Tag: Rosemary

Samhain Spirit Incense

Samhain Spirit Incense

By , About.com

Spirits In The Smoke

By the time Samhain rolls around, your herb garden is probably looking pretty sad. Now’s the time to take all those goodies you harvested and dried in September, and put them to good use. This incense blend is perfect for a Samhain séance, divination session, or for any other autumn working.

This recipe is for loose incense, but you can adapt it for stick or cone recipes. As you mix and blend your incense, focus on the goal of your work. Do you wish to contact the spirit of a long-dead ancestor? Are you hoping to bring some visions your way in a dream? Or are you maybe looking to enhance your own meditative abilities? Focus your intent as you blend your ingredients.

You’ll need:

 

  • 2 parts Cinnamon
  • 1 part ground cloves
  • 1 part Dragon’s Blood resin
  • 1 part Hyssop
  • 1 part Patchouli
  • 2 parts Rosemary
  • 1 part Sage
  • A dash of sea salt

Add your ingredients to your mixing bowl one at a time. Measure carefully, and if the leaves or blossoms need to be crushed, use your mortar and pestle to do so. As you blend the herbs together, state your intent. You may find it helpful to charge your incense with an incantation. For example, if you were going to use your incense during a seance, you could use this:

The veil has thinned, the moon is bright and I blend this magic on Samhain night. Celebrating life and death and rebirth with these herbs I’ve harvested from the earth. I send my intent by smoke in the air and call on those whose blood I share. I ask my ancestors to guide and watch over me, As I will, so it shall be.

Store your incense in a tightly sealed jar. Make sure you label it with its intent and name, as well as the date you created it. Use within three months, so that it remains charged and fresh.

How To Celebrate the Cycle of Life and Death At Samhain

How To Celebrate the Cycle of Life and Death

By

Samhain is a time like no other, in that we can watch as the earth literally dies for the season. Leaves fall from the trees, the crops have gone brown, and the land once more becomes a desolate place. However, at Samhain, when we take the time to remember the dead, we can take time to contemplate this endless cycle of life, death, and eventual rebirth.

Here’s How:

  1. For this ritual, you’ll want to decorate your altar with symbols of life and death. You’ll want to have on hand a white candle and a black one, as well as black, red, and white ribbon in equal lengths (one set for each participant). Finally, you’ll need a few sprigs of rosemary.

    Perform this rite outside if at all possible. If you normally cast a circle, do so now.

  2. Say:

    Samhain is here, and it is a time of transitions. The winter approaches, and the summer dies. This is the time of the Dark Mother, a time of death and of dying. This is the night of our ancestors and of the Ancient Ones.

    Place the rosemary on the altar. If you are doing this as a group ceremony, pass it around the circle before placing on the altar. Say:

    Rosemary is for remembrance, and tonight we remember those who have lived and died before us, those who have crossed through the veil, those who are no longer with us. We will remember.

  3. Turn to the north, and say:

    The north is a place of cold, and the earth is silent and dark. Spirits of the earth, we welcome you, knowing you will envelope us in death.

    Turn to face the east, and say:

    The east is a land of new beginnings, the place where breath begins. Spirits of air, we call upon you, knowing you will be with us as we depart life.

  4. Face south, saying:

    The south is a land of sunlight and fire, and your flames guide us through the cycles of life. Spirits of fire, we welcome you, knowing you will transform us in death.

    Finally, turn to face the west, and say:

    The west is a place of underground rivers, and the sea is a never-ending, rolling tide. Spirits of water, we welcome you, knowing you will carry us through the ebbs and flows of our life. 

  5. Light the black candle, saying:

    The Wheel of the Year turns once more, and we cycle into darkness.

    Next, light the white candle, and say:

    At the end of that darkness comes light. And when it arrives, we will celebrate once more.

  6. Each person takes a set of ribbons — one white, one black, and one red. Say:

    White for life, black for death, red for rebirth. We bind these strands together remembering those we have lost.

    Each person should then braid or knot their three ribbons together. As you do so, focus on the memories of those you have lost in your life.

  7. While everyone is braiding or knotting, say:

    Please join me in chanting as you work your energy and love into your cords:

As the corn will come from grain,
All that dies will rise again.
As the seeds grow from the earth,
We celebrate life, death and rebirth.

When everyone has finished braiding and chanting, take a moment to meditate on the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Is there someone you know who reminds you of a person you’ve lost? Have you ever looked into a baby’s eyes and seen your late grandfather looking back?

Finally, ask everyone to take their knotted ribbons home with them and place them on their personal altar if they have one. That way, they can be reminded of their loved ones each time they pass by.

  1. Finally, ask everyone to take their knotted ribbons home with them and place them on their personal altar if they have one. That way, they can be reminded of their loved ones each time they pass by.

Tips:

  1. Rosemary is used in this rite because although it seems to go dormant over the winter, if you keep it in a pot you’ll get new growth in the spring. If there’s another plant you’d rather use, feel free.

What You Need

  • Ribbon in black, red and white
  • A white candle and a black one
  • Rosemary

Feng Shui News for Sept. 11th – 'Today Contains 2 Special Events'

It’s ‘Libraries Remember Day’ and ‘National Day of Service and Remembrance’ — are you sensing a theme here? According to a recent scientific report, just a whiff of the scent of rosemary essential oil was shown to boost the ability to remember to do things, and in some cases even sharpened recall of past events. Of course, we in the holistic world have long known of rosemary’s amazing ability to stall memory decline. Thanks to these findings, more people will be exposed to research that finds that adults who routinely inhaled rosemary essential oil performed better on memory tests than those who did not. Don’t forget now, some rosemary each day will keep memory decline away!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

The Witches Spell for February 12th – The Boomerang Spell

7rf%20W%2013

 

THE BOOMERANG SPELL

 

Reverse any negativity or hex being sent your way.

Anoint a purple candle with Rosemary oil. On a piece of white paper write the following in black ink: ” All blocks are now removed.” Fold the paper three times. Light the candle and burn the paper in a bowl, ashtray or any fireproof dish. Invoke the power of fire and it’s elemental spirits. Repeat three times:

” Firedrakes and salamanders,

Aid me in my quest,

Protect me from all evil forms,

Turn back the negativity being sent.”

After the third repetition say:

” So mote it be.”

Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Relief for Stressed Caused Migraines

Daily Aromatherapy Tip

Depending on the cause of migraines, some recommended Essential oils include the German & Roman Chamomile, Coriander, Clary Sage, Lavender, Marjoram, Melissa, Peppermint & even Eucalyptus, Basil & Rosemary.

For stress caused migraines here are a few ideas;
As soon as the symptoms begin, sprinkle two drops each of Marjoram, Lavender and
Peppermint and one drop of true Melissa onto a tissue or into a diffuser and inhale deeply about three times.

Add three drops each of Lavender & Eucalyptus into a half ounce of carrier oil and use to massage your forehead and behind your ears.

Or, add three drops each of Sweet Marjoram, Roman Chamomile and Lavender to a bath

brought to you by AromaThyme.com
Scent of the Month Club
http://www.aromathyme.com

H is for Home Protection

H

 

 

 

Home Protection

 

Supplies:

  • Water
  • Salt
  • Bowl
  • Garlic Salt (optional, see procedure)
  • Powered Rosemary (optional, see procedure)

 

Time: A bright, sunny morning

Procedure:

Start by mixing water and salt in a bowl. Add garlic salt and powdered rosemary if you need to clear out ghosts or spirits. Consecrate the mixture.

Begin at the main entrance of the house or apartment.  Sprinkle some of the consecrated water by dipping your fingers in it and making the sign of the pentagram. In a firm and commanding voice with all of your power behind it, say:

Evil shall leave but not enter.

 

Proceed counterclockwise through the house, repeating the procedure in every corner of each room, at all the windows, doors and mirrors. Don’t forget telephones, fax machines, televisions, modems, radios, computers that are connected to the Internet — any outside connection to your house. (It doesn’t hurt to do the mailbox after you finish with everything inside the house.)

Repeat the spell annually, or whenever you feel in need of it.

Boomerang Spell

Boomerang Spell

 

To reverse any negativity or hex being sent your way, anoint a purple candle with Rosemary oil. On a piece of white paper write the following in black ink: ” All blocks are now removed.” Fold the paper three times. Light the candle and burn the paper in a bowl, ashtray or any fireproof dish. Invoke the power of fire and it’s elemental spirits. Repeat three times:

Firedrakes and salamanders, aid me in my quest, protect me from all evil forms, turn back the negativity being sent.

After the third repetition say:

So mote it be.

To Undo A Spell You Have Casted

To Undo A Spell You Have Casted

Purpose: To undo a spell
Best time to perform: After midnight any night
Direction to face to open the circle: East
Best moon phase to use: Waning

Incense to burn : Benzoin
Herbs to use: Angelica
Oils to use : Anoint candles with Rosemary Oil
Candle colors: use White candles, as many as you like.
Supplies needed:

One bead from a necklace you own (preferably a pearl–faux or real)
a small patch of Black Cloth
some string for tying

Incantation:
“I cast a spell asking , I now ask the favour of having the spell removed. I understand to take back a spell means giving up something of my own to show my spirit is true and my intentions are good, I give this pearl/bead from a necklace I own. I transfer the spell into the and render the spell dormant. No harm may come from the cancellation of this spell. No further power shall it have. This is my will -so be it.”

Place the pearl/bead in the black cloth – add your angelica herbs–tie up tightly in the string until you have wrapped the pearl/bead entirely in the cloth. Dribble a bit of wax from the candles on the final knot you tie. Then throw the small package away far from your home.

Close the circle and give thanks

The Witches Spell for January 9th – A Spell To Ward Off Evil

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments


The Witches Spell for January 9th

Spell To Ward Off Evil

 

To ward off evil spirits or energy:

In a small jar, place sage, sandalwood, galangal and brimstone herbs. Mix well and sprinkle sea salt on top. Cut a three inch piece of red string, and tie one knot into it, and place it in the jar. Next, place three pins or nails in the jar and close it shut. Light a black candle and say:

“Pins that prick, herbs and string, to protect me now, my guardians do soar!”

Hid the jar in a dark place to ward off any evil.

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

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

Air Witch & Aroma Magick

Air Witch & Aroma Magick

 

Aroma can make us hungry or feel comfort and warmth, or inspire the opposite reactions. The power of scent works with the memory and the magickal proprieties of the material. Incense, oils, herbs–all of these can be gently heated, burned or used as is to inspire a bit of the sacred each time we breathe in. Aroma is a person’s earliest sense. As babies, long before our eyes focus, we know our world from the scents that surround us.

 

Aromatherapy and flower essences such as the Bach flower remedies, employ scent and vibrational energy in a therapeutic sense and have been proven to change one’s mood. They can work both on the self and on others.

 

In order to use the essential oils listed here, simply dab the oil on a cotton ball and sniff, or place a few drops in an oil burner and gently warm the oil.

To boost memory:  Rosemary

To inspire lust:  Ginger or hibiscus

To decrease lust: camphor

To inspire hunger: Cinnamon or garlic

To create an atmosphere of comfort: Cedar

To heal: Eucalyptus

To protect: Garlic

To revive energy: Peppermint

To create sacred space: Frankincense and myrrh

To attract money: Clove

To promote sleep: Lavender

To promote laughter and joy: Orange and lemon

To ease grief: Rose

To calm stress: Chamomile

To conquer fear: Grapefruit

To calm anger: Patchouli

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.

Working With Colors In Candle Magick – White

White

Can be programmed. White light contains all colors, so therefore can be used for all purposes. Can energize, harmonize, heal, and expand capabilities, clarity, brilliance, light, ice, endless potential, ever-changing, purity, spirituality, greater attainments in life, truth, power of a higher nature, wholeness, sincerity, spiritual undertakings / guidance, direction to the right paths, calmness, becoming centered, seeing past all illusions, the Goddess, higher self, purity, peace, virginity.

Working With Colors In Candle Magick – Blue

Blue

Astral travel, relaxing stress (especially in jaw neck and shoulders), ups compassion / verbalization skills, removes headaches and fever, sky, joy, lightness, vibrant, repose, truth, water, good fortune, inspiration, occult power, protection, understanding, good health, happiness, peace, harmony in the home, fidelity, patience, wisdom, healing, journeys or moves, corresponds to the neck, throat, base of skull, ears, jaw and 5th Chakra.

Working With Colors In Candle Magick – Green

Green

Relaxing, cools fevers, relaxes muscles, calms emotions, physical healing, strengthens heart and ability to love, earth energies, generosity, prosperity, nurturing, cooling, calming, marriage, relationships, practical creativity (particularly with the hands), balance, fertility, growth, Mother Earth, tree and plant magic, personal goals, abundance, money, good fortune, wealth, success, renewal, heart, areas that need cooling, Corresponds with the chest, and 4th chakra.

Working With Colors In Candle Magick – Orange

Orange

Lightly energizing, stimulates creative energy and sexual energy, warmth, activity, fire, change of luck, power, control of the situation, general success, property deals, legal matters, justice, selling, encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction, sudden changes, drawing good things, Corresponds to pelvic area & 2nd Chakra.

Working With Colors In Candle Magick – Red

Red

Breaking through mental conditioning, creating rapid change, empowering action, energizing, passion, career goals, lust, survival, driving force, creating heat, work with heart / blood / circulation, warmth, fire, high action, energy, physical love, health, strength, sexual potency, courage, willpower, conquering fear or laziness, 1st / root chakra, base of spine, corresponds to upper leg.

Ah, so you come looking for a spell, huh? Follow Me Quietly Now, There Be Witches At Work!

Book & Candle Comments

A Spell To Open The Doors of Communication

 

Have a special someone you wish to contact, an old friend that you’ve had a falling out with, communicate with anyone. You will be amazed at how many way you will be able to use this spell.

 

Light a blue candle. Write a personal, positive, and meaningful letter to someone your desire to contact. Burn the letter in the candle flame (carefully). As it burns, visualize the person’s face and the goal or message you want to send. Toss some thyme, yarrow or cinnamon on the burned letter. Concentrate on what manner you hope to receive their response. Pick up the remains and scatter the ashes and herbs.

~Magickal Graphics~