Some of the Witchcraft / Magickal Correspondences for Monday

Monday Source: Ancient Pathway

Monday
Magickal Intentions:
Psychic Sensitivity, Women’s Mysteries, Tides, Waters, Emotional Issues, Agriculture, Animals, Female Fertility, Messages, Theft, Reconcilliations, Voyages, Dreams and Merchandise
Incense:
African Violet
Honeysuckle
Myrtle
Willow
Wormwood
Planet:
Moon
Sign:
Cancer
Angel:
Gabriel
Colors:
Silver
White
Gray
Herbs/Plants:
Night Flowers
Willow Root
Orris Root
Birch
Motherwort
Vervain
White Rose
White Iris
Stones:
Carnelian
Moonstone
Aquamarine
Pearl
Quartz Crystal
Flourite
Geodes

Monday Source: The Flying Hedge Witch

This day of the week is dedicated to the moon, in which it gets its name. This is a great day to work with moon energy, especially if it is a full moon. Divination and prophetic dreaming are best performed today. It is also a good time to work magic focusing on mothers, nurturing, fertility, woman issues, and growth.
Color: Silver, white, light blue
Planet: Moon
Deities: Thoth, Selene, Diana, Artemis, Luna
Crystals: Pearl, opal, moonstone
Herbs: Wintergreen, catnip, comfrey, sage, chamomile, mint
Associations: Illusion, glamour, sleep, dreams, fertility, insight, peace, beauty, women’s mysteries

Special Edition of Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondences, Rituals and Other Things for Samhain

Symbolism: death and regeneration, transformation, end of old projects, new beginnings, return, change, rest, success, plenty, knowledge

Symbols: skulls, bats, cats, leaves, nuts, seeds, barren trees and branches, pumpkins, cauldron, pentacle, crystal ball, besom or broom, witch’s hat, moon, crows/ravens, ghosts, goblins, banshees, candy/caramel apples, chocolate, Jack-o-Lanterns, costumes, Trick-or-Treats, Death, acorns, bones, gourds, scarecrowsColors: black, orange, red, silver, gold, brown, purple, yellow

Food and Drink: apples, cider, pork, hazelnuts, pomegranates, pumpkins, potatoes, squash, cranberries, turnips, beets, mugwort tea, ale, mulled wine, pies/cakes for the dead

Herbs: apple leaf, almonds, bay leaf, nettle, hemlock, cloves, cinnamon, mandrake root, marigold, mums, mugwort, pine, rosemarysagewormwood, tarragon, rue, garlic, ginger, hazelnut, allspice

Deities: Hekate, The Crone, Cerridwen, Bast, Persephone, Horned Hunter, Cernunnos, Osiris, Hades, Anubis, Loki, Arawn, Dis, and any other death/underworld god or goddess

Crystals and Gemstones: black obsidian, jasper, onyx, bloodstone, smoky quartz, carnelian,

Animals: cats, especially black cats, bats, spiders, rats, wolves, snakes, ravens and crows, owls, stags, jackals, scorpions

Magic: This is the time to honor the dead. Set up an altar, serve them cakes, and let them know they are not forgotten. If you wish to communicate with deceased friends and family, this is the best time of year. The veil thins the night of Samhain, making communication easy. Do NOT, however, entice spirits, disrespect them, or perform any other magic that is anything less than respectful. I repeat, don’t do it. Samhain is also a great time to practice divination in the form of runes, scrying, tarot, tea readings, etc. Reflect over the previous year and perform blessing spells to ring in the new year. Astral projection, lucid dreaming, and hedge riding are also much easier to perform on this night but remember to be safe. Banishing magic, especially those for bad habits, are especially strong on this night.

Please note this is not a complete list but a brief overview of symbols, colors, herbs, deities, and the like. If I have missed something that you feel should make the list, please feel free to contact me via the comments or through email.

Click her for more ideas from Zenned Out for Samhain Rituals and Correspondences

The ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), celebrated on October 31st and November 1st, marks the end of our seasonal cycle on the Wheel of the Year. This is why it’s often referred to as the witch’s New Year. Seasonally speaking, Samhain is the third and final harvest of the season or the last rally to store and prepare for the coming Winter season.

This sacred celebration reaches much farther than harvests and is also a time when the veil between the physical and spirit world is at its thinnest. The Celtic people believed that spirits walked among them during this time, so Samhain is accepted as an ideal time to communicate and connect with the spirit realm. Here’s a fun drawing I created with ritual suggestions for Samhain. Keep scrolling to learn more about each one.

See the source image

From PaganPages.org Samhain Correspondences By Jennifer Wright

Free Pagan Magazine

Other Names:
celtic ~ Summer’s End, pronounced “sow” (rhymes with now) “en” (Ireland), sow-een (Wales) – “mh” in the middle is a “w” sound – Greater Sabbat(High Holiday) – Fire Festival Oct 31-Nov 1(North Hemisphere) – Apr 30-May 1 – The Great Sabbat, Samhiunn, Samana, Samhuin, Sam-fuin, Samonios, Halloween, Hallomas, All Hallows Eve, All Saints/All Souls Day(Catholic), Day of the Dead (Mexican), Witches New Year, Trinoux Samonia, Celtic/ Druid New Year, Shadowfest (Strega), Martinmas or Old Hallowmas (Scotttish/Celtic) Lá Samhna (Modern Irish), Festival of the Dead, Feile Moingfinne (Snow Goddess), Hallowtide (Scottish Gaelis Dictionary), Feast of All Souls, Nos Galen-gae-of Night of the Winter Calends (Welsh), La Houney or Hollantide Day, Sauin or Souney ( Manx), oidhche na h-aimiléise-the night of mischief or confusion(Ireland), Oidhche Shamna (Scotland)

Rituals:
End of summer, honoring of the dead,scrying, divination, last harvest, meat harvest

Incense:
Copal, sandalwood, mastic resin, benzoin, sweetgrass, wormwood, mugwort, sage, myrrh or patchouli

Tools:
Besom, cauldron, tarot, obsidian ball, pendulum, runes, oghams, Ouija boards, black cauldron or bowl filled with black ink or water, or magick mirror

Stones/Gems:
Black obsidian, jasper, carnelian, onyx, smoky quartz, jet, bloodstone

Colors:
Black, orange, red

Symbols & Decorations:
Apples, autumn flowers, acorns, bat, black cat, bones, corn stalks, colored leaves, crows, death/dying, divination and the tools associated with it, ghosts, gourds, Indian corn, jack-o-lantern, nuts , oak leaves, pomegranates, pumpkins, scarecrows, scythes, waning moon

Foods:
Apples, apple dishes, cider, meat (traditionally this is the meat harvest) especially pork, mulled cider with spices, nuts-representing resurrection and rebirth, nuts, pomegranates, potatoes, pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, squash.

Goddesses:
The Crone, Hecate(Greek), Cerridwen(Welsh-Scottish), Arianrhod(Welsh), Caillech (Irish-Scottish), Baba Yaga (Russian), Al-Ilat(persian), Bast (Egyptian), Persephone (Greek), Hel(Norse), Kali(Hindu), all Death & Otherworld Goddesses

Gods:
Horned Hunter(European), Cernnunos(Greco-Celtic), Osiris(Egyptian), Hades (Greek), Gwynn ap Nudd (British), Anubis(Egyptian), Coyote Brother (Native American), Loki (Norse), Dis (Roman), Arawn (Welsh), acrificial/Dying/Aging
Gods, Death and Otherworld Gods

Herbs and Flowers:
Almond, apple leaf , autumn joy sedum, bay leaf, calendula, Cinnamon, Cloves cosmos, garlic, ginger , hazelnut, hemlock cones, mandrake root, marigold, mums, mugwort (to aid in divination), mullein seeds, nettle, passionflower, pine needles, pumpkin seeds, rosemary (for remembrance of our ancestors), rue, sage, sunflower petals and seeds, tarragon, wild ginseng, wormwood

Animals:
Stag, cat, bat, owl, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin

Mythical Beings:
Pooka, goblin,medusa, beansidhe, harpies

Essence:
Magick, plenty; knowledge, the night, death & rebirth, success, protection; rest, new beginning; ancestors; lifting of the veil, mundane laws in abeyance, return, change

Dynamics/Meaning:
Death & transformation, Wiccan new year,wisdom of the Crone, end of summer, honoring, thinning of the veil between worlds, death of the year, time outside of time, night of the Wild Hunt, begin new projects, end old projects

Work:
Sex magick, release of bad habits, banishing, fairy magick, divination of any kind, candle magick, astral projection, past life work, dark moon mysteries, mirror spells (reflection), casting protection , inner work, propitiation, clearing obstacles, uncrossing, inspiration, workings of transition or culmination, manifesting transformation,creative visualization, contacting those who have departed this plane

Purpose:
Honoring the dead, especially departed ancestors, knowing we will not be forgotten; clear knowledge of our path; guidance, protection, celebrating reincarnation

Rituals/Magicks:
Foreseeing future, honoring/consulting ancestors, releasing the old, power, understanding death and rebirth, entering the underworld, divination, dance of the dead, fire calling, past life recall

Customs:
Ancestor altar, costumes, divination, carving jack-o-lanterns, spirit plate, the Feast of the Dead, feasting, paying debts, fairs, drying winter herbs, masks, bonfires, apple games, tricks, washing clothes

Element:
Water

Gender:
Male

Threshold:
Midnight

From Plentiful Earth – How to pronounce Samhain

Popularized by Wicca, Samhain is a celebration that occurs around the same time as Halloween, All Hallow’s Eve, and Day of the Dead — on or around October 31. This wonderful day is often celebrated as a time to commune with our ancestors and the passing spirits, as the veil between the worlds has become its thinnest. The festival of Samhain is easily most Witches’ favorite Sabbat of the year, a fact we can all agree on. However, it’s easy to strike up a war of the Witches when it comes to saying the word out loud!

We know first hand, as American Witches in the United States, how embarrassing it can be to read the ancient Gaelic word as “Sam-hayne” on paper when we’re learning and then try to say it in front of seasoned coven-mates! We’re here to save you some red cheeks and give you the confidence to talk about your favorite holiday out loud! The good news? There are 3 ways to pronounce this ancient Celtic, each from a different region of its birthplace!

3 Correct Samhain Pronunciations

How to pronounce Samhain – Video

How to pronounce Samhain in Irish Gaelic

  • Sow-in

How to pronounce Samhain in Welsh

  • Sow-een

How to pronounce Samhain in Scottish Gaelic

  • Sav-en

Now, pick your favorite way and say it with pride, Witch!

 Remember what is not harvested by Samhain needs to be left in the fields, tress, bushes, ectara for the wild animals to forge over the cold months.

Wish you all a safe, blessed, and happy Samhain.

Spring Equinox/Ostara Potpourri, Incense and Oil c. 2018

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE THIS TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Spring Equinox/Ostara Potpourri, Incense & Oil

Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri

Recipe by Gerina Dunwich

A small cauldron filled with homemade potpourri can be used as a fragrant altar decoration, burned (outdoors) as an offering to the old gods during or after a Sabbat celebration, or wrapped in decorative paper and ribbons and given to a Wiccan sister or brother as a Sabbat gift.

45 drops rose oil

1 cup oak moss

2 cups dried dogwood blossoms

2 cups dried honeysuckle blossoms

1/2 cup dried violets

1/2 cup dried daffodils

1/2 cup dried rosebuds

1/2 cup dried crocus or iris

Mix the rose oil with the oak moss, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir the potpourri well and then store in a tightly covered ceramic or glass container.

(The above recipe for “Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri” is directly quoted from Gerina Dunwich’s book: “The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch’s Collection of Wiccan Spells, Potions and Recipes”, pages 161-162, A Citadel Press Book, Carol Publishing Group, 1994/1995.)

Source

Ostara Lore
Researched and Compiled by StormWind

Ostara Oil

Put in soap or annoint candles
5 drops lavender
5 drops jasmine
5 drops patchouli
5 drops rose

Add a lavender bud and small lapis lazuli, rose, and clear quartz crystals. This has the gently smell of spring beginning to blossom. Very lovely!

Ostara Incense

Recipe by Scott Cunningham

2 parts Frankincense
1 part Benzoin
1 part Dragon’s Blood
1/2 part Nutmeg
1/2 part Violet flowers (or a few drops Violet oil)
1/2 part Orange peel
1/2 part Rose petals

 

Burn during Wiccan rituals on Ostara, or to welcome the spring and refresh your life.

 

(The above recipe for “Ostara Incense” is directly quoted from Scott Cunningham’s book: “The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews”, page 83, Llewellyn Publications, 1992.)

 

16 Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials c. 2018

These common witchcraft spell casting essentials are not listed in any particular order. They are listed in the order in which they came to me for the purpose of writing this article.

These are not the only common witchcraft spell casting essentials, however, they are some of the ones that I feel are the main ones.

THE most important witchcraft spell casting essential is intent. Without intent, you have nothing but words and actions, and not really a spell cast at all.

In no particular order, a list of Common Witchcraft Spell Casting Essentials

1. Salt
Used for cleansing and banishing. It is also used for protection during cleansing and banishing spells. Salt is a natural antiseptic. Salt is commonly used for circles for standing or sitting in while casting. It also ensures a clean spell.

2. Broom
Brooms are highly symbolic. Brooms symbolize the sweeping away of anything unwanted. They are used physically, as well as symbolically. You would use a broom to physically sweep away in a cleansing spell, banishing spell, also in some protection spells (ones that would rid unwanted energy from your home to keep it out).

3. Candles
Candles are used for focus and mood. Candles should be readily available in as many colors as you can get a hold of. Different colored candles hold symbolism for a variety of spells. Colors are chosen based on the nature of the spell and what feels right. White can be substituted for any color in the absence of the chosen color.

For example, some people like to use the color Red for love spells, or the colors Green or Gold for money spells, or Blue for healing spells, etc.

You can choose what colors feel right for you for any spell of your choosing. You do not have to go with the commonly used color associations if you feel another color will work better for you in a certain spell or ritual.

4. Crystals and Stones
You should have a variety of stones and crystals for different purposes. Crystals and stones contain a charge for various things so you will want to choose wisely based on your spell. In the absence of the proper crystal, Quartz can be charged with the necessary properties. I find Quartz to be quite powerful and quite generic because of its nature.

Important: You do not want to use crystals or stones of any kind (even wedding rings or other jewelry) when doing banishing spells. When you are working to banish (especially with entities), crystals and stones can absorb the energy of the entity, keeping the entity attached to that stone forever.

Be selective in what spells you use crystals and stones in.

5. Incense
Incense comes in a wide variety of scents /odors. You will always want to choose what suits the spell best and what feels right for you at the time of casting.

Incense can be used to trigger certain emotions or invoke a mindset. Different smells for different purposes.

I prefer vanilla for most spells, as it is very soothing and calming, and helps to set the mood for casting.

6. Anointing Oils and Essential Oils
Oils are used for various purposes. Some are for scent and feeling, and others are for cleansing or blessing. The different oils are chosen based on items they are needed for and for the spell they are being used in.

7. Silence

Silence is optimal for casting any spell. You need to be able to focus on your spell without distraction. If you have children, especially young ones, you need to choose your timing wisely.

8. Isolation

Unless you are with a coven, isolation is a preferable. (If you are with a coven, then the coven should be isolated.) Being alone goes hand-in-hand with silence.

9. Book of Shadows (Spell Book)

A book with your spells written inside it. It is important to always write down your spells that you cast in the event that you want to perform a certain spell again. This is something that you will always have and should keep protected. A notebook can be used, but you should transfer your spells into something more permanent. Spells, although written down in this book can be altered at any time.

10. Intent

THE most important thing you need when casting any spell. Witchcraft is based on intent. Make sure that your intentions are known before you even begin casting your spell. Know what you want to achieve and focus on it.

11. Focus

Focus works alongside intent. You want to focus on your intentions and on what it is that you are doing throughout the spell to make those intentions be your outcome.

12. Confidence

You must have confidence in order for your spells to take effect. The more confident you are, the stronger your casting will be. Know in your heart and in your mind that what you are doing within the spell has worked, is working, and will work. Believe it and so shall it be.

13. Altar

A place where you have all of your essentials gathered together to perform your rituals and castings. Usually a table or desk dedicated to your collection of Witchcraft items. This is also where you would perform offerings to the Gods or Goddesses that you are calling upon to help you. For lack of a table or desk, you can use the top of a dresser or a shelving unit, a shelf, or even a window sill.

14. Herbs and Flowers

You will want to have various herbs and flowers on hand at all times for various spells. Herbs and flowers can be used fresh or dried. If burning the herbs or flowers, you will of course want to use dried. Fragrance from fresh herbs and flowers may be needed depending on the spell to be cast and the ritual to be performed. Also, if being used for symbolism, you would choose fresh or dried accordingly. (eg. dried to symbolize old, and fresh to symbolize new)

15. Cauldron

A fireproof container for burning various objects, incense, images, herbs, etc. When a spell calls for it, you will need to burn certain things, so a cauldron will make the perfect venue for this. A cauldron is not used only for burning; it is also used for mixing. In your cauldron, you can mix any of your “ingredients” that you need to bring together for your spell or ritual. You may want to heat some mixtures in your cauldron, so this is another reason it should be fireproof. It should also be food-safe if you are mixing potions
Go with your instinct no matter what kind of spell you are casting or ritual you are performing. Use your instincts when choosing every element and every word to a spell or ritual. Only you know what is right for your spell or ritual, no one can tell you what should be used and what shouldn’t. Go with your instinct every time, even if you have a spell previously written. If that spell feels like it should be changed, then change it. Instincts will get you very far with witchcraft.

This is not a complete list of everything that you will ever need or that you will ever use in your spells and rituals, and it is not meant to be. It is simply a list of some of the most common witchcraft spell casting essentials that are important to ensure a great spell.

You don’t need all of these things for each spell. You want to use any combination of the essentials (and anything else that you feel is necessary) in each individual spell.
Source
Unhypnotize.com Wicca/Witchcraft

An Invaluable Herbal Grimoire Reference Guide

By Graphia, The Wordsmith Witch

No matter what your spiritual path looks like, every Witch can benefit from possessing a thorough, comprehensive Herbal Grimoire. Many practitioners include such contents as a guide for the magical correspondences of different herbs, a list of various herbal substitutions for spellcrafting, and last, but not least – a reference section that lists commonly found baneful herbs and their toxicity levels.

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

This herb correspondence chart is the culmination of years of research. We hope this reference guide will help you to understand the magical properties of herbs, roots, flowers, barks and resins. It is our goal to provide others with accurate sources of information to enrich their lives and their Craft. What are some ways you can implement the information in the following guide into your own practice?  Click on the link below to view the chart.

Herbal Grimoire

Printable Guide to Some of the Daily Magickal Correspondences

Altar, Incense and Candle Magick

Your Altar

You may use anything that has a flat top.. I use an old trunk with a piece of plywood on it. Be creative.. As for a cover I use white because of its kind of a multipurpose color. Although some magic specifies a color then whatever color is specified should be used. Again, be creative… Keep in mind that candle magic is usually done in condensed areas so keep things as simplistic as you can, especially your candlesticks and censors.

Incense

There are some who believe that incense is unimportant in candle magic. I cannot imagine performing candle magic without the incense. The type that you use may be specified in a specific spell, if that is the case by all means use that. Generally, I use three kings incense as well as vervain. Vervain gives the spell working a little umph. But then again nothing is set in stone.. Be creative.
Incense symbolizes Air… as the smoke rises our thoughts are carried up into the universe.

October 6th Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondences

From Ancient Pathway

Wednesday
Magickal Intentions:
Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear,Loss, Travel, Money Matters
Incense:
Jasmine
Lavender
Sweet Pea
Planet:
Mercury
Chiron
Sign:
Virgo
Angel:
Colors:
Orange
Light Blue
Grey
Yellow
Violet
Herbs/Plants:
Fern
Lavender
Hazel
Cherry
Perriwinkle
Stones:
Aventurine
Bloodstone
Hematitie
Moss Agate
Sodalite

Wednesday’s Angel

From Angelorum.com

Angel is Raphael, ruler of Mercury. Raphael is the patron of healers and travellers. He will keep you safe on all of life’s journeys and help you to communicate in a way that promotes healing and peace.

The colours are green and yellow. Yellow calcite and green agate are crystals that can help you connect with this gentle angel. Some scents used to invoke archangel Raphael are chamomile, lemongrass and sandalwood.

The Magick Of Bay Leaf

Written By Priestess Hypatia

For Witches of the Craft

19/12/2019

20191219_105735

Burn and banish with Bay

Burning of bay leaf has been used for banishing negative energies and cleansing space for eons!

An herb with a beautiful ancient history bay leaf is used to communicate with the Gods themselves.

About:

Bay leaf also known as laurel is a hardy evergreen tree with deep green foliage native to the Mediterranean region. When the leaves are dried they can be used in cooking, infusing the food in beautiful aromatic herbal earthy flavors or can also be used as an incense.

History- The first record of banishing using Bay Leaf:

This was the sacred plant of Apollo one that was used by the Pythia in the temple to Apollo at Delphi. It was Apollo’s desire and near obsession of the Nymph Daphne that drove Daphne’s father, who happened to be a river God, turning her into a bay tree to protect her from the lustful grasps of Apollo.

As a regret for his actions the God Apollo wore a crown of bay to banish his stupidity and to encourage valor and honor.

Magick:

Below is a wonderful way to use bay leaf to bring positivity in your life. Incidentally you can also use it for divination by writing what it is you desire to see on the leaf.

For banishing however you can try this method below. I carry dried bay leaves in a small mojo bag to banish bad energy around me and keep me safe when I’m out and about.

  • Ingredients- Dried Bay leaf, candle, fireproof bowl, lighter, pen.
  • Set up you altar space as usuall and then with the fire and bowl (i use a copper bowl to harness the energy) to the right that would represent the bowl of salt and the bay leaf and marker to the left that would represent the athame and wand.
  • Wrote the things you wish to banish, on one or so leaves. I like the number 3.
  • Write- whatever it is that you want to banish, be gone, no longer need such as toxic relationships, toxic thoughts, toxic actions and habits, procrastination, fear, anger, temper etc, things that debilitate us in our life and stunt our growth.
  • Light one by one and say “I release my attachment to old thoughts and patterns” (remember bay leaves catch on fire very quickly because of the volatile oils).
  • Drop the bay leaf into the fireproof container ( be careful) and visualize all the negativity literally being banished in the plume of the bay smoke. This is the best bit. It can feel so liberating!
  • Once this is done, dispose of the ashes outside of your home back into the earth to be neutralized by the Great Mother, and as you do say “Be gone” 3 times as loud as possible, releasing this negativity from your life for good!

Note: Begin to meditate by clearing your mind and relax into the stillness that you have created. Allow your thoughts to leave your head just like the smoke going up.  Breathe in the feeling of peace, possibilities, and newness. Be alive, be aware and remember to be you.

It’s always good to replace the banished negativity with something positive.  I find it easier by creating a happy memory, sing a little song, or ring some bells, my favourite is drumming. Some even like to dance.  Bring a little cheer and happines into your home, mind, and body. This is where the change happens . For an extra relaxing experience I often like to take a bath after a ritual with beautiful essential oils.

Samhain Spirit-Banishing Incense

Spirit-Banishing Incense

Burn this if you are worried that baneful spirits are bothering you during this season when the veil is thin, or to follow up after burning Spirit Drawing Incense to ensure spirits return from whence they came.

3 parts Frankincense

2 parts sage

1 parts ground angelica root

1 part St. John’s Wort

1 part bay

IF you feel a particularly malevolent spirit is about, you may add one part fumitory, or a pinch of garlic powder (just a pinch—it’s strong!)

If your frankincense is not already thoroughly ground, let it air-dry overnight, then grind it in your mortar and pestle going counter-clockwise while focusing on banishing. After the frankincense is ground, add the other ingredients, one at time, to incorporate and blend them.

Burn to rid the area of unwanted spirits. If burning indoors, open all the windows.

 

About The Author

Sage has been a witch for 25 years. She enjoys writing informative articles to teach others the craft of the wise.

Published on Exemplore

 

Samhain Spirit-Drawing Incense

Spirit-Drawing Incense

This is a great incense if you are seeking to commune with spirits this season.

CAUTION: Make sure you are really ready to draw spirits before burning it.

1 part sandalwood powder

1 part ground wormwood

1 part lavender

Ground and blend in your mortar and pestle and then sprinkle on lighted incense coals. You can also throw a handful onto a burning fire, such as in your fireplace or an outdoor balefire. You can burn it to draw your ancestors, while using a divination tool, during meditation/trance work, or before sleep to promote contact during dreams.

 

About the Author

Sage has been a witch for 25 years. She enjoys writing informative articles to teach others the craft of the wise.

Published on Exemplore

 

Everyone Needs Some Me Time to Relax and Center

We all have days we wish we could just hibernate and hide from everyone. This is when you need to have a special care package ready to go to relax you physically and mentally and recenter yourself spiritually.

I have a small kit made up in advance for when I take this me time. Mine includes a long incense sticks or cones of either sandalwood or jasmine (lavender is also very good for relaxing with), my favorite Celtic music bookmarked on my computer to find it easier, a big handful of my favorite Epsom salts in a Ziploc type bag or other holder, a smudge stick, a bar of scents soap, a black taper and a white taper candle, my favorite lotion, and a robe (type depends on the temperature in my home). I also shut off my cell/mobile phone and anything else that someone could call me on like Skype.

Allow a minimum of 2 hours for yourself to get the benefits you deserve.

I do a smudging in my den and bathroom and also myself. Then get into my usually hot bath with the salts. I soak for a while until I feel my muscles completely relax m(draining cooled water and adding more hot if I feel the need to) than I use one of my scented soaps to wash with (my hair is tied up because I wash it in the sink before getting into my bath or just leave dry, no one says you have to wash your hair just because you take a bath). After getting out of the bath and drying off I rub lotion on every part of my body I can comfortably reach just to feel the wonder of what the deities choose to make us into thousands of years ago.

Then if I feel like it put on my robe and go into my den or bedroom. Depending on my mood whether I stay in the robe or lay down skyclad.

Once in my den or bedroom,  I have a small table next to the daybed in my den so the black candle is set on the southwest corner and the white in the northeast. I light the black candle first asking Hades and Persephone to take away all the negative energy, anger, resentment, envy, etc I may still be harboring inside myself.  Next, I  light the white candle asking Ra and Mother Earth to fill me with love, positive energy and to be grounded. I then light the incense I choose while enjoying the scent of the incense and listening to the music  I do a relaxation technique (which I will describe below) and then I let my mind to float free not focusing on any one thought especially if it is a negative one. I usually wind up falling asleep and many times have had messages and/or vision brought to me by my ancestors, guides, some deities. These dreams I write down what I can remember of them when I awaken. The dreaming does not happen every time.

The two most important things to take away from this experience is one does not feel guilty for taking the time to pamper and nurture yourself because we all need to. The other thing is to take a is relaxed, centered mind, body, and spirit from reconnecting them all.

RELATION TECHNIQUE: Starting with your toes and working up the body tighten each muscle as you take as deep a breath as you can then allow the muscle to completely relax as you slowly exhale all the air you took in. This should take you at least 15 to 20 minutes to get all your muscles relaxed and your mind to slow down.

A great place you can get your incense, soap, candles and smudge sticks is Magickal Necessities. Below are the links for the items available:

Incense Cones

Soaps

Smudge Sticks

Chime (smaller) Candles

Ostara Offering Incense

Ostara Offering Incense

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon ground Rose Bud herb
1 teaspoon ground Vervain herb
1 teaspoon Myrrh Granular Incense
1 teaspoon Granular Frankincense Tears

Instructions:
Grind up the herbs with a Mortar and Pestle, making sure they are completely dry. Mix them together with the Myrhh and Frankincense Granular Incenses. Light the blend and while it burns meditate on your desires for the upcoming Spring, focusing on the Green Goddess and the renewal she brings with her.

In the Witch’s Tool Chest: Incense Incidentals

Harm NoneIn the Witch’s Tool Chest: Incense Incidentals

When choosing incense for a ritual, try picking one that matches your magickal goal. For instance, if you are doing magick for healing, you may wish to use an incense that contains eucalyptus, sandalwood, or lavender. On the other hand, if you are doing magick for peace, you may want bergamot or jasmine.

Many of us love incense but have problems with allergies or sensitivity to strong smells. Luckily, there are many types of incense these days that are made with completely natural ingredients (essential oils instead of perfume oils), which are less likely to irritate the sensitive. Just read labels and descriptions carefully. And if you are doing a ritual inside, remember that less is more. Whatever your personal preferences, if you are doing rituals with others, it is good etiquette to go with something mild and natural, just in case.

Everyday Witch A to Z: An Amusing, Inspiring & Informative Guide to the Wonderful World of Witchcraft
Deborah Blake

 

Magickal Goody of the Day for August 20 – Make Your Own Full Moon Incense (Loose)

Magickal Goody of the Day

Full Moon Incense

During the different phases of the moon, you may wish to perform rituals or spells based upon your magical needs. While incense isn’t mandatory for a good ritual, it certainly can help to set the mood. To make your own magical moon incense, first determine what form you’d like to make. You can make incense with sticks and in cones, but the easiest kind uses loose ingredients, which are then burned on top of a charcoal disc or tossed into a fire.

This recipe is for loose incense, but you can adapt it for stick or cone recipes.

Bodhipaksa is a Buddhist teacher and author who runs the Wildmind Buddhist Meditation website. He says, “I’ve always found that the choice of incense is important. Certain kinds of incense can produce a very calming effect, and we can very quickly build up positive associations with a particular scent, so that the mind becomes quiet and a retreat-like atmosphere settles around us.”

Why Use Incense in a Full Moon Ritual?

In many spiritual traditions – and not just modern Pagan ones – the types of plants and resins used are associated with various properties related to the moon itself. When it comes to correspondences, it’s important to consider what your ultimate goal is in doing your moon ceremony. Are you working to commune with the Divine – particularly a lunar deity? Hope to increase your own intuitive abilities? Do you want to have prophetic dreams? Perhaps you’re seeking to enhance your own levels of wisdom and knowledge.

All of these intentions are connected to the moon.

For example, myrrh, which we’ll be using, is associated with feminine powers – and in many metaphysical belief systems, the moon is referred to by feminine pronouns such asshe and her. Moonflower is also one of our ingredients, and you can probably guess why, based on its name. We’ll also be including sandalwood, because of its associations with both purification and connecting to the Divine. If you’re hoping to reach out and strengthen your connection to the gods of your tradition, sandalwood gives magical efforts a nice little boost.

In many Neopagan paths, incense is representative of the element of air (in some, it represents fire, but for this purpose, we’re focusing on the airy aspect of incense). Using smoke to send prayers out to the gods is one of the oldest known forms of ceremony. From the censers of the Catholic church to the Pagan bonfire rituals, incense is a powerful way to let the intent of mankind be known to the gods and the universe.

Ingredients

As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the intent of your work. In this particular recipe, we’re creating an incense to use during a full moon rite, or Esbat. It’s a time to celebrate the changing tides of the season and of our bodies, and focus on developing ourintuitive skills and abilities.

You’ll need:

  • 2 parts juniper berries
  • 2 parts myrrh
  • 1 part rose petals
  • 1 part sandalwood
  • 1 part mugwort
  • 1 part moonflower
  • 1/2 part marigold

Mixing Up the Magic

Add your ingredients to your mixing bowl one at a time. Measure carefully, and if the leaves or blossoms need to be crushed, use your mortar and pestle to do so. As you blend the herbs together, state your intent. You may find it helpful to charge your incense with an incantation, such as:

Full moon, shining bright,
intuition guiding me this night.
I blend these herbs to light my way,
on a magical path I will stay.
Powerful moon, up above me,
As I will, so it shall be.

Store your incense in a tightly sealed jar. Make sure you label it with its intent and name, as well as the date you created it. Use within three months, so that it remains charged and fresh.

 

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