Category: Pagan Craft Making

Magickal Goody of the Day for August 23rd – Make Your Own Ritual Robe

Magickal Goody of the Day

Make Your Own Ritual Robe

Many Wiccans and Pagans prefer to perform ceremonies and rituals in special robes. If you’re part of a coven or group, your robe might have to be a certain color or style. In some traditions, the color of the robe indicates the level of training a practitioner has. For many people, donning the ritual robe is a way of separating themselves from the mundane business of everyday life — it’s a way of stepping into the ritual mindset, of walking from the mundane world into the magical world.

Most people prefer to wear nothing at all under their ritual robe, but do what is comfortable for you.

It’s not uncommon to have robes for the different seasons, symbolizing the turning Wheel of the Year. You can make one in blue for spring, green for summer, brown for fall, and white for winter — or any other colors that symbolize the seasons for you. Do take the time to put some thought into your color selection — it used to be that most Wiccans wore white robes, but many people prefer to use earth tones, because it’s a way of establishing one’s connection with nature. Some people choose to avoid black, because it sometimes has negative connotations, but use the color that feels right for you.

Anyone can make a robe of their own, and it’s not hard to do. If you can sew a straight line, you can make a robe. First of all, for experienced sewers, there are a number of excellent commercially available patterns out there. You can check catalogs at your local fabric store under “Costumes”, which is where most of the good robes are hiding out, especially in the “historical” and “Renaissance” categories.

Here are some that look nice and can be made without too much sewing experience:

  • Simplicity 4795: Believe it or not, this is a set of patterns for a passion play. There’s an angel design in here that’s fantastic for a ritual robe. You may want to reduce the drop in the sleeves a bit, though, just to keep from setting yourself on fire while lighting candles.
  • Simplicity 3623: This pattern is for a Scottish-themed costume, complete with tam. However, it also includes a pattern for a muslin underdress to be worn beneath the bodice and skirt — this makes a great ritual robe, and can be assembled in just a couple of hours.
  • Simplicity 3616: Sure, the wizard costume seems campy, but if you eliminate the trim and the long white beard, it makes a version of the ritual robe that is far more masculine than some of the other patterns.
  • McCalls 4490: For more advanced sewers, this lovely Renaissance-style dress can easily be adapted for a ritual robe.

To make a basic robe without buying a pattern, you can follow these simple steps.

You’ll need the following:

  • A piece of material in the color of your choice — make sure you select something that will be easy to sew and comfortable to wear. On the average, you’ll need about three yards, but if you’re heavyset or extra-tall, add in some more. A flat bedsheet is actually the perfect size for this.
  • Scissors, thread, tailor’s chalk, and a measuring tape.
  • A sewing machine.
  • A length of cord or light rope, approximately 6 feet long.

You’ll need some help for this first step, because you need to measure yourself from wrist to wrist with your arms outstretched. Unless you have a third arm, get a friend to do this for you. This measurement will be Measurement A. Next, figure the distance from the nape of your neck to a point even with your ankle — this will be Measurement B. Fold the fabric in half (if the material has a print on it, fold it with the pattern side in). Using your A and B measurements, cut out sleeves and the body, making a sort-of T-shape. Don’t cut out along the top fold — that’s the part that will go along the top of the arms and shoulders.

Next, cut a hole for your head at the center of Measurement A. Don’t make it too big, or your robe will slide off your shoulders! On each side, sew along the underside of the sleeve, leaving an opening at the ends of the T for the arms. Then sew from the armpit down to the bottom of the robe. Turn your robe right-side out, try it on, and adjust it for length if needed.

Finally, add a cord around the waist. In some traditions the cord may be knotted to indicate degrees of training or education. In others, it acts simply as a belt to keep the robe from flapping around during ritual. You can also add trim, beadwork, or magical symbols to your robe. Personalize it, and make it yours. You may also wish to consecrate your robe before wearing it for the first time.

Author

Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com
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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.

 

Author

Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article originally published on & owned by About.com

Magickal Goody for August 7th: Make Your Own Smudge Sticks

Magickal Goody of the Day

Make Your Own Smudge Sticks

Smudging is a great way to cleanse a sacred space, and most people use smudge sticks made of sweetgrass or sage for this purpose. Although they are available commercially — and are fairly inexpensive — it’s easy to make your own if you’ve got herbs growing in your garden, or if there’s a place nearby where you can go wildcrafting.

You’ll need:

  • Scissors or garden clippers
  • Cotton string
  • Plants such as sage, mugwort, rosemary, lavender, or juniper
 Cut off pieces of the plants in lengths about 6 – 10 inches long. For more leafy plants, you can make the pieces shorter, but you may want to use a longer piece for a plant that has fewer leaves.

Cut a length of string about five feet long. Put several branches together so that the cut ends are all together, and the leafy ends are all together. Wind the string tightly around the stems of the bundle, leaving two inches of loose string where you began. The smudge stick in the photos contains sage, rosemary and pennyroyal, but you can use any kind of herbs you like.

Although the use of wrapped smudge sticks is generally attributed to Native American cultures and practices, the burning of fragrant herbs in a ritual context is found in numerous societies throughout history.

Herbs were burned in ancient Egypt, and the practice is recorded and documented in a tablet inscription that has been dated back to 1500 b.c.e. Many eastern spiritual systems, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Shinto, utilize burning herbs – either loose or as compacted incense – in ritual practice. For the ancient Greeks, smudging was included in rituals to contact the dead, and often was used in tandem with ritual fasting.

Wrap the remaining length of string around the base of the branches several times to secure it. Then, gradually, work your way along the length of branches until you reach the leafy end. Return the string back up to the stems, creating a bit of a criss-cross pattern. You’ll want to wind the string tightly enough that nothing gets loose, but not so tight that it cuts off pieces of the plants.

When you get back to the stems, tie the remainder of the string to the 2″ loose piece you left at the beginning.

Trim off any excess pieces so that the ends of your smudge stick are even.

Dry Your Smudge Sticks

Place the bundle outside or hang it up for drying. Depending on what type of herb you used, and how humid your weather is, it may take a couple of days or as much as a week to dry out. Once your smudge sticks have dried completely, you can store them in a bag or box in a dark cabinet until it’s time to use them and then burn them in ritual for smudging simply by lighting one end.

Safety tip: Some plants may have toxic fumes. Do not burn a plant unless you know it is safe to do so.

Dawn Combs over at Hobby Farms has some great tips on nine different herbs you can burn as incense – and if they’re safe for burning as incense, they’re safe to burn in smudging ceremonies. Dawn recommends you burn your herbs – whether incense or sticks – using ,”a heat tolerant vessel. Traditionally this is an abalone shell with a bit of sand in the bottom. You might also use a charcoal disc beneath the herbs to keep them smoking, especially in the case of resins.”

 

Reference

Article originally published on & owned by About.com

Magickal Goody of the Day for July 26 – Make Your Own Wooden Tarot Box

Magickal Goody of the Day

Make Your Own Wooden Tarot Box

If you’ve got a set of Tarot cards that you’d like to keep safe, one of the best ways you can store them is in a special box. This easy craft project is one you can make either for yourself, or as a gift for a friend. You’ll need the following:

  • A plain wooden box, available at craft stores
  • A pencil
  • Paints or a woodburning tool
  • Scrap fabric

For the box’s cover, choose a design from your Tarot deck. For the one in the photos, I chose 0, the Fool(not the same box pictured), because it’s the first card, and signifies the beginning of a journey, which I thought was perfect for the lid’s design. Using your pencil, copy the design of the card onto the box’s lid.

Use either acrylic paints or a woodburning set to finish the image permanently. Although you may wish to add a coat of polyurethane to seal the design if you use paint, it’s not absolutely necessary.

Use a piece of scrap fabric to line the inside. You can either glue it in place, or leave it loose to wrap around the cards. Before you place your cards in the box for storage, consecrate the box as you would any other magical tool.

 

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Originally published on & owned by About.com

Magickal Goody of the Day for July 14th – Calendula/ Marigold Healing Salve

Magickal Goody of the Day

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Calendula/ Marigold Healing Salve

Used externally for burns and irradiated skin, bruises, soreness, and skin ulcers. I love to use it for cracked, dry skin, eczema, diaper rash, and garden hands. It can help reduce bleeding and is wonderful for sore nipples and varicose veins! In other words, this salve is good for almost everything! And is a must-have in my healing cupboard.

3 cups dried calendula/ marigold petals
1 cup extra virgin olive oil, grape seed oil, or almond oil
2 ounces grated beeswax or beeswax pastilles
Optional: frankincense essential oil, 5 drops; tea tree oil, 5 drops
Cheesecloth
Heavy pot
Spoon
Measuring cup
Rubber band

Heat flowers in oil to a simmer (about 20 minutes).

Let the oil flower mixture set over night (the longer it sets, the stronger the salve).
Next, using cheese cloth over a clean cup or jar, strain the oil flower mixture (you will now have a lovely golden infusion).

In a double boiler, heat oil infusion and grated beeswax until melted and pour into clean jars and let cool, then seal (store in a cool dark place).

Magical uses: Being an herb of the sun, calendula can be used to remove negative energy. Oil can be used to consecrate tools, and the petals can be used as part of incense for divination.

The plant can be used in any ritual to honor the sun, as part of a sacred bath, incense, or strewing herb as well as to produce a yellow dye for and altar cloths for use in sun-honoring rituals. For protection, hang garlands of calendula over entry doors to prevent evil from entering.

Farmhouse Witchcraft
Penny Parker

Protective Simmering Potpourri

book

PROTECTIVE SIMMERING POTPOURRI

You will need:
• 4 TBS Rosemary

• 3 Bay leaves

• 1 TBS Basil

• 1 TBS Sage

• 1 TBS Fennel seeds

• 1 tsp. dill seeds

• 1 tsp. Juniper Berries

• A pinch of dried garlic (optional)
Mix in a small bowl with your hands while visualizing your home as a protected place. Charge the herbs with your protective energies. Add to simmering water. Simmer potpourri on the stove top in a pan (preferably non-metallic) in 2 cups of water. A simmering potpourri pot can also be used. Simmer over low heat for 1/2 hour. If you wish to simmer longer, add more water as needed.

Magickal Goody of the Day for June 21 is Litha Blessing Broom

Magickal Goody of the Day

Make Your Own Litha Blessing Broom

Litha is the time of the summer solstice, and it’s a season of great solar energy. A great project to put together is a blessing besom. Sweeping is, after all, one of the best ways of making a space sacred and clean. Make a blessing besom, and you can use it to physically cleanse your home, and then hang it up to keep positive energy flowing around you.

To make a blessing broom, or besom, you’ll need the following:

  • A broom — either make your own, or purchase one at a craft store
  • Ivy or vines
  • Flowers and herbs from your garden
  • Ribbons
  • Small bells

Wrap the ribbons and ivy around the handle of the broom. Don’t wrap them too tight, though, because you’ll want to be able to tuck sprigs of herbs and flowers into the ribbons. Once you’ve added all of these things, tie a few small bells onto the broom, so that it will jingle as you sweep. In many cultures, bells are used as noisemakers to frighten away evil spirits and negative energies.

If you like, you can consecrate your blessing besom as you would any other magical tool. Use it to sweep around your home, starting near a window or a door, and working in a deosil (clockwise) direction. As you do so, you may wish to chant something like this:

Sweeping, sweeping, ’round the room,
Blessings from this cleansing broom.
From floor to ceiling, and all between,
May this space be fresh and clean.
Sweeping good energy here to me,
As I will, so it shall be.

 

Reference

Author: Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com

Magickal Goody of the Day for May 31 – A Psychic Simmering Pot

Magickal Goody of the Day

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Psychic Simmering Pot

If you wish to link your conscious mind with your psychic awareness, if you wish to use tarot cards or rune stones or other tools to glimpse possible future events, create this blend and simmer to stimulate your psychic mind.

3 tbsp of galangal

1 tbsp of star anise (or 2 whole)

1 tbsp of lemon grass

1 tbsp of thyme

1 tbsp of rose petal

A pinch of mace

A pinch of real saffron

Mix and charge the herbs in a small bowl. Visualize your psychic awareness as being under your control. Smell the fragrance rising from the herbs. Inhale the energies. Relax, chant the following words, and foretell:

Starlight swirls before my eyes
Twilight furls its wisdom wise
Moonlight curls within the skies
The time has come to prophesize.

(Genuine saffron is quite expensive. However, just a pinch is necessary here and it may be omitted.)

 

How To Make Potions & Spells That Really Work: The Beginners Guide To Real Witchcraft
Crafty Witch

Magickal Goody of the Day for May 17th – Bath Fizzies

Magickal Goody of the Day

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~Bath Fizzies~

Bath fizzies are infinitely easier to make, than the Internet recipes call for. Sure, you won’t have a fancy little ball that floats around the tub, with you and looks like a stomach antacid as it dissolves in the water. But, what you will have is a nice soak with somewhat fizzy, scented water.
Ingredients:
Baking Soda
Your favorite essential oil, herbs or vanilla food flavoring
Put as much baking soda as you think you would like, into a glass bowl (a cereal bowl will be just fine) Add herbs or oils/flavoring (as much as you like…just make sureto not make the baking soda soggy if you are adding liquids!) and stir until mixture is thoroughly mixed together.
Sprinkle/add to your bath and enjoy!
If you made a dry mixture and have extra left over, save it for your next bath! Put the mixture in a glass, cork topped bottle (yes, I refer to them a lot!) and save for your next bath.

 

Source

THE PRIMITIVE WITCH’S HANDBOOK THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE FOR THE PRIMITIVE/COUNTRY WITCH IN A MODERN WORLD…
Van Scoyoc, Andrea Dean

Magickal Goody of the Day for May 11 – Hand-dipped Candles

Magickal Goody of the Day

Hand-Dipped Candles

Supplies:

2-4 pounds of Paraffin Wax (the kind used in canning) or beeswax (which is usually expensive).

Candle wick (available at most hobby and craft stores)

oils and herbs (for scent and magickal goals)

candle dye (also expensive) or crayons (for color)

wax paper

a wooden spoon

a double broiler

1. Begin by melting the wax in a double broiler. If you don’t have one, you can use a large pot filled half full of water and a large coffee tin with the wax in it, sitting inside the pot. Heat the water to boiling first and cut up your wax so it will melt quickly. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down and place the tin of wax inside of it. Keep the water hot enough to keep the wax melted but not so hot that the paraffin catches fire (which it has been known to do over high heat).

2. While the wax to melting, stir with a wooden spoon (never use metal) & make sure it all is completely melted.

3. Also, while the wax is melting, mix the herbs (if more than one) in a small bowl.

4. After the wax is completely melted and been checked, break the crayons up and put them into the wax. Keep stirring until all of the crayons have melted and the color is even and smooth, with no streaks. Keep in mind that the candle will be a shade or so lighter when dry. The more crayons – the deeper and richer the color, so experiment.

5. Next, add the herbs to the wax. Empower with your energy and magickal intention while mixing the wax. Stir with the wooden spoon until it is thoroughly mixed. Next add 10-20 drops of essential oil (please, no synthetics when making candles for magickal or ritual use) to the wax until it smells strongly of the fragrance intended. Now your wax is ready.

6. Start with a long piece of wick – twice the size of your desired candle length plus 3 inches (you will be making 2 candles at once). Bend the wick in the middle and hold it by the bend. Dip the wick into the wax and then lift back out. Getting started is the hardest because the wick will float on top of the wax until it has enough wax on it to weigh it down. Allow it to get completely cold between dippings when you first start.

7. After your candle has started to take shape you can speed up the process a little. I keep a pan of cool water nearby and dip the candles in the water after each dipping in the wax. While this speeds up the process a little, candle making is a slow process but very well worth the time and energy you put into it.

8. Keep dipping the candles and allowing them to cool & then dip again. When you have achieved the proper size, hang them to dry until the wax has set but the candles aren’t too hard. Then roll them on the wax paper to smooth out the shape. Once the candle shape is too your liking, dip 1 or 2 more times to make sure your candle is smooth. Trim off any excess wax to make a bottom with a sharp knife. Cut the wick and hang your candles to dry. You are done!

Magickal Activity for the Waning Moon Phase – Crone Circlet

Crystal Waters~
Magickal Activity for the Waning Moon Phase

Crone Circlet

This is lovely to wear during a Waning Moon ritual. Take a base of wire and add leaves, flowers and twigs. Use dark coloured ribbon, such as dark purples, blues and black, to decorate it. As you make the circlet add in the intent of your dreams and wishes that you wish to fulfill

 

Source

Moon Magic – Pagan Portals
Rachel Patterson

Pagan Crafting for the Waning Moon Phase – Make a Crone Circlet

Witches just wanna have FUN!! 2
Pagan Crafting for the Waning Moon Phase

Make a Crone Circlet

This is lovely to wear during a Waning Moon ritual. Take a base of wire and add leaves, flowers and twigs. Use dark coloured ribbon, such as dark purples, blues and black, to decorate it. As you make the circlet add in the intent of your dreams and wishes that you wish to fulfill.

Pagan Portals – Moon Magic
Rachel Patterson

A Very Good Wednesday Morning To All Our Dear Family & Friends! Have A Very Blessed Day!!

In The Light

A Pagan Awakening

A new life is there,
You hear Her now,
She was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So listen to Diana, and accept Her love.
Hoard not Her gifts : feeling, renewal, music.
A new life is there,
You see Him now,
He was always there,
and you’re forever changed.
So look to Apollo, and receive His light.
Hoard not His gifts : healing, growth, joy.
A new life is there,
Your hands reach it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So touch the earth, and partake of it’s sustenance.
Hoard not it’s gifts : body, green, silence.
A new life is there,
You soar with it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So breathe in the air and gather the wind.
Hoard not it’s gifts : mind, dreams, empathy.
A new life is there,
You’re warmed by it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So build the flame and brave it’s heat.
Hoard not it’s gifts : spirit, will, energy.
A new life is there,
You flow with it now,
It was always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So study the ocean and follow it’s tides.
Hoard not it’s gifts : self, courage, sorrow.
A new life is there,
You’re one with them now,
They were always there,
and You’re forever changed.
So take Their gifts and return them threefold.
Share this magic : friendship, love, trust.

—Jeff A. Bordeaux

Poem published on Pagan Library