Letter from the High Priestess
2010 is upon us and with the turning of the wheel, so do things change. This is our first newsletter in over a year, and many things have changed in that span of time. You’ll see that we’ve gone green and rather than print, or pdf our newsletter, we’ve decided to put it in digital format to save trees and reduce waste!
In 2009, we initiated both Aislin and Beth, Rayne returned to the coven, and we welcomed two new dedicants, Claire and Mariana! Our website has changed, our communication site has changed (from phpbb to the more popular ning format) and our focus has shifted a bit- all for the better. We hosted another coven for Litha, and had our sixth annual open Yule circle! We’ve made some big plans for 2010, including two open circles, social gatherings and more.
In this newsletter, you’ll find articles, crafts, recipes, poetry and more- correlating both to everyday life, and to the upcoming sabbats, Imbolc and Ostara. Don’t miss Aislin’s article on Emotive Freedom Technique, Mariana’s article on the besom, or Rayne’s piece on elemental offerings! There are many more articles awaiting you inside this newsletter. Enjoy!
-------------------------------------
Coven of the Twlight Moon is an all-women Wiccan coven, crafting in the Twilight tradition. For more information, visit the website at http://www.freewebs.com/twilightmooncoven or the blog at http://twilightmooncoven.blogspot.com/.
In 2009, we initiated both Aislin and Beth, Rayne returned to the coven, and we welcomed two new dedicants, Claire and Mariana! Our website has changed, our communication site has changed (from phpbb to the more popular ning format) and our focus has shifted a bit- all for the better. We hosted another coven for Litha, and had our sixth annual open Yule circle! We’ve made some big plans for 2010, including two open circles, social gatherings and more.
In this newsletter, you’ll find articles, crafts, recipes, poetry and more- correlating both to everyday life, and to the upcoming sabbats, Imbolc and Ostara. Don’t miss Aislin’s article on Emotive Freedom Technique, Mariana’s article on the besom, or Rayne’s piece on elemental offerings! There are many more articles awaiting you inside this newsletter. Enjoy!
-------------------------------------
Coven of the Twlight Moon is an all-women Wiccan coven, crafting in the Twilight tradition. For more information, visit the website at http://www.freewebs.com/twilightmooncoven or the blog at http://twilightmooncoven.blogspot.com/.
The Goddess Frigg
by Claire Palermo
In Norse mythology, the Aesir are the warrior gods, and the principal deities of the pantheon. The queen of the Aesir is Frigg, wife of Odin and “foremost among the goddesses.” She is said to have the power of prophecy – but although she can reveal the future, she cannot change it. Frigg is also credited with the development of runes as a tool of divination.
The English word for “Friday”, one of our weekdays, comes from her name. Her name comes from an even older Sanskrit word meaning “earth,” but its root also means “marriage proposal” in Swedish and “to love” in Icelandic. Marshy or smoggy land, where earth and water meet or mix, are considered sacred to her.
Frigg is the patron goddess of love, marriage, motherhood and fertility, and most myths about her focus on her roles as a wife and mother of many children. She was often invoked by women who needed help with conception and childbirth. When the Scandinavians used the plant “Lady’s Bedstraw” (gallium verum, which produces dense clusters of yellow flowers) as a sedative, they called it “Frigg’s grass.” The same plant is also used for other domestic purposes, to flavor cheese, infuse spirits and make yellow or red dye.
Frigg is the patron goddess of spinners and weavers. The constellation of Orion’s Belt used to be known as “Frigg’s Distaff”; and the word “distaff” means “spinning wheel.” At the Winter Solstice, she sits at her wheel weaving the fates of the new year. Her son Baldr is the young Sun God, and when she gives birth to him at this time of year, fertility returns to the fields. Since she is associated with the passage from the old year into the new, she was also sometimes invoked to help dying people pass into the afterlife.
Several stories portray Frigg as the sorrowful, mourning mother who was unable to keep her children safe. In one myth, she tried to protect her son Baldr from death by asking for oaths from every object in nature. However, she forgot the mistletoe plant, which the trickster god Loki poisoned him and killed him with. In some versions of the tale, Baldr is brought back to life and as a sign of thankfulness, Frigg makes mistletoe a sign of peace and love, promising a kiss to all who stand under it.
Sources:
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/friggmyth/Frigg.htm
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/f/frigg.html
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess-frigga.htm
http://www.goddessaday.com/norse/frigg
In Norse mythology, the Aesir are the warrior gods, and the principal deities of the pantheon. The queen of the Aesir is Frigg, wife of Odin and “foremost among the goddesses.” She is said to have the power of prophecy – but although she can reveal the future, she cannot change it. Frigg is also credited with the development of runes as a tool of divination.
The English word for “Friday”, one of our weekdays, comes from her name. Her name comes from an even older Sanskrit word meaning “earth,” but its root also means “marriage proposal” in Swedish and “to love” in Icelandic. Marshy or smoggy land, where earth and water meet or mix, are considered sacred to her.
Frigg is the patron goddess of love, marriage, motherhood and fertility, and most myths about her focus on her roles as a wife and mother of many children. She was often invoked by women who needed help with conception and childbirth. When the Scandinavians used the plant “Lady’s Bedstraw” (gallium verum, which produces dense clusters of yellow flowers) as a sedative, they called it “Frigg’s grass.” The same plant is also used for other domestic purposes, to flavor cheese, infuse spirits and make yellow or red dye.
Frigg is the patron goddess of spinners and weavers. The constellation of Orion’s Belt used to be known as “Frigg’s Distaff”; and the word “distaff” means “spinning wheel.” At the Winter Solstice, she sits at her wheel weaving the fates of the new year. Her son Baldr is the young Sun God, and when she gives birth to him at this time of year, fertility returns to the fields. Since she is associated with the passage from the old year into the new, she was also sometimes invoked to help dying people pass into the afterlife.
Several stories portray Frigg as the sorrowful, mourning mother who was unable to keep her children safe. In one myth, she tried to protect her son Baldr from death by asking for oaths from every object in nature. However, she forgot the mistletoe plant, which the trickster god Loki poisoned him and killed him with. In some versions of the tale, Baldr is brought back to life and as a sign of thankfulness, Frigg makes mistletoe a sign of peace and love, promising a kiss to all who stand under it.
Sources:
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/friggmyth/Frigg.htm
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/f/frigg.html
http://www.goddessgift.com/goddess-myths/goddess-frigga.htm
http://www.goddessaday.com/norse/frigg
Book Review: "Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries" by Ruth Barrett
by Claire Palermo
At the time that I received this book, I had reached a crossroads in my pagan practice. I am in college, and the student witches’ group that I have helped organize for the past three years was disbanding as graduation approaches. During our time together, I didn’t feel very confident in the effectiveness of my rituals or my leadership skills. This seemed like a good time to dig deeper into the craft of ritual creation and reclaim my priestess power, but I wasn’t sure where to start.
As cliché as it sounds, Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries by Ruth Barrett is exactly what I was looking for. It functions as a theoretical introduction to the Dianic Tradition and a practical guide to ritual craft, at the same time. If you’ve ever felt an itching need to create a spontaneous ritual, but couldn’t think of a specific intention, this book provides extensive lists of ideas. Have you ever honored your choice to have or not have children, your sexuality, your career, creating a work of art, or your activism with ritual? This book explains the power of meeting your personal needs through ceremony, and gives you a toolbox to work with.
Ruth encourages her readers to question their judgments about what makes certain occasions more important than others, and whether we have learned to celebrate them in ways that are empowering. The first chapter de-constructs traditional rituals and holidays -- such as milestone birthdays, baby showers and weddings – to expose the subtle layers of social conditioning and oppression that underline how most people celebrate them. Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries includes rituals that have disappeared from modern life. Ceremonies to celebrate menstruation, coming out, remaining childless, or old age represent a profoundly different view of “special occasions”.
The only thing that I disliked about this book was its exclusion of some experiences that have a different relationship to the Dianic cosmology, such as coming out as bisexual rather than lesbian, or the fact that some women have hostile relationships with their mothers, which makes open mother-daughter interaction more difficult. However, no author has the time to cover everything.
Ruth walks the reader through each step of crafting a Wiccan ritual: setting up the altar, circle casting, invoking the elements, writing invocations, visualization and working with energy. Exercises and sample texts are provided in each section. Ruth uses three modes of learning (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) as a framework for the creative process, and suggests ways to incorporate all six senses into your ceremony. For example, during a banishing ritual, a witch can burn an object (visual), untie knots in a consecrated cord (kinesthetic), or speak a banishing chant (auditory) to act out her intention.
The second half of the book covers what I would call priestess training – what a priestess is, vocations, the meaning of service, and group facilitation. These chapters really spoke to my heart, because they vividly describe and outline the kind of witch and priestess that I would like to become. In the process of looking for a new coven, I knew that I had found the right one when I mentioned this book and all of the other women were joyously raving about how it had opened their eyes to a new way of understanding what it means to be a Witch.
Just as the book begins with a breakdown of disempowering ritual traditions, it ends by re-visioning new rituals for women’s life cycles. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to become a better ritual maker, priestess, feminist, witch, woman or all of the above!
At the time that I received this book, I had reached a crossroads in my pagan practice. I am in college, and the student witches’ group that I have helped organize for the past three years was disbanding as graduation approaches. During our time together, I didn’t feel very confident in the effectiveness of my rituals or my leadership skills. This seemed like a good time to dig deeper into the craft of ritual creation and reclaim my priestess power, but I wasn’t sure where to start.
As cliché as it sounds, Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries by Ruth Barrett is exactly what I was looking for. It functions as a theoretical introduction to the Dianic Tradition and a practical guide to ritual craft, at the same time. If you’ve ever felt an itching need to create a spontaneous ritual, but couldn’t think of a specific intention, this book provides extensive lists of ideas. Have you ever honored your choice to have or not have children, your sexuality, your career, creating a work of art, or your activism with ritual? This book explains the power of meeting your personal needs through ceremony, and gives you a toolbox to work with.
Ruth encourages her readers to question their judgments about what makes certain occasions more important than others, and whether we have learned to celebrate them in ways that are empowering. The first chapter de-constructs traditional rituals and holidays -- such as milestone birthdays, baby showers and weddings – to expose the subtle layers of social conditioning and oppression that underline how most people celebrate them. Women’s Rites, Women’s Mysteries includes rituals that have disappeared from modern life. Ceremonies to celebrate menstruation, coming out, remaining childless, or old age represent a profoundly different view of “special occasions”.
The only thing that I disliked about this book was its exclusion of some experiences that have a different relationship to the Dianic cosmology, such as coming out as bisexual rather than lesbian, or the fact that some women have hostile relationships with their mothers, which makes open mother-daughter interaction more difficult. However, no author has the time to cover everything.
Ruth walks the reader through each step of crafting a Wiccan ritual: setting up the altar, circle casting, invoking the elements, writing invocations, visualization and working with energy. Exercises and sample texts are provided in each section. Ruth uses three modes of learning (visual, auditory and kinesthetic) as a framework for the creative process, and suggests ways to incorporate all six senses into your ceremony. For example, during a banishing ritual, a witch can burn an object (visual), untie knots in a consecrated cord (kinesthetic), or speak a banishing chant (auditory) to act out her intention.
The second half of the book covers what I would call priestess training – what a priestess is, vocations, the meaning of service, and group facilitation. These chapters really spoke to my heart, because they vividly describe and outline the kind of witch and priestess that I would like to become. In the process of looking for a new coven, I knew that I had found the right one when I mentioned this book and all of the other women were joyously raving about how it had opened their eyes to a new way of understanding what it means to be a Witch.
Just as the book begins with a breakdown of disempowering ritual traditions, it ends by re-visioning new rituals for women’s life cycles. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to become a better ritual maker, priestess, feminist, witch, woman or all of the above!
Observing Our Environment Between the Sabbats
by Beth
Living in Southern California we have a much less of change of seasons than our ancestors. Pagans from the earliest times have celebrated the changes of the seasons from the new year to the new harvest to the frost. We also celebrate the sabbats and create a celebration to honor the changes, but how can we increase our ability to be in the flow of the earth’s cycle?
Starhawk talks about the 9 ways of observing in her book The Earth Path. She was inspired by the permaculture movement in particular Bill Mollison who refers to permaculture as “ a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system.” Permaculture lends itself well to the all encompassing earth tenets of the pagan traditions. They both in turn can inspire us to simply take notice and live within instead on top of our environment.
1. I wonder – What makes the sky bluer today than it was yesterday? Why was it cloudy tonight? Why does the moss grow on that side of the tree?
2. Observing Energy – What creates energy? Where is it coming from?
3. Observing Flow – Where does our water come from? Where does it end up?
4. Observing Communities – What makes certain flowers thrive well together? How do the bees interact with the flowers
5. Observing Patterns – From the spider webs to the tree branches to the bark on the trees, how do these patterns interact with each other in our environment?
6. Observing Edges – Where do things end? Where do they begin? W
7. Observing Limits - Is there something lacking? Where is the end? Is it then end of our yard? Is it the park nearby? Where the limits in our personal environment.
8. Observing from Stillness - Sit still and see what you can observe. What can you hear? What is right in front of you that you never noticed?
9. Observing Past & Future – How did the trees look 6 months ago? How do they look today and what will they look like 6 months from now?
If we all take the time, even if it’s one observation a day of all 9 once a week to really focus on what is going on in nature or even in our own homes, we will become more a part of our environment and in tune with the changes that are going on with our own seasons.
Living in Southern California we have a much less of change of seasons than our ancestors. Pagans from the earliest times have celebrated the changes of the seasons from the new year to the new harvest to the frost. We also celebrate the sabbats and create a celebration to honor the changes, but how can we increase our ability to be in the flow of the earth’s cycle?
Starhawk talks about the 9 ways of observing in her book The Earth Path. She was inspired by the permaculture movement in particular Bill Mollison who refers to permaculture as “ a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system.” Permaculture lends itself well to the all encompassing earth tenets of the pagan traditions. They both in turn can inspire us to simply take notice and live within instead on top of our environment.
1. I wonder – What makes the sky bluer today than it was yesterday? Why was it cloudy tonight? Why does the moss grow on that side of the tree?
2. Observing Energy – What creates energy? Where is it coming from?
3. Observing Flow – Where does our water come from? Where does it end up?
4. Observing Communities – What makes certain flowers thrive well together? How do the bees interact with the flowers
5. Observing Patterns – From the spider webs to the tree branches to the bark on the trees, how do these patterns interact with each other in our environment?
6. Observing Edges – Where do things end? Where do they begin? W
7. Observing Limits - Is there something lacking? Where is the end? Is it then end of our yard? Is it the park nearby? Where the limits in our personal environment.
8. Observing from Stillness - Sit still and see what you can observe. What can you hear? What is right in front of you that you never noticed?
9. Observing Past & Future – How did the trees look 6 months ago? How do they look today and what will they look like 6 months from now?
If we all take the time, even if it’s one observation a day of all 9 once a week to really focus on what is going on in nature or even in our own homes, we will become more a part of our environment and in tune with the changes that are going on with our own seasons.
Shielding
by Beth
Shielding is an easy way to channel your energy or block energy from another person. Visualization and focus are keys to the success of a shield and shields are very person and can be as different as every human being. I have listed a few easy shields that you can start off with in your everyday life.
A bubble is a nice shield if on a particular day you are feeling grouchy, frustrated or particularly vulnerable. This can protect you from outside forces or protect others from your mood and certain mood you don’t want to inflict on others. The bubble keeps our energy inside also keep outside energy on the outside. To use the bubble shield simply envision your entire body surrounded by a bubble. It could be a soap bubble, a plastic bubble or even bubble wrap. The purpose of the bubble shield is to completely shield and close you off from the outside world.
The wall works well if you have something or someone coming towards you from a particular direction that you want to shield yourself from. You can make your wall out of anything you can creatively visualize depending on your mood and the subject. Picture a brick wall or a wall of steel to really keep people out. If you are feeling particularly thorny or the person your keeping out is particularly forceful or obnoxious, perhaps a rose bush is growing up the side of your wall. Again, focus and visualization are the keys.
My personal favorite shield is the wet blanket. When a person is talking to you or keeping you from getting done what you need to get done visualize a wet blanket being thrown over their head. It sometimes helps to focus and tune out what they are saying and picture a sopping wet blanket tossed over their head.
Overall, be creative, have fun, and remember, you don’t want to keep your shields up at all times, but sometimes you just need to shut a person out. Shields can be anything from an actual shield to a pillow to a gingerbread house, it really all depends on your mood, your intention, and where you with what you feel most protected. I have only listed a few types of shields but in the end find the one that works best for you. Practice your visualizations and even meditate on them because we all have at something or someone that we have needed or wanted to shut out.
Shielding is an easy way to channel your energy or block energy from another person. Visualization and focus are keys to the success of a shield and shields are very person and can be as different as every human being. I have listed a few easy shields that you can start off with in your everyday life.
A bubble is a nice shield if on a particular day you are feeling grouchy, frustrated or particularly vulnerable. This can protect you from outside forces or protect others from your mood and certain mood you don’t want to inflict on others. The bubble keeps our energy inside also keep outside energy on the outside. To use the bubble shield simply envision your entire body surrounded by a bubble. It could be a soap bubble, a plastic bubble or even bubble wrap. The purpose of the bubble shield is to completely shield and close you off from the outside world.
The wall works well if you have something or someone coming towards you from a particular direction that you want to shield yourself from. You can make your wall out of anything you can creatively visualize depending on your mood and the subject. Picture a brick wall or a wall of steel to really keep people out. If you are feeling particularly thorny or the person your keeping out is particularly forceful or obnoxious, perhaps a rose bush is growing up the side of your wall. Again, focus and visualization are the keys.
My personal favorite shield is the wet blanket. When a person is talking to you or keeping you from getting done what you need to get done visualize a wet blanket being thrown over their head. It sometimes helps to focus and tune out what they are saying and picture a sopping wet blanket tossed over their head.
Overall, be creative, have fun, and remember, you don’t want to keep your shields up at all times, but sometimes you just need to shut a person out. Shields can be anything from an actual shield to a pillow to a gingerbread house, it really all depends on your mood, your intention, and where you with what you feel most protected. I have only listed a few types of shields but in the end find the one that works best for you. Practice your visualizations and even meditate on them because we all have at something or someone that we have needed or wanted to shut out.
Elemental Offerings
By Rayne Poppy
When we think of offerings we usually think of the bits of cakes and ale that we give to the Goddess during ritual time. These offerings are a symbol of thanks for her presence within that ritual, thanks for protecting and watching over us during and outside of ritual space. But, doing an offering isn’t just saved for this time! Not only are there special offering rituals for Gods and Goddesses specifically, you can do offering rituals for the elements as well.
During ritual, many people give offerings to the Goddess and God. Why do we do that? We are thanking them for being present in our circle and thanking them for watching over us not only in circle but, also in our daily lives. Elemental offerings are used the same way. The elements are also very important within circle and outside as well so we should give a bit of thanks now and then. The offerings can also be used to strengthen your connection with the elements. If a person works with a specific element enough they will feel quite connected to the element. It’s a good idea to give an offering when working with the elements.
An offering can be left at any time. Rituals can be done to present the offerings to the elements during the Full or New moon and on any Sabbat. Another option for when to leave an offering is to think about what day each element corresponds to and leave the offering on that day. Realistically, you can leave an elemental offering at any time. It just depends on why you’ve left the offerings and what you’re working towards.
So what kind of things does one offer to the elements to show their appreciation and thanks? Well, that depends on which element you’re giving an offering to! Here are some suggested stones herbs and things that you can leave as offerings to the elements.
Earth | Air | Fire | Water |
Amethyst, Jade, onyx & fluorite | Moonstone, turquoise & rhodochrosite | Amber, citrine, smoky crystals, gold & copper | Silver, coral, rainbow colored crystals & seashells |
Ivy, comfrey, apples & grains | Vervain, yarrow, frankincense & primrose | Red poppies, cedar, nettle & sunflower | Lotus, moss, cucumber, water lilies & white roses |
Herbs, seeds, things green in color & salt | Incense, feathers & things yellow in color | Candles, fire images & things red in color | Shells, sand, salt water & things blue in color |
After we’ve figured out what we want to give as an offering to the elements our next step is to figure out where to leave the offerings. This is a personal choice and you should do as you see fit. When I do elemental offerings I find it best to leave these offerings on the altar in the correct spot according to the direction. If you have a larger ritual space set up you can create an altar for each element and leave offerings at each one of the elemental altars. Another option is to go outside if at all possible. A word of caution of course would be not to leave burning candles or incense outside as offerings if you are not planning to sit there and watch them.
This is just a guideline to go by as are most things magickal. You should do what you feel is right for you. Giving offerings need not be a huge formal ritual process. You can have fun with it and the elements will appreciate it just the same.
How to Make a Scrying Mirror
By Ivy
Making a scrying mirror is very easy, fun and affordable!
Making a scrying mirror is very easy, fun and affordable!
You’ll need:
A picture frame the size of your desired mirror
Black acrylic paint
Sponge brush
Stones or paint pens to decorate
Directions:
Carefully remove the glass from the picture frame. Paint one side of the glass with black paint using a sponge brush, let dry. Hold the glass up to a light source to see if it’s been completely painted through. Paint over any areas where light can seep through. Once dry, place the glass back into the picture frame, black painted side toward the back, so the clean glass side is facing front. Clean the glass with glass cleaner, and voila! You have your own magick scrying mirror.
Carefully remove the glass from the picture frame. Paint one side of the glass with black paint using a sponge brush, let dry. Hold the glass up to a light source to see if it’s been completely painted through. Paint over any areas where light can seep through. Once dry, place the glass back into the picture frame, black painted side toward the back, so the clean glass side is facing front. Clean the glass with glass cleaner, and voila! You have your own magick scrying mirror.
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
A history and overview of mirrors in magick.
By Ivy
Mirrors- we all are familiar with them. Hanging above our sinks or vanities, we use them to groom ourselves each morning- centuries of our ancestors have done the same. But much of the folklore and stories surrounding the darker side of the mirror has been lost with time, in this new science-minded era. The superstitions surrounding the mirror have faded with time, but the wise witch is able to harness the mirror’s reflective properties and use them in her magic.
The earliest mirrors were reflective pools, most like still water- possibly collected in vessels, such as bowls. The earliest manufactured mirrors were crafted of polished obsidian and found in modern Turkey- dated to around 600 BCE. Ancient polished copper mirrors were found in Mesopotamia and Egypt. 4000 year old polished stone mirrors have been found in Central and South America, as well as 4000 year old bronze mirrors in China. Glass mirrors seem to have been invented in Sidon (Lebanon) in the first century CE, and have been mentioned by Roman author Pliny in this work in 77 CE.
The reflective surface of the mirror lends itself to reflective symbolism: the moon, clarity, self-knowledge, self-love, and truth. It was said that the mirror could never tell a lie, so to see an image in the mirror that obviously shouldn’t be there was a considered a bad omen. One thing that both water and mirrors have in common is the myth that the soul is attracted to the reflective surface. Breaking a mirror is considered bad luck- most people have heard the legend- but this is because it was once believed that the soul of the last person to look upon the surface would be attracted and attached to the mirror. It’s been told that running the pieces through running water would wash away the remnants of any unlucky trapped soul.
One custom that traveled to the US from European countries is that of covering mirrors with cloth (or turning them to face walls) when a death occurs within the home. Again, its believed that the soul could be come trapped in the mirror. There are also legends of people intentionally trapping a soul within a mirror- then it’s used as an oracular tool, like in the story of Snow White.
In modern times, witches and other occult practitioners use mirrors in their magickal work. The most common uses of the mirror is in scrying, and as a protective tool. A scrying mirror usually doesn’t look so much like a mirror as it does a dark piece of glass. The practitioner looks into the glass and analyses any pictures, symbols or words she might see. Some people may cast a circle or use some sort of ritual to get them in the scrying mood, but many just light a candle. It’s been said that it’s important to have a small source of light in the room when using the mirror, but you it’s also important to not have the light glaring in the reflection of the mirror. Most place a candle behind and to the left or right of the mirror.
As a protective tool, mirrors have been placed in windows in order to send negative energy back to the sender. Likewise, some may cast protective or reflective spells using a mirror-to reflect what was sent back to the sender. Many practitioners also use mirrors when working within psychic shields- creating a hard-shelled shield with outward-facing mirrors can be very effective in shielding onesself from external energy- both positive and negative. Mirrors are wonderfully effective tools on both magickal and mundane planes.
By Ivy
Mirrors- we all are familiar with them. Hanging above our sinks or vanities, we use them to groom ourselves each morning- centuries of our ancestors have done the same. But much of the folklore and stories surrounding the darker side of the mirror has been lost with time, in this new science-minded era. The superstitions surrounding the mirror have faded with time, but the wise witch is able to harness the mirror’s reflective properties and use them in her magic.
The earliest mirrors were reflective pools, most like still water- possibly collected in vessels, such as bowls. The earliest manufactured mirrors were crafted of polished obsidian and found in modern Turkey- dated to around 600 BCE. Ancient polished copper mirrors were found in Mesopotamia and Egypt. 4000 year old polished stone mirrors have been found in Central and South America, as well as 4000 year old bronze mirrors in China. Glass mirrors seem to have been invented in Sidon (Lebanon) in the first century CE, and have been mentioned by Roman author Pliny in this work in 77 CE.
The reflective surface of the mirror lends itself to reflective symbolism: the moon, clarity, self-knowledge, self-love, and truth. It was said that the mirror could never tell a lie, so to see an image in the mirror that obviously shouldn’t be there was a considered a bad omen. One thing that both water and mirrors have in common is the myth that the soul is attracted to the reflective surface. Breaking a mirror is considered bad luck- most people have heard the legend- but this is because it was once believed that the soul of the last person to look upon the surface would be attracted and attached to the mirror. It’s been told that running the pieces through running water would wash away the remnants of any unlucky trapped soul.
One custom that traveled to the US from European countries is that of covering mirrors with cloth (or turning them to face walls) when a death occurs within the home. Again, its believed that the soul could be come trapped in the mirror. There are also legends of people intentionally trapping a soul within a mirror- then it’s used as an oracular tool, like in the story of Snow White.
In modern times, witches and other occult practitioners use mirrors in their magickal work. The most common uses of the mirror is in scrying, and as a protective tool. A scrying mirror usually doesn’t look so much like a mirror as it does a dark piece of glass. The practitioner looks into the glass and analyses any pictures, symbols or words she might see. Some people may cast a circle or use some sort of ritual to get them in the scrying mood, but many just light a candle. It’s been said that it’s important to have a small source of light in the room when using the mirror, but you it’s also important to not have the light glaring in the reflection of the mirror. Most place a candle behind and to the left or right of the mirror.
As a protective tool, mirrors have been placed in windows in order to send negative energy back to the sender. Likewise, some may cast protective or reflective spells using a mirror-to reflect what was sent back to the sender. Many practitioners also use mirrors when working within psychic shields- creating a hard-shelled shield with outward-facing mirrors can be very effective in shielding onesself from external energy- both positive and negative. Mirrors are wonderfully effective tools on both magickal and mundane planes.
Simple Mirror Spell to Reflect Icky Energy Sent Your Way
By Ivy
You’ll need:
A hand mirror
A photo or object of the person sending negative ick your way
A black candle- symbolising their icky energy
A white candle- symbolising your shining energy
Black piece of cloth
Instructions:
Cast circle, create sacred space, or do whatever you normally do before spellwork. I suggest that you sit in the center of your sacred space with everything you’ll need for this working. Attach the object to the black candle with a pin or ribbon. Light the black candle, and hold the mirror up so that the black candle is reflected in the mirror. Light the white candle and place it between yourself and the mirror.
Say the following:
{name of person}, you send me hate
Energy wants to opens the gate
But it won’t stay,
reflected your way,
Your fate you do create
Repeat this as many times as you feel neccesary.
Snuff out the black candle, and roll it up in the black cloth. Dispose of this by burying it, or alternatively dispose of it in a garbage can far from your home. Let the white candle burn out, or snuff it and re-use for another personal working.
You’ll need:
A hand mirror
A photo or object of the person sending negative ick your way
A black candle- symbolising their icky energy
A white candle- symbolising your shining energy
Black piece of cloth
Instructions:
Cast circle, create sacred space, or do whatever you normally do before spellwork. I suggest that you sit in the center of your sacred space with everything you’ll need for this working. Attach the object to the black candle with a pin or ribbon. Light the black candle, and hold the mirror up so that the black candle is reflected in the mirror. Light the white candle and place it between yourself and the mirror.
Say the following:
{name of person}, you send me hate
Energy wants to opens the gate
But it won’t stay,
reflected your way,
Your fate you do create
Repeat this as many times as you feel neccesary.
Snuff out the black candle, and roll it up in the black cloth. Dispose of this by burying it, or alternatively dispose of it in a garbage can far from your home. Let the white candle burn out, or snuff it and re-use for another personal working.
Candlemas Crescent Cakes
This is one of my favorite recipes found in Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac circa 2002
Original recipe found in Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac circa 2002, vegan suggestions by Beth
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups Flour
3/4 cup Sugar
1 cup Finely Ground Almonds
3 drops Almond Extract
1/2 cup Butter or Margarine, softened
1 tablespoon Honey (or agave nectar for the strict vegan)
1 Egg Yolk (or ¼ cup of firm tofu for veganizing)
Directions: In a large mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add the butter, honey and egg yolk (or tofu) and mix together well. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then chill for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the refrigerator. When ready, pinch off pieces of the dough (about the size of plums) and shape them into crescents. Place the crescents on a well-greased cookie sheet and bake in a 325-degree preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes. (This recipe yields about one dozen Candlemas Crescent Cakes.)
Original recipe found in Llewellyn’s Magical Almanac circa 2002, vegan suggestions by Beth
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups Flour
3/4 cup Sugar
1 cup Finely Ground Almonds
3 drops Almond Extract
1/2 cup Butter or Margarine, softened
1 tablespoon Honey (or agave nectar for the strict vegan)
1 Egg Yolk (or ¼ cup of firm tofu for veganizing)
Directions: In a large mixing bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add the butter, honey and egg yolk (or tofu) and mix together well. Cover with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then chill for 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the refrigerator. When ready, pinch off pieces of the dough (about the size of plums) and shape them into crescents. Place the crescents on a well-greased cookie sheet and bake in a 325-degree preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes. (This recipe yields about one dozen Candlemas Crescent Cakes.)
The Portable Altar
by Rayne Poppy
A single person sits in the middle of a small apartment deep in meditation. She opens she stands up, almost bumping her head on the TV tray she’s using as an altar table and knocking her bum on the front of the TV stand. She stands up to start casting the circle, which ends up being maybe 2 feet across if that! It’s obvious that there’s not much space as she hops on her couch to call the East quarter. It becomes even more obvious when she assumes Goddess pose and smacks her hand on the bookshelf. This is prime example of someone that could really use a portable altar setup!
Portable altar setups are a great option for those who have very little space (like our poor Witch who can’t move 2 feet in her house!) They are also a wonderful option for the traveling Witch. Of course we know that an altar is another one of those totally optional things but for those who want them but don’t have the room, aren’t home, or just want to be prepared, they are a great option.
Making a portable altar is super easy and you can put one together in a short time with objects you have laying around your house.
Recommended Supplies
• Wooden cigar box
• Small letter opener
• Small stick of wood
• 3 Tea light candles
• A small rock
• A small feather
• A small bottle (travel shampoo) filled with ritual water
• A small seashell that can hold some water (or a small bowl or teacup)
• A cloth to use as an altar cloth (doubles as a cushion for your supplies!)
Of course, if you don’t have these items readily available you can always substitute with what you do have on hand. Just think portability and you’ll be fine!
Place the cloth inside the box and arrange the items in the box. Fold the cloth over to cover the supplies and close it up! It’s that simple. You can always decorate the box as you see fit. Use photos, printed images or magazine clippings to decoupage the box.
Should you opt not to use candles or incense with your altar setup you can glue the objects right into the box. Just get some super glue or even a hot glue gun and glue each item into the bottom of the box in the corresponding direction. Fold up the cloth and put it on top after everything dries and you’re set!
When you’re ready to go on a trip or take your ritual practices out of the house just put this altar in a box right in your bag and you’re set. These fit nicely in a desk or dresser drawer for easy storage.
A single person sits in the middle of a small apartment deep in meditation. She opens she stands up, almost bumping her head on the TV tray she’s using as an altar table and knocking her bum on the front of the TV stand. She stands up to start casting the circle, which ends up being maybe 2 feet across if that! It’s obvious that there’s not much space as she hops on her couch to call the East quarter. It becomes even more obvious when she assumes Goddess pose and smacks her hand on the bookshelf. This is prime example of someone that could really use a portable altar setup!
Portable altar setups are a great option for those who have very little space (like our poor Witch who can’t move 2 feet in her house!) They are also a wonderful option for the traveling Witch. Of course we know that an altar is another one of those totally optional things but for those who want them but don’t have the room, aren’t home, or just want to be prepared, they are a great option.
Making a portable altar is super easy and you can put one together in a short time with objects you have laying around your house.
Recommended Supplies
• Wooden cigar box
• Small letter opener
• Small stick of wood
• 3 Tea light candles
• A small rock
• A small feather
• A small bottle (travel shampoo) filled with ritual water
• A small seashell that can hold some water (or a small bowl or teacup)
• A cloth to use as an altar cloth (doubles as a cushion for your supplies!)
Of course, if you don’t have these items readily available you can always substitute with what you do have on hand. Just think portability and you’ll be fine!
Place the cloth inside the box and arrange the items in the box. Fold the cloth over to cover the supplies and close it up! It’s that simple. You can always decorate the box as you see fit. Use photos, printed images or magazine clippings to decoupage the box.
Should you opt not to use candles or incense with your altar setup you can glue the objects right into the box. Just get some super glue or even a hot glue gun and glue each item into the bottom of the box in the corresponding direction. Fold up the cloth and put it on top after everything dries and you’re set!
When you’re ready to go on a trip or take your ritual practices out of the house just put this altar in a box right in your bag and you’re set. These fit nicely in a desk or dresser drawer for easy storage.
Imbolc Irish Soda Bread
Contributed by Rayne Poppy
1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour -- unbleached, enriched
1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -- stone-ground
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 1/4 cups Buttermilk
Set the baking rack in the center of the oven and place a baking stone (if available) on the rack.
Preheat the oven to 375.
In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix to incorporate. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Mix quickly to incorporate the milk evenly. It may be easier to mix with the hands than with a spoon. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place in a nonstick 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" loaf pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, until well browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from the oven and the baking pan. Place on a wire rack to cool.
1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour -- unbleached, enriched
1 1/2 cups Whole wheat flour -- stone-ground
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
1 1/4 cups Buttermilk
Set the baking rack in the center of the oven and place a baking stone (if available) on the rack.
Preheat the oven to 375.
In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Mix to incorporate. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the buttermilk. Mix quickly to incorporate the milk evenly. It may be easier to mix with the hands than with a spoon. Form the dough into a loaf shape and place in a nonstick 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2" loaf pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, until well browned and a skewer inserted in the center comes out dry. Remove from the oven and the baking pan. Place on a wire rack to cool.
Ostara Egg Dyeing
by Rayne Poppy
As kids, we always loved dyeing eggs during the spring time. Many of us celebrated Easter with our families. Now we can bring this tradition back to it's roots and dye the eggs naturally for Ostara!
You can dye eggs using herbs. You prepare the herbs almost as you would to make tea. It's economical and a great alternative to those store bought chemical dyes.
To Prepare the dyes:
Boil a handful of an herb of flower until the water is well colored, simmer for 30 minutes and strain. Place the water into a heat-resistant cup or bowl, stir in a tsp of vinegar. (Use 1 tbsp vinegar to 1 qu liquid) Add a pinch of salt. Allow soaking, The longer you leave the eggs in, the darker they become.
Coloring Herbs
Yellow= Carrots, White Grape Juice
Orange= Onion Skins, Madder Root, Cayenne
Red= Red Onion Skins, Madder Root, Cayenne, Cranberries
Red-Violet= Purple Grape Juice, Red Raspberries
Green= Carrot Tops, Bracken, Colts-foot, Spinach
Black= Raspberries
Blue= Blueberries, Red Cabbage, Black Raspberries
Blue-Violet= Blackberries, Beet Juice, Mulberries, Red onion skins (for best results boil the onion skins with the eggs)
Pink= Heather, Madder Root
Once the eggs are dyed to your desired color you can write symbols on them. These can be symbols of the season or runes of some sort. Get creative!
As kids, we always loved dyeing eggs during the spring time. Many of us celebrated Easter with our families. Now we can bring this tradition back to it's roots and dye the eggs naturally for Ostara!
You can dye eggs using herbs. You prepare the herbs almost as you would to make tea. It's economical and a great alternative to those store bought chemical dyes.
To Prepare the dyes:
Boil a handful of an herb of flower until the water is well colored, simmer for 30 minutes and strain. Place the water into a heat-resistant cup or bowl, stir in a tsp of vinegar. (Use 1 tbsp vinegar to 1 qu liquid) Add a pinch of salt. Allow soaking, The longer you leave the eggs in, the darker they become.
Coloring Herbs
Yellow= Carrots, White Grape Juice
Orange= Onion Skins, Madder Root, Cayenne
Red= Red Onion Skins, Madder Root, Cayenne, Cranberries
Red-Violet= Purple Grape Juice, Red Raspberries
Green= Carrot Tops, Bracken, Colts-foot, Spinach
Black= Raspberries
Blue= Blueberries, Red Cabbage, Black Raspberries
Blue-Violet= Blackberries, Beet Juice, Mulberries, Red onion skins (for best results boil the onion skins with the eggs)
Pink= Heather, Madder Root
Once the eggs are dyed to your desired color you can write symbols on them. These can be symbols of the season or runes of some sort. Get creative!
Emotive Freedom Technique
Emotive Freedom Technique
by Aislin Lumina
Emotive Freedom Technique (EFT), also know as Energy Tapping, is a developed skill used to work through trauma and self-inflicted pain. It is a way to clear negative or stagnant energy out of the body. There are major points in the body used in EFT that correspond to energy meridians, or ley lines, that run through the body and carry energy. Our Western culture has taught many of us to ignore or suppress deep emotions and trauma that are uncomfortable to us. This can be very unhealthy for the body and psyche, as this causes the energy to become stuck in places in the body causing mental and physical maladies. Gary Craig founded Emotive Freedom Technique and it was taught to me in Sedona, Arizona at Retreat and Heal by Annie Lawrence, PhD, author of the book Love’s Secret. EFT has been used on hundreds of people to find inner peace and personal power. People have found relief from depression, anxiety, and body pain using this method. There are people throughout the country trained to teach EFT, and you can find them with a simple web search. However, you can also perform EFT on yourself. Below is what Annie Lawrence taught me.
Feel a feeling you are having in the moment. Using a scale of 1-10, intuitively feel how strong the feeling/incident is – 10 being the strongest. After performing EFT, if the feeling goes down to a 3, it will keep releasing and you can move on to other feelings, if there are any. If it stays at 4 or above, after performing this method, you will receive inner guidance on other feelings/incidents associated with this feeling. Continue to tap on everything connected to any given feeling or incident, releasing all of it.
First, find the sore spot on your shoulder at the front of the armpit, above the breast but below the clavicle bone. Rub this spot while repeating three times: “I completely love and accept myself even though…(insert feeling or incident here…ex. “I was in an abusive relationship;” “I was raped;” “I feel depressed and unworthy;” “I feel pain and regret;” etc.). Now, you will begin the tapping. You can do the tapping on either side of the body, but stick to one side. You will tap each point two times as you repeat the phrase above. The points are:
**Top of head
**Eyebrow near nose
**Outer edge of eye
**Under eye near nose
**Upper lip
**Chin
**Collarbone
**Armpit
**The last knuckle of each finger except the ring finger
**Outer pad of hand
Then you will do the Eye Sweep. Look at the tips of your fingers and raise hand straight out in front of you. Do not move your head – just your eyes, as far up as you can go, looking at your fingertips. Bring your arm down, BREATHE DEEPLY, and let the energies release. Then do a second round of tapping. BREATHE and release. If other feelings or incidents come up in the process, you can repeat the entire exercise using that feeling/incident. Over the next few days, you should feel much relief from the old emotional baggage you have been carrying around with you for so long. Many of these feelings are buried very deep and have been with you for such a long time, you may find you will need to perform many sessions of EFT in order to release everything. But you will be surprised how useful tapping on the points of these meridians in your body, while focusing and releasing energy, can be for your mental/physical health and well-being.
If you would like to learn more about Emotive Freedom Technique, you can visit Gary Craig’s website: www.emofree.com. If you would like to learn more about Annie Lawrence’s retreats in Sedona, Arizona, you can visit their website: www.retreatandheal.com.
Blessings on being free of old emotional baggage!
by Aislin Lumina
Emotive Freedom Technique (EFT), also know as Energy Tapping, is a developed skill used to work through trauma and self-inflicted pain. It is a way to clear negative or stagnant energy out of the body. There are major points in the body used in EFT that correspond to energy meridians, or ley lines, that run through the body and carry energy. Our Western culture has taught many of us to ignore or suppress deep emotions and trauma that are uncomfortable to us. This can be very unhealthy for the body and psyche, as this causes the energy to become stuck in places in the body causing mental and physical maladies. Gary Craig founded Emotive Freedom Technique and it was taught to me in Sedona, Arizona at Retreat and Heal by Annie Lawrence, PhD, author of the book Love’s Secret. EFT has been used on hundreds of people to find inner peace and personal power. People have found relief from depression, anxiety, and body pain using this method. There are people throughout the country trained to teach EFT, and you can find them with a simple web search. However, you can also perform EFT on yourself. Below is what Annie Lawrence taught me.
Feel a feeling you are having in the moment. Using a scale of 1-10, intuitively feel how strong the feeling/incident is – 10 being the strongest. After performing EFT, if the feeling goes down to a 3, it will keep releasing and you can move on to other feelings, if there are any. If it stays at 4 or above, after performing this method, you will receive inner guidance on other feelings/incidents associated with this feeling. Continue to tap on everything connected to any given feeling or incident, releasing all of it.
First, find the sore spot on your shoulder at the front of the armpit, above the breast but below the clavicle bone. Rub this spot while repeating three times: “I completely love and accept myself even though…(insert feeling or incident here…ex. “I was in an abusive relationship;” “I was raped;” “I feel depressed and unworthy;” “I feel pain and regret;” etc.). Now, you will begin the tapping. You can do the tapping on either side of the body, but stick to one side. You will tap each point two times as you repeat the phrase above. The points are:
**Top of head
**Eyebrow near nose
**Outer edge of eye
**Under eye near nose
**Upper lip
**Chin
**Collarbone
**Armpit
**The last knuckle of each finger except the ring finger
**Outer pad of hand
Then you will do the Eye Sweep. Look at the tips of your fingers and raise hand straight out in front of you. Do not move your head – just your eyes, as far up as you can go, looking at your fingertips. Bring your arm down, BREATHE DEEPLY, and let the energies release. Then do a second round of tapping. BREATHE and release. If other feelings or incidents come up in the process, you can repeat the entire exercise using that feeling/incident. Over the next few days, you should feel much relief from the old emotional baggage you have been carrying around with you for so long. Many of these feelings are buried very deep and have been with you for such a long time, you may find you will need to perform many sessions of EFT in order to release everything. But you will be surprised how useful tapping on the points of these meridians in your body, while focusing and releasing energy, can be for your mental/physical health and well-being.
If you would like to learn more about Emotive Freedom Technique, you can visit Gary Craig’s website: www.emofree.com. If you would like to learn more about Annie Lawrence’s retreats in Sedona, Arizona, you can visit their website: www.retreatandheal.com.
Blessings on being free of old emotional baggage!
Spell to Spread Love and Good Feeling
Spell to Spread Love and Good Feeling
by Aislin Lumina
What you need:
**Three candles – yellow, white, pink
**A vase of pink flowers
**Paper and pen
Light candles. Write down list of people you want to bless. Like a petition, place in front of the candles. If there is more than one of you, link hands. Focus energy to send from the candles to the people in need. After awhile, start to imagine the people flying above the grayness of their woes. Ring them in light in your mind. Picture them victorious over misery, confusion, and depression. Bring them gently back to Earth. Present each with a flower. Let the candles burn out.
by Aislin Lumina
What you need:
**Three candles – yellow, white, pink
**A vase of pink flowers
**Paper and pen
Light candles. Write down list of people you want to bless. Like a petition, place in front of the candles. If there is more than one of you, link hands. Focus energy to send from the candles to the people in need. After awhile, start to imagine the people flying above the grayness of their woes. Ring them in light in your mind. Picture them victorious over misery, confusion, and depression. Bring them gently back to Earth. Present each with a flower. Let the candles burn out.
Delphian Cliff
Delphian Cliff
by Aislin Lumina
October 1998
Night has fallen
On the foot of The Mountain
And the starry vault of Heaven
Is opened once more
Blue Star rising
In the East, I’m spying
Venus takes Her place on the dance floor
The crickets sing like violins
Nature’s music mesmerizes and lures me in
**CHORUS**
Underneath a waxing moon
I can feel The Earth’s vibrations
Pulling me to you
And Fate’s kindest gift
If I could dance with you
Dance with you on The Delphian Cliff
Take away the pain
I always entertain
Search for me where Silver
Pierces the Black Clouds
Crystal waters falling
I can hear you calling
Say you’ll be there when I hit the ground
Splashing in The Water alone
I can hear the tide’s monotonous drone
**CHORUS**
Underneath a waxing moon
I can feel The Earth’s vibrations
Pulling me to you
And The Oracle’s kindest gift
If I could dance with you
Dance with you on The Delphian Cliff
The stars are hanging
On their Golden Chains
You’ve been dwelling
In the dark shadows of The Sunset
A thick green canopy
Veiled all my reveries
But the time behind closed eyes
Was time well spent
Faith is believing what you can’t see
The Muses of Delphi come to me
**CHORUS**
Underneath a waxing moon
I can feel The Earth’s vibrations
Pulling me to you
And Apollo’s kindest gift
If I could dance with you
Dance with you on The Delphian Cliff
by Aislin Lumina
October 1998
Night has fallen
On the foot of The Mountain
And the starry vault of Heaven
Is opened once more
Blue Star rising
In the East, I’m spying
Venus takes Her place on the dance floor
The crickets sing like violins
Nature’s music mesmerizes and lures me in
**CHORUS**
Underneath a waxing moon
I can feel The Earth’s vibrations
Pulling me to you
And Fate’s kindest gift
If I could dance with you
Dance with you on The Delphian Cliff
Take away the pain
I always entertain
Search for me where Silver
Pierces the Black Clouds
Crystal waters falling
I can hear you calling
Say you’ll be there when I hit the ground
Splashing in The Water alone
I can hear the tide’s monotonous drone
**CHORUS**
Underneath a waxing moon
I can feel The Earth’s vibrations
Pulling me to you
And The Oracle’s kindest gift
If I could dance with you
Dance with you on The Delphian Cliff
The stars are hanging
On their Golden Chains
You’ve been dwelling
In the dark shadows of The Sunset
A thick green canopy
Veiled all my reveries
But the time behind closed eyes
Was time well spent
Faith is believing what you can’t see
The Muses of Delphi come to me
**CHORUS**
Underneath a waxing moon
I can feel The Earth’s vibrations
Pulling me to you
And Apollo’s kindest gift
If I could dance with you
Dance with you on The Delphian Cliff
The Witches Tool Box: The Besom
The Witches Tool Box: The Besom
by Mariana
The Witch’s Broom or Besom has a long history in folklore and usage. In popular culture it has been associated with the Halloween Witch, flying across the starlight sky upon her magical broomstick, which I believe is a metaphor for astral projection. It is tool that can be taken for a common household object, one that would not condemn a witch when being caught practicing witchcraft could cost you dearly.
The besom was traditionally constructed of Ash (protection) for the handle, Birch twigs for the bristles (purifying), and Willow (Sacred to the Goddess). Nowadays, people make their besoms of all different kinds of materials, using the correspondences of the materials to their specific intentions for the particular besom they are crafting. The besom also contains the symbolism of polarity in that the phallic shaft represents the God, and the bristles, when inverted represent the Goddess.
In ritual, the consecrated besom can be used to sweep away any negative energies, either in addition to the use of burning incense, or in place of burning incense if a smoke free environment is required. One can bless a household besom with certain qualities that one wishes to bring to the household when doing the actual mundane act of sweeping; however once consecrated for ritual use, that particular besom may only be used in ritual and not for practical household chores.
In addition to using the besom to sweep away energy, the witch can use the besom to sweep in desired energies as well. For instance, if one wanted to bring prosperity into his or her home, he or she could recite incantations for prosperity while sweeping prosperous energy into the home.
In elder days, the women took their besoms out in the fields in the Spring, and rode them around, dancing through the fields and jumping as high as they could to ensure that the crops would grow at least as high as they jumped. (hence another name used for a besom is hobby horse). It is traditional to name your besom as you would name a horse as well. They danced in the fields and jumped as high as they could, as their jumping indicated the height that the crops were to grow to.
The most well known use for the besom aside from sweeping energy about is to represent the threshold of the home in hand fasting rituals. The couple jumps the broom not only to symbolize the beginning of their life as a couple, but also for luck, fertility, and the woman’s transition from maiden to mother.
Other folkloric use for the besom was to have peaceful sleep and to keep away nightmares; the besom may be placed under the bed. Likewise, if one was to be away from home, the besom would be placed in the bed to ensure that no malevolent energies came to reside in the bed while one was away. Additionally, a besom placed in front of your home could indicate that you do not want to be disturbed or that nobody is at home.
Besoms are available nowadays in many pagan shops and online stores; however it has always been a desire of mine to create my own besom. In my research I found that it is not difficult to do, and I look forward to creating one in the near future, perhaps as a group activity with my coven.
by Mariana
The Witch’s Broom or Besom has a long history in folklore and usage. In popular culture it has been associated with the Halloween Witch, flying across the starlight sky upon her magical broomstick, which I believe is a metaphor for astral projection. It is tool that can be taken for a common household object, one that would not condemn a witch when being caught practicing witchcraft could cost you dearly.
The besom was traditionally constructed of Ash (protection) for the handle, Birch twigs for the bristles (purifying), and Willow (Sacred to the Goddess). Nowadays, people make their besoms of all different kinds of materials, using the correspondences of the materials to their specific intentions for the particular besom they are crafting. The besom also contains the symbolism of polarity in that the phallic shaft represents the God, and the bristles, when inverted represent the Goddess.
In ritual, the consecrated besom can be used to sweep away any negative energies, either in addition to the use of burning incense, or in place of burning incense if a smoke free environment is required. One can bless a household besom with certain qualities that one wishes to bring to the household when doing the actual mundane act of sweeping; however once consecrated for ritual use, that particular besom may only be used in ritual and not for practical household chores.
In addition to using the besom to sweep away energy, the witch can use the besom to sweep in desired energies as well. For instance, if one wanted to bring prosperity into his or her home, he or she could recite incantations for prosperity while sweeping prosperous energy into the home.
In elder days, the women took their besoms out in the fields in the Spring, and rode them around, dancing through the fields and jumping as high as they could to ensure that the crops would grow at least as high as they jumped. (hence another name used for a besom is hobby horse). It is traditional to name your besom as you would name a horse as well. They danced in the fields and jumped as high as they could, as their jumping indicated the height that the crops were to grow to.
The most well known use for the besom aside from sweeping energy about is to represent the threshold of the home in hand fasting rituals. The couple jumps the broom not only to symbolize the beginning of their life as a couple, but also for luck, fertility, and the woman’s transition from maiden to mother.
Other folkloric use for the besom was to have peaceful sleep and to keep away nightmares; the besom may be placed under the bed. Likewise, if one was to be away from home, the besom would be placed in the bed to ensure that no malevolent energies came to reside in the bed while one was away. Additionally, a besom placed in front of your home could indicate that you do not want to be disturbed or that nobody is at home.
Besoms are available nowadays in many pagan shops and online stores; however it has always been a desire of mine to create my own besom. In my research I found that it is not difficult to do, and I look forward to creating one in the near future, perhaps as a group activity with my coven.
Choosing a Name From Old Cultures for Yourself or Your Child
Choosing a Name From Old Cultures for Yourself or Your Child
by Aislin Lumina
As pagans and witches, we know the importance of a name. Whether picking a new magickal name for yourself or trying to find a name for your child, the possibilities are endless. We are all familiar with names such as Raven or Brigid or Isis, but what about mundane names from old cultures? There are a plethora of mundane names for the olden days that can become magickal if we decide to make them so. Here are some interesting names from a variety of cultural sources, that you may not have thought of before, as well as their meanings.
GREEK NAMES
Greek Girls:
Aldora: Winged gift
Arethusa: Nymph
Aspasia: Woman famous for charm and intellect
Damara: Gentle
Dorissa: Sea
Nerissa: Of the sea
Terza: The harvester
Theola: Divine
Zandra: Helper of humankind
Greek Boys:
Ajax: Eagle
Anatole: The east
Cyril: Lordly
Erinys: Angry
Otis: Hears well
Yurik: Farmer
Zeno: Shining
LATIN NAMES
Latin Girls:
Almeda: Pressing toward a goal
Amanda: Deserving of great love
Auerelie: Golden
Brina: From the boundary line
Chantel: Song
Ermin: Regal
Imogene: Image
Leandra: Lioness
Ondrea: Womanly
Renata: Reborn
Tessa: Essence
Zia: Type of grain
Latin Boys:
Alban: Pure heart
Cash: Vain
Myer: Great
Myles: Soldier
Rufus: Redhead
Torin: Tender
Vassily: Magnificent
CELTIC/GAELIC NAMES
Celtic/Gaelic Girls:
Aislin: Dream
Asthore: Loved one
Brenna: Raven maid
Brona: Sorrow
Devin: Poet
Ennis: Island
Fenella: Fair
Mabbina: Intoxicating one
Rhona: Rough island
Saraid: Excellent
Wynne: Fair; light-skinned
Zaira: Irish name
Celtic/Gaelic Boys:
Ahern: Lord of horses
Brady: Spirited
Carlin: Little champion
Chay: Fairy place
Dallan: Wise
Ferris: The rock; iron worker
Inness: From the river island
Keegan: Ardent little one
Muir: Of the Moors
Sloan: Warrior
Turlough: Shaped like Thor
TEUTONIC NAMES
Teutonic Girls:
Blenda: Dazzling
Farica: Peaceful ruler
Garda: Protected
Lorelei: Destruction
Velda: Of great wisdom
Wandis: Lithe and slender
Teutonic Boys:
Abelard: Resolute
Arvin: Friend of people
Ballard: Bold
Derwin: Friend of animals
Ingram: Angel raven
Thorp: Hamlet
Waldron: Mighty raven
ENGLISH, WELSH, AND ANGLO-SAXON NAMES
English, Welsh, and Anglo-Saxon Girls:
Alodie: Wealthy
Eadwine: Valuable friend
Elvina: Befriended by elves
Fleta: Swift
Harley: From the long field
Sorcha: Bright
Wilona: Wished for
Yetta: To give
English, Welsh, and Anglo-Saxon Boys:
Ainsley: From the near meadow
Bancroft: Of the bean field
Booth: From the hut
Burleigh: A field with knotted tree trunks
Elton: From the town
Grayson: Judge’s son
Kenway: Bold in battle
Merrick: Ruler of the sea
Stanton: From the stony farm
Tilden: From the liberal one’s estate
Yates: Dweller at the gates
Information derived from: The Complete Book of Magical Names by Phoenix McFarland
by Aislin Lumina
As pagans and witches, we know the importance of a name. Whether picking a new magickal name for yourself or trying to find a name for your child, the possibilities are endless. We are all familiar with names such as Raven or Brigid or Isis, but what about mundane names from old cultures? There are a plethora of mundane names for the olden days that can become magickal if we decide to make them so. Here are some interesting names from a variety of cultural sources, that you may not have thought of before, as well as their meanings.
GREEK NAMES
Greek Girls:
Aldora: Winged gift
Arethusa: Nymph
Aspasia: Woman famous for charm and intellect
Damara: Gentle
Dorissa: Sea
Nerissa: Of the sea
Terza: The harvester
Theola: Divine
Zandra: Helper of humankind
Greek Boys:
Ajax: Eagle
Anatole: The east
Cyril: Lordly
Erinys: Angry
Otis: Hears well
Yurik: Farmer
Zeno: Shining
LATIN NAMES
Latin Girls:
Almeda: Pressing toward a goal
Amanda: Deserving of great love
Auerelie: Golden
Brina: From the boundary line
Chantel: Song
Ermin: Regal
Imogene: Image
Leandra: Lioness
Ondrea: Womanly
Renata: Reborn
Tessa: Essence
Zia: Type of grain
Latin Boys:
Alban: Pure heart
Cash: Vain
Myer: Great
Myles: Soldier
Rufus: Redhead
Torin: Tender
Vassily: Magnificent
CELTIC/GAELIC NAMES
Celtic/Gaelic Girls:
Aislin: Dream
Asthore: Loved one
Brenna: Raven maid
Brona: Sorrow
Devin: Poet
Ennis: Island
Fenella: Fair
Mabbina: Intoxicating one
Rhona: Rough island
Saraid: Excellent
Wynne: Fair; light-skinned
Zaira: Irish name
Celtic/Gaelic Boys:
Ahern: Lord of horses
Brady: Spirited
Carlin: Little champion
Chay: Fairy place
Dallan: Wise
Ferris: The rock; iron worker
Inness: From the river island
Keegan: Ardent little one
Muir: Of the Moors
Sloan: Warrior
Turlough: Shaped like Thor
TEUTONIC NAMES
Teutonic Girls:
Blenda: Dazzling
Farica: Peaceful ruler
Garda: Protected
Lorelei: Destruction
Velda: Of great wisdom
Wandis: Lithe and slender
Teutonic Boys:
Abelard: Resolute
Arvin: Friend of people
Ballard: Bold
Derwin: Friend of animals
Ingram: Angel raven
Thorp: Hamlet
Waldron: Mighty raven
ENGLISH, WELSH, AND ANGLO-SAXON NAMES
English, Welsh, and Anglo-Saxon Girls:
Alodie: Wealthy
Eadwine: Valuable friend
Elvina: Befriended by elves
Fleta: Swift
Harley: From the long field
Sorcha: Bright
Wilona: Wished for
Yetta: To give
English, Welsh, and Anglo-Saxon Boys:
Ainsley: From the near meadow
Bancroft: Of the bean field
Booth: From the hut
Burleigh: A field with knotted tree trunks
Elton: From the town
Grayson: Judge’s son
Kenway: Bold in battle
Merrick: Ruler of the sea
Stanton: From the stony farm
Tilden: From the liberal one’s estate
Yates: Dweller at the gates
Information derived from: The Complete Book of Magical Names by Phoenix McFarland
Goddess Snippets: Lakshmi
by Mariana
It was a dark time in the land. The Gods had lost their ambrosia. This was a time when the Gods and Demons had been weakened. The Gods tricked the Demons into causing a great churning in the Ocean of Milk to bring forth the ambrosia, the food of the Gods, once more. At that dark time, Lakshmi, daughter of the great sage, Brighu, took refuge within that Ocean. When the Demons commenced the churning of the Ocean of Milk, Lakshmi was reborn as a Goddess of great beauty. All of the gods fell in love with Lakshmi just by gazing at her. Lakshmi chose Vishnu, her favorite God, to be her consort. The couple was reborn together in their reincarnations as Sita and Rama, and again as Radha and Krishma, for they had much love for each other and much work to do together.
Lakshmi is light.
Lakshmi is beauty.
Lakshmi is good fortune.
Lakshmi is wealth.
Her devotees often worship her to attain success; but Mother Lakshmi will not favor the lazy or those who desire only wealth. She loves cleanliness, and is said to visit the cleanest homes first.
It was a dark time in the land. The Gods had lost their ambrosia. This was a time when the Gods and Demons had been weakened. The Gods tricked the Demons into causing a great churning in the Ocean of Milk to bring forth the ambrosia, the food of the Gods, once more. At that dark time, Lakshmi, daughter of the great sage, Brighu, took refuge within that Ocean. When the Demons commenced the churning of the Ocean of Milk, Lakshmi was reborn as a Goddess of great beauty. All of the gods fell in love with Lakshmi just by gazing at her. Lakshmi chose Vishnu, her favorite God, to be her consort. The couple was reborn together in their reincarnations as Sita and Rama, and again as Radha and Krishma, for they had much love for each other and much work to do together.
Lakshmi is light.
Lakshmi is beauty.
Lakshmi is good fortune.
Lakshmi is wealth.
Her devotees often worship her to attain success; but Mother Lakshmi will not favor the lazy or those who desire only wealth. She loves cleanliness, and is said to visit the cleanest homes first.
Son of Lir
by Mariana
Over waves he rides
My lover from the sea
Bold and brawny
Flowing tresses blowing on salt breeze
Playful, tempestuous, trickster
Holds keys to gates of worlds unknown
He may open them to me
Or keep them as his own
Midnight at the Crossroads
Hidden by the mist
Clad in naught but starlight
Ecstasy his kiss
Moaning passion building burning
Mead of wetness, dew soaked thighs
Riding into sweet oblivion
Riding through the swirling skies
When glowing dawn arrives
We part but for the day
He to ride the ocean waves
And I to the mundane
Yet when the dark descends
And I go to my bed
A knowing smile plies my lips
My love for me shall send
And as I lie in sleep
Our sacred tryst I’ll keep.
Mariana, Copyright September 19, 2004
Over waves he rides
My lover from the sea
Bold and brawny
Flowing tresses blowing on salt breeze
Playful, tempestuous, trickster
Holds keys to gates of worlds unknown
He may open them to me
Or keep them as his own
Midnight at the Crossroads
Hidden by the mist
Clad in naught but starlight
Ecstasy his kiss
Moaning passion building burning
Mead of wetness, dew soaked thighs
Riding into sweet oblivion
Riding through the swirling skies
When glowing dawn arrives
We part but for the day
He to ride the ocean waves
And I to the mundane
Yet when the dark descends
And I go to my bed
A knowing smile plies my lips
My love for me shall send
And as I lie in sleep
Our sacred tryst I’ll keep.
Mariana, Copyright September 19, 2004