Month: April 2014

Banishing Spells

Banishing Spells

There’s often confusion over the difference between banishing spells and binding spells, however it’s crucial that you understand this difference.

  • Binding spells attach something or, more frequently, someone to you with great intensity, often permanently
  • Banishing spells remove something or, more frequently, someone from your presence, often permanently.

It’s an important distinction. Although magick spells are typically used to manifest something or someone, quite often the reverse is needed. Something or someone needs to be sent packing quickly.

Banishing spells are traditionally timed to coincide with the waning moon, in the hopes that just as the moon diminishes, so will the unwanted presence.

Also falling under the category of banishing spells are Avoidance Spells–those spells required when you wish to avoid contact, for instance with creditors or debt collectors. Banishing spells are used to prevent any unwelcome returns, too. However, you may wish to consider Protection Spells to reinforce or in some circumstances replace, banishing spells.

Personal Journal/Book Blessing

Personal Journal/Book Blessing

 

These words herein are mine alone

fashioned deep inside my bones

each picture, thought, and quote you see

are all reflections of what is me.

Beware the urge to take this book

or read it in some private nook

because its magick isn’t blind

and I will know you’ve touched what’s mine.

Meal Blessing

Meal Blessing

 

Hold your hands over the food and say each time below three times. This can be worked into a fun blessing for the whole family if chanted in a round.

The table round contains the Earth

and this becomes the Mother

We share her bounty in this hour

and bless and love each other.

So Mot It Be.

Gift Blessing

Gift Blessing

Hold the object in your hands. Take several deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Visualize the object glowing with white light. Connect your mind to Spirit and try to think of nothing else. Imagine the gift capturing the pur perfection of the universe. Then say:

Perfect love and perfect peace

the world will dance as one.

I dream the wish to make it real

the magick now is done.

Sear you work by drawing an equal-armed cross (+) in the air over the object. You can also empower birthday, get well, and sympathy cards in this same manner.

Bedtime Blessing

Bedtime Blessing

Close your eyes and breathe deeply three or four times until you feel relaxed and at peace. Imagine that your entire body is filled with brilliant, white light. If you like, hold your hand over your heart and say:

In the still of the night

while the world around me sleeps

may the angels smile upon me

and the Lady bring me peace.

Blessings upon (list those whom you would

like to remember in your prayers).

I know that You will care for them

and bring them what they need.

Instill in me great harmony

in thought and word and deed.

So Mote It Be.

Blessings

Blessings

 

Although today many of us don’t think about the power of words, sound or touch, those who have gone before us knew that all these things carried an energy of their own, and to give that positive energy to another was a gift more precious than gold. To bless is to remove any negative energy around a person, animal, place, or thing and instill them with positive energy. To bless another is to empower them. By sound, touch, and thought, we can help the sick, lighten the heart of the troubled, or open a pathway for a better life by removing negative blockages. The mere utterance of a blessing can change  the course of a person’s life. In our modern world, people often scoff at this idea, not believing that such power could be contained in anything so simple.  Many of us are independent individuals and to think that someone else (by mere word or physical proximity) could alter our pattern of living many seem unthinkable.

But they can.

In many cultures, past and present, it is customary to leave a blessing at an individual’s home when saying farewell. It was believe that a magickal person could make words turn into flesh, meaning by uttering worlds with one’s magickal voice you could create a physical manifestation. To have your house blessed  in such a way by a magickal/religious person ensured health and prosperity for the occupants for months to come. You too can give such a gift. Don’t be shy about it. If you believe you can do it, so shall it be. Sometimes the mere presence of magickal individuals can change the course of one’s fate. The more spiritual the person, the more pure the environment. I’ve also noticed that if  a magickal person is involved in a particular type of study, that study can affect those around him or her. One Witch who steadfastly worked on building her prosperity realized after a few months that every time she walked into a store, especially a deserted one, her energy attracted paying customers off the street. Another Witch who worked on protection experienced the same phenomenon. He could walk into any establishment and if there were negative people around, they would quickly disperse. What you work on in the magickal world will affect the world around you.

The mechanism of a blessing is very easy:

  • Think of a white light so powerful that it encompasses your mind, body and spirit
  • Move the white light into a mental pictures of the person, place, or think
  • In your mind, allow the white light to burst through the object (no, this won’t hurt anyone).
  • Intone words of blessing or touch the person, animal or thing
  • Seal the blessing with a hand motion of your choice while pronouncing aloud “It is done.”

BIRTHSTONES

BIRTHSTONES

There are twelve signs of the zodiac; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces.

I am constantly being asked – during the course of  my workshops and seminars – to recommend an appropriate stone which corresponds to a particular birth sign.

In my experience the only accurate way in which to ascertain the correct birthstone  for any individual is for that person to visit a properly qualified astrologist and for a detailed chart to be constructed based on the person’s place of birth, date of birth and the exact time of birth.

Any other method is too vague and generalized; and most certainly cannot possibly be considered seriously!

A few years ago, to prove my theory, I carefully read as many books as I could lay  my hands on which contained information relating to the astrological use of gemstones.

From all the information available I then compiled my own comprehensive list, birthsign by birthsign, encompassing all the ‘recommended’ birthstones which each book suggested would be appropriate for each sign of the zodiac.

When my task was completed I discovered that every birth-sign had at least nine gemstones which, according to all the books, would be suitable for people being born under that particular sign of  the zodiac…..

However, using my own intuition, logic and a little common-sense, I managed to produce the following chart which I find useful as a guide (and a guide only!) when I am asked to recommend a particular gemstone for someone’s birth-sign:

Aries
– jasper, ruby

Taurus
– rose quartz, lapis lazuli, carnelian, sapphire

Gemini
– citrine, rock crystal, tigers eye, agate, rutile quartz.

Cancer
– olivine, emerald, moonstone

Leo
– quartz crystal, diamond, agate

Virgo
– carnelian, agate, jasper, sapphire

Libra
– emerald, aventurine, jade, sapphire

Scorpio
– garnet, bloodstone, ruby, jasper, beryl

Sagittarius
– topaz, jacinth, obsidian snowflake

Capricorn
– smoky quartz, ruby, onyx, jet

Aquarius
– turquoise, malachite, aquamarine, moonstone

Pisces
– amethyst, opal, moonstone

Whilst it is always acceptable to give a friend – or your loved one –  a birthstone  pendant or necklace, please remember that the stones that will work best for you – or your friends – are the ones whose ‘vibrational energies’ are most closely compatible with the person who is going to wear it!

HERBAL INVOCATION

HERBAL INVOCATION

“Earth, divine Goddess, Mother Nature who generates all things and brings forth anew the sun which you have given to the nations; Guardian of sky and sea and of all gods and powers….through your power all nature falls silent and then sinks in sleep. And again you bring back the light and chase away night and yet again you cover us most securely with your shades. You do contain chaos infinite, yea and winds and showers and storms; you send them out when you will and cause the
seas to roar; you chase away the sun and rouse the storm. Again when you will you send forth the joyous day and give the nourishment of life with your eternal surety; and when the soul departs to you we return. You are indeed duly called Great Mother of the Gods; you conquer by your divine name. You are the source of strength of nations and of gods, without you nothing can be brought to
perfection or be born; you are Great Queen of the Gods. Goddess! I adore thee as divine; I call upon your name; be pleased the grant that which I ask of you, so shall I give thanks to thee, Goddess, with due faith. Hear, I beseech you, and be favorable to my prayer. Whatsoever herb your power does produce, give, I pray, with goodwill to all nations to save them and grant me this my medicine.
Come to me with your powers, and howsoever I may use them, may they have good success to whosoever I may give them. Whatever you grant, may it prosper. To you all things return. Those who rightly receive these herbs from me, please make them whole. Goddess, I beseech you, I pray as a suppliant that by your majesty you grant this to me. Now I make intercession to you all your powers and herbs and to your majesty, you whom Earth parent of all has produced and given as a
medicine of health to all nations and has put majesty upon you, I pray you, the greatest help to the human race. This I pray and beseech from you, be present here with your virtues, for She who created you has Herself promised that I may gather you into the goodwill of him on whom the art of medicine was bestowed, and grant for health’s sake good medicine by grace of your powers. I pray grant me through your virtues that whatsoever is wrought by me through you may in all
it’s powers have good and speedy effect and good success and that I may always be permitted with the favor of your majesty to gather you into my hands and to glean your fruits. So shall I give thanks to you in the name of the majesty which ordained your birth.’

ELEMENTAL INVOCATIONS

ELEMENTAL INVOCATIONS

EAST Invocation

Facing East:
Guardians of the watchtower of the east, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to protect us in our rite. Come to us now on the cool breath of Autumn’s sigh which heralds the advent of Winter and the close of harvest time. Breathe into us the spirit of the pure joy of life.  So mote it be!

Responsorial:  So mote it be!

AIR Invocation

(Celebrant with the incense burner symbolizing the element of air):
“I am everywhere. I fill the fleshy pouches of your lungs, I stir all things from the smallest blade of grass to the tallest tree. I cool you with my breezes and destroy you with my storms.  Without me you would die.  Am I not holy and worthy of praise? ”

EAST Banishment

Facing East:
“Guardians of the watchtower of the east, return now to the brisk Autumn breezes which are brimming with the excitement of the year’s climax.  Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!

Responsorial:  Hail and farewell!
SOUTH Invocation

Facing South:
Guardians of the watchtower of the south, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to protect us in our rite. Come forth from the cook fires and smokehouses where food is being made ready for the coming cold months.  Kindle within us the flame of spiritual awakening.  So mote it be!

Responsorial:  So Mote it Be!

FIRE Invocation

(Celebrant with the candle symbolizing the element of fire):
“I live in the guarded embers of campfires and the pilot lights of stoves, I spring from the lightning and the hands of men, I warm you and I destroy you. Without me you would die.  Am I not holy and worthy of praise? ”

SOUTH Banishing

Facing South:
“Guardians of the watchtower of the south, return now to the dying fires of Autumn’s heat soon to give way to Winter’s chill. Take with you our blessings and thanks. Hail and farewell!

Responsorial:  Hail and farewell
WEST Invocation

Facing West:
Guardians of the watchtower of the west, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to protect us in our rite.  Come forth from the rainbow hued morning dew that covers the fields, and is soon to be frost. Asperge us with your diadems and water our deepest roots that we may find peace of mind.  So mote it be!

Responsorial:  So mote it be!

WATER Invocation

(Celebrant with the water vessel symbolizing the element of water):
“I rise from the moist crevices of the Earth, I beat on the shores of Her body, I fall from the skies in silver sheets. Without me you would die.  Am I not holy and worthy of praise? ”  (Celebrant asperges the circle with water)

WEST Banishing

Facing West:
“Guardians of the watchtower of the west, return now to the Autumn rains which cool the Earth’s fevered brow baked in the heat of Summer afternoons. Take with you our blessings and thanks.  Hail and farewell!

Responsorial:  Hail and farewell!

NORTH Invocation

Facing North:
“Guardians of the watchtower of the north, we do summon, stir, and call thee up to protect us in our rite.  Come forth from the fertile bosom of our Blessed Mother Earth, and nourish us so that our hopes may grow to fruition.  So mote it be!

Responsorial:  So mote it be!

EARTH Invocation

(Celebrant with the salt vessel symbolizing the element of earth):
“I am your Mother.  From me come the fruit and grain and animals which feed you. I am your support, and my pull on your bodies keeps you held firmly to me. Without me you would die. Am I not holy and worthy of praise? ”

NORTH Banishing

Facing North:

“Guardians of the watchtowers of the north, return now to the Earth where worms burrow deeper and seeds nestle awaiting the long sleep of Winter.  Take with you our blessings and thanks.  Hail and farewell!

Responsorial:  Hail and farewell!

CALL TO PROSERPINA

CALL TO PROSERPINA

Proserpina, Pluto’s bride, of spirit realms divine,
Guide us through thy underworld and wisdom serpentine.

All life and death through thee doth flow-
Infernal queen deep seeds do sow,
That we may dream unfettered flights
and soar within thy starless nights.

All dark shades do thee command
in shadows rich in Hades land.
Now Bring us to thy serpent dance
that turning, twining, causes trance.

Proserpina, Pluto’s bride, of spirit realms divine,
Guide us through thy under world and wisdom serpentine
EVOE Proserpina!

CALL TO NIGHT (ADAPTED FROM ORPHIC HYMN)

CALL TO NIGHT (ADAPTED FROM ORPHIC HYMN)

Now let us sing of Mother Night!
Come, thou whose circle is endless flight
She whose body from celestial stars is made,
upon whose breast are souls are laid
Mystery, black as midnight’s heaven far,
yet brilliant as the silver star.
Thy realm is the void primordial skies,
light and life in thy hand  lies.
Dreams and soft ease attend thy train
lead drifting sleep to Orphic strain.
Nikta, decked with starry light
Rests deep silence, indwelling  ebony night.
Goddess of phantoms, of shadow plays
whose body divides the sun lit days.
She from whom  all Gods and men were born
She we seek when the veil is torn…
Be present Goddess with mysteries abound
let the dark’s wisdom by mortals be found!

A CALL TO LORD AND LADY

A CALL TO LORD AND LADY

She lives and breathes upon the Earth
Her wheel spins round the hub of June
She is the web of life and birth
Her smile floats softly with the moon

Heart of life, and caring mother
Loving sister, noble princess
Firebird spirit, restless lover
Shadowy hidden sorceress

His strength is there in mountains high
His lightning flys from air and cloud
His horn heralds the wild hunt’s ride
He quickens forest, roaring proud

Children’s friend, protecting father
Watchful brother, noble fighter
Laughing wise one, dark magister
Player of pipes, thoughtful sheperd

Their faces many, countless names
Pan, Diana, Zeus, Astarte
Teachers from dreams, oracle’s flames
Speak, and guide us within our hearts

We Have No Book of Instructions

We Have No Book of Instructions

We do not have a book in the way that Christians have the Bible or Muslims the Koran. There are a great number of books on the Draft, however, and it is up to those who wish to read some of these to make personal decisions as to their relevance. Each individual ca choose the complexity of their rituals, and the form that their path will take. For some these may mean working in a group or Coven, others may prefer a Solitary path. Some will seek to work formalized Magick whilst others prefer the hedgewitch approach, working closely with mature and using herbs to achieve their Magick.

 

We Believe That The Divine is both Male and Female

We Believe That The Divine is both Male and Female

 

We believe this is equal and in balance, and that we should seek that balance in ourselves and in our lives. Put simply, this means that we believe in the Goddess and the God, and they may be referred to by many names according to the needs of the individual or indeed their personal preference. It helps to think of the Divine as being like a mirror ball, with each facet having a different identity, although all are part of the Divine. As a result you may find that the Goddess is referred to as Isis. Astarte or Hecate, for example, and the God referred to as Osiris. Hernes or Pan, and so on. Some Witches will simply refer to the Lord and Lady or the Goddess and the God, and these are the terms that I will use in this blog. Others will call them the Old One or the Old Gods, or even just the Gods.

The Goddess is seen as having three aspects. Maiden, Mother and Crone (or Wise One). These aspects are reflected in the cycle of the Moon, and in our daily lives, for everything has its beginning, middle and closing phases.

The God also has different aspects but these are more clearly defined through the festivals of the seasons and the Wheel of the Year.

Let’s Talk, Just Talk, Person to Person, How About It?

Friendship Images

Wow, it has been a little bit since I have actually talked to all of you. Let’s see what three or four days ago, lol! I just wanted to touch on a couple of things real quick (you know me, nothing is ever real quick). As you know, I took the weekend off. But it didn’t mean I wasn’t on the net. I was, both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, I went through a bunch of old blogs I have registered here on WordPress. One of them I seriously thought about opening up for our brothers & sisters down under. I know at one time we had a blog connected to this one that provided all the daily divination a day early. I believe we operated it for about two or three months and it wasn’t successful at all. I changed my mind about opening that blog up. I figure now that I am giving the horoscopes a day ahead of time surely that will help some of them wanting that particular info. And besides you will get to see some of the info from that site in a minute or two. I didn’t realize I had put so much info into it but I had and it is good information even if I so say so myself.

Now for Sunday, I checked the numbers here and I realized that you all expected me to be here. I had already checked some non-Pagan sites and got very irritated. I saw comments like, “we are going to tell our children about where the Easter bunny came from and the whole truth about Easter.” HA! I was always told if you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut. So I did. I would not have accomplished anything at all except sitting our Religion back by a few hundred years. That would be very detrimental to our mission. We must always portrait ourselves and our Religion in a very positive light. We must never bash another Religion no matter what. We have been bashed for hundreds of years. We must show the world we are better than that. We must rise about it and show what we are truly about. So to keep the peace, I went fishing yesterday. I believe it is too early to fish around here in the ponds. I got a few bites but didn’t catch a darn thing. Walking back there is a pond that we pass, it is stocked with fish and they are fed regularly. I have been invited over there to fish but never have gone. Back to the story, the pond has a drainage ditch, in that ditch was the biggest catfish you could imagine. I couldn’t believe it. Wasted I don’t know how many worms and all the time I just had to get a club.  But I didn’t, I pushed him back into the pond. Oh, I almost forgot I did do a lot of work on Pinterest yesterday. I was hoping to attract new members and I believe I did or at least hope so. But all in all, it was a very nice Sunday and I apologize for not being here.

This one I am just dying to ask, who watched the new show on WGN last night, “Salem?” As much as I hate watching witchcraft show, my husband just had to watch it. Oh, brother, it someone would actually consult a witch in regards to making one of these shows, it would be a miracle! Seriously! Some of the stuff these shows come up with, this one has witches hanging from trees, a ritual out in the woods involving the devil and last but not least, a pressing machine. In case there are any Hollywood moguls that read this blog I have one thing to say, “WE DO NOT BELIEVE IN THE DEVIL NOR DO WE WORSHIP HIM!” Taking about my mouth sitting us back, ha, that show did a number on us. I believe after watching it, I will remain a true and loyal fan of the show “Game of Thrones.” Love that show. It is has a good plot and it is well worth watching. Gee, now I am a film critic, what next?

Well that is about as short as I can make it for today, dear friends. I am getting ready to pull up that old blog and move as much info from it over here. Like I mentioned earlier, it has some good information. A lot of information on making this and that, the earlier carpet freshener recipe came from there. I should mention in transferring this information (very few has credits), if you see or know of an author of any of it, let me know. Then I will give them proper credit. As old as this blog is I am sure most of the info came out of the old MSN group. So who knows who contributed and where it came from.

I do believe I have covered all the bases for now. I hope you have a super week.

Goddess Bless You & Yours,

Love ya,

Lady A

The presence of Deity

Goddess Comments & Graphics

The presence of Deity.

Can you feel the presence of Deity?
Its all about us like a fleeting memory
A touch so tenuous that you feel it in your dreams
Seeking with your heart, listening with your soul

The presence of Deity is like the snapping of a twig in a far away woods
And a drop of rain as it falls into the ocean
It’s the cry of a hawk far, far up in the sky
It is the sound of a small rock as it slides down a silent slope

The presence of Deity is the spider as it makes a silvery web
It is the sound of a feather as it falls through the sky
It is the dew as it forms in the morn
And the breath of an earthworm as it burrows in the sand

The presence of Deity is the moss as it grows on an old oak tree
And the swaying of a willow as it caresses a stream
It is the sound of a flower as it springs up from a seed
It is the footsteps of a mouse as it glides through the tall grass

The presence of Deity is a glistening snowflake lost in the night
And the movement of a wave far out at sea
It is the silence of the sun as it settles down for the evening
It is the rainbow connecting the skies with earth

The presence of Deity is a tiny turtle swimming across a still pond
And the whispers in the night as spirits roam about
It is the honey bee gathering nectar in a secluded glen
It is the innocence of a newborn child

Can you feel the presence of Deity?
Source:
Author: Crick

A Little Humor for Your Day – Top Thirteen Reasons To Be Pagan

Top Thirteen Reasons To Be Pagan

13. I live for persecution!
12. I’m a night person at heart.
11. We respect our elders…and alders, and willows and oaks.
10. I just love explaining that a pentagram is NOT evil.
9. We do more after midnight than most people do all day!
8. Being burned at the stake is a great way to roast marshmallows.
7. We can talk to Elvis (and he IS dead).
6. You live, you learn, you die, you forget. Then you come back…
5. Double the deities, double the fun!
4. We get more holidays.
3. Brooms get great mileage.
2. We were here first!
1. BELTANE!!!