Category: Book of Spells

The Witches Magick for the 17th Day of December – A Group Goddess Ritual for Yule


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A Group Goddess Ritual for Yule

 

Yule is the time of the Winter Solstice, and for some Pagans, it’s a time to say goodbye to the old, and welcome the new. As the sun returns to the earth, life begins once more — it’s a time to bid the Crone farewell, and invite the Maiden back into our lives. This ritual can be performed by a group of four or more.

Frequently, when I post rituals that are goddess-focused, inevitably I get messages from people demanding to know what to do when there’s no reference to the menfolk.

Clearly, this ritual is designed for at least four female participants, but if you don’t have that many, don’t sweat it — improvise, or allow one woman to speak all the roles. Likewise, If you have an all-male group, you could revise this rite so that it focuses on the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King, rather than the Crone and the Maiden. If you have a mixed group, make adaptations as necessary.

First, set up a Yule tree near the north side of your altar. Decorate it with lights and symbols of the season. If there’s no room for a tree, use a Yule Log instead.

Cover the altar with a winter-themed altar cloth if possible, and in the center, three white candles in individual candleholders.

The oldest female present should take on the role of High Priestess (HPs) to lead the ceremony.

Of the other women present, one represents the aspect of the Maiden, another the Mother, and a third the Crone. If you’re really into ceremony and symbolism, have the Maiden wear a white robe and stand in the east. The Mother can wear a red robe and stand to the south, while the Crone dresses in a black robe and veil, and takes her place to the west of the altar.

Each holds one of the three white candles.

If you normally cast a circle, do so now.

The HPs says:

It is the season of the Crone, the time of the winter goddess. Tonight we celebrate the festival of the winter solstice, the rebirth of the Sun, and the return of light to the Earth. As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, we honor the eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.

The Maiden then takes her candle and holds it while the HPs lights it for her. She then turns to the Mother and lights the Mother’s candle. Finally, the Mother lights the candle held by the Crone. The High Priestess then says:

O Crone, the Wheel has turned once more. It is time for the Maiden to claim what is now hers. As you lie down for the winter, she is born once again.

The Crone removes her veil and hands it to the Mother. The Mother then places it on the Maiden’s head. The Crone says:

The days will now get longer, now the Sun has returned. My season has ended, yet the season of the Maiden begins. Listen to the wisdom of those who have come before you, and yet be wise enough to make your own way.

The Maiden then says:

Thank you for the wisdom of your years, and for seeing the season through to its end. You have stepped aside that the new season may begin, and for this we give you honor.

At this time, the High Priestess should invite anyone who wishes to make an offering to the Goddess to come do so — offerings can be placed on the altar, or if you’re outdoors, in a fire. The HPs concludes the rite by saying:

We make these offerings tonight, to show our love to you, O Goddess. Please accept our gifts, and know that we are entering this new season with joy in our hearts.

Everyone present should take a few moments to meditate upon the time of the season. Although winter is here, life lies dormant beneath the soil. What new things will you bring to fruition for yourself when the planting season returns? How will you change yourself, and maintain your spirit throughout the cold months? When everyone is ready, either end the rite, or continue on with additional rituals, such as Cakes and Ale or Drawing Down the Moon.

Author: Patti Wigington

Article published on & owned by About.com

The Witches Magick for the 15th Day of December – A Solitary Goddess Ritual for Yule


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 A Solitary Goddess Ritual for Yule

Yule is the time of the Winter Solstice, and for many Pagans, it’s a time to say goodbye to the old, and welcome the new. As the sun returns to the earth, life begins once more. This ritual can be performed by a solitary practitioner, either male or female. It’s also easily adaptable to a small group of people.

Perform this ritual on the evening of the Winter Solstice. If you normally wear a ritual robe or ceremonial gown, do so — and feel free to embellish for the season!

Consider a crown of holly, a special Yule-themed robe, or adding holiday bling to your existing robe. Sparkly is good! Decorate your altar with a Yule log or tree (although obviously the tree might have to go on the floor, rather than the altar itself), lots of seasonal symbolism, and candles — after all, Yule is a celebration of light.

You’ll also want to have some holiday incense on your altar. Frankincense, cinnamon, myrrh — all are appropriate to the season; don’t light it just yet, though. Finally, have two candles in seasonal colors.

If you normally cast a circle, do so now.

To begin the ritual, sit on the floor near your altar — don’t light the candles just yet.

Take a few moments to remember what it was like for our ancestors at this time of year. The harvest had been brought in, and they knew that in a few months, their stockpiles of food would be running low. It was the season of Death, the time when the earth went dormant once more, sleeping until the spring returned. Our ancestors knew that despite the darkness of this night, soon the light would return to the earth, bringing with it life.

This night, the Winter Solstice, welcomes back the Sun, the ultimate giver of light.

Light the first candle, and say:

Tonight is the night of the Solstice, the longest night of the year. As the Wheel turns once more, I know that tomorrow, the Sun will begin its journey back to us. With it, new life will begin, a blessing from Earth to her children.

Light the second candle, and say:

It is the season of the winter goddess. Tonight I celebrate the festival of the winter solstice, the rebirth of the Sun, and the return of light to the Earth. As the Wheel of the Year turns once more, I honor the eternal cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth.

Light the remaining candles on the altar at this time, and if you have decorative holiday lighting, turn it on. Return to your place at the altar, and face the holiday tree or Yule log. Raise your arms up to the tree, and say:

Today I honor the god of the forest, the King of nature, who rules the season. I give my thanks to the beautiful goddess, whose blessings bring new life to the earth. This gift I offer you tonight, sending my prayers to you upon the air.

Light your incense, and if you’d like to make an offering of food, bread, or something else, do so now. As the smoke of the incense rises to the night sky, meditate on what changes you’d like to see before the next Sabbat. Reflect upon the time of the season. Although winter is here, life lies dormant beneath the soil. What new things will you bring to fruition for yourself when the planting season returns? How will you change yourself, and maintain your spirit throughout the cold months? When you are ready, either end the rite, or continue on with additional rituals, such as Cakes and Ale or Drawing Down the Moon.

Tips:

If you don’t have a ritual robe, you can take a cleansing bath before the rite, and then wear a simple cotton or other organic material. Another option would be to make a robe as a Yule gift to yourself!

Author: Patti Wigington

Article published on & owned by About.com

 

Prayer to the Winter Goddess


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Prayer to the Winter Goddess

Despite the fact that some people hate cold weather, it does have its advantages. After all, a good cold day gives us an opportunity to cuddle up indoors with the people we love the most. If your magical tradition honors a seasonal goddess, offer up this prayer in her honor at Yule.

O! Mighty goddess, in silvery ice,
watching over us as we sleep,
a layer of shining white,
covering the earth each night,
frost on the world and in the soul,
we thank you for visiting us.
Because of you, we seek warmth
in the comfort of our homes and hearths.

By Patti Wigington

Article published on & owned by About.com

GRAVEYARD DUST SPELL

GRAVEYARD DUST SPELL

“Graveyard Dust” is one of three things: dirt taken from a cemetery,
mullein powder, or patchouli powder. Or, it can be a combination of them.
It is usually used in any combination with such things as asoefitida,
jezebel root, Lost and Away powder, Black Cat oil, Four Thieves Vinegar Oil,
Goofer Dust, (which is similar but not the same as Graveyard Dust),
Mummy Oil, Damnation Water Oil, Black Mus, and other powders and oils
representing hexing powders. Any and all are mixed with Graveyard Dust
together with something belonging to the enemy.

If some personal belonging cannot be secured, the person’s name is written on a
small piece of parchment paper. This and the mixture is put in a small bag and
buried or hidden near the enemy’s abode. Also, if the mixture is made only with powders,
it is sprinkled on the doorsteps. If the mixture includes oils,
it is smeared on the doorknobs. All of this is in addition to the hiding of the small bag.
Such action is said to result in making a person sluggish and sleepy and
eventually wasting away.

HEXING OIL SPELL

HEXING OIL SPELL

Used to influence others to grant favors, follow your directions,
and do your bidding without argument or resistance.

Anoint a black candle with the oil and as it’s lighted, repeat this affirmation:

“Damn the foe who has harmed me,
May evil return to it’s source ten fold.
Let the sufferings intended me
be visited upon the perpetrator.”

I don’t consider this so nasty as one is just returning what is given.

PAPER HEX SPELL

PAPER HEX SPELL

To cause a hex or bad luck to follow someone disliked, a piece of paper,
preferably black, is cut into the shape of a man or a woman.
Use Dove’s Blood Red ink to write the person’s name on the paper image.

Stick a new pin at the head and thread it in and out of the image
all the way down to the feet. This will cause the paper image
to fold up and become quite small.

Place the image and pin in a small box and take it to a cemetery.
Dig a small hole and place the box within. On top of the box place
some Devil’s Shoelace roots and sprinkle the roots and box with
Black Arts Oil. Then cover with dirt from the graveyard.
Leave the cemetery and never return to where the box was buried

TO RETURN A HEX

TO RETURN A HEX

Light three black candles, and as they burn,
speak this charm for thrice return:

Broken this spell, broken this curse,
By these candles, by this verse.
Reflected back, three times three,
Your hexes have no effect on me.
Curse return, by candles three,
Burn away and set me free.
Live and learn, crash and burn,
Three times three, this hex return.
With harm to none, this lesson be told;
Whatever is sent out, returns three-fold.

Allow the candles to burn themselves out.
Do this 5 nights in a row, during the Waxing Moon, at dusk –
as the sun dies and darkness descends.

Earth Sky News for Dec. 15th – Northern Cross upright in west in December

Northern Cross upright in west in December

Tonight, look for the Northern Cross. It isn’t as famous as its counterpart – the Southern Cross – visible from the Southern Hemisphere or the northern tropics. But the Northern Cross also looks like a cross, and it’s pretty easy to spot. It’s a large, noticeable star pattern.

The star Deneb marks the top of the Northern Cross, and the star Albireo marks the bottom. Tonight you can find the Northern Cross shining fairly high in the west at nightfall, as seen from mid-northern latitudes. It sinks downward during the evening hours, and stands proudly over the west-northwest horizon around mid-evening.

The Northern Cross is what’s known as an asterism. In other words, it’s not a constellation but simply a noticeable pattern of stars. It’s part of the constellation Cygnus the Swan.

As an added bonus, if you have a pair of binoculars, break them out this evening and point them toward the Northern Cross and its larger constellation Cygnus the Swan. In this direction, you’ll find a part of our Milky Way galaxy that is called the Cygnus Star Cloud. It is part of the spiral arm of our galaxy that also contains our sun, and you should be able to pick out stars from it if the night is clear in your area.

By the way, we get many questions from people in northern latitudes about if and when they can view the Southern Cross in their portion of the sky. The truth is that unless you live close to the tropics (Hawaii, or the southernmost parts of Texas or Florida for those of us in the U.S.), you will not be able to view the Southern Cross, also known as the constellation Crux. To find out how to locate Crux in Hawaii at this time of year, look here.

Bottom line: Learn to recognize a famous star pattern known as the Northern Cross, which stands upright over the west-northwest horizon in December.

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The Witches Magick for the 15th Day of December – Ritual To Welcome Back the Sun


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Ritual To Welcome Back the Sun

The ancients knew that the winter solstice was the longest night of the year — and that meant that the sun was beginning its long journey back towards earth. It was a time of celebration, and for rejoicing in the knowledge that soon, the warm days of spring would return, and the dormant earth would come back to life.

On this one day, the sun stands still in the sky, and everyone on earth knows that change is coming.

Because this is a festival of fire and light, feel free to use lots of candles and lights, solar symbols, bright colors, or even a bonfire. Bring light back into your home and your life.

Like any Sabbat, this festival works well if paired up with a feast. Celebrate the sun’s return by preparing all kinds of winter foods — whip up a batch of cornbread, a pot of buttered rum, plum pudding, cranberry dressing, game stew, etc. Have the whole family eat together prior to the ritual. Clean up, and when you’re done, cover your table or altar with candles. Use as many as you like; they don’t have to match.

In the center, place a sun candle** on a riser, so it’s above the rest. Don’t light any of the candles just yet.

Turn off all the other lights, and face your altar. If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now.

Face the candles, and say:

The wheel of the year has turned once more, and the nights have grown longer and colder. Tonight, the darkness begins to retreat, and light begins its return once again. As the wheel continues to spin, the sun returns to us once more.

Light the sun candle, and say:

Even in the darkest hours, even in the longest nights, the spark of life lingered on. Laying dormant, waiting, ready to return when the time was right. The darkness will leave us now, as the sun begins its journey home.

Beginning with the candles closest to the sun candle, and working your way outward, light each of the other candles. As you light each one, say:

As the wheel turns, light returns. The light of the sun has returned to us, bringing life and warmth with it. The shadows will vanish, and life will continue. We are blessed by the light of the sun.

Take a moment to think about what the return of the sun means to you.

The return of the light meant many things to different cultures. How does it affect you, and your loved ones? When you’re ready, go through the house and turn all the lights back on. If you have children, make it a game — they can yell out, “Welcome back, sun!”

If you’re not too full from dinner, have some eggnog and cookies on standby, and take the time to bask in the light of your candles and eat some treats. When you’re done, extinguish the candles from the outside of the altar working towards the center, leaving the sun candle for last.

Tips:

** A sun candle is simply a candle you’ve designated to represent the sun in ritual. It can be in a sunny color — gold or yellow — and if you like, you can insribe it with solar sigils.

If you like, you can do this ritual on the morning of Yule. Cook a big breakfast with lots of eggs, and watch the sun rise. If you do this, you can eliminate all the candles except the sun candle. Allow the sun candle to burn all day before you extinguish it.

Author: Patti Wigington

Article published on & owned by About.com

The Witches Magick for the 14th Day of December – Hold A Yule Tree Blessing


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Hold A Yule Tree Blessing

If your family uses a holiday tree during the Yule season — and many Pagan families do — you might want to consider a blessing ritual for the tree, both at the time you cut it down and again before you’ve decorated it. Although many families use fake holiday trees, a cut one from a tree farm is actually more environmentally friendly, so if you’ve never considered a live tree, maybe this is a good year to start a new tradition in your house.

Things to Take With You

You’ll want to have the following items on hand when you go to cut down a tree for Yule:

A sharp saw

Gloves

Rope

Some fertilizer sticks and birdseed

 

Selecting Your Tree

First of all, make sure you’re in a place where you have permission to cut trees. Either find a local Christmas tree farm, or if you’re on private property, get the approval of the landowner before you cut anything. Never cut a tree down in a park or forest without permission.

Don’t just randomly start hacking away at trees. Take some time to wander around and find the tree that’s right for you. Often, you’ll know the right tree when you find it — it will be just the right height and width, the exact fullness you want, and so forth.

In our family, our annual tradition is that we only cut down our tree if it has a bird’s nest in it (obviously, by December the birds don’t need it any more, it’s just something my teenager started as a child).

 

Cutting Down Your Tree

If you’ve found the right tree, take a moment to touch it. Feel its energy flowing from the earth and into you. Recognize that once you’ve cut it down, it will no longer be a living thing.

In many traditions, people find it comforting to ask the tree for permission to make the first cut. In Dorothy Morrison’s book Yule, she recommends asking the tree to move its spirit deep into the ground so that it will not feel injury or pain when you cut the trunk.

Use the following blessing before you make the cut:

O evergreen, mighty tree, you who are full of life. I am about to make the cut, and ask your permission. We will take you into our home and honor you, adorning you with light in this season of the sun. We ask you, o evergreen, to bless our home with your energy.

As an alternative, if you have children with you and you’d like to make the occasion more fun than somber, try something like this instead:

Evergreen, evergreen, big fat tree! I ask you now please to come home with me! We’ll cover you with ornaments and lots of pretty lights, and let you shine about our house at Yule, the longest night! Thank you, tree, thank you tree, for the gift you give today, we’ll plant another in your name, when spring comes our way!

Make the cut about eight inches above the ground, and cut quickly. Make sure no one is standing on the opposite side when the tree begins to fall. Using the gloves to protect your hands if necessary, tie the rope around the trunk so you can pull it out of the area. Before leaving, push the fertilizer sticks into the soil near the cut trunk. This will promote new growth from the remaining stump. If you can, periodically stop by and add more fertilizer sticks to the newly sprouted branches.

You may wish to also leave some birdseed on the ground as an offering to the wildlife in the area. Some families even use the birdseed to cast a protective circle around the stump where they’ve cut their tree down. Finally, if you’ve promised to plant a new tree somewhere in the spring, be sure to keep your word.

 

Decorating Your Tree

Decorating a Yule tree is a lot of fun, and should be a celebration of family. Put on some holiday music, light some incense or scented candles, get a pot of herbal tea brewing, and turn it into a ritual of its own. Before you decorate, you may wish to bless the tree once more.

Have on hand some salt, incense, a candle and water. Bless the tree as follows:

By the powers of earth, I bless this tree, that it shall remain sacred, a symbol of life, stable and strong in our home throughout the Yule season. By the powers of air, I bless this tree, as the cool winter winds blow away the baggage of the old year, and we welcome the brightness of the new into our hearts and home. By the powers of fire, I bless this tree, as the days have gotten shorter, and the nights grown dark, yet the warmth of the sun is returning, bringing with it life. By the powers of water, I bless this tree, a gift I give, that it may stay bright and green for us a bit longer, so that we can enjoy the harmony and peace of Yule.

As you say the blessing, sprinkle the salt around the tree in a circle (not on the tree, just around it), smudging with the incense, passing the candle over it, and finally, adding water to the tray at the bottom.

Once you’ve finished the blessing, decorate your tree and celebrate!

 

 

Author: Patti Wigington

Article published on & owned by About.com