Day: March 16, 2012

The Making of Powders

The Making of Powders

 
Powders have long been an integral part of folk magic. They consist of ground herbs which are sprinkled to release their powers. A powder is an incense never burned, a sachet never worn.
 
Simply grind herbs as finely as possible. To save time you can buy ground herbs, but doing so cheats you of really getting in touch with them. While mortaring the herbs, during the whole long process,visualize…imagine…see your magical goal. The power lies within herbs and within ourselves. If we don’t empower powders, incense or oils, if we don’t accurately “program” them with our magical goals through visualization and concentration, such mixtures will have only slight effects. If you forget the empowerment, you might as well forget the magic.

Empowering Your Magick Potion

Empowering Your Magick Potion

 

 

To empower or enchant magic potions, focus your mind on your magical goal and on the specific effect you expect the potion to have. Use your intention plus the natural energy of the ingredients to cook the magical energy into them. Your focused energy is imparted into the ingredients through your willful intent, your touch and the heat of your hands.

Use the three basic steps of magic—-intention couple with expectation, desire and merging—-to empower the potion. When you mix the ingredients, mix them with the intention and expectation of imparting your magical goal into them.

You can also use the power of touch to enchant potion ingredients. First, wash your hands well, dry them, and then rub the palms of your hands briskly together to charge them with energy. Immediately place your hands on the ingredients for a few moments , imagining that you are transferring the energy in your hands into the potion ingredients, very much like you would bless food. Then whenever possible, use the fingers of your power hand to mix the ingredients. Your power hand is your right hand if you are right-handed, your left if you are left-handed. If you are ambidextrous, your power hand is the one you eat with. If you are using a wooden spoon or blender to mix the ingredients, visualize or sense the energy from your hands moving into the spoon or blender, and then moving into the potion mixture. If you need to, just pretend doing this at first until you get the hang of it.

When you mix and charge the potion ingredients, either with your fingers, a wooden spoon, or in a blender, send your energy into the mixture. The stronger your desire for your goal, the stronger the energy you impart into the potion. At first it may seem odd to actually be sending power or energy into the ingredients, but with a little practice, empowering and energetically charging potions becomes a natural skill that is easy and fun. You will also begin to understand how powerful transferring energy from your hands to another object or from your mind to a specific goal, can really be. More specifically, how this energy can be applied toward attaining your magical goals.

The key to empowering potions, as in all magical work, is to stay focused on your magical goal for the entire time it takes to make and use the potion. For example, if you are adding the ingredients of vanilla or honey to a love potion, concentrate on each ingredient , bringing sweet and delicious love into your life. See, touch, taste, hear, and smell the love coming into your life. Imagine the potion being particularly effective. See and sense it as already having the proper effect. Do this by moving your awareness into the near future and imagining the successful effect of the potion. In your awareness feel the great joy and happiness of having the potion work, of attaining your magical goal. See and sense your magical success. Bath in the flow of energy that surrounds it.

Then move your awareness back to the present, and impart that image and joy full energy, that great feeling, into the potion ingredients. You can do this by imagining a bright white light coming from your hands and moving into the ingredients or you can see and sense a laser beam of light coming from your third eye (on your forehead between your eyebrows) and igniting the ingredient with its powerful radiance. You can also use deep breathing to empower potions by sensing yourself breathing bright energy into the ingredients.

After you have placed the potion in its container, you can empower it even more by saying something like:

Magick powers, that be

Please bless this potion

On Earth ,Sky and Sea

Charge it with Divine power

So Mote It Be.

Magick Powder Potions

Magick Powder Potions

Magick powder potions are easy to make as most of them require no cooking. Make these by finely grinding up the ingredients listed in the powder potion recipes. Use your mortar and pestle and also your fingers to crush the ingredients. The whole time you are grinding the ingredient focus on your magical goal as it is essential to empower the ingredients. Always grind clockwise.

You can also purchase ingredients that are already ground up. If you do so, be sure to get in touch with the ingredients by running them through your fingers as you concentrate on empowering them. See and sense the magick powder potion working exactly the way your intended.

To use the magick powder potion, simply sprinkle it to release its power. As you are sprinkling it, be sure to focus on your magical goal. You can sprinkle magic powder potions in a clockwise circle around you, beginning and ending in the North or you cans sprinkle the powder in certain magical shapes, for example, a love powder can be sprinkled in a heart shape. You can also sprinkle magick potion powders on your altar, around altar candles, and on crystals and gemstones. Again, it is your intent and focus as you empower the potion ingredients and sprinkle them that really gets the magick flowing.

Nine Easy Steps for Making A Magick Potion

Nine Easy Steps for Making A Magick Potion

 
 
1. Gather together all the ingredients you will need to make the potion. Light a candle if you like, matching its color and dedication to your potion’s purpose. Be sure to place your candle(s) near your working surface as a focusing tool, but not in the way.
 
2. Draw a magick circle around your working area. For example, if you are working in the kitchen, draw a magick circle around the entire room.
 
3. Call in the elemental powers to your circle. A shorthand method for doing this is by saying something like:
 
“I ask that the generous powers of earth, air, fire, and water come into this circle. Come I pray you!”
 
4. Call in spirit, the Divine, into your circle by saying something like:
 
“May the Divine Ones enter into this circle and bless this potion with their Divine power.”
 
5. Next, empower the potion ingredients.
 
6. Make the potion.
 
7. Empower the potion once more with a magickal incantation, and then use it immediately as suggested.
 
8. Thank the elements and spirit.
 
9. Pull up the magick circle and put everything away.

Ostara Oil

Ostara Oil

Put in soap or annoint candles
5 drops lavender
5 drops jasmine
5 drops patchouli
5 drops rose

Add a lavender bud and small lapis lazuli, rose, and clear quartz crystals. This has the gently smell of spring beginning to blossom. Very lovely!

Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri

Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri

Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

A small cauldron filled with homemade potpourri can be used as a fragrant altar decoration, burned (outdoors) as an offering to the old gods during or after a sabbath celebration, or wrapped in decorative paper and ribbons and given to a Wiccan sister or brother as a sabbath gift.


45 drops rose oil
1 cup oak moss
2 cups dried dogwood blossoms
2 cups dried honeysuckle blossoms
1/2 cup dried violets
1/2 cup dried daffodils
1/2 cup dried rosebuds
1/2 cup dried crocus or iris


Mix the rose oil with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and then store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.


(The above recipe for “Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri” is directly quoted from Gerina Dunwich’s book: “The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch’s Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes”, pages 161-162, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995.)

Ostara Incense

Ostara Incense

Recipe by Scott Cunningham


2 parts Frankincense
1 part Benzoin
1 part Dragon’s Blood
1/2 part Nutmeg
1/2 part Violet flowers (or a few drops Violet oil)
1/2 part Orange peel
1/2 part Rose petals


Burn during Wiccan rituals on Ostara (the Spring Equinox, which varies from March 20th to the 24th each year), or to welcome the spring and refresh your life.


(The above recipe for “Ostara Incense” is directly quoted from Scott Cunningham’s book: “The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews”, page 83, Llewellyn Publications, 1992.)

Natural Oestara Eggs

Natural Oestara Eggs

by Ariadne


Natural egg-dying is like recycling. It takes a li’l bit longer to do, but gives you that Oh-Im-soooooo-WC (witchly correct) feeling.
Cover your plant material (see list below) with about 3 inches of water, bring to a boil, and simmer until the color looks good. You’ll probably have to let the eggs sit in the dye overnight, so if you’re planning more than one color per egg, start this a few days before Oestara. Experimenting is half the fun, but here are some hints to get you started:
Yellows- daffodil petals, saffron, turmeric, onion skins
Blues- blueberries, red cabbage leaves & vinegar
Greens-broccoli, coltsfoot
Pinks- cochineal, madder root
Browns – walnut shells, tea, coffee

Wanna get fancy? Gather some small leaves, ferns, flowers and grasses. Dip them in water (to help them stick) and press them onto your eggs. Wrap each egg in a piece of cut up pantyhose and secure it with a twist tie before dyeing. When you remove the flower or leaf, it’s design will appear (either in white or in your first dye-color). Rub your finished eggs with a tiny bit of vegetable oil on a soft cloth to shine them.
Too hard?? No hosiery??? Okay, try using crayons to draw spirals and pentagrams on the eggs before dying them.
Now, plan a fertility ritual for your garden. Bury an Oestara egg in the east corner of your garden, or one egg for each direction, or dig an entire circle for them (depends on how much you hate egg-salad).

OTHER WAYS OF MARKING OESTARA

OTHER WAYS OF MARKING OESTARA

 

* Celebrate the arrival of spring with flowers. Bring them into your own home and, in keeping with the theme of balance, give them to others. You do not have to spend a lot of money – one or two blooms given for no other reason than ‘spring is here’ can often bring a smile to even the most gloomy face.

* Do a bit of ‘personal housekeeping’. We live in an age where guilt is more often encouraged then pride, where we are encouraged to dwell upon our ‘negative’ points and habits. This is not the way of the Witch. As Witches we must learn to be as honest about our plus points as society would like us to be about our minuses.

Advertising, probably the most pervasive kind of propaganda, encourages us to think
of ourselves as ‘less than perfect’ unless we look and dress like the people in the
adverts and possess all the things that the advertisers would like us to spend money
on. It is worth bearing in mind that if we truly needed these products then there would
be no need to put them into commercials!

However, to return to the ‘personal housekeeping’, write a list of 20 of your plus points,
things you are good at, and 20 minus points, things you would like to improve. Try
not to be influenced by stereotypes – many female Witches include ‘outspoken’ on
their list of negatives, while males will describe the same quality as positive! If you
absolutely must include your physical attributes on the minus list, then make sure
that these are things which you can sensibly expect to change, but don’t fall into the
advertisers’ trap. From the perspective of the Witch it is far more important that you
should come to terms with the person that you are, rather than worry about the way
people see you.

One of the first tasks of the Witch is to understand and accept themselves, with all
their good and bad points, because it is only when you understand yourself that you
will be in a position to understand others, and therein lies a good portion of Witches’
Magic.

Start to learn about some of the plants and herbs which have been traditionally used
as remedies. A basic knowledge of herbs is part of the heritage of the Witch.

AN OESTARA RITUAL

AN OESTARA RITUAL

 

The main points of this sabbath are those of balance and of spring.

This ritual is best performed outdoors. In advance you will need to collect a small handful of old leaves and write on each something that you would like to be rid of. Also take a small number of seeds or seedlings (if these seedlings come from the seeds you planted at Imbolg, so much the better), one for each new thing that you wish to attain.

Silently ask the elements, the Goddess and the God to be with you, then when you are ready, dig a hole large enough to give space to the seedlings you wish to grow and place the dead leaves into it. Say, ‘Lord and Lady of this time of balance, these are the things I wish to be rid of. As these leaves wither and rot, may I let go of those things that might hold me back’.

Next place one or two seedlings on top of the leaves. Say, ‘Lord and Lady, these are the things which I wish to attain in the coming season. Let them grow strong and true from the remains of the old’.

As before, thank the elements, the Goddess and the God.

Remember that for ritual to work, you should give more thought to your preparations than the time you actually spend performing the ritual. In this case, that preparation includes carefully choosing the things you wish to leave behind and the things you wish to take on. On a more practical level, it will also include selecting plants appropriate to your area and climate outside, as well as a suitable place to plant them. If you cannot perform your ritual outside, then you can either scale down everything and work with a single plant pot or you can dedicate your leaves and plant indoors and go out to plant them at a later date.

Oestara Is Also The Spring Equinox

Oestara Is Also The Spring Equinox

It is no coincidence that the name for this sabbath sounds similar to the word ‘Easter’. Eostre, or Ostara, is an Anglo-Saxon Dawn Goddess whose symbols are the egg and the hare. She, in turn, is the European version of the Goddess Ishtar or Astarte, whose worship dates back thousands of years and is certainly pre-Christian. Eostre also lives on in our medical language in the words ‘oestrous’ (the sexual impulse in female animals) and ‘oestrogen’ (a female hormone). Today, Oestara is celebrated as a spring festival. Although the Goddess put on the robes of Maiden at Imbolg, here she is seen as truly embodying the spirit of spring. By this time we can see all around us the awakened land, the leaves on the trees, the flowers and the first shoots of corn.

Oestara is also the Spring Equinox, a time of balance when day and night are equal. As with the other Equinox and the Solstices, the date of this festival may move slightly from year to year, but many will choose to celebrate it on 21 March. In keeping with the balance of the Equinox, Oestara is a time when we seek balance within ourselves. It is a time for throwing out the old and taking on the new. We rid ourselves of those things which are no longer necessary – old habits, thoughts and feelings – and take on new ideas and thoughts. This does not mean that you use this festival as a time for berating yourself about your ‘bad’ points, but rather that you should seek to find a balance through which you can accept yourself for what you are.

There is some debate as to whether Oestara or Imbolg was the traditional time of spring cleaning, but certainly the casting out of the old would seem to be in sympathy with the spirit of this festival and the increased daylight at this time encourages a good clean out around the home.

 

Kate West

Ostara – Spring Equinox

Ostara – Spring Equinox

Ostara: Oestre, Easter, the Spring Equinox, Vernal (Spring) Equinox, Alban Eiler (Caledonii).

March 20 – 23 Northern Hemisphere / September 20 – 23 Southern Hemisphere

Traditionally March 21st

The Spring Equinox is the point of equilibrium – and it celebrates the arrival of Spring, when light and darkness are in balance but the light is growing stronger. The forces of male and female are also in balance.

The Easter Bunny also is of Pagan origin, as are baskets of flowers.

A traditional Vernal Equinox pastime: go to a field and randomly collect wildflowers (thank the flowers for their sacrifice before picking them). Or, buy some from a florist, taking one or two of those that appeal to you. Then bring them home and divine their Magickal meanings by the use of books, your own intuition, a pendulum or by other means. The flowers you’ve chosen reveal your inner thoughts and emotions.

Cultivating herb gardens is also a fine Ostara project . This is the time to free yourself from anything in the past that is holding you back.

Special Kitty of the Day for March 16th

Eve, the Cat of the Day
Name: Eve
 Age: Eight years old
Gender: Female
 Kind: Bengal mix
Home: West Vancouver, British Columbia
Eve is beautiful, outspoken, rambunctious, intelligent, athletic, creative, a skillful hunter and very helpful – at least that’s what she tells me accurately describes her wonderful purrsonality. I must agree – she is all that and more. We love her because she sweetly embraces all that life has to offer; because she is the most affectionate kitty we have ever known and because she chose to spend her life with us.

Eve was a rescue who had been adopted by one of our neighbors from a local Vancouver organization. In May 2006 Eve walked into my garden and stayed. After discovering who her adoptive parents were and attempting to take her back home on numerous occasions, it became clear to all parties involved that Eve had chosen her home. (Did I mention she is very opinionated?) Our neighbors very graciously surrendered Eve into our care and she has been with us ever since.

There have been challenges along the way but none that we could not overcome and today our lovely Eve has successfully managed to completely master our lives. There is no doubt who in our home is the Alpha – she has it all in the bag. Eve has added another dimension to life as we knew it and we are only too happy to accommodate her. She is, without a doubt, our most precious baby.

Dog-gone Doggie of the Day for March 16th

Buster, the Dog of the Day
Name: Buster
 Age: Three years old
Gender: Male Breed: German Shepherd Dog
Home: Roscoe, Illinois, USA
Buster was just thirteen pounds at six weeks of age when we brought him into our family. He was shy, timid, yet playful and full of energy. By the time he turned one, he was near 100 pounds and had become very protective of the four kids. He knows when it is time for the school bus to drop off the kids because then he gets to play his favorite game – FRISBEE. He will wait for you to throw his Frisbee, catch it, bring it back to you, and do this again and again without ever stopping. Nothing can distract him when he is playing Frisbee. You can try to give him his favorite treats — carrots, green beans, apples, and he will just turn up his nose because all he wants to do is play Frisbee. He won’t forget about the treats because when he’s done playing, he comes back in the house looking all over for the treats. He knows a lot of tricks. He can open doors. Although we are trying to teach him how to close the door behind him. He wakes each one of the kids up with kisses and nibbles on the bed. After each one is awake and ready to go to school, he lays down because his job is done. If there is any water outside, you will see Buster laying in it. He loves to play and swim in water. He’s not particular if it’s his pool or a mud puddle. Buster is such a huge part of our family. We love our Buster!

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, March 16th

We are masters of organization today, which can increase productivity. Ironically, being so preoccupied with having everything in order can impede our progress. The methodical Capricorn Moon reminds us to tighten up all systems, yet something unexpected might upset our plans and add chaos to the day. If our schedules are disrupted, we should take it as a sign that we are being too rigid and need to loosen control before continuing with our work.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You might feel as if you’re being attacked today by someone who is simply trying to improve your efficiency. But don’t be too quick to compromise yourself by changing your behavior to accommodate others. There’s no need to pretend that you’re willing to modify your approach just to avoid a confrontation. Fortunately, if you’re honest about your motives right from the beginning, you will be less likely to provoke any trouble.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

Although problems may arise at work today, they will probably be minor ones. Still, you don’t need to feed them with your insecurities. Instead, use the down-to-earth Capricorn Moon to plant your best ideas, allowing them to slowly take root for future growth. You might think that you have to disclose all your ideas now, but this assumption can get you into trouble. Patience is one of your innate virtues, so slow down and let everything develop naturally.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You are usually at your best when your world is buzzing with lots of mental stimulation. However, you can get so excited today that you say something that’s best kept to yourself. You intuitively recognize that plans may change several times before the day is done. Practicing meditation or breathing techniques can help settle your busy mind.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Someone may come to you with a sensible idea today, but it doesn’t fit into your tight schedule. Analyzing all the facts might not help you decide what to do. You could listen to other people’s stories yet still resist helping them out. Or you could just jump in, even if it means putting your own issues on the back burner. Go for the assist; it won’t be as time consuming as you think and the intangible rewards make it worthwhile.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

If you come up with a good idea today, you will have to make the effort to see it through. That might seem fair, but why is it that if someone else suggests a plan now, you are still the one who has more work to do? Unfortunately, changing these inequitable dynamics appears to be beyond your reach. Although you want more control of your own life, it’s better to do what’s expected of you now. You’ll have a chance to put things back in balance soon enough.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You may be thankful today because your common sense is keeping you in line. Although one part of you is bored with the regular routine, you might not be ready to break free just yet. Even if you’re raring to go, others are counting on your stability, so bolting isn’t necessarily a wise move. Hold on to your horses; waiting for the right time to initiate action is always a smart idea.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

It may be difficult to understand how your own fears influence your judgments and push you toward one decision or another. Just remember that your integrity is ultimately more important than what others think of you. Don’t get distracted by the intellectual noise. Enjoy the quiet while you can find it; your thoughts speed up tomorrow, making it harder to reclaim the peace of knowing what’s true.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You have set your heart on a bigger prize today, an emotional treasure that’s buried deep beneath the surface. A minor irritation at work can provoke you to withdraw and escape into your imagination, but turning inward now stirs old fears that only get in the way of progress. Unquestionably, it’s smarter to deal directly with an annoyance before it turns into something bigger that becomes unmanageable.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Make the most of your authority today by sharing your experiences instead of just bossing someone around. You have recently returned to Earth from a journey to the outer limits of possibilities. Thankfully, you can finally hear the voice of common sense, even though it has taken away your wings. Keep both feet on the ground until you see tangible results from your heartfelt efforts.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Although you may think that time has run out, the game isn’t over. Don’t trust your senses now, for a trick of light can warp your perceptions to match your desires. There is more going on than meets the eye as the Moon in your sign reminds you that simple logic can’t always override an intense feeling. Denial is not a viable strategy, so keep an open mind until your head and your heart are in agreement.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might not want others to see how serious you are today because you think their assumptions will paint you into a corner. You’re afraid of being stuck in a role you don’t want to play. It’s important to keep your options open as mischievous Mercury backs into your key planet Uranus over the next couple of days, throwing a few unexpected curve balls and playing tricks on your mind. Don’t be overly concerned by what anyone else thinks; you don’t need to conform to their expectations.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may be the conscientious person who holds everyone’s interests together today, even if you sacrifice your own point of view in the process. The responsible Capricorn Moon’s visit to your 11th House of Teamwork enables you to keep your preferences to yourself in the name of community spirit. Just remember that your feelings are important, too, even if they are temporarily subsumed by the needs of the larger group.