Wishing You A Very Beautiful & Blessed Wednesday!

Days Of The Week Comments
It is a beautiful day here. The sun is finally shining and I woke up again feeling like a human. Yahoo! I don’t know if I have mentioned it or not but here goes…..I don’t talk much about myself personally. My experiences and life tales, yes. But me, personally no. I have a reason for posting this late every day. I get up around 7:00 a.m. I always think, “yes, I am going to get on that computer and get everything done early, surprise them all.” Then I take my morning medication and it knocks me back out. You see I take a handful of medication every morning and it is for my back. I have a three level fusion in my back. In case you don’t know, a fusion is where they take all your remaining discs out and replace them with rods, screws, cages (all metal). Then they take a bone mixture and spread over the top of all that mess and make the fusion hold. I guess I was an experiment. When they did the three level fusion, they told me I had a 90% chance it wouldn’t hold. Thank the Goddess I was in the 10% that the fusion held. I had already had one back surgery and it was a total screw up. So the second was to repair the first. I was in surgery 14 hours, when I came out I looked like I had been in a car wreck. I got to come home in three days. I remember the pain from that surgery and it was indescribable. Pain I had never experienced before in my life. I remember crying out for pain to leave my body. I found the strength to get up and start moving. I called my neurologist and told him what kind of surgery I had done. He adjusted my medicine. The pain was leaving my body. After I got on my new medicine and with the fusion, I am now pain-free. I don’t tell you this because I want your pity or for you to think I am half a human. If you was to see me on the street, you could never tell I had anything wrong with me. Thanks to an excellent surgeon and a fabulous neurologist, I know feel like a human. So you see when I say, “I feel like a human, YES!” It is definitely a good thing, lol! 

 Before we get started today, I want to share something else with you. I don’t know how many of you read the post I made the other night. The one entitled “On a very serious note.” We have had some very weird crap going on around here. The familiars were acting very strange. The one that picks up on spirits and other worldly things that might appear, has been going absolutely nuts. I have had these super bad vibes and in the corner of my eye, I had seen something moving very quickly. This morning I was sitting in the floor and about half in and half out of a meditative state. I just happened to look up and I saw a swoosh of a very small ghostly image moving into the bedroom at the far end of the house. I got a good enough look at it that I knew exactly what it was, it was a small, evil, little demon. Yes, you heard right, a small demon. You see in the old group I use to have, I told you there was a mixture of all kinds of Practitioners. Some of them would send demons after others just for the fun of it. Some fun, huh! But there was a time, I had two members that did nothing but send one demon right after another after the other one. They were vicious in their demon choices. They never bothered me because they knew better. Now I have this little demon show up in my house (I admit with the Yule season, I have been lax on warding and blessing the way I should). The demon wasn’t an evil demon just a mischievous one. And needless to say, I believe it was a calling card from one of those old witches that called me friend. Ha, with friends like those who needs enemies. I would imagine this is her way of letting me know she has found me on the internet again and saying “hello, old friend!” Anyway, after seeing what room the demon went in, I went to the kitchen and grabbed what I could quickly. With my emergency supplies I went to the bedroom and started drawing my line across the doorway and then worked my way around the room. I wanted to contain the demon in the room. I didn’t want it escaping to another part of the house. Next step to banish him from the house, QUICKLY! I did banish him and in the process of banishing him, I also sent a message back to the sender. I was very anger, upset and down right pissed. The nerve of anyone invading my home, just for the fun of it. Now that a cooler head is prevailing, I probably sent the sender too strong of a message. But I don’t play with demons and I don’t want them around me. What even strikes me stranger is that all this happens after the post I had. Definitely makes me think it is one of my old “friends” from the group. I guess they think I have grown soft in my old age (remember I am not that old). Also in the group, I had a bunch of witches that protected me. Why I don’t know? I kept telling them it was totally unnecessary, I could take care of myself. And believe me you, I can. But do you see my point now about the Dark Arts, the hexes, and the curses. I don’t practice the Dark Arts. I was sitting at home minding my own business and out of the clear blue a demon appears. What do you think would have happened if I hadn’t studied the Dark Arts? What would have happened if I didn’t know how to defend myself? You see in the world of magick, you never know what is going to happen. NEVER!. So it is best to arm yourself with everything you can. Because believe me now, you never know what is going to happen.  

Now on to the Magick…….  

 

Wednesday

Magickal Intentions: Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear,Loss, Travel and Money Matters

Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea

Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)

Sign: Virgo

Angel: Raphael

Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and Violet

Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavendar, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle

Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite

Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalytus, Lavender

This day is governed by Mercury. Wednesday’s vibration adds power to rituals involving inspiration, communications, writers, poets, the written and spoken word, and all matters of study, learning, and teaching. This day also provides a good time to begin efforts involving self-improvement or understanding.

 

Spellcrafting of the Day

 

BANISHING AND CLEANSING RITUAL

 

Point your Athame at the sky, and then at the earth. Then pointing Athame horizontally
either spin 360 or walk around the perimeter with the Athame held out in a threatening manner.

“Spirits of evil, Unfriendly beings
Unwanted guests, Be gone!
Leave us leave this place, leave this Circle,
that the Goddess and the God may enter.
Go, or be cast into the outer darkness!
Go, or be drowned in the watery abyss!
Go, or be burned in the flames!
Go, of be torn by the whirlwind!
By the power of the Mother and the Horned One
We banish you! We banish you! We banish you!”

 

Sprinkle the perimeter with salt and water.

 
Magickal Graphics

Ritual to Cause Pain to One Who Has Made You Suffer

Ritual to Cause Pain to One Who Has Made You Suffer

This ritual is designed to get revenge on someone who has caused you emotional pain,
for example if the person you love abandons you and it transpires that they were merely using
you, then this would be perfect. The amount of suffering this causes the victim is largely
proportional to the amount of pain and hurt they gave you. It involves re-living all the sadness
that your victim has caused you and magickally returning it to them.
The usual riders apply to this ritual. Don’t try it on anyone who you still love in any way,
otherwise you might end up with a load of guilt and backlash on top of everything else.
Performing the ritual is also quite a traumatic experience for yourself.
Now, on to the ritual.
Gather a few small object links to your victim. A photograph, something they written, a copy
of their signature or personal sigil, etc. You then have to visualize and re-live the pain your
victim has caused you. The sadness you felt at being abandoned. The sense of betrayal.
Everything. Feel it welling up inside you, then project it at the links.
You can then culminate the ritual in a way you that you think would send it to you’re victim.
Some people would destroy the charged links, some people would just visualize the negative
energy extending to the victim via the links and keep them somewhere where they are unlikely
to run across them, while others would plant them in the victim’s home. I favor planting the
charged links at the back the victim’s drawers of personal or magickal items, myself.

Ritual for Healing a Relationship

Ritual for Healing a Relationship

Adapted from The Essence of Incense, by Diana Rosen (Storey Books, 2001).Life is as fleeting as a rainbow. A flash of lightning, a star at dawn. Knowing this, how can you quarrel?
–Buddha

Healing a rift with someone close to you often requires an initial period of reflection on what has disturbed the relationship and what will bring about reconciliation. How can we open our hearts? What will ease our minds and soothe our bodies?

Here is a simple but powerful two-part ritual to help you begin the process of healing your relationship, and begin anew.

Lighting incense, particularly one with a fragrance connected with comfort, such as sandalwood, can help create a soothing atmosphere for such reflection. Choose a quiet place, perhaps where the disagreement took place. Or you might sit in front of your home altar with symbols before you of the relationship that needs healing. These symbols can be letters, photos, pages from your journal, anything that speaks of the person or persons involved.

Light the incense. Breathe in its therapeutic scent. Lift up your shoulders and roll them three times forward and three times backward until they are fully relaxed. Allow the incense to burn out completely.

Sometimes we don’t know why or how division has pushed us away from the people or places we care about. Separation sometimes just happens. Other times we remember harsh words, misunderstandings, and exclusions from the fold. It all hurts, but the pain does not have to last forever.

A phone call, a letter, even an email, can be the beginning of erasing the line of separation. As long as the goal is pure, coming together again can happen.

Choose an incense fragrance that is completely new to you. Try one that is pleasant and light to reflect your cleansing, perhaps a citrus scent, which is associated with fresh energy. You might enjoy one of the delightful fragrance sticks imbued with a fruity aroma, such as mango, strawberry, melon, berry, or pear. By opening yourself up to something as simple as a different fragrance, you begin the path to other changes. In your own way, ask for the strength and clarity to bring about change in your life and your relationships.

Peri Protection Spell {Snow Moon}

Peri Protection Spell

{Snow Moon}
 
 
The Peries are Persian Faeries born from fire. They only eat perfume and are known to protect people against harmful faeries. In this spell, you are invoking the energy of the Peries as a means of protection from dark energies and negative events.
 
You will need a green candle and three drops of jasmine-scented oil.
 
Begin by anointing the candle with the three drops of oil while saying:
 
“Blessed oil of jasmine sweet
Draw the magick of the Peries to me.”
 
Put the candle in its holder, and light it while dedicating it to the Peris:
 
“Born from the divine fire
Peries protect me from evil and darkness.
As I will, so shall it be!”
 
Let the candle burn safely down all the way. Put some perfume on a piece of cloth and leave it out for the Peries. Anytime you feel darkness and negativity trying to come into your space, light a candle and call in the Peries for protection.

Dark Moon Affirmation Magick (Snow Moon)

Dark Moon Affirmation Magick

(Snow Moon)
 
 
The dark Moon can be a time of fear and doubt. This spell will help you to affirm your magick and move forward in your patterns.
 
You will need a white candle. Draw a circle of light and call in the elements. Light the white candle, and invite the Goddess into your circle:
 
Divine Mother so bright
Please bless my circle with your light.
 
Stand before your altar, and call out three times:
 
Today and everyday I am on a quest to make my life more the way I want it to be. My magick is strong. I will prevail in my quest.
So be it!
 
Thank the Goddess for her blessings, bid farewell to the elements and pull up the circle. For best results write the affirmation on an index card, and put it on your bathroom mirror. Read it aloud to yourself at least three times each day and three times each night.

Witches’ Pyramid

Witches’ Pyramid

Many of you have already heard of the Witches’ Pyramid, the foundation of our magickal acts:

To Know, To Will, To Dare, and To Be Silent. This pyramid is the underlying structure of any spell formula.

To Know

Before you can cast a spell, you need to know who you are. Ego aside, you
have to come to terms with who you are, how you operate, and why you do the
things you do.

The second thing you must know is precisely what you want. This is not as
easy as it seems. People rarely sit back and consider what they really want
out of life. Part of this is because they are afraid. They fear they may not
get what they want, and they fear that they will fail. These fears stop us
from knowing.

For example, time and time again people I know have spelled for love. They
have not done the ultimate no-no by targeting a specific person, but they do
something just as bad–they don’t really know what they ultimately want.
When they get what they spelled for, often they are disappointed, because
there is something attached to that new lover they didn’t think of.
Therefore, all spells must be specific.

One of the best ways to begin a working is to write out, in detail, exactly
what you want in one straight line on a piece of paper. Underneath,
phonetically begin to pare each word down. Underneath that line, pare the
words down again. Continue this procedure until only one letter from each
word is left. Interlock the few remaining letters into a sigil. Use this
sigil in whatever magickal application you have chosen to ensure your spell
remains specific.

To Will

Another stumbling block in spell casting is lack of will, whether it is will
power, belief, or conviction. Will depends on how badly you want to make a
change. Do you believe you are capable of making the change, or do you think
it is only wishful thinking? Are you willing to re-program your mind, your
environment, your relationships, in order to bring about ther change you
desire? Without will, a spell will fizzle. Is your mind fogged with doubt,
or unnecessary problems that will prevent bringing about the change you say
you want?

One of the best techniques for increasing your will power is the use of
meditation on a daily basis. Once you have learned to relax, use the alpha
state to program the events you wish to come to pass. You should work on
both short-term and long-term goals.

Another technique that is useful in spell casting is to write down why you
wish to manifest something. Let this explanation sit on your altar
overnight, then re-read it. Does it make sense? Is this what you really
want? Does your reasoning still appear firm, or is it full of holes?

Are you patient? Patience has a lot to do with will. Once you have a firm
grip on “will,” you are a third of the way through on accurate spell casting.

To Dare

To dare means you are not inclined to sit around on your laurels. It means
that you are not choosing to procrastinate, rather you are choosing to move
with purpose. To dare indicates that you are no longer afraid of the
outcome, or fear failure. You are confident that you control your own
destiny to the point where you won’t even argue about it, either with someone
else, or yourself.

Although “to dare” doesn’t appear to create a lot of work, it does require
you to make an active decision. This is the next catalyst for your magickal
operation. From here, you will plan the appropriate day, hour, moon phase,
astrological energies, and tools required for working magic,including what
divinity you will choose. To dare can lead to a great deal of work and
preparation.

To Be Silent

Even if you are an adept, you should learn to be quiet about your magickal
operations. There is only one exception, which is when you are working with
a group. If the group mind is actively participating on a project they
should be informed of their success or failure.

In the beginning, you should be silent so that you are not affected by
others’ opinions. Don’t tell them what you are performing magic for, as you
risk failure. Why? Because they can unconsciously affect you with their
disbelief or negativity.

Likewise, once you become proficient at spell casting, don’t announce
it–especially to a novice. No real adept will ever tell a novice that “My
spells always work.” Not only is it rude, it is also untrue. Everyone
fails. Imagine what a novice would think if they knew you lost your job,your
kids are running rampant, and you are deeply in debt. If your spells always
worked, you would not be in such a fix, would you? Foolish words can ruin
your reputation, which in turn, will ruin your own self-confidence.
Therefore, keep your trap shut–this ensures success in your magickal
operations as well as keeping your reputation intact. No one likes a
braggart, and no one considers an egotistical Witch a good leader or cleric.

Happy & Blessed Sunday to you, dear friends!

Days Of The Week Comments 

Sunday Is Ruled By The Sun The Sun naturally rules the first day of the week. Any type of God or solar-related magick is especially potent this day. Spells for logic, thought and leadership will have strong results. Other correspondences for Sunday are: 

Ruling Planet: Sun 

Rituals: money, health, friendship related. 

Colour: Yellow 

Element: Fire. 

Number: 6  

Magickal Graphics

Making Your Life Magical

Making Your Life Magical
image
Author: WitchGeek

Most Wiccans and witches – and many other pagans – practice some form of “magic” (often spelled “magick” to distinguish it from stage illusions) . Magick is a topic at which most modern westerners would likely scoff, and doubtless this attitude throws into question the credibility of those who claim to practice it.

We do not believe in the “supernatural”. All that exists that is part of this universe, is part of nature itself and is therefore “natural”. If intrusions from other universes or realities happen in this one, then that too is part of its natural processes. In other words, everything – everything – can be rationally and scientifically explained; we just don’t know all of those explanations yet.

We accept that there are many things about this universe that we not only cannot explain in concrete terms, but things of which we’re not even aware. Bear in mind that there was a time that germs, bacteria, and viruses were all completely unknown to humanity; a microscopic world of living creatures has surrounded us for as long as we’ve been on this planet and we only recently learned of it.

Scientists have never actually seen an atom, and many modern physicists feel confident that evidence indicates such incredible things as multiple universes. We’ve learned so much, but that which we still do not know boggles the mind while thrilling the imagination.

As I have said many times, being a witch or a pagan is more about what we do than what we believe. Whether it’s a magickal activity or a religious ritual, we engage in time-honored rites that – for whatever reason – just seem to work for us. It’s a bit like exercise; one need not understand advanced kinetics and physiology in order to benefit from a brisk, daily walk. Nor does one need to understand ritual and magick in order to reap its benefits; those who do it regularly will experience mental and spiritual gains.

But this post isn’t about magick; it’s about life.

I have an Egyptian-themed altar/shrine at home, and among the items on it is a statue of Thoth. In Egyptian mythology, Thoth was – among other things – a god of writing, magick, and science. I’m not sure what initially drew me to him, but my attachment is long-standing and strong enough that I made an altar for him and the goddess Bast.

By day, I’m a computer programmer. I write, using computer languages, things like this:

begin
select responder, recipient_role
into v_emp_user_name, v_recipient_role
from temp_notifications
where message_type = itemtype
and user_key = v_requisition_no
and notification_id = history_record.notification_id;
exception
when no_data_found then
v_emp_user_name := null;
v_recipient_role := null;
result := ‘COMPLETE:N’;
end;

…and when these words are “executed”, they result in the taking place of literal, real-world actions.

Remember Arthur C. Clarke’s famous statement, “any sufficiently-advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”? It is easy to see the parallels between what I do by day and the concepts of magick. I use special languages full of words that have power, and yet I must order these words properly for them to have the desired effect. Sometimes they definitely backfire! But most of the time, I get the desired results.

Over time, I began to think of Thoth as having a modern role in addition to those normally attributed to him: the “patron saint” of computer programmers! But then, more recently, I made another connection. If what we pagans call “magick” isn’t supernatural, and if what computer programmers do is so similar to the methods of magickal practices… what, then, separates the two? Is it merely the fact that we humans have a scientific understanding of computer processing?

If modern magickal workings were to be defined scientifically tomorrow, would we put a new name on those activities and cease to call them “magick”?

I’m fond of blurring lines. A line that we’re forced to cross is no different from a line that holds us back; true freedom happens when there are no lines. And true magick happens all around us, every day.

Aleister Crowley defined magick as “the art and science of causing change in conformity with will”. We all do this, every day. For instance, when I sat down to write this post, it was something that I chose – to share my thoughts – and because my will to do this was strong enough, I made the time and put forth the effort. It is art (writing) and science (grammar, spelling, word processors and the Internet) , it is change (because this document didn’t exist before I wrote it) and it was my will.

Am I trying to diminish the practice of magick? Of course not. Instead, I am suggesting that we bring magick into our everyday lives… where it belongs. Learning to see the “magick” in the things that we choose to do means seeing those things in a whole new light… because when we realize that those elements that make up an act of magick exist in so many of our daily actions, we begin to see ways that even the mundane can be made special.

In many eastern philosophies, adherents are taught the value of living in each and every moment:

“As you practice Zen in your life, you will see that living in the present moment is like living heaven on earth. Even though we can all deal with this one moment right in front of us, we rarely live in this one moment right in front of us. We don’t know how. We have been conditioned since our early childhoods to live in the future or the past.” -Everything.com, Zen: Living in the Moment

Seeing ordinary actions as magickal is one way of helping us to live more consciously and building in us the habit of “living in the moment”. Yet it works in the other direction, as well… for as people who have studied the ways of “magick”, we are already trained in the skills necessary to embrace a magickal life.

This is convergence; when the ordinary and the magical become one in a person’s life, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The ordinary takes on new vibrancy, and those energies, which are normally reserved for our rituals suddenly, work their way into our everyday lives.



Footnotes:
http://www.everything.com/zen-philosophy-living-in-moment/

Lessons in Magickal Herbal Use – Lesson 4

Lessons in Magickal Herbal Use
by Leillan

 

Lesson Four: Enchanting Herbs

I have saved this section for last on purpose. I wanted you to get a feel for what was offered before we talked about enchantment.

Enchanting is basically just simple spell casting. In enchanting an herb, you empower that herb with a specific purpose. I know it sounds easy, but remember you are working with things from the earth. The power is there, all you have to learn is how to bring it out. If you are a timing person, time this to the moon, the day of the week, the hour of the day, the time of season, whatever you need do. Remember to visualize as you enchant. Make the purpose as clear as you possibly can, and bring the words straight from your heart and the power from deep within you.

This final lesson of the series will done in ritual format. I will describe the work area, the herbs, and the purpose. Your final test will be to design your own ritual, amulet, bag, incense, or whatever else which to enchant. But you should only use the herbs listed in the previous lessons. You don’t have to actually perform the work. I just want to know what you’d do and how you’d do it. The following is my example to you.

I am making an amulet for a dear friend who needs strength and will to make it through a difficult period. This friend has full knowledge of my art and has asked for help. I have thought about it and decided the way in which I can help most.

On my altar, I have placed two black candles. I use black because it’s my personal favorite color for certain types of work. Between the candles, I have my mortar and pestle; in front of them, I have my athame. My wooden bowl is to the right and filled with sand and a charcoal block. I’ll be using sandalwood incense, as I need strength and power right now, as well. To my left I have placed jars containing Dragons blood, sage, sea salt, rose petals, and a piece of walnut (did I fail to mention that walnut strengthens the heart?). The only other item on my altar is my pentagram, which is a personal cue I’m using to assist me in visualization, and a small locket into which the blend will be placed. A red candle stands off to one side, ready for use if I need it.

I light the black candles and concentrate on seeing this friend happy and her problems solved. I pick up the sea salt and measure out a little with the tip of my athame. As I pour it into the mortar, I say “Salt purifies and cleanses. Your purpose this night is to purify the herbs I use here, and make them pure in intent.” While saying this, I visualize the salt purifying the herbs.

Next, I pick up a rose petal and crumble it into the salt, saying: “I charge thee with the task of bringing intuition to ______. She finds herself in a situation where your power is desperately needed.” I then mix the salt and rose together with my athame.

I measure out a portion of sage with my athame and drop it into the blend, saying, “I charge you and bid you to lend wisdom of decision to ________. She needs this wisdom to overcome what has been wrought.” Stir the sage into the mixture.

Next, I pick up the piece of walnut and say, “I empower thee to lend strength of heart in this difficult time. Through your strength, may her heart be lightened and her will be strengthened.” I then measure out a tiny amount of powdered Dragons blood, saying, “Within thee is the power to intensify each herb I’ve used. You will be the power of change.”

Mixing all together I say, “Within each separate herb lies the power to reach the end; each has its own purpose. May purposes united make true the end, for blended together, the whole is met. For a year and a day, may you be charged to lend thy power where it is needed. An’ it harm none, Thy will be done. So Mote it Be!

I pick up the mixture, bit by bit on the tip of my athame, and place enough in the locket to fill it. I then light the red candle and say, “Red is color of power and strength” while dropping a little wax on the herbs inside the locket to seal and bind the blend together. I then close the locket, hold it in both hands, and concentrate on the person and the purpose with a light and loving heart. When I feel the enchantment is done, I give thanks to the Goddess, put out the candles, and ground the leftover herb and incense. I clean my tools and wrap the newly made amulet in a cloth until I can give it to my friend.

Lessons in Magickal Herbal Use – Lesson 2

Lessons in Magickal Herbal Use
by Leillan

 

Lesson Two: Basic Herbs

Most people will have at least the basic kitchen herbs in their cabinet. Remember the term “herb” does not exclude flowers and trees. You may be surprised to know how many different flowers and woods fall into the magickal category.

Roses are traditionally aligned with water. They can be used for psychic powers, love divination, luck, protection, and healing. Use a single rose in a vase on the altar for powerful help in love divinations. A cup of rosewater tea at bed time can help you dream prophetic dreams.

Even a Daisy has power where lust and love is concerned, and is said to bring love when worn. A simple divination that’s been done for years can be done with a daisy. Remember the “He loves me, He loves me not?” That is love divination in its most basic form.

Carnations can offer protection, healing and strength. Place carnations on the altar during healing rituals, and use the petals in amulets and incense.

Oak is good to use for money, protection, potency, fertility, and luck. It is said that carrying any piece of oak will draw good luck. Take 2 twigs from an oak tree and tie them together in an equal armed cross; hang them in your house to guard against evil. Make a small equal armed cross and carry it with you in your wallet or purse for protection during the day.

So much for the garden, on to the kitchen.

Have you ever felt the need for just a little extra strength? Take out the Bay Leaf. Bay lends strength to you or your purpose. Use bay in workings involving purification and protection. Bay is also used for wisdom blends. Burn bay in incense for help in solving a problem, or use it in a ritual bath when you’ll be facing a situation where you’ll really need your wits about you.

Basil has been called “the Witches Herb” for centuries. Basil has been used for exorcism, protection, in “flying ointments”, and love potions. “Where Basil grows, no evil goes!” and “Where Basil is, no evil lives,” goes the old adages. Basil, given as a gift, will bring good luck to a new home. Sprinkled around the house, it wards off evil.

Sage helps to promote wisdom. It can also be used for wishes and protection. Carrying sage is said to bring you wisdom. Some traditions say it is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden; instead, you should have someone else do it for you. If you take a sage leaf and write your fondest wish upon it, then place it under your pillow for three nights, it is said you’ll dream of what you wish, and your dream will come true. I use sage in incense to help with learning.

Anise is good for protection and purification. I use it sometimes in candles or incense for meditation and protection.

Last but not least, is Salt. Sea salt is best. Salt cleanses and purifies. It can be used in cleansing rituals, and banishings. Use salted water to purify new tools. If you have a fire place, throw pine needles into into the first fire of the season. After they begin burning, throw some salt into the flames. This will help protect your house, dispel evil, and bring happiness to the home.

More Common Herbs

Chamomile gives relaxation, calmness, love, and purification. This is an excellent herb to include in a ritual bath sachet. It brings peace and protection to the user. It is a love herb but what is so different about it is the fact that it can help get rid of evil. (That’s a little different for an herb that is used in love and relaxation).

Use Pennyroyal for strength, protection and peace. Known as the “Herb of Peace,” pennyroyal given to two fighting partners will cause them to stop fighting. Used in ritual, pennyroyal adds strength to you and your working.

Use Wood Betony for protection, purification, and love. Betony is added to purification mixtures and incenses. It is traditional to burn betony in a bonfire on Midsummer and then jump through the smoke to purify the body of ills and evil. Betony is also said to help people be more attractive to the opposite sex.

Use Catnip for Love, Happiness, and (of course) cat magick. Given to your cat, it will create a psychic bond between the two of you. However, it can be intoxicating to the cat. Catnip and rose petals are used in love sachets.

Damiana is burned for visions, and is also used in lust spells.

Ferns are good for protection, luck, riches, and banishings. Dried fern is thrown upon hot coals to banish evil and protect the home. Wearing Fern is said to draw the riches to the wearer. You can also use it in natural incense for a little extra power. Fern is like a little push; it kind of hides in the blend until the right moment, and then comes out to add that last little kick, just when you need it most.

Honeysuckle is used to increase psychic powers and provide protection. A honeysuckle bush growing near your house will bring good luck.

Lessons in Magickal Herbal Use – Lesson 1

Lessons in Magickal Herbal Use
by Leillan

 

Lesson One: Storage and Tools

I am starting very basic here. Some may want to breeze through this. But I have been asked to start at the beginning, so here goes. You don’t have to store your herbs in any special way unless you want to. I just use blue canning jars and interesting bottles. I like a tight lid to keep moisture away from the herb, and to keep the herb in the bottle. Nothing is worse that herbs spilling out into the cabinet and all over the floor when the jar is tipped over!

Always label your herbs. Even the most adept herbalist can get confused once in awhile. The labeling method is another matter of choice. As I use my herbs for many purposes, I generally just label by herb name. However, you could also add a few lines stating elemental properties, basic uses, etc. As you learn more you may want to store herbal blends. Label these with the types of herbs used and the purpose it was intended for when you blended it. Maybe you found a certain natural incense you made that you really like. Blend a bunch of it, label it, and jot down the purpose for which you like to use it, e.g., power, relaxation, etc. You’ll find this simple step very useful in the future; don’t always rely on memory.

You more than likely will want a few tools. A mortar and pestle, and a good knife should be among your first tools. I use my athame to cut herbs. You may choose to use the traditional sickle-shaped “Boleen.” If you intend to use your herbs for both magick and cooking/healing, get two mortar and pestles (especially if you choose something porous like wood). This way, a mortar used to crush mistletoe and holly won’t be used for crushing pepper and garlic. Remember, some of the herbs you use for magickal work are toxic if taken internally. With the exception of the knife, I prefer to use wood, stone, or clay for my tools, and tend to stay away from metals. Certain oils and herbs have a reaction with some alloys.

Other tools you may want are pretty basic to the Craft in general, and you may already have most of them. These include a censor and incense, candles of various colors, and a bowl for mixing. You’ll need something to hold water (if needed), like a shell or a bowl, and you may want to collect various sizes of shells or containers for measuring your herbs. You may want a colored cloth for a bag, string,or rubber bands for sachets, and of course you will eventually want to make amulets and such. But these things can be acquired as the need arises.

Other than what I have mentioned above, the purpose will tell what supplies are needed.

Dragon Ritual of Making

Dragon Ritual of Making

Notes: For increasing Magick perform during bright Noon or the waxing Moon, with
the Full Moon being strongest. For decreasing during evening hours or the waning
Moon with the New Moon being the strongest. Use in conjunction with any ritual
for it is primarily to use Dragon Power and Magick for bringing desires into
being.

Supplies: Pentacle disk; Dragon pentacle; water chalice with a little fresh
water in it; dish of salt; wine chalice; black (left) and white (right) altar
candles; sword; wand; incense burner; appropriate incense; dragon’s blood and
mastic; dragon mirror; gong or bell; staff; any candles for spells; talisman
bags, etc. It is useful for concentration to plan exactly what is to be used
before beginning this ritual of Making.

Use the Basic Dragon Ritual up to the point of insertion of the necessary chants
for specific Spellworkings. Hold sword in power hand, the staff in the other.
While standing facing the Altar, hold the sword pointed to the Dragon pentacle
and chant five, seven, or nine times in tones that vibrate through the body:

By Glow Of Sun The Power’s Begun, By Moonbeam’s Light The Spell Is Right, To
Create Desire By Earth and Fire, Water, Air, Make Magick Fair. Powerful Charm
Of Making, Creative Magick Undertaking, Be Formed!

While chanting this, concentrate deeply upon drawing on the Dragon power, feel
the power being sent from all sides, listen for any messages from the Dragons
and write them down. Place the candle, talisman bag and contents, or whatever
you may be spelling, between the mirror and the Dragon Pentacle, making sure the
Dragon Pentacle is reflected in the mirror along with the objects. If using a
candle, light it and let it burn out completely in that position. If using a
Talisman bag or poppet (a small cloth doll, usually stuffed with herbs or cotton
soaked in the appropriate oil for the ritual) , leave it on the Altar overnight.
Continue with rest of the ritual.

The Charm of Making

The Charm of Making

 
The Charm of Making could just as well be called the Charm of Manifestation into the Physical. It is rather like the finishing touches to spellworking. The concentration used solidifies your intentions into embryonic form in the spiritual realm where all creation begins. Without this solidification and seed-planting in the spiritual, nothing can manifest in the physical.
 
Notes: Perform during bright noon or the waxing Moon for increasing magick with the Full Moon being strongest; during evening hours or the waning Moon for decreasing magick, with the New Moon being strongest. Use in conjunction with any ritual. This ceremony is primarily to use dragon power and magick for bringing your desires into being.

Supplies: It is better to have a pentacle disk; dragon pentacles; water chalice with a little fresh water in it; dish of salt; wine chalice; black (left) and white (right) altar candles; sword; wand; incense burner; appropriate incense (such as prosperity or binding); dragon’s blood powder and mastic; dragon mirror; gong or bell; staff; any candles for spells, talisman bags, etc. It is useful for concentration to plan what exactly you want to use before beginning this ritual.

Use the Basic Dragon Ritual up to the point where you insert the necessary chants for specific spellworkings.

 
Hold the sword in your power hand, the staff in the other. Stand facing the altar and hold the sword pointed at the dragon pentacle. Chant five, seven or nine time in tones that vibrate through your body:
 
“BY GLOW OF SUN THE POWER’S BEGUN.
BY MOONBEAM’S LIGHT THE SPELL IS RIGHT,
TO CREATE DESIRE BY EARTH AND FIRE,
WATER, AIR, MAKE MAGICK FAIR.
POWERFUL CHARM OF MAKING, CREATIVE MAGICK UNDERTAKING.
BE FORMED!
 
While chanting this concentrate deeply upon drawing on the dragon power. You will feel power sent to you from all sides. Listen to any messages that the dragons give you.

Place the candle, talisman bag and contents or whatever you are spelling, between the mirror and the dragon pentacle. Make certain that the dragon pentacle is reflected in the mirror along with the objects. If using a candle, light it and let it burn out completely in that position. If using a talisman bag or poppet, leave it on the altar overnight.

Continue the rest of the ritual.

Calling The Dragon

Calling The Dragon

This ritual is for exactly what it states calling the Dragon or Dragons to
project their presence with such clarity that there is no question of knowing
that they are here. A greater reason for calling a Dragon into stronger presence
is the stronger the auric vibrations of such a creature within the circle the
stronger the ritual and power sent into your motivation for the ritual. When you
use the Dragon call and feel the presence of one or more Dragons it is important
that they are treated with respect. Take time to get acquainted with them before
asking their help. Remember most Dragons are beneficial and helpful, but all
Draconic temperaments are extremely sensitive so treat them with the greatest
respect.

Ritual of Calling

Notes: Perform during bright noon or the waxing Moon for increasing magick, with
the Full Moon being strongest; during evening hours or the waning Moon for
decreasing magick, with the New Moon being the strongest. Use this ritual in
conjunction with any spellworking. This ceremony is primarily used to summon
the Dragon for a manifestation whether it be the rare physical type or, more
likely the sharpening of the inner sight.

Supplies: Pentacle disk; Dragon pentacle; water chalice with a little fresh
water in it; dish of salt; wine chalice; black (left) and white (right) altar
candles; sword; wand; incense burner; appropriate incense; dragon’s blood and
mugwort; dragon mirror; gong or bell; staff; paper and pen to write down any
messages.

Use the Basic Dragon Ritual up to the insertion point of necessary chants for
specific Spellworkings. Hold the sword in power hand and staff in the other
while standing facing the altar and tap the staff three times on the floor while
holding the sword pointed at the Dragon Pentacle. Chant in tones that vibrate
body:

Come Draconis! By Your All-consuming Breath, I summon you. (tap staff three
times)By Your Piercing Gaze, I Summon You (tap staff three times)By Your Mighty
Strength, I Summon You (tap staff three times)By Your Wisdom Ancient and
Cunning, I Summon You (tap staff three times)By Your Magick Deep and Old, I
Summon You (tap staff three times)Come, Draconis, To My Call!

Once done summoning the Dragons it will be possible to feel power being sent
from all directions by the half-seen Dragons. Listen for any messages the
dragons may have. The Dragons’ presence can be felt by a sudden temperature
change, prickly feeling between the shoulder blades, unusual currents of air,
and other phenomena. If the Dragons are pleased with the Magician they often
sound a deep vibrating rumble, almost like a Giant Cat’s Purr.

Dragon Rituals

Dragon Rituals

 
 
After one or two visits to a dragon place, you can try a ritual. I rarely invite dragons into my indoor altar as they are so potent and the energies diffuse and so are best encountered in their natural environment. You can, however, cast a dragon ritual in your garden Equally, when working with dragon magick, I don’t cast a formal circle because dragon energies need lots of space to avoid spiritual overheating.
 
Dragon rituals should be carried out no more frequently than bi-monthly though there is nothing to stop you visiting a dragon place and absorbing the power weekly. I have a local dragon cave. When the tide is very low I sometimes sit here and work. Inside the cave is too small an area for spellcasting as the dragon energies need to be free.
 
Create chants or drum to tune in with the dragon energies. You can chant spontaneously during a ritual or write one that you use to call your dragon or to connect with a particular dragon site that you visit regularly.
 
If you wish, you can use a crystalline dragon’s egg in dragon spells as a focus for power, courage or abundance, and afterwards keep it on your garden altar or in the heart of your home. Light a red candle next to it once a week to keep the dragon power flowing.
 
A dragon’s egg is a white, opaque, very solid kind of rock crystal that resembles an egg. Alternatively, you can use two matching halves of a stone egg with tiny crystal embedded inside like a geode. Any agate egg or oval white stone can be substituted.
 
If you are lighting incense in the dragon place, use dragon’s blood. Use tarragon, the dragon’s herb of courage and power, to sprinkle as the earth element. This is also a good offering to leave for your dragon in her place. If there is a suitable spot near the rocks, you can plant a tiny tarragon seedling and add a new one whenever you visit.
 
Empower a dragon charm, ring or pendant by setting it in the centre of a spell. Re-empower it by wearing or carrying it when you visit your dragon place.
 
Face south for dragon spells and rituals. East will then be on your left instead of right hand though the actual direction does not change.
 
After a dragon spell or ritual, leave an offering of thanks. Dragons love gold, perhaps in the forms of a small earring or a small carnelian or bright red flowers.

Dragon Power In Magick

Dragon Power In Magick

Working with dragons in magick is different in many ways from other magickal procedures, but not so different that you can disregard certain rules. You need to know how to practice visualization and self-discipline, ethics, absolute truthfulness with yourself, consistency of practice, and meditation. And there must be an exchange of energies while working, an absolute when working with dragons. All of these are important components of any magickal system.

Visualization begins with unlearning many so-called value systems shoved on us by other people, the most common of which is that use of the imagination and daydreaming are not productive and good. The imagination and daydreaming are a negative practice if they occupy most of your life and time; if you daydream about what you want to happen instead of planning and taking action, then you are avoiding responsibility. However, for any type of magick to become truly effective, you must learn how to vividly picture in your mind the event or result that you wish to happen. Once you firmly have the event or result in your mind, you perform your ritual and then release the mental energy for manifestation.

Self-discipline and ethics go together. A magician should not, for his/her own good, dabble in controlling other people or indulge in questionable personal behavior. Jealousy, envy, lust, greed, and anger should not control what a magician does during his/her rituals. In fact, these undesirable emotions should not control any part of a magician’s life. These intense emotions tend to cloud judgment, either bringing an emotional backlash on the magician or causing deliberate harm to others, which in itself brings an eventual backlash on the magician. Either way, it is not worth the misery.

A magician must sincerely desire what she/he is asking for in ritual. If it is half-hearted wish with little emotional intensity behind it, the dragons, or any other entities for that matter, will simply not be interested in helping. And do not think you can put one over on spiritual or astral plane entities because they can see straight through to the truth. The truth is never hidden from these creatures.

One of the worst things a magician can do is take something away from another person by means of magick. This includes health, property, life or freedom. Very often I find that beginning magicians want to control another’s decisions and life on the subject of love. Too often I heard that “I know so-and-so is the true love of my life, but they show no interest. How can I use magick to make them love me?” Forget it! The price is very high for doing this kind of manipulative magick! If they were meant to love you, they would already show interest. Obviously, they are not the love of your life except in your own mind. Any magician considering such a dark use of magick had better take a long, truthful look at their ulterior motives. If someone you were definitely not interested in started taking away your personal freedom to choose, how would you feel?

The second part of the use of magick is that the magician must release the emotions and desire after the ritual is finished. To constantly think about what you want accomplished after the ritual is ended binds the energies to you and they cannot manifest. To constantly talk about your desires, or to talk about the rituals you are performing to get them, will surely keep them from manifestation. To want something so much you can taste it and yet not care if you get it is a very difficult mood to cultivate. I have never known any magician who reached perfection in this area, but getting as close to it as possible is what is important.

There must be an exchange of energies between the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual planes for any spellworking to result in manifestation. Playing at ritual magick, particularly dragon magick, will not get you anywhere. Without mental concentration, physical working, emotional involvement, and intensity of purpose, in other words energies, dragons will not be interested in adding their vast energies to yours. No entity or companion, whether of this plane or another is gong to do all the work for nothing and let you sit on your hands. Dragons are attracted by the energies you raise during ritual, a kind of astral pay-off since they feed on this energy.

Belief in powers beyond yourself is important in any kind of magick. There is an old saying: “If you believe you can, or you believe you can’t, you’re right.” We may not understand how these powers and energies work: we may not be able to describe them to anyone else; we will not be able to prove “scientifically” what they are. But we maigicians know they exist. A magician believe in them because she/he sees the results of their use.

Every magician who wishes to be effective in ritual and manifestation, who desires to grow and expand in knowledge, sooner or later comes to the conclusion that magick is a very serious practice. They learn to set aside time for study and self-improvement through meditation. They practice what are commonly called the psychic arts: tarot, runes, the pendulum, crystal reading, dream analysis, and so on. They cultivate the senses, especially observation, which includes what is in both the physical and astral realm. They learn to read their own intuitive feelings and the vibrations of others.

“Dancing with Dragons”

D. J. Conway

The Prime Ritual Tool In Dragon Magic – The Sword

The Prime Ritual Tool In Dragon Magic – The Sword

 

The prime ritual tool for dragon magic is a sword. It does not have to be elaborate, expensive sword. Choose one that is not too long or heavy because you will often hold it out before you for long periods of time. For a woman, a sword 18 to 20 inches in length is usually the right size. Some prefer Scottish claymores and other large reproductions, but have enough sense to know that your shoulders would be aching miserably after a few minutes of holding it out in front of you. Besides, long swords are notoriously clumsy and difficult to maneuver with a cast circle. It is quite easy, when totally involved in magic, to sweep everything off the altar with a swinging sword. Men should also chose a lighter, shorter sword for the same reasons. Swords do not need a sharpened edge.

 

The magician could use a painted wooden sword as a substitute for a metal one, although you might find it difficult to adjust your thoughts to the use of such a ritual tool. However a dragon is not impressed by the weight or elaborateness of a sword, just the fact that you have one. The sword is of the element of Fire.

Ritual Tools

Ritual Tools

Every sincere magician is always searching for ways to amplify their magickal
power so that their manifestations will be more accurate and consistent. An
excellent method for increasing the flow of energy in your cast circle is to use
the elemental type power of Dragons. There are certain ritual tools that you
will find useful for practicing Dragon Magick and if you are already practicing
Magick then you will have some of them already. If you are just beginning to
work in magick then acquire your tools slowly and with care. It is important to
remember that your tools do not have to be elaborate or expensive to work nor do
they have to be expensive. If your budget does
not allow you to purchase anything at the moment don’t put off beginning your
practice of Dragon Magick.

Altar

Any table chest or microwave cart will do as long as it is comfortable to sit or
stand during ritual

 

Candles
If can’t use candles substitute an electric candle or small light

 

Incense Burner
Can use incense sticks or cones choosing scents to match ritual. If no incense
is available, use pleasant smelling aftershave or cologne

 

Dagger
Can be a paring knife, letter opener as long as tip is sharp and double edged.
Element of Fire.

Sword

Doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Choose one that is not too long or
heavy. Element of Fire

 

Wand
Can be easily made out of a piece of dowel, no longer than length of forearm
plus your fingers. Glue or attach a crystal or small crystal ball to directing
end. In Dragon Magick wand is used to consecrate wine, water, and salt. Element
of Air

 

Staff
Can be piece of dowel or natural wood about shoulder-high. Attach crystal at top
end if you would like. If using smooth dowel you can purchase four lengths of
cording the length of staff. Cording should be in colors of the elements (red,
yellow, blue, and dark green or black ), tack or glue length of cording down
each side of staff to correspond with elemental directions, attach tassels of
the same colors at the top end of each piece of cording. You can further
decorate staff with small bells or whatever seems appropriate to you. The staff
serves as a connecting link between Magician and astral plane and becomes the
Dragon bridge, it is symbol of magickal authority, your right to call upon and
work with dragons. Also symbolic of center of circle or Element of Spirit.

 

Chalices
One for water and one for wine. One for water can be of any material, one for
wine advisable that it be lined with a good coating of silver if it is pewter,
brass, bronze, or copper .Wine and other acidic beverages create dangerous
reactions with certain metals. If you cannot drink wine then you can substitute
apple cider, grape juice, fruit juice, or even soda. Water chalice is Element of
Water. Wine chalice is Element of Earth, sometimes Fire when used for “blood”.

 

Salt Container
Small jar with lid is best because you will be keeping your ritual salt separate
from kitchen salt after consecration. Element of Earth.

 

Dragon Bowl
Whenever you are on a outing and feel within the area a power that draws you,
take an extremely small amount of dirt or sand back for your Dragon Bowl. This
Dragon Bowl and its contents will be used to empower objects in magickal ritual.
The Bowl and its contents naturally are Element of Earth

 

Gem Bowl
Clear glass bowl for stones and gems that you collect or buy. Expensive,
polished gems are not necessarily any better than those found in the rough in
Nature or the tumbled ones found in rock shops. This Gem Bowl does not need a
lid because stones radiate power at all times without any loss. Element of Earth

 

Water Bottles
If you plan to work with water or sea dragons, you need to purchase a number of
small bottles with lids that can be securely fastened. Again you will be
collecting small amounts of water from various sites where you feel the
radiation of dragon power, or strong elemental energies. Even rainwater as
power. Carefully label each bottle so you can remember where you got it. Element
of Water

 

Pentacle Disk
Necessary for consecrations and other ritual work, usually a metal or wooden
disk with a pentagram painted or etched on it. However, there is no reason that
the Pentacle cannot be made out of Cardboard. It is of the elements of both
Spirit and Earth and helps to control and balance all other of the Elements.
When used as an element of Earth, it grounds Spirit in the Ritual.

 

Dragon Pentacle
Used as either a picture or disk, presented during specific rituals as a means
of establishing your authority to call the Dragons and is of the Element of
Spirit

 

Mirror
Any shape, a plain wooden or plastic frame around a mirror makes it easier to
write on your magickal statement. Around all edges in DragonScript should be
written: “By the power of the eye of the Dragon, I capture and harmonize all
airborne thoughts. “Element of Earth and Spirit

About Basic Dragon Rituals

About Basic Dragon Rituals

 

 

Before beginning rituals, it is suggested that you set aside time for work with changing, music and dance, as well as meditation. Consider these activities the training exercises an athlete goes through before actually participating in the main event.

While practicing rituals, the magician can begin to collect the ritual tools she/he needs to begin performing dragon magic. Do not fall into the trap of equating expensive with better. Once you have established communication with the dragons, they will lead you to many of the tools; dragons seem to be very conscious of a good buys.

Although ritual magic is a serious practice, the magician must also make room for fun. Music and free-form dance can be very important in keeping dragons interested. These activities are also of importance to the magician, since most humans live lives full of stress and over-seriousness. Know yourself, know your real intentions for doing ritual, and enjoy your time with the dragons. Take time to be a child again, non-judgmental, full of wonder and delight at the antics of dragons. Learn from them when to be serious about life and when to lose yourself in play and pure enjoyment. My dragon has taken part in rituals with total concentration and involvement, only to spook one of the cats when we are finished.

Enjoy yourself with your dragons. Ask them for help in whatever you are striving to accomplish. Provide them with friendship and the chance to frolic in the energy vibrations you create. Learn from them. But never, never, treat them as commanded slaves or take their friendship lightly. Dragon magic is serious business. Be an honest friend, and you will receive honest friendship in return. Dragons are not like humans. They feel no compunction to continue a friendship or be helpful or even nice if you mistreat them.

It is helpful to the magician with dragons as co-magicians to keep a notebook detailing inner experiences while working this type of magic. Some dragons will appear only during certain phases of the Moon, while others arrive during specific weather patterns such as storms, long hot spells, etc. Other dragons hung around for days, especially if the magician is going through a period of turmoil in her/his life. Some dragons make brief appearances during a ritual and are not seen again for quite some time.

Each dragon has a definite feel to her/his personality just as humans do. The magician must learn to recognize them individually even if she/he never learns their names. Dragon names are usually never what they seem, since dragons are extremely cautious about giving their true names to humans. I never argue or press them on this point since I feel they have a right to their privacy if they desire it.

It is a quite an ordinary occurrence for a magician to work the dragon rituals several times before becoming aware that she/he has attracted dragons-helpers. Do not become discouraged if you are not immediately aware of their presence. Be patient. Dragons have good reason to be wary of humans. Prove your trustworthiness and friendship to them. A friendship developed slowly and on a firm found lasts the longest.