Month: January 2011

What Is The Difference Between A Spell and A Ritual?

In practice the terms “spell” and “ritual” are used interchangeably in magick and through many Traditions as an umbrella terms for magickal workings.

A spell tends to be a less formal kind of magick, usually cast for a specific purpose or need, for example to protect a named traveller (maybe yourself or a family member) on a particular journey or trip for a specified length of time. The energies are raised, and then released so they will bounce back to activate the purpose of the spell which has been represented by a symbol of that journey. This physical focus of the spell might in magick be a feather of some chopped fennel herbs to symbolize travel.

In contrast a ritual is usually based on a more general or long-lasting focus. A ritual may be carried out at specified times, for example, the first day of spring or to celebrate the birth of a baby. A ritual follows a more structured format.

What is more, whereas a spell builds up to a climax and release of energy, the ritual may release energy more evenly throughout the weeks and months ahead.

Flying Creatures Blessing

Flying Creatures Blessing
 
Today, look at the sky and observe. What kind of flying weather is it today? Consider all creatures that fly, and how they will deal with today’s weather. Light some incense, and get out your favorite feather or air talisman, saying:
 
Let all who fly be safe and free. May my heart soar as my feet are firmly grounded on the earth. Blessed be the creatures of the air. I celebrate the skies and its creatures!
 
Wave your feather in the air, breathe deeply, and proclaim: “So mote it be.” Wear something yellow today for the element of air, or something blue or gray for the sky. Focus on breathing as you go about your day, and be joyful for the ability to breathe.
 
By: Luci Sophia Zain, Llewellyn and GrannyMoon’s Morning Feast

Chant To Athena

Try this charm when you must make a decision, but aren’t sure that all the facts are on the table.

Athena, Goddess of Great Insight,

Wisest One, take owl-like flight.

Come to me–stay at my side

And let Your wisdom be my guide.

Show me what I need to see.

So I can solve efficiently

These problems. Lend Your expertise

And grant Your wisdom unto me.

Oya Courage Spell

Courage emerges in the recognition of one’s own personal strength.

  1. Write down nine ways in which you are powerful.

  2. Place the paper under a purple candle dedicated to the Orisha of personal power, Oya.

  3. Offer Her red wine. Pour a glass for yourself,k too.

  4. Toast Oya and yourself and watch the candle burn.

Mojo Power Bag (2)

Like psychic growth, this conjure bag, which is based on power items of North African magick, is a work in progress.

  1. Fill a red silk bag with dried oleander leaves (Warning: these are toxic! Do not ingest or leave near children and animals), pieces of sandalwood and myrrh, an odd number of hairs from a horse’s tail, and amazonite beads or crystals.
  2. Sprinkle with henna and/or antimony powder.
  3.  Add a pinch of dirt from sacred sites as you visit them.

Mojo Element Power Bag

Gather the following and place in a conjure bag:

Sand from the beach

Dirt from a mountain

Dirt from a cemetery

Dirt from a crossroads

A cat’s claw herb (uno de gato)

Seashell

Pebble from a crossroads

Nail or pebble found on or beside train tracks

These combined materials bestow the powers of the elements. Only pinches of sand and dirt are needed. Place the initial bag within a second, stronger one to prevent the dirt from spilling out and escaping.

WARNING!

Even more than most plants, the different forms of the botanical are not interchangeable.

  • Although mugwort is largely considered a woman’s herb, it is not safe for pregnant women or for those actively trying to become pregnant. It can cause profound uterine contractions.

  • With the exception of pregnant women, the herb is generally safe for adults, in moderate doses.

  • The flower essence remedy is the safest method for use, particularly when psychic enhancement is desired.

  • Mugwort essential oil, also known as armoise, its French name, is not safe for anyone. Mugwort’s latent destructive powers, potential neurotoxins, are concentrated in the essential oil. It should not be used except possibly under the most expert professional supervision.

Acacia Spells

The acacia tree has been associated with the sacred since the proverbial time immemorial, from the myth of Osiris to the Ark of the Covenant. Burn it as incense to stimulate and enhance psychic ability as well as to provide contact with the sacred.

Psychic Power Spells

Psychic Power Spells serve two purposes:

*To enhance psychic ability

*To replenish psychic depletion

Psychic power may be discovered within, its growth stimulated from what already exists hidden inside you. But it may also be obtained from external devices, such as amulets and charms.

Moon Phases

Moon Phases

The Moon exudes a cool, feminine, silvery-feeling energy that rules the life-giving waters of our planet–the rains, tides and dew–as well as those in the physical body, such as menstrual cycles and other bodily finds. She also rules all emotional responses. Raw, properly focused emotion energizes magick. For this reason, many practitioners work in conjunction with a phase of the Moon’s cycle that is in harmony with their magickal intent.

Clear Thought Tea

This is not only useful for study but also for whenever you want to drive out negativity and get on with life.

1 tsp rosemary

1 tsp lemon balm

1/2 tsp basil

grated peel of 1/2 a lemon

equal amount of grated grapefruit peel

Divination Tea

Drink this tea an hour before undertaking any form or divination. If you wish, you can continue sipping it throughout the divination process.

3 tsp rose petals

1 tsp jasmine flowers

2 crushed bay leaves

1 pinch nutmeg

1 pinch cinnamon

Brews and Teas

Teas can be made with the leaves, roots, stems, flowers and fruit of a great many herbs and plants. The art of steeping dried or fresh herbs in hot water goes back many thousands of years. Forget about most of the nasty powdery stuff you get in today’s tea bags – it has its uses, but when it comes to drinking it really is second-rate compared with the real thing. If you doubt this, then find a good-quality store which sells loose tea  by weight rather than in packets and try it. This is especially true for most of the herbal teas which are on sale: being manufactured so as to have a long shelf life, they tend to need a lot of steeping, which also brings some of the bitter flavours to the lore. These teas almost always need large quantities of sugar or honey to make them palatable! If you prepare you own brews from basic ingredients you will find this gives a completely different flavour, not to mention actually promoting their health-giving or magickal properties.It is recommended that you use only manufactured teas when you are seeking remedies for babies or young children, as they are designed to be tolerated by the young and palatable to them. When making tea or any other herbal infusion there are certain ways of making the most of your preparation.

  • Always use china or glass and never metal or plastic, as many herbs will react with these to taint the flavour. Always use clean utensils. It used to be said that you should never really clean a teapot as this would change the taste of the tea. Too right it does – it allows you to revisit the old tired tannins and other extracts which remain on the crockery. Not a good thing!

  • Try to ensure that your kettle is clean, especially if your water supply is very chalky or has a lot of chemical in it. Only fill your kettle with as much water as you will need – this conserves both water and electricity – and always boil freshly drawn water, don’t reboil it.

  • If you can, try to make your teas with filtered or spring water. Where you are certain there is little air pollution, rain water is ideal. For magickal brews the best results are gained by collecting rain water and exposing it, in a clear jar, to the light of the Full Moon.

  • Make your tea just before you intend to drink it and strain it as soon as the herbs have had the right amount of time to soak, even if you do intend to have a second cup. The longer the herbs remain in the water, the more any bitter taste will emerge. If you make up tea blends in advance, keep them in an airtight container in a dark and cool place, and discard unused combination after a couple of months. No infusion should need to stand for more than 12 minutes. If it is not strong enough after that, make a note to add more of the herb next time.

  • Chilled teas will need to be covered in the refrigerator, otherwise they may take up other flavours or release their own to contaminate other foods (especially milk).

Most herb teas are not intended to be drunk more than three times a day. You can have too much of a good thing! In an ideal world the rest of your daily fluid intake would be made up of water. Herb teas are also intended to be drunk warm, not boiling, and sipped slowly, if you have a great thirst, then drink a glass of water whilst waiting for your tea to cool.

Where possible, take your time over preparing and drinking your tea, as you will find it enhances the flavour as well as the effects. Remember to inhale the aromas too. Take a tip from the Japanese, who are famous for their tea rituals,  take your time.