Correspondences for Your Home

When doing magical workings, many people find it easier to structure their rituals or spells based upon magical correspondences — the concept that everything has a signature, of sorts, that connects it to symbols and meanings. For example, if you wanted to do a working related to money, correspondences might include the colors green and gold, as well as herbs such as basil and pennyroyal, and stones like emerald and lodestone.

To truly be effective with magic, however, you should learn to find magical correspondences all around you. One exercise we did here on the website was the Magical Mondays series, in which readers were given an ordinary item and asked to come up with magical uses for it. This encouraged folks to think outside the box, and see the magical in the most mundane things. Look at it this way – our ancient ancestors didn’t have catalogs or websites to shop from. They had to create and harness magic using simply what they already owned and what they could gather, nothing else.

Let’s take a lesson from them, and consider some magical correspondences of the things you might find around your home.

Air:

Feathers, fans, incense

Balance:

Scales, batteries, weights, magnets

Beauty:

Flowers, seashells, birds, the moon, dolls, cosmetics

Children:

Teddy bears, toys, peanut butter and jelly

Courage:

Lions, armor

Earth:

Coins, dirt, salt

Employment:

Doors, business cards, corporate logos, dolls dressed in career-wear, beehive or bees

Fertility:

Baskets, cups, bowls, cauldrons, eggs, baby dolls, baby clothes or shoes, lunar associations

Finances/Money:

Wallet, purse, coins, dollar signs

Fire:

Candles, lighters, stoves or ovens, fireplaces, dragons

Gambling/Games:

Dice, playing cards, game tokens or poker chips

Healing:

Reiki symbols and other energy work symbols, candles, medical supplies

Intuition:

The moon, mirrors, doors and windows

Legal Issues/Court Cases:

Scales, hammers,

Love:

Hearts, roses, harps and other string instruments, apples, seashells

Pets/Animals:

Dog biscuits, pet supplies like a bowl or collar

Protection:

Iron nails, fences, gates or walls, arrows, rope or chain, dragons, sweet gum balls

Sleep:

Pillows, sheep, doll beds, moons and stars

Strength:

Acorns, arrows, shields, swords, heraldry, eagles or other predatory birds

Water:

Cups, bowls, seashells, sinks or bathtubs, rain boots

Wisdom:

Owls, eyeglasses, serpents

By Patti Wigington

Article originally published on & owned by About.com

November 15 – 16

Dewali (Festival of Lights)

It is around this time of year that Dewali, Hindu Festival of Lights, ushers in the new year. Hinduism is considered to be one of the oldest living religions. It was not founded but rather evolved over a period of 4,000 years. The religion is made up of many sects, and beliefs include the doctrine of Karma as well as the worship of numerous Gods and Goddesses considered to be forms of the one Supreme Being.

The word dewali means cluster of lights and the illumination of lamps, bonfires and fireworks all play an important part in the weeklong festival. The devotees of Vishnu hold that this was the day he killed the demon, but the most popular belief is that Dewali celebrates the coronation of Rama, a manifestation of Vishnu, following his conquest of the demon ruler of Sri Lanka, Ravana. During Dewali, effigies of Ravana are burned, merchants settle the past year’s accounts, games of chance are played, and presents are given.

Tuesday is Ruled by Mars

Tuesday is a Mars day, and just like the god of war, this is the time to tap into magicks to call for strength and courage. This day of the week is for rebels and warriors. If you are facing a challenge of any kind, need a boost to your courage, or want to enhance your passions, Tuesday is the day of the week for you.

Some suggestions for Tuesday enchantments would include:

*Wearing the fiery colors associated with this day: scarlet, red, black, and orange. Don some of the more daring and bewitching colors of your wardrobe on Tuesdays and turn a few heads

*Carrying a bloodstone in your pocket or wearing garnet-studded jewelry to reinforce your convictions

*Working with protective and fire-associated plants such as the snapdragon, thistle, and holly to boost your shields and bravery

*Burning spicy-scented energy-enhancing candles to add a little magical aromatherapy to your home

*Cooking up a hearty meal featuring carrots, peppers, and garlic (all Mars foods and spices) to empower yourself for victory and success

The Witches Correspondences for Tuesday, November 15

Dedicated to the powers of the planet Mars, personified as Ares, Tiwaz, Tiw, and Tyr.

Element : Water

Planet : Mars

Zodiac Sign : Aries / Scorpio

Angel : Samuel

Metal : Iron, Steel

Incense / Perfumes : Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli

Oil : Basil, Coriander, Ginger

Color : Red, Orange

Stones : Bloodstone, Garnet, Carnelian,

Plants/Herbs : Allspice, Blessed Thistle, Cayenne, Daisy, Garlic, Ginger, Pepper, Pine, Red Rose, Thyme, Tobacco, Wormwood

Magick to work: self-assertion, energy, and courage, victory, endurance, passion, masculine goals in general, sex, aggression, protection, controlled power, ambition, arguments, competition, conflict, destruction, lust, male sexuality, sports, strife, struggle, surgery, medical issues, upheaval, war

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, November 15

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

St. Leopold’s Day

Waning Moon

Tuesday (Mars): Passion, sex, courage, aggression, and protection.

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Gemini

Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games, and fun.

Incense: Bayberry

Color: Maroon

Magickal Days of the Week – Tuesday

Named for the Norse god Tyr, who was a deity of heroism and combat, Tuesday is a very martial sort of day – color associations include bright red and oranges, as well as warrior-like metals such as iron and steel.

The ancient Romans called this day Martis, after the warrior god Mars – other deities associated with Tuesday include Ares, the Morrighan, and other gods of battle and glory. Red gemstones like rubies and garnets come into play on Tuesdays, as do herbs and plants such as thistles, holly, coneflowers and cacti – you’ll notice these are all sharp, prickly plants!

One of the interesting – and more than a little amusing – aspects of Tuesday magic is that in addition to war and conflict against your enemies, this is a day also associated with marriage. You can also use this day of the week for magical workings connected to protection and initiation. Use Tuesday to assert yourself, make a mark and stake your claims.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert

Article published on & owned by About.com

A Little Witchery for Your Tuesday

Tuesday is the day to work any magick that falls in the category of increasing strength, courage, bravery, and passion. All of these intense emotions are linked to this day’s energies, and spells designed around these themes will have extra punch when performed on this magickal day.

So, let’s add a little passion and conviction into your life! Break out the daring red pieces of your wardrobe, and put a little pizzazz into your day. Work with Lilith, and see what she has to teach you about personal power and sexuality. Meditate on Tiw/Tyr and Mars, and see what those ancient warrior gods will show you about new tactics, strategies, and claiming personal victories in your life. Practice conjuring up that astral weapon from the meditation and use it wisely for protection and for courage.

Create a philter for courage and protection or handcraft your own Witch’s jar to remove negativity from your home. See what other Witch crafts you can conjure up with Tuesday’s magick. Create some kitchen magick on this Tuesday by whipping up a spicy stew-add in a few Mars-associated ingredients such as carrots, peppers, and garlic. Empower the stew for success, and then treat yourself and your family to a good, hearty meal. Try working with a little aromatherapy and burn some spicy or coffee-scented candles to increase your energy level.

Check the sky at night, and see if you can find the reddish planet Mars up in the heavens. Not sure where to look? Check an astronomy magazine or search the Web for more information. Become a magickal warrior and move forward in your life with strength, courage, and compassion. Embrace the side of yourself that loves a good challenge and that is passionate and daring! Banish fear, and face your future with strength and conviction. Believe in yourself and in your dreams, work hard, and you will win every time.

—-Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week

Ellen Dugan

The Witches Guide to Tuesday

A god, goddess, or planet governs each day of the week. It is usually easy to spot the ruler of the day by its name. The word Tuesday, however, is not so easy, but if we look at the word in Spanish, Martes, we clearly see its connections to Mars.

Because Tuesday revolves around the energy of Mars, Tuesdays are good for business, mechanical things, buying and selling animals, hunting, beginning studies, gardening, sexual activities, and confrontation. This is a day for sex magick, energy, stamina, and health. As in the old saying, Tuesdays child is full of grace, is also good for success magick and defense against enemies.

Angels of Tuesday are Camael, Samael, Satael, Amabiel, Friagne, and Hyniel. When invoked, Camael takes the form of a leopard. In Druid mythology he is a god of war, which is why we see him associated with Mars. Camael is said to be a member of the “Magnificent Seven” in some circles. Camael is another “terminator” angel.

Samael walks both worlds as a magician and sorcerer. some see him as the angel of death, others as “the bright and poisonous one.” Many consider him more of a demon, and accuse him of being Satan. However, there is reference to the satans (plural) as enforcers of the law, a sort of angelic police, if you will. Supposedly, when Samael is around, dogs howl in the night. On one hand, he is the ruler of the fifth heaven and in charge of two million angels; on the other, he is the one who changed into a serpent and convinced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge.

Satael is an angel of air invoked in magic rites and is the presiding spirit of the planet Mars. Amabiel is another spirit of the planet Mars; however he spends his energy on issues of human sexuality. Friagne, also an angel of this day, is invoked from the east. He is a member of the fifth heaven. Hyniel also belongs to this day and is subject to the east wind.

On Tuesdays the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Mars, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest ones to do ritual in. Check your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source

Gypsy Magic

The Wiccan Version of the Witch Bottle

The Wiccan versions of the Witch-bottle which follow are more suitable for the Wiccan view of the world, magick and ethics. They are often intended to capture the negative energies or prevent it from ever arriving and – what’s important – prevent it to harm the home and its inhabitants. Many of these Wiccan versions are very much like the basic bottle described above, so it isn’t necessary to repeat everything over. However, you can use wine, (apple) vinegar or blessed (salted) water instead or in addition to urine. The nails used may be new, etc.

Many Wiccan Witch-bottles use herbs, with the herbs being chosen according to their magickal qualities. There are sometimes very specific instructions given for the gathering of each herb and other items, including correct phases of the Moon. The herbs and other objects may be put in the bottle the previous day, letting the bottle stand by the witch’s bed over the night. In the morning, you can add (morning) urine to the bottle, after which the bottle is closed and sealed utilizing Wiccan rituals. Some instructions state that the bottle will be placed in a cupboard or closet, so you don’t necessarily have to carefully hide it.

The following instructions are a basic version of a Wiccan version of the Witch-bottle, using herbs. You can do everything using a longer/more complex or a shorter/simpler route, depending on your own inclinations. You can for example start collecting the necessary items on a given phase of the moon (for example on the day before New Moon) and perform the ritual on the next Dark Moon. Or, you can collect the items when you have time for it and build the bottle at any phase of the moon (with protective spells, you don’t always have to wait for the right phase of the moon – you do it when you have to). You can utter a suitable spell with every item added to the bottle, summoning the spirit of the item/accessory and meditate for a while – or you can speak your chosen words after the bottle is filled. You can make the bottle as part of a ritual, or you can construct a ritual especially for this occasion. One reason why I’m being so vague with the instructions is that I’m not Wiccan myself.

Materials

Bottle or jar, with a tightly closing cap or lid
Sea salt
Crystal or stone, for example turquoise, obsidian or black onyx.
Herbs, for example acasia, aloe, lilies, lime, lotus, agrimony, corn, cayenne and black pepper, dried onion, salvia, frankincense, basil, mint, myrrh, garlic, rosemary, mistletoe, pine needles.
A few nails or needles
Wine, (apple) vinegar or urine
Thread
Black candle for sealing
The usual tools used in the ritual section

Preliminary Preparations

You can choose the herbs and crystals you are going to use according to their special qualities or use some of those I’ve listed. You can also use a drop or two of an essential oil instead of a herb. You can choose the number of herbs and solid items in general (in this case, essential oil is counted as “solid”) to put in the bottle on numerological grounds either so that the number of all solid items is a specific one, or that you will use a certain number of herbs. Suitable numbers are 7, connected to protection, or 9, connected with the Goddess.

Gather the necessary items. Clean the bottle you are going to use. Wash it with warm soapy water carefully (if you can use a specific soap made for protective purposes, so much the better) and dry it well. You can leave the bottle over night in the light of a full moon to charge it. Choose a place to hide the bottle. For a bottle to be filled as part of a ritual or ritually, it is a good thing to have all the necessary tools at hand, on your alter. You can also construct your ritual and spells and chants beforehand.

The purpose of the crystal (which isn’t absolutely necessary, the list is given as an example – including the liquid items) is to use it’s magickal qualities, the same goes with the herbs. The salt is there to purify and bless the target of the Witch-bottle (the person(s), home to be protected). The nails and needles ground the negative energy and you can also visualize it being then sent back to its sender, threefold. The thread tangles the negative energy in a knot similar to what you are tangling the thread into and to bend the energies away from the builder of the bottle. You can also visualize the negativity tripping over to the thread. The urine represents the builder of the bottle. When using wine or vinegar you can visualize the negative energies drowning in the liquid, with vinegar acting as a purifying element as well.

Source

The Cauldron

Witch-Bottles

I love using Witch-bottles, I always have a couple on the go in my house for protection, clearing out negative energies and bringing happiness to the home.

Again these are so easy to make, you don’t need special pretty bottles you can just use old clean jam jars. Mine are in old jam jars so I tuck them away under furniture, but if you do have some pretty bottles you could decorate them and make them a feature.

Generally speaking, the modern day Witch-bottles are very similar to historical Witch-bottles in their basic structure, even though their intended purpose has changed. The most common purpose for constructing a Witch-bottle today is capturing negative energies targeted at the constructor of the bottle, her family or her home. Some Witch-bottles are intended to change negative energy into positive energy and then release it into the surrounding area.

The basic structure of Witch-bottles can be used for purposes other than protective: for financial gain, for helping with artistic creativity, to call forth positive energy, for improving health, etc.

Basically a Witch-bottle is a container of some sort, usually a jar or a bottle, which is filled with objects that fulfil a given magical purpose. The person making the Witch-bottle or, in other words, the one casting the bottled spell, can charge the objects magically beforehand and build the bottle to work on this charging until the need of renewing the spell arises. Witch- bottles can also be built to recharge themselves by the energy they ‘capture’ for as long as the bottle stays unbroken, whether it is years or centuries.

The typical contents of the basic protective Witch-bottle today are quite similar to that of the traditional one: nails, sand or different coloured sands, crystals, stones, knotted threads, herbs, spices, resin, flowers, candle wax, incense, votive candles, salt, vinegar, oil, coins, saw dust, ashes etc. Actually, everything used in ‘normal spells’ can be used in this bottled version of a spell, the Witch-bottle.

Original witch bottles were used to keep witches away. They also used to contain all sorts of bodily fluids, hair and finger nail clippings – you can still use these if you wish.

Basically, start with your jar or bottle, then charge each item before you add it, layering up the ingredients as you go.

It really is up to you what you put in. I like to put in three nails to attract negativity and for protection. I also put in a piece of string with three knots in, knotting in my intent with each tie. If it is for prosperity I often drop in a silver coin. I usually put salt in for protection, cleansing and purification. I also like to add some kind of dried pulse – lentils or beans to soak up any negative energy. Garlic is good for protection too. Then add any herbs, spices and flowers that correspond with your intent—rose petals for love, cinnamon for success, mint and basil for prosperity, etc. Keep filling the jar of bottle up until you reach the top then put the lid on. If I am using a jam jar I like to draw a pentacle on the lid. If I am using a bottle with a cork I like to seal the cork lid with dripped wax.

If you are making the Witch-bottle for protection for your own home you might like to put in a pebble from the garden, a couple of fallen leaves from the tree in your yard and a bit of cobweb from inside the house, it makes it all more personal and ties the bottle to the energies of the home. This also gives me a good excuse for having cobwebs in the house. I need them for the Witch-bottles…

A twist on the Witch-bottle is a money jar.

Use a clean, cleansed jar and half fill it with rice or seeds (fenugreek seeds are good). As you half fill the jar visualize prosperity and abundance. Then every day add two more seeds to the jar, visualising prosperity as you do. When the jar is full bury the seeds whilst sending up a request to deity that your desire will be fulfilled.

You can also do this with a jar and your loose change, each time you drop a couple of coins in the jar visualize prosperity, every so often sprinkle in a few herbs that correspond with prosperity such as basil or mint. When the jar is full you can count it up and use it for something special. You can also decorate the jar with runes that symbolise prosperity and abundance.

Source

Pagan Portals – Kitchen Witchcraft: Crafts of a Kitchen Witch
Rachel Patterson

The Energy of Venus

Weekday ruled by Venus: Friday

Stones: Rose Quartz, moonstone, Pink tourmaline, peridot, emerald, jade.

Herbs/Plants: Pink rose, ivy, birch, heather, clematis, sage, violet, waterlily

Magickal Intentions: Love, romance, marriage, sexual matters, physical beauty, friendship and partnership, strangers and heart matters.

The Witches Almanac for Friday, August 26th

Friday (Venus): Love, friendship, reconciliation, and beauty.

Pardon of the Sea (French)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon Phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Gemini
Gemini: Things begun now are easily changed by outside influence. Time for shortcuts, communication, games, and fun.

Moon enters Cancer 11:06 pm
Cancer: Stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints need, supports growth and nurturance. Tends to domestic concerns.

Incense: Rose

Color: Coral

Today’s Witchery

Love magick is a perennial popular topic. However, there is more to this topic than meets the eye. There are many enchanting layers here for us to explore on this day of the week. What about creating a loving home, or producing a loving and nurturing family? What about keeping your intimate relationships vital and on track? How about promoting happy, healthy, and enduring friendships? See, there is more to be considered than just the “You shall be mine…” type of fictional love spell.

Don’t forget that many of the deities associated with Fridays are also parents. So, yes, while this is the day to work on romance, sex, and love spells, there is additional magick to be considered here, which makes Fridays a more well-rounded and bigger opportunity for witchery than many folks ever truly realize. The truest, strongest magick always comes from the heart.

Source

Book of Witchery – Spells, Charms & Correspondences For Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

The Witches Friday

Ruler: Freya, Venus

Colors: Emerald green or pink

Power Hours: Sunrise and the 8th, 16th, and 24th hours following.

Key Words: Love, money, health

It is easy to spot the ruler of this day by its name. In the word Friday, we see the roots of the name of the Norse goddess Freya, a goddess of love and fertility, and the most beautiful and propitious of the goddesses thus the verse “Friday’s child is loving and giving.”

In Spanish this day of the week is called Viernes and is derived from the goddess Venus. Matters of love, human interaction, the fluidity of communication, sewing and the creation of artistic garments, household improvement, shopping, and party planning all fall under the aspects of Friday and its ruling planet, Venus.

Friday’s angels are Ariel/Uriel, Rachiel, and Sachiel. Rachiel also concerns himself with human sexuality and is a presiding spirit of the planet Venus.

On Fridays, the hour of sunrise and every eight hours after that are also ruled by Venus, and that makes these times of the day doubly blessed. These four hours are the strongest four hours for conducting ritual.

Check the local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac to determine your local sunrise.

Source

Gypsy Magic

The Pagan’s Guide to Fridays

The name Friday come from the Old English Frigedag, meaning the “day of Frigg.” Frigg is known as a prophetess and wife of Odin in Norse mythology. In Scandinavia, Friday is called Fregad after the goddess Freja, who is known as a sorceress. The Romans associated Friday with Venus, goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility and prosperity. In most of the Indian languages, Friday is Shukravar, after the planet Venus.

On Friday, August 26th, We Celebrate…

Birthday of Krishna (India)
KAMALA

Themes: Spirituality; Love; Relationship; Passion; Pleasure

Symbols: Yellow; Lotus

About Kamala: The Hindu “lotus girl” of pleasure promotes ongoing faithfulness in our relationships inspired by mutual enjoyment and an abundance of love. Kamala also makes us aware of the spiritual dimensions in our physical exchanges that sometimes get overlooked.

To Do Today: In India, today is a time to celebrate the birth of Krishna, the most charming and kind incarnation of Vishnu. Kamala, as one of Lakshimi’s incarnations, joins in this festivity as his lover and companion. To participate in the gala, eat Indian food, especially hot, spicy items that ignite passion (although you may want to follow this meal with breath mints and antacids). Anything that includes cinnamon, garlic, or saffron is a good alternative choice, as these items bear Kamala’s lusty energy.

To improve your ability to give and receive love, including self-love, wear yellow-colored clothing today, especially an item that is worn near the heart chakra (a blouse, shirt, tie, bra, or perhaps a gold necklace or tie tack). As you don that item, say,

Let pleasure flow freely from my heart;
Kamala, abide there—your love impart.

Wear this same piece of clothing or jewelry again anytime you enact spells or rituals focused on sexuality or relationships.

Source

365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

The Goddess Book of Days for August 26th

Feast Day of Ilmatar or Luonnotar, Finland’s Water Mother who created the Earth from chaos. She is also Nu Kwa, Nina, Yemaya, Tiamat, Chalchiuhtlique, Bacchue, Atargatis, Ix Chel, and Spider Woman. In Japan, end of season for climbing Mt. Fuji, who is the Fire Goddess. (Pele, Mehuea, Vesta, Hestia, Brigid, Amaterasu, Arinna.)

Source

The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Pagan Book of Days for Friday, August 26th

Ilmatar is a Finnish Goddess, known as the Water Mother. According to tradition this Goddess is the creator of the world.

Source

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick