Tag: Esoteric and Occult

Dragons of Darkness 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 Darkness

This element “feels” heavier even than the element of Earth. It give a sense of floating in the womb, of the time when each of us was being created. Choose deep, somber music with occasional rushes of energy. Dance as if you were awakening from a deep sleep and stretching for the first time in your life. Let your dancing reflect your desire to be reborn in a new and better image.

Note: Use black (or very dark) candles or other objects along with your chosen element color. Correspond the herbs and oils to the other primary element. Repeat this chant three times:

Dragons of Darkness, your power will run

Until the time of my magic is done.

Teach me your secrets, the dark not to fear.

For dark is receptive, not terror or tear.

Dreams of the Spirit, soar with the night.

Wrap me in guidance, you balance of light.
(The Charm of Making may be chanted here.)

(Ring gong five times, pause, ring once.)

Dragons of Light 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 Light

The music for this element should be the astral, airy kind. It should make you think of floating through space, circling the Sun, and visiting the stars. Express yourself in dance as if you were dancing through the universe itself.

Note: Use white candles or other objects along with your other chosen element color. Correspond the herbs and oils to the other primary element. Repeat chant three times:

Light of the Spirit, symbol of Sun,

Be with me now ’til this spell working’s done.

Help me to balance all karma and force.

‘Til I reach to the truth of my life on this Earth.

Guide me and teach me, O Dragons of Light.
Sparkle my magic with power on this night.

(The charm of making may be chanted here.)
(Ring gong once, pause, ring five times.)

Dragon of Earth 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 Earth

As humans, we are so familiar with the feel of Earth energies that it is often difficult to imagine what being Earth is like. Earth energies are creative, maternal, slower than those of other elements. Perhaps you can best identify with this element by feeling as if you are the mother of all, a parent who cares for her/his creations. Music should be slower and perhaps heavier, the dance more stately.
Note: Use candles or other objects of a pure dark green color. Choose herbs and oils that are listed as of the element of Earth. Repeat this chant three times:

From your mountain caverns deep,

Rise, Northern Dragon, from your sleep.

Grael (grail)! (Ring gong four times)

Lead me to riches, purpose true,

Endurance strong, I call on you.

Grael! (Ring gong four times)

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)

Simple Exercise to Familiarize Yourself with the Elements

Simple Exercise to Familiarize Yourself with the Elements

To better feel and understand how these elements affect us, do this simple exercise:

Collect four items, one to represent each element and locate a compass. Weather permitting, find a spot outside – if not indoors will do.

Choose a spot where you will not be disturbed. Have your journal and something to write with.

Find north on the compass…and face that direction. If you are seated in a chair, move to face that direction.

First close your eyes and gather impressions about the compass point. After a few minutes, write down your impressions.

Now, hold the element you chose for Earth and the North, and close your eyes. Open your mind and feel the impressions of this element and how it relates to compass point. Think about how it corresponds to you and the Universe.

When you have finished write down your thoughts.

Continue through each element, facing the compass point that corresponds to the element…and finish by writing your feelings and thoughts on each one.

With the element of Spirit – focus on a golden light coming down from the heavens and filling you to the brim. When you have completed this, write down again, your thought and feelings.

Compare your notes with the properties of those elements described above. Were you connected to one or more of them? Did you feel more power in one direction? This will help you become attuned and more apart of the universe  you are apart of. Do this as a meditation every now and then also; to remind yourself to simplify.

　

Spellbound’s

Book of Spells

A Collection of Simple Spells

Volume 1

Kelli James Klymenko

Circle casting in Spells and Magick

 Circle Casting in Spells and Magick 

Long before circles were adopted by ceremonial magicians, they have appeared in folk tradition as people for thousands of years have danced in circles around a festival fire. They offer power as well as protection.

In essence you can cast a circle anywhere for any kind of spell or ritual (a visualized one using your index finger takes seconds). If someone is being spiteful at work, you can swivel round in a circle in your chair casting a circle close to your area (about an extended arm span all round) so that nasty words bounce off or are diverted back to the speaker.

Any circle you create should enclose yourself your altar and tools, if you are using them, and anyone working with you to create an enclosed protected place of concentrated power. Even if you are carrying out a whole spell with words or in your mind you can cast a visualized circle of light.

Internalizing Natural Magick

Internalizing Natural Magick

 

In Natural Magick, you can borrow elemental qualities, taking into yourself spiritually the power of the elemental forces – for example, the power of the wind when you add the air element to the symbol in a spell.

For example, you might say the following as you add incense power to your symbol that represents the purpose of the spell.

I am that mighty wind that blows through time and take away inertia. And so I empower_________ and myself to bring change. 

You can use the crashing of the sea, the wind in the trees or the falling rain on your tent to amplify and give your words rhythm. You may find it helpful to hold a symbol as a focus while you speak.

It is quite possible to carry out a spell or indeed a ritual just by using words. Taking it one stage further, the ritual or spell can be visualized, using both words and actions in your mind. In order to stimulate your psychic senses you may choose to carry out this visualized spell while sitting on the seashore or in a glade. Once you are experienced at visualization, you can bring that glade on to a crowded train or into an airless office as you weave your spell.

The beauty of inner spells and rituals is that there are no limits. Your air element really can be shooting stars, your water element a sparkling waterfall or tropical blue ocean. Then next time you carry out a spell externally you will still be able to feel and see those shooting stars or that sparkling water, and so you work is enriched and more powerful.

Even if you are quite experienced in magick these spoken or internalized spells are a very good way of aligning your mind with powerful external forces and thus bringing them together in your rites. They are also useful if you are in a special place but circumstances means that you are not able to start chanting or dancing. You may be in a sacred place or one of outstanding beauty, but accompanied by a tourist party or your in-laws.

By working on this astral or spiritual plane, as you speak the word in your mind you can carry the purpose of the spell though the barrier on to the earth plane of actuality.

The Magickal Personality (Dragon Magick)

The Magickal Personality

(Dragon Magick)

Every magician begins building her/his magickal personality as soon as she/he begins to seriously work with ritual. The magickal personality is the subconscious way the magician perceives her/himself as magician. We create these types of images all the time by the way we think of ourselves; shy, too thin, fat, not pretty enough, whatever. What we image ourselves to be, and tell ourselves mentally we are, eventually comes to pass.

Others, to whom we give power over us, can do the same thing. This programming can be quite open, with others or ourselves constantly harping on our appearance, our behavior, or our beliefs. Most people, however, are adept at the art of subliminal programming. This is a very insidious thing to do, either to ourselves or to others. It is like drops of water constantly wearing away at a stone. The single drop seems like nothing of importance, but with time the water wears a groove in the rock so that it becomes a different shape.

A magician needs to learn to choose friends and acquaintances with great care. Life is tough enough without surrounding yourself with people who belittle what you believe and do. Oftentimes it becomes necessary not to share your practices and ideas with family and friends. If they are not in agreement with your goals, they can consciously or subconsciously undermine all your efforts.

If you find yourself being self-critical too often, it is a signal that you need some inner work. Everyone has received negative or derogatory programming at some point in their life. Success comes when one can recognize it for what it is and work at weeding it out of the subconscious mind. Unfortunately, there are no instant solutions to this problem. A conscientious magician soon learns that inner work is an on-going task. It is never really finished. However, the biggest advance is made when the magician catches those programmed thoughts as they surface, recognizes them, and rejects them.

If you desire to work in the magickal field, you need to have a long talk with your inner self, not only at the beginning of your career, but at various times throughout your life. Your inner self needs to be firmly convinced that you have the right to practice magick, that it is not wrong or evil unless you have negative intentions. Even more than this, you need to feel that you can do magick. If you believe you can’t do magick, or you believe you can, you’re right! Whatever you believe, you become.

One way to convince your inner self, and your subconscious mind, that you are a magician is to assume what is called the magickal personality each time you enter your ritual area. This is first accomplished by firmly believing that you can do magick and that you have the right to do magick. You reinforce your image of your magickal self by laying aside ordinary life and donning a special robe for the ceremony. Your jewelry and ritual tools, the casting of the circle, the actual working of the ritual, all strengthen the image you build of yourself as a magician. Last, but by no means least in importance is the choosing and assuming of a magickal name.

Your magickal name is an important part of your tools and your magickal personality. The use of this name within your ritual area is a signal both to your subconscious mind and to any entities with which you work that you are prepare to switch from the everyday mode of thinking to magickal workings. The name may come to you during meditation or dreams or simply be one that appeals to you and perhaps describes your desires, attitudes, or aspirations. As with any of your magickal tools, this name can be changed at a later date if you decide you have outgrown it.

Since this special name is a key to your magickal self, share it only with those you can trust. Sharing it indiscriminately with people may place power in the wrong hands, you could find yourself under psychic attack, either to limit your magickal manifestations or to control your life. This type of attack does not necessarily have to be by another magician. Orthodox religionists are experts at using what they call prayer to control and manipulate others.

Your magickal name can be anything you want. It does not have to be the name of a deity or even belong to the history of a particular culture. The name can be made up of syllables whose sounds appeal to you and only has meaning to you alone. The Magical Name by Ted Andrews is a book published by Llewellyn (1991) that goes into a number of ways to choose a magickal name.

If you are already into the practice of magick, you very likely have such a name. You might continue to use it, or decide that you need a special one for working with dragons. Dragon magick names might be: Firebright, Flame Dancer, Wind Rider, Storm Walker, Golden Eyes, Cloud Shadow, or anything else that reminds you in some way of dragons and their attributes and activities.

Some people like to use the study of numerology to choose a name. They use either the number of their birth date or their common name to select a magickal name with the same numerical value.

To determine the numerical value of your birth date, add the numbers of the month, the day, and the year together. For example, February 10, 1961, would have a final value of 11. Some numerologists would break this down further, giving it a value of 2, but I was taught that the numbers 11 and 22 should be left ass they are.

In determining the numerical value of your name or a chosen magickal name, add together the values of all the letters. This gives you the final number or numbers as the case of 11 and 22. You must use your entire name to come up with the correct value.

1 — A person with great individuality, but can become a dictator if not careful. This person seldom if ever follows the dictates of the crowd. More often they are trend-sitters, for good or bad. Works best alones.

2 — A cooperative, sympathetic person who delights in group projects and solving problems. The diplomat who must beware becoming static through not making decisions for fear of hurting someone.

3 — Inspiration and optimism are expressions of this type of person. Also has creative and artistic abilities in some form. Beware of talking too much and doing nothing.

4 — The slow but steady builder of a career, business, relationships, whatever. Works best in a capacity of serving others. Penny-pinching and nitpicking are the extremes of this number.

5 — This person thrives on change and new things. This person can become such an advocate of new ideas that they become a pain in the neck to everyone else.

6 — Home, family, truth, and justice are very important to number 6 people. They will do whatever is necessary to have a stable life. However, they sometimes tend to be worry-warts.

7 — These people often get off to a rock start in life with many trials and tests, especially in learning to see deception. The reward for working their way through these messes is great understanding and sympathy, tempered by high spiritual ideals.

8 — This number person has the strength and talent to be an effective business and financial organizer. Although they like to acquire money and position, they should also involve themselves with charitable events.

9 — If this person disregards the responsibilities of her/his life, a career of disappointments can result. Compassion, love, and service must be their keywords. Works best where human understanding and kindness are needed.

11 — These people are happiest when they are pursuing a life or career which expresses their religious ideals in some way. A few of them choose to withdraw from the world and pursue their goals inwardly, but most of them work in areas where they can directly help others.

22 — These are the innovators on an international, community, or national scale. They are efficient organizers and communicators. Watch out for too much pride in ability.

Having a so-called numerically correct name is not necessary to magick. What you choice of name means to you inwardly is more important. Your magickal name is a vital part of the maigickal personality that you create, the image that you become when you enter your ritual area. This magickal personality is the one to which the dragons respond. As astral beings this is the real you as far as dragons are concerned.

However, the very first creature you must convince that this magickal personality exists is yourself. When you have chosen your magickal name, prepare your altar with lighted black and white candles, perhaps a sweet-smelling incense, and your dragon mirror. Dress in your robes and jewelry as if you were going to do a full dragon ritual. As with regular dragon ritual, it is important that you not be interrupted or disturbed during this time. Instead of the usual ritual proceedings, sit comfortably on a chair or stool so you can look directly into the mirror. Look straight into your reflection and say: “I am (your magickal name). I am a magician and friend of dragons.”

How did you feel as you faced yourself and spoke your name? Did the name itself make you feel uncomfortable, or was the uncomfortableness just the normal reaction of speaking to your reflection? If the name itself truly does not seem to fit, seriously consider choosing another one.

In the beginning, most magicians have to do a lot of work on themselves so that they feel at ease when putting on their magickal personality. They learn that time and ritual practice makes it easier to think of themselves as actual magicians with power.

Weed out any negative past programming that arises from the subconscious mind to tell you you are unworthy, that you cannot do magick, that magick is not real, that magick is evil. Every time a negative thought such as these arises, look straight at your reflection in the mirror and answer it out loud. Take as long as necessary to squash these negatives. You may find yourself having a one-sided conversation with a person who has put you down in one way or another throughout your life. If yelling at that person while looking into your mirror works, then yell! The important thing is to get a clear picture of the negatives hiding within you, those subtle little and not so little pieces of programming that make you doubt yourself in more than just the field of magick.

The ultimate goal is to reach a point in your mirror talk where you can tell yourself that you can, and will, rise above this type of control placed upon you by others. Rise above it, and release it. You may find that your immediate most damaging enemy is yourself. Like Pogo said, “We have met the enemy, and they is us.” Stop setting personal goals which are based on comparing yourself with someone else. You are a unique individual with your special needs, desires, goals and dreams.

When you are comfortable with your personal mirror work and speaking your magickal name, it is time to present yourself as that magickal personality to your dragons. When your ritual area is prepared, when you are dressed in your robes and stand at the center of your circle, call out your name to your dragon co-magicians as you greet them. By trusting your dragon allies with this secret name, you are strengthening the trust you hope to build with them. As you share with them, so they will share with you. Dancing with dragons is an experience of friendship built on trust and caring.

“Dancing With Dragons”

D. J. Conway

Magick That Can Kill Your Dreams

Magick That Can Kill Your Dreams

Author: Kindred Of The Phoenix

I’m not talking about black magick here, curses or hexes or anything that can “come back on you”. Nor am I talking about vengeance or greed or working with dark spirits or demons or the dead.

I’m talking about the simple, “harmless, ” good old white magick, meant to make your finances better or your body healthier or love life deeper and more fulfilling and is the kind of Magick that so many of us do, in love and trust and good intentions.

If you can take some stress off your spouse by getting that raise you know you deserve, or give yourself in love to someone else, supporting them, encouraging them, cherishing them, but the dating site isn’t working out, why not do a spell?

The reason is that it might do you more harm than good in the long run.

I’m also not talking about the (mostly humorous, fortunately) “mis-spelled” spells that give you a dog when you ask for a true companion, or houseplants when you ask for more green in your business, or two stalkers when you ask to be magnetic to potential lovers.

Most intro to witchcraft books have a section on the dangers of poorly written spells, so I see no need to re-hash that here, though I do suggest you read- and re-read these- those .key passages to magical success from time to time.

So how can a good-intentioned, well-written, practically flawless spell go wrong?

Well, to be precise, the spell itself is not the problem. The problem lies in the use of magick itself.

Witches and other occult practitioners often use magick to solve problems, reach goals, or fulfill needs or desires that mundane action will not produce, is not producing now, or isn’t producing in the time schedule desired.

It’s not always a greedy or selfish thing- sometimes magick is simply another tool for survival in the rat race (if you have it, use it!) Or, sometimes it seems more ethical to use a spell to find a better paying job than compete for the only open position in your company with a single mom of three kids who needs it just as much as you do.

If you’re willing to put in just as much work on this mundane end, and just want a little magickal push in the right direction, there hardly seems anything wrong with it.

And there isn’t. Except that it can be deadly to your dreams.

Puzzled? Before I explain all this, consider the following:

Employee A to Boss: I hate this crap job. I can never get ahead. I’m putting in 50 hours a week here- working as hard as I can- and still it’s never enough to pay the bills and get ahead. I’ve been here five years- I have seniority. Why are you holding me back? I’m a good person, aren’t I? With a family to feed, kids that need me at home more to go to their soccer games and be a good parent and role model. Can’t you see I need to move up the ladder here? I’ve never hurt anyone here, always been a good employee, I deserve it. Isn’t it time I moved up?

Employee B to Boss: Good morning sir! About that possible promotion… I know I’ve only been here two years, but in that time I’ve finished my degree and worked hard to apply my education to my work here. I’ve motivated the team with individual attention; I’ve resolved several major tech problems and created a marketing plan that should put us ahead of our competition in six months. I’ve learned the products and customer service techniques, and feel that I have a solid grasp on my current position and all those below it- thus I can lead anyone in those positions if I’m in a position to do so. I think with my forward approach and enthusiasm for the work I am ready for a new position on our team.

Who do you really think will get the promotion?

Not that Employee A doesn’t need or deserve to move up, especially with all the time and effort he/she has put in, and the family to care for. Note that Employee B might have the same financial and family pressures- we don’t know. But business is business, and whoever hands out that promotion probably doesn’t want to know- family aside, the position goes to the one ready for it.

My point in bringing this up is that I truly believe that life isn’t fair but it is right, that some Higher Power is indeed looking out for us, and that all prayers are heard and all are answered- but not in the way we expect.

I believe that if you’re not getting something in life, not moving on to what you think you ought to be by now or because it’s only fair and you deserve it and need it, that there is a very good reason for it.

You’re not ready to move ahead yet.

Just as the boss might tell Employee A that he/she needs to learn enthusiasm for the work, needs to care about their coworkers and customers and learn to love what position they’ve been given and tend it well, nurture and grow it, so to speak, The Powers That Be might be saying this to you by holding you back in life.

Learn to love the small things in life while you’re broke, from sunshine to singing on the porch with your kids. Learn to nurture optimism, faith, and strength of spirit while you’re ill; teach others not to be afraid of either life or death while you’re on the line.

Whatever it is exactly that you’re supposed to learn is something you’ll have to discover, but most often I think it centers near trusting the Powers, loving what you’ve been blessed with instead of yearning for/ striving/working for more, and allowing yourself to be happy with who you are and what you have, despite what others say you should have in life.

When you use magick to give you a boost, you jump ahead and upset the balance. I can’t prove it, but I think this is why so many religions, mainstream and aboriginal, warn against witchcraft and magick except by the highest, most trained priest or shaman.

The Powers are Powers of love and benevolence, they want us to be happy, and thus we have magick to put in our hands the power to jump out of THEIR plan for us and take control of our own lives.

It’s like they are saying, well, if you really think you’re ready, do that spell, you’ll get what you want. Maybe you do know better. We’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.

And so we do that spell, jump ahead… and lose again and again that footing. Our dreams keep crumbling and we collapse in tears and ask why.

Maybe we weren’t ready yet and lost our new, advanced place in the world on our own. Or, just as likely, I believe that Divinity has a bit of a “list” of ordeals and accomplishments that each of us is to go through in our lifetime.

The order in which we accomplish/experience these things is, for the most part, unimportant, but the lessons we draw from them are. Therefore if it has been chosen for you to undergo some financial difficulty to teach you humility, or introduce you to a soul mate (who is working in a food pantry), your spell may bring in some cash but you’re due to fall back into poverty again. Not as a punishment, not because you don’t deserve better, but because The Powers that Be have something waiting for you- something good.

Without that spell, but instead with some time and some trust, you are right where you need to be. (Comforting, isn’t it?) There is something for you, right now, right here, whether you can see it or not.

If you stop trying to magickally vault ahead and run away, and look around, you just might find it and move ahead naturally.

And therefore, each time we upset the system through magick, we essentially waste time.

We put ourselves in a “better place, ” for a time, but get stuck returning to the same muck time and again and wonder why. We seem to reach a dream but soon lose it.

Rather than being mired in that cycle, I suggest you look around, take stock of what you do have, and learn to enjoy and make the best of it. If indeed we are all where we are for a reason, all you have to do is discover that reason and honor its wisdom, and a new path will be revealed to you.

Therefore when I say magick will kill your dreams, I mean that magick will give them to you only to have you lose them again, and waste precious time in your life in that cycle of gain and loss, when you could simply do what you must with what you have now and move into that dream, in its own time, for good.

Therefore may I suggest prayer, especially prayer in circle, to help you move ahead? You are not alone. Divinity loves you and wants you to succeed, and will listen and answer when properly asked.

Many forms of magick essentially have you working on your own, either telling the God and/or Goddess what to do for you, or leaving them out entirely. You need not be alone in your trials like that…

Ask why you are where you are, what’s holding you back, and what needs to be done to move on to something you’d like better. And especially, ask that it all be for the greater good.

This approach has worked so much better for me than magick!

In closing, I’d like to share with you a bit of comfort that’s hung on my wall since I was a child. It’s called the Desiderata, and it was discovered in Saint Paul’s Church, Baltimore, dated 1962. These are only a few lines from it…

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be….

Ritual Tools and Dragon Magick

Ritual Tools and Dragon Magick

 

Every sincere, dedicated magician is always searching for new ways to amplify her/his magical powers so that her/his manifestations will be more accurate and consistent. Using the elemental-type power of dragons to help in your rituals is an excellent method of increasing the flow of energy within the cast circle.

There are certain ritual tools that you will find helpful for dragon magic. If you are already practicing magic, you will have some of them. If you are just beginning to work in magic, acquire your tools slowly and with care. Tools do not have to be elaborate or expensive to work magic. For example, I have never found that a little silver wand (these are really expensive!) could do more than a piece of dowel lovingly decorated by the magician. And the tools do not have to be acquired at once or before you can start your magical workings.

If you budget does not allow any purchases at the moment, do not put off beginning your practice of dragon magic. Start off with the kitchen table or the nightstand in the bedroom as an altar. One white candle in a fireproof holder is better than none; however, if you cannot have a candle, substitute an electric candle or small light. A paring knife will work as a ritual dagger for carving script onto the candle. A pleasant cologne or aftershave can become an emergency incense. A glass can be chalice. Use your imagination and inventiveness until you can manifest enough prosperity to purchase better tools. Ritual manifestations have been successful with some of the most outlandish equipment in a pinch. But it does work better and more efficiently when you have special ritual tools. I think this has to do with budding magician’s subconscious mind and the development of the magical personality.

Water Magick – Shell Magick

Shell Magick

 

Shells hold universal energies. They can be used for spell work in the same manner as crystals or herbs:

Abalone:  The abalone shell is often featured on the Water Witch’s altar as a focal point. It can be used to hold smaller items, to burn things, or simply to add extra power to a spell

Clam:  Clam shells are used for purification and love spells. They can  be placed in charm bags

Conch:  Conch shells work best in love spells

Coral:  Coral works well in matters of health and healing

Cowries:  Sacred to the Orisha Oya, the cowrie shell has a prestigious magickal pedigree. Due to its vulva-like appearance, this shell is frequently used upon altars as a representation of the Goddess. Cowries work well in matters involving money and prosperity

Oysters:  Oyster shells work best in matters pertaining to luck. They are said to promote good fortune. They make wonderful additions to charm bags

I Am a Witch of the Old World

I Am a Witch of the Old World

Author: Lady Abigail

I am very much a Witch of the Old World. NO, Not because I am ‘Old’ but because I have trust the Old World ways of healing and magick. Herbs are truly a gift of the Goddess. Everyday of our lives we have the opportunely to hold these gifts in our hands. Those of us called Herb Witches have also learned how to touch the Goddess. How to hold Her blessings of both healing and power within each of Her green gifts.

From the time of my Great Grandmother herbs were used for both Magickal and Medical works. My Great Grandmother was the Wise Woman, the Wise One, the Sage Woman. She was a Witch. She was Cajun, half Quapaw Indian and half French.

I would learn in secret from my Great Grandmother how to watch the signs of Nature. She taught me what herbs were best for concocting potions, teas, tonics, powders and brews. Which herbs were just right for not only healing but the magick of healing as well as for spells and with heart and love, anything was possible from the powers of the Earth and within Nature.

I learned the ways of the Old World. In the same way as my Great Grandmother had learned from her Grandmother and her Grandmother had learned from all the generations before. I learned by watching, listening and helping my Great Grandmother.

My Great Grandmother was raised in a time where it was common practice for people to go to the Wise One, the Wise Woman or Shaman, for help in healing or for help in magick. Many would come for help with problems of money, love, and harvest, as well as healing.

People would come to get the magick within her spells, pouches or brews for everything from, money, to protection. They came for mixtures of healing herbs and leaves when sick. I watched as she would work with her wonderful gifts of magick in healing and the magick of nature.

There were usually no doctors around for miles and little money to pay one. I would learn from My Great Grandmother how to call the wind in a whisper.
How to see what wasn’t seen, not by the in-worlders. Those who would or could not see the magick all around them. I would hear her speak wonderful incantations and spells. I would watch her make potions and brews to heal the sick. I would see her do magick, the kind of magick that stirs the soul.

I was brought up as a child to understand such things were never spoke of, and considered foolish by many. I wouldn’t truly appreciate all these wonderful gifts of healing and magick until much later in my life.

Even now, my Great Grandmother still influences my life with wonder. I can when quietly listening, hear her sweet voice upon the wind in whispers. As if within magick.

It was so heartbreaking that as my Grandmother passed away, and for many years, so did the magick. All her great wisdom pasted down through the generations. Her wonderful gifts would be rejected as with the old ways.

There are many facets of Magick, Herb Magick being one of the blessed ones. I believe that a Witch’s Herb cabinet is one of our most essential tools. Herbs have been used in Magick and Healing since the beginning for time. Used in Home Remedies, Make-up, Poultices, Salves, Creams, Infusions, Brews, Teas, Potions, and Elixirs. Most herbs have both a Magickal and Medical use. You must have a great respect for herbs. Whether using them Medicinally in Healing or Magickally in Spells. You need to be careful and sure of what you are using. Always make sure the herb is exactly what you think it us.

In a quick look, Queen Ann’s Lace, Angelica and Hemlock look a lot alike, but the out come will be completely different. If you are looking for a particular herb for use in either Magickal Work or Healing, and you’re not completely sure if the one you have found is that herb. Just, Don’t Use It!

You will find that in most cases the herbs and plants you need can be easily be acquired from your local grocery, herb shop, or even a florist. For some of the less common and less known herbs you may find it easer getting them from an herb shop.

When there’s a certain Herb called for in a spell and you don’t have that particular herb, check what it is being used for. Is it for power, is it for psychic power, is it for dreams, is it for the Goddess or God…?

In most cases when a spell calls for Herbs for a particular purpose, there are other Herbs out there that have the same influential powers. This is wonderful because if you’re working on a spell for psychic powers and can’t find Sumbul or Stillengia you can always use Bay Leaves, Cinnamon or Grass. All of these herbs are for strengthening psychic powers. Normally grass is pretty easy to find though I wouldn‘t use it in a tea potion or brew that was going to be drunk. Grass has a truly rank taste.

Herbs have also been used throughout history for medical healing. From poultices for bruised and blacken eyes, to healing sickness and disease. Being one of Wise One’s who carried the knowledge of healing was considered to be a great gift and this gift was not shared with everyone.

Today you will find more and more people as well as doctors who are returning to The Old Ways and a more natural way of healing. You can’t go through a department store, grocery store, or even a mall without seeing a place that sells herbs and natural remedies.

It seems so ridicules that this Old World knowledge is looked upon as some New Age miracle. It may well be a miracle or magick, but one that was given to us at the beginning of time, through the blessing of Mother Earth.

But for some reason we of this ultramodern world seem to think if we didn’t come up with an idea on our own, than it must not be a good one. So we call everything New Age. All the wonders that are of the Old World, Old Religion and Old Knowledge have somehow became New Age. No matter what you call it, New Age or Old World Knowledge, it works.

Remember those fairy tales and stories you were told as a child? Where the old Witches used Bat’s Wings and Devil‘s Eye, within their magickal brews. Get ready, you will find yourself using them as well. That’s because in the Old World, witches used many folk names for plants and herbs. Bat Wings are dried English Holly leaves, think about it, they do kind of look like Bat Wings and Devil’s Eye is just another name for Periwinkle. It may sounds strange but if there were ingredients you wanted to keep secret and not share with anyone wouldn’t this be a fabulous way to do it.

Especially, if you kept a Book of Shadows, Book of Secrets or Cookbook as my Great Grandmother Called hers, where you wrote down your Spells and Healing potions. You would use Folk names, names the In-worlders didn’t understand. (In-worlders: those who cannot or will not see all the magick before them.) Knowing it’s a lot harder for someone to find Devil’s Eye than Periwinkle.

Making your herbs into medicine that you can use to help heal and ease another’s pain is truly rewarding. It was amazing for me as a child to watch as my Great Grandmother as she would put together just the right herbs for people who would come to her for help and healing.

They would tell her all the problems they were carrying and you could see her, as she would listen to their needs of healing and of heart. It didn’t matter if someone came to her with complaints of something so insignificant as warts or complaints of great pain. She would begin to mix and brew, stir and work the wonderful magick of healing.

It is a shame that we have allowed so much of this knowledge of healing to be lost in the rush to have instant fixes for what ales us. You can go to just about any doctor and walk out with a fist full of prescriptions, for anything and everything. Many times the instant fixes and quickie trips through the doctors’ offices leave us felling more like cattle than like people with souls and spirits.

I sometimes wonder where the heart of caring and understanding has gone. So many of those in the medical professions just simply don’t have or don’t take the time for the heart that is truly needed in healing.

Don’t get me wrong there is a time and place for all kinds of healing, including doctors and pills. But I think we have become so dependent on the instant fixes that we have forgotten the ability of true healing.

True healing comes from within the body, mind and spirit. If you leave one of these uncared for this will allow the illness to return. In true healing it doesn’t matter if you are healing a disease or a hangnail be sure you look for all the answers. The answers that are found in the Heart.

There is a power we find within ourselves when crushing and blending, brewing and stewing up remedies and spells. Herbs are used in healing everything from the day-to-day aches and pains of life to the magickal answers of lost loves. Magick is not about only the spells or the healings, it is about who we are and the Old World gifts given to all the Wise Ones from a time when magick and wonders were forever possible within your heart with truth, and love.

Blessed Be….
Lady Abigail

Footnotes:
* Some excerpts were taken from “Witch of the Old World Book of Herbs”
by Lady Abigail

Spell To Banish Anger

Spell To Banish Anger

This spell is performed beside flowing water. Anything from a small stream to a mighty river will do.

Ground and center as in other spells. Cast a circle by imagining a glowing circle of light surrounding you. Take a black stone and cup it in your hands. Raise it to your forehead, concentrating all of your anger and projecting it into the stone. Throw it as hard as you can into a body water, saying:

With this stone
Anger be gone.
Water bind it,
No one find it.

Ground or earth the power you drew upon at the beginning of the spell and open the circle.

Witchcraft 101: Directed Imagination

Directed imagination you ask? Yes, a Witch without imagination is like a car without gasoline. It takes imagination to make Magick! And this is the point of lesson three!

Let’s define imagination first:

This is the dictionary definition of imagination:

  • The formation of a mental image of something that is neither perceived as real nor present to the senses.
  • The mental image so formed.
  • The ability or tendency to form such images.
  • The ability to confront and deal with reality by using the creative power of the mind; resourcefulness: handled the problems with great imagination. A traditional or widely held belief or opinion.

Archaic definitions.

  • An unrealistic idea or notion; a fancy.
  • A plan or scheme.

AJ’s definition

Since I write these articles, creative license rules supreme! I define imagination as the power of the mind to concieve ideas and plans from the formless world and to give birth to these ideas in our world of form. The process by which imagination takes shape is mysterious and not well understood, but is dominated by the subconcious and is a potent and useful force for good and change in the world.

On to the lesson!

WitchCraft is the study of forces and movement of energy. In this third moon, we are looking at the means of Magick, what it takes inside of your inner being to bring it to the surface, and how to direct this energy.

As we mentioned in earlier lessons, spells are virtually powerless containers that only serve to contain the forces being directed by the Witch. A spell is like a beaker that brings life giving fluid to the lips of a parched throat. Without the container, the life-giving water cannot be delivered to the parched throat of the drinker, and without the water, the container is just another object in the universe, without true purpose or use, until intent and imagination combine to make the water and the beaker become more than the sum of their parts.

Thus, we find that Magick spells are exciting and actually fun because of the “water” aspect. Spells use the imagination of the Witch. Like water, imagination flows, it is deep, it contains mystery, and no one can quite say where it comes from, where it goes, or can truly contain it for very long.

Imagination can be channeled like water in a river. It can be focused, directed, and refined to laser-like intensity, cutting problems to shreds with it’s sheer force. Combined with the structure of the spell to direct it, the two components become Magick!

Lesson two saw you perform a spell, but I left out a key ingredient!

Before you performed the spell, I ask you this simple question; How did you prepare yourself emotionally, physically, and spiritually before you did the working?

Answer this honestly. You’ll need to go back in your mind, or look at your book of shadows to find out the answers to this question. When you feel you’ve reached that answer, spend time to record the answer to this question in your BOS.

I’ll use my own preparations for Magick as a potential guide to you. Mind you, many people do this differently, but after 14 years of Magickal practice, I tend to use a very tried and true procedure that evolved from my own workings and learning around very experienced teachers. All I know, is that it works for me, and if you see fit to alter it to your special circumstances, go for it. The trick is to use your own sensibilities and comfort levels as the guide to getting your mindset right!

 

IAmAWitch.com

Witchcraft 101: Magick and Intent

Instruction in WitchCraft varies from person to person, and individual to individual. I’ve yet to see any one path follow exactly the same course, so these lessons being presented here are simply a wide spot in the road, only guaranteed to clear a view to other vistas and help you on your way.

Lesson one covered the basics of what WitchCraft is and what it is not. In it, we covered the experiences and motivations of being a witch. However, I did not place a challenge before you like the one I plan to do here.

True, I asked you to consider the WHY of being a Witch, especially in your own case, but now I’m going to cover a section of the Craft that covers your personal power, and how you can use it for personal gain and to acknowledge the real and very potent forces that comprise Magick itself.

No… I am not going to discuss the art of casting spells with all manner of strange oils, brews, unusual objects, or even the occasional magickal object that is used to cast power. Instead, we are going to talk about the most powerful weapon in the Witch’s inventory.

This weapon beats out the entire lot of objects and forces that one associates with WitchCraft and Magick in general.

This force is INTENT.

Intent is the power of focusing on a desire, goal, or wish, with the express purpose of bringing that desire about. Intent plays to forces beyond and in the mundane that see to it that what you want, you will indeed get.

Mind you, this is no simple matter. The subject is fraught with difficulties and all manner of traps that can hang you up and cause all sorts of problems, should you misconstrue or mis-use the power.

Yes… this “intent” is power itself. With it, people have leveled civiliziations, and they have created art, gardens, and pleasant lives. It all depends on the motivation behind the person,.

Intent is expressed through NEED. Need is expressed through forceful emotion and powerful desires, and through these components of Magick, one can direct and influence events through the simple use of force of mind. True, magicakl props like wands, capes, and certain helpful herbs and materials do help things along, but the old saying that “The Witch IS the Magick” is quite true.

You are the Magick!

How does this principle work then?

After 14 years in the Craft, I really can only make a supposition, but mine is an informed supposition, because of my years in science and around scientists and very talented metaphysicians.

Our universe is a manifestation of quantum forces that are influenced by the fact that we are here to observe events. What this means is that without observers, for all intensive purposes, the universe might exist, but it’s purpose cannot be appreciated or find useful expression.

In scientific experiments, it has been found that the intent or concentration of a person on light beams (in a highly controlled and measured laboratory) affected the behavior of the beams. Strange effects like this prove that intent and thought itself have powerful and practically unlimited power to influence events.

Einstein called some of these forces “Spooky action at a distance”. He was referring to the behavior of photons of light that could never have communicated with one another, but somehow could affect each other in spite of huge distances and great efforts expended to prove that the experiments where wrong!

In real English, what I am telling you is that this universe of ours is one weird place, and that our minds and passions can exert influence over time, space, and matter.

Thus, Magick is the power of the mind to influence the course of events.

So much is made of visualization and projection of the mind in magickal rites, but little is said as to the underlying mechanisms that drive Magick. While my somewhat brief explanation does not clearly define the exact nature of the mechanism, it does make it clear that Magick IS indeed influencing physical systems, and that the mind itself has quantum properties that allow us the luxury of bending the universe to our needs, if one has sufficient intent and force of will.

Thus, we move into the area of ethics.

Yes, you can wish for and project for anything, but the question is tied to one nagging little issue; NEED.

Need is tied to what you really need in your heart of hearts, and what can legitimately be requested or asked for. It has little to do with the fact that I would love to materialize a broom with flying capabilities, like a Nimbus 2000.

Need is tied to things like deciding to get a degree and then projecting to the universe for help in getting there. I did so in my late bid in life to get my BSIT and lo and behold, my company suddenly volunteered to pay for the entire cost of my education.

Of course, I had done projection work, and my passion to change my life was a big part of this sudden desire to move the forces of the world to propel me in a new direction.

There is one little snag in all of this. And you who have known me well for many years on this web know that I sometimes disappear now and again. I can honestly say that my experience of Magick is that for every gain and change of direction, I have had to drop something else, in order to propel the ship of my life in that direction.

Thus, I dropped a lot of personal things to make the education happen. For me, Coven life and other key aspects of my world have had to take a back-seat to my development of my mind and growth.

To get something, you have to give. This is true in economics, and is sure as hell is true in Magick. If you hear someone telling you different, they haven’t cone to realize this great truth yet.

Again: To get something your heart desires, you MUST give up something else, in order to propel forward. What that something is cannot be easily stated, but you will need to carefully consider where it is you intend to sail your Magick, and what you are prepared to give to get there.

In my case, I gave up time and companionship for a short time, but the return has been well worth the short expenditure.

So… some of you are now realizing that Magick is really just transformation of time, energy, and intent. All of it guided to an end goal that is dictated by the principle of giving up or discharging something else.

Giving up something in your life, to get ahead is natural, positive, and even fun. All of us have areas of our lives that can stand for us to get rid of one area that holds us back. Using this gift of release, we can channel the benefits of this giving towards other goals, and in our personal Magick and power.

In smaller workings, where visualization is needed for a healing, or to alter the outcome of a dispute, or to wish for some windfall in your life, you can give of your time, or even of your heart, and thus you pay the toll for the Magick you exert.

 

IAmAWitch.com

The Importance of Salt (Earth Magick)

The Importance of Salt

(Earth Magick)

 

Salt is a primary tool of any Witch, regardless of the personal path. It is a representation of earth in a mineral form. Salt is used in traditional magical practices for blessing, grounding, protection and cleansing. It is frequently used as a base for other ingredients in powders, floor washes, bathing spells, and charm bags. Salt is seen as a feminine, nurturing mineral, whereas sulphur is thought to be the male, destructive mineral. Salt works in banishing spells for breaking up or splitting apart any negative influences, due to is purity. It is used in holy water and is a staple on most altars.

Making A Dream Wand (Storm Moon)

Making A Dream Wand

(Storm Moon)
 
Using wands is a way of focusing your energy and pointing your magickal energy toward something in particular. Make this wand to focus your magickal power.
 
You will need a stick the length of your elbow to the end of your middle finger when outstretched. Youwill also need superglue, a pointed stone or crystal point and your favorite color of ribbon. As in Harry Potter, wands can be made from many things and are a reflection of their owner. Choose a wood and stone that reflect who you are as a creative and magick person.
 
Strip the wood of its bark, then glue the stone onto what you want to be the tip end of the wand. After the glue has dried, drape the ribbon around the wand, starting from the tip and moving to the base. You can also glue and tie things on your wand that help it to become uniquely yours. Be creative!
 
After you have finished making your wand, draw a magick circle of light and call in the elements. Standing in the middle of the circle, hold your wand with your power hand and raise it high up in the air. Say:
 
“Come almighty powers of Oneness,
Inbibe this dream wand with your powers,
So that it may have a direct connection to the divine.
To always guide and protect me well.
Ayea! Ayea! Ayea! So be it! Blessed Be!”
 
When you are done, bid farewell to the elements and close the circle. Keep your wand to your altar and use it to make magick night and day.

Preparations To Do Spellcrafting

Preparations To Do Spellcrafting

(Natural Magick) 

You need to get yourself and the area or altar ready for the spell.

Clear the space you intend to use either psychically or physically. This could involve lighting cleansing incense like pine or lemongrass or having a quick smudge round the room or outdoor area where you will be working. For a more formal ceremony, sweep and asperge the area.

Use a compass to ascertain the four directions or calculate these from known places.

Set up any psychic protection that is required around the area you will be working in. You can concentrate this protection around the edges of what will be your magick circle, whether this is positioned in your mind or symbolized by the candles of the four main archangels or angels of nature. In these positions they could act as the guardians of the four quarters instead of the nature devas.

However, if you have more time available, you may prefer to set up a protective square to act as psychic boundary within which to cast your circle. You could also position your archangels at the edges of your garden or working area, or empower four large marker trees, bushes or stones. You should thank them and bid them farewell once the circle has been uncast.

If you are creating an external physical circle made, for example of branches, stones or shells this is a good time to set it up, with the help of anyone who is sharing the occasion. The standard diameter for this circle is 9 foot, although this can be altered if you are working in a confined space alone or if a number of people are attending and you want to move around.

Set up the basic altar and put everything in its place(for a more formal spell you can dedicate the altar now or at the beginning of the rite).

Basically, a bowl of salt goes in the north, incense goes in the east, a candle in the south and a water bowl in the west.

If you are making a sacred salt and water mix, you will be tipping the salt into the water so remember either to save a little in the bowl for the earth empowerment or have some spare salt in a second small dish at the side of the altar that you can use.

If you are incorporating a cakes and ale part into a longer ceremony or spell (a formal dedication of honey cakes and wine, beer or juice to give thanks to the earth mother and sky father for sustenance and all good things in our lives) set the cakes ready on a plate to the north of the altar. The drink will be put in a goblet or chalice (ceramic, glass or metal) to the west of the altar. Since this won’t be part of everyday spell casting.

As this is natural magick you should aim for organic products, barley wine or beer or organic juice and organic cakes with honey. You may well not have the time to make your own.

If you are having a garden ceremony, you can have a bath beforehand in water to which you have added rose or lavender oil, and put on something comfortable. If you are holding your ceremony on a windy beach, thick sweaters and jeans may be the order of the day. However, you can still cleanse yourself psychically. Anoint your hairline, center of your brow, throat and both wrists with one of your special waters to open your higher chakras or energy centers. Or use an essential oil in lotus, lavender or rose. Mix and match and cut out any stages that don’t fit a particular occasion. For example. You’ll only have the cakes and ale on special occasions and sometimes you’ll want just a simple circle cast while following only the basic spell casting steps.

The Power of Words in Spellcasting

The Power of Words in Spellcasting

We already know, words have the power to heal, to express love, to praise and to comfort and negatively to hurt or criticize.

In magick, words spoke deliberately and rhythmically are one of the most significant ways to build the energies in a spell.

In Ancient Egyptian magick, the basis for modern magick, one of the major creation myths tells how Ptah the creator God, thought the world in his mind and then created it by speaking magical words or hekau. The generative power he used was called Heka, which is also the name of the God of magick. This power is equivalent to the concentrated life force. In some versions of the myth it is Heka himself who speaks the words that give form to the thoughts of Ptah.

The Ancient Egyptians believed that this creation power animated every spell as it did at the first creation. So to the Ancient Egyptians ever act of magick was a recreation of that first act of world creation, using words to bring thoughts into actuality.

Spellcasting In Natural Magick

Spellcasting In Natural Magick

 
Spellcasting involves following a format that provides the structure to channel, amplify and release energies to bring into actuality the fulfillment of a wish, a need or desire.
 
Spellcasting can bring results fast if you really are in a crisis situation, perhaps because you endow the spell with the urgency and emotion. Mel, a 25 year-old store manager living in a historic town in the south of England, desperately needed a home to rent and had been to every agency in two with no results. A couple of days before she was due to move our of her present flat. Mel did a simple spell to find her a comfortable, affordable home as soon as possible. She took the symbol she had empowered, in fact a written one, to work having slept with it under her pillow.
 
The next morning her mobile rang. It was a man to say he and his wife had a home to rent and she could go to see it that evening. When Mel got there the house was perfect and affordable but the couple had no idea where they got her number because she hadn’t given it out and they had not even got round to advertising the house, so it had not come through an agent. The couple said they would let her know, but just as Mel was driving off disappointed, the man ran after her and said the house was hers and she could move in the next day. The couple didn’t know anyone to whom Mel might have mentioned the house problem. Mel moved into the house soon afterwards and was very happy there.
 
The energies of someone wanting to rent out a property and Mel’s urgent need must have telepathically been drawn together.
 
Of course, most spells aren’t as instant and may involve more earthly leg work. However, spells do get the energies moving and usually bring into your sphere through unexpected opportunities or seemingly chance meetings, what it is you need—at the time you need it. Under the rules of cosmic exchange you neeed to be willing to reciprocate by passing on information or surplus items when you hear though a friend of a friend of a need, even if this involves a lot of effort or you are busy at the time.
 
Rituals also follow similar stages beginning with a statement of the purpose, adding elemental powers and ending with the desired results. This would for example, be the rebirth of light as the December midwinter solstice, celebrating the return of the sun after the shortest day – and as importantly, acknowledging or bringing your own rebirth or renewal of hope.