Tag: Home and Garden

She Moves in Mysterious Ways

She Moves in Mysterious Ways

My relationship with Yemayá

by Iris WaterStar

 

The first time that I saw an image of Yemayá, two thoughts ran through my head; the first one was “Oh, that’s me,” quickly followed by the second one, which ran along the lines of “What an odd thing to be thinking about a picture on a candle.” This was about two and a half years ago; the candle was one that I saw in a shop on Capitol Hill called Three Furies. I was there looking around with a friend, and this picture seemed to jump out at me. I had absolutely no idea who in the world this was, but I knew that she was wonderful, and so familiar.

It felt like seeing myself, or some part of myself, a part that I wanted to unfold somehow. This candle was one of the tall cylindrical kind; it was green and had a color painting on it. The picture is of a beautiful woman, standing on the waves of a green ocean surrounded by white blossoms. The stars are out in the twilight sky above her; the crescent moon is off to one side. She has long, dark flowing hair and is wearing a long white gown with her arms outstretched. From her hands, golden stars are falling. She has a thin aura above her head and another bright five-pointed star above her head. She is neither smiling or frowning, she simply is as she is.

I had never experienced a candle calling to me like this one did. I picked it up and put it down several times. Each time, I put it down I was aware of the feeling she was meant to go with me. I finally asked the man who ran the store “Who is this?” He wasn’t sure; he said he thought that it was some ocean-type goddess or something, but that some people had come in recently and told him her name. He couldn’t remember it but it was something like… and he pronounced something that I promptly forgot.

He also told me that these people who knew of her said that he had the candle color all wrong, and that it should be blue and not green. I bought the green candle anyway because I didn’t want to wait the couple of weeks it would take to make another candle.

I took the candle home and promptly set up an altar, with the candle as a centerpiece. I had always had shrines but never one that was dedicated to a specific persona. I had some cobalt-blue glass that I put around it, and shells (I am a Pisces so these weren’t hard to come by ); I had an incense burner, and I bought some moon incense. I had seawater and flowers and white candles.

These things just seemed right and felt like what would be appropriate for an ocean goddess. I remember looking at her and being a little in awe of the energy that seemed to be somehow associated with her. At times, I was a little afraid, but then I immediately would get this sense that she had chosen to come home to be with me and so fear wasn’t needed. I still kept a healthy respect for this energy, as well as a growing fondness.

I later went back to the store and purchased another candle with a beautiful turquoise-blue background. I added that to the altar as well. I did a winter solstice ritual in my apartment that year in solitary fashion. I am used to working with spirit guides, as I have worked as a psychic and spiritual teacher for a number of years, and so I wasn’t completely alone in my work that evening. But I was amazed just the same as I did my work and lit the incenseand candles. I really felt her yet unnamed presence with me. It was a very powerful night.

It was a few months after this time that a woman came into my life who was soon to become one of my best friends. She came to visit my apartment, and in that visit, I first learned of who this goddess was who had decided to come into my life. Her name, my friend told me, was Yemayá. And I found out I had unknowingly set up my altar with many of her traditional things.

Yemayá has an amazing way of setting things up. I found myself signing up for a drumming class along with several good friends. I had never really been interested in taking a class in drumming, but my friends said that “afoshè,” the rhythm that we would be working with, was really hot. So I went to a couple of classes and found myself not only learning the afoshè beginning drumming technique. By “coincidence,” we also learned a chant in this class; it was one to call up a certain goddess in the Yoruba faith. Guess who? So I ended up learning a song/chant and a rhythm that is traditionally used to invoke Yemayá in the rituals where the orishas “ride” the participants. I had to laugh; how obvious can you get!

I have been aware of Yemayá in many different ways; she speaks to me, and I am aware of her when I meditate sometimes. She is very loving and powerful, and I have an incredible affinity for her. She also has been very respectful of my personal space. In my own private personal magic, I do things that might be considered on the edge. Sometimes my ritual journeying involves extreme sensation, and one such evening, it involved piercing. I had very clear visions and awareness of Yemayá during this session, and it was also somehow associated with my Venezuelan Indian descent. I won’t go into great detail here, since it was quite personal, but suffice it to say that she comes to me very strongly sometimes. Along with working with Yemayá, I have become very conscious of the power of my own blood time and have incorporated this into my rituals as well.

I find it a little odd that I tend to do these things and then find out later that they are already in line with traditional practices. I guess I just do things backwards sometimes. Perhaps it is just as well to not second-guess myself. But nontheless, I am finally gathering written information about her and her traditions.

I am also going through the rite of formally choosing her as the goddess to which I am dedicated. On my altar, these days I have added a lovely statue of her, a new candle with her picture on it, her name and the term “La Diosa del Mar” (the Goddess of the Sea). I even have some Yemayá oil. I also have an amulet that my good friend made for me (the one who told me Yemayá’s name in the first place) that has many of the things sacred to her on it.

One of the most recent things I read called her the “Queen of the Ocean, First Mother of the World, Queen of Waters, owner of waters both sweet and sour. Mother of the children of the fishes, deliverer of her people.” It seems appropriate from this Piscean perspective.

I have since heard on more than one occasion that an orisha (which is what Yemayá is) tends to choose people, as opposed to people choosing the orisha. This certainly was true in my case. I didn’t know at the time I went into that store on Capitol Hill that I was going in to meet my goddess. And other than my actual experiences with her, nothing means as much to me as the original candles that I bought, when I didn’t know anything about her – just the feeling/thought that “Oh, that’s me, there I am.”

Meditation to Meet Your Fire Guide

Meditation to Meet Your Fire Guide

 

 

Create a simple altar with an orange cloth and a red candle. Use an amber- or wood-scented incense. Take several deep, cleansing breaths. Get comfortable. Focus on your breathing and close your eyes. Visualize the gateway to the elemental realm of fire. Make the gate as strong and elaborate as you wish. How does it open? Take several slow, deep breaths. See the gate open and walk through it. Everything is dark. Before you is a pathway illuminated with candles on each side. It is a broad, safe pathway. Begin to walk down it. Slowly stars become visible in the dark sky. Take a moment to appreciate the twinkling lights. Focus on the candle flames and note that no two candles are exactly alike. They dance in various colors on the tips of the candles. You feel warm, safe and happy. Focus on your breath. Further on down the path you see your elemental guide for the realm of fire. Approach him slowly and greet him warmly. Listen to what he has to say. When you have heard all you wish, thank him and then turn to go back up the path. As your approach the gateway you notice it is still open. Walk through it. Take several slow deep breaths and then open your eyes. Write down all you learned in your journal. Close your personal circle.

An Ancient Spell to Invoke The Protective Guardians of Your Home After Dark

In Iceland and part of Scandinavia it is still accepted that land and homes are protected at night by land wights, tall shadowy guardians who watch over boundaries and stand where roads or path meet, keeping away ill wishers, both earthly and paranormal. This belief was once upheld throughout northern and eastern Europe and Russia. In Iceland offerings are left for these spirits in field sacred to them. No one will build on this land. If you live in a place that is lonely or where vandalism often occurs after dark, try this spell. The spell will also protect against evening phone calls or visits from anyone who make you unhappy and perhaps pressurised you.

Items You Will Need

3 tall white candles; 3 candle-holders or a three candle holder in which the candles are at different heights, the tallest in the middle; a mirror (optional)

Timing

After dark whenever you feel your home needs protection.

The Spell

  • Place the candles in a row in a darkened room, facing an uncurtained window that does not have a street light directly  outside so that when you light the candles, you can see the flames reflected in the window. If you have no such windows place the candles before a mirror.

  • Light the candles one by one, for each candle saying: Be those the guardian  of my( or name the Person to whose house you are sending the protection) home. turn back the phantoms of the night, So all is till day remains as light.

  • Each candle now represents a guardian. Give each one a secret name. These may be for example, the names of angels or deities, or they may be names of your own making.

  • Blow out each candle in turn as you do so, naming the guardian and saying; Go peacefully (name) and in peace return.

  • Replace the candle regularly but keep the same names.

 

Life’s Like That

Life’s Like That

 

Hope that diffused in the hazy air
left me with no words, that I could say
system it is, that’s not so fair
leaving me alone, in an utter dismay

Startled to see that just “luck” prevails
proving luck is enough to lead the game
hardwork bewildered, seeing its losing trail
aspirations buried, to avoid the shame

futile it is, to ponder upon the ruling of fate
it’s no one, who deserves a blame
This is a mere unfortunate spate
A tiny bit, in the time’s frame.

Stood up to gather the courage that’s lost
as I know, misery cannot make me its bait
A door closes to open another one fast
proving persistence is my blessing trait!

Rocking in the chair, I think again
what went wrong , that I didn’t gain…
Truth is very simple and just so plain..
Pal…Move forward…..take no pain!!!!

— Copyright © 2007 Viji Mutupuru

Herb of the Day for May 20th is Borage

Herb of the Day

Borage

Folk Names:  Bugloss, Burrage, Herb of Gladness, Star Flower, Borak, Lisan selvi, Lesan-El-Tour

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Jupiter

Element:  Air

Powers:  Courage, Psychic Powers

Magickal Uses:  Carry the fresh blossoms to strengthen your courage, or place one in your buttonhole for protection when walking outdoors.

A tea of borage induced psychic powers.

Goofer Dust Spell (3) Candle

  1. Slice the top off a black pillar candle so that it is flat and will stand.

  2. Carve the bottom of the candle so the wick is exposed and may be lit, effectively reversing the candle

  3. Carve and dress the candle as you wish

  4. Place the candle on a plate covered with Goofer Dust and burn it, concentrating on your desires.

Candle Burning for Specific Intentions

Simply lighting a candle can be a magickal ritual unto  itself. You might like to burn a candle to help with any number of intentions, including but not limited to intentions regarding any of the following:

Banishing

Career

Creativity

Fame/Reputation

Focus

Health

Intuition/Psychic Abilities

Joy

Manifesting

Prosperity

Romance

Spirituality

Once you’ve chosen your intention, you’re ready to begin preparing for your candle ritual.

1.  Clarify

Write down your intention in one sentence, as if it’s already happened. For example, you might write “I am wealthy beyond my fondest dreams” or “I am vibrantly healthy in every way.”

2.  Select a Scent or Scents

Look at a list of oils and choose a scent or scents to help manifest your intention. Write down you selection.

3.  Select a Color

Here are some color ideas:

Black:  banishing, releasing, dissolving

Deep Blue:  intuition, psychic, abilities, success, harmony, peace

Green:  health, healing, wealth, heart opening

Lavender:  physical beauty, spirituality, harmony

Orange:  harmony, warmth, harvest, fruition, sexuality

Red:  passion, fame, strength, courage, success, vibrant health, victory, connection with the Earth.

Robin’s Egg Blue:  communication, joy, lightness, self-expression

Violet/Purple: spirituality, inner beauty, magick

White:  purity, protection, manifestation, healing

Yellow:  energy, clarity, joy, courage, personal power

4.  Obtain Your Candle

Choose or make a soy or other vegetable wax candle.

If you make it, color it and scent it with your chosen color and scent(s). If you purchase it, you can either find a candle with your chosen color and scent or just a candle with you chosen color. You can then anoint your candle with your chosen scents later.

As an alternative to getting a colored candle, you can get a white or off-white candle and place it in a colored glass jar or candleholder.

5.  Prepare Your Candle

Carve the words of your intention into the candle with a pencil, mail or something else that works. You can use the entire sentence or you can just choose a word that summarizes your intention, such as “romance,” “wealth,” “release,” or “health.” If you’re going to anoint your candle with essential oil, put a few (or more, according to your preference) drops of your chosen oil(s)in a carrier oil such as sunflower or olive oil. Then  lightly smooth this oil over the entire surface of the candle (except the bottom and the wick) with your fingers. Alternatively, use a paper towel to apply the oil if you’re not sure if the essential oils will irritate your skin.

6.  Empower Your Candle

Use one of the following two ways (a) hold it in both hands and visualize and/or feel your intended outcome as if it has already manifested, then mentally direct the energy generated by this visualization into the candle, or (b) use the three secrets empowerment.

7.  Light Your Candle

If you’re burning the candle to manifest something, burn it during the waxing moon. If you’re burning it to release or banish something, burn it during the waning moon. Once you extinguish it, you can just burn it casually whenever you’re home and feel like having some candlelight. Or, if you’d like to speed its magick, burn it whenever you’re home until it burns all the way down. Every time you light it, say a quick prayer or do a quick visualization of your intended outcome.

Lady A’s Spell for 5/11: Spell For Banishing and Needed Changes

SPELL FOR BANISHING AND NEEDED CHANGES


Instructions: Sit in a quiet place that is special to you.
Hold a white or cream candle in your hands and visualize the area of your life that this
candles energy is needed in. After you light this candle the energy will come to you.
It may come right away or when you lease expect it.
When you are ready recite the spell or use your own words of power.
This candle I see before me, its color so bright,
Holds my needs of change in its light.
I call in the forces higher than I
To release the energy that is held inside
May it work for me in the most correct way,
Harming none and helping all as it leaves my stay.
I call on thee in perfect trust and love sending me guidance from above.
This I make happen and so be it will.

Take away this thing that brings me ill.
So mote it be.3x3x3

Candle Magick 101 (continued)

Candle Magic 101

(continued)

8. When you dress a candle for magical use, imagine that it is a psychic magnet with a North and a South Pole. Rub the oil into the candle beginning at the top or North end and work downwards to the half-way point. Always brush the same direction downwards. This process is then repeated by beginning at the bottom or south end and working up to the middle.
9. The best type of oils to use for dressing a candle are natural ones which can be obtained quite easily. Some occult suppliers will provide candle magic oils with exotic names. If the magician does not want to use these, he can select soluble perfumes sold by craft shops for inclusion in candles can be recommended.
10. The candles you use can be colored in accordance with the following magical uses: white-spirituality and peace red-health, energy, strength, courage, sexual potency. pink-love affection and romance. yellow-intellectualism, imagination, memory and creativity green-fertility, abundance, good luck and harmony blue-inspiration, occult wisdom, protection and devotion purple-material wealth, higher psychic ability, spiritual power and idealism silver-clairvoyance, inspiration, astral energy and intuition orange-ambition, career matters and the law.
11. If you wanted to use candle magic for healing, you would select a red candle to burn. To pass an exam, burn a yellow candle, to gain esoteric knowledge burn a blue candle or for material gain, burn a purple one. Its is obvious these colors relate to the signs of the zodiac and the planetary forces.
12. The simplest form of candle magic is to write down the objective of your ritual on a virgin piece of paper. You can use color paper which matches the candle. Write your petition on the paper using a magical alphabet, such as Theban, Enochian, Walachian, etc. As you write down what you want to accomplish through candle magic–a new job, healing for a friend , a change of residence, a new love affair, etc.–visualize your dream coming true. Visualize the circumstances under which you employer telling you that your salary has been increased or conjure up a vision of your perfect love partner.
13. When you have completed writing down your petition, carefully fold up the paper in a deliberately show fashion. Place the end of the folded paper in the candle flame and set light to it. As you do this concentrate once more on what you want from life.
14. When you have completed your ritual, allow the candle to have completely burned away. you do not need to stay with the candle after the ritual, but make sure that it is safe and that red-hot was will not cause damage or fire. Never re-use a candle which has been lit in any magical ritual. It should be only be used in that ritual and then allowed to burn away or be disposed of afterwards.
15. If you are conducting a magical ritual which involves two people {e.g. an absent healing for a person some distance away} then the second person can be symbolically represented during the ritual by another candle. All you need to do is find out the subject’s birth date and burn the appropriate candle for that zodiacal sign. If you can, also write their name in the candle with a burning tool and if possible, create an empathic link, if possible with a picture, some hair, a finger nail etc. Also, if you can, get a candle the appropriate shape (male/female) or inscribe a female sign – d or a male sign – e. If you want, you can inscribe all this below the candle. Remember, to dress a candle, dress from the middle to the top, then from the middle to the bottom.
The zodiacal correspondences are as follows:

Aries Red
Taurus Green
Gemini Yellow
Cancer Silver
Leo Orange
Virgo Yellow
Libra Pink
Scorpio Red
Sagittarius Purple
Capricorn Black
Aquarius Blue
Pisces Mauve

Dressing Candles:

Dressing Candles

Dressing the candle with oil is as important as any other step. Use whatever oil you prefer or what a specific spell asks you to use. Personally, I use lotus a lot… but again that is my preference. what is important is the direction you dress the candle. To bring something to you, rub oil on the candle in a downward motion from the top to the middle and then from the bottom to the middle.
To send something away from you…you rub the oil from the middle of the candle out to the ends. Never make a back and forth motion as this defeats the purpose. Dab the remaining oil from your fingers onto your third eye and on your breast bone. Then say the following:

“I cleanse and consecrate this candle in the name of the Lord and the Lady. May it burn with strength in the service of the light.”

Then state your intent or the purpose of the candle.
Inscribing:
If you inscribe a candle you should use your Athame. The same principle as dressing the candle is used…
To draw something to you, write from the top to the middle, and then from the bottom to the middle.
To repel things, write from the middle to the ends.

Cleansing Your Candles

Cleansing Your Candles

This is a very important step and should not be omitted. Cleansing removes all the negative energies that the candle has picked up along the way. As with all supplies you want your candles to to be as free of psychic debris as possible. Submerge the candle in sea salt and the ask The Lord and lady to bless it. I could give you the phrasing but I think it is better when it comes from your own heart.

Your Candle Altar

Your Candle Altar

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

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

Preparing of the Practitioner:
Prior to your spell working prepare yourself a nice relaxing bath. Add a hand full of sea salt to get your charges set where they need to be. Light a few candles, turn off the light and relax. Clear your mind of the junk you have picked up through out the day. Visualize the water washing all the negativity away from you. It is very important that your mind be at ease and clear prior to any spell working.

Types of candles:
Any type of candle can be used for candle magic as long as it has been cleansed and consecrated prior to use. Although beeswax candles are higher in price than store bought candles, they are more powerful because they are produced from nature. As with any other tool, the candle made by the practitioner for a specific purpose captures the energy of the practitioner. Many experienced Witches will use only candles they have crafted themselves because of this.

7 Ways to Make Your Living Space Smell Nice

7 Ways to Make Your Living Space Smell Nice

posted by Megan, selected from Intent.com
 

Rather than spraying chemical-laden air fresheners, choose one of these seven natural ways to make your living space smell a little nicer.

1. Invest in houseplants. Have your favorite plants and herbs growing in your kitchen, living room and bathroom in small pots. The presence of green plants will help reduce indoor air pollution and keep clean air circulating in your space.

2. Save your citrus fruit skins. Save the peels of oranges, lemons, limes and other citrus- fruits. You can place them in boiling water to have a fresh scent in the kitchen, or run them in your garbage disposal with boiling water. Lastly, put some citrus skins in your vacuum bag the next time you vacuum your carpet.

3. Dilute essential oil with water in a spray bottle. You can spray your furniture and carpet to make the whole room smell a specific scent. To diversify, you can have different scents for different areas of your home. For example: lavender for the living room, sandalwood for your bedroom and peppermint for the bathroom.

4. Place bowls of white vinegar in corners of the room. The vinegar will neutralize and absorb any offending odors.

5. Place fabric softener in your shoes and closet. It will take away any stale clothing smells. For another closet air freshener, place a cedar block at the bottom of your closet. Use sandpaper for a new layer once a year.

6. Light soy candles instead of regular candles. Soy candles are longer-lasting, better for the environment and have a more robust smell. (They are also safer than carcinogen-emitting candles.)

7. Bake bread or cook your own meals. Few things are as welcoming as the smell of freshly baked bread or the herbs of a home-cooked dinner.

Ideas for the Witch’s Altar

Ideas for the Witch’s Altar
 
Dresser, nightstand, or bureau in your room.
A flat piece of stone that is portable.
A skateboard.
Empty closet.
Desk drawer (not recommended for burning candles).

Cinderblocks.

Steppingstone (can be purchased at a garden store, or you can make one yourself from material purchased at a craft store).
 
Bookshelf (not recommended for burning candles–even though you think the flame is far enough away from the next shelf, it will warp and eventually burn the shelf above.)
 
Top of a filing cabinet.
 
A large mirror.
 
A cookie sheet.
 
A serving tray.
 
A camping tripod, sold in most camping sections of large department stores. It should be noted that these can wobble.
 
An old steamer trunk or other trunk with shelves from an antique store or flea market. (Be careful of open candle flames and take appropriate precautious.)
 
A window sill (however, don’t put burning candles there).

In your imagination. Some people scoff at this, but there are people who are not permitted to have altars for a variety of reasons. Perhaps your parents or spouse are aftaid that you’re religiously going down the tubes and have put their foot down on the issue of an altar. College students, due tol iving conditions, may not be allowed to have an altar. Individuals in the military service at boot campe can’t have on either Maybe you are visiting Grandma for the summer and you know that she’ll find the idea an altar offensive. If your family goes on an exxtended vacation, where luggage is a factor. Mon and DAy might not be too happy if you bring a twenty-ton suitcase with all your altar stuff, even though they don’t mind your altar at home. Learning to build an altar in your imagination helps you to enhances your visualization sklls. You really never know when you might need those mental powers.