Pagan Blog Project – week 37 – S#1 – Simple Self-Love Spell

Pagan Blog Project – week 37 – S#1 – A Simple Self-Love Spell

Here is a little self-acceptance charm I kept with me while I was managing a coffee shop and struggling with depression in a bad way.  Not only is it good for self-acceptance, but it also helps you be patient and more loving with others.  When you can accept yourself, you’re more likely to accept others, and vice versa.  Love ripples and expands, then bounces back and multiplies in infinite ways, so here is an easy way to bring a little more love into your life and into the lives of those with whom you interact.

You will need a bottle of impatiens flower essence.  Impatiens is a good flower essence to use for those who struggle with impatience (naturally), tension, intolerance, and general anxiety and stress.  The flower essence helps you to be calm and more harmonious.  It helps you find a balance and rhythm in your life, and reminds you to be patient with yourself and others.

What is your power number, your favorite number, or your lucky number?  Hold the bottle in your power hand (are you right or left-handed?  Use which ever hand is your dominant hand.)  Shake the bottle of flower essence while reciting quietly or out loud the qualities you’d like to bring into your life.  I would say “by the power of three times three times three, I bring love and patience to me!”  And as you will it, so mote it be, blessed be!

Now, take the essence and drop a few drops into your tea, coffee, or water first thing in the morning.  Working in a coffee shop I’d often have coffee first thing, so into my coffee it would go.  I’d recommend 3-4 drops.  It won’t change the flavor of your drink at all, especially if you only use a little bit. 

Before you take a sip, think of the qualities you’d like to bring into your life that day.  Blow your intentions, your energy, and your breath over the surface of the liquid until it is spinning clockwise.  Take your first sip, and offer a blessings to the Cosmos in thanks for the love and care it has given and continues to give you.  So mote it be!

Keep the tincture into a special place.  I kept mine in a silky, pink pouch along with a tiny piece of pink tourmaline.  Pink stones in general are good for love, including romantic love, universal love, and self-love. 

Pink tourmaline reminds us that to love ourselves is to love others, and to love others is to love ourselves.  (It pairs perfectly with impatient!)  Some use it as a protective stone, but it also promotes love, sympathy, patience, and friendships.  It helps keep you aware of yourself and how you connect to others, as well as how you connect to the Universe.  It helps those who suffer from depression and anxiety to find more balance in their lives, and it helps keep emotions into perspective, balancing the mind and heart.

Remember to be patient and kind to yourself.  If you’re not your own best friend, how can you expect to be a friend to anyone else?  How can you expect others to give you what you cannot give yourself?

Bless!

(I must give credit where credit is due!  The "blowing on your morning tea" spell comes from my Bee-Friend, who taught a workshop on herbal magic at a Pagan retreat I went to many years ago.  The flower essence for impatience was recommended to me from the owner of a local new age shop, who gifted me with the piece of pink tourmaline when she knew I was going through hard times.  Love to both of them for their kind gifts and the lessons they have both taught me over the years.  I am blessed to have kind, generous, and knowledgeable teachers and friends in my life!)  

Pagan Blog Project – week 33 – Q#1– Quartz

Pagan Blog Project – week 33 – Q#1 – Quartz

For a long time I hated quartz.

I mean, not hate hate.  I just didn’t like it.  I was utterly underwhelmed.  I’m an April baby, which means that my birthstone is the diamond (though sometimes it’s listed as cubic zirconia or quartz.)  That means all of my birthstone jewelry is clear.  That means all of my birthstone jewelry is ugly.  This is especially when compared to beautiful stones like July’s ruby, September’s sapphire, or even November’s topaz. 

Diamonds and quartz and cubic zirconia are just boring.  So when I first started to collect stones I’d reach for the pretty ones – amethyst (of course), fluorite, and citrine.  And then I began to move onto the colorful ones like labradorite, jasper, and moonstone.

As I’ve grown with my relationship with crystals, I’ve come to appreciate them all, including (or especially) the ugly or boring ones.  Sure, I typically still enjoy something shiny and pretty like pyrite or a highly polished geode, but over the years I’ve come to appreciate stones and crystals as not just adornments, but as magical tools.  I can wear a hematite pendant when I want a little extra protection, and no one is going to notice it like they would if I wore an elaborate amulet.  I can slip on a cute onyx ring and no one is going to look at it and know that I’m in need of some grounding and stability in my life.

I’m still not the biggest fan of diamonds (a lot of my issues with diamonds are ethical ones coming from the diamond industry and the wedding-industrial complex) and cubic zirconia (I’m still trying to reconcile my relationship with man-made stones)  But I’ve started to appreciate and even enjoy quartz.

According to Wikipedia, it’s the “second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust.”  This has become abundantly clear when browsing crystals online or in stores or shopping for other magical tools.  Quartz is everywhere.  I’ve also come to realize that many of my more prized crystals are really just different types of quartz, including citrine and amethyst.  Quartz is also found in other stones, like agate, onyx, carnelian, and jasper.  So, it’s pretty hard to get away from it.

But not only is it abundant and permeating, quartz is powerful, too.  I’ve read many places over the years that say that if you don’t have a certain gemstone quartz can stand in for anything that you might need.  It’s an energy amplifier, and pairs well with pretty much everything.  It’s commonly used in the tips of wands or staffs, and it can be a great addition to an altar or other special area as a way to increase the vibrations of that space.  Some special quartz also retains energy, emotions, memories, and data, and these can be accessed through meditations and visualizations.

I’ve also come to realize that quartz is actually very beautiful.  I have a few clear quartz pieces I’ve managed to collect over the years, and I display them proudly with my flashier chunks of pyrite, amethyst, and citrine.  I use them in charms and rituals, and I have a few placed strategically around the house where I think they might enjoy themselves and also direct the energy in a way that is beneficial for everyone.

Just because a crystal isn’t flashy (like labradorite) or pretty (like moonstone) or really cool looking (like jasper) or found in every single new age store across the globe (amethyst), I'm glad I gave quartz a chance.  I stumbled upon a stone that became a favorite, as well as being a versatile, powerhouse of energy.

So, do you have any favorite crystals or gemstones?  What are your least favorite crystals or gemstones?  Do you have anything that it took you a while to work with but once you did you were happy with the results?  Please share your thoughts in the comments!  I’m always trying to learn more things about crystals, and I’d love to hear from you!  In the meantime, clear skies!

Other crystals I've written about:

Amber

Black Apatite

Blue Apatite

Citrine

Geodes

Howlite

Jet

Moldavite

Smoky Citrine

Smoky Quartz

Pagan Blog Project – week 32 – P#2 – A Simple Prosperity Spell

Pagan Blog Project – week 32 – P#2 – A Simple Prosperity Spell

Disclaimer – I understand that there are concerns regarding the safety and ethics of doing prosperity or money spells and charms.  While I think such a discussion is worthwhile and important, that will have to be for another blog post and another day.  However, if you have thoughts or comments concerning prosperity charms and spells, please feel free to leave a message!  I’d love to hear from you!

This is a little prosperity/money spell that I’ve done a few times over the years.  It is based off of a new money/new job charm that is found in The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries by Z. Budapest.  I have had good luck with it since the first time I used it to help me get an internship at a newspaper back in 2006.  The results have been pretty consistent in regards to jobs, internships, college acceptance letters, and having a little something extra in the bank account. 

There is a lot of room for specialization and customization, too.  This spell can also be modified to bring other things into your life - health, luck, rest, etc.  Spell craft can sometimes be super complex, but that’s not always necessary!  Sometimes simple is effective, too.  So please feel free to modify, shift, change, and alter this spell to suit your needs.  If you do change this spell in any way, please share your modifications in the comments!  I’d love to hear about your own personal and magical touch! 

a really super easy Pagan 101 prosperity spell: A Spell for Bringing in Prosperity

You will need:

•  A green candle
• Money drawing incense, new money incense, cinnamon incense, or another scent that you enjoy that reminds you of prosperity (stick, cone, or lose)
• Money drawing oil, new money oil, cinnamon oil (be very careful!), or another oil that reminds you of prosperity (if you don’t have a specific oil, olive oil that has been blessed will work, too)
• An altar space
• A bowl of sand or soil for burning the charcoal, or, if this will be disruptive, sprinkle the incense around the work area as a dust (unless your incense is a stick or cone)
• A bowl of sand or soil for the candle, or, if you have one, a tiny candle holder. Something safe that won’t break
• A knife, nail, or other point for carving in wax
• Pen and paper to make a list of the blessings you’d like to bring into your life (green pen and/or paper is best, but not absolutely needed)
• Any other altar decorations – green or gold stones or crystals, glitter, dollar bills or coins – items that make you think of prosperity, money, fertility, or growth
• Any other candles or magical items you’d like to use for the ritual
• Optional cakes and ale for offering and for self (use something high quality, healthy, and wholesome)
• Sage for cleansing
• Matches or a lighter

To Do:

• Do this spell when you have time to be alone and will not be interrupted. 
• Take a shower or a bath. While cleansing yourself, try to imagine concerns and worries going down the drain with the dirty water.
• Once you are ready, set up an altar/working space. This can be done in any way that works best for you. Be sure to include all of the items you will be needing for the ritual. 
• Light some sage and clean yourself and the area with some light smoke cleansing.
• Burn the incense on the charcoal, or, if that doesn’t work, sprinkle the incense like a dust upon your working surface.  If you are using a stick or cone, light the incense.
• Sit a few moments at the altar. Breathe deeply. Connect with the elements and with Deity. Ground and center in the way that works best for you.
• Once your mind is clear, cast a circle any way that works best for you.
• After casting the circle, call the elements in any way that works best for you.
• After calling the elements, invoke Deity (God, Goddess, Lord, Lady, etc) in any way that work best. Call generic archetypes, or call specific deities.  
• With the pen and paper, write a list of the blessings you’d like to bring into your life. These will be the same blessings that you will soon carve into the candle and that you will focus your intentions on while “dressing” the candle. Do this with intention. Be specific!  Speak your wishes out loud.  You might even include a statement such as “if it is for my highest well-being” or “for my highest good.”
• For the spell, use a knife, nail, fingernail, or some type of sharp point to carve into the candle. Carve anything that you want. These are symbols that invoke your desires – prosperity, money, fertility, wealth, luck, etc. You can carve words or symbols, anything you want that calls these things to your mind. While you are carving, focus hard on intent.  Imagine that thing you are calling to you in your life.  Imagine your life with that thing.  Tangible and specific is very good.  
• After the candle is carved, now it is time to anoint it with oil. If you have sensitive skin, be very careful!  (You can read some essential oil basics here.)  You can drizzle the oil onto the candle, or dab it on with your fingertip or a cloth. The goal is to cover the candle and the wick with as much oil as you can. The best way to do this is to put oil on the candle and start at the center of the candle. Rub to the right in twisting motions, covering the candle. Rub to the left in twisting motions, covering the candle. Start in the center and work your way out. While doing this, chant or visualize the things you want to come to your life. The goal is to raise some energy. Speak your wishes out loud or in your heart. Do not break the candle.  Remember, be specific, and be sure to ask Deity to take into consideration your highest well-being.
• Once you are done dressing the candle, thank the powers that have helped. Thank Deity, thank the elements. Thank them in any way that seems appropriate to you.
• Once the candle is “dressed” it is ready to be burned. Burn it as soon as you want, right away or wait until later. (It is recommended to do this on a full moon or on a Wednesday.  It can also be burned before a job interview or other important financial meeting.). Place the candle holder on top of the piece of paper with your list of blessings (if your candleholder is safe and won’t catch the paper on fire). As the candle burns, it will release the energy, wishes, and intentions into the cosmos.  Of you intend to leave the candle burning, make sure it’s in a safe space or monitored.  If you want to burn it for short periods of time, do not blow out the candle. Snuff it with a snuffer or with another item (a knife or other flat, fireproof surface).
• If you are partaking of cakes in ale, do so here. Give an offering to the Powers that Be in any way that seems appropriate for you, or wait until after the ritual (after you wash your hands)
• Close the circle in any way that seems best to you.
• Once the ritual is over, wash your hands very well. Have a small snack or meal and drink lots of water to replenish your energy. This is very important.
• If you are so inclined, offer cakes and ale (a food item and a drink item) during the ritual once the magic is finished, or, save this for once the circle is closed. You do not have to do this, but if you want to, leave food or offering or a libation on your altar, or pour them outside as an offering. Be thankful when you give your offering. Say a little prayer. Feel a moment of gratitude.
• When cleaning the altar, place the incense, charcoal and candle wax in a special spot outside. Bury the piece of paper, burn it, carry it in your purse or put it on your altar. (What really works best is throwing it into fresh, running water, like a creek or a river. Some people feel bad about this because of littering, so do what feels best for you.) Do so mindfully. If you have other items that you included for the charm, keep them on your altar, or carry them in your purse or wallet. If you want to reuse them, run them under running water, bury them, or soak them in salt water to cleanse them
• If something comes to you during this ritual that you feel like you should do, do it! If something seems wrong, then don’t do it. Follow your instinct and don’t be afraid of deviating or adding. Be open to messages from the universe.
• Be aware that sometimes God and Goddess have blessings for us that we might not expect or realize at the time. Be prepared for the unexpected! Be prepared for abundance!

And as you will it, so mote it be!

Blessed be and clear skies!

In My Heart

It’s been a long time since I’ve had either the interest or energy to send holiday cards. When I managed the coffee shop I was just too busy and tired and crabby to even consider it. And of course being in school is also a valid excuse to be lazy, right? But this year I decided I’d try to put forth more of an effort to get into the holiday spirit, so I’m sending holiday cards.

I’m already ahead of the game (slightly) because at some point a few years ago my husband and I bought boxes and boxes of cards so we have a lot to use. That means I didn’t have to go shopping for cards, which is great because who has time for that?

I did have to go through my address list (still the same list that we used when we sent out wedding announcements in 2007). So I had to edit the list some, changing some last names because of divorces or marriages, adding some names and addresses as my friends and family continue to grow, and sadly deleting some addresses because I’ve lost touch with a few people or because of deaths over the years

Then I sat down this morning and turned on my “White Christmas” playlist on Pandora (told you I was putting forth extra effort) and I addressed each envelope and added our return address. (Which has prompted me to buy some address labels because this is ridiculous.) Of course I spent too much time matching the perfect cards with the perfect people, paying attention to flashiness, glitter, modesty, religious content, potential political messages, etc.

As I wrote a message in each and every card, I realized that this shouldn’t be a mechanical process. When I write “Hope you all have a magical holiday season and many blessings in the new year”, I really mean that. After all, I’m a minister and a priestess. When I write or wish “blessings”, it’s not just a random word I’m throwing around. I really do wish these people (and others!) blessings for the new year. 2013 was very hard on many people, and I hope 2014 is better. You all could use all the blessings you can get!

 

As a witch, wishing someone Christmas Magic might have the potential to be something special. I’m not really casting spells or charms on my Christmas cards in a traditional sense, but regardless of one’s background and current practices, this holiday season holds special meaning for many people. Even when I was conducting group therapy up at the state psyche hospital, one of the girls said rather dreamily “Christmas is just so magical.” And she is right, I think. It is magical.

Christmas Magic is a special type of magic, so when I write “I hope you have a magical Christmas” perhaps maybe I’m adding just a little bit of magic into the world. Some of my cards are going to family members I haven’t seen in years and years, and others are going to friends I see every day. But that doesn’t mean that they all can’t enjoy some extra magic this holiday season, or that they won’t benefit from some extra blessings in 2014.

So quiet unexpectedly, writing holiday cards became an act of magic and intention for me this morning. I turned on the lights on my tree. I lit some candles. I turned up the Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. I got comfortable with a cozy sweater and I wrote holiday cards, sending out a little bit of magic and a few little blessings to those I love and those I have loved.

Because regardless of one’s practices and beliefs, we could all use a little something something extra this season.