Month: July 2013

Let's Talk Witch – Do You Have What it Takes To Cast A Curse?

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Do You Have What It Takes To Curse?

Curses are not for the namby-pamby. Nor are they for fluffy bunnies or for those who insist that even the worst of horrors happen for a reason. They are for gutsy folks with the courage to do something about their situations when all other possibilities have been exhausted.

But just the same, curses aren’t to be taken lightly or flung about without due cause and serious thought. They’re not your normal type of magick and certainly not anything that should be performed as readily as a protection spell or a money spell. In fact, there’s good reason that they’re usually at the top of the magickal practitioner’s ten-foot-pole list. And contrary to popular belief, taking responsibility for your actions is the least of your worries.

To start with, cursing someone takes an inordinate amount of energy. Your energy. Energy that you’ve stored for other things, like the simple business of everyday living. And cursing someone effectively is going to wipe out all your reserves. But even if that weren’t the case, it’s important to remember that you’re going to be transferring the energy in the person on the other end of your magick. So, there’s a good chance that you’re inadvertently going to pick up some of that person’s energy along the way too. Do you really want that nasty stuff on you? Probably not.

Another thing is that the only substance that will fuel a curse properly is anger. Trying to fuel it with love or adding a *for the good of all concerned* codicil simply isn’t going to cut it. In order to even get the spell off the ground, you’re going to have to be so mad that you can’t see straight. So made that even strangling the person in question with your bare hands wouldn’t be enough to suit you. Yes, you’re going to have to be absolutely, uncontrollably, beyond the shadow of a doubt, livid pissed—more infuriated and enraged than you’ve ever been in your entire life and are ever likely to be again. And you need to know whether you’ve got what it takes to work yourself up into that sort of irrepressible hissy fit. What’s more, though, do you even want to?

Further, you’re also going to have to believe that you are unquestionably correct in the need to curse someone. Rationalization to suit your own purposes isn’t going to get it. You have to be right. You have to be sure. There isn’t any room for error or an after-the-fact “Oops…I was mistaken” when it comes to curses. The effects can be finite. What’s more, you can’t even begin to second guess yourself. Do you have that sort of resolve?

If none of this bothers you, and you’re absolutely certain of your position, then a curse is probably the way to go. And if not? Well, it’s best left alone.

Excerpts from:

Utterly Wicked
Curses, Hexes & Other Unsavory Notions
By Dorothy Morrison

The Witches Correspondence for Monday, July 22

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The Witches Correspondence to July 22nd

Magickal Intentions: Psychic Sensitivity, Women’s Mysteries, Tides, Waters, Emotional Issues, Agriculture, Animals, Female Fertility, Messages, Theft, Reconciliations, Voyages, Dreams and Merchandise
Incense: African Violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, Wormwood
Planet: Moon
Sign: Cancer
Angel: Gabriel
Colors: Silver, White and Gray
Herbs/Plants: Night Flowers, Willow Root, Orris Root, Birch, Motherwort, Vervain, White Rose and White Iris
Stones: Carnelian, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pearl, Clear Quartz, Fluorites, Geodes
Oil: (Moon) Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood

Monday belongs to the Moon. Monday’s energy best aligns itself with efforts that deal with women, home and hearth, the family, the garden, travel, and medicine. It also boosts rituals involving psychic development and prophetic dreaming.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, July 22

Witchy Comments

The Witches Almanac for Monday, July 22

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification and fertility.

St. Mary Magdalene s Day

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon Phase: Full Moon 2:18 pm

Moon Sign: Capricorn

Capricorn: Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules.

Sun enters Leo 11:56 pm

Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, or institutions, away from connections with others and other emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Incense:  Rosemary

Color: Lavender

Moon enter Aquarius 2:01 am

Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt changes. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

To Stop Harm From Coming

To Stop Harm From Coming

You need 1 brown or maroon candle
2 blue candles
2 white candles
1 black candle
athame (or other ritual knife)
sage for smudging (optional)
Your brown or maroon candle should be towards the back of the altar, but close to the middle. your black candle should be immediately in front of it (in the center of the altar), your blue candles on the sides of the black candle (one on each side next to it, but about 3 to 6 inches spread apart), and your white candles should be directly in front of your blue candles (also about 3 to 6 inches in front of them). So you have your basic star pattern.

Cast your circle. Light the candles

Now you have cast the circle, place the blade of your athame into the fire of the black candle and chant:

“Hail to the gods and the goddesses of the earth, Please help stop physical harm from coming to (name).

I Thank thee.”

Do this to the black, then the maroon or brown, then the left blue, left white, right white, then right blue. THEN, hold your athame straight up and say it again. As if you were pointing at the sky.

Now, do the whole chant again just like before, but replace “physical with emotional,then with mental, and so on…Then point your tool in front of you, say “blessed be”, point to the left, behind you (turn around), and to the right, then point it up.
You are done

 

Tower of White Light Protection

Tower Of White Light

A Spell Of Protection

The Tower of White Light is a visualization exercise in both the magick and psychic versions. It is a general protection construct, allowing no harm/evil to cross it’s boundary.

The Tower in either version is visualized as a pure white light of blinding intensity. It should be thought of as so intense as to be painful to look at but cause no pain to you.

Preparation:

Find a quiet spot where you won’t be disturbed and are comfortable. As you become more adept at visualization you will find that you can set up the Tower virtually anywhere.

Now if you like you can meditate, chant, or whatever you like to get ready to begin visualization. Some people use this time to dedicate their actions to or invoke their diety.

Visualization (for both versions):

Visualize yourself (or whoever or whatever you want protected) then visualize the Tower of White Light surrounding you (or whatever) completely. It is important that there be no breaks in the Tower. It should be solid and without seam.

Now come the difference between magick and psychic. In the psychic version you should visualize the Tower as emanating from your solar plexus (or the center of your body) and expanding to encompass your body.

In the magick version you should visualize the Tower as emanating from the center of the universe (or from your diety) and coming down to and encompassing your body.

After seeing the Tower formed and in place, know that no harm/evil can cross it’s boundary. This is a necessary step as it gives the construct it’s purpose. Without a purpose it is no more than gathered energy, like a battery, with no purpose.

Hold the image as long as you can up to 5 to 10 minutes.

As you end the visualization know that the Tower is still there and still protects you until you chose to cancel it. At some point in each day visualize the Tower and know that it has been there and is still there and again know that no evil/harm can cross it’s boundary. This revitalizes the Tower and keeps it strong.

A reminder. The Tower in either version can be use to protect other people or even places. It just depends on your skill at visualization.

Banishing spell

Banishing spell

To be performed during the waning moon

Tools:
heatproof container or cauldron
black or white candle
basil and garlic (for uncrossing, protection)
paper/black pen

Cast the circle
Invocation of the God and Goddess
Statement of purpose

I am here to banish negative influences from my life.
Right now, (name) is exerting an extremely negative force upon me.
I ask for the God and Goddess to assist me in banishing these forces
and eliminating his/her destructiveness.

Consecrate the cauldron as follows
sprinkle with salt water
recite:

In the name of the Lord and Lady I charge you to serve me within this circle.
I clear you of all former influences and energies that you may be fit
for the workings of Magick herein.

Do the same with the candle

On a piece of paper, write full name of person to be banished.
Roll up and tie with black string. Sprinkle with salt water and recite

Thou creature of paper.
By paper made, by paper changed.
Thou art not paper, but thou art negative influences in
(person to be bound).
So mote it be!

Light the black candle.
Burn the paper in the candle, visualizing all negative power over you
vanishing in the flames and rising out of your world with the smoke
Sprinkle basil and garlic over the flames and recite:

Blazing force of cleansing fire
Help me in this rite.
By air and earth,
water and fire
So be you bound
With this rite,
Your power takes flight
Sky and sea,
Keep harm from me
Cord go round,
Power be bound
Your negativity will no longer come my way.
From henceforth, your power over me is banished.
So Mote it Be!

Let paper burn itself out while visualizing a healthy, positive relationship
with the person

Cakes and Ale
Thanking the God and Goddess
Close the circle, thank the watchtowers for their protection

Poppet Weight Loss Spell

Poppet Weight Loss Spell

Items needed:
Dark Blue Candle –represents the Goddess
Gold Candle–represents the God
Red Candle
Rose Petals
Cotton Balls
Red thread/needle
Cloth–the color of your skin or close
scissors
Calming and soothing insense( rosemary for health and self-love or anything that you prefer)
Items to tie the doll to you–hair, nail clippings, saliva, skin residue, blood, etc)
Clean white linen
Bowl of water
Bowl of salt
Fireproof container to burn part of the herbs in
Herbs:
Anise–spirit aid in spells
Bergamot– success
Rosemary–willpower and happiness/health
St. John’s Wort–will power

Woodruff–change

Three nights before the Full Moon cast a Circle and invoke the Goddess
Begin to construct the doll. Cut out an outline that is close to your body shape or as you see your body. Begin to sew the doll saying–

(it is better for you to create your own chant as always )-

(your name) as this I see

(your name) you represent to me

Say this over and over as you sew leaving an opening for stuffing the doll with herbs and cotton as well as items connected to you. Place the doll upon your Altar below a Red Candle–for energy and action and passion to your spell (if you see need for another candle feel free to choose.. it is the same with the herbs)

Altar should be set with candles lit
Elements Represented with
Bowl of Salt–Earth
Bowl of charged Water–Water
Incense–Rosemary or Sandalwood–Air
Red Candle–Fire
God/Goddess candles and anything else you use, including any items that represent health and beauty to you personally..

You will now begin to mix your herbs .. they do not have to be powdered but can be ground if you prefer with a mortar and pestle. Charge the herbs as you blend (one tsp. each will be fine .. more if needed as you will burn what you do not use in the doll)

as you mix say:

Herbs of health and Beauty Fair
I stir and mix and blend with care
Essence now come into me
Lend your power
So mote it Be

(chant 3,6, or nine times or until you feel it is sufficiently charged)

Place the herbs in the doll in the areas that you feel are more healthy and place cotton balls in areas you would like to change most. Add as well the items to tie the doll to you… as you do this chant:

Though separate you are
We are linked as One

As (your name) Your life has begun

Consecrate the doll when you are finished stuffing it saying:

With Earth I consecrate this doll as (your name)..
sprinkle a bit of salt on the doll
With Air I consecrate this doll as(your name)
pass doll through the incense
With Fire I consecrate this doll as (your name)
pass the doll over the
candle .. be careful not to catch it on fire!
With Water I consecrate this doll as (your name)
sprinkle a bit of the charged water on the doll

Attune to the doll. Feel and Know it is You! let the doll sit on the altar undisturbed and if you can’t leave your altar up wrap it in clean white linen and keep in a safe place until you are ready to continue.

On the next night (now waning moon and time for banishing the fat) Altar set as before..

Begin to remove the cotton from the doll placing it in the fireproof dish and concentrating on its burning .. say

Fat Unwanted, Fat unneeded
Fat now gone and fat unheeded
Burn up quickly in the Flame
Leave behind no excess weight or bane
Fat now banished from my site
Fat sheds off both day and night
Leaving only health behind
Tied with beauty in herbs that bind.
Fat is banished away from me

And as my will So mote it be!!

Once you have removed and burned 1/3 of the cotton pinch out the candles and leave the doll on the altar or wrap in clean white linen once again..
Do this for three nights in a row until all cotton is removed (i feel it is best to leave the altar standing the three days running and keep the doll there upon it when you are not working but make sure nothing is disturbed)

On the third night after burning the last of the fat….

Burn the left over herb mixture as you sew up the rest of the doll closing the opening with the red thread

Now.. wrap the doll in clean white linen and keep in a special place where it will not be disturbed.. this spell can be repeated at each full moon going into waning.

WHITE CANDLE SPELL FOR BLESSING

WHITE CANDLE SPELL FOR BLESSING

Get a white candle — either a plain one (offeratory,
pillar, or taper) or a figural one in the gender of the
person you want to bless. Carve the person’s full name on
the candle, then dress it with Blessing Oil or Holy Oil.

For more power, you may place a name-paper of the person, or
a photo, or some personal item of theirs (such as a bit of
hair or a snippet of clothing) either under the candle or next to it. One easy way to do this is to place the paper or
personal concerns under an overturned saucer and put the
candle on top of the saucer.

Burn a portion of the candle every day for seven days,
pinching it out between burnings. As you light it each day,
say this

[Name], may you be blessed May all good things come to you
May nothing whatesoever harm you
May your heart be light
May your travels be safe
May your health be good
May your mind be sound
May your friendships sustain you

May you be blessed in every way

* If you have a special request for this person (such as
that they find a lover, get a good job, come home safely
from a war, or whatever), just add it to the list.

Some people use a large pillar-type candle and keep it going
for longer than seven days. They may make a habit of burning
such a candle every day — or once a week, on Sundays — for
as long as their friend or relative needs help, even doing
so for months at a time. if the candle is large and it is to
be burned in this way, it should be re-dressed with Blessing
Oil or Holy Oil once a week: after the initial dressing, you
can drop a tiny bit of oil into the “well” or hole in such a
large candle just before lighting it each time.

The Witches Almanac for Sunday, July 21

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The Witches Almanac for Sunday, July 21

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money
Incense: Lemon, Frankincense
Planet: Sun
Sign: Leo
Angel: Michael
Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White
Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak
Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate
Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

Your Horoscopes for Sunday, July 21

Integrity is crucial now that the Moon is visiting hardworking Capricorn. Mountain Goats live at higher altitudes than other mammals, a symbol of the ambitious feelings we tend to have while the Moon is in this practical earth sign. Also, an enthusiastic Mars-Jupiter conjunction fires us up with self-confidence. We yearn to be recognized for the work we do and we aren’t afraid to climb the ladder of success to achieve status and get what we need.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

It’s time to fulfill your domestic obligations or professional responsibilities and, if you do your job well, significant rewards are yours. The point is that you must earn them the good old-fashioned way with determination and hard work. It may be tempting to take a shortcut now, but this tactic will only delay your success. However, if you do what is required, good news could be waiting just around the next corner. In the meantime, honoring your commitments leaves you with a lasting feeling of personal satisfaction.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Even if you’re deeply involved with family issues now, you might have to adopt a more cautious approach to what’s going on at home. At first, it seems like you’re choosing the easy way out but this strategy only buys you time, not answers. Eventually you have to take a stand for your beliefs. Nevertheless, it’s still useful to remember that petty conflicts are not worth feeding with negativity. Rather than acting on your fears, visualize the best possible outcome for all involved and then strive to make it happen.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You may wake up on the wrong side of the bed today, thinking about all the responsibilities being piled upon you. There’s no need to be silent; speak up if you don’t think you should be doing what’s being asked of you now. But don’t do the work begrudgingly and then whine about it later. Instead, find a project that makes your heart sing. Doing something you love elevates your self-esteem and is ultimately good for those around you, too.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Feeling stress from a relationship has you questioning your own motives today, along with everything else. You don’t know what to say in order to delay an emotionally disruptive interaction but nearly any action is likely better than doing nothing at all. Don’t waste energy dancing with self-doubt; it’s simply not productive. Instead, use your time to isolate what matters to you before stating your position and then doing what it takes to defend it.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You’re slightly annoyed today because you feel as if you should be working on something even if you don’t know exactly what it is. Thankfully, your dilemma might not even be noticeable to others, but it still can add frustration to your day. An obvious solution is to just jump in and get busy; start by crossing some of the lingering items off your to-do list one at a time. Once your adrenaline kicks in, you’ll quickly develop a better idea of how you want to spend your time.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You are quite aware of your social obligations now and you are resigned to fulfill them, no matter what it takes. This determination may bring up familiar issues about your need to meet the expectations of others and how this can get in the way of your own personal satisfaction. But the good news is that you are on a sensible track to take care of unfinished business. Fortunately, staying focused early in the day leaves you time to pursue your own interests later on.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Applying your energy toward projects around the house is nurturing for your soul today. However, frustration might set in if the good times seem to be a step or two away. Nevertheless, a pragmatic approach makes the most sense now; there are things to be done and you’re the one to do them. Acknowledging the feelings that surface while fulfilling your responsibilities is empowering. Ultimately, you can enjoy yourself if you remain conscious about the choices you make throughout the entire day.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You have places to go and people to see now that the ambitious Capricorn Moon is moving through your 3rd House of Distractions. Unfortunately, your calendar may be so full that you don’t get to do what you want. Instead of keeping your desires to yourself, share them with those around you. It’s difficult to go out on a limb and talk about you own needs when others are relying on you. However, being honest about your wishes is a healthier strategy now than denying your feelings to meet everyone else’s expectations.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You are so smooth at justifying your decisions today that others might think your actions are based upon your strong personal values. You’re adept at keeping your feelings hidden now, making it nearly impossible for anyone to see your real motives. However, your current choices are probably determined by your emotional needs rather than core beliefs or ethical judgments. There’s no need to waste energy covering up what’s in your heart. Fortunately, telling the truth can actually set you free.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

It’s a mixed blessing when the Moon activates your sign for a couple of days. Normally, the evocative Moon draws you toward your emotions. However, you may be keeping your feelings to yourself now. Try to hold steady in the practical world instead of letting your fluctuating moods get the upper hand. If you must express what’s in your heart, take your time. A thoughtful disclosure can positively impact your most significant relationships.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Almost anything that isn’t out in the open now can be the source of great stress. For example, someone may be creating trouble behind your back to block your forward movement. The smartest move is to expose whatever is hidden so everyone can see what’s actually going on. However, it’s not wise to force an issue yet because you might not have all the facts at your disposal. It’s best to play the waiting game until others come to the same realization; in the meantime, prepare to swing into action on a moment’s notice.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You may be quite creative today, but it’s challenging to locate an outlet for your bursts of spontaneous expression. Fortunately, you can reveal your current enthusiasm by sharing what’s in your heart. However, you might feel external resistance to what you’re trying to express. Cool your heels if you must, but don’t blame your inhibitions on anyone else. Taking full responsibility for your self-restraint places you in the driver’s seat where you belong.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for July 21

Today should be easier to handle than yesterday. However, it is always important to remember that the major alignments and cycles from a previous 24-hour time-period don’t simply vanish. Instead, they have ramifications for another day or two — at the minimum. Nevertheless, human beings become severely debilitated if they wallow in self-pity rather than dealing with the Now and working cogently with the cosmic offerings of the moment.  Thus, it is helpful to tune into spiritual willpower and mental concentration to turn your life around for the good as the Moon makes its monthly union with Pluto in Capricorn (3:14AM PDT). Utilize your problem-solving skills to enhance your residence and bring estranged relatives back to the bargaining table as Pallas enters Cancer (6:02AM PDT) until September 11.  Keep working hard to reach a career milestone with the Moon transiting through the tenth sign of the zodiac. A distinct challenge arises at 8:54AM PDT (during the monthly Moon-Mercury opposition) as the lunar orb starts another long void twilight zone that lasts until 11:08AM PDT tomorrow when the Moon enters Aquarius. The Full Moon is also tomorrow and occurs just 9 minutes after the Moon glides into the universal air sign of Aquarius.  In the meantime, do your best to be more loving and considerate to dear ones on the ropes as the Sun forms a subtle and yet still supportive, 30-degree link to Venus (5:12PM PDT) while Ceres is parallel to often benevolent Jupiter (10:34PM PDT) — a favorable aspect that can increase your productive output across the board despite the presence of the void Moon.  Get ready for a powerful Mars-Jupiter conjunction at 6 degrees of Cancer at 12:36AM PDT tomorrow.

GOOD MORNING, WOTC! How Are Ya' Today?

Goddess With Me

Goddess with me
Goddess before me
Goddess behind me
Goddess in me Goddess beneath me
Goddess above me Goddess on my right
Goddess on my left
Goddess when I lie down
Goddess when I arrive
Goddess in the heart of everyone who thinks of her
Goddess in the mouth of everyone who speaks of her
Goddess in every eye that sees her
Goddess in every ear that hears her

Indications of What Type of Magic You Should Practice

Indications of What Type of Magic You Should Practice

Indications of White Magic:

  • Your practice uses White Light energies.
  • There is a tendency for self-purification before and/or during a spell.
  • You have an affinity to cleanse your area, target, and self.

Indications of Black Magic:

  • Dark essences are being used, primarily.
  • You find power in the emotional negativity of yourself and others.

Indications of Magecraft:

  • Your primary concern is in social politics or what people think.
  • You are constantly trying to understand what people think and feel.

Indications of Nature Magic:

  • Your practice tends to beckon you to nature and the use of natural forces.
  • You can feel a higher presence in things that most would call inanimate.
  • Your magic is an extension of the natural world, not a conflict with it.
  • You feel a different kind of power in nature and feel prone to harness it.

Indications of Necromancy:

  • Your practice centres around degrading health and physical well-being.
  • You find power in the physical suffering of yourself or others.
  • You use servitors but totally control all of their actions at all times.
  • You can sense if a person will die or if they are becoming ill/diseased.

Indications of Healing:

  • You can feel your own internal energies.
  • You can realign your internal energies if injured.
  • You can feel the aura of others and can realign it as well.

Indications of Celestial Magic:

  • You put your situations in the hands of a higher being.
  • You believe in a god or gods and want to, or know how to, communicate with them.
  • Your mystic practices incorporate the use of higher intelligences.

Indications of Satanic Magic:

  • Your power comes from yourself.
  • You are not interested in ever letting power out of your own control.
  • Your methods often include blessing/enchanting yourself.

Indications of Elemental Magic:

  • You are primarily concerned with physical manifestations.
  • Your art works heavily with controlling the environment.
  • It seems natural to you if you change the weather through mystic exertion.

Indications of Enchanting:

  • You are interested in the mystic potential of items.
  • You can sense mana in items that have been handled by another magician.
  • You try to magnify or nullify the powers put into objects.
  • You have skill in imbuing normal things with special powers.

Indications of Summoning:

  • You do not want to use higher powers to control summoned spirits.
  • Your power focusses on calling out to spirits, but not gods.
  • You see or work with demons, yet do not feel afraid.
  • You want servitors but also want to let them think on their own.
  • You can talk to spirits of the dead by feeling their thoughts.

Indications of Divination:

  • You frequently experience Deja Vu.
  • You see hidden meanings in atypical events.
  • You can predict events spontaneously with a high degree of accuracy.

Indications of Wizardry:

  • You tend to see “the big picture” where everyone else is worried about trifles.
  • You have the ability to move outside your body.
  • You use magic to change small things which drastically effect larger things by “domino effect”.
  • Your can project yourself or thoughts of your own design to manifest on this level.
  • Your art seems like a “pure” sorcery.

Indications of Sorcery:

  • You tend to see even mundane things from a mystic standpoint.
  • Your practices are fervent and full of emotion.
  • You step into a dark plane to practice your most potent skills.
  • Your art seems like a “dark” wizardry, or some form of “shadow magic”.

INDICATIONS YOU DO NOT YET FIT INTO A SINGLE ART:

  • You rely on a variety of mystic abilities.
  • You do not have a desire to commit to one path.
  • You feel confined rather than empowered by using a single discipline.
  • You see no need for devotion to extreme mystic abilities.

Note: This is not necessarily a reason to panic. There are times when the practitioner is legitimately not prepared to take on the discipline strains of studying through a single caste. At first, in fact, it is recommended that things be taken slowly and that all paths are given a fair trial to ensure that there is no reminiscing or regret in the future. This is not a problem, nor a sign of weakness. It is a reality that many casters face. Using whatever seems appropriate for a situation and recording it in a journal (Book of Shadows) will eventually reveal trends in your casting that will allow you to see where your talent or need lies.

INDICATIONS YOU DO NOT NEED MAGIC AT ALL:

  • There is a physical solution to your problems.
  • You couldn’t be bothered to study if there’s no immediately achievable results.
  • You already know of a few normal solutions to a problem without resorting to the occult.

Luna’s Grimoire

Types of Magic Practitioners

Types of Magic Practitioners

 

White Magician Expert of Protective and Purifying Spells. Forwarded most notably by the New Age movement, it focusses on the use of the “White Light”, protection, protective auras, stasis, cleansing, suppression of discord, and working on the mystic level to sustain and strengthen ethereal structure.

Black Magician Master of Manipulating Entropy. Grounded in the application of the laws of thermodynamics, the nature of decay, radiation, the effect of emotion on the body, and civil engineering and/or anatomy.

Psi Mage Expert at Psychic and Mental Control. Studying recommendations include telepathy, telekinesis, magnetism, secular and occult empathy, general psychology, emotion, motivation, hypnotism, cognitive processing, consciousness, states of awareness, sleep deprivation, learning, decision making, group dynamics, “Zen” concept, and other aspects of psychological classification and analysis.

Nature Mage Master of Nature and Natural Forces. Stressing the relationship between sound and plant growth, holistic medicine, botany, ley lines, earth spirits, photosynthesis, and astrological, minerological, and magnetic influences on earth.

Enchanter Expert at Enhancing Objects, People, or Areas. Employs a working understanding of vibratory rates, radioactive decay, music, energy impressions, quantum and magnetic resonance, body conductivity, and Ayurvedic philosophy.

Elementalist Expert of Controlling the Four Elements, and Influencing Weather. Studies the nature of natural phenomenon (electricity, heat, cold, wind), biochemistry, composition philosophies (Heraclitus, Anaximenes, Thales, Empedocles, Xenobius, etc), body composition, thermodynamics, natural entropical disarray, and physical laws of attraction and repulsion.

Diviner Expert of Future and Fortune telling. Heavy study in the mathematics of randomization, probability, chance, psychology, deja vu, precognition, instinct, sixth sense, visions, dreams, self-fulfilling prophecy, chaos theory, game theory, sociology, group psychology, identification and interpretation of patterns, and free-energy theory.

Summoner Expert at Summoning Spirits or Entities. Academia for this art includes telemetry, attempts at long-distance telepathic communication, vibrational states, dimensional theory, multiple personalities, schizophrenia, possession, multiversal theory, the Ethereal realm,thought-forms, and the nature of the Mind. There are a great many ritual texts worth reading as well.

Life Mage Expert at Manipulating and Sustaining Life Force. Emphasis on anatomy, biology, kinesiology, alternative healing methods, herbology, theories of life force, chakras, meridians, acupressure, acupuncture, reiki, ethereal body, medicine, Breathism, and chi as vitality.

Necromancer Expert at Manipulating Death Essences. Focussing on dim mak, animal biology, study of chi, toxicology, viriology, bacteriology, immunology, the Kreb cycle, phosphorylation, free radicals, anatomy, psychological effects on the body, the nature of hallucination, auric poisoning, “miasma” concept, acupuncture theory, lou channels, chakras, life meridians, medical biochemistry, and death deities.

Sorcerer Expert Manipulator of the Twilight Realm. Focussing on interpretational abstractions, geometry, Jewish “hell” concept (abyss), pre- and post-Christian “hell” concept (both Greek), the nature of emotion, multiversal theory, lucid dreaming, astral projection, the nature of physical interpretation (the five senses + sixth), Eastern “void” concept, dimensional theory, meditative trances, trance states, and physics related to holographic reality models.

Wizard Expert Manipulator of the Astral Planes. Focussing on non-Euclidian geometry, geometry, mathematics, multiversal theory, astral projection, astral forms, dimensional theory, the nature of perception, meditative trances, trance states, and physics.

Celestial Mage Calls on Deities to Intervene. Relevant studies include history of religion, cultural sociology, historical sociology, anthropology, history of religion, theology, High Magic, the bible, the koran, the Keys of Solomon, the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, John Dee’s Angel studies, Johannes Trithemius, shamanism, Intelligent Design theory (ID), and examinaton of other various holy writs and mythologies.

Satanic Magician Expert of Manipulating and Expressing Internal Forces. Pertains to LaVeyan “Satanic Magic”, Luciferianism, thought-forms, chaos theory, mind over matter, nature of perception, chakras, cause and effect principles in open systems, “crimson” magic as per CoS, self-fulfilling prophecy, and specific emphasis on microcosmic effect on macrocosms.

Luna’s Grimoire

Tips for the Solitary Practitioner

Tips for the Solitary Practitioner

 

There are many more self-initiated Wiccans and Witches out there than practically any other variety of Pagan. While a valid and legitimate spiritual path, self-initiation and working solitary pose a few unique challenges to those who would follow this particular path to the Old Gods. By its very nature, the solitary path doesn’t have a lot of guidance available–usually you strike out on your own to discover it all for yourself.

So why self-initiate? Why be a solitary practitioner? These are questions you have to answer for yourself. No one has a monopoly upon wisdom, nor on the Mysteries–these are not things that you can own, only experience on your own terms, and even then they keep moving, changing and growing. Anyone who approaches the Gods with sincerity, respect, and integrity can and will discover their own way to commune with these essential forces of Nature. It means hard work, requires creativity, persistence and determination–it is a challenging path to take.

If you decide to pursue self-initiation and build your own version of spiritual practice based upon the Wiccan model, here are some tips to help make the process go a bit more smoothly:

1) Clarify your intent. Ask yourself “Why am I doing this?” Examine your motivations–pursuing any particular spiritual path is a serious commitment. Setting out to explore things on your own as a solitary practitioner is not something to do on a whim, nor is it a “fun” hobby. It’s work, and plenty of it. It can also be worth it.

2) Gather your resources. You need to establish a set of ground rules for what you want to do. This will require reading everything you can get. Try to read a variety of authors, and don’t read just about Witchcraft. You’re not going to learn very much from restricting your reading to pop-Wicca books that gleefully extol the virtues of playing at mediocre, misinterpreted folk traditions of dubious vintage. You’re setting out to acquire some wisdom, not superstitious twaddle and bogus hokum. Take classes and get calluses–go out and learn something, then put it to use in your life and the community around you. If it dies on the vine unused, it’s a waste.

3) If you find something that you like, adapt it; don’t just lift it out of its context. Once you have a basic framework within/upon which to work, rewrite everything to fit your emerging vision, after you’ve tried it out, tested it, and given it a chance to teach you what it has to reveal on its own terms.

4) Draft a statement of your core beliefs. Sign it, date it, and place it in your journal or Book of Shadows. Forget about it for a while and just work on doing it. Choose a time each year to re- examine it and amend it if desired. Sometimes this is a good thing to do during the winter months, perhaps Candlemas/Imbolc? You decide. When you do check it out, don’t beat yourself up if you’ve gone off in a completely other direction. Spend some time contemplating what you meant when you wrote that piece and look at what you’ve learned in the time since then. What would you change about it, or yourself, now that you know what you know now?

5) If you do happen to fall prey to the social disease of writing, please be sure to make every reasonable attempt to document your sources. Give credit where credit is due. You have nothing to gain by trying to pretend that you invented Gardner’s or Crowley’s books. Keep yourself honest. Given time, and effort, you will develop your own rites. When you do, you don’t want to dilute the meaningfulness of the moment by that nagging little voice that reminds you that you didn’t really do it. Respect your creativity, maintain personal integrity, and let things develop naturally.

6) Remember that within most established traditions of the Craft, the term ‘degree’ generally refers to experience, not rank. As a solitary you don’t have any rank to worry about. If you do, well, then I hope you’re enjoying yourself. As a solitary you get the opportunity to focus upon the personal experience and to drop the distractions. It’s similar to the monastic approach to mysticism, only less ascetic and more fun.

If you do wind up creating or adapting some sort of degree system for your personal Work be sure to take your time working through those degrees. Learn all you can and work with the Gods and Mighty Ones–as you progress, the doors of perception will open, the way will be found. Besides, if you’re going to pursue an experiential approach to an already experiential path, why deny yourself the benefit of having those very experiences that are part and parcel of the whole darn thing in the first place? It’s absolutely about quality, not quantity.

7) Do it for the right reasons. Why are you doing whatever you’re doing, and why alone? If you’re solitary because of some sort of insecurity or negative reaction to past happenstance…be prepared for circumstances to change as you grow and mature. If you’ve withdrawn to focus upon certain aspects of your personal spiritual development, don’t lose track of that, even if you do decide to take a break and go hang out with a group for a while. Your solitary practice should serve as a firm foundation for your day-to-day life. A viable, healthy spiritual practice will offer you a way to recharge your batteries, cope with stress, resolve crises and guide you as you grow. If your solitary path doesn’t offer you these things, what are you doing?

8) Solitary work can be ideal for self-transformation and personal healing. As you progress, as healing occurs, as changes take place, you will find your practice likewise changing. Consider this a form of sympathetic magick. As you become more fully integrated and whole, your rituals will become more balanced and holistic as well. The Craft is a healing path, so why not approach it as such?

9) Keep in mind that the only way to gauge progress is to challenge it in some manner. How you decide to challenge yourself is one thing. How the universe around you, let alone the Gods & Ancestors, will test your progress is another matter. There will come a point where your focus upon the self-chosen, self-directed things will be intruded upon. You are a human being, not an oyster. If you’re going to heal, then heal and get on with life. If you’re going to deal with something, deal with it and move on. Life is in motion. Whatever tries to remain static will encounter friction and eventually will be torn loose by the tides of change or the teeth of the trickster.

10) We all learn at different rates and in different styles. Working alone makes it possible to modify everything to suit your needs. Creativity and sincerity can guide you in making your Craft practice a viable and vital part of your life. Don’t waste time measuring your progress against other people. They do not approach things from your perspective or background, nor do they share your personal circumstances.

11) No matter what disabilities, hindrances, or restrictions you may have in your life, you can practice Wicca–if you honestly desire to do so. Indeed, the only thing holding anyone back from the Craft of the wise is their own sense of self. Sure, you may not be able to jump around a circle waving a letter-opener or perhaps you can’t mumble out a mournful dirge of dubious ecstasy like some of the other folks on the path. So what? As you will and you harm none. Get it?

12) Even solitaries aren’t alone anymore. With all of the resources available on the Internet–go check out http://www.witchvox.com or http://www.circle.org or http://www.avatarsearch.com or http://www.twpt.com or just do a search on Wiccan, Pagan or whatever your heart desires. There’s an incredible amount of information and opportunities to connect with a vast array of fellow seekers out there.

13) Consider sharing the fruits of your labors, but don’t be in a hurry to share the secrets of your success. Solitary work is very personal and what worked for you may not work for another. Respect the freedom of others to pursue their own path into the Silence as you yourself did. If you find that others come to you, or that you are asked to share more details, then you are being confronted by the task of becoming a teacher or guide or mentor.

Congratulations. Hopefully your time spent in solitary practice has garnered you some measure of wisdom that can help you to meet this new challenge with grace and dignity. Or at least with a good head start as you run away.

by James Garrison

Luna’s Grimoire

How to Practice as a Solitary Pagan

How to Practice as a Solitary Pagan

By Patti Wigington, About.com

In modern Paganism and Wicca, there are far more people who practice as solitaries than there are people who have joined covens or established traditions. Why is this? It’s partly because most people who want to learn about Paganism develop the interest long before they meet a coven or trad that they’re interested in joining. It’s also because even if you decide you want to be part of a coven or group, it’s not always easy to find one. Wiccan covens and Pagan groups don’t exactly have a listing in the Yellow Pages, so you may have five covens right up the street from you, and you’d never know it.

Certainly, practicing as a solitary can have its rewards. After all, you can make your own guidelines and follow your own set of ethics. Worship can be done at your convenience, rather than according to a schedule dictated by others. As a solitary, you’re really under no obligation to anyone but yourself and your gods. Many people spend their entire lives practicing as solitaries, and never feel a need to join a coven or group.

Occasionally, you may find some drawbacks to practicing as a solitary Pagan or Wiccan. You might sometimes feel alone, like you have no one to network with or share ideas with. You may at some point feel like you’ve stagnated — it’s hard to figure out what the next step is if you don’t have someone to compare notes. Sometimes, it’s nice to just get feedback from like-minded people — someone who can help you when you’re wondering about what to do.

If you’ve decided to practice as a solitary — either temporarily, or in the long-term — here are some tips on how to have a successful experience:

Try to establish a daily routine. It’s easy to let your studies go by the wayside if you’re all by yourself, so establishing a daily routine will help you keep on task. Whether your routine includes meditation, reading, ritual work, or whatever, try to do something each day that helps you work towards achieving your spiritual studies.

Write things down. Many people choose to keep a Book of Shadows, or BOS, to chronicle their magical studies. This is important for a variety of reasons. First, it allows you to document what you’ve tried and done, as well as what works and doesn’t work for you. Secondly, by writing down your rituals, prayers, or spellwork, you’re laying the foundation for your tradition. You can go back and repeat things that you find to be useful later one. Finally, it’s important to keep track of what you do magically and spiritually because as people, we evolve. The person you are now is not the same person you were ten years ago, and it’s healthy for us to be able to look back and see where we were, and how far we’ve come.

Get out and meet people. Just because you’ve chosen to practice as a solitary doesn’t mean you should never come into contact with other Pagans or Wiccans. Most metropolitan areas — and a lot of smaller communities — have informal Pagan groups that get together regularly. This offers solitaries a chance to network and chat with each other, without having to form specific organized groups. Take advantage of resources like Witchvox and Meetup to see what’s in your area. If there’s nothing around you, consider starting a study group of your own for like-minded folks.

Ask questions. Let’s face it, we all need to start somewhere. If your read or hear something and you want to know more about it, ask. If something isn’t clear, or contradicts something you’ve already read, ask. Don’t accept everything at face value, and remember that just because one person had a particular experience doesn’t mean that you’ll have an identical experience. Also, keep in mind that just because you read something in a book doesn’t necessarily mean it’s valid — learn to ask whether a resource is worth using or not. Don’t be afraid to be a skeptic sometimes.

Don’t ever stop learning. Ask other people in the Pagan community — either online, or in real life — for recommendations about books and other resources. If you read a book that you enjoy, check the back for a bibliography and see what other books that author suggests. Remember that learning can take place by reading, but it can also develop from personal experience, and from speaking with other people involved in Paganism.

Luna’s Grimoire

Witches Spell for July 19 – Poppet Prosperity Spell & Ritual

PROSPERITY SPELL AND THE RITUAL

Do this spell when the Moon is out and shining brightly.

Items you will need:

–poppet made out of green cloth, leave the head open

–chamomile for money

–rosemary for luck

–basil for success needle and thread

–Directional elementals (earth, incense for air, fire, water)

 

Altar Devotion, Casting the Circle

As you walk around the circle three times, imagine a green, soothing mist trailing

from your fingers, enveloping you and enclosing your magic circle.

“I conjure the magic circle I am safe within the Goddess’ womb  A sacred place, a world apart  Where enchantment births and magic starts With Air and Fire, Water and Earth  I circle round the Mother’s girth This circle is sealed”

Drawing Down the Moon

Stand holding your athame, legs slightly apart, arms at your side. Breathe deeply.

Raise the athame to your lips, holding it with both hands, and then point it toward  the moon. Feel the energy of the moon move through the athame, down your arms  and into your whole being.

Invocation to the Goddess

“Wondrous Lady of the Moon Mistress of all magic and protectress of all Wicca 

Life-giving mother I greet you at the waxing of the moon’s power I invite you to 

attend my Full Moon rite”

Invocation to the God

“Radiant King of the Heavens Master of beasts wild and free Horned stag I greet 

you at the waxing of the moon’s power I invite you to attend my Full Moon rite” 

Meditation and Chant to the Goddess

Sit with your spine straight, legs crossed, hands in your lap. Close your eyes and  visualize the Goddess, however she appears to you. Feel her arms around you in  a protective embrace. When you have the vision firmly planted, begin chanting softly:

“Starry Goddess, Full of Light I honor you this Full Moon Night”

Repeat, feeling your energy grow. This energy will be used during the following spellworking. Spellworking Cleanse and consecrate poppet for workings of magic.

Stuff it with the herbs.  Sew the opening closed.

“Goddess of Opportunity Bring good things in life to me I’ll be alert to all you. Goddess be my helpful friend”

Repeat 3 times, envisioning the opportunities you wish to come to you.

Reverse Lunar Draw

Raise the athame to the moon, then bring it to your lips and back down to your side,

releasing the energy you built during the Drawing. Thank the Goddess and God. Release the Circle. Walk back around the circle, pulling the mist back into your hands. Place the poppet in your closet, your car, your handbag or somewhere else close to you.  You can re-work this spell at the next full moon if you feel it’s necessary.

Good things will soon come.