Category: Pagan Craft Making

Purification Soak

Purification Soak

This infusion should be added to your cleansing bath when preparing for a ritual. Mediate on purifying your thoughts and opening your mind to prepare for your ritual.

You can also use this infusion for cleaning or purifying rooms or objects. Simply set the items in the infusion or use a sponge soaked in the infusion to wipe areas down.

2 cups chamomile flowers

1 cup clover flowers

¼ cup pansy flowers

2 cups lavender flowers

¼ cup hyssop leaves

¼ cup thyme leaves

1 tsp. anise

¼ cup lemon peel

Dragon of Fire Chant

The following call or brief ritual are meant to be included in your other rituals, within a cast and sealed circle. They are used to add greater power to any spell working because they specifically call the elemental dragons of Spirit. This taps into a vast reservoir of power current which can amplify any other power raised within the magical circle.

Dragons of Fire

 

In your dance and singing, imitate the movement of flames. If you have ever closely watched a wood fire, for instance, you become aware that fire dances and sings in its own manner. Choose music that helps you to reflect this mental imagery.

Note: Use candles or other objects of a pure red color. Choose herbs and oils that are listed as of the element of Fire.
Repeat this chant three times:

In your cavernous, fire-filled hall,

Echoes the Name that I now call.

Fafnir(faf’-near)! (Ring gong twice)

Stir my blood with will power bold.

Create new changes from the old.

Fafnir! (Ring gong twice)

Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri

Spring Equinox Ritual Potpourri 

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 give as a wonderful gift to a fellow brother or sister of the Craft. 

45 drops rose oil

1 cup oak moss

2 cups dried dogwood blossoms

2 cups dried honeysuckle blossoms

½ cup dried violets

½ cup dried daffodils

½ cup dried rosebuds

½ 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.

Citrus Body Oil

Citrus Body Oil

Makes about 4 ounces

Ingredients:

4 ounces Sweet Almond Oil

30 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

15 drops Lemon essential oil

10 drops Lime essential oil

10 drops Grapefruit essential oil

10 drops Bergamot essential oil

Be sure you do not go out in the sun after applying this blend as citrus oils can have a phototoxic effect. If you have sensitive skin. It is recommended that you test this oil on a small area first and then wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction.

Directions: Mix all oils in a clean container. Roll the bottle between your hands to remix the oils before each use. It is best to use a cobalt bottle with a lotion pump for applying oils.

Spray On Body Oil

Spray On Body Oil

¼ cup vodka

¼ cup scented water

3 tbs. sweet almond oil

Pour all ingredients into a spray pump bottle and close. Shake the bottle until well mixed. Shake before each use.

To scent water – pour boiling water over dried or fresh herbs or zest, let cool, strain.

Shower Gel

Shower Gel

Try to find a natural shower gel, fragrance free, as a base. If you want to add just one essential oil, do so and shake well. For every 5 fluid ounces, add 15 to 25 drops.

Shower gel combination

(Knight of the Dark Mountain)

5 drops Swiss pine

3 drops Clary

2 drops Grapefruit

1 drop Lemongrass

1 drop Sandalwood

Peppermint Refreshing Gel

Peppermint Refreshing Gel

This lotion is good for oil skin and will give a tingly feeling after it is applied.

½ cup aloe gel (100%)

1 tablespoon witch hazel

1-½ teaspoons cornstarch

3-4 drop peppermint essential oil

Mix the aloe, witch hazel and cornstarch in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on High, stirring every 20 seconds.

When the mixture returns to a clear like gel instead of opaque, you are done. The cornstarch will turn a clear aloe gel to an almost white cream color. Stir until the gel has cooled a bit. Let mixture rest until quite cool. Add peppermint drops and stir well. Store in a glass jar with a well-fitting lid.

Old Fashioned Witch Soap

Old Fashioned Witch Soap

4 lbs. lard

13 oz. lye (1 can)

5 cups cold water

1 tbsp. lavender oil

1 tbsp. patchouli oil

1 cup fresh strawberry juice

¼ cup dried soap bark herb (optional)

In a large enamel or iron kettle, melt the lard over very low heat. (Never use metal) In a separate pot, stir together the lye and the water. Heat lard until small bubbles begin to appear – do not boil.

Remove from the heat & slowly pour the lye solution into the lard. With a big wooden spoon, stir in the lavender & patchouli oils, the strawberry juice & soap bark herb. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
Pour into 2-inch deep greased pan & allow to cool overnight. Cut the soap into squares and leave in the pan for at least 3 days before removing. Place the Soap bars on waxed paper & allow them to age in a draft free area approximately 4-6 weeks before using.

INSECT REPELLENT

INSECT REPELLENT

2 oz. vegetable oil or vodka
1/4 tsp each citronella and eucalyptus essential oils
1/8 tsp each pennyroyal, cedar and rose geranium essential oil,

Combine ingredients and apply mixture directly to all exposed skin. Keep oil
away from eyes and mouth – take care not to rub your eyes right after applying
the repellent with you fingers

Love Attraction Infusion

Love Attraction Infusion

This infusion is designed to help you find your true love. While using this infusion, meditate on the qualities you want your true love to have. Do not visualize a specific person, as this interferes with his or her free will.

½ cup chamomile flowers

½ cup clover flowers

½ cup lavender flowers

½ cup jasmine flowers

½ cup primrose flowers

½ cup red rose petals

½ cup violet flowers

3 fresh basil leaves

1 TB. mint leaves

1 TB. raspberry leaves

1 inch peeled ginger root

1 small apple, peeled, cored, and sliced.

Jewelweed Soap

Jewelweed Soap

Ingredients you will need:

2 cups glycerin soap

1/2 cup jewelweed maceration (gather blooming jewelweed and boil in 1/2 cup water)

7 drops sweet orange oil

2 drops of orange coloring

 

Melt glycerin in double boiler or slowly in microwave. Add jewelweed maceration, stir until slightly cooled. Add fragrance and color. Pour into molds. Cool.

You can find jewelweed growing next to poison ivy…it has a little orange jewel like flower. It is used to heal the rash caused by poison ivy.

Basic Soap Making Instructions

Basic Soap Making Instructions

  1. Read directions for recipe to make sure you have the required ingredients and gear.
  2. Use safety gloves and goggles or eyeglasses.
  3. Weigh the required amount of water (distilled is best) into one of the pitchers. To do this place an empty pitcher on the scale and set to zero. Now measure the amount of water.
  4. Using the same method as above weigh the lye needed in the second pitcher.
  5. Carefully pour the lye into the pitcher containing the water. You must avoid splashing-this is the most dangerous step! Never add the water to the lye.
  6. Stir solution gently with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Make sure you have sufficient ventilation. Resist the temptation to lean over the pitcher to get a good look. You do not want to breathe anywhere near this container.
  7. While the lye is cooling, melt the fats. The temperature of both must eventually be brought to 100 degrees simultaneously. If the lye solution cools too much, put the pitcher in a pan or bowl of hot water.
  8. Double-check the temperatures of the lye and fat solutions to be sure they are 100-110 degrees (equal temperature is desired).
  9. While stirring the fats, pour the lye solution into the melted fat/oil in a thin stream. Stir continuously to ensure the lye mixes into the fat.
  10. Continue stirring in a carefully manner to avoid splashing. The mixture should start thickening. You will eventually see “trailings” or lines on the surface. This could take 20 minutes to an hour, usually closer to one hour. Be careful using hand mixers as they can speed things up too much.
  11. Pour this liquid soap into your large plastic container mold. Put the lid on and wrap with the towel.
  12. Put the wrapped mold in a warm place and allow to set for 48 hours.
  13. After 48 hours, unwrap the mold. The soap should still be warm. If the surface is still very soft leave lid off for a day. When it is as firm it is ready to be removed from the mold.
  14. Remove soap from mold. To do this, first pull the plastic mold away from the soap on all sides. Then, turn the mold over onto the needle point screen or plastic. If it doesn’t fall out of the mold, push down on the upside down mold and it should pop out. You should have a nice clean block of soap ready to be cut into bars.
  15. First, score the surface where the cuts will be made. Then, warm the knife to be used in water. Dry the knife and cut the block into bars of soap.
  16. The hand cut bars still need to cure. They will become lighter in weight and slightly smaller. Place them on the plastic needlepoint screen for about three weeks.
  17. After one to two weeks, depending on the type of basic soap, you can try making milled soap!

Magickal Goody for February 3rd – Witch Soap

Magickal Goody of the Day

WITCH SOAP

4 lbs lard

13 oz lye (1 can)

5 cups cold water

1 tbsp lavender oil

1 tbsp patchouli oil

1 cup fresh strawberry juice

1/4 cup dried soap bark herb (optional)

In a large enamel or iron kettle, melt the lard over very low heat. (Never use metal) In a separate pot, stir together the lye & the water. Heat lard until small bubbles begin to appear – do not boil.

Remove from the heat & slowly pour the lye solution into the lard. With a big wooden spoon, stir in the lavender & patchouli oils, the strawberry juice & soap bark herb. Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

Pour into 2-inch deep greased pan & allow to cool overnight. Cut the soap into squares and leave in the pan for at least 3 days before removing. Place the Soap bars on waxed paper & allow them to age in a draft-free area approximately 4-6 weeks before using.

Herbal Gifts from the Kitchen

Herbal Gifts from the Kitchen

Little Cooking Wreaths – can go right into soup pot, or hang in the kitchen to be plucked from and used

Twist chive stalks into a 4-5″ circle, forming a wreath base. Twist in sprigs of thyme, parsley, oregano, marjoram and basil seed heads,to fill out wreath. Add a short sprig of rosemary or sage. Let dry thoroughly –wreath will shrink slightly. Thread 3 or 4 dried chilies on sewing thread and tie around wreath top. If wreath is to hang,
cover thread by embellishing with a bow of kitchen twine or narrow ribbon. Present your gift in a bow-tied plastic bag to preserve flavor and minimize shattering.

Herb & Spice Blends – To present your gift, pack blends into small labeled jars with lids, attached to an herbal cookbook.

For Beef: mix 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, 2 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon dried minced onion.

For Fish: mix 2 tablespoons dried dillweed, 2 tablespoons crumbled bay leaves, 2 tablespoons freeze-dried chives.

For Fruit Pies, Spice Cakes & Cookies: mix 2 tablespoons, 1
tablespoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoons ground mace, 1 tablespoon ground allspice, 2 teaspoons ground cloves, 2 teaspoons ground cardamon.

For Vegetables: mix 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 2 tablespoons dried basil.

For Poultry: mix 2 tablespoons curry powder, 2 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons dried lemon rind.

For Tomato Sauce: mix 2 tablespoons crumbled basil, 2 tablespoons dried minced onions, 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon crumbled dried oregano.

For Lamb: mix 1 1/2 tablespoons dried marjoram, 1 tablespoon crumbled dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon white pepper, 2 tablespoons garlic powder.

Good Bread Herbs include your favorite white or wheat bread recipe with this blend presented in a decorated muslin bag.

Blend together 2 tablespoons dried crumbled sage, 1 tablespoon dried rosemary, 1 tablespoon dill seed, 4 teaspoons caraway seed. On gift tag: Will flavor 2 average loaves.

Citrus Spice Simmering Potpourri

Layer following ingredients in a gallon jar and add oils to
corresponding ingredients. Shake well and age 1 day before using:
Directions for Use on gift tag: Add 1/2 cup mixture to a small saucepan filled with 3 cups of water and bring to boil. Reduce heat, simmer for 15-20 minutes. Mixture may be reused several times, after adding water to it.

1 cup 1″ cinnamon sticks 1 cup whole allspice
1 cup star anise 1 cup coriander seed
2 cups dried orange peel 1/2 cup cloves
1/2 cup crushed nutmeg 10 drops cinnamon oil
10 drops allspice oil 20 drops sweet orange oil

Lemon-y Footsoak a great treat at day’s end or for pampering someone special! Present gift with instructions for use on gift tag, tied onto a pretty jar or a plastic bag tied with a simple bow…

Crush and place in a jar, or tie in a bouquet and place in plastic bag, for presentation: 5 sprigs of fresh lemon balm or10 sprigs dried lemon balm. (Rosemary may be substituted.)Recommended Instruction Tag to read: Bring 8 cups water to boil,combine with contents in large pan or bowl, and let steep until water is warm and comfortable. Soak feet 10-20 minutes.

Make Beeswax Votives to Manifest Your Desires

Make Beeswax Votives to Manifest Your Desires

by Sylvana

When I first began in the Craft, you couldn’t just go down to Larry’s Market or Fred Meyer’s and buy spell candles, as you can now. Neither could you find witchy stores like Edge of the Circle, Travelers or Odyssey Books. In those days, we made our own spell candles, oils, incenses and tools, or we had things handed down to us and given to us as gifts by our high priest and priestess or coven mates. We also sometimes converted everyday items to our magickal purpose, like the silver dinner bell I still use in ritual today and my antique trivets that serve as wards for our covenstead.

Sometimes, I am glad to have the luxury of purchasing ready-made seven-day candles, like the green “Money Drawing” or “Protection” or the blue and white “Harmonious Home.” But I fondly remember the days when all of us witches made our own candles. This time of year is traditional for the making and blessing of candles, and my coven still gets together at Imbolc for celebration, feasting and to make and bless candles for our coven and personal use. Making them yourself imbues them with your own energy and purpose, as well as making them a more powerful tool for your magick — besides, it’s fun!

If you’d like to create your very own spell candles and don’t have a coven or group to make candles with, this article will tell you how, with a little effort, you can construct and bless your very own magickal spell candles. The instructions following discuss making short spell votives, but you can easily adapt the approach for bigger candles.

You will need:

* A sharp knife or craft knife

* A metal-edged ruler or straight edge

* Small pieces of paper in various colors

* Pens, colored pencils or crayons

* Beeswax sheets in various colors

* Wicking

* Herbs and flowers

* Oils

* Small tokens, coins or stones

* Wax paper

* Cutting board

* Scissors

You can purchase the beeswax in craft stores or candle supply shops; it generally comes in 6-x-9-inch sheets. Look for colors that correspond to your magickal purpose:

* Red: Lust, passion, health, animal vitality, courage, strength

* Pink: Love, affection, friendship, kindness

* Orange: Sexual energy, earth energy, adaptability, stimulation

* Brown: Earth energy, animals

* Yellow: Intellect, mental energy, concentration

* Green: Finances, money, prosperity, fertility, growth

* Blue: Calm, healing, patience, peace, clairvoyance

* Purple: Spirituality, the fey, meditation, divination

* Black: Waning moon, release, banishing, absorbing and destroying negativity, healing

* White: Waxing or full moon, protection, purification, peace, awareness; good for most workings

One sheet of each color wax that you want to use should be enough to begin with, as it will make about four votive-size candles. Fresh beeswax should have a distinctive scent and be soft and pliable, not brittle. Fairly thick cotton (not lead) wick is preferable as beeswax burns fairly fast. Ask the store for recommendations if you’re unsure what exactly to get.

Assemble all of your ingredients and tools, with plenty of room to work. Choose a sheet of beeswax and some herbs or flowers and maybe an oil that are all in accordance with your purpose. To learn more about the associations for herbs, flowers and oils, check tables of correspondence such as are found in many basic books on the Craft. You’ll need only tiny amounts of the herbs and flowers, because if you add too much, your candle will turn into a torch! Also, if you like select an appropriate token or write the candle’s purpose on a tiny piece of paper to add to the candle.

To create a candle, lay a sheet of beeswax onto a sheet of slightly larger wax paper on top of your cutting board. Measure in 2-inch increments down from the top of the beeswax sheet along the edge of the long side, and make a mark on both sides of the wax (see Figure 1). Lay the straight edge along both marks, and cut so that you have about four wax pieces, each about 2 by 6 inches. This will be enough to create at least four votives per sheet of wax, depending on how large the sheet is and how small you cut the pieces. Next, cut a piece of wick about 2&fraq12; inches long, and lay it onto the beeswax along the edge of one side (see figure 2) so that the wick is flush with what will be the bottom of the candle and is protruding from the top by a bit.

Begin rolling the candle by folding the very edge of the wax over the wick and pressing down gently to stick the wax in place (see figure 3)

Then begin to roll the wax firmly around the wick so that it creates a tight roll; once you have one layer of wax around the wick, stop. Sprinkle a tiny amount of herbs or flowers evenly down the length of wax next to the wick roll (figure 4). Place your paper or token inside the candle, near the bottom. Then roll some more, sprinkle some more, brush a tiny bit of oil on at about the middle of the roll and continue until the candle is completely rolled and is about the size of a regular votive candle (figure 5). Seal the wax edge by pressing it down firmly against the candle, while not smashing the candle.

Once you have finished all of your spell candles, do a ritual and raise energy to bless and consecrate them to your purpose. I like the simple blessing following.

A Candle Blessing

Set up an altar with your usual tools, where you can easily move around it. Place your candles on the altar, along with a small amount of wine or juice and a few cookies or pieces of bread. Cast your circle in your customary way. Call whatever elements, gods, quarters and so on that you normally call. When you are ready, raise your athamé or wand to the eastern sky, draw it down in an arc to point toward your pile of candles and say the following:

“Element of air, imbue these candles with magick! Let them carry my intention on the winds and back to me. Infuse them with inspiration and the strength of my will. Thank you for your presence! So mote it be!”

Draw the athamé to the southern sky and down toward the candles, saying:

“Element of fire, energize these candles to my purpose! Bring your warmth and light to me. Let your heat turn reality to my will. Thank you for your presence! So mote it be!”

Turn now to the western sky, and draw the athamé down toward your candles, saying:

“Element of sacred waters, heal my magick. Make my purpose clean, and let my magick flow free. Cleanse all for the best; heal all I touch. Let your healing power flow. Thank you for your presence! So mote it be!”

Turn finally to the northern sky, and draw the athamé toward your candles, saying:

“Element of earth, bring my magick into being. Bless these candles, and let them burn true. Bring grounding and practicality to me. With your deep power please imbue them. Thank you for your presence! So mote it be!”

Ask the god and goddess of your choice (and any other beings that you work with) for their blessings.

Then chant the following, slowly and softly at first, then picking up energy as you go:

“Candles burn oh so bright, bring my desires every night and day. Candles light my magick spell, now draw success my way.”

When the energy has reached its peak, direct it into the candles. Ground out any excess energy. Have cakes and wine, and offer a libation to the elements and gods for their participation. Then close your circle.

Now your magickal spell votives are ready for you to use for your spells or whenever you need them. Have fun, and may all of your magick be wondrous!

Caution: When burning candles, make sure to always place them on something nonflammable and do not ever leave one of these candles burning alone, even for a second, as they sometimes flare up or fall over and can easily ignite anything in range. Be careful also of wearing flammable clothing around these candles!