Tag: Magick

Living Life As The Witch – Stirring The Pot

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments

Stirring The Pot

It never fails to amaze me just how many cooking related things we do in the kitchen that we simply take for granted. We don’t know where they came from or why we do them. There’s certainly no thought at all to their magickal significance. And yet, we know that most every action has at least one.

Take adding grains of rice to our salt shakers, for example. While the rice does, indeed, absorb moisture and keep the salt from crystallizing, there’s more to it than that. For one thing, it’s said that dry salt bring good fortune—since it wards off evil, that makes perfect sense—but that damp salt is an omen of death in the family. Add that to the fact that the magickal properties of rice vibrate to abundant blessings, and you have a veritable good luck spell on your hands.

There’s also the fact that we add salt to water we plan to boil. Although most of us think it’s a simple matter of bringing water to a boil more quickly, there’s more to it than that. In ancient times, it was added as an offering to the Gods, so They’d bless the contents of the pot and prevent good fortune from escaping with the steam.

That brings us to stirring the pot. And whether right-handed or left-handed, whether working in a circular motion or a figure eight, it’s something that everyone involuntarily handles in the same fashion: We all stir clockwise. How does this happen? Well, it’s just one of those interesting human phenomena—a phenomenon with a basis in magick. When we stir clockwise, we emulate the movement of the Sun. And in doing so, we reap His blessings—general gain and success, health, wealth, good luck, etc.—-not only upon the food we’re preparing but upon all those who partake of it.

However, if we choose to stir the pot in a counter-clockwise motion—and this will take some doing as stirring in the other direction is completely automatic—it drastically changes the energies contained within the food. Need proof? When a pot is about to boil over, just point at it, move your finger clockwise around the outside perimeter, and see what happens. The level of the contents lowers in the pot and there’s no need to turn down the heat. That’s because you’ve changed the vibrational energy of the substance. And it’s precisely this type of energy that you’ll want to accumulate when working extremely manipulative magick and build upon while visualizing your intent.

One more thing: If you’re going to use food to accomplish your magickal goals, be absolutely certain that you name your target during preparation. Why? Because you’ll want to prevent the magick within the food from affecting you or someone else. In fact, it’s a good idea to take things a step further and charge any prepared food with a food incantation.  This is one case where it truly is better to be safe than sorry!

 

Reference:

Utterly Wicked
Curses, Hexes or Other Unsavory Notions
by Dorothy Morrison

One More Magickal Spell for My Dear Friends – Revive Your Magickal Powers

witch11

Revive Your Magickal Powers

On the night of the full moon, anoint a purple candle with vanilla
oil. while annointing, raise energy and focus it into the candle. See
it glow with magick. Light the candle and go outside (if possible) or
near a window where you can see the moon. Place the candle on the
ground or windowsill. Reach your arms out to the moon and say:

I ask for your power on this night,
By the powers of the stars above me,
So shall it be

Visualize your arms and hands soaking up the powers of the moon and into your body. Put out the candle and leave it on your altar
overnight. The next morning, repeat the spell with this chant.

Oh dear Lord of sky and seaa,
Lead your magick unto me,
By soil, wind, flame, and sea,
This is my will, so mote it be.

Soak up the powers of the sun. Go to your altar and light the purplle
candle from the night before and meditate on it until it burns out.

Raising Magickal Power

Raising Magickal Power

by Harley Hashman

Webster’s dictionary defines power as “…the ability to do or act…” or as “…strength or energy…”. Some might say that magick and power are synonymous; after all, magick without any power is nothing at all. I think Crowley’s definition of magick is perhaps the best of all (despite what you might think of the man himself) – magick is the ability to compel change to occur in conformity with the will. Therefore power is the level of this conformity which your magick achieves.

What are some of the means of raising and increasing magickal power? I have thought long and hard on this question. There are several principles which will aid the magician in the raising of energy. There is conservation, timing, visualization, emotion, will, the use of deities, and physical conditioning.

The first principle is simply conservation. If you expend energy that might be saved and employed in magickal workings, you won’t have much potency left. I myself have a terrible temper at times and might burn off a great deal of energy cursing at that chair that leapt across my path and made me stub my toe – or that ferret that just splattered chocolate pudding all over my book of shadows, after yanking all of the bristles from my witch’s broom and scattering them all over my living room rug. Some of us might waste energy in needless worrying.

Other emotions which may be destructive to magickal workings are jealousy, rancor, envy, self-pity, and depression. Emotions arise from thought, not perception – we process our perceptions of the world and then generate these feelings. Our internal dialogue reinforces our emotional responses to the world. If we practice clearing our heads of habitual thought patterns, we can minimize this source of waste. Should we find ourselves about to waste power in useless emotional habits, about to agitate ourselves needlessly, we can enter into a state of mental silence or try to divert the course of our mental dialogue.

Some habits may lead to the consumption of our energy, including smoking, alcoholism, arguing, oversleeping, judging others or excessive criticism, complaining or whining, and self-importance. I have met many witches, sorcerers, and magicians who practice such habits (self-importance being epidemic); that badly compromises not only their ability to focus power but how other practitioners view them. An important principle of all magickal practice is self-knowledge. It is much more difficult to raise significant amounts of power without this understanding, as we can then be trapped in mental patterns that deplete our resources without the tools to break free.

Timing of magickal workings is also important. The use of lunar cycles is commonplace. Typically constructive magick, which includes such workings as spells for love, wealth, health, and protection, are done during the waxing of the moon and destructive magick, which would include binding spells, are done during the waning phases.

Why? The moon is just a vast rock in space. It has to do in part with the effect the moon cycle has on biological rhythms; the menstrual cycle is just one such rhythm that naturally coincides with the 28-day lunar orbit. Called in some Wiccan circles the Blood of the Moon, the female cycle is a source of perceptual change for that sex. For many of the species on this planet, key biological rhythms are linked to the lunar cycles. It is widely believed that during a full moon, all the “crazies” come out and this is borne out by statistics generated by police records.

Another more important key to the value of lunar timing is simply that many witches include Lunar Goddesses such as Diana and Selena in their pantheons; therefore the moon is quite important to their practices.

Visualization is another component I believe to be vital to the focusing of magickal power. It is simply the ability to form mental images of people or objects. Visualization works with emotion to raise power in the first place through one’s emotional response to an image. If one were trying to bind an enemy, for example, it is important to construct a mental image of the despicable character to be bound. This acts as a lens to focus the energies on the desired target. If the image is weak or shaky the power of the spell may be also.

I have said that some emotions can restrict the flow and raising of power. Yet without emotion, the power itself cannot be stirred up. Magick works when emotion is combined with visualization and will to produce a noticeable effect. If one does not feel strongly about a working then it may be that little or no energy can be raised. I feel the key is to isolate the feeling that is best for the working at hand and not allow other emotions to divert or interrupt the spell. Magick usually requires the use of will, a single-minded determination or attitude, combined with the fury of an emotional maelstrom. A limp, half-assed attempt is a waste of time. As Yoda said, “…Do or do not. There is no ‘try’.” And he is just a muppet with Frank Oz’s hand up his arse!

The use of deities is critical to many magickal workings. In shamanism it is the use of spirit guides or allies that grants the sorcerer a gift of power. In ceremonial magic it is the evocation of preternatural entities like those listed in the Goetia. In Wicca it is the invocation or evocation of the Fey or elementals or various gods or goddesses. In each case a being whose power is much superior to any mortals donates some of that ability, if only temporarily, to a given working or quest for knowledge. Here again it is the visualization of the entities in question combined with emotion, will and timing, that makes the transference of energies possible.

Lastly, physical condition is important to magickal workings. If one is so ill that you cannot get out of bed or your legs have recently been broken by a rampant wildebeest then your energies will be largely diverted towards healing and it would be ill-advised for you to try any magickal workings. Many practitioners, myself included, are out of shape physically and this may rob us of our maximum potential. If you are panting and out of breath after small exertions then how can you be expected to have any energy in your magick?

To raise power for magick one should practice magick – a muscle gets stronger with use. Regular magickal exercise whether alone or in a group will increase your abilities tremendously. If you are an arm-chair witch you may have the knowledge of magick but not the power to make it go.

Life As The Witch – Kitchen Alchemy

Kitchen Alchemy

 

Kitchen alchemy is really a very simple form of magickal work: it doesn’t require circle casting or the invocation of elements, and you don’t even need to use a spell for most basic everyday dishes. (You may want to use one of the truly important occasions, like having your boss to dinner or the first meal you cook for a new lover, but that’s up to you.)

Like all magick, kitchen alchemy is primarily a matter of intent, focus, and will. You start by choosing your intention–increasing prosperity, for instance, or creating an atmosphere of love and peace in your home. Then, as you are cooking, you add the magickal ingredients you have chosen to use while focusing on your intention and directing your will into the dish. As with other magickal workings, the more intent, focus, and will you bring to your food preparation, the more effective your kitchen alchemy will be.

Almost everything in your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets has some magickal association. Here are a few of the most common and easiest to integrate into everyday meals. These associations are based primarily on “Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen”– if you only get one resource. I highly recommend this one. But different sources gives various other associations; always follow your own internal wisdom when it come to witchcraft.

Apple:  love, health, peace

Basil:  love, protection, prosperity

Beans:  prosperity, sexuality

Black pepper:  protection, purification

Cayenne pepper:  energy, creativity

Chocolate:  love, prosperity

Cinnamon:  love, psychic awareness, prosperity

Coffee:  conscious mind, physical energy

Dill:  conscious mind, prosperity, weight loss, love

Garlic:  protection, health

Ginger:  love, prosperity

Lemon:  love, happiness, purification

Milk:  love, spirituality

Olives:  health, peace, sexuality, spirituality

Parsley:  prosperity, protection, sexuality

Peppermint:  healing, purification, sexuality

Pomegranate:  creativity, fertility, prosperity

Potato:  protection

Rosemary:  conscious mind, healing, love, protection

Sage: health, protection

Salt:  grounding, protection

Spinach:  prosperity

Sugar/honey/maple syrup:  love, prosperity

Thyme:  love, psychic ability, purification

Tomato: health, love, prosperity, protection

Vanilla: love, sexuality

Reference:

Simple Kitchen Alchemy
By Deborah Blake
Llewellyn’s 2012 The Magical Companion

More Dream Catcher Comments

Love and the Use Of Magick

Love and the Use Of Magick

Author:   Gentle Deer Lion Tamer 

In this rambling, I will talk about the ever-present topic of Love Spells and also offer some guidance on the use of any spell, ritual or potion for manipulative purposes. By manipulative purposes, I am referring to a working where the object of said working is not aware it is being done, nor has he or she consented to such a working.

Of course this is only my opinion and it is not intended to embarrass anyone. These are simply my thoughts on a subject that gets batted around quite frequently, so take it for what is worth. From the mail I receive from those who have made or seen these mistakes happen, I’m confident the majority who are experienced in this path shares them.

The primary question one must consider before undertaking any ritual working, especially where Love Magick is concerned is, “Is This Working Consistent With The Basic Tenant of HARM NONE as expressed in The Rede.”

Upon asking yourself the following two questions, you can effectively analyze the reasons to either justify or dismiss the working.

1. What is my intent in performing this work?
2. Is this spell or ritual influenced by anger; hatred; lust; greed; jealousy or envy?

If your answer to question number 1 is found within question number 2, then as a Wiccan and follower of the Light Path, you must abandon this spell or ritual because it will not be consistent with the Rede.

Likewise, if question 1 is answered by question 2 and you continue, you can no longer rightfully call yourself Wiccan. A True Wiccan will not use manipulative magick to negatively influence another for his/her own personal interests.

The whole purpose of following this path is to live in harmony and balance with the natural rhythms of life, not to manipulate them to suit a selfish goal. At this point, you need to refer to yourself as a follower of the Dark Path since manipulative magick for personal gain without consideration of the outcome falls within that realm…

Harsh Words? You Bet…

Does It Make You Uncomfortable?

Good…

By undertaking such an action without the consent or approval of another, you are clearly disregarding the Rede and using your gifts for purely selfish reasons. Therefore, you are setting forces in motion that will ultimately have negative impact in one way or another and you are practicing Dark Magick.

You must remember that once you create and release this energy as a thought form, it will acquire life, form and substance. It will run it’s course, and the final outcome through the laws of cause and effect may not be what you wanted. The potential for great harm to both yourself and others are clearly evident in such a working. This is especially clear when you consider that you will eventually need to absorb this energy back into yourself after it has ruined your life and the lives of who knows how many others…

Let’s Look At a Potential Outcome of Such a Working for a Moment…

You create a Love Spell, focus your energy and release it toward your victim. I use the word victim because that is what you have just made this person if they are unaware of your work and have not given their consent.

Through the laws of magick, your victim begins to fall hopelessly in love with you or the person you performed this spell for. So much so that they become increasingly dependent as time passes. They can no longer function without your presence and guidance. You cannot get a moments peace because they constantly have to be with you. You can no longer function at work because they are calling every ten minutes. They become increasingly jealous, possessive and suspicious because they cannot have all of your time. The list of undesirable effects could go on and on and can become more than a little frightening.

Ultimately, you must ask yourself the following questions. Would “you” want someone doing this to you, and if you truly cared for someone, how could you risk doing something like this to them? In my humble opinion, it does not show a very high regard or respect for others or yourself and the decision on whether or not to proceed is clear.

I caution you that non-consensual Love Magic is a double-edged sword and borders on the manipulation of another human being against their “Free Will”. It is also dangerously close to Psychic Rape and is considered highly unethical by most who practice the Craft.

I hope this has given those who have considered using such practices food for thought. While all may not share my opinion, it illustrates the need to consider all potential outcomes before focusing and releasing a spell.

A Better Solution

A friend who wishes to be known as “Betty” writes this:

A couple of years ago, I was single again after the demise of a long marriage. I was lonely, and hoping I would not spend the rest of my life alone. I had decided to ask the Goddess for help, using my own energies and powers. So, not wanting another not-so-good marriage, I was asking for what qualities in a person I wanted, and asked to be -SENT- someone rather than just find someone. I went outside and performed a ritual under the full moon, by myself. I asked that I be sent -THE RIGHT- person, with no particular idea of who that person would be, or any specific qualities about that person. From my previous marriage, I knew that it was important to me that the person share important things in my life, including my religion, at least in a basic sense.

Well, in a couple of days, I met a new person online. I thought we were writing about our shared interest in folk music. Then, after a little while, first he, then I, admitted that there was more interest than that. One thing led to another there, he came to visit me. He told me that he too, had been doing a simple ritual during that same full moon: Lighting candles, and asking Goddess, “Please Mother, send me someone to love so I don’t spend my life alone”. He ended up staying and sending for his things, and we were later married.

This is a better solution than asking for a specific thing, in a specific way, or especially from a specific person. For one thing, the issue of manipulation completely went away. Instead, the person who was sent was also asking for someone to love, through his own ritual. We did not know each other when we did these rituals.

For another thing, we were both asking for a “right person” for us. In both of our cases, sure, other people (former spouses) believed that we were not “the right person”. We probably weren’t for them. For each other, we may well be. Neither of us is perfect, no one is a “perfect partner” for everyone.

We have always been amused that we were doing these rituals with similar intent, although the specifics of the operation of the rituals were very different at the same time, for the same purpose. Perhaps Goddess runs a “cosmic switchboard” of sorts. When She gets various requests, She just introduces people on some criteria – kind of like a dating service with ALL of the information.

Dream Oil (Air Magick)

Dream Oil

(Air Magick)

Rosemary

Bay leaves

4 drops spearmint extract

Almond base oil

3 Marigold petals

A few moonstone chips

Crush together equal amounts of rosemary and bay leaves. Add four drops of spearmint extract and blend into an almond base oil. Add three marigold petals and a few moonstone chips. Allow the oil to settle for thirty days in a dark place before use. Anoint pulse points or pillow. This oil promotes dreaming and helps you remember your dreams.

Life As The Witch – Personal Will

Witchy Comments


The Witch & Personal Will

 

Personal will can also be thought of as motivation, temptation, or persuasion. In order to establish enough power to accomplish your goal, you must be sufficiently moved to perform a work of magick. If you do not focus fully on the results, or if you invest only a small amount of energy in your desire, you are unlikely to realize any true results. The stronger your need or desire is the more likely it is that you will raise the amount of energy required to manifest what you seek. However, desire or need is not enough by itself. Bear in mind that desire must be controlled, and the will must be focused only upon a detached view of the desired outcome of your spell or magickal rite. Enflame your mind in the intent while at the same time separating yourself from the desired result. In other words, run the race mindful of the finish line but totally focused on the pace.

Life As The Witch – Water Magick for Winter

Witchy Comments=~Magickal Graphics~

Water Magick for Winter

 

A new cycle of time begins. The cold deepens and want is transformed into its solid states–snow and ice. Winter has been  a period of wonder and questioning since first woman and man walked our planet. And why not? To our early ancestors, the appearance of snow and ice must have been magickal. In cold climates, snow and ice still create a feeling of magick and mystery. Water magick for winter should deal with transformation, getting rid of negativity, and healing. If you live in warm climates, substitute crushed ice for snow to perform the following rituals.

To transform a difficult situation into a positive on, write the problem on a piece of paper and place it in a bowl. On top place some fresh clean snow and  a drop of honey. Let the snow melt. Pour the melted snow down the drain and discard the paper.

To rid yourself of any habit or problem, try this. Write the problem on a piece of paper and rub the paper with cool ashes or soot. Crumple the paper, go outside, and make a snowball with the paper in the center. Place the snowball on the ground. If possible, trace a circle around the snowball using an icicle, crush the snowball with your foot, and then walk away.

Winter water magick doesn’t mean you only need to use snow or ice. This is also a good time to take a healing bath. Run a warm bath and use your favorite bubble bath. As the water is running, pour in a quarter cup of orange flower water. Orange flower water is a fragrant water made by distilling water through orange flower petals.

You may purchase bottles of it at Middle Eastern food stores, or at a health food stores. The scent of your bath should be heavenly, and the orange fragrance should give you a sense of well-being. Immerse yourself in this healing bath. Feel all tension and stress leaving your body.

Our urge to enjoy the wonders and magick of water is as ancient as the human race. Water is always the same, but forever changing. The water you see today in a river will be different tomorrow, because water is always flowing, always moving. And, water magick is our to enjoy at anytime of the year.

Excerpt from:

“Four Seasons of Water Magic”
By James Kambos
Llewellyn’s 2012 Magical Almanac

Life As The Witch – Using Imagery In Your Magick

Witchy Comments~Magickal Graphics~

Life As The Witch

The Use of Imagery In Your Magick

The success of any work you may do depends on images created by the mind.

This is where the imagination enters into the formula. Anything that serves to intensify the emotions will contribute to success of your spell working. Any drawing, statue, photo, scent, article of clothing, sound, or situation that helps to merge you with your desire will greatly add to your success. Imagery is a constant reminder of what you wish to attract or accomplish. It acts as a homing device in its role as a representation of the object, person or situation for which the spell is intended. Imagery can be shaped and directed all according to the will of the Practitioner without detracting from focusing the mind on the spell’s intent. This becomes the pattern or formula that leads to realization of desire. Surround yourself with images you desire and you will resonate the vibrations that will attract the thing you desire.

Discover Your Magickal Enemy Spell

Discover Your Magickal Enemy Spell

 

Components:

Yellow candle, Ivy

 

Instructions:

If you feel someone is plotting magick harm again you, in the form of a hex, a curse or some other negative magick, get a yellow candle and charge it with your goal of discovering your enemy. This can be done by visualizing your goal in the form of energy entering into the candle. Wrap some ivy around the candle while saying:

“Harm you have show, out of spite. Your be known, by the candle’s light.”

Burn the candle and the identity of your enemy will be made known in a dream.

By Ghost Writer

Elemental Magick

Elemental Magick

Elementals are the forces behind each act of creation and destruction. They conduct the life force through nature. Each of the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water) is manifest through the essences of the individual elements. They translate the blueprints of the nature devas into the actual flowers, trees or crystals. Elementals give the seeds the power to grow and the energy to flourish as mature trees. They continue to energize the cycle of growth, maturity and decay through the scattering of new seeds until the eventual bark decays, the tree dies and is replaced; in the case of a Yew tree this can take up to two thousand years.

Elementals don’t exist permanently as separate entities from their elements. Nor do they have distinct species or personal characteristics in the same way as for example a gnome, the archetypal earth nature spirit, does. However, they can appear as wavy, flickering, flame-like figures, as swirling shimmers of water rising from a waterfall, as darting flashes of light in the air or as a wispy mist rising over the land. People fleeing from forest fires have described how animated flames seem to curl like huge fingers to snatch at them.

When an elemental has finished its task, which could last from a few minutes to a thousand years or more, they return to their own element in  undifferentiated form. They can change size and appearance while they are animated, but remain as part of the same element. What is more they cannot after the first creation brought the elements into being, be created or destroyed.

The elemental beings are, therefore, the bridge of power between the material and spiritual plane.

Today’s Magick: A Simple, But Effective, Ritual for Easing Pain

Book & Candle Comments

 A Simple Magical Ritual To Ease Your Pain

This ritual may help ease your pain. Take a walk. As you walk, look for an ordinary stone that appeals to you. Place this stone on your altar. As you meditate about your day, hold this stone. Visualize all your pain entering the stone.

When the day comes that you feel your life is returning to normal, you may get rid of your stone. To do this, go out to a favorite spot, perhaps where you found your stone. Thank the stone, leave it. Keep walking and don’t look back.

Excerpt from:

The Sun Also Rises:
Dealing with Grief
James Kambos

~Magickal Graphics~

Magickal Hours of the Day

Magickal Hours of the Day

 

As analogy of how the hours of the day influence magick can be drawn to a day in the life of a flower.With the first rays of sunshine, the flower begins to open. The, it fully opens, and stays open until closing again at dusk. The flower quietly sleeps, yet it still continue to grow and develop all through the night, until the dawn comes once again.

Magickal timing by the hour of the day follows the flower pattern. Although some of us are morning people, while others are night owls, you will discover that there are certain times during the day and night that you do your most successful magick. Pay attention to you own natural rhythms, and honor them, choosing the times when you have the most energy for magick making. The following is correspondences for the daily timing of potions and spells.

Dawn

A time of renewal, rebirth, new ideas dawning, new beginnings, and consecration. Over the centuries, people have collected the dew on the grass and plants at dawn to use as a magick love potion.

Morning

This is a good time for setting patterns in play for preparing potions, and casting spells for attaining goals. The day’s light is growing strong and your magick grows accordingly. Mid-morning is a good time to harvest flowers.

Noon

The solar energy is most powerful at high noon, and there is a tremendous amount of energy for magick making. Noon is also a good time to gather flowers for magickal uses.

Afternoon

This is a time of harvesting magickal goals. The heat of the afternoon sun is a good time for harvesting herbs for potions.

Dusk

A powerful junction point between solar and lunar energies, dusk is the time when the portals to all worlds are thrown open and you can freely enter them. This is a very potent time for any magick making because the portals are open and communication with Divine energies is particularly strong.

Dark of Night

The lunar and stellar energies are strongest at night. Throughout history, witches have always cast their spells under the cloak of night. This is also a good time to map out magickal potions and spells.

Midnight

Traditionally called “the witching hour,” midnight is a good time to let go of old habits or negative relationships and banish negativity from your life. This is also the time for updating your life patterns and practicing dream magick.

The Hour Before Dawn

This is the time of the Otherworld of fairies and when many predators hunt. It is a good time to stay indoors.

 

How Powerful Is Your Mind, Really

Witchy Comments

How Powerful Is Your Mind, Really

Our minds are extremely powerful, we sometimes forget how important that is for our magick to work. Without the proper will of mind, or faith – no matter how many herbs or spells, stones, rituals or prayers you use – your ability to raise magickal energy will be limited. We need good solid faith to manifest healthy balance, gain and success in all things in our lives. Our faith comes from ‘knowing’ as opposed to wishing or hoping. We must know that we are directing energy into the Universe and know that it will create change. Without this, a spell is just words.

~Magickal Graphics~