Banishing spell for the new moon

I have many people contact me due to a variety of reasons. Lots of people are opening their minds and are returning to the ways of the old. One subject that is always popular is the subject of banishing. So here, I will touch on the subject.

The moon plays a very important role in all our lives. Whether you acknowledge this or not, it is true. Throughout history, the moon has always had an aura of mystery and magic about it. It has endless stories and folklore told about it passed through generations, it is clearly shown in movies and is mentioned in novels and countless books, whether to add mystery, romance, spookiness. It is no secret that the moon is tied to the ebb and flow of the tide, as well as the cycle of women's' bodies....the Maiden, Mother and Crone. Moon mysteries cross every culture and continent, is endless and there are countless celebrations and rituals involving the moon that go back beyond recorded time.


The full moon is the most powerful point in the lunar cycle for witches. Many traditional spells begin with, "By the light of the full moon.....". The full moon is brightening, enlightening, and inspiring. However, another extremely powerful time in the moon's cycle is often underused, or even ignored. This is the dark of the moon, or new moon. Example, the full moon reflects our magic, emotions, and divination outwards, the dark of the new moon brings them inwards. It is the absence of light, and the mysterious unseen forces. It is the dark mysteries, the deep recesses, shadowed self...the Crone in all her magnificent glory and wisdom.

The new moon is a time to reflect and do some introspection. (As a Mercury retrograde is also known for). The new moon is the time to look inward-find what is blocking you from progressing forward in the manner you desire and keeping your idle or at a standstill. Its the perfect time for doing some fundamental examination so you can decide what habits need to be broken and what relationships need the ties cut and should end. The new moon phase is the point where the old has disappeared and the new has not yet come. The moon's magnificent magical cycle is in a short hibernation before beginning to draw in energy to grow and manifest again. Decisions can be made, old wounds healed, what was cloudy will become clear. Old skins can be shed and left behind to make way for the fresh and new things forthcoming.

People familar with astrology know that the new moon occurs when the sun and moon align in the same astrological sign. This makes it a powerful time to set goals and begin new projects, then to perform spellwork to help them manifest. As the moon waxes, so too will the intention you set forth at the new moon.
The new moon is also a superb time for negative or reversing magic like bindings, banishing, and purging. Use the new moon phase to break bad habits/relationships or to distance yourself from any situation that is causing chaos, drama, or other difficulties. Break the chains of addiction, unhealthy eating, controlling people.
This spell is used to banish-whether it be a person, habit, or a situation that no longer serves you.

What you will need:
Black Candle
Red Candle
Banishing Herbs or Blend - If you don't have this available, try mixing two tablespoons each of rosemary, mugwort, and juniper all together. Add 1/2 tablespoon of cloves, myrrh, and copal to the mixture.
Charcoal Tab
Banishing oil to anoint the black candle - like Run Devil Run or Banishing. (If not available use an essential oil like frankincense or even basil.
Wishing oil to anoint red candle - like a purchased blended oil like Wishing or Mojo oil, or if not available, use an essential oil such as cinnamon
Fireproof Cauldron - this spell is best done in a medium or large cauldron. It does require working with flames, and therefore needs a deeper well. I would not recommend a 'baby cauldron' for this. That is to small.
Clean unlined paper or parchment-not recycled paper.
Dove's blood ink, quill, or black marker
Tongs or long tweezers
Candle scribe or toothpick
Banishing incense- clove, frankincense, basil, or banishing
Envelope
****Pitcher of water - this is just in case of emergency. When you are working a spell using fire, it is important to take precautions in case you drop or knock over something.

On the black candle (Banishing candle), write what it is you want to banish from your life (depression, bad habit, destructive behavior, abusive person, bad luck, sick/illness). **Write from the bottom to the top.** Anoint this candle with the banishing oil, focusing on what you want to banish. On the red candle (Quick Action candle), write from the top to the bottom what you wish to happen (be happy and full of life again, quit smoking, have good luck, get well, find employment, a new vehicle). Anoint it with the wishing oil, while focusing on what you want to come in to your life.

Light the charcoal tablet and place it in your cauldron. The charcoal tab will crackle and spark. This is normal - just let it run its course. The charcoal will begin to turn gray, much like the charcoal you use on a charcoal grill. When it begins to turn gray, it is ready to use.

On the paper, write what it is you wish to happen. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, write, "I rid myself of the hold that my tobacco/nicotine addiction has on me." (I'm sure you get my drift here).

On your altar, place the Banishing candle to the left, the cauldron in the center/middle, and the Quick Action candle on the right. Have the banishing mix ready in a small dish.

Start your ritual as is your normal way or as your tradition requires. Using the incense stick, light your candles, and blow out the flame on the incense and place the incense stick in holder. If you have prepared a spoken spell, chant or prayer, say it now. Using the tongs, pick up the parchment, and repeat what you have written three times. Touch a corner of the parchment to the black candle, then immediately drop it in the cauldron. Sprinkle the banishing herb mix over the paper and the charcoal.

Once the ashes in the cauldron have cooled, pour the leftover contents into the envelope. Lay the envelope flat, then tip the black candle (first), then the red candle (second/after the black) over the closure of the envelope allowing the candle wax to drip on the envelope seal, then press your thumb into the sealing wax. After the candles burn down and are spent, take the leftover wax, wicks and the envelope and go dispose of them in a trash receptacle well away from your home, your work, or any place you frequently visit or go.

As with any spell, respect it, the elements, the spirits you call forth to help and guide you.

Brightest blessings to all. In light and love.

Magickal Gardening

Let's talk about how plants, both inside and out, can affect the energy of a space. Some people like to incorporate Feng Shui principles and practices into their living/working space environment. Not to mention the importance of plants in spellcraft and spiritual practice. For those not familiar with this ancient philosophy, Feng Shui is the art of arranging your physical environment around for the natural harmony of the space and to insure the free flow of positive qi, or energy.


Many people use Feng Shui in their spiritual practices as it can make you feel better, relaxed, peaceful, more spiritual, at ease or even inspired. There are many books out about this subject. You can start at your local library and browse through before you decide to buy any books on the subject and this will help you get and idea and feel for what Feng Shui is all about. Scott Cunningham discusses it in The Magical Household, and Raymond Buckland in Wicca for Life.
Principles of Feng Shui seem to go hand in hand with witchcraft/Wicca. Magick is all about using energy to manifest dreams and desires, break bad habits, heal from situations that have hurt us. Feng Shui is about creating the environment for that same energy to flow freely and positively in the proper direction to manifest desires more quickly and easily. An example is like driving on an open country road, cruising at a certain speed with no obstacles and driving on your work commute with traffic-slow, stop, brake, brake, brake, move an inch and stop again......ug, all the obstacles to overcome just to make it to work can be exhausting and frustrating. Feng Shui principles work the same way by creating a free flow of energy. When you move and arrange objects a certain way, it keeps that positive energy from being blocked or slowed down which helps in reaching the positive goal sooner. Thus, giving good positive results.
Gardening isn't just for outdoor plants. It does include indoor plants and their placement is an important part of Feng Shui. Immobile objects like buildings, walls and large furniture can be in the way which blocks the flow of qi. Items or objects are referred to as 'cures' and are used to redirect the energy around the object. Plants, along with mirrors, crystals, statues, and other objects are often used as cures.

Take a look around your neighborhood. Houses, garages and buildings are set at certain angles to each other, thus it creates what is called a 'poison arrow' in Feng Shui. This is very common in coves and cul-de-sac neighborhoods. For example, you may have a nasty neighbor-someone who is mean or rude, lets the property go and ruin the look of the neighborhood, have temperment issues or kids who are troublesome. Depending on the angle that their home is positioned, it could be due to the 'poison arrow' and that it is directing all of that residual negative energy directly at them. Or if you feel grouchy and uneasy, perhaps it's that the 'poison arrow' is pointing in your direction. To help allieviate this problem, plant a tree or shrub between the arrow flow and your home. This is very effecient in blocking the arrow, which alleviates the negative energy being directed your way. Alternately, if there is any sort of large foliage, such as shrubs or trees blocking the exterior doors or walkways of your home (even if it is one you do not use), then trim them back or relocate them to a different spot in the yard. Positive qi must have open access to the entrances of your home or business to insure good luck and prosperity. The same is true for front and back porches......if they are covered in broken furniture, clutter and dead plants, what sort of energy do you think they attract? Remove the clutter and replace broken pots and dead plants with live ones that represent the sort of energy you want to attract. Try a bright colored pot or flowering plant to attract joy, creativity and positive energy. There is no better place for this cure than on your front porch. A low maintenance easy care plant I recommend for porches is the pansy or snap dragon. They have beautiful coloring, coming in white, pink or red, purple, yellow and all grow well in shady area's and require almost no maintenance. Even types of begonia and marigolds are easily grown. Certain types of flowering plants can shed olds flowers as new ones are produced, which eliminates the need for pruning or dead-heading, however depending on how much you enjoy hands on gardening and getting your hands in Mother Earth, you may have to dead head or remove the wilted blooms by hand which is not hard to do. Plants can be inexpensive, very lively and helps to alleviate stress and add beauty. They are perfect for apartment balconies, window boxes, and any size pot in front of your home or business. In cold climates, they can be brought indoors to a sunny window during the winter and may continue to bloom.
From a magical perspective, plants can be and are used to attract luck. There is a Good Luck Plant, Money Plant and Leprechaun Plant and many other to choose from. Many varieties of plants grow well inside in a window or sun room in pots or placed on a counter or any other area that receives several hours of sun.
Suggestions for outdoor plants used in Feng Shui include but aren't limited to the following:

Aloe Vera - well known for amazing healing qualities plus an added benefit is that it has long spiky leaves to help provide protection from evil and negativity. It is perfect for people who live in dry desert environments and in areas that have freezing temperatures, it should only be grown indoors.

Azaleas - a very popular flowering shrub and comes in an array of different colors. It will thrive in a variety of growing conditions. They attract energy for beauty and sexual potency. There are too many varieties to mention - check with your local nursery to see what grows best in your area.

Chrysanthemum - Mums are great for fall gardens. Mums symbolize a life of pleasure leading to a happy retirement.

Ivy - is used to camouflage ugly walls and stop erosion, is easy to care for andcomes in many varieties. Ivy has a mind of its own, and if it's left to its own devices, it will climb up pillars, walls, will spread out over the ground quickly. There are dozens of varieties, and it will grow in a variety of climates. Ivy encourages fidelity in relationships and is a guardian plant. Try ivy in with perennial flowers in hanging baskets on a porch. The ivy is just stunning when it starts to cascade over the sides of the baskets.

Jasmine - If you are familar with Goddesses and Deity's, you would know that this plant was sacred to Diana (Artemis), Rhiannon (Epona), Shiva, Vishnu, and countless others. It blooms at night and is representative of our relationship with the moon and its magical qualities. Jasmine attracts love energy (sexual and emotional). Jasmine will tolerate a variety of soil conditions and it requires a great deal of sun. Jasmine can get quite large depending on the area. You can use the flowers for making oils, dry them for making tea...sensational plant. If you have it outdoors and a gentle breeze blows, it can waif through your window and take you to a mystical, magical, whimsical place.

Lavender - Used in magic for peace, tranquility, restful sleep and is great to calm a household especially with children and pets who are highly energetic. Lavender has a wonderful aroma and can be an outdoor plant as well as an indoor plant. It is a natural insect repellent, and grows in a wide variety of conditions. Left alone it will cover a hillside in no time, helping to prevent erosion. Dry the flowers for use in potpourri, charm bags, and oils.

Mint - Many varieties of mint, including catnip, are beautifully suited for growing outdoors in beds, planters, or pots. Mint attracts money and prosperity. Dry the leaves for use in charm bags, teas or tonics, or use fresh in beverages or food. Mint tends to grow and flourish quickly so be careful when growing as it will take off like wild fire.

Roses - love, love, love them! Roses are by far my favorite thing to grow -  roses equals work and can be finicky and need care and tending to (depending on the variety) and are not for the faint of heart by any means. They REQUIRE pruning, dead-heading, fertilization, and watering to thrive. They are subject to a number of pests and diseases-black spot especially and beetles. If you are interested in trying your hand at growing, check out some horticultural societies that provide education on which grow best in your area and visit local nurseries to find out what they recommend for your area and soil type. Roses attract love and friendship, but should not be placed next to the entrance of the home, as the thorny bushes create disharmony for those who enter. Dry the petals for use in oils, charm bags, tea and potpourri.

Trees - Oh how I love trees. Trees are our connection to Mother Earth and along with plants, helps to provide the oxygen we breathe, and always adds beauty and balance wherever they are planted. All cultures have some type of tree lore.....like the ancient Celts named their months after trees.

Here is a small list of trees that come to mind for certain purposes:
•Apple - peace
•Beech - learning and wisdom
•Cherry - beauty, abundance and joy
•Elm - attracts positive energy
•Holly - protects from evil spirits
•Oak - strength and masculine energy, personal power
•Peach - long life, and symbolic of the divine
•Pine - longevity, protection from evil spirits
•Willow - protection from evil and gentle, peaceful energy

I hope this will plant a seed within you to try out Feng Shui or at least add some liveliness to your environment and surroundings.

Blessed Be to all.

An interesting story for those who love folklore.

Welsh Goddess - Cerridwen

Cerridwen embodies all three lunar aspects of the Goddess, Maiden, Mother and Crone although she is primarily worshipped in her Crone aspect, by and through her Cauldron of Wisdom, Inspiration, Rebirth and Transformation. The cauldron in her story has an intimate association with femininity, together with the cave, the cup and the chalice, and the association of femininity with justice, wisdom and intelligence goes back to very ancient times. Her cauldron is the primary female symbol of the pre-Christian world, and represents the womb of the Great Goddess from which all things are born and reborn again.

Cerridwen was originally worshipped by the people of Wales. It is told that she lived on an island, in the middle of Lake Tegid, named after her husband, with her two children, a beautiful daughter, Creidwy, and a very ugly son, Afagdu. To compensate her son for his unfortunate appearance, Cerridwen brewed a magickal formula, known as "greal", which would make Afagdu the most brilliant and inspired of men. For a year and a day, she kept six herbs simmering in her magickal cauldron, known as "Amen", under the constant care of a boy named Gwion.

One day, while Gwion was stirring the cauldron, a few drops of the bubbling liquid spattered on his hand. Unthinkingly, and in pain, Gwion, sucked his burned hand, and, suddenly, he could hear everything in the world, and understood all the secrets of the past and future. With his newly enchanted foresight, Gwion knew how angry Cerridwen would be when she found he had acquired the inspiration meant for her son.

He ran away, but Cerridwen pursued him. Gwion changed into a hare, and Cerridwen chased him as a greyhound; he changed into a fish, and Cerridwen pursued him as an otter; he became a bird, and she flew after him as a hawk; finally, he changed into a grain of corn, and Cerridwen, triumphant, changed into a hen, and ate him.

When Cerridwen resumed her human form, she conceived Gwion in her womb, and, nine months later, gave birth to an infant son, whom she, in disgust, threw into the water of a rushing stream. He was rescued by a Prince, and grew into the great Celtic bard, Taliesin.

The image of her cauldron, holding the magickal potion of wisdom, is the mythical origin of the Halloween image of a cauldron-stirring hag, making up her witch's brew. The brew had to simmer for a year and a day, a common passage of time in Celtic lore. A festival in her honour is celebrated on July 3rd, and the pink sow, a symbol of fertility, good fortune and enrichment, is said to be her matron animal.

Created by Kerritwyn and taken from The White Moon Gallery.
Image from Something Wiccan This way Comes

Romance spell

This is great for any time or occasion. I know people who use this as their Valentine Day spell. This is used more to keep the openess, love and communication between two people alive. This is not to bring a new love to you or to find a lover.

You will need:

rose incense or an oil warmer with rose oil and a tealight
Red candle
Pink candle
Strawberries and/or pink marshmallows
Melting Chocolate-milk, white or dark-your choice

Set up an area in your kitchen and light the incense/oil and the candles.

Melt the chocolate in the usual way and once its melted, dip the strawberries and marshmallows in to coat them - as you do so say these words:

Lover,, come eat with me
Come easily here but also stay free
Come with love, joy and desire to share
Free to leave again should you care
Enjoy time together
No matter Mother Nature's weather

Blessed Be, So Mote It Be!!

Share the chocolate coated items with your lover, knowing they remain free to do as they choose. You can also substitute any fruit or nuts that have aphrodisiac qualities as well as the strawberries. Feel free to use your own words and verses to personalize the desired affect you want to have. As always, visualize your intent with harm to none and no bending of will.

Some fascinating reads about cultures and folklore

I have stumbled across some really interesting reads. There is a new show that comes on the History channel called the Vikings. I wanted to delve a bit into that time period. As I was doing so, I come across the below articles:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology_in_the_Low_Countries

 http://www.wizardrealm.com/norse/gods.html

Enjoy and brightest blessings to you!

What is the Ankh?

Signs and Symbols: The Ankh (Also worn as a talisman)


The Ankh is one of the most famous and widely used symbols of Ancient Egypt. It appeared in hieroglyphic text and iconographic art all over ancient Egypt. Yet, there is much debate over the origin of the symbol. Gardiner (who composed the standard sign list) suggested that it was a sandal strap. This part of the sandal was called 'nkh but it is not clear whether this name was applied retrospectively because of the similarity in shape. Others have suggested that it was a totem representing male and female reproductive parts, a sun on the horizon with the path of the sun before it, and a ceremonial girdle. It may also have been associated with the "Sa" (the hieroglyphic symbol which represented magical protection) and has also been linked to the Tjet (also known as the "knot of Isis") which has also been described as a ceremonial girdle.

The symbol is also an Ancient Egyptian hieroglyph which represents the hieroglyph ´nh (ankh) meaning "life" or "breath of life". The glyph appears in an incredible number of inscriptions and was often used as a decorative device. Many of the gods of Egypt are depicted bearing an Ankh to represent their vivacity and immortality. Occasionally the god (or goddess) extends the Ankh to the Pharaoh, indicating both the gift of life and the purification of the subject.

The Ankh was also associated with life after death. The dead were sometimes referred to as "ankhu" and sarcophagi were also known as "neb-ankh" (possessor of life).

Taken from Ancient Egypt Online   (I hope this helps) Brightest blessings.

New Year, new you, new career?

Here we are again saying good bye and departing from one year and welcoming in the new hopeful year. For some, 2012 was harsh with people losing their homes, jobs as well as many other circumstances. Here is a little spell to help with employment that I have in my BOS.

It is an oldie but a goodie. As with any spell, be sure to do in the correct moon phase. I would emphasize that once work comes your way, bury the silk in mother earth and allow it to rot, this is returning it to the earth. You should use green silk as that has the color corresponding to wealth. The nine knots represent the power of 3x3. You do this spell in the New Moon and continue for the next 14 nights until the Full Moon. ***Remember to send always, always send thanks and blessings once the spell has worked to keep the balance even and show appreciation.

You will need a 13 inch long green silk cord or cotton yarn (some type of natural fiber). Be sure to cleanse and purify the cord/yarn before using. Spend at least one day/night holding the cord and visualizing your intent. Put your intent and energy into it. Be sure that you are looking for a job at the time of doing this. You will have to do your part so the magick can do it's part.