Majickal Journal

Fragrant Incense and Essential Oils

March 4th, 2010

Author Victor Epand

Incense is made of aromatic substances or ingredients. It releases a fragrant smell in the form of smoke when it burns. Many rituals and spiritual purificatory performances use incense, a practice that is still carried on today. Incense is also a medicinal ingredient and also it has aesthetic values. In different countries, a wide variety of materials are used in the making of incense. Some fragrance materials are employed in either direct or indirect burning of incense. They are normally used in religious ceremonies, and many of them are known to be quite valuable. Essential oils or other ingredients extracted from these materials may also be isolated and used to make incense. The following list of material is used to make fragrant incense and essential oils : Agarwood, Cedar, Sandalwood, Cypress, Juniper, Cassia, Star Anise, Nutmeg, Coriander and Vanilla.

Indian incense are of two types: masala and charcoal. Masala incenses are made of dry ingredients, while charcoal incenses contain liquid scents. Masala incenses have many subgroups such as dubars, champas and dhoops.

Aesthetic use of incense
Incense can be, like art for the eyes, music for the ears, or fine cuisine for the palate, an indulgence for the sense of smell.

Religious use of incense

The use of incense in religion is found in many cultures and may have their origins in the practical and aesthetic uses considering that cultures and traditions with not much in common all use incense. One common use of incense is done as an offering to a deity.

Incense and health

The studies of several Asian Cancer Research Centers showed: “No association was found between exposure to incense burning and respiratory symptoms like chronic cough, chronic sputum, chronic bronchitis, runny nose, wheezing, asthma, allergic rhinitis, or pneumonia among the three populations studied: i.e. primary school children, their non-smoking mothers, or a group of older non-smoking female controls. Incense burning did not affect lung cancer risk among non-smokers, but it significantly reduced risk among smokers, even after adjusting for lifetime smoking amount.” However, the researchers qualified the findings by noting that incense burning in the studied population was associated with certain low-cancer-risk dietary habits, and concluded that “diet can be a significant confounder of epidemiological studies on air pollution and respiratory health.”

Essential oil fragrances

An essential oil is a distillated liquid (most frequently by steam or water) from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other plant elements. Essential oils, contrary to the use of the word “oil” are not really oily-feeling at all. Most essential oils are almost transparent while some oils such as patchouli, orange and lemongrass are amber or yellow in color.

The following fragrances are some of the many that can be used as essential oils : Patchouli, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Rose, Ylang-ylang

Essential oils can help in enhancing one’s emotional outlook on life. Although aromatherapy is not a miracle cure for serious emotional issues, the use of essential oils may assist, sometimes greatly, with particular emotional issues. Furthermore, the right use of essential oils may enhance one’s emotional outlook and provide support and help balance one’s feelings during the day. The use of essential oils for emotional health is what is often first thought of when talking about “aromatherapy.”

For example:

To Cure Anger:
Bergamot, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange, Patchouli, Petitgrain, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

To Vanish Anxiety:
Bergamot, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver

For Confidence:
Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books.

Categories: Cures, Fragrance Oils, Healing, Incense, essential oils

Tags: essential oil, fragrance, Incense No Comments

Simple Steps To Make Your Own Spells

March 4th, 2010

author Rose Ariadne

Magick is an individual action that needs to be performed in order to enable each person to direct his or her own life. True practitioners of magick are guardians, preservers, and revivers of the world’s occult truths and traditions.

Although there are many magickal traditions in the world, all of them share the same grain of truth; the individual is responsible for making her/his life work.

Many of us spend hours worrying about life, being jealous of others, getting depressed over our experiences or feeling angry at others and wanting revenge because of something they may or may not have done. Focusing on others to cure your ills is not very efficient. You can, however, get over the jealousy, the depression or the anger by just focusing on yourself, how you can get what you really, really want from your life.

When you create your own spells, remember that every action returns three-fold results. Think carefully whether you are being honest, just and kind. Remember that any spells cast to hurt another (even unknowingly) can come back to hurt you even more. IT JUST ISN’T WORTH IT.

To create spells, you have to first think of what you need out of it. You may choose love, health, prosperity, fertility, home, education, job, etc. Depending on your goal, choose the items that will help you succeed in your goal by allowing you to focus more intently on your action.

Always assume that the result has already materialized in Nature. All you are doing is to bring it closer, to make it appear in your view, in your realm, in your reality. Use positive sentences when you write your goals.

One of the major advantages of making our own spells rather than have strangers create the spells for us is that the spells we create will be customized to our own thoughts and preferences. These type of spells are the most effective of all. Visualization is one of the most important parts of the spell. It is through visualization that we bring our thoughts into reality.

Here are some ways in which you can create your own spells.

1. Decide on the goal; Remember,it has already taken place in the Universe. All you need is to visualize and bring it into your reality

2. Think of all the tools or items you need to help you visualize this goal. It could be an outdoor or indoor altar, Figurines or candles depicting the Goddess or God, herbs or flowers, holy water, oils and perfumes, paper and pen to write down your intentions, etc.

3. The best timings for the spell. If it is a spell that increases something (love, health, money, etc), it is best to cast the spell on a new moon day when the moon is waxing. On the other hand, if it is a spell in which you want to decrease something (weight, illness, curses, etc) work it on a full moon day so that as the moon wanes, your problem will disappear.

4. Next choose the time or day to do the spell. In many magickal books and good websites, you may find the correspondence between astrological positions and successful spell working.

To start, assemble all the items you need in front of the altar. Take a nice, long bath with herbal oils and essences. Dry off and wear a clean cotton robe to remove all negativity surrounding you.

Cast a sacred circle to surround yourself with positive energy. Sit in front of the altar and arrange the candles, and other items around. Burn incense appropriate to your goal. Incense is usually made of botanicals and most of them are used for specific purposes. Learn more about them if you wish to create your own spells.

Rose Ariadne has been practicing ancient forms of Witchcraft for over 25 years.

Categories: Magick, Spells

Tags: cure, Magick, Spells No Comments

The Power and Magic of Crystals in the 21st Century.

March 4th, 2010

by Ron Windred

When looking at crystals, a lot of us see things of natural beauty and innate power. Then there are those among us who see nothing but a rock, it may look pretty but has no further value. They will then scoff at and deride the knowledge of those of us who believe in the power and magic of Crystals and use their physical and metaphysical properties to our advantage, These are the same people who blindly extol the virtues and benefits of our modern day technologies, with little to no thought of natures role in making these technologies possible.

Yet, many of the wonders of our daily lives that we take for granted owe their existence in some way to crystals and the mineralogical kingdom. Here are just a few examples:-
Keeping Time. In order to keep our lives on time and punctual we have come to depend very heavily on accurate time pieces. To do this most of our clocks and watches use Quartz movements. Until recently the world clock kept its time using a Quartz movement. Today it uses Atomic decay as the measuring device.

Our Computers. Imagine trying to operate in your modern lifestyle without one of these. Yet the main driving component of your computer is the silicon chip. Admittedly these are synthesized these days for uniformity and consistency, as Mother Nature doesn’t make identical duplicates. But the very first one used in the prototypes were natural pieces of silicon dioxide; Quartz.

Lasers. At the core of our modern day miracle tools are Crystals, the two most commonly used are Ruby and Emerald. The medical fraternity has come to depend on these devises; which are used predominately in eye and cosmetic surgery.

Imagine the modern day builder without his laser level, or the speaker without his laser pointer.
Precision Bearings. Very fine tolerance technical tools depend on the crystal world to provide extremely durable bearings. At the cheaper end of the scale are Quartz and Garnet through to the more expensive Ruby, Emerald, and Diamond.
There are a great many other examples that can be used to demonstrate the use of crystals in our technologies and industry, but the short list above will be satisfactory for this article.

Let’s look at some other uses; Mica is crushed up finely and provides the shine in the best brands of lipstick. Lapis Lazuli is still used (ground up of course) in some exclusive brands of eye shadow. It provides that deep blue/purple colour, very popular in Egyptian times.

And of course a variety of stones are crushed and included in many of today’s orthodox ointments, tinctures and creams.

So why should it be surprising to these people when we talk of the Healing and magical properties of these same crystals, as we use them in our day to day life. If we go back to Biblical times, the Breast Plate of the High Priest was adorned with crystals selected for their peculiar energies and properties.
The Crown and Scepter of Royalty are decorated with crystals chosen, not for their beauty (as beautiful as they are), but for the energy and power they would afford.

A very interesting carry over from times past is in our use of jewellery. For example, Diamonds (known as a girl’s best friend) are the most popular stone for engagement rings. These were originally used because of their power or property to join or bind one to the other. Gold bands were chosen as wedding rings as Gold carries the energy of and is a symbol for fidelity.

With just these few examples you can see that Crystals play a vital role in our daily lives, with more going on behind the scenes with crystals and gemstones
than may first be realized. So if we can utilize them so well in our technologies, why shouldn’t we be able to use them to enhance our spiritual and healing powers?
Of course, a lot of us already realize that these are powerful allies, to augment our spiritual lives and to assist in our healing.

About the Author

Ron is a Crystal and Reiki Master, Metaphysician and Meditation teacher who lives and works with his wife Sue at ‘Akasha Keep’; a spiritual centre dedicated to healing and teaching, located in the beautiful Somerset region of Queensland, Australia.

Categories: Crystals, Magick

Tags: Crystals, emeralds, garnet, magic, quartz, ruby No Comments

Divining Today

March 2nd, 2010

Written by Sandra Mizumoto Posey, Ph.D.
The materials are laid out before you: cards, stones, coins, even the stray leaves in your teacup. You puzzle over the swords, cups, wands, and circles, or perhaps an unfamiliar alphabet, or even something as seemingly simple as a series of lines, broken and unbroken. And let’s face it, of all the world’s most perplexing mysteries, certain questions assert themselves at the forefront of our thoughts: Does he/she still love me? Will I get a promotion? How can I improve my health? Where will this road take me? They’re personal issues, the stuff of daily worries, the building blocks of our days.
But is this sort of divination really about the future or is it about now? Divinatory tools are triggers. We begin by recognizing its symbols, picking out the ones that resonate with us first. Some tools already comprise a sophisticated and complex language. When you learn its symbolic alphabet, you can begin to read its message, which is really a message from you to you. While the same symbols may present themselves to you or another reader, how you build the sentences from these esoteric words is yours alone. And by bypassing the language you use daily to communicate the mundane, it’s possible for you to leap from left brain to right, delving into personal truths that are beyond mere logic.

Before casting runes or dealing cards, ask yourself what it is that you are seeking of divination. Determine whether or not you will only see what you want to see. What will change about your outlook or your actions if the answer is the opposite? Will you repeat your reading until you find what you were hoping for? Or are you truly ready to take what is given and accept the fact that what you hope for may not be what is best, that the problem you hope to solve likely has its answer within yourself rather than without, and that no matter what promises you perceive the cards to have given you, you still have to live with your reality today. Divination, in other words, is not an escape. It is not an easy way out. If used mindfully, it will help you to see the mountains you must climb, not avoid them.
Once you have accepted this, the method you choose for divination is largely irrelevant. There is no one way that is better than the rest. Ultimately, you need to go with the form that resonates with you most. While it may seem like an ambiguous statement, you will know what form is right for you. Don’t belabor the issue. You are not tied to this deck or this method for the rest of your life. If something feels right, go with it. At a later point, more likely than not, this will shift and change, probably many times.
The most popular forms today are probably tarot cards (in one form or another) and Norse runes. Divination tools, however, are diverse beyond imagining. You can divine with almost anything. In ancient times, there were those who found truth by looking at the fresh entrails of a newly slaughtered beast, so if you want to find answers in the specks of fat dotting your breakfast sausage, go to it. A few more common methods include cartomancy, divining with cards; palmistry, analyzing the lines and contours of the human hand; tasseography, divining in a tea or coffee cup; phrenology, the analysis of the human head; and bibliomancy, finding answers by choosing random passages from the bible or another text.
The key to successful divination is to achieve an almost meditative state before your chosen instrument. For this reason, the practice of meditation in general is a valuable habit to acquire. Essentially, you are seeking to achieve a waking dream state in which your mind is not chattering on in its normal manner, preoccupied with sundry worries, and begin a journey of free association and storytelling with a willingness to let your mind go wherever it chooses to take you. No matter how unrelated an image, idea, or word may seem when it first flits across your thoughts, do not fight it. Don’t get in your own way. Your mind knows where it is taking you.
If you are an artist, this state of mind is familiar to you. It is that place you reach when you are not consciously choosing your colors or where the next stroke of paint will go. You are simply flowing along with it. Like driving a car, the minute you stop to analyze what you are doing, the process becomes awkward and ultimately detrimental.
The answers come from within yourself. Let them come.

Document Copyright © 1999 Spiritualitea.com & Sandra Mizumoto Posey, Ph.D., author of Cafe Nation: Coffee Folklore, Magick, & Divination (Santa Monica Press, 2000). This article may be reproduced as long as no changes, additions or deletions are made to the text. All the information in this paragraph must be included on the document whenever it is distributed or reproduced.

Categories: Divination

Tags: bibliomancy, cards, cartomancy, divinations, phrenology, stones, symbols, tasseography No Comments

What’s New

November 14th, 2009

My posting to this blog has been slow recently. I would like to think there has been good reason.1] Ravenhawks’ Academy of Magick and Mysticism, and 2]”the store”. The academy has seen an upsurge in active students, YAY!!! And the store has had some additions; we have added new products including the 2010 calendars. We have also decided that in sympathy with the current financial market, we would offer a 10% discount on total orders from the store everyday. Also new, layaway is now available and you may checkout with either Google or Amazon… We are adding new items to the store daily, now we have over 300 items available currently. Hopefully this will help with your everyday shopping need as well as Yule gifting needs.
We have also had to re-do the forums lost a great deal of wonderful comments and info. However the forums are up and running so please feel free to check them out and leave your questions, thoughts, beliefs and comments.

Categories: Ravenhawks' Academy, Ravenhawks' Magickal Mystical Places "store"

Tags: 10%discount, 2010 calendars, forums, layaway, magickal supplies, metaphysical store, shopping, Yule Gifting 3 Comments

Samhain 2009

November 14th, 2009

This is one of my favorite times of year. It is also the end of the year for those of us who use the Celtic calendar. It is a time to look back and see what you have accomplished, to honor your ancestors both living and deceased. We can decorate by bringing the colors of Samhain to our altars and tables:Black, Brown, Gold, Orange, Red, Silver, and Yellow. Decorate with pumpkins, leaves, acorns, vines,and apples. We will also cook seasonal foods using fruits and vegetables that can be readily found in your garden, farmers market or local supermarket. The interesting thing about using seasonal foods to cook with is that they make it possible to cut your budget and still serve foods that please the palate. Here are a few of the seasonal foods: apples, apple dishes, cider, (this is the meat harvest) especially pork, mulled cider with spices, nuts, pomegranates, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, corn, cranberry, turnips, beets, ale, herbal teas (mugwort). Lets celebrate the third and last harvest of 2009. My goodness this year seems to have passed rather quickly.
Essential Oils for Samhain and Halloween:
Cedar, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lavender, Lime, Mint, Myrrh, Orange, Sage, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Patchouli, Pine, and Melissa.
Scent your area for the season and create a “spooky” attraction by placing a charcoal that is used for burning incense in a fire proof container, [cauldron, bowl] light the charcoal and drop a few drop of your favorite oil on the hot charcoal for a billow of aromatic smoke.
Scented Candles play a big part in adding ambiance and flair to the season.

Categories: Halloween, Samhain

Tags: ancestors, celtic New Year, essential oils, meat harvest, seasonal foods No Comments

Sabbats

February 21st, 2009

OSTARA (pronounced O-STAR-ah) is one of the Lesser Sabbats, and is usually celebrated on the Vernal or Spring Equinox right around March 20/21 (although because of its origins, may instead be celebrated on the fixed date of March 25). Other names by which this Sabbat may be known are Oestara, Eostre’s Day, Rite of Eostre, Alban Eilir, Festival of the Trees, and Lady Day. The Christian holiday of Easter is very near this same time, and is determined as the first Sunday after the first Full Moon after the Vernal Equinox.

Ostara is a time to celebrate the arrival of Spring, the renewal and rebirth of Nature herself, and the coming lushness of Summer. It is at this time when light and darkness are in balance, yet the light is growing stronger by the day. The forces of masculine and feminine energy, yin and yang, are also in balance at this time.

How did we Celebrate??

ImageFor early Pagans in the Germanic countries, this was a time to celebrate planting and the new crop season. Typically, the Celtic peoples did not celebrate Ostara as a holiday, although they were in tune with the changing of the seasons.
Persian kings known as the Achaemenians celebrated the spring equinox with the festival of No Ruz — which means “new day.” It is a celebration of hope and renewal still observed today in many Persian countries.
Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for ten centuries. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, Mexico, its “western face…is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. The lengthening shadows appear to run from the top of the pyramid’s northern staircase to the bottom, giving the illusion of a diamond-backed snake in descent.” This has been called “The Return of the Sun Serpent” since ancient times.
The custom of giving eggs on Ostara was known to the early Egyptians, Persians,Greeks Romans and Gauls. The Practice of coloring these eggs also date back to ancient civilization.
In Asia and India, the practice of hunting hidden eggs in spring was symbolic of the belief that we are fully responsible for our actions and reactions, and that we must each find our own way to life renewed. Because this incorporated reincarnation themes, the egg hunt was a time to reflect on the balance of rights and wrongs and how to improve one’s position in the next life.

Categories: Ostara, Spring Equinox, Vernal Equinox

Tags: God, Goddess, Lady Day, Sacred Marriage, Spring No Comments

Samhain Correspondences

October 29th, 2008

Samhain~Halloween Customs and Practices Again Many of my readers have seen this information before so here it is again. This major festival has several aspects. It is considered the third (meat) harvest, New Year’s Eve, the Day of the Dead (the dead are honored as they were by the ancient Celts & Egyptians and even now in Mexico) and a night that the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is thinnest. It is thought that divination is easier and more powerful, the fairy folk create mischief on this night, and that our lost loved ones are nearer to us (and thus easier to contact) for this reason. One reason to contact those who have passed on would be to strengthen our karmic ties to them in order to be assured we will incarnate in our next life with them. Rituals on this night generally include remembering and honoring loved ones and ancestors. You may also celebrate reincarnation and another tradition is called the “dumb supper”. This entails that while feasting on all the wonderful items available at the last harvest a place is set for departed family members. You might set photos or other mementos upon the table and tell stories or jokes and remember wonderful times shared by you and those who have passed on to their next great adventure. It is not unusual to ask your ancestors’ spirits to aid and assist you in whichever form/s of divination you prefer to use. Some of most common and oldest forms of scrying used are fire or flame, and mirror. You might also try a dark bowl or cauldron filled with liquid, crystals, pendulums, runes, tarots or reading tea leaves. Guided meditations or astral travel for the purpose of past life regression and/or for the purpose of knowing or learning something specific from one’s ancestors, are very successful on this night. Also on this night we note the absence the Sun (the god), who will be reborn at Winter Solstice as the Child of Promise. The Crone is called upon for comfort; the dying God is mourned. The Sun God’s power is at it’s weakest, and the Moon Goddess’ power is at it’s strongest. (remember this when doing any magickal working on this night or even at this time of year) This is the time when cattle and sheep where brought in from summer pasture, all but breeding stock being killed for winter food and to make fewer mouths to feed. The last fruit was picked, except that which would be left for the Sidhe, and the grain was already gathered and had been processed for fodder, flour, and beer. Fishermen put up their boats and stored their gear. Debts would be paid up. Young people who hired out as farm or herder help would return home, as would the warriors of the Fianna and any Bards or poets traveling about would find a household to attach themselves to. Many of the people would begin preparing for the long, dark winter of living almost constantly indoors in often crowded conditions. Farmers and other workers would be preparing to change their summer occupation in for one of gathering wood for the next year giving it a year to dry, much as their descendants would well into the 20th century. The festival itself is a fire festival and would be celebrated with bonfires, feasts, and the killing of the livestock for the feasts and to be cured for later at large gatherings as well as smaller local ones. The Gods, Sidhe, and Ancestors would be welcome and fed in ritual, as they would be by individuals at home and hall. Divination was important, for not only was this a major turning point in the year but such things would be easier with the nearness of Otherworldly help. The fires of the old year would be extinguished to be replaced by new ones. Story telling started at this time and in many chieftains’ halls it was mandatory that a story be told every night during the dark half of the year –from Samhain to Beltaine. After all, except for an hunting expeditions and the fixing of weapons and tools, there wasn’t a lot to do at this time; while temperatures in the British Isles are kept relatively mild by the Gulf Stream it is dark and rainy most of the days during the winter months. What about those horrible Witches every where and the annoying Trick or Treaters? Well, this is the time of year that the Scots believed that the Cailleach, the Hag, arises from stone to walk the Earth. She actually had a blue-gray or almost black face . She is an important supernatural being in Gaelic myth. This is the time of year to honor the goddsss in her Crone form. And yes, Cailleachwas often considered both scary and reverently comical, for winter was a fearful time and best faced with humor. Considering leaving some water for Her as She is thirsty when She awakens. The other modern annoyance for some Pagans, Trick or Treat, seems to have been started in Antiquity by young people who disguised themselves and requested hospitality from all they met this have been a practice at all Fire Festivals in some variation. It is always important for us to Treat them well, we can never be sure that one really is a costumed child and we don’t want to deal with one of Their Tricks if they should be our Ancestors or a supernatural entity. There is also speculation that this might have been a way for widows and orphans to procure their winter stores. The “Trick” aspect that we still have when young people vandalize and create general chaos irrespective of getting “Treats” is of some antiquity; in Scotland at least, the youths would break things, tear up gardens, and run rampant to destroy the past year This represented the actions of the Otherworldly beings and rendered that which was left useless to humans, therefore only of value to those of the Otherworld. Samhain is really the time in between two years and is therefore a time of Chaos, a time when the Otherworld rules. Afterwards a new order would be created for the New Year.

Correspondence of Samhain~Halloween The Plants and Herbs of Samhain~Halloween: Apple, Cedar, Cherry, Elder, Eucalyptus, Holly, Horse Chestnut, Lime, Orange, Palm-Date, Oak, Peach, Pear, Pine, Plum, Quince, Rowan, Sandalwood, Willow, Witch Hazel, African Violet, Agaric, Blackberry, Blueberry, Cinnamon, Coconut, Cuckoo-Flower, Cyclamen, Deerstongue, Devil’s Bit, Elderflower, Garlic, Ginger, Grape, Hemp, Huckleberry, Kalbs Cross, Lavender, Liquorice, Mandrake, Mint, Myrrh, Nettle, Nightshade, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Saffron, Sage, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, Sloe, Star Anise, Strawberry, Sugar Cane, Tea, Tobacco, Vanilla, Witch Grass, Wolfsbane. Colors associated with Samhain~Halloween: Black, Brown, Gold, Orange, Red, Silver, Yellow Stones associated with Sanhain~Halloween:Amethyst, Asbestos, Beryl, Bloodstone Cat’s Eye, Coal, Coral, Carnelian, Danburite, Fossil, Herkimer, Jasper, Jet, Marble, Mother of Pearl, Obsidian, Onyx, Petrified Wood, Pumice, Quartz, Rhodonite, Smoky quartz, Salt, Tourmaline-Pink. Incense and oils you can use any of the following scents, either blended together or alone: Cedar, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lavender, Lime, Mint, Myrrh, Orange, Sagebrush, Sandalwood, Copal, mastic resin, benzoin, sweetgrass, wormwood, mugwort, sage, or patchouli. Animals and mythical beasts:Stag, cat, bat, owl, jackal, elephant, ram, scorpion, heron, crow, robin, Phooka, Goblin, Medusa, Beansidhe, Fylgiar, Peryton, Erlkonig, and Harpies. Gods and Goddess Associated with Samhain~Halloween: Any figure of the Goddess in her Crone aspect, as well as Gods of death; such as: Hecate (goddess of fertility, moon magick, and the witches’ protectress, Morrigan (Celtic godess of death, Cernunnos (Celtic fertility god), Persephone (Greek goddess who dies and is reborn every year after being tricked by Hades), Arawn (Welsh King of Hel), Gywnn Ap Nudd (King of Faeries and of the underworld), Macha(Irish mother of life and death, one of the triple goddesses of Morrigu), Scathach/Scota and Osiris (Egyptian god who dies and is reborn every year. Full Listing of Gods and Goddess Anubis, Arianrhod, Astarte, Baba Yaga Beansidhe (Banshee), Belili, Bran, Cailleach Beara, Cernunnos, Cerridwen, Crone , Dark Lord & Lady, Demeter, Hathor, Hecate, Hel, Horned God, Inanna, Ishtar, Isis, Kali, Kore, Lakshmi, Lilith, the Morrigan, Nephthys, Odin, Osiris, Oya, Persephone, Pomona, Rhiannon, Tlazoteotl Symbols for Samhain~Halloween: apples, autumn flowers, acorns, bat, black cat, bones, corn stalks, cauldrons, colored leaves, crows, death/dying, divination and the tools associated with it, ghosts, gourds, Indian corn, jack-o-lantern, nuts , oak leaves, pomegranates, pumpkins, scarecrows, scythes, waning moon. Foods of Samhain~halloween:apples, apple dishes, cider, meat (traditionally this is the meat harvest) especially pork, mulled cider with spices, nuts, pomegranates, potatoes, pumpkins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, squash, corn, cranberry muffins and breads, turnips, beets, ale, herbal tea (mugwort). Activities of Samhain~Halloween:On Samhain, Honoring the Dead, Dumb Supper, Carving Jack O’Lanterns (and then baking pumpkin pie!) , Making Masks representing the Gods & Goddesses of Samhain, Making a besom , Divination, And most importantly, don’t forget to leave milk and honey out for the Faerie folk. Spell Work of Samhain~Halloween:release of bad habits, banishing, fairy magick, divination of any kind, candle magick, astral projection, past life work, dark moon mysteries, mirror spells (reflection), casting protection, inner work, propitiation, clearing obstacles, uncrossing, inspiration, workings of transitionor culmination, manifesting transformation,creative visualization, contacting those who have departed this plane

Notions Potions and Spells Herb /Plant of the Season:Oak Gender: Masculine Planet: Sun Element: Fire Deities: Dagda, Danus, Jupiter, Thor, Zeus, Herne, Janus, Rhea, Cybele, Hecate, Pan, Erato Botanical name: Quercus robur Magickal uses: Magickally, the Oak represents strengthand protection. It teaches persistence and endurance. Known as the King of the Forest, the mighty Oak is traditionally associated withstrengthand courage. It grows to a huge size and great girth and is a very long-lived tree spanning centuries. Offering its gifts of protection, strength and courage, Oak makes wonderful magickal tools to last a lifetime or even a special heirloom to be passed down for generations. Sacred to the Druids and the Greeks, the oak is a tree of strength, protection and durability. It represents inner fire, courage and nobility of spirit. At the Greek oracle of Dodoni, the god Zeus speaks by rustling the leaves of the sacred oak. Many Germanic and Celtic tribes made truce and administered justice under the oak, and the Yule log is traditionally of oak as well. As it both attracts lightning and yet seems resilient to it, the oak is sacred to many storm and wind gods, and its power to stand to lightning’s transformative power may have something to do with its meaning in the Ogham, where it is Dur, “door” an Ogham of transformation, the ability to step through the door and create change. Dur is the turning point in the Oghamic calendar, falling at summer solstice, with Tinne(holly) in the next month, representing the transition from the oak to the holly king. The acorn symbolizes the huge potential in small things. Uses: Protection, Health, Money, Healing, Potency, Fertility, Luck Medicinal Action and Uses—The astringent effects of the Oak were well known to the Ancients, by whom different parts of the tree were used, but it is the bark which is now employed in medicine. Its action is slightly tonic, strongly astringent and antiseptic. It has a strong astringent bitter taste, and its qualities are extracted both by water and spirit. The odour is slightly aromatic. Like other astringents, it has been recommended in agues and haemorrhages, and is a good substitute for Quinine in intermittent fever, especially when given with Chamomile flowers. It is useful in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, either alone or in conjunction with aromatics. A decoction is made from 1 OZ. of bark in a quart of water, boiled down to a pint and taken in wineglassful doses. Externally, this decoction has been advantageously employed as a gargle in chronic sore throat withrelaxed uvula, and also as a fomentation. It is also serviceable as an injection for leucorrhoea, and applied locally to bleeding gums and piles. Healing Pyorrhea/Gingivitis–tea made from equal parts of white oak bark, taheebo and lemon grass. Stone of the Season:Jet Energy: Receptive Element: Earth, Akasha Planet(s): Saturn Deities: Cybele Herb(s): Lavender, Sage. Power(s): Protection, Anti-nightmare, Luck, Divination, Health. Brings success, prosperity, happiness, Enhances dream process. Jet is organic in origin. Like coal, it was formed from the remains of wood immersed in stagnant water millions of years ago, then compacted and fossilized by the pressures of burial. Jet is black or dark brown but may contain pyrite inclusions, which have a brassy color and metallic luster. Jet takes a good polish and is often faceted. When burned or touched with a hot needle, it exudes the characteristic smell of coal. Found in England, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, India, Turkey, the former USSR, China and the USA. Jet was popular for mourning jewelry in the 19th century because of its somber color and modest appearance. and it has been traditionally fashioned into rosaries for monks. Jet has also been known as black amber, as it may induce an electric charge like that of amber when rubbed. Jet is grounding and balancing, and as it also carries a negative electrical charge, is good for drawing power and knowledge to the bearer. it helps to tap into the ancient wisdoms and transformative powers of the Earth. It is also helpful in stabilizing finances. It can protect the wearer against illness and violence. This is the stone witches use for protection from negativity. Healing PROPERTIES: Reveres body as temple. Cleanses aura. Provides comfort. Benefits headaches, asthma. Dispels migraines, illness, deep depression. It is a calming agent. Color of the Season: Orange Planet: Sun, Mars, Mercury Day: Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday Element: Fire Chakra: Second, Spleen Chakra Properties:controlling runaway emotions, promoting personal creativity, increasing memory, career, legal issues, healing nervous disorders, balance and neutrality, organization, travel, writing, business transactions and obtaining information. Cooperation. Can enhance breaking of spells or to bring about a quick change. Most Important Associations: Dependency/Co-dependency/Independence. Shock. Trauma. Deep insight and ecstasy. Symbolic Meaning: Harmony. Beauty. Art. Divinity and renunciation. (The robes of Buddhist monks are orange.) Sexuality. Trust. Spiritual Meaning: Insight. Individuation. Devotion. The need to belong. Mental Meaning: Wisdom. Indecision. Patience and perseverance. Deep insight. Lack of self-worth. Dependency/co-dependency/independence. Interdependence. Emotional Meaning: Wisdom. “Gut feelings.” Spontaneous wisdom. Camaraderie. Sexuality for pleasure and joy, not with the intent to con­ceive. Hysteria. Depression. Excitement. Extraversion. Shock. Trauma. Joy. Deep delight. Physical Associations: Ovaries. Intestines, small and large (also constipa­tion). Spleen (it is said that the colour orange can bring the spleen and its function into balance). Gall bladder (often someone who has difficulties with the gall bladder cannot stand oranges). The colour orange has to do with food intake and assimilation. Incense numbers = part= teaspoon, tablespoon or cup measure Psychic Protection Incense Frankincense 1/4, Oregano 1/2, Lovage 1/4, Cloves 1/2, Ginger Root (ground) 1/4, Sandalwood 1/2, Star Anise 1/4 Fall Incense 1/4 part Oak, 1/2 part Pine, 1/4 part Frankincense, 1/4 part Cinnamon, 1/4 part Cloves, 1/2 part Rosemary, 1/4 part Sage, 1/2 part Pomegranate Protection Oil 1 dram olive oil 1 dram Patchouli oil 1 tsp. broken pieces of Mandrake Root 1 dram Cinnamon Oil 3 heaping tsp. coarse sea salt ground very fine 1 dram Myrrh Oil In a clean metal bowl, mix the olive oil, sea salt, and mandrake root. Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Transfer the mixture to a clean sterilized jar. Using a dropper, add the essential oils. Swirl the essential oils into the base oil/salt/mandrake mixture, don’t stir. Gently rotate the oil clockwise. Store the oil away from heat, light and moisture in an airtight glass bottle. End Negativity and Give Hope Incense 1 part Thyme, 1/2 part Rue, 1/2 part Sweet Woodruff, 1/2 part Cloves Transforming Negativity: White Candle Black Candle Casting The Spell Light your white Candle visualize protective light surrounding you and all aspects of your life. Now Light the black candle and Say 3 times: Now all Negative Energy directed at and surrounding my life is blocked and transformed into positive energy that serves the greatest good of this reality, humanity, the universe and my life. Let the candles burn until they burn out. Autumn Conjuration This spell requires a trip to the park or a walk in the woods. Take a plastic bag and collect all the large, beautiful leaves you can find (not the dry, crumbly ones). When you get home, you will need the following: An iron Glue Spread the leaves on a table. Hold your hands over the leaves and say: My life is filled with abundance And all my needs are met – and more. Keep repeating this chant until you hands grown warm. Finish by saying: Autumn harvest, bring to me Abundance, joy and laughter. So mote it be! Put the iron on the lowest setting and smooth out the leaves. Glue the leaves together in circles or ovals to create autumn place mats. Source Halloween Silver Ravenwolf Halloween: Silver Ravenwolf

Foods of Samhain~Halloween   Apple Pancakes 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 tbs. sugar 4 tsp. baking powder 1tsp. salt 2 well beaten egg yolks 2 cups milk 2 tbs. butter/margarine, melted 1 cup finely chopped apple, peeled and cored 2 stiffly beaten egg whites. In a large non-metal bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients. In a smaller bowl, combine the milk and egg yolks. Pour mixture into the dry ingredients and stir well. Stir in the butter/margarine and apple. Fold in the egg whites. Let the batter set up for a few minutes. Cook on a hot griddle or in a large frying pan, using 1/3 cup of batter per pancake. Use a spatula or spoon to spread batter evenly. Remove from heat, dot with butter, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and roll up into log. Top with slightly heated applesauce and a dash of cinnamon. Makes 12 pancakes. Cranberry-Pumpkin Cookies Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 1 cup pureed cooked pumpkin 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup cranberries 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon grated orange peel 1/2 cup chopped nuts Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla, egg and pumpkin. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and add to mixture. Mix until until well blended. Cut the cranberries in half and stir into mixture. Add orange peel and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies Samhain Cider Ingredients: 2 quarts apple cider 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ginger 1/2 cup apricot brandy Instructions: In a large pot, combine the apple cider, confectioner’s sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger. Simmer slowly on low heat for about 15 minutes. Take care that the cider does not boil. Add the apricot brandy and then serve the cider while it is still warm. Refrigerate any leftover cider. Note: I have used apricot nectar instead of brandy and it wasn’t too bad. Yield: 8 servings Source: Dunwich, The Pagan Book of Halloween Pumpkin Muffins Ingredients: 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 stick butter or margarine, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 cup buttermilk 2/3 cup cooked, mashed pumpkin 1/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons molasses 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice Instructions: In small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy and pale. Beat in eggs and buttermilk until well-blended. Add flour mixture to form a batter. Preheat oven to 375ºF. In medium bowl, mix pumpkin, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves until well-blended. Stir into the batter. Ladle batter into 12 2 1/2-inch greased muffin cups and bake for 15-17 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes, then cool on rack. Yield: 1 dozen Source: Dunwich, The Pagan Book of Halloween Elder Flower Fritters Ingredients: 1 egg 1 teaspoon rose water 1/2 cup honey 2 tablespoons brandy 1 cup self-rising flour 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups elder flowers, freshly picked and cleaned Instructions: Mix egg, rose water, honey, and brandy in a bowl, then stir in flour and cinnamon. Should be thick like pancake batter. (Add flour if it’s too thin, and add more brandy if it’s too thick.) Fold in the flowers. Fry like pancakes, OR drop by the teaspoonful into a deep-fat fryer until golden brown. Serve with orange water sprinkle and fresh lemon, or dip in sweet cream Source: Patricia Telesco, A Kitchen Witch’s Cookbook Garlic Pork with Chestnuts Wrap a dollar bill around a chestnut and place it in your purse to attract money Ingredients: 1 pound chestnuts 11/2 pounds boneless pork loin, cut into cubes 1/2 stick butter 1/2 teaspoon sage Pinch of Thyme 2 cloves garlic, pressed 1 cup sherry 3/4 cup hot water Salt and pepper to taste Parsley for garnish Instructions Skin chestnuts by making a cut along the flat side of each one and dropping them into a pan of boiling salted water . Boil for about 5 minutes. Chestnuts must be peeled while hot, so only tkeout a couple at at time. Remove both the outer shell and inner skins. In a fresh pan of water simmer the peeled chestnuts for about 15 minutes until they are tender. Gently brown the pork loin in the butter. Transfer to a casserole dish and add the chestnuts, along with the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook in the oven for 2 hours at 300 degrees, stirring ocasionally. Garnish with parsley and serve. Serves 2 Source Joanne Asala Celtic Folklore Cooking

Categories: Halloween, Sabbats, Samhain

Tags: dumb supper, New Year’s Eve, the Day of the Dead, third (meat) harvest No Comments

Litha~Summer Solstice~Mid Summer

June 2nd, 2008

Categories: Litha, Midsummer, Sabbats, Summer Solstice

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Correspondence of Litha

June 2nd, 2008

Plants and Herbs~Anise, mugwort, chamomile, rose, wild rose, oak blossoms, lily, cinquefoil, lavender, fennel, elder, mistletoe, hemp, thyme, larkspur, nettle, wisteria, vervain ( verbena), St. John’s wort, heartsease, rue, fern, wormwood, pine,heather, yarrow, oak & holly trees

Colors~Blue, green, gold, yellow, white and red

Incense and Oils~~Heliotrope, saffron, orange, frankincense & myrrh, wisteria, cinnamon, mint, rose, lemon, lavender, sandalwood, pine

Stones~Topaz, agate, alexandrite, flourite, moonstone, pearl, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli, diamond, tiger’s eye,

Animals and Mythical Beings~~Wren, robin, peacock, frog, butterfly, horses, cattle, satyrs, faeries, firebird, dragon, thunderbirdGoddesses~~Mother Earth, Mother Nature, Venus, Aphrodite, Yemaya, Astarte, Freya, Hathor, Ishtar, all Goddesses of love, passion, beauty and the Sea, and Pregnant, lusty Goddesses, Green Forest Mother; Great One of the Stars, Goddess of the Wells

Gods~~Father Sun/Sky, Oak King, Holly King, Arthur, Gods at peak power and strength, sun, fire and fertility gods. Apollo (Greek), Baal (Phoenician), Baldur (Scandinavian), El (Semitic), Hadad (Babylonian), Helios (Greek), Hephaestus (Greek), Jupiter (Roman), Lugh (Irish), Osiris (Egyptian), Prometheus (Greek), Ra (Egyptian), Sol (Roman), Zeus (Greek)

Symbols~~The sun, oak, birch & fir branches, sun flowers, lilies, red/maize/yellow or gold flower, love amulets, seashells, summer fruits & flowers, feather/flower door wreath, sun wheel, fire, circles of stone, sun dials and swords/blades, bird feathers, Witches’ ladder

Foods~~Honey, fresh vegetables, lemons, oranges, summer fruits, summer squash, pumpernickel bread, ale, carrot drinks, mead.

Activities~~Picnics, leave out food for faeries, jumping bonfires, gathering herbs.

Spellwork~~Healing, love magick, protection, purification, energy, faery

Categories: Litha, Midsummer, Sabbats, Summer Solstice

Tags: Herbs, Litha Colors, Litha Correspondence, Plants No Comments