Category: Book of Spells

Using Planetary Hours in Your Spellcrafting

Using Planetary Hours in Your Spellcrafting

 

Each hour of the day and night is also matched to a planetary influence. Planetary hours can be very useful, especially if you can’t wait until the right Moon phase or even the right day to perform your magical working. You can, of course, wait for both the appropriate day and planetary hour, if you wish. Planetary hours are divided into two parts: sunrise to sunset and sunset to sunrise.

 

Calculating the planetary ‘hours’ once the principle is understood is relatively easy. The calculation goes back to when there were no clocks to measure time. The periods of light and dark were each divided into 12 equal portions which were called ‘hours’.

 

Therefore if we divide the number of minutes of daylight by 12, we discover exactly how long a planetary hour is. For example, if the sun rises at 7am and sets at 4pm you would have 9 normal hours of daylight. This would then have to be divided by 12 to calculate when each new planetary hour begins. Thus:

 

9 hours multiplied by 60 minutes gives 540 minutes 540 minutes divided by 12 gives 45 minutes.

 

Therefore each daytime magical hour would be equivalent to 45 minutes normal time and you would measure accordingly.

 

From sunset, things would be slightly different – a little thought will show why so many magical practitioners work at night!

 

Using the example above, we have 15 hours out of 24 left. Thus:

 

15 hours multiplied by 60 minutes gives 900 minutes 900 minutes divided by 12 gives 75 minutes Each night-time hour would be therefore be equivalent to 75 normal minutes.

 

Because only the Sun and six planets – not all ten planets – are used as correspondences, you have a chance to use those influences either during the day or during the hours of darkness. Planetary hours are always calculated with reference to the rising sun, so each time you wish to use a planetary hour, you must first know precisely when the sun rises where you are living. The influence can either help or hinder our magical efforts.

Week Day Correspondences for Doing Spellcrafting

Week Day Correspondences for Doing Spellcrafting

 

The days of the week, because they are ruled by the various gods, create an energy which is best for certain types of magical working. Following is a list which, while not completely comprehensive, will give you some idea of when to perform your spells. Each day’s planetary ruler and optimum colours are also given.

SUNDAY (Sun – yellow, gold, orange): ambition, authority figures, career, children, crops, drama, fun, goals, health, law, personal finances, promotion, selling, speculating, success, volunteers and civic services.

 
MONDAY (Moon – white, silver, grey, pearl): antiques, astrology, children, dreams/astral travel, emotions, fluids, household activities, imagination, initiation, magic, new-age pursuits, psychology, reincarnation, religion, short trips, spirituality, the public, totem animals, trip planning,

 
TUESDAY (Mars – red, pink, orange): aggression, business, beginnings, combat, confrontation, courage, dynamism, gardening, guns, hunting, movement, muscular activity, passion, partnerships, physical energy, police, repair, sex, soldiers, surgery, tools, woodworking.

 
WEDNESDAY (Mercury – purple, magenta, silver): accounting, astrology, communication, computers, correspondence, editing, editors, education, healing, hiring, journalists, learning, languages, legal appointments, messages, music, phone calls, siblings, signing contracts, students, visiting friends, visual arts, wisdom, writing.

 
THURSDAY (Jupiter – blue, metallic colours): business, charity, college, doctors, education, expansion, forecasting, foreign interests, gambling, growth, horses, long-distance travel, luck, material wealth, merchants, philosophy, psychologists, publishing, reading, religion, researching, self-improvement, sports, studying the law.

 
FRIDAY (Venus – green, pink, white): affection, alliances, architects, artists, beauty, chiropractors, courtship, dancers, dating, designers, engineers, entertainers, friendships, gardening, gifts, harmony, luxury, marriage, music, painting, partners, poetry, relationships, romantic love, shopping, social activity.

 
SATURDAY (Saturn – black, grey, red, white): binding, bones, criminals, death, debts, dentists, discovery, endurance, farm workers, financing, hard work, housing, justice, karma, limits, manifestation, maths, murderers, neutralization, obstacles, plumbing, protection, reality, sacrifice, separation, structure, teeth, tests, transformation, wills.

The Witches Magick for Tuesday, November 24th – Crystal Abundance Spell

Autumn Fairy

Crystal Abundance Spell

 

Some quartz crystals contain bits of greenish mineral matter in them. These are known as “money crystals” or “abundance crystals.” If possible, use one of these in this spell. Otherwise, a clear quartz crystal will work fine.

INGREDIENTS/ TOOLS:

1 quartz crystal

An image that represents abundance to you

BEST TIME TO PERFORM THE SPELL:

On a Thursday when the moon is waxing

Select a magazine picture or download an online image that symbolizes prosperity to you. It might be an object or condition you desire, such as a new home, a sports car, or a European vacation. Lay the picture face up on a windowsill where the moon’s light will shine on it.

Wash the crystal in warm water with mild soap to cleanse it of any unwanted energies. Dry the crystal, then hold it to your third eye (between your eyebrows) while thinking about your intention. Doing this sends the image into the crystal. Then set the crystal on the picture. Make sure the crystal’s point faces toward the inside of your home, to draw what you want to you. Leave the crystal in place overnight. In the morning, remove the crystal and picture and give thanks for the bounty you are about to receive.

 

-Skye Alexander, The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells

 

Let’s Talk Witch – Feeling the Power

Mysterious witch in orange

Feeling the Power

 

What power? Not the energy piped through your home, but the powers of magic— the forces of the elements and winds, the energy that keeps our planet spinning within our spinning galaxy within a spinning universe. This is the real energy of magic.

One of the best ways to gain a familiarity with this power is through memory. We have the power at all times; it is what keeps our body running and working properly. We take it in through the food we eat and release it in physical exertion, mental workings, and simple bodily functions like breathing and blinking our eyes.

Since this power is with us at all times, it sometimes makes its presence known.

Most people have experienced a thunderstorm. Jagged lightning glances across the sky, rain and wind slam down, and the sky shakes with tremendous thunder. Such a storm will often cause unexpected reactions.

A chill might shake you, both in anxiety and also in exhilaration of such a spectacular example of nature’s unlimited power.

If you can recall an especially powerful storm that sent a chill down your spine, attempt to recapture that feeling. Recall the time; remember your reactions to the storm.

You may begin to feel charged with energy. Your pulse and breathing may increase in rate, the muscles of your body may tense, and you may begin to perspire.

These physical changes are manifestations of the increased amount of energy surging through your body.

This is the same energy used in magic. As mentioned previously, much of the energy is generated by the emotion. Emotional reactions to situations can have amazing results (the weak woman who pushed a car off her child’s leg, for example) that seem to defy normal laws.

This isn’t the case. These power surges are manifestations of other laws of nature not yet discovered by science.

Since emotion is an excellent way in which to feel the power, a strong emotional reaction— such as that to a storm— is often beneficial to help the power begin flowing.

Obviously it would be ridiculous to stand and reexperience a thunderstorm before every spell. Simply use the thunderstorm exercise in order to feel the energy— the energy that manifests itself in tense muscles, increased respiration and heart rates, and perhaps perspiration.

Once you have felt it and can do so at will, you can generate power and send it off during your spells to work your need.

Any spell performed in such a state will be much more effective than one that was walked through.

Again, use the emotion of the need of the particular spell to attain this state. If you desperately need five hundred dollars for an unexpected, neglected, or forgotten bill, pour all of your concern into the spell. But back it up with your unshakeable knowledge that you can and will draw it to you.

All right, so it isn’t easy at first. As my piano teacher used to tell me, “Practice!”

 

 

-Scott Cunningham, Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic

 

 

 

Long Term Protection

Long Term Protection

This form of summoning is closer to permanent as we would perceive it. Yet in this for you must still work with a time frame in mind, however distant it may be. Guardian Dragons may be summoned in this fashion for protection of people places and things needing or deserving long term care (such as children, houses, spouses, etc). Multiple objects can be protected with but a change in grammar, but they must be together for a single dragon to protect (the objects become a mini-horde).:

“Dragon brave and Dragon wise,

let nothing escape your eyes.

I summon your from your hidden lair,

(name object here) is entrusted to your care.

Permit no harm to come to (named object)

within your sight, in your presence let all evils take flight.

No baneful creature born of flesh or spirit,

may touch (name object) nor even come near it.

Let those that would bring harm,

be filled with fright and alarm.”

Short Term Protection

Short Term Protection

This summoning is used for short-term goals and needs such as protecting an object being loaned, or anything for a brief period, such as a car ride or elevator trip. Mark the object to be protected with the sign of the guardian and repeat the incantation below:

“Gentle Guardian wise and strong keeps it (me, him/her)

as it (I, he/she) doth belong.

Safe within thy charge and care,

the current problem to fare.

No harm to come or ill to befall

Guarded and safe through it all!”

To Keep A Spell From Backfiring

To Keep A Spell From Backfiring

If a Witch is sick and needs to cast a spell, he/she can bind it.

This will keep the spell from backfiring and causing harm to anyone else, most importantly to his/herself. The Witch must procure a thread with a color as dark as the nightly sky.

Light an incense of Sandalwood and Lavender, and as the incense fills the air, he/she must make three knots on the ribbon as he/she intones the words that follow:

“By the Karmic Power of Three

This spell tied and knotted be

To cause no harm nor return to me

As I will it, so must it be.”

The ribbon must be carried when casting the spell as a talisman to keep it from backfiring.

Shield of Fire Protection Spell

SHIELD OF FIRE PROTECTION SPELL

Tools

one candle at each compass point

Athame

Cast the circle Invocation of the God and Goddess. Statement of intent:

“On this night, I invoke the powers of fire

to protect me from all that would harm me,

whether physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.”

Start at the south. Light the candle, shouting:

“Nothing from the South can harm me!”

Imagine the flame creating a wall of protection on that side of you Move West, light the candle and shout:

“Nothing from the West can harm me!”

Again, with each candle you light, imagine the wall around you growing in power and intensity North, light the candle and shout:

”Nothing from the North can harm me!”

East, light the candle, shouting:

“Nothing from the East can harm me!”

Hold up the Southern candle to the sky, shouting:

“Nothing from above can harm me!”

Place it back on the earth, shouting:

“Nothing from below can harm me!”

Sit in the center of the circle, watching the candles burn. Know that the fires are burning away all evil and harm that comes your way. Meditate on the flames and feel their power forming a shield around you – a shield you can erect anytime you feel threatened. Cakes and ale (eating bread and drinking wine or juice to restore energies spent during ritual) Release circle Thank the Goddess and God for their protection and presence in your circle

Go to each of the four directions in turn, saying:

“Guardians of the East (South, West, North),

Powers of Air (Fire, Water, Earth),

I thank you for joining in my circle

And I ask for your blessing

As you depart

May there be peace between us

Now and forever.

Blessed be.”

Raise your Athame to the sky and touch it to the earth, then open your arms and say:

“The circle is open, but unbroken,

May the peace of the Lord and Lady

Go in my heart

So Mote it Be!”

Consecrating Altar Objects

Consecrating Altar Objects

If you are not using completely new objects on your altar – here we are referring to the basic ‘furnishings’ of candle holders etc – you should cleanse them before you dedicate them to your purpose. Treat them in the same way as you would any crystals you use, by soaking them overnight in salt water to remove anyone else’s vibrations and then standing them in sunshine (or moonshine) for at least 12 hours to charge them with the appropriate energy.

 

When you are ready, hold each object and allow your own energy to flow into it, followed by the energy of your idea of Ultimate Power. (That way you make a very powerful link between yourself, the object and the Ultimate.) Ask this Power to bless the object and any working you may do with it and perceive yourself as truly a medium or channel for the energy.

 

Hopefully, each time you use any of the objects, you will immediately be able to reinforce that link rather than having to re-establish it. It is like a refrain continually running in the background. Now place the objects on your altar however it feels right for you.

 

Finally, if appropriate, create and caste your circle so that it includes yourself and your altar. The magic circle defines the ritual area, holds in personal power and shuts out all distractions and negative energies. You now have a sacred space set up which is your link to the powers that be. Again it is a matter of personal choice as to whether you choose to re-dedicate your altar and what it contains on a regular basis

Dedicating Your Altar

Dedicating Your Altar

 

Now you have turned your space into an altar, dedicate it in such a way that it will support any workings you may choose to do. One good way is to dedicate it to the principle of the Greater Good – that none may be harmed by anything that you may do. (Remember that traditionally any harm you instigate deliberately will return to you threefold, particularly when it comes from such a sacred space.) It will depend on your basic belief just how you choose to dedicate the altar further, perhaps to the Moon deity and all her manifestations, perhaps to the Gods of power.

 

Try to put as much passion and energy into the dedication as you can and remember to include a prayer for protection of your sacred space. Some people will need to cast a circle each time they do a working, while others will feel that just by setting the altar up in the way suggested that that space is consecrated henceforth. If you wish to follow the principles of feng shui rather than Wicca within your work, your placings will be slightly different, as they will also be if you choose to follow the tenets of other religions.

 

However, whatever you do, you should take care to dedicate all of your tools and altar furnishings to the purpose in hand. You are empowering them and making them usable only in ritual and magical work. If you try to use them for any other purpose, you will negate that magical power.

Setting Up Your Altar

Setting Up Your Altar

 

To turn your dressed table into a proper altar, you will need as basics the following objects:

 

1. Two candles with candle holders – you might like to think of one representing the female principle and one the male. You may also choose, in addition, candles of a color suitable for the ritual or spell you are working.

 

2. An incense holder and incense suitable for the particular working.

 

3. A representation of the deity or deities you prefer to work with. An image of the Goddess, for instance, could be anything from a statue of the Chinese Goddess of Compassion, Kuan Yin, to seashells, chalices, bowls, or certain stones that symbolize the womb or motherhood.

 

4. A small vase for flowers or fresh herbs.
Other objects appropriate for ceremonial working are:

• • An athame, which is a sacred knife for ceremonial use; it should never be used for anything else.

• • A white-handled knife (called a boline) for cutting branches, herbs, etc.

• • A burin, which is a sharp-pointed instrument for inscribing magical objects such as candles.

• • A small earthenware or ceramic bowl, or a small cauldron, for mixing ingredients.

• A bowl of water.

• • A bowl of salt or sand, representing Earth.

• • A consecrated cloth, or a pentacle, on which to place dedicated objects.
Some people additionally use bells to summon the powers of the Elements, whilst others have additional candles with the colors representing both themselves and the work they wish to do. You can also have other items on your altar, such as crystals, amulets and talismans.

 

You can do what you wish with your own altar provided you have thought through very carefully your logical or emotional reasons for including whatever you have there. You might, for instance, choose to have differing representations of the Earth Mother from diverse religions or include a pretty gift to establish a psychic link with the person who gave it to you.

Consecrating Your Sacred Space

Consecrating Your Sacred Space

 

If you are going to be carrying out a fair number of rituals or spells, you will really need a sacred space or altar along with various other altar furnishings. Whether your altar is inside or outside does not matter. To set it up indoors, your altar and or sacred space should preferably be in a quiet place in the home, where it will not be disturbed and where candles can be burned safely.

 

The space first needs to be dedicated to the purpose of magical working. You can do this by first brushing the area clean with an ordinary brush, concentrating your thoughts on cleansing the space as you work physically to bring this about. Mentally cleanse the space three times, imagining doing it once for the physical world, once for the emotional space and once spiritually.

 

If you wish, you may sprinkle the whole area with water and with salt (which represents the Earth). You might perhaps also burn incense such as jasmine or frankincense to clear the atmosphere. Think of the space as somewhere you would entertain an honored guest in your home – you would wish the room you use to be as welcoming as it can be. You will later use your besom to keep the sacred space clear.

 

If you travel a lot or are pushed for space, you might dedicate a tray or special piece of wood or china for ceremonial working. This, along with your candles and incense, can then be kept together in a small box or suitcase. Otherwise, you could dedicate a table especially for the purpose. Ideally, you should not need to pack up each time.

 

You will also need a ‘fine cloth’ – the best you can afford – to cover the surface. Place your cloth on your chosen surface and spend some quiet time just thinking about its purpose. You may, if you wish, have different cloths for different purposes or perhaps have one basic cloth which is then ‘dressed’ with the appropriate color for each ritual.

The Witches Magick for the 23rd Day of the Snow Moon – Snow Faery Basket Spell

Wiccan Magic

SNOW MOON FAERY BASKET

 

Draw the favors and gifts of the fairies to you with this faery basket.

You will need a large basket, moss, a snow globe, silk flowers, buttons, thimbles, a small wind chime, a seashell, a feather, a tiny mirror, crystals and white stones found in nature, and a fairy figurine( s). Amy Brown’s Fairy Devas are my favorite figurines.

At midnight, put this faery basket together. Line the basket with moss, and then put the items in the basket in a decorative way. For example, the mirror becomes a small reflective pool, the seashell a birdbath, the buttons stepping stones, and the thimbles faery caps. The faery figurine( s) gazes into the snowglobe, sitting among the silk flowers. As you decorate the basket, sing a favorite uplifting song or turn on some favorite tunes and sing along. Tie the wind chime onto the basket handle so that it dangles down and chimes. Take a deep breath in and out, hold the basket in your hands, merge with the divine faeries, and say:

Kind and helpful faeries, I offer you this gift

And respectfully ask you to share your magic with me

Kind and helpful faeries, my divine friends

Please bestow your beneficial favors upon me

By the blessed fae, blessed be!

Put the faery basket just inside your front door to draw the kind and helpful faeries into your home. Remember that the faeries also like bits of leftover food, milk, beer, juice and honey. Offer these to the faeries by setting them outdoors in your garden. Plant bulbs and flowers in your yard, and the faeries will grant you divine favors and gifts year after year.

 

 

Wiccan Spell A Night: Spells, Charms, And Potions For The Whole Year

Sirona Knight

 

Crystal & Herb Spell – A Grounding and Centering Jar

Blessed Be

Crystal & Herb Spell – A Grounding and Centering Jar

 

Joining crystals with sacred herbs in spellwork is a great way to amplify the power of each of these Earth-given magical tools.

 

A Grounding and Centering Jar

 

After a busy day, it can seem hard to take the time to ground and center enough to perform successful spellwork. Many a Witch has put off spellwork that would be beneficial simply because getting in the right frame of mind seems like so much work!

This spellcraft can become something of a “shortcut,” helping you get to a place of calm and quiet more quickly.

Try meditating with it in your hands for a few moments before preparing for magical work, or anytime you just need a “time out” during your day.

Of course, you must be well grounded and centered when creating and blessing the jar in order for it to continue to give that grounding energy back to you!

You will need:

1 clear glass empty spice jar (or other small jar) with lid

1 tablespoon dried sage

1 tablespoon dried lavender

1 tablespoon dried sandalwood or patchouli

3 pieces of hematite

Place each herb in the mortar and pestle, affirming with each that its purpose is to ground and center you. You can say something like:

“Sage, thank you for grounding and centering me from within this jar.

Blessed Be.”

Do the same with the lavender and the sandalwood or patchouli.

Gently mix the herbs together, and pour them into the jar.

Then, sit and hold the hematite in the palms of your hands and spend several minutes deepening your sense of being grounded and centered.

Place them gently in the jar and close the lid.

Hold the jar in your hands and say:

“From now on, this jar returns me to the Earth and to my center.

Blessed Be.”

You may wish to keep the jar on your altar or in your sacred space.

For extra help with grounding and centering, remove the lid from time to time and inhale the scent of the herbs.

 

Wicca Crystal Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Wiccan Crystal Magic, with Simple Crystal Spells (Wicca Books Book 4)

Lisa Chamberlain

 

Monday

magic happens

Monday

 

In the word Monday, we can see part of the word Moon. In the romance languages such as Italian or Spanish, this day of the week is called Lunes and clearly relates to the word lunar.On Mondays, a variety of magick may be worked. Because Monday centers on the energies of the Moon, things like psychism, dreams, feminine energy, health, success in spiritual pursuits, domestic matters, and things of family origin are especially important this day.

Mondays are best for love magick and anything concerning home or family, thus old saying, Mondays child is fair of face, which seems clearly to relate to the themes of love and health.

Angels of Monday are Gabriel, Arcan, Missabu, and Abuzaha. Arcan is known as the king of the angels of air and the “ruler” of Monday. Abuzaha (Abuzohar) serves Monday, and is very responsive to invocations and ritual magick. Missabu is a ministering angel of Arcan.

Check whether the moon is waning or waxing to determine what your spell will be. During waning moons, do spells to rid yourself of obstacles or for wisdom and protection. During waxing moons do magic for increase of any kind or to draw something into your life.

On Mondays, the best hour to work is moonrise. Get this information from your local newspaper, astrological calendar, or almanac.

Source:

Gypsy Magic

 

Your Ritual Clothing and Jewellery

Your Ritual Clothing and Jewellery

 

Inevitably there are certain things you will need to remember before you begin your magical working. While you are preparing and putting on your robes or ritual gowns you might spend time in reflection, silent meditation or prayer. Prior to the beginning of any spell and while dressing concentrate on the matter in hand. Alternatively, simply focus on the Supreme Being, Cosmic Responsibility and/or a successful outcome and ask that the event to follow helps you in your learning..

 

There is no limit to what can be worn. Some suggest white robes with black cords or vice versa, while others simply suggest that you are comfortable in what you wear. Many people will spend a great deal of time, energy and effort on fashioning suitable robes.

 

The idea is that when working magically you leave behind the ordinary mundane world, so turn off mobile phones, put away keys and name tags, remove money and other objects from pockets and so on.

 

It will be a matter of choice as to whether you wear jewellery or not. Magical jewellery such as the pentagram, ankh or rings with magical symbols or significance are often worn, although they are by no means essential. Many prefer not to wear watches, since time is considered irrelevant. It is often better not to use perfume or cologne unless it is based on essential oils which are suitable for the work in hand, or complement any incense being used.

Making your bath salts

Making your bath salts

 

Commercial bath salts will do absolutely nothing on an esoteric level – they have too many chemical additives and artificial perfumes – so it is a nice touch to make your own using single essential oils, blends and/or herbs. The fact that you have mixed them yourself means they are infused with your own vibration and therefore will work on a very subtle level. Matching your bath salt perfume to your incense perfume does wonders for your inner self.

 

You will need

• • 3 PARTS EPSOM SALTS

• • 2 PARTS BAKING SODA

• • 1 PART ROCK SALT (or Borax)

• • BOWL FOR MIXING

• • ESSENTIAL OILS IN YOUR CHOSEN PERFUMES

• • HANDFUL OF HERBS (optional)

• • NATURAL FOOD COLOURING

 

Method

Mix the first three ingredients thoroughly in the mixing bowl. Use your hands as this will enable you to imbue the salts with your own energy. This is your basic mixture and can be perfumed or coloured in any way that you please.

 

Note: It is wise when using essential oils to mix them first if you are using a blend to allow the synergy between the oils to develop.

 

Add your colouring first and mix to your satisfaction, then follow with your oil or blend a drop at a time. Add the herbs to the mixture and combine thoroughly. Be generous with the oils since the salts will absorb a surprising amount without you realizing. Your nose, however, as with all oils and perfumes is the best judge – there is no right or wrong amount.

 
When you wish to use your salts, add approximately 2 tablespoons to a full bathtub and mix well.

Preparation for Spell Working – The Ritual Bath

Preparation for Spell Working – The Ritual Bath

 

Several processes become automatic when preparing for spell work. If you choose to wear special clothing, then this has to be prepared before you actually start your personal preparations. We give below some suggestions for personal robes which can be laid out with some ceremony before you begin.

 
Important magical workings require you to take a ritual bath which cleanses, purifies and clarifies your energy so that you are able to get the best results possible. Many practitioners prefer to take a ritual bath before performing any magical workings. For what you may consider ‘lesser’ magic you do not need to bathe, but may prefer to cleanse yourself by running your hands over your body before you embark on any working.

 

Ritual Bathing

 

Ritual bathing arose in times gone by from a perceived need to be in as ‘virgin’ – that is, unsullied – a state as possible. This is what gave rise to working skyclad, i.e. without clothes, so that there were no encumbrances between the practitioner and his or her gods or deities.

 

Ritual Bath

 

As you mix in your salts, bless the water and charge it with your intent – be that a particular magical working, a relaxing evening or a successful meeting. The candles used in this ritual can be in the colours of the Elements or those most appropriate to your purpose, for example – pink (tranquility), blue (wisdom), green (self-awareness) and red (passion). For spiritual matters, use purple.

 

You will need

• • HOMEMADE BATH SALTS

• • VOTIVE CANDLES ACCORDING TO YOUR NEED

• • LARGE WHITE CANDLE

• • ESSENTIAL OIL TO REMOVE NEGATIVITY (e.g. rosemary)

• • LARGE GLASS OF MINERAL WATER OR JUICE

 

Method

Anoint the large white candle with the essential oil and ask for positivity, health and happiness as you do so. Do the same with the votive candles according to your need. You may, if you wish, inscribe a symbol to represent your purpose on each candle.

 

Run your bath and mix in the bath salts.
Light the candles, first the white one followed by the votives. Place the latter safely around the bath. The white candle should be placed wherever you feel is safest. You have now created a sacred space for yourself.

 
Lie back and enjoy your bath and at some point drink your water or juice visualizing your whole system being cleansed inside as well as out. Before you get out of the bath, thank the water deities for this opportunity to prepare thoroughly for the new energies available to you. If you are to perform a magical working, then keep your mind focused on that intent.

 

On this occasion, for safety’s sake, when you have finished your bath, snuff out the candles.

Different types of spell working

Different types of spell working

 

Elemental

In this particular type of magic the Elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water are given their own directional focus to create added power and give extra energy to your spells. You will no doubt find that you tend to favor one particular direction but should be able to use all of them.

 

Color

Perhaps the simplest form of magic is that which involves color. This method of working is also used in conjunction with various other forms of magic. Color can enhance, alter and completely change moods and emotions and therefore can be used to represent our chosen goal. At its simplest it can be used alone and can be used in dressing an altar.

 

Herbal

Herbal magic is often used alongside many other forms of magic. Used as talismans and amulets – for example in a pouch or bag – herbs become protective; the oil from herbs can also be used in candle magic. There are many different types of herbs available for use in this way. Each herb has its own specific use, but frequently is used along with many other herbs and oils to produce a desired result.

 

Candle

In candle magic, man discovered the ability to control light and this is one of the oldest forms of magic as well as one of the most simple. Using candles to symbolize ourselves and our beliefs means that we have access to a power beyond ourselves. Candle magic also forms an effective back-up for most other forms of magical working.

 

Crystal

Every stone or gem has its own attribute which can be used in magic. Crystals are used extensively in healing because of the vibration impact they can have. Because of this, they lend themselves to the enhancement of any spell-making or magical working. Even ordinary stones have their own power and can be used as repositories for all sorts of energies and powers.

 

Knot

Knot magic works partly with the principle of binding, which is a type of bidding spell and also with that of weaving, which was traditionally a female intuitive occupation. It utilizes ribbon, rope, string, yarn, or anything that can be knotted or plaited to signify our aspiration. It is a type of representational magic, and is used in conjunction with many of the other forms. The techniques of colour, form and use of energies are all used in its practice.

 

Representational

Representational magic involves using an object that represents something or someone for whom you are working the spell. It helps in concentrating the energy and visualizing the desire and the end result. Representational objects should never be used for negative purposes.

 

Symbolic

In this system different symbols, rather than objects, are used to represent various ideas, people or goals. These symbols can be personal to you or such things as Tarot cards, Runes, Hebrew letters or numerology. You will often use symbolic magic in your magical workings and will soon develop your own preferred symbols.

 

Talismans, amulets and charms

These devices use all the other forms of magic in their formation, but principally representational and symbolic magic. They are ‘charged’ (given power) magically and usually are worn or carried on the person for protection or good luck. Many are worn around the neck, perhaps as jewellery, or carried in a pouch and incorporate crystals, herbs or other magical objects. There are many types of each of these objects and you will gradually learn to differentiate between them.