Month: August 2012
WEDDING/HANDFASTING CEREMONY
WEDDING/HANDFASTING CEREMONY
The following wedding ceremony was written to provide for Pagans who must of
necessity be wed in the presence of the uninitiated who are not pagan and are
perhaps unaware that the bride and groom are pagan. Replace the words Bride and
Groom below with the names of the happy couple. This ceremony was used by both
my wife and myself and by my sister and her husband. They modified the text
at the point below where it says “loving each other wholly and completely” to
add the phrase “forsaking all others” as they are into monogamy. Either
version works beautifully, I recommend the participants rewrite where necessary
to form a legal contract that they can and will keep. It is easy to avoid being
an oathbreaker if you only swear to that that you will keep and avoid swearing
to something just because the other party wants it or because it might be
“expected” by the family. Notice: parts of this ritual were cribbed from the
writings of others. I apologize in advance for failure to reference sources but
after the fifteenth rewrite we had forgotten where we got the text and what was
and what was not original to us. I doubt if there are quotes from other sources
longer than paragraph length and thus should not be a copyright problem. If you
see something that is yours, please send me mail and I will reference you in the
future. Our thanks to those who paved the way. –Ryan Hunter]
[PRIEST] We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of
____bride______ and ____groom______. There are many things to say about
marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come
our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union,
more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give
all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with
them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom
that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love,
life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to
Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If
we learn no more in life, let it be this.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and
reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its
downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Groom and
Bride have come here today to be joined as one in marriage.
Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a
woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if
she comes of her own will and if she has her family’s blessing.
Bride, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[BRIDE] Yes, it is true.
[PRIEST] With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you.
[FATHER] She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her
family’s blessings.
[PRIEST] Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am
about to say.
Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass,
remember…
Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be
constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your
marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of
love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you
inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be
understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they
will pass quickly.
Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of
the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.
Groom, I have not the right to bind thee to Bride, only you have this right.
If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand.
[GROOM] It is my wish.
[PRIEST] Bride, if it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you, place the
ring on his finger. (places ring on Groom’s left ring finger)
Bride I have not the right to bind thee to Groom only you have this right.
If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.
[BRIDE] It is my wish.
[PRIEST] Groom, if it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you, place the
ring on her finger.(places ring on Bride’s left ring finger)
(to Groom) Repeat after me:
I, (grooms full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within
us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides
within my heart, take thee (bride’s full name) to my hand, my heart, and my
spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess
thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in
the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely
without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life
and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to
change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy
ways as I respect myself.
(to Bride)
I (bride’s full name), in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us
all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within
my heart, take thee, (Groom’s full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit
to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and
be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity
of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without
restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and
beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to
change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy
ways as I respect myself.
[PRIEST]
(hands chalice to the groom, saying:) May you drink your fill from the cup
of love.
(Groom holds chalice to bride while she sips then bride takes chalice and
holds it to groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the Priest
who sets it on the table. Next the Priest takes the plate of bread, giving
it to the groom. Same
procedure repeated with bread, groom feeding bride and bride feeding groom.)
By the power vested in me by God and the State of ________, I now pronounce
you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding
light unto you.
Fasting of the hands
Fasting of the hands
Handfasting is the marriage rite used by many neo-Pagans and Wiccans. The term
itself comes from the custom of shaking hands over a contract. It was used in
Scotland for the engagement period of a year and a day before a wedding was
proved.
In most Pagan traditions today it may mean a non-state registered wedding or one
in which a marriage license is filed. For some it is a year and a day,
renewable “so long as love shall last” and for others a commitment to be
together through many lives.
There are probably as many rituals for this as there are people who have joined
themselves together.
The hands are generally bound with a cord as part of the ritual.
A LITTLE HISTORY ON “HANDFASTING”
A LITTLE HISTORY ON “HANDFASTING”
What is “Handfasting”?
Until the time leading up to, and during the Middle Ages, weddings were
considered affairs that included both family and community.
The only thing needed in those times to create a marriage was for both partners
to state their consent to take one another as spouses.
The tradition of handfasting started in Scotland and was considered more of a
contract than a romantic endeavor. Witnesses were not always necessary, nor was
the presence of the bride!
The role of the clergy at a medieval wedding was simply to bless the couple.
Until the council of Trent in the 15th century it was not official that a third
party such as a priest or minister officiate the vows of marriage.
Until that time it was left up to the individuals involved to perform the
ceremony. This was done many times in the home of the bride.
In the later medieval period, the wedding ceremony moved from the house of the
bride to the
church.
It began with a procession to the church from the bride’s house.
Vows were exchanged outside the church and everyone would then move inside for
high Mass.
After Mass, the procession went back to the bride’s house for feasting and
musicians accompanied the procession.
Old Religion wedding ceremony
Old Religion wedding ceremony
UU/Old Religion wedding
We used the Gardnerian “Prayer to the Cosmic One” for the chalice lighting:
High Priestess
In token of the two traditions brought together here tonight, we light the
flaming chalice, the symbol of Unitarian Universalism, with a prayer of the Old
Religion:
In the Name of the Cosmic One
The ancient Providence
Which was from the beginning
And is for eternity
Male and female;
All-knowing, all-pervading, all-powerful,
Changeless and eternal;
In the Name of the Lady of the Moon
And the Lord of Death and Resurrection;
In the names of the Mighty Ones of the Four Quarters,
The Rulers of the Elements;
Blessed be this time and this place
And we who are now gathered here.
We spoke these vows:
Bride
By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by my life and
by my love for you; I, Phaedra, take you Keith in the Sacred Marriage. I
pledge to you my heart, my body, my life and my spirit. I will be to you as
the earth to the sun, as the moon to the stars. I will be Priestess at your
altar, wife in your home and Goddess to the God in you.”
Groom
By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by my life and
by my love for you; I, Keith, take you Phaedra in the Sacred Marriage. I
pledge to you my heart, my body, my life and my spirit. I will be to you as
the sun to the earth, as the stars to the moon. I will be Priest at your
altar, husband in your home and God to the Goddess in you.”
I get misty-eyed just remembering.
Working by the Tides
Working by the Tides
The tides are another power source if you are anywhere near the sea, an estuary of a tidal river. The incoming tide or flow will attract and bring fulfillment of wishes or dreams; the ebb tide will take away negativity and also protect those who travel, especially those who work at sea. The slack tide between flow and ebb, which can last for up to an hour, is excellent for building up power before the surge and moment of release at tide turn.
Working by the Sun
Working by the Sun
As the alter ego of the moon, the sun offers a significant source of energy for natural magick, and solar energies often offer power for more instant magickal results.
Dawn is best for new opportunities, beginnings and people entering your life; noon for a burst of instant power, energy, success and prosperity. Dusk is for reconciliation or letting go. Midnight assists healing magick, psychic protection and in accepting what cannot be changed.
You can combine lunar and solar energies for a quick solar fix and the slower continuous lunar consolidation of the initial solar results in your life. Noon spells on the day of the full moon will get things off the starting block and keep up the impetus through the month. Often the moon and sun are in the sky at the same time (check your moon diary or weather section of the newspaper, or just look) and combine the energies accordingly.
Water
Water
Direction: west
Time: dusk
Season: autumn
Colours: blue, from dark, inky or grey blue to brilliant Mediterranean turquoise; silver
Qualities: intuition, empathy, sympathy, healing powers, inner harmony, peacemaking, unconscious wisdom, divinatory powers especially connected with water scrying, ability to merge and interconnect with nature, the cycles of the seasons and life cycle.
Rules over: love, relationships, friendships, dreams, the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, purification rites, alternative healing, using the powers of nature, especially crystals and sacred water, all water and sea magick, moon magick, travel by sea. Animals: albatross, dolphin, frog, heron, seagull, seal, shark, toad, whale, all fish, especially salmon, fish of the summer on the native North American Medicine Wheel and of wisdom in the Celtic tradition.
Archangel: Gabriel, archangel of the moon, who represents the fruits of the harvest, the rewards of our successes and the need to let go of our failures and regrets.
Gabriel protects fish stocks, those who travel across water and against inclement weather. He cleanses polluted seas, lakes and rivers.
Visualize him in robes of silver and midnight blue with stars interwoven on the crescent moon in his halo.
Crystals: aquamarine, blue and pink chalcedony calcite, coral, fluorite, jade, moonstone, ocean or orbicular jasper, opal, pearl, tourmaline
Elemental creatures: naiads
Goddesses: all moon and water deities
Coventina, indigenous British water goddess of sacred springs; also revered at sacred wells in Spain and Gaul.
Ganga, the Hindu healing water goddess who is manifest as the sacred river Ganges and was daughter of the Himalayas
Heket or Heqet, the frog-headed Ancient Egyptian goddess who breathed life into the clay figures that her husband Knum the potter god made; a goddess of fertility and creativity.
Mama Cocha or Mother Sea, the Peruvian whale goddess.
Ran, the Norse sea goddess who loves gold more than anything else; a goddess of protection.
Sedna the ancient sea mother of the Inuit people who releases the seals and shoals of fish for hunting.
Stella Maria, patroness of sailors, fishermen and travelers by sea, once identified with Isis and now associated with the Virgin Mary who is depicted in this role with a crown of stars.
Gods: Hapy or Hapi, the god of the Nile flood, who wears flowing papyrus and lotus flowers on his head, carrying a loaded offering dish with wine, food and lotus blossoms, as a symbol of his fecundity.
Mannanan or Manannan macLir, Lord of the Otherworld Isles of the Blest which include the Isle of Man and Arran; he casts magical mists around them to keep away danger.
Poseidon, Greek god of the sea, who carried a trident, became Neptune in the Roman tradition and was said to have drowned Atlantis (or some blame Zeus) because of the corruption of this Golden Race.
Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, whose eyes and nose were formed of intertwined serpents and who was entreated in annual ceremonies to bring rain to fertile the crops.
Herbs and incenses: apple blossom, apricot, Balm of Gilead, camellia, catnip, coconut, coltsfoot, cowslip, cyclamen, eucalyptus, feverfew, hyacinth, iris, jasmine, lemon, lemon balm, lilac, lily, lotus, lucky hand, myrrh, orchid, passionflower, peach, sandalwood (sometimes under air), strawberry, sweet pea, tansy, thyme, valerian, vanilla, violet, yarrow.
Places: flooded land, flood plains, fountains, lakes, marshland, the ocean, ponds, pools, rainy day, rivers, sacred wells and streams, water features.
Sacred substance: water
Zodiacal signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Fire
Fire
Direction: South
Time: Noon
Season: Summer
Colours: Red, orange, gold
Qualities: Fertility in all aspects of life, creativity, light-bringing power, passion, joy, initiating, transformation, courage, mysticism, clairvoyance, prophecy.
Rule over: Ambition, achievement, illumination, inspiration, all creative and artistic ventures, poetry, art, sculpture, writing, music, dance, religion and spirituality, psychic powers especially higher ones such as channeling, innovation, sexuality. It is also potent for destruction of what is now no longer needed, for binding and banishing ritual and so for protection.
Animals: Dragonfly, firefly, fox, lion, lizrd, stag, tiger
Archangel: Michael, archangel of the sun and light and the warrior angel. Michael is the angel of power and of illumination and brings in the summer season and fertility, growth and energy into our lives and to the land, to animals and the crops. He is also potent, for reviving barren land despoiled by industrialization and for cleansing air pollution.
Visualize him resplendent in scarlet and gold with a huge sword, golden scales in his other hand and often a dragon crushed beneath his feet.
Crystals: Amber bloodstone, bojo stones, carnelian, garnet, hematite, iron pyrites, lava, mookaite, obsidian, red jasper, ruby sunstone, topaz.
Elemental creatures: Salamanders
Goddesses: Amaterasu Omigami, the Japanese sun goddess whose name means ‘great August spirit shining in heaven’
Brighid, the Celtic triple goddess of fire and of the hearth, patroness of healers, poets and smiths
Gabija, the Lithuanian goddess of the hearth fire, who was honored by throwing salt on the fire each evening after the main meal
Pele, goddess of volcanoes, fire and magic, who is still revered in Hawaii by those who claim descent from her and who still set up altars near lava streams.
Saule, Baltic queen of the heavens and earth, dressed and crowned with gold who drove her golden chariot across the skies and danced with her daughter the planets on the festival of St. Lucia, the light maiden, just before the midwinter solstice
Sekhmet, the Ancient Egyptian lion-headed solar goddess of fire and healing who is the patroness of modern businesswomen
Vesta, the Roman goddess of sacred fire whose Virgins tended the sacred fire in Rome
Gods: Agni, the Hindu god of fire, who is said to be manifest as the vital spark in mankind, birds, animals, plants and life itself
Apollo, the Graeco-Roman sun god, who was twin brother of Artemis, the moon goddess, and was patron of the arts, especially music, beauty and harmony.
Helios of the Greeks, known to the Romans as Sol, who was regarded as the sun himself. He ascended the heavens in a chariot drawn by winged snow-white horses to give light, and in the evening descended into the ocean
Lugh (Llew in Wales) the ancient Irish god of light and the cycle of the year, born at the midwinter solstice, made king at the summer solstice and willingly sacrificed at Lughnassadh at the beginning of August in order to maintain the fertility of the land and ensure the success of the harvest.
Ra or Re, the Ancient Egyptian sun god who sailed the sun boat across the heavens during the day
Herbs and incenses: Allspice, angelica, basil, bay, cactus, carnation, cedar wood, chamomile, chrysanthemum, cinnamon, cloves, copal, dragon’s blood, frankincense, galangal. Garlic, juniper, lime marigold, nutmeg, olive, orange, pennyroyal, rosemary, snapdragon, sunflower, tangerine, thistle holy, thistle milk, witch hazel
Place: Bonfires, all conflagrations, deserts, hearths, hilltop beacons, lightning, sacred festival fires, solar eclipses, thunder, volcanoes, at the height of noon or a blazing sunrise or sunset, plains shimmering in the heart, any sunny place, sandy shores on hot days, hear banks of yellow or golden flowers.
Sacred substances: Candle
Zodiacal signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Air
Air
Direction: East
Time: Dawn
Season: Spring
Colours: Yellow, grey
Qualities: Logic, clear focus, an enquiring and analytical mind, the ability to communicate clearly, concentrations, versatility, adaptability, quest for truth, commercial and technological acumen, healing powers through channeling higher energies
Rules over: New beginnings, change, health and conventional healing, teaching, travel, house or career moves, knowledge, examinations, the media, science, ideas, ideals and money-spinning
Animals: All bird of prey (especially the eagle and hawk), butterfly, moth, white dove
Archangel: Raphael, the healer archangel and traveler’s guide. He is the angel who offers healing to the planet and to humankind and all creatures on the face of the earth, in the skies and waters, especially effective against technological and chemical pollution and the adverse effects of modern living. He is depicted with a pilgrim’s stick, a wallet and a fish.
Visualize him in the colours of early morning sunlight, with a beautiful green healing ray emanating from his halo.
Crystals: Amethyst, citrine, clear crystal quartz, diamond, lapis lazuli, sapphire, sodalite, sugilite, turquoise
Elemental creatures: Sylphs
Goddesses: All Moon and Sky deities (Moon Goddesses also rule water)
Arianrhod, the Welsh goddess of the full moon, time and destiny, who turns the wheel of the stars.
Diana, Goddess of the Witches, the moon and huntress goddess of the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Her daughter Aradia came to earth to teach her mother’s wisdom (Aradia arguably is an earth, air, fire and water goddess)
Myestse, the Russian mother maiden who was the consort of Dazhbog the sun god and became mother of the stars
Nut, the Ancient Egyptian sky goddess whose body arches over the earth, covered in stars and into whose womb Ra the sun god enters to be reborn each night
Pavati (or Parvati), wife of Shiva, the father god in Hinduism, the beautiful young goddess of the mountains, who is the catalyst and power source without which Shiva would be impotent
Gods: Hermes, the winged Ancient Greek Messenger and healer god who, like Mercury, his Roman counterpart, is also god of medicine, money lenders and thieves
Horus, the Ancient Egyptian sky good, represented as a falcon or a falcon-headed man. His eyes were the sun and moon and his wings could extend across the entire heavens.
Jupiter, the supreme Roman sky god whose Greek counterpart was Zeus, who cast thunderbolts upon the unrighteous
Myesyats, the Slavic moon god, who represented the three states of the life cycle as a youthful, a mature and then an old man
Odin, the Norse god (the Anglo Saxon Woden), as all-father, god of inspiration, wisdom and poetry as well as war
Herbs and incenses: Acacia, agrimony, almond, anise, benzoic, bergmot, borage, caraway, clover, dill, elecampane, eyebright, fennel, fenugreek, lavender, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lily of the valley, linden, marjoram, meadowsweet, mulberry, Nag Champa, palm, papyrus flower, peppermint, sage, star anise
Places: Balconies, cliffs, hills, mountain tops, open plains, planes (looking out of the window at banks of cloud), pyramids, roof gardens, the sky, steeples and spires of churches and cathedrals, tall buildings, towers, open windows, anywhere by moon or starlight
Sacred substance: Incense
Zodiacal signs: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra
Earth
Earth
Direction: North
Time: Midnight
Season: Winter
Colours: Green, brown
Qualities: Stability, common sense, practical abilities, caretaking of the earth, protectiveness, upholding of tradition, love of beauty, patience, perseverance, generosity, acceptance of others, nurturance.
Rules over: Abundance and prosperity, fertility (also fire for fertility), finance, law and order, institutions, authority, motherhood, the physical body, food home and family, animals, the land, agriculture, horticulture, environmentalism.
Animals: Badger, bear, bee, bull serpent, snake, spider.
Archangel: Uriel, the archangel of transformation whose name means fire of god, the archangel who brought alchemy to humankind.
Uriel brings warmth to the winter season and to cold or unhappy periods in our life. He melts the snows with his flaming sword or torch. Ecologically he works at conserving resources, protecting rainforests, wildlife habitats and endangered species.
Visualize him in rich burnished gold and ruby red with the brightest flame-like halo and fiery sword, like a bonfire blazing in the darkness.
Crystals: Amazonite, aventurine, banded brown agates, emerald, fossils, jet malachite, moss agate, petrified wood, rose quartz, tree agate, all yellow brown and mottled jaspers like Dalmatian jasper, rutilated quartz, smoky quartz, tiger’s eye and all stones with holes in the center.
Elemental creatures: Gnomes
Goddesses: Cerridwen, the Celtic Great mother, keeper of the cauldron of inspiration and rebirth.
Gaia, the Ancient Greek earth mother, whose name has been given in modern times to the earth.
Hecate, wise crone goddess of the Ancient Greek tradition who also rules magic, good fortune and the Waning Moon.
Isis Unveiled, from the Ancient Egyptian tradition, as mother of nature and protectress of all.
Mati Syra-Zemlya, of Moist mother earth, the Slavic goddess, who spins the web of life and death.
Nerthus, the Ancient Viking earth mother, associated with fertility of crops of her successor, Frigg, wife of Odin and patroness of women and childbirth.
The Virgin Mary.
Gods: Cernunnos, Horned god of the Celts, who is also called Herne from the Anglo Saxon.
Grey or Ingvi, Viking and Anglo Saxon names for the god associated with the fertility of the earth.
Geb, the Ancient Egyptian earth god andd consort of Nut the sky goddess, associated with the sacred goose who laid the egg from which the world emerged.
The Green Man, the ageless god of vegetation, still recalled in May-time celebrations.
Osiris, son of Geb and consort of Isis, who after his murder by his brother became the embodiment of the annual growth of the corn, watered by the tears of Isis at the Nile flood.
Herbs and incenses: Bistort, cypress, fern, geranium, heather, hibiscus, honesty, honeysuckle, knotweed, magnolia, mugwort, oak, moss, oats, oleander, patchouli, primrose, sagebrush, sorrel (wood), sweet grass, tulip, vervain, vetivert
Places: Caves, the crypts of churches and cathedrals, forests, gardens, grass, groves, homes, ley or psychic power lines in the earth, megaliths, ploughed fields, rocky places, snow- or ice-covered lands and glaciers, sand stone circles, temples.
Sacred substances: Salt (also soil and clay)
Zodiacal signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Working With The Four Elements
Working With The Four Elements
In all magick and most powerfully in Natural Magick the four ancient elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water form the building blocks of magical power and can be used formally and informally in spells to endow a symbol with power and to build up that power.
The combination of the four elements creates a fifth element, Ether or Akasha, or quintessence, pure Spirit, the energy and also the substance that transforms thoughts and desires to actuality.
We all contain these four elements within our personalities in different proportions. The psychotherapist Jung talked about earth equating with sensations (practical functioning), air with thought (logic), fire with intuition (inspiration) and water with feelings (empathy and emotions). We can call upon these strengths as contained within elemental substances and in nature both in spells and in our lives to bring their powers into play.
The inner powers of the elements, for example the practical stability of earth or the inspiration of fire, can be brought into the actual world for the fulfillment of your spell. This happens first when you visualize the elements, for example a beautiful golden ploughed field for earth or a tall bonfire for fire, and then in the words you use when calling the power of the element, for example by making a chant about all the different ways you imagine the earth. This transfers the powers of the elements into your mind. Then, on the physical level, you work with, say, salt for earth and a candle flame for fire, and this together with your visualization and words joins the powers of the elements on the thought and actual levels. The energy created is key to successful spell casting as the intangible thoughts and the actual substances come together.
Sometimes you will put the emphasis on one or two particular elements, for example earth, and air to speed up a house sale and/or purchase.
In this case you could choose a setting for example a woodland on a windy day or the rough grass on a hill top. You would use a combination of earth – and air – related symbols, for example a feather tied to a white stone to represent your new home (you could draw a house on the stone). You could then release the feather at the end of the spell.
In a pure water ritual, for example to send healing to a particularly polluted body of water where your children would like to swim or to ask for clean drinking water for those who do not have it, you could light blue candles at each of the four quarters and perhaps have a cauldron or dish of water in the center. You could symbolically purify this water with a few drops of flower essence such as Dr. Bach’s Five Flower Rescue Remedy or pour one of your own magical waters into the earth.
Of course, the other elements would be present. Incense(air) would empower, activate and help the need to be communicated to those who can help resolve it. Fire(candle) would inspire and give the necessary force to make actions and not just words happen in the real world. Earth(salt) would sort out the practicalities such as who will pay for clean water. Then you can create the necessary magical rocket of power in the fusion of the four elements. When these four meet, they become a fifth element called Quintessence, Ether or Akasha. This collective energy fills the physical symbols with the psychically generated power.
I just got this crazy, crazy idea……..
I just got this crazy, crazy idea especially for a Witchcraft Blog, lol! What do you say we throw all the News, Recalls and other stuff out the window today? Instead lets’ go totally ‘Witchy,’ what do you say? You know add some info on the Craft on here, then add some potions, tinctures, spells, rituals and who knows what else!
What do you say? You with me?
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Today’s Quiz for Aug. 3 – What Does My Dog’s Breed Say About Me?
What Does My Dog’s Breed Say About Me?
by Nicolas, selected from petMD
In my book It’s a Dog’s Life … but It’s Your Carpet, I admit, I make some pretty huge generalizations about breeds and pet owners. Granted, they’re my own opinions, but if you really wanted to know what your veterinarian thinks of you when you walk in the door with your breed of dog, read on!
Labrador Retriever
Dedicated, outdoorsy, loyal, and generally a good person to be around. Shops at REI. Drives a Subaru.
Chihuahua
May bite. The dog too.
Greyhound
Kind, mild mannered. Has neurotic tendencies. Gentle. Laid back. Drinks bottled water. Often looks like the dog.
Miniature Poodle
Usually owned by a sweet, old, white-haired person.
Terrier
Potential to be a loyal, family-oriented person. Can be snarky and have an east-coast attitude.
Golden Retriever
Family oriented and generally a good person to be around. Has two or three human babies.
Miniature Schnauzer
Family oriented. Owned by older adults. Shops at LL Bean and Lands’ End. Drives a Volvo.
Yorkshire Terrier
Likes to carry a YSL or Gucci purse, often with their pet in it. Enjoys the high life. Drinks wine, not beer.
Rottweiler
Bad ass. Loyal. Protective. Doesn’t want to be screwed with.
Maltese
Either wants to have a child or have grandchildren. Loves to nurture and carry loved ones in arms. Very well dressed. Likes pink bows.
Beagle
Family oriented. High tolerance level for baying.
Bernese Mountain
Financially secure. Educated. Shops at REI, Best Buy, and Nordstroms.
****
What? Don’t believe me? What do you think? Does your breed represent you?
And yes, I purposely skipped stereotyping us American pit bull terrier dog owners. But as a veterinary student once said to me: “Dr. Lee … you look just like your dog.”
WOTC Cartoon of the Day – Critters On The Loose
Lighten Up – Top 10 indicators that a Redneck has been working on your computer
Top ten indicators that a redneck has been working on your computer
10. The monitor is up on blocks.
9. Outgoing faxes have tobacco stains on them.
8. The six front keys have rotted out.
7. The extra RAM slots have truck parts installed in them.
6. The numeric keypad only goes up to six.
5. The password is “Huntin”.
4. The CPU has a gun rack mount.
3. There is a Skoal can in the CD-ROM drive.
2. The keyboard is camouflaged.
1. The mouse is referred to as a “critter”.
Daily Feng Shui Tip for Aug. 3 – ‘National Watermelon Day’
Today’s ‘National Watermelon Day’ honors a summer staple that’s cool and refreshing. But did you know that eating watermelon could do a whole lot more than that? Thought of as one of the most Americana of foodstuffs, watermelons were actually introduced to the Egyptians around 2000 B.C., who would give a mixture of watermelon juice and white wine to anyone believed to be possessed by the devil. In Hawaii a whole watermelon is often rolled out the front door to help ease the spirit of someone recently deceased, and in Africa this fruit is considered a sacred gift to the divine Yoruban goddess Yemaya. Simply said, many global traditions have long recognized the healing and protective properties associated with eating this refreshing snack. Even the scent is said to allow you to lose weight. Now that really is a Happy Watermelon Day!
By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com
Witches Of The Craft® 
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