in need of guidance. I do! I mean I’ll show anyone how to do a ritual, make a poppet or even do some candle magick. I can do this because I am confidant, I trust in the goddess 110%. I know she takes care of me and mine.  I look around and see everything that she has provided me. Everything. The wood to build my house, the cotton to make my clothes, the cat that purrs in my lap.

People, listen. You need to stop disregarding eachother. Love eachother. LOVE. Love as the goddess loves you! Give a tarot or rune reading to someone, show them how to do it for themselves. I love doing tarot readings, i do not charge. ….don’t even get me started on that road. 

This blog exists for ME AND FOR YOU! This is for us. This is for us to learn, to grow and to become closer and more intune to ourselves and our universe. If I didnt care, I’d write this down in a personal journal or make this blog private. I do care. I care that you will grow and florish into the outstaning example of a wiccan that I know we all can be. To be accepted by all and to once and for all, show the world that “Witch” isn’t a bad thing, that we are smart, good, helpful, caring individuals with hearts of gold. That everything we do, everything we practice is to make ourselves live more fully and to make our world a friendlier more loving place to be. Love eachother! Grow together!

Fluorite

November 19th, 2008 | → Leave Comment Filed under Lore |

Formerly called fluorspar, fluorite has a wide range of colors including yellow, blue, pink purple and green. It is an interesting and beautiful stone because often more than one color occurs in a single stone. The ancient Egyptians used flourite to carve statues and scarabs, the Chinese have used it in carvings for over 300 years. In the 18th century, fluorite was powdered in water to relieve the symptoms of kidney disease.

Fluorite is said to absorb and neutralize negative vibrations. It makes one more receptive to the vibrations of other stones. Fluorite should be kept in every room of the home. Fluorite is known as the “Genius Stone”.

*increases concentration
*helps in decision-making

Healing properties of Fluorite

Fluorite may be used with other stones. It helps to open the way for the power of other stones to be effective. It can be used as a meditation stone to help energize the body and raise the power of concentration.

Healers use it to help with ulcers as well as the respiratory tract by stimulating cell regeneration in these areas. It fortifies bones, improves arthritic or other joint ailments. It can be laid directly on the body.