New Year's Purification Bath

As hectic as my life has been, I have tried to keep some magickal things going. The main one was a purification bath I set up on January 1st. 2016 was a disaster on multiple levels, and I knew I wanted to come out of that making 2017 a much better year. This was my first step toward doing so.

I started by collecting bath supplies to represent each of the four elements. I used bath salts for earth, a bath bomb for air (because it's fizzy and makes air bubbles), and some bath confetti for fire; it was pink and heart-shaped, so it seemed to convey the idea of fire's emotional passion. For water, I used a very special ingredient. Back in 2015 when there was that major Super Blood Moon Eclipse event, I charged a bottle of water in the moon's energy, focusing on capturing its qualities of profound transformation. I had never used any of it, wanting to save it for particularly significant moments, but I don't know that I can think of a time that has needed more transformational power than 2016 going into 2017, so I poured some of my Blood Moon Eclipse Water into the bath as well.

As always, these ingredients are just things that I used. I had all of them on hand, and did not go out of my way to source anything. Feel free to make substitutions as you like - other bath products, herbs, crystals, whatever works for you. If you don't have your own Eclipse Water, substitutions there are also perfectly acceptable. You could use Storm Water, if you have some, or just empower the water that's already in the tub.

Once I had my ingredients together, I ran the bath water, and then added everything, invoking each element as I did so. I used a small lamp for mood lighting rather than the overhead, and then took my bath! I also find that it's helpful to shower after doing something like that, to make sure that all the soap is out of my hair, but in terms of set-up, it's quite simple. My only other note would be to then thank the elements once the bath is concluded.

July 18th, 2015

I finished reading one of my books from the thrift store today, collected some herbs from our garden, and cleaned out the big, previously very messy, space under my bed. In other words, it's been a productive Saturday, in spite of the brutal heat, humidity, and occasional torrential downpour.

Title: Power of the Witch: the Earth, the Moon, and the Magical Path to Enlightenment

Author: Laurie Cabot

©1989

Laurie Cabot is one of the closest things American witchcraft has to a celebrity. She is Salem's official witch, and has appeared on multiple television shows as a result of this fact. She is also known for always wearing robes and a pentacle in public. As a result of her national presence, her book was naturally quite successful when it was published.

My feelings on it are mixed. On the one hand, it was popular in its time, which means it influenced development of the Craft and as such is important for putting our community's emergence into a historical context. On the other hand, it is now two-and-a-half decades out of date, and definitely reads as such.

There were two major problems I had with this text: first, the language is extremely rooted in the gender binary. The phrases "men and women", "opposite gender", etc. both appear frequently, as does the assumption that only people who identify as female experience menstruation and related bodily functions. While I recognize that even today this is a common mistake made by plenty of people, I could see it being potentially very triggering for people who are transgender, nonbinary, or etc. She does clarify later that absolute male and female are only theoretical extremes on the ends of a spectrum, but that doesn't make up for the rest of the exclusionary language. Also, and this may be due to the age of the book and changes in terminology since then, but I'm reasonably sure that she equated being bisexual with being bigender, which is obviously incorrect.

The other thing I took particular issue with was more of a community problem. Cabot uses "witch" and "Wiccan" interchangeably, even though the two are fundamentally different concepts. Also, while she does use the word "Pagan" on occasion, she mentions no other branch of Paganism besides Wicca. To be fair, she does at least acknowledge that there can be witches belonging to other religions (e.g. Christian witches, Jewish witches, etc.), which I was glad to see, as that is often overlooked.

With my two largest criticisms out of the way, here are a few of the things I liked. Her account of the early history of original European Paganism wasn't perfect by any means, but it was better than a lot that I've read, especially considering when it was written. The first fifth of the book was a bit of a throw-away in my opinion, but it improved steadily from there.

She also shares many of her personal experiences in the Craft, which I always find an interesting read. Some of her narrative comes from her coven's rituals, while other parts are drawn from workshops she's taught, or from things she's experienced with her family.

Then near the end of the book, she actually gets to sharing how-to pieces of Craft info, in addition to more theoretical content. She provides several meditation sequences which I liked, as well as a lot of spells. Most of these contained oils and herbs which I don't have easy access to, but other people might find them useful. Additionally, she provides a sample altar set up, as well as ways to cast a circle or charge objects.

Overall, this wasn't the sort of thing I'd recommend rushing to the store to purchase, but for an 89¢ find at the thrift shop, I think it was worth it. 

July 11th, 2015

It occurred to me after posting my spell instructions yesterday that I had actually left out a rather important piece of information: what to do with the poppet once your spell has manifested. As such, here's a quick post-script to go along with that.

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After your spell comes to fruition, you should generally dispose of the poppet. It is important to do this safely and respectfully.

Materials:

• Scissors
• White cloth (optional)
• Pendulum (optional)
• Shovel
• A patch of dirt

First, untie or cut the thread holding the poppet against the picture. As you do so, state that the bond between person and poppet is broken. I liked the rhyme from this site, so I used a similar version:

"By moon and stars

And Goddess above

This link is now severed

With blessings and love."

Then, take apart each individual element of the poppet in the reverse order from how you made it. In my case, I removed the yarn "hair", cut open the side seam and removed the stuffing, and then undid the rest of the seaming and turned the material back wrong-side out. As you disassemble it, place the pieces on the white cloth to make them easier to transport later.

For good measure, I next recited this verse from Silver Ravenwolf's* Solitary Witch:

"The future has come, my desire was granted,

Your work is now finished, no longer enchanted.

Air will disperse and fire combust,

Water joins Spirit, earth turns to dust.

Though you must depart,

Your gifts shall remain

Blessings upon you in Goddess' name."

At this time, because I was feeling a little paranoid, I used my pendulum to check that all traces of residual energy had been dispersed from the materials. This step is unnecessary if you are comfortable with your work.

 

Pick up the cloth and carry it outside, or to wherever your dirt is. Since this was a sort of binding spell, as opposed to a banishing one, I chose to bury it on our property. Dig a small hole, remove the materials from the cloth, and bury them in the hole.

The poppet has been disposed of.

*Yes, I understand that Ravenwolf is a highly problematic source. Most of the complaints against her work are entirely valid. That, however, is a discussion for another post. I like the verbal flow of some of her verses, so I use them. If you are uncomfortable doing so, that is entirely your prerogative. Feel free to substitute that step with something else.

July 10th, 2015

My spell from yesterday manifested, so now I'm happy to share it with you all. I made a lot of it up on the fly, but it worked out even better than I had hoped! This was my first time trying a poppet spell, but I had read a lot about them and felt comfortable with the idea.

This spell was specifically geared towards helping my girlfriend get her hair cut how she wanted it, but could be easily adapted to any spell where the desire is to manifest a physical change in one's appearance. As such, it is not a glamour spell - this one is to change your appearance, not to change other people's perception of it. You can do it for yourself or for others, but the instructions here are written in the style of doing it for another person.

Because poppets are a particularly potent form of magick, I was careful to fully cleanse and consecrate my work space before even casting a circle. If you are experienced in poppet magick, then feel free to work at your own discretion. If you, like me, are new to the concept, cleansing the surrounding area with the elements is a good place to start. Without further ado...

~~~~~
Hummingbird's "Changing Your Look" Poppet Spell

Materials: 

• Fabric scrap
• Should represent the person in some way; it could be their skin color, favorite color, a scrap from an old shirt of theirs, or etc.
• Marker
• Gingerbread cookie cutter (optional)
• Needle
• Black thread
• Stuffing material
• Cotton balls work well for this
• Lavender (optional)
• Slip of paper
• Scissors
• Something to represent how the person looks now and how they want to look
• In my case, this was brown yarn for hair. 
• A picture of the person

Cast a circle. If you so choose, you can invoke a deity or deities at this time. Fold the fabric scrap in half and draw the poppet shape on it, either by outlining the cookie cutter or by free-handing a basic human figure. Sew about 3/4 of the way along the outline, leaving the last section open. As you do so, you might recite a chant of your choice. I used Starhawk's classic Kore Chant, since it is literally about changes. 

Carefully cut out around the poppet shape and turn it right-side out. Stuff it with cotton, and if you wish, add some lavender to ease any frustration or anxiety associated with making the change. Also, write the individual's name on the slip of paper and stick it inside the poppet*. Then, finish sewing the remainder of the poppet closed and tie off the thread.

At this point, you should add whatever decoration you're using to represent the person's current appearance. In my case, I sewed on several lengths of yarn to show my girlfriend's hair at its original length. Then, stating your intent out loud, ritualistically alter the appearance of the poppet to show the desired look. I did this by cutting the yarn into the hairstyle she wanted.

Finish up by tying the poppet to the image of the person and stating out loud that they are now bound together.

Thank any deities or spirits you have called, and release the circle.

To dispose of the poppet after the spell manifests, see this post.

*In this case, the paper is the taglock. Therefore, you're best off using the person's full name. Alternatives include adding a lock of hair, fingernail clippings, or etc. but unless you are doing the spell for yourself, these can be hard to come by. A second, small photo of the person would also suffice.

June 11th, 2015

I meant to make this post yesterday, but I couldn't for the life of me remember what I wanted to talk about until like 11:00 last night, so obviously that didn't happen.

Purchase from Silver Bonsai

I've been interested in the concept of threshold magick for quite some time, but it was brought back to my attention earlier this week while skimming through Scott Cunningham's The Magical Household. He has a section dedicated solely to the role of the threshold, and what it can mean to the magickal practitioner.

There is an old belief that spirits cannot enter a place unless they are invited, and this is the real point of the threshold as a magickal construction. When one casts a circle, one is establishing a temporary threshold, and as such must then carefully invite in those spirits or other powers which one is working with. The physical doorway acts similarly; doubtless, you've heard stories about vampires or other entities which cannot enter a home until they are asked.

What separates a house's threshold from, say, the doorway into Super Target? I was reminded of a quote from The Dresden Files: Summer Knight. (For those who haven't read the books, a summary; Harry Dresden works as a wizard in downtown Chicago, helping the CPD with supernatural murder cases, and etc. Quasi-Pagan, film noir, and urban fantasy style. Kind of great. I definitely recommend it.) The quote goes like this:

I stepped across her threshold. Something tugged at me as I did, an intangible, invisible energy. It slowed me down a little, and I had to make an effort to push through it. That's what a threshold is like. One like it surrounds every home, a field of energy that keeps out unwanted magical forces. Some places have more of a threshold than others. My apartment for example didn't have much of a threshold - it's a bachelor pad, and whatever domestic energy is responsible for such things doesn't seem to settle down as well in rental spaces and lone dwellings. Murphy's house had a heavy field surrounding it; it had history. It was a home, not just a place to live. 

-Jim Butcher, Summer Knight, ch. 7

Personally, I disagree with the sentiment that rented spaces do not have strong thresholds, but really believe that it comes down to the last statement - in order to have a strong threshold, a place needs to be a home, not just a place where one stays, transiently. This is, in my opinion, the key difference between the thresholds of public and private spaces. In a store, a museum, or etc., the theory is that anyone is welcome, and as such, very little boundary exists. That being said, a case could be made for places like expensive stores, fine restaurants, or etc. - that feeling of unease one gets upon entering may well be a result of crossing a threshold where one is not wholly welcome. Even though the space is technically public, it still caters to a specific clientele and is really only trying to invite them in. 

 Regardless of the semantics of public boundaries, in a home, we consciously and unconsciously project a desire for privacy and exclusivity, and this carries over to the energy of the place. If one were renting a place longer than the short term (say, more than a couple months), I see no reason why the same kind of barriers and protections couldn't be readily established.

As a young adult living at home, I recognize that our house has a main threshold, of course, but other zones have them, too. In open areas, like the living room, the boundary is shaky and not very defined. However, my own room has a much stronger threshold. I keep a very clear division between my space and everyone else's, and even if the rest of my family doesn't know anything about magick, they sure know that this space is mine, and mine alone.

If your concern is that your boundaries may not be strong enough, and you would like to lend more power to the sanctity of your living space, consider some of these ideas.

• Establishing wards is one way to get the ball rolling, by deliberately marking out one's territory on the astral and calling powers to defend it. 
• Redecorate. Get rid of clutter and objects you have no use for or connection to. Try to have the bulk of your furnishings be ones which you, personally, enjoy. 
• Cleanse. It's one thing to leave the energies of, say, a family heirloom intact, but if you're buying anything, especially secondhand, and all the more so if you plan to use it for magick, it's always a good idea to erase the energy imprint of old owners and replace it with your own. 
• Care for your home. Whether it's a city studio apartment or a fixer-upper in the country, be proud of your place. 

The next suggestions for threshold enhancements come paraphrased from Cunningham's book

• Hanging a gourd outside on both sides of a door prevents negativity from entering
• Chalk a circle on the door to stop ghosts from entering (do not use if you like ghosts)
• Dill and garlic both have protective qualities; hanging them near the door will stop ill-disposed people from entering
• A bag of salt or bells hung on the doorknob will stop negative spirits (see also: these amulets)
• A blue door repels evil, as does leaving two crossed needles under the mat
• Ferns, lilies, marigolds, and juniper can all be grown around the door in beds or pots for added protective benefits
• There's no end to what can be done with keys. Any number of protective spells have been devised employing them

September 26th, 2014

I was reading through some things on Tumblr earlier this evening, and I noticed a few things. We are all constantly bombarded online, on TV, in newspapers, and in nearly every other form of media with a constant stream of stories about war, poverty, abuse, and environmental degradation, so much so that we begin to be afflicted by this miasma of anxiety and a sense of paralysis where the future of our society is concerned. At times, the daily injustices feel truly overwhelming. What these articles too often gloss over is the fact that we are not powerless. We do not have to wait for an ineffective government entity to get their adjectives together to make a difference.
There is a line which crops up with relative frequency in Pagan circles, whether it be in music or literature or ritual. "We are the people. We are the power. And we are the change."
Pagans and all the multifarious derivatives thereof are in a unique position to advocate and to manifest change in our lives.
We are the people.
If not us, then who? Pagans represent people of all genders, sexual and romantic orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds, races, levels of physical and mental ability, religious upbringings, and geographic locations; we are quite probably members of one of the most diverse collections of religion in the world. If we will not advocate for equality between people, then who will? We all have suffered from prejudice in one way or another, and all too often we face many kinds of intolerance, for Pagans rarely fit the square peg of the traditional American (or European or Asian or African or etc.) lifestyle. It is in our hands to lessen that prejudice and to break down barriers. We may not always be able to alter people's minds where we ourselves are concerned, but we can absolutely stand up for the rights of others in our communities. If someone makes an offensive joke, call them out. If a person is getting picked on for who they are, help. You, you personally, as you are reading this, have that power.
We are the power.
Go back and reread that as many times as you need to. We are the power, and power is us. We work magick and enact rituals all the time. Who says rituals must be small? Who says that our power is finite, that we cannot stretch ourselves to the ends of the universe and back? I do not expect to do one spell and solve global warming. But I do expect that I can do a spell to solve global warming and know that my energies are going to further that cause. And if everyone does a similar spell of their own, think how much energy could be raised! Do big spells. Do little spells. Change the world one enchantment at a time. Bind and banish perpetrators of sexual assault and domestic abuse. Protect the victims. Do a finding spell to call home your neighbor's lost kitten. Enact a ritual to draw abundance into your whole community.
We are the change.
End of story. Remember that, when the negativity seems too dense. Through our efforts, magickal and mundane, we will and do change the world around us every day.

December 23rd, 2013

It is bitterly cold outside - I had trouble getting the car started after work! Yikes! Yule is past, but if you're bundled up indoors and looking for a project, here's a great one to put together this holiday season:

Yule Seed Amulets

The legend goes much like this: malevolent spirits are just that - malevolent. And on the solstices, like Samhain, the veil separating the Otherworld from ours is much thinner than its usual. These Astral nasties may choose to come bother we mortals with a string of bad luck. Fortunately for us, lesser spirits of this variety have a few consistent weaknesses. For one, they abhor salt. For another, they tend to be a bit OCD. By mixing salt and protective herbs in a small jar, any spirit of ill intent passing by it will be forced to sit and count the jar's contents, keeping them from making mischief until they leave at sun-up.
Making yourself one of these amulets is a fun, easy way to keep your home clear of negativity - moreover, the kids will get a kick out of putting them together, too. Once finished, hang the completed jar on doors, set on the porch, or hide in other creative places around the home. They also make great gifts.

Supplies:

• Glass jar of desired size
• Tightly fitting lid for the jar
• Yarn, ribbon, twine, or thread
• Salt
• Enough protective herbs to mostly fill the jar (examples include...)
• Anise
• Basil
• Bayleaf
• Belladonna
• Black pepper
• Chamomile
• Chives
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Comfrey
• Fennel
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Lime
• Mint
• Nutmeg
• Willow
• Other decorations (optional)

To Make:
Pour a layer of salt into the bottom of the jar. Then add herbs until it is full.
Seeds are the best option, although in the case of cinnamon, ginger, and other like spices, a ground powder may be better. Whole or crumbled leaves can also be used as desired. Just remember that the goal is to give our less pleasant visitors something to count, so definitely include at least one ingredient that is small in size. The herbs listed above are just ideas - you only need to use one variety, and may certainly employ something not on my list. Including layers or mixtures of different herbs might make the amulet prettier. Even glitter can be added - this is an especially good option for a jar going in a child's room. Once you have the contents to your liking, screw on the lid tightly and if it is meant to hang on, above, or next to a door tie on a piece of yarn or ribbon. Other decorations may be added as desired - a small pentacle charm, for example, or other carving of a protective symbol. Sigils of protection can also be drawn or painted right onto the glass.

 

This larger jar might get set among the flowerpots or next to the stoop.

January 15th, 2013

Eek, it's finals week! I've got tests Wednesday through Friday, and although for the most part I'm feeling pretty confident, I have had some trouble the past two nights getting to sleep and staying asleep, and then even once my brainwaves have slowed down to a sleeping state, I keep having nightmares. As such, I've decided to make and empower a sleep sachet, and call upon the Baku, a Japanese Shinto spirit who eats nightmares and turns them into happiness and good fortune.

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Baku's Sleep Sachet

• A piece of blue or purple cloth, at least 4" X 4"
• Scissors
• Ribbon, possibly matching the color of the cloth
• Rosemary (dream recall)
• Lavender (peaceful sleep)
• Tumbled Agate, Amethyst, and/or Geode
• White slip of paper
• Pen

First, cut the cloth into a square if (like me) you just grabbed a weirdly-shaped fabric scrap because it was on hand. Remember, keep it at least four inches on each side!  Then, using the scissors or another, similar implement, make holes around the fabric's edge, spacing them evenly. This way, the cloth can be turned into a draw-string pouch later. In Circle, cleanse, consecrate, and empower all the supplies. You might recite an empowering invocation that draws on the associated powers of the herbs, and stones, for example, asking for protection from night terrors while bestowing kind, insightful dreams and restful sleep. Place the herbs and stones in the center of the fabric. Then, on the slip of paper, write the following, three times: "ばく, 食べて ください." This is Japanese for "Eat it, Baku!", the spirit's traditional invocation. If desired, say the invocation out loud as it is written. The Japanese phrase is pronounced "Baku, tabete kudasai." Next, roll up the paper and put it in the center of the cloth, also. Thread the ribbon through the holes cut previously, and draw tightly closed. Then say a final blessing over the pouch, perhaps holding it in your hand: "Through this cloth, magick seeps to bring me a good night of sleep, and dreams that come be peaceful and kind, remembered tomorrow in my waking mind.". The sleep sachet is done. To use, just set it either under your pillow or next to your bed. Sweet dreams!

August 19th, 2012

So many exciting things to write about today. First of all, Hazelnut will be coming for a visit on Tuesday, before we're both back to school the day after. Summer went by so quickly.
I also started my first official job today, working as a page/book shelver at the local public library. I'm still not sure how that's going to play into my busy schedule, but it'll work out somehow.
On a more magickal note, I've been interested in the local flora ever since a presentation I saw last week on edible wild plants. Not only is harvesting wild edibles an interesting task from a culinary perspective, being able to identify natural growing herbs and flowers can be most useful in creating one's spells. It seems to me that it makes the most sense to work with what grows around you, naturally, rather than some dried flower shipped here from the other side of the planet. The energy just isn't the same. I'd like to get a real field guide, but in the meantime I'm making do with an app on my phone, called NatureGate. It allows you to look at a wild plant and choose from a wide variety of characteristics that describe it. Then, it calculates the potential species of what you're looking at, based on what you specify. It's a neat idea, but I'm not sure how useful it will be for me; it's based in Finland. Still, it says that many of the species are found worldwide, so we'll see.

August 11th, 2012

I'm looking at an exciting upcoming week to round off my summer vacation - tomorrow my mom, Ben, and I are all heading to our grandparents' house for a few days (Nick is there already). Then, rather than just coming home, we'll be with my Aunt C and her friend Leah until Friday. I should still be able to update my blog, though. By way of interest, I will be taking my travel altar, but I'm not sure how much of an opportunity my grandparents are going to give me to use it, as I'm not openly Pagan with them and would like to avoid awkward questions. The stone-o'-the-day is Bloodstone, which is rather appropriate, as I've been working with it today and yesterday.

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 Bloodstone

Physical Characteristics: Bloodstone, or Heliotrope,, as it is sometimes called, is a very dark green stone that may have small white or blue splotches. It is most notable, however, for the flakes of metallic red or yellow layered over the green. Sometimes the color is very noticeable, and sometimes it's a very subtle effect, better seen under direct light.

 

In Nature: Bloodstone is a form of chalcedony. When green chalcedony contains flecks of red jasper or iron oxide, it is know as Bloodstone. When the spots are yellow, it is often given the name "Plasma".

Chemical Composition: SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 6.5 - 7 (middle-high)

Can be Found: India, Brazil, China, Australia, and the USA.

Healing Properties*: The stone helps with cleansing the blood, thus detoxifying the body, and supports all organs that do the same. Bloodstone's most famous use is in halting bleeding, especially small cuts and nose-bleeds. Obviously, the more serious the cut, the more difficult it becomes to heal it quickly. For pregnant mothers, a Bloodstone worn on the arm can prevent miscarriage, while one on the thigh eases childbirth and reduces the risk of hemorrhaging.

Magickal Properties: In addition to its healing potential, Bloodstone gives one protection from negativity. The stone brings adaptability, especially in survival situations, but also in daily life. It is cleansing on all levels, working emotionally to ease sorrow and depression. Bloodstone is also used to bring courage, strength, victory, and wealth, and is an excellent stone to have on hand in business and legal matters. The stone increases the body's energy circulation and removes blockages. Additionally, Bloodstone provides a figurative invisibility when one is looking to blend in with the crowd.

Chakra Association: Bloodstone is tied to the First, or Root Chakra.

Element: Fire

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Mars

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

August 10th, 2012

There's honestly not a lot going on here today, so I'll skip the usual introduction and just get on with it. I shall be discussing Sodalite today, this being one of the seven stones I purchased at the Faery Fest.

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Sodalite

Physical Characteristics: Sodalite is a stone with a similar appearance to Lapis Lazuli, although it lacks the sparkles of pyrite. Typically, Sodalite is a mottled blend of dark and light blues, mixed with streaks of white.

In Nature: Found as vein fillings in plutonic rocks. Associated with other minerals common to undersaturated environments, such as leucite, cancrinite, and natrolite.

Chemical Composition: Na4Al3Si3O12Cl (Sodium Aluminium Silicate Chloride)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 5.5 - 6 (middle)

Can be Found: Greenland, Canada, the USA, British Columbia, Brazil, Bolivia, Russia, Romania, and Burma

Healing Properties*: Carried constantly on one's person, Sodalite reduces blood pressure. It further calms the thyroid gland, the nervous system, and all glandular functions, while heightening metabolism.

Magickal Properties: Sodalite is the stone of artists, as it inspires as it protects. Sodalite brings inner calm, and ought to be used throughout the house. It harmonizes the conscious and subconscious minds, and stimulates thought. It is wonderful for healing breaches in communication, and is a stone of truth. It increases intelligence, knowledge, and learning, and balances the logical mind with the spiritual. The stone reduces stress and prolongs physical endurance. Particularly when used with Lapis Lazuli or Clear Quartz, Sodalite is excellent for improving one's ability to meditate and receive psychic information. It can be used in grounding excess energy, as well as in improving self-esteem.

Chakra Association: Sodalite is most effective when used with the Second, or Sacral Chakra, the Fifth, or Throat Chakra, and the Sixth, or Third Eye Chakra.

Element: Air, Water

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

August 9th, 2012

Getting ready to go back to school, and seeking ways to get the most out of the year? I know I am, and I've been rooting through my BOS, other books, and of course, the internet, looking for simple spells to enhance my learning. If you have a suggestion for me, I'd love to hear it! So far, all I've settled on definitively is that I'll be taking my Fluorite and Calcite and will empower them for memory. These I shall add to a pouch, along with a sprig of Rosemary, that I will wear on the first day of school, and at other times when I feel I need that extra boost.

If you would like to try the same, but don't have the stones, you could, of course, buy them, or substitute in other stones that have the ability to boost intelligence. A Clear Quartz is a good universal crystal that will work beautifully if you don't have any other options. Crystals not your thing? Try rolling the Rosemary in a tube of yellow paper, and perhaps adding a feather. Both of these are symbols of the Element Air, and it is these elementals that bring intelligence and wisdom. I'll keep you posted as I come up with other spells and ideas.

Today's stone, for those interested in my running saga, is Malachite.

~~~~~~~~~

Malachite

Physical Characteristics: Malachite is a stone coming in a deep green with banding in a bright, almost lime, shade. It may be tumbled or raw. It is also available in polished clumps.

In Nature: Often results from the weathering of copper ores, and is typically found with Azurite. Associated with limestone deposits around the copper.

Chemical Composition: Cu2CO3(OH)2 (Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 4 (low-middle)

Can be Found: Worldwide, especially Russia, West Europe, the USA, Israel, Zambia, and Namibia

Healing Properties*: The stone wards off heart pains and cardiac asthma, and a daily bathing of the eyes in Malachite water strengthens the optic nerves. It decreases susceptibility to radiation illness, asthma, arthritis, and tumors, and aids in the function of the pancreas and spleen.

Magickal Properties: Malachite reminds us to renew our connection with the All. It improves one's outlook and releases stress to create new beginnings. It builds one's strength, and is the stone of pregnant women. The copper in the stone gives it a steady, pulsing electrical field, absorbing negative energies from the aura and protecting against outside negativity. Used with the Third Chakra, Malachite clears static or repressed emotion. The stone counteracts negative ideas about love and relationships, attracting positive love. Additionally, it is good for emotional stability and balance. Malachite can detect danger; legend says that the stone will break apart in warning of an immanent calamity. The stone lends its protective magick especially well to children, keeping away nightmares, the "evil eye", and other negative influences. Use in magickal rites to build power, as well as to increase control over where the energy is sent. It is a great stone for actors and public speakers, as it draws attention to one's person. According to Roman belief, use of Malachite can enable communion with animals and their spirits. Worn during business meetings, or placed in the cash register, Malachite increases one's sales and prosperity.

Chakra Association: Malachite works with all seven chakras, but has a special affinity for the Third, or Solar Plexus Chakra, and the Fourth, or Heart Chakra.

Element: Earth

Energy: Receptive

Planetary Association: Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

August 8th, 2012

Wow, is it really only two weeks until school starts again? That's insane! Ben and I did our back-to-school shopping today (Nick claims to already have everything he needs), and I am now equipped with a small army of notebooks, binders, pens, and pencils. I've also got some new magnetic pieces for my microscopic locker, plus my things from last year. I also have some locker-protection talismans that I'm going to re-empower. One is a different take on a Witch's Bottle, and the other is a garland. Later this month I intend to empower all my supplies for memory and anti-procrastination.
On a completely different note, today's stone that I shall expound upon is Fluorite, which, I recently learned, is Illinois' state mineral.

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Fluorite

Physical Characteristics: Fluorite is often translucent and may contain a variety of colors including green, pink, blue, and purple. Stones containing all of these colors are known as "Rainbow Fluorite". They may also have banding.

In Nature: Also called Fluorspar, and, due to chemical impurities, may be fluorescent. Often forms the host rock around veins of other minerals. Common in granite and other igneous
rocks; found in small amounts in dolostone and limestone.

Chemical Composition: CaF2 (Calcium Fluoride)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 4 (low middle)

Can be Found: China, West Europe, Mexico, the USA, South Africa, and Canada

Healing Properties*: In healing, Fluorite removes energy blockages, pain, respiratory issues, skin disease, and arthritis. It stimulates cell regeneration, and so can be used to heal ulcers.

Magickal Properties: Fluorite improves self-discipline, especially when trying to reach a meditative state, and helps to order one's thoughts. It relieves anger and depression, calming and soothing strong emotion. Further, it amplifies analytical thought, and possesses protective qualities. Fluorite cleanses the aura, and removes any cording, an unhealthy emotional connection to others. It aids in channeling, connecting to the Akashic Records, and in communing with various Nature Spirits. Also, Fluorite amplifies the power of other stones. Since the stone reduces stress, it is optimal for work spaces and other high-stress areas. Like Calcite, Fluorite improves memory and is an excellent study tool. Placed on the Third Eye Chakra, it makes one more receptive to psychic information and improves visualization. On the throat it assists in speaking your mind, and on the heart it heals emotional trauma, releases guilt, and encourages compassion and forgiveness.

Chakra Association: Fluorite is tied to the Fourth, or Heart Chakra, the Fifth, or Throat Chakra, and the Sixth, or Third Eye Chakra.

Element: Air, Water

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Neptune, Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

August 7th, 2012

Since I bought several new stones at the Faery Fest, I've been doing a great deal of research into their individual properties, both physical and magickal. I then decided to share a cohesive, manageable post on the properties of various stones, doing perhaps one or two a day. Today's topic is Emerald Calcite. Be aware, however, that Calcite comes in a variety of colors, and that magickal uses, as well as correspondences, may vary between varieties.

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Emerald Calcite

Physical Characteristics: Pale sea-foam green to a rich emerald-like color. It has a distinct "greasy" or "soapy" feeling.

In Nature: Calcite is a major component of chalk, limestone, and marble.

Chemical Composition: CaCO3 (Calcium Carbonate)

Mohs Scale Hardness: 3 (low)

Can be Found: Worldwide, especially Mexico

Healing Properties*: Emerald Calcite acts as a detoxifier, supporting the liver, kidneys, and colon. It is excellent for skin conditions, as well as for bone and joint health (as it contains Calcium), and for boosting the immune system.

Magickal Properties: This variety of Calcite, notable for its distinct green color, is a prosperity stone, drawing wealth and increasing fertility. It enables one to build bridges with others, to see and speak truly, and to be open-hearted. It strengthens not only our connection to others, but to other places and times as well, making this stone excellent for use in past-life regression, astral travel, and out-of-body experiences. It is also useful in dealing with fear concerning change in one's personal life and beliefs, and in letting go of the past. Calcite deals with matters of the heart - of self-love and love of others. It clears the body of negative self-image and negative thoughts regarding relationships. It is calming, and promotes spiritual growth. Further, Emerald Calcite stimulates memory, and so is a great study-stone.

Chakra Association: Emerald Calcite stimulates the Fourth, or Heart, Chakra.

Element: Earth

Energy: Projective

Planetary Association: Venus

*Magickal healing should never take the place of seeing a doctor and following any recommended prescriptions, actions, or other advice. Magick works best in tandem with physical efforts, anyway, so don't skimp on those check-ups!

July 7th, 2012

Can I just say that I love Rose Quartz? I've been working some experiments with different stones lately, and today Hazelnut and I were really hoping to get together. However, we hadn't planned anything in advance, and you know how parents can be when you spring things on them. So I grabbed a piece of Rose Quartz, known for it's tendency to attract love, happiness, friendship, and other such positive emotion, and asked mom if I could have Hazelnut over. She agreed, right off the bat! And then I asked dad, and he said it's okay, too. Huzzah for positivity!

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Rose Quartz is a stone with a pale pink to rosy hue. The coloration is caused by various minerals in the crystal, such as titanium, manganese, and iron.

This type of quartz is excellent for bringing peace to a home or workplace. It is known for the ability to calm violent tempers and soothe arguments. It causes negative energy to dissipate, and encourages optimism. Rose Quartz is also notable in its characteristic of manifesting self-love, as well as bringing positive relationships.  Here, it can be used for romantic love, to make new friends, or even to find the perfect pet.

Rose Quartz is also a stone of healing: place a piece next to the heart chakra, located in the center of the breastbone, to release negative energy and draw positive thought. In this way, one can also banish self-defeating thought, bad habits or addictions, and repressed emotion. The stone is a comforter to those dealing with poor body image, bullying, physical assault or harassment, and other negative experiences. It increases self-esteem, confidence, self-trust and trust in others, and acceptance.

Because of it's healing, loving qualities, Rose Quartz is an excellent "give-away" stone, appropriate for small children, teens, adults, and grandparents. Everyone can benefit from a piece of Rose Quartz. The stone is attractive, and as such, can be worked into beautiful jewelry, charms, and other gifts. Rose quartz also makes an excellent tip for a wand, particularly one to be used in a love spell.

One final note: if you are suffering an abusive relationship with someone, are being hurt, or are hurting yourself, Rose Quartz can help. But don't just leave it at that. A piece of mineral cannot solve all your problems. Talk to the authorities, a parent, a friend, or other trusted adult. Seek help, no matter what. Magick should always work in tandem with "mundane" effort!

July 5th, 2012

Happy 4th, er, 5th of July! I largely spent yesterday's holiday cataloguing a plethora of new Pagan music in my Book of Shadows. I like to keep a list of my favorite songs at the end, so that if something terrible were ever to happen to my computer, I have a hard-copy backup list. Then we went to see some local fireworks and ate home-made ice cream. Mmm...

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It occurs to me that while there are many instructions available on the internet for setting up one's Book of Shadows (BOS), there are substantially fewer on how to personalize it, and really make things your own. As such, here are some tips that can be used alone or en masse, where personalization of the BOS is concerned.

• Handwrite everything. Yes, it can be time consuming, especially if you type faster than you write, but the more time that is put into something, the more meaningful it will be. Handwriting also leaves your personal energy signature on the pages, imbuing them with a little bit of you.
• Make use of font, sizing, and other formatting options. Some people just can't go the handwritten route, and that's okay, provided that what is typed isn't just copy and paste. Take the time to bang things out on the keyboard, and then use some simple formatting tools to make pages well organized and attractive.
• Make the cover matter. If you intend to buy a pre-made BOS, make sure that the page layout is pleasing, and take a good look at the cover. It should either be visually pleasing to you, or should give you the option to adapt it if you aren't satisfied. If you're like me, using a three-ring binder, the front cover likely has a pocket allowing you to insert anything you want. Get creative: consider pictures, drawings, paintings, prints, printed images, collages, etc. 
• Add pictures. You don't have to be a brilliant artist to add images to your BOS - that's what a camera is for! Photograph rituals, altar set-ups, your first robe, new tools, any gatherings you may go to, etc., and add these photos to the appropriate pages with a bit of glue or tape.
• Color-code. One of the most successful decisions I made in designing my BOS was to color-code it. I chose to highlight titles in green, tools needed in a spell or ritual in orange, and things to be spoken aloud in yellow. You can choose any colors you like, and can certainly highlight additional things if you feel there is something else you ought to draw attention to.
• Doodle in the margins. One way to add a little glamour to an otherwise text-coated page is to add small, meaningful drawings in the paper's margin. If you have instructions for a spell to draw love, for example, that requires some symbols of love, one could draw in stylized hearts, cupid silhouettes, roses, and/or doves. Just make sure things don't get too crazy - you need to be able to read the page, after all.
• Use colored ink. If a page is focused on a prosperity spell or chant, consider inking the page in green pen, or printing it in green, if you opt for the typed style. A friendship spell could go pink, a section on astral travel purple. 
• Include examples. Whether you are writing the names and uses for plants or the recipe for an awesome tea you tried at your coven-mate's house, using a physical representation of that item in your BOS can help jog the memory and make the pages more special. Pressing flowers and leaves between the pages of a heavy dictionary for a few days can leave them ideal for insert into a BOS. You could slip in that tea bag, a knotted cord or other spell-leftover, or even a baggie of ingredients if you so chose.
• Use page protectors. This isn't so much a tip for personalization as it is for protection of your personalization. It can be really upsetting to go to the work of making a page stunning, only to ruin it by spilling candle wax all over it. Prevent such damage by using clear page protectors, which are inexpensive and will take the brunt in the wax spill, not the page.

I hope I have inspired some creativity where the BOS is concerned. Enjoy the making. Remember: all acts of love and joy are my rituals.

April 25th, 2012

I finished the final book of a quartet that I've been rereading today, one that I feel may be of interest to the Pagan community. As my preferred genre, the books are, of course, fantasy, but I feel that they touch on that Pagan spirit that is so entrancing about good literature. Book one is called The Naming, by Allison Croggon. It is the story of Maerad, a slave girl who is rescued from her misery by Cadvan, a mysterious Bard, possessing magical powers. He realizes that she too is a Bard, and may, indeed, be even more. Book two is The Riddle, book three is The Crow, and book four is The Singing. The books talk about the importance of balance, the magic of music, elemental powers, and more. I found them beautiful works with an entrancing plot, even if the ending was, perhaps, a touch predictable.