| October 29, 2013 Passive Aggressive Behavior Claiming our Feelings If you’ve ever found yourself repressing your anger and behaving in other ways to get your point across, you may be someone who is adept at engaging in passive-aggressive behavior. Although passive-aggressive behavior is recognized as a psychological disorder, it also describes the behavior that many people use to cope with confrontational situations. Such behavior has the outward appearance of being peaceful, yet it is really an attempt to express oneself in seemingly passive ways—usually without accepting responsibility for doing so. For example, someone who doesn’t want to attend an event with a partner might engage in behavior that causes them to be late or miss the event without ever admitting to their partner that they never wanted to go to the function at all. Procrastination, inefficiency, stubbornness, and sullenness are some of the many ways that anger can be expressed indirectly. It is important not to judge ourselves when we engage in passive-aggressive behavior. You may want to consider that you are not owning your feelings or your expression by indirectly expressing yourself. Perhaps you are judging your feelings and needs as wrong—which is why you are expressing yourself indirectly. You also may be worried that others will judge you for feeling the way that you do. Remember that anger and every other emotion are never good or bad. They can, however, become toxic of you don’t express them in healthy and proactive ways. When we express ourselves directly, we are more likely to be heard by the other person. It also becomes easier for us to ask for and get what we want. Once we learn to be honest with ourselves about our feelings, we can begin to directly express ourselves to others. By learning to express ourselves directly, we prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and resentment from cropping up in our relationships. We also learn to communicate with others in healthy and productive ways. It is never too late to start working on ourselves and our behaviors, just take it one day at |
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Passive Aggressive Behavior
How To Honor the Harvest’s End
How To Honor the Harvest’s End
A Samhain Ritual for Wiccans and Pagans
By Patti Wigington, About.com
Celebrate the final harvest with a ritual.
Samhain represents, among other things, the end of the harvest season. If you haven’t picked it by Samhain, you probably won’t be eating it! The gardens have died off by now, and where we once saw lush green plants, there is nothing left but dry and dead stalks. The perennials have shut down for the season too, going dormant so that they may return to us in the spring. Animals are brought in from the fields for the winter — and if you’ve ever had a spider come wandering into your living room one chilly October night, you know that even the insects are trying to find a place to stay warm.
Here’s How:
If we had lived a few hundreds of years ago, we would not only have brought our cows and sheep in from the pastures. Most likely we’d slaughter a few of them, as well as some pigs and goats, smoking the meat so it would last through the cold months. Our grain that we picked back at Lghnasadhu has been baked into bread, and all of our herbs have been gathered, and hang from the rafters in the kitchen. The harvest is over, and now it’s time to settle in for winter with the coziness of a warm fireplace, heavy blankets, and big pots of comfort food on the stovetop.
If you want to celebrate Samhain as the time of harvest’s end, you can do so as a single ritual, or as the first of three days of ceremony. If you don’t have a permanent altar in place, set up a table to leave in place for the three days prior to Samhain. This will act as a your family’s temporary altar for the Sabbat. Decorate the altar with symbols of late fall, such as:
Skulls, skeletons, grave rubbings, ghosts
Harvest food such as pumpkins, squash, root vegetables
Nuts and berries, dark breads
Dried leaves and acorns
A cornucopia filled with an abundance of fruit and veggies
Mulled cider, wine, or mead
To begin your ceremony, prepare a meal for the family — and this is something that everyone can get involved in. Put emphasis on fruits and vegetables, and wild game meat if available. Also make sure you have a loaf of a dark bread like rye or pumpernickel and a cup of apple cider or wine. Set the dinner table with candles and a fall centerpiece, and put all the food on the table at once. Consider the dinner table a sacred space.
Gather everyone around the table, and say:
Tonight is the first of three nights,
on which we celebrate Samhain.
It is the end of the harvest, the last days of summer,
and the cold nights wait on the other side for us.
The bounty of our labor, the abundance of the harvest,
the success of the hunt, all lies before us.
We thank the earth for all it has given us this season,
and yet we look forward to winter,
on which we celebrate Samhain.
It is the end of the harvest, the last days of summer,
and the cold nights wait on the other side for us.
The bounty of our labor, the abundance of the harvest,
the success of the hunt, all lies before us.
We thank the earth for all it has given us this season,
and yet we look forward to winter,
a time of sacred darkness.
Take the cup of cider or wine, and lead everyone outside. Make this a ceremonial and formal occasion. If you have a vegetable garden, great! Go there now — otherwise, just find a nice grassy spot in your yard. Each person in the family takes the cup in turn and sprinkles a little bit of cider onto the earth, saying:
Summer is gone, winter is coming.
We have planted and
we have watched the garden grow,
we have weeded,
and we have gathered the harvest.
We have planted and
we have watched the garden grow,
we have weeded,
and we have gathered the harvest.
Now it is at its end.
If you have any late-fall plants still waiting to be picked, gather them up now. Collect a bundle of dead plants and use them to make a straw man or woman. If you follow a more masculine path, he may be your King of Winter, and rule your home until spring returns. If you follow the Goddess in her many forms, make a female figure to represent the Goddess as hag or crone in winter.
Once that is done, go back inside and bring your King of Winter into your home with much pomp and circumstance. Place him on your table and prop him up with a plate of his own, and when you sit down to eat, serve him first.
Begin your meal with the breaking of the dark bread, and make sure you toss a few crumbs outside for the birds afterwards. Keep the King of Winter in a place of honor all season long — you can put him back outside in your garden on a pole to watch over next spring’s seedlings, and eventually burn him at your Beltane celebration.
When you are finished with your meal, put the leftovers out in the garden. Wrap up the evening by playing games, such as bobbing for apples or telling spooky stories before a bonfire.
What You Need
A table to use as your Samhain altarDecorations that represent the late autumn season
A meal with lots of veggies, fruit, and bread
A cup of wine or cider
Rings
Ring
Endowing rings with the power to grant wishes has foundations in the many 'enchanted' or 'magic' rings of folklore. The properties of these include restoring youth, curing diseases or other ill health, overpowering enemies, bestowing riches, and even rendering the wearer invisible.
A gold ring is said to possess the power to grant special privileges. Place it on your ring finger and stroke gently while you make your wish. A gold ring will lose its power if overused; it should be saved for very special wishes.
A gold wedding ring can be used to wish for a cut on a finger to heal. One custom is to rub the ring with the finger that has the cut; another custom says to rub the cut with the ring.
On the first day of August, you should make a wish on your wedding ring. Twist the ring around two times as you make your wish. (The double turning, rather than the usual three, represents the two who made vows over the ring.)
Any ring with either a stone can be used to wish for imagination, quick wit, or success in some endeavor. While wearing the ring, hold the stone with the opposite hand, make your wish and tap the stone three times.
If you want to have safe travel, touch a ring while making a wish for safe passage.
Turn your ring three times as you make a wish not to get lost while traveling. If the ring has a stone, the wish will be stronger. The ring must be worn throughout the trip.
If you put a ring on someone else's finger, make a wish that is good for both of you.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Solomon's Seal
Solomons Seal
Today’s Meaning:
This aspect needs to be lightened up a bit, things are getting to serious. Some humor or even a bit of flirting could lighten the tone greatly.
General Description:
The use of this, one of the most ancient charms, dates back to the commencement of our present civilization, and was in use previous to the Jewish dispensation. The symbol has been used in almost every religion, and was considered all powerful, efficient, and the perfect sign of the absolute. The triangle with the apex upwards symbolized all that was good and the inverted triangle all that was evil, and the two combined in the device portrays the triumph of good over evil. The seven discs represent the seven then known planets. This charm was worn to protect the wearer from every description of mischief and danger, and was a preserver from all evil.
Returning to a Place You Love
Returning to a Place You Love
Spell Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013
Color of the day: Brown
Incense of the day: Ivy
I always carry a few energizing crystals with me when I travel. If I find a place that I want to visit again, I drop a crystal discreetly in the grass and say:
"Please call me back to this place."
If you are making a visit to a place where you want to live-and you're absolutely sure you want to live there-bury a crystal at the base of a mature tree and say:
"Bind me to this place."
Be sure to petition your deities for their help in your endeavor.
If you want to hold on to property that has been in your family for generations, take a strip from the oldest heirloom you own and tie it around a tree on the property. Petition your ancestors to help you keep the land.
"Please call me back to this place."
If you are making a visit to a place where you want to live-and you're absolutely sure you want to live there-bury a crystal at the base of a mature tree and say:
"Bind me to this place."
Be sure to petition your deities for their help in your endeavor.
If you want to hold on to property that has been in your family for generations, take a strip from the oldest heirloom you own and tie it around a tree on the property. Petition your ancestors to help you keep the land.
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY ANNE JOHNSON ON OCTOBER 19, 2013
Rose Ariadne's Rotten Apple Of Problem Banishment
Rose Ariadne's Rotten Apple Of Problem Banishment
STEP 1: Cut an apple in half horizontally, so
that the star in the center is exposed.
STEP 2: Rub one half of the apple with a mint
leaf while visualizing what needs to be
banished. (Really try to "see" the full
extend of the biggest problem in your life
here...)
STEP 3: Put the two halves of the apple back
together again.
STEP 4: Stick a skewer through the pices so
that they are joined.
STEP 5: Tie the pieces securely together with
a black silk or satin ribbon.
STEP 6: Bury the apple. Your problem should
dissipate as the apple rots.
------------------
...and each day it will get better and better...
Until your problem is gone.
And, if you do the spell properly and with the
right intent -- your problem will be gone
by the time we do our ritual together.
STEP 1: Cut an apple in half horizontally, so
that the star in the center is exposed.
STEP 2: Rub one half of the apple with a mint
leaf while visualizing what needs to be
banished. (Really try to "see" the full
extend of the biggest problem in your life
here...)
STEP 3: Put the two halves of the apple back
together again.
STEP 4: Stick a skewer through the pices so
that they are joined.
STEP 5: Tie the pieces securely together with
a black silk or satin ribbon.
STEP 6: Bury the apple. Your problem should
dissipate as the apple rots.
------------------
...and each day it will get better and better...
Until your problem is gone.
And, if you do the spell properly and with the
right intent -- your problem will be gone
by the time we do our ritual together.
Coping With the Loss of a Familiar
Coping with the Loss of a Familiar
Author: Lady Abigail [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: October 6th. 2013
Times Viewed: 1,120
*Recently I was asked a question: how do you cope with the loss of a beloved familiar? I hope this helps any who might be dealing with this painful time in life.
Given the intense bond each of us share with our familiar, it’s natural that we will feel devastated by feelings of grief and sadness when a familiar dies. While some people may not understand the depth of feeling we have for our familiars, you should never feel guilty or ashamed about grieving for an animal friend.
Here are some healthy ways to cope with the loss, and how to comfort yourself and others, and begin the process of moving on with love. Do not apologize for your grief. For the grief for a familiar is the same broken heart you would have for any family member or loved one.
For many people, our familiars are not “just a dog” or “just a cat” or even “a pet.” Familiars are beloved members of the family and, when they die, you feel a significant, even traumatic loss. The level of grief depends on factors such as your age and personality, the age of your pet, and the circumstances of their death. Generally, the more significant the loss, the more intense the grief you’ll feel.
Grief can be complicated by the role the familiar played in your life. For example, if your familiar was a working dog or a helper animal such as a guide dog, then you’ll not only be grieving the loss of a companion but also the loss of a coworker or the loss of your independence. If you cared for your pet through a protracted illness, you likely grew to love him or her even more. If you lived alone and the pet was your only companion, coming to terms with his loss can be even harder. If you were unable to afford expensive veterinary treatment to prolong the life of your pet, you may even feel a profound sense of guilt.
Accept your Grief
Grieving is a personal and highly individual experience. Some people find grief comes in stages, where they experience different feelings such as denial, anger, guilt, depression, and eventually acceptance and resolution. Others find that grief is more cyclical, coming in waves, or a series of highs and lows. The lows are likely to be deeper and longer at the beginning and then gradually become shorter and less intense as time goes by. Still, even years after a loss, a sight, a sound, or a special anniversary can spark memories that trigger a strong sense of grief.
The grieving process happens only gradually. It can’t be forced or hurried—and there is no “normal” timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experience, it’s important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold.
Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to the loss of a beloved pet. Exhibiting these feelings doesn’t mean you are weak, so you shouldn’t feel ashamed. Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing, it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it. By expressing your grief, you’ll likely need less time to heal than if you withhold or “bottle up” your feelings. Write about your feelings and talk with others about them.
Sorrow and grief are normal and natural responses to death. Like grief for humans, grief for familiar companions can only be dealt with over time, but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain. Here are some suggestions:
Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment. It’s okay to be angry, to cry or not to cry. It’s also okay to laugh, to find moments of joy, and to let go when you’re ready.
Reach out to others who have lost pets. Check out online message boards, pet loss hotlines, and pet loss support groups. If your own friends, family members, therapist, or clergy do not work well with the grief of pet loss, find someone who does.
Rituals can help healing.
A passing ritual like a funeral can help you and your family members openly express your feelings. Ignore people who think it’s inappropriate to hold a funeral for a pet, and do what feels right for you. Have a small ritual of love and releasing. Let each family member explain how much they loved and cared for the familiar. Release their spirit unto the Goddess/God you work with and let them know you will welcome them home with love if they wish to come.
Create a legacy. Preparing a memorial, planting a tree in memory of your familiar, compiling a photo album or scrapbook, or otherwise sharing the memories you enjoyed with your familiar, can create a legacy to celebrate the life of your a familiar companion.
Look after yourself. The stress of losing a familiar can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time. Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly to release endorphins and help boost your mood.
If you have other familiars, try to maintain your normal routine. Other pets and familiars can become distressed by your sorrow as well as by the absence of their soul mate. Maintaining their daily routines, or even increasing exercise and play times, will not only benefit the surviving familiars but may also help to elevate your outlook also.
Try to find new meaning and joy in life. Caring for a familiar previously occupied your time and boosted your morale, spiritual optimism. Try to fill the time by volunteering, picking up a long-neglected hobby, taking a class, helping friends care for their pets, or even by getting another pet when the time feels right.
Stay connected with friends. Familiars, can help you stay regularly connect with friends and neighbors while out on a walk or in the dog park, for example. Having lost your familiar, it’s important that you don’t now spend day after day alone. Try to spend time with at least one person every day. Regular face-to-face contact can help you ward off depression and stay positive. Call up an old friend or neighbor for a lunch date or join a club.
Boost your vitality with exercise. Our familiars help us especially older adults stay active and playful, which can boost your immune system and increase your energy. It’s important to keep up your activity levels after the loss of your friend. {Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program and then find an activity that you enjoy. Exercising in a group—by playing a sport such as tennis or golf, or taking an exercise or swimming class—can also help you connect with others.}
Loss is loss as pain is pain. Let no one tell you that your grief and pain over the lost of your family member is not real or important. All love lost should be grieved in the same measure as was the love you shared.
The poem below was written a few years back after I lost my familiar, Stinkerbelle. She was a silly little mixed puppy that saved my life with her love and being a part of my family. She will forever be in my live and I miss her dearly. She was 16 years at her time of passing.
Stinkerbelle’s Poem
Seeking a friend of my own,
In a time when I felt so very alone.
The Goddess from Her heart did send,
Unto my life the truest friend.
Cast away by others like leaves upon flames,
She came to me with a joy we proclaimed.
Tiny and black how funny she looked,
Her tail had been broken and bent with a crook.
Within her dark and blackest eyes,
A part of myself I did recognize.
An energy and wisdom from the past,
Something magickal that would forever last.
I made her at home and give her new life,
Together we found we could handle all strife.
She give me her life, she give me her love,
In secrets spoken more quietly than a cooing dove.
As a puppy she played and traveled the world,
Loving each moment as the road unfurled.
As a mother she give us all a surprise,
When nine beautiful babies soon did arrive.
I wonder of how in times of great sorrow,
She could always remind me there would be a tomorrow.
And even when age had stiffened her bones,
She would become a puppy when I returned home.
She taught me patience when in the garden she dug,
How never to judge a little smudge on the rug.
And what did it matter when a few minutes pasted,
With the joy that was found in the mud and the grass.
Sixteen short years she was my best friend,
Somehow I never dreamed there would be an end.
For the Goddess blessed me with the gift of her birth.
And the days that she walked with me here on this Earth.
So when at Summerland’s gate I turn the key,
I know she will be waiting patiently for me.
Waiting to run and play in the endless sun,
For life is a joinery that shall never be done.
By Lady Abigail
Copyright © 01052009 / 08052013
High Priestess Ravensgrove Coven
Copyright: Lady Abigail
Copyright © 01052009 / 08052013
High Priestess Ravensgrove Coven
Author: Lady Abigail [a WitchVox Sponsor]
Posted: October 6th. 2013
Times Viewed: 1,120
*Recently I was asked a question: how do you cope with the loss of a beloved familiar? I hope this helps any who might be dealing with this painful time in life.
Given the intense bond each of us share with our familiar, it’s natural that we will feel devastated by feelings of grief and sadness when a familiar dies. While some people may not understand the depth of feeling we have for our familiars, you should never feel guilty or ashamed about grieving for an animal friend.
Here are some healthy ways to cope with the loss, and how to comfort yourself and others, and begin the process of moving on with love. Do not apologize for your grief. For the grief for a familiar is the same broken heart you would have for any family member or loved one.
For many people, our familiars are not “just a dog” or “just a cat” or even “a pet.” Familiars are beloved members of the family and, when they die, you feel a significant, even traumatic loss. The level of grief depends on factors such as your age and personality, the age of your pet, and the circumstances of their death. Generally, the more significant the loss, the more intense the grief you’ll feel.
Grief can be complicated by the role the familiar played in your life. For example, if your familiar was a working dog or a helper animal such as a guide dog, then you’ll not only be grieving the loss of a companion but also the loss of a coworker or the loss of your independence. If you cared for your pet through a protracted illness, you likely grew to love him or her even more. If you lived alone and the pet was your only companion, coming to terms with his loss can be even harder. If you were unable to afford expensive veterinary treatment to prolong the life of your pet, you may even feel a profound sense of guilt.
Accept your Grief
Grieving is a personal and highly individual experience. Some people find grief comes in stages, where they experience different feelings such as denial, anger, guilt, depression, and eventually acceptance and resolution. Others find that grief is more cyclical, coming in waves, or a series of highs and lows. The lows are likely to be deeper and longer at the beginning and then gradually become shorter and less intense as time goes by. Still, even years after a loss, a sight, a sound, or a special anniversary can spark memories that trigger a strong sense of grief.
The grieving process happens only gradually. It can’t be forced or hurried—and there is no “normal” timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experience, it’s important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold.
Feeling sad, frightened, or lonely is a normal reaction to the loss of a beloved pet. Exhibiting these feelings doesn’t mean you are weak, so you shouldn’t feel ashamed. Trying to ignore your pain or keep it from surfacing will only make it worse in the long run. For real healing, it is necessary to face your grief and actively deal with it. By expressing your grief, you’ll likely need less time to heal than if you withhold or “bottle up” your feelings. Write about your feelings and talk with others about them.
Sorrow and grief are normal and natural responses to death. Like grief for humans, grief for familiar companions can only be dealt with over time, but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain. Here are some suggestions:
Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment. It’s okay to be angry, to cry or not to cry. It’s also okay to laugh, to find moments of joy, and to let go when you’re ready.
Reach out to others who have lost pets. Check out online message boards, pet loss hotlines, and pet loss support groups. If your own friends, family members, therapist, or clergy do not work well with the grief of pet loss, find someone who does.
Rituals can help healing.
A passing ritual like a funeral can help you and your family members openly express your feelings. Ignore people who think it’s inappropriate to hold a funeral for a pet, and do what feels right for you. Have a small ritual of love and releasing. Let each family member explain how much they loved and cared for the familiar. Release their spirit unto the Goddess/God you work with and let them know you will welcome them home with love if they wish to come.
Create a legacy. Preparing a memorial, planting a tree in memory of your familiar, compiling a photo album or scrapbook, or otherwise sharing the memories you enjoyed with your familiar, can create a legacy to celebrate the life of your a familiar companion.
Look after yourself. The stress of losing a familiar can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time. Eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly to release endorphins and help boost your mood.
If you have other familiars, try to maintain your normal routine. Other pets and familiars can become distressed by your sorrow as well as by the absence of their soul mate. Maintaining their daily routines, or even increasing exercise and play times, will not only benefit the surviving familiars but may also help to elevate your outlook also.
Try to find new meaning and joy in life. Caring for a familiar previously occupied your time and boosted your morale, spiritual optimism. Try to fill the time by volunteering, picking up a long-neglected hobby, taking a class, helping friends care for their pets, or even by getting another pet when the time feels right.
Stay connected with friends. Familiars, can help you stay regularly connect with friends and neighbors while out on a walk or in the dog park, for example. Having lost your familiar, it’s important that you don’t now spend day after day alone. Try to spend time with at least one person every day. Regular face-to-face contact can help you ward off depression and stay positive. Call up an old friend or neighbor for a lunch date or join a club.
Boost your vitality with exercise. Our familiars help us especially older adults stay active and playful, which can boost your immune system and increase your energy. It’s important to keep up your activity levels after the loss of your friend. {Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program and then find an activity that you enjoy. Exercising in a group—by playing a sport such as tennis or golf, or taking an exercise or swimming class—can also help you connect with others.}
Loss is loss as pain is pain. Let no one tell you that your grief and pain over the lost of your family member is not real or important. All love lost should be grieved in the same measure as was the love you shared.
The poem below was written a few years back after I lost my familiar, Stinkerbelle. She was a silly little mixed puppy that saved my life with her love and being a part of my family. She will forever be in my live and I miss her dearly. She was 16 years at her time of passing.
Stinkerbelle’s Poem
Seeking a friend of my own,
In a time when I felt so very alone.
The Goddess from Her heart did send,
Unto my life the truest friend.
Cast away by others like leaves upon flames,
She came to me with a joy we proclaimed.
Tiny and black how funny she looked,
Her tail had been broken and bent with a crook.
Within her dark and blackest eyes,
A part of myself I did recognize.
An energy and wisdom from the past,
Something magickal that would forever last.
I made her at home and give her new life,
Together we found we could handle all strife.
She give me her life, she give me her love,
In secrets spoken more quietly than a cooing dove.
As a puppy she played and traveled the world,
Loving each moment as the road unfurled.
As a mother she give us all a surprise,
When nine beautiful babies soon did arrive.
I wonder of how in times of great sorrow,
She could always remind me there would be a tomorrow.
And even when age had stiffened her bones,
She would become a puppy when I returned home.
She taught me patience when in the garden she dug,
How never to judge a little smudge on the rug.
And what did it matter when a few minutes pasted,
With the joy that was found in the mud and the grass.
Sixteen short years she was my best friend,
Somehow I never dreamed there would be an end.
For the Goddess blessed me with the gift of her birth.
And the days that she walked with me here on this Earth.
So when at Summerland’s gate I turn the key,
I know she will be waiting patiently for me.
Waiting to run and play in the endless sun,
For life is a joinery that shall never be done.
By Lady Abigail
Copyright © 01052009 / 08052013
High Priestess Ravensgrove Coven
Copyright: Lady Abigail
Copyright © 01052009 / 08052013
High Priestess Ravensgrove Coven
Dream Weaver Spell
Dream Weaver Spell
To bring informative and helpful dreams.
Items You Will Need:
Purple candle
Piece of Amethyst
Piece of paper or picture
Mugwort
Small muslin or silk bag/piece of cloth with ribbon
Spell:
Place stone, mugwort, and slip of paper on which is written the issue you want answers to in the bag or cloth. When done with the spell, put the bag under your pillow. (You don’t need to use all of these if you don’t have them, and you can just put a slip of paper under your pillow instead of the bag.)
Chant the following:
“Spirits of sleep and intuition
I call on you to lend a hand
As I slumber, send me visions
So I might know and understand.”
“Send me answers to my questions
Clarify confusion’s mist
Send me knowledge as I’m sleeping
Which awake I might resist.”
“Let my dreams be strong and true
Containing knowledge that I need
Intuition rules at night
So for wise dreams I plant the seed."
To Cast or Not to Cast?
Let’s Talk Witch – To Cast or Not To Cast
That Is The Question
The first essential element of spellcasting is deciding whether or not to use a spell at all. After all, you don’t always need a power tool; some jobs are just as easily done with a simple screwdriver. So before you get started, you need to decide if a spell is really the right tool to deal with the problem at hand. Take a long, honest look at the situation, and see which one of these categories fits you best and the task at hand:
When to cast a spell:
When you have exhausted all the mundane options but still need to achieve a goal (the spell not only puts your intentions out into the universe but is also a way of asking for help).
When the spell will affect only you (such as casting a spell to open yourself to love).
When do you know what you want and are willing to do the work required to get it (like putting in applications at appropriate places after asking for the perfect job).
When only good can come from the spell.
When not to cast:
When there is a simple solution that doesn’t require magick (you need to lose five pounds, haven’t tried a diet yet, and have plenty of time).
When casting a spell would interfere with free will (casting a love spell to get a particular person, for instance).
When you aren’t sure what you really want to achieve (if you are uncertain of the end results you want, it is hard to truly focus enough will to make a spell work).
When there is the possibility of causing harm to yourself or to others (remember, harm none).
If you are certain that the best solution for the situation is casting a spell, then it is time to get down to work and craft yourself the perfect spell to get the job done.
How Magic Can Save the World
How Magic Can Save the World
Author: Tess Whitehurst
The world appears to be in dire straights. The environment is suffering, species are becoming extinct at an alarming rate, in many parts of the world food and clean water are scarce, and, to top it all off, humans are killing each other. And for just about every imaginable challenge, there are people scrambling to help. We’re recycling, petitioning, protesting, studying, raising awareness, preserving, debating, and donating.
But how can we work holistically toward positive change? How do we get at the cause of all these imbalances, rather than jumping headlong into the mad dash of damage control?
Simple. We do what magical folk do. We shift consciousness. Interestingly, our magical perspective is exactly what the holistic health practitioner ordered. To illustrate, here are some basic magical precepts that can help heal the world.
•Everything is connected, and everything is divine. If everyone very deeply understood that every single thing is interwoven in a complex web of existence, and that all of existence is a part of the divine, there would be no one engaging in activities that caused plants or animals to become compromised or extinct.
•The Earth is our Mother. To us, this is literal, not figurative. Imagine how lovingly our Mother would be treated if everyone understood this as we do.
•Whatever you send out comes back to you multiplied. What you do to someone else, you do to yourself. Mass acceptance of this precept would actually (finally!) give peace a chance.
•We are empowered to change our consciousness in order to create positive shifts in our own lives. When everyone really and truly realizes their true power, they will no longer chase the imaginary power promised by things like greed, violence, hatred, or exploitation.
•The Earth is our Mother. To us, this is literal, not figurative. Imagine how lovingly our Mother would be treated if everyone understood this as we do.
•Whatever you send out comes back to you multiplied. What you do to someone else, you do to yourself. Mass acceptance of this precept would actually (finally!) give peace a chance.
•We are empowered to change our consciousness in order to create positive shifts in our own lives. When everyone really and truly realizes their true power, they will no longer chase the imaginary power promised by things like greed, violence, hatred, or exploitation.
In the early 1970’s, James Lovelock, the scientist who formulated the Gaia Hypothesis, summarized what people like us already knew: that Planet Earth is a complex, living, breathing organism. Peter Russell took it one step further in his book The Global Brain when he proposed that while rainforests are the lungs and the atmosphere is the circulatory system, humans are the information processors, or in other words, the brain cells.
The brain cells in a fetus or an infant are the same as adult brain cells. They just have not yet formed as many pathways or connections between each other so they cannot function efficiently as a unified whole. Then, little by little, they build connections and begin to redefine themselves as not only one small part of a brain, but as one small part of an entire organism. Similarly (Peter Russell notes) , humans are beginning to form more and more connections and pathways between each other. For example, with one Facebook post, we can communicate instantly with our entire, perhaps global, circle of friends. Or, with one YouTube video, we can conceivably reach several million people within a matter of months.
So, from a macrocosmic perspective, the global brain (AKA the human race) is rapidly evolving to the stage when it can more easily recognize itself as the consciousness and nerve center of a living, breathing, and harmoniously self-sustaining organism. This evolution, if it moves in the most positive direction possible, is what Albert Einstein was hoping for when he wrote:
“A human being is part of the whole, called by us ‘universe, ‘ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest — a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty…We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if humanity is to survive.”
At this stage in history, it’s easier than it ever has been before for us to create a “new manner of thinking” by setting in motion a magical tsunami of consciousness shifting. But how?
First, we walk our talk. We purify our motives so that they are about love and service. We meditate, we purify and shield our energetic bodies, and we perform ritual and engage in prayer in order to connect with the Divine. We spend time in nature to remind ourselves of beauty, of the rich and vital inner lives and personalities of plants and animals, and of our connection to the whole.
We forgive others and ourselves as we bravely work through old issues and limiting beliefs. We release rigidity of belief and embrace flexibility, openness, and inclusion. We send the energy of love out into the world through our thoughts, feelings, and visualizations. We pray for world peace and perform rituals for planetary healing.
And then, from this place of deep love and integrity, we give gifts to the world from our hearts. We ask our hearts: “what do you want to give?” It might be a painting, a movie, an article, a status update, a specific type of volunteer work, a compliment, a smile, a speech, an idea, or a new way of doing things. We give freely every day, in every situation, as we feel guided, dedicating every single gift we give to the Goddess (or God, or patron deity) and to the healing of the world.
We generously shine our unique light, perspectives, and ideas into the world, knowing that as we do, we are not only increasing our own joy and prosperity (because whatever you send out comes back to you multiplied) , we are also shifting the tide of energy, bringing the cells of the global brain into harmonious unity, and channeling our collective magical energy toward saving the world.
“If powerful men and women
could remain centered in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
And the law would be written in their hearts.”
could remain centered in the Tao,
all things would be in harmony.
The world would become a paradise.
All people would be at peace,
And the law would be written in their hearts.”
-The Tao te Ching translated by Stephen Mitchell
The Samhain Experience
The Samhain Experience
Author: Crick
Author: Crick
My family roots begin in Ireland and were later relocated to Tennessee and amongst the Ozark mountains of Missouri. My personal experience with Traditional witchcraft began in 1960. As such I was raised to honor the four main sabbats, though we did observe the solstices and the equinoxes as minor events if you will.
To our family, Samhain (Oiche Shamhna) is the most important Sabbat of the year. Pronounced as “Sow-in by the Irish, as SAV-en by the Scottish and as SOW-een by the Welsh. It is exactly opposite Beltain on the Wheel of the year. It is reckoned when the sun has reached 15 degrees Scorpio. Thus, Samhain lies exactly between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. And as such, it is known as a Cross Quarter day.
Samhain is also known as “Samhraidhreadh” which means “summers end”. This indicates that Samhain is the start of the Celtic “New Year”. The Celts were known to have divided the year into two seasons, consisting of summer and winter. The belief is that summer is governed by the Big Sun (the sun) and the winter is governed by what is known as the Little Sun (the moon) .
Samhain is one of the four Fire Festivals and is also known as “Trinoux Samonia.” Originally this Sabbat was celebrated for three days, the day before, the day of and the day after.
In modern times Samhain has become basically a one-day celebration. Neo Pagans tend to lose sight of the historical and spiritual significance of such an important day by combining their Christian beliefs with their newfound pagan beliefs and thus they often intermingle Halloween with Samhain. This corruption is explained away by parroting “it’s for the children”, though this special day is hardly one for children. I do not understand how Neo pagans can claim to understand the significance and energy of such a special time and yet allow their children to make a parody of such a spiritual experience, but then it is what it is.
Traditionally, Samhain is the day when the God symbolically dies and the Goddess is in mourning, though she knows that He will be reborn at Yule.
It is also the Third and Final Harvest, and as such, it is a time for preparing for the coming year. It is also known as the day of the Feast of the Roman Goddess “Pamona”.
Another interesting note is that Samhain is the day that the Tuatha De Danann realized their permanent victory over the Fomorians.
Since this is the time that the veil between Annwn (the Underworld) and our realm of existence, is at its thinnest, it is a time to honor and connect with our ancestors. To some Wiccan beliefs, this means direct descendants who have passed over. To those of us in the Celtic/Faery tradition, this would be the ancestral spirits and deity that resides within the earth.
One way to honor this day is “Fleadh nan Mairbh” (Feast of the Dead) . To do so, set an extra plate or two at the dinner table for visiting spirits. Another way is “Bannock Samhain” which entails setting out cakes and milk outside the door as an offering for passing spirits. This is also the time for the “Dumb Supper”, a meal served in silence in honor of those who have passed to the Summerland’s.
Remember, this is not a time of mourning, but rather of rejoicing and connecting with those that have gone before us. We do not conjure up these visitors in the manner that a medium would do. But rather we invite them to share the day/night with us.
This is also an excellent time for divination. Roasting nuts in the fire and bobbing for apples are a couple of examples of divination from olden times. Another traditional way is to set a shirt on a thorn bush near a stream and see what spirit comes along to fit it on. At which time you would make enquiries. This form of divination is called the shaking bush. As a spirit fills the shirt, it causes the bush to shake.
Some of the Celtic Deity that you may appeal to for assistance during divination are; Ogma, Rosmerta, Baile, Beli, Coventina, Badh, and Gwyn Ap Nuad, just to name a few.
The concept of the carved pumpkin came about from the belief that carving a scary face on the pumpkin and using it as a lantern as one walked at night would scare away evil spirits. Originally they were carved out of turnips.
There is an Irish legend about an Irish lad named Jack. He tricked the devil into climbing a tree and then quickly carved a cross into the tree so that the devil could not get down. He then made a deal with the devil so that he would not go to hell upon passing. But when Jack did pass, not only was he barred from hell, but also he was barred from heaven as well because of the doings of his life on earth. Hence he was doomed to walk the earth carrying a lantern to light his way. Thus the Jack-O-Lantern was created.
A custom related to Samhain is to light a hearth fire on this day and to keep it lit until the first day of spring as a way of honoring one’s spiritual ancestors and deity. Originally, all hearth fires were extinguished on this day and then relit from the Druidic fire, which was lit at “Tlachhtga”. This particular fire represented the center of Ireland.
Another custom is to leave a candle in the window as a beacon for spirits to find their way home.
Samhain is a time for reflecting on the year just past and preparing for the coming year. One way to do this is to write the weaknesses and negative actions of the past year down on a piece of parchment. After a period of reflection/meditation, burn the parchment in the cauldron or hearth fire. In this way you are starting out fresh for the upcoming New Year.
- Some of the foods associated with Samhain are pork, corn, apples, pomegranates, pumpkin pie, and cider.
- The colors associated with this day are; red, orange, yellow, brown and black.
- For incense, you can try basil, lilac, clove, yarrow or frankincense.
- Some plants or herbs are apple trees, sage, mugwort (divination) , and gourds.
- Some crystals are onyx, carnelian, and obsidian.
- The colors associated with this day are; red, orange, yellow, brown and black.
- For incense, you can try basil, lilac, clove, yarrow or frankincense.
- Some plants or herbs are apple trees, sage, mugwort (divination) , and gourds.
- Some crystals are onyx, carnelian, and obsidian.
It is my personal hope that Neo pagans will once again enjoy this unique time as it was meant to be celebrated and revered. There is much experience and an ethereal energy connected with Samhain if only one allows him/herself to open up to such a special experience. Halloween (All Saints day) is but a corruption of what used to be. Samhain is a revered occasion and time to connect with those who have gone before us. And with those others who walk a distinctly separate plane from this realm. May you have the inner strength and un-fettered desire to experience this event as it was meant to be…
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