Day: January 11, 2016

The Witches Magick for Monday, January 11 – Circle of Protection

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Circle of Protection

Make a circle of salt. Stand inside the circle with a white candle. Gaze into the flame of the candle.

Concentrate and imagine fire all around you with glowing.

Protective light. Now speak these words in a chant:
 
“Craft this spell
Into the fire
Craft this spell well
I weave it high
I weave it now
I speak to this simmering flame
None shall ever come
To hurt me or maim
No one shall ever pass
This fiery wall
None shall pass
No one at all!”

Repeat these three times then blow out the candle and step out of the circle of salt.

—Douglas Hensley, A Book Of Magic Spells And Hexes

Let’s Talk Witch – Binding & Cursing

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Binding & Cursing

Binding and cursing are often frowned upon in magical circles. Many people like to believe they’ve been bound or cursed, but the truth is that very few people can do a decent binding or curse and of those who can, even fewer would bother.

In binding, the idea is to prevent another person from doing something. Binding them from doing harm is a popular concept thanks to the 1996 movie The Craft. Binding someone to prevent them from telling a secret is another. It seems simple enough and well-intentioned too. However you must not forget that you will be bound along with them as you are the channel for the magic. You must be absolutely certain that you are right. There can be no doubt. The love spells that focus on a particular person are a binding. You want that one person, so you do a spell to make him or her come to you and love you. Then you’re stuck with them. They might be a total prat, might not be all that they seemed, or as my friend found, they might be violent and abusive. Unfortunately because of your binding, you’ve bound them to you and it’s not that easy to get rid of them.

For best results, a personal link is required for a successful binding. A photograph will suffice but hair, blood, nail clippings, clothing or a signed document work better. A doll or poppet can be stuffed with these, along with herbs or other materials. Baptise the doll with their name, every name for that person that you might know— full name, nicknames, online alter-egos, as many ways of clearly identifying that person that you can come up with. Then bind them with anything you desire; cord, chain, or even a piece of barbed wire. After they’re bound, seal it and deal with it as you will.

Paper cutout figures can work just as well. Write the person’s name in the middle and what you are binding them from and fold it up tightly. It can be secured with paperclips if you like.
Cursing is ill-wishing someone. Again, there is a chance that you will suffer alongside them, so be very careful before trying this.

In the past, I have been somewhat creative in my cursing. I cursed someone to feel compassion for the victims of their actions. For me this wasn’t a problem, I am fairly compassionate by nature, but for him, it was a curse. Another person I’ve used this curse against committed suicide. I struggled with it for a day or two, but after thinking it through and processing things I came to the realisation that I was not responsible for her death. I wanted her to realise what she’d done and take responsibility for the damage she’d caused. How she chose to cope with that was completely on her and from what I hear, the consequences of her actions were catching up with her in other ways that were even less pleasant for her.

If you are going to curse, you first need to be sure that you mean it. You might want someone to have a nasty car crash, but if you aren’t also prepared to see them die slowly and horribly from cancer then you don’t really mean it. Even if you have the power to perform a curse of this magnitude, you need to think about a few things before you consider it. Working with dark energy is one thing. Cursing death is tantamount to murder. It’s no different from the person who chooses to use a gun, only this time your weapon is magic.

A family member of a friend was receiving death threats from someone. While she has cursed him, she has done it in such a way that the curse will only take effect if he crosses a boundary that she’s set around that family member and others that are close to him.

I’ve been accused of curses that I haven’t performed. My partner’s ex-wife believed that I was going to curse her when she started making trouble for him. In all honesty, why would I bother? She was doing it all to herself without me wasting any of my time and energy, what was the point?

Most of the time, if left to their own devices, people that you would consider binding or cursing manage to do it to themselves quite nicely. Some will suddenly realise that they’ve driven everyone away and maybe it was something they’re doing, some won’t. It’s never their fault as they’re perpetual victims. Cursing someone like this will only reinforce their mindset and behaviour. It won’t teach them a lesson so there’s no point wasting your energy.

There’s one last thing I want to say on this topic. In the Craft there is a saying, “if you can’t curse, you can’t heal”. Effectively what this means is that you need to destroy the illness in order for the healing to begin. You need to be balanced and work with both sides.

—Debbie Dawson, The Common Sense Spell Book

Magickal Goody of the Day for Jan. 11 – Psychic Simmering Pot

Magickal Goody of the Day
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Psychic Simmering Pot

If you wish to link your conscious mind with your psychic awareness, if you wish to use tarot cards or rune stones or other tools to glimpse possible future events, create this blend and simmer to stimulate your psychic mind.

3 tbsp of galangal

1 tbsp of star anise (or 2 whole)

1 tbsp of lemon grass

1 tbsp of thyme

1 tbsp of rose petals

A pinch of mace

A pinch of real saffron

Mix and charge the herbs in a small bowl. Visualize your psychic awareness as being under your control. Smell the fragrance rising from the herbs. Inhale the energies. Relax, chant the following words, and foretell.

‘Starlight swirls before my eyes

Twilight furls its wisdom wise

Moonlight curls within the skies

The time has come to prophesize’

(Genuine saffron is quite expensive. However just a pinch is necessary here and it may be omitted)

 

—Crafty Witch, How To Make Potions & Spells That Really Work: The Beginners Guide To Real Witchcraft

 

Gemstone of the Day for Jan. 11th is Obsidian

Gemstone of the Day

Obsidian



Small nuggets of obsidian that have been naturally rounded and smoothed by wind and water are called Apache Tears.

(Color: dark green to dark brown and black, also can show sheens of gold or green, yellow, blue and/or purple coloration. Sometimes with white inclusions (Snowflake Obsidian)

Hardness: 5 – 5.5                           
Specific Gravity: 2.6                
Chemistry: SiO2    
Class: Mineraloids                 
Crystallography: amorphous               
Cleavage: none                
Fracture: conchoidal             
Streak: white                          
Luster: vitreous

Healing: In general obsidian is used to dispell toxins from the body. Apache tear is said to be effective against
snake bite. Blue obsidian is used to treat disorders of the eyes. Green obsidian is used to treat heart disorders.
Use Purple obsidian for stress related disorders. Use Red obsidian for treatment of blood disorders.

Workings: Obsidian is used as a stone of protection. Polished pieces of black Obsidian are used for scrying. Wear
an obsidian amulet to guard against abuse and as a stone of protection against negativity. It is an excellent
grounding stone. Use Blue obsidian for astral projection.
The energy of obsidian is projective and its Elementis Fire. It’s associated planet is Saturn. And its astrological
sign is Sagittarius. Obsidian vibrates to the number 1, though different types of obsidian will vibrate to different numbers.

Chakra Applications: Use Blue obsidian to stimulate the Throat chakra. Use Green obsidian to stimulate the
Heart chakra. Use Purple obsidian to activate the Crown chakra.

Foot Notes: Obsidian is a mixture of cryptocrystalline grains of silica minerals in a glass-like suspension, a super-cooled liquid. Obsidian forms when a silica-rich magma of granitic composition flows onto the earth’s surface,
where it solidifies before minerals can develop and crystallize. It is, therefore, an amorphous solid or glass rather
than an aggregate of minerals.
Source:
Author: Crick

Herb of the Day for January 11 is Allspice

Herb of the Day

Allspice   


Allspice is used as a paste to soothe and relieve toothache, as well as a mouthwash to freshen the breath. The rind contains the most active medicinal components and is considered to be stimulant in action, particularly the aroma.
The tea has antiseptic properties (due to the eugenol content in the berries) and is used primarily as a digestive aid for flatulence, intestinal gas and indigestion. The tea is also used as an appetite stimulant, and as a carminative. Both the tea and a poultice are used for rheumatism and neuralgia.
Allspice lowers blood sugar (useful in diabetes) and improves protein absorption. The leaves are used in the bath for varicose veins, gout, and edema. The eugenol content is said to promote digestive enzymes in the body.

Magickal uses: Allspice encourages healing and is used in mixtures to ask for money and good fortune. Also used in determination and healing spells

Properties: Aromatic, carminative, stimulant

Growth: Allspice is harvested from a tree that is native to Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. Allspice is the dried berry of the pimento, an evergreen tree growing to 40 feet in height. It bears opposite, leathery, oblong to oblong-lancelet leaves whose pinnately arranged veins show prominently on the underside. Small white flowers grow in many-flowered cymes in the upper leaf axils from June to August. The fruit is a fleshy, sweet berry which is purplish-black when ripe.

Poultice: Boil berries and make a thick paste. Spread on a soft clean cloth. The cloth can also be dipped in warm tea and used as hot pack                                                

Pimento water: Combine 5 parts crushed berries with 200 parts water and distill down to half the original volume. A dose is from 1-2 fluid ounces.                                                                                     

Oil: A dose is from 2-5 drops. For flatulence, take 2 or 3 drops on sugar                                                    

Powder: A dose is from 10-30 grains
Source:
Author: Crick

Deity of the Day for January 11 is Ptah, Egyptian God

Deity of the Day

Ptah

Symbols: Architect’s transit, level, plumb-line, bricks, djed
Cult Center: Memphis

Ptah was the chief god of the ancient city of Memphis. He was a creator god who brought all things to being by thinking of them with his mind and saying their names with his tongue. He was unique amongst Egyptian creation gods in that his methods were intellectual, rather than physical. According to the priests of Memphis, everything is the work of Ptah’s heart and tongue: gods are born, towns are founded, and order is maintained.

Ptah was also the patron god of skilled craftsmen and architects. This may be due to the excellent sources of limestone near his temple in in Memphis. As a craftsman, Ptah was said to have carved the divine bodies of the royalty. In Dynasty XIX, he was shown fashioning the body of Rameses II out of electrum.

In the artisan’s community of Deir-el-Medina, near Western Thebes, Ptah was especially venerated. He was believed to determine the individual destiny of the artists there. Craftsmen carved stelaes dedicated to their god. Ears were often carved on these stelaes to encourage Ptah to take notice of their prayers. In fact, one of Ptah’s titles at Thebes was, “the ear which hears.”

In Memphis, Ptah was part of a holy triad. His wife was the lioness-goddess Sekhmet, and his son was said to be either Imhotep or Nefertem.

Ptah is depicted as a bearded man wearing a skullcap and shrouded as a mummy. His hands emerge from wrappings in front of his body and hold the was sceptre, an ankh (hieroglyph meaning “Life”) and a Djed (sign of stability).

 

Source:

Ancient Egypt, the Mythology

A Little Humor for Your Day – Top Ten Cheesy Pick-Up Lines For Pagans

Top Ten Cheesy Pick-Up Lines For Pagans

 

10. Hey babe, what’s your sign? What’s it’s ascendant? What is your planet alignment in Venus during Cancer’s revolving around the Fourth House?

9. Read any good Llewellyn Books lately?

8. Would you like to come over to my place and widdershens?

7. Haven’t I seen you someplace before in another life?

6. Yes, I’m handfasted, but that’s not “technically” marriage.

5. So, do you draw down the moon here often?

4. What’s a nymph Goddess like you doing in a place like this?

3. You have the prettiest third eye I’ve ever seen.

2. You’re feet must be tired because you’ve been Spiral Dancing in my mind “all” night long.

And the Number One Cheesy Pick-Up Line for Pagans to Use at Gatherings is:

1. Is that a May Pole in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

 

Source:
eCauldron.net

Astronomy Picture of the Day – A Colorful Solar Corona over the Himalayas

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 January 11

A Colorful Solar Corona over the Himalayas
Image Credit & Copyright: Jeff Dai

 

Explanation: What are those colorful rings around the Sun? A corona visible only to Earth observers in the right place at the right time. Rings like this will sometimes appear when the Sun or Moon is seen through thin clouds. The effect is created by the quantum mechanical diffraction of light around individual, similarly-sized water droplets in an intervening but mostly-transparent cloud. Since light of different colors has different wavelengths, each color diffracts differently. Solar Coronae are one of the few quantum color effects that can be easily seen with the unaided eye. This type of solar corona is a visual effect due to water in Earth’s atmosphere and is altogether different from the solar corona that exists continually around the Sun — and stands out during a total solar eclipse. In the foreground is the famous Himalayan mountain peak Ama Dablam (Mother’s Necklace),

Earth Sky News for Jan. 11: See the Unicorn on dark January nights

See the Unicorn on dark January nights

You’ll need a very dark sky to see the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn in the sky on these cold winter nights. Although a slender waxing crescent moon lights up the southwest sky at dusk and nightfall, it’ll set at relatively early evening. Monceros will be out nearly all night long. Monceros will be higher up and easier to see in the later evening hours.

Let’s find the Unicorn, which comes out at nightfall. Focus in on the bright stars Betelgeuse, Sirius and Procyon. They make a triangle, which is sometimes called the Winter Triangle. Within this triangle of stars, hidden in between the many bright and glittering stars and constellations visible at this time of year, there’s a constellation that’s as elusive in our night sky as its namesake is in countless fairy tales.

This is the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. Once again, you will need a very dark sky to see it.

Like all of the night sky, the region of the heavens around Monoceros holds interest. The winter Milky Way runs through here, so it’s a good place to scan with binoculars.

With binoculars, you can see star clusters here. Those with dark skies might try drawing an imaginary line from the star Sirius to Procyon. About a third of the way along this line, you’ll find a hazy object – an open star cluster – called M50.

You need a telescope to see M50 clearly. But, with an ordinary pair of binoculars, this cluster of stars is wonderful to glimpse and contemplate on a winter night. There are really about 100 stars in the little patch we know as M50. The main part of the cluster is about 10 light-years across. The entire cluster is located some 3,000 light-years from us.

Bottom line: Treat yourself to a visit with a mythical beast – Monoceros the Unicorn – in the January evening sky.

 

Author

 

Your Daily Influences for January 11

Your Daily Influences
January 11, 2016

 

Eight of Swords Reversed
Fresh starts are possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingwaz
Ingwaz signifies completion, success and fertility. Your present ambitions are about to be met. You are fecund in both mind and body.

 

 

 

The Amulet Box
There are papers in your near future. This aspect is affect by legal papers of some kind–a contract, a deed or a license of some kind. These papers will bring improvement to your life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

 

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Jan. 11th is The Ancestors

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today


Ancestors

Ancestors represents the ongoing influence and remarkable contributions those who came before us have made to our state of being. Ancestors also reminds us that sometimes old wisdom is the best wisdom–especially when events are moving in ways we do not understand. Ancestors can bring comfort to a shaken spirit. It is a card of warmth in the sense that it reminds us that the spirit of past generations remains with us and can be called upon for guidance at any time.

As a daily card, Ancestors suggests that you may be well served to by exploring your family tree to find solutions to current dilemmas. When searching for solutions to conflicts in your life, you might do well by asking yourself what a grandparent or great grandparent would do in your current situation.

Your Daily Witches Rune for Jan. 11th is The Birds

Daily Witches Rune

The Birds

Keywords: Unexpected news, change.

Meanings: The Birds Rune means some unexpected news that may alter your life completely, especially if this is the leading rune. Generally, the news will lead to a positive change but pay close attention to the nearest runes to determine its nature. It can also mean news of friends or family that you haven’t had contact with in quite a while. Letters and documents should be watched for as they may well bring happiness.

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Jan. 11 is The Star

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

The Star

The Star represents a strong connection to the Cosmos, an open gateway to understanding “the big picture.” It is an optimistic card that promises peace, harmony, and hope realized. For the full power of the forces behind The Star to be realized one must have faith and accept that in cosmic terms all things balance out; that disturbances are sometimes necessary to ensure overall harmony. The reward for such faith is vision on a Cosmic scale, and sense of well-being that may well radiate to those around you through your warm, untroubled heart.

Your Daily Hexagram for January 11 is 27: Jaws

Your Daily Hexagram

January 11, 2016
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27: Jaws

 

 

 

Summary:
Speak plainly and sincerely. Feed your hopes and dreams. Nurture others. Do good deeds.
Line One of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Avoid envy and jealousy. Be proud of your achievements.
Line Two of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Make opportunities for those with talent. Seek roots that empower you.
Line Three of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Do not choose partners based on their financial status.
Line Four of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Do not do unjustified favors or let others influence your decisions.
Line Five of Your Hexagram is a 6:
Embrace your ideals. Move slowly toward new endeavors.
Line Six of Your Hexagram is a 9:
Put your ideas into action. It is time to realize your goals.

Your Lucky Tarot Card for Monday, January 11th

Your Lucky Tarot Card for Today

These cards represent elements that favor you.

The Emperor

The Emperor is gifted with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order, provide structure to that which is unbound. He is quick of mind and confident in his power and right to rule, and does so in a just manner. Although stern by nature, he truly is the ultimate father figure. He will provide as needed, teach those with unanswered questions, protect the vulnerable, set and maintain boundaries. His perfect world runs on schedule and is free of any disturbances. What the Emperor must be wary of is setting boundaries and rules where none are needed. If he isn’t he may well become a tyrant.

When The Hierophant or Justice are among your personal cards, the influence of The Emperor may be increased. Having The Empress in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Emperor.

 

 

The Fool

This card represents the dreamer in you, the idealist, the mystic. The Fool desires to do great things, but is often unaware of just how difficult great things are to do. He must always be very careful of the choices he makes, and remember knowledge is his ally. The Fool often symbolizes a new beginning, unrestrained optimism, and curiosity that hasn’t been dulled by time. While The Fool may well indicate a lack of experience or grasp of the pitfalls along the path he is taking, it is equally true that his lack of experience leads him to believe all things are possible, which brings even impossible goals within his grasp.

When The Hanged Man or The Star are among your personal cards, the influence of The Fool may be increased. Having The Devil in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Fool.