Latest posts

Witch Tips

Witch Tips
Quick & easy hints to get you through your busy day

The Poor Pagan's Guide to Altar Care

Did you hear the one about the girl with the wooden altar? Sad but true–and an altar cloth can only cover just most signs of neglect and abuse, not all. To keep your fellow covenors from snickering behind your back, follow these simple rules & suggestions:

Avoid excess. Don't stash your altar up in the attic or downstairs in the fruit cellar when your Presbyterian Aunt Petunia comes visiting–extreme temperatures, dryness or humidity can damage wooden furniture. And watch what you toss over it, too, since plastic or rubber mats can stain or soften polish unless labeled safe for wood.

Speaking of polish... Everybody knows what big spenders Pagans are, right? Avoid becoming a stereotype (and incidentally save a few shekels) by raiding your kitchen instead of Home Depot. Toothpaste rubbed on gently with a damp cloth removes water marks. A soft cloth can apply an equal mixture of salad oil & lemon juice onto scratches. Unfinished wood can be polished with a soft cloth and a little (very little) mineral oil. (For lemon oil polish, just dissolve one teaspoon of lemon oil into one pint of mineral oil.) Mahogany can be polished with a mixture of equal parts warm water & white vinegar. Wipe on and polish with chamois cloth.

Washing up. Dampen a cloth with a solution of mild soap (like Ivory) and water. Wipe down each section of your altar with that cloth, then immediately dry said section with a different (and dry) cloth.

Don't overdo. Don't polish more than three or four times a year, unless your altar gets heavy use. (Like if you've got a colony instead of a coven.) Don't mix different types of polish. Too much polish can build up an unsightly cloudy film. And always remember to wipe off the polish before it completely dries.

Hold your applause. Sure I'm a genius (just ask me!), but even I can't be expected to know it all. I grabbed the above info from a pamphlet titled On Your Own: Stain Removal, from On Your Own Publications.

http://paganpages.org/content/tag/weyland-smith/

Numbers In Spells

Numbers play quite a large role in the realm of spell casting,
Whether that is saying the number, having so many of an item, or
Tying a certain number of knots into a piece of string. They all
Have their own meaning, and can be used to boost the power of a
Spell. You have probably heard of the number 3 more than any other,
Such as repeating your spell three times to give it that extra push.
While this does help, including significant numbers into the spell
Can give it a subtle, yet helpful lift.

The rest of this page will talk through the various meanings of each
Number, if you know of an extra meaning for a number, do not dismiss
It because it is not included here! If you have stuck with it for
Quite a while, it may be more helpful than some of the ones here.
Zero
This is a number of complete trust, innocence and new starts, very
Much like 'the fool' card. Zero marks that you can take risks and be
Sure that the universe will be there to help you.
One
This is the number of the solitary and a symbol of ambition and
Getting somewhere using your own strengths. This number allows you
To realise how your actions can effect the world. Potential is also
Associated with this number, so it is good to use when starting
Something new, like a business.
Two
Co-operations and partnerships are ruled by the power of the number
Two. It governs love and helps it to grow. If a friendship is
Broken, it can be patched up with the help of this number. Though
Spells concerning the number two do not seem to last long, they do
In fact instil harmony and peace before they end. The number two
Helps us learn vital lessons, but with the help of someone else.
Three
And so we get to the power of three, the most noticeable number in
Any magical endeavour. The number three is known for the triple
Goddess, the law of return and the three castable phases of the moon,
Waxing, full and waning. The Dark Moon is not included here as no
Spells should be cast at this time. The wheel of life's birth, life
And death or also governed by this number. Tying a knot three times
Seals the spell, and is also used at initiation ceremonies.
Repeating a spell thrice over will give it more power.
Four
Four is the number of sustainability, providing a foundation for
Magical workings. Magic circles are usually ruled by this number,
The quarters and the arch-angels are examples. The seasons are even
Attuned to this number and so are the compass points. Four is usually
Added to balance a spell using one of the above methods.
Five
This is the number of transformation and development. This number is
Linked to the elements including spirit, the symbol of the witchcraft
Religion, the pentagram, is also combined with the number five. This
Number can be used to develop skills, but hard work is always
Needed.
Six
A number for learning lessons and looking back on past efforts, but
Not necessarily just our own. It is also the number of friendship
And is linked with the magical familiar.
Seven
Seven is the number of mysticism and illusion. Linked with dreams,
Other worlds and more then probably, the astral plane, it can also
Govern the world of the imagination and inspiration. The seventh son
Of the seventh son was said to have enhanced psychic powers and be
And advanced dream analyser according to folklore.
Eight
Materialism, success and prosperity are overlooked by the number
Eight. Financial worries could be settled with this number. Likewise
Use this number in all money spells as it will give it that extra
Push towards that nice big cheque or pay rise you desire. Eight also
Helps us to understand that 'what we reap is what we sow,' so stop
Sitting around. Help your spell along by doing something.
Nine
Things will be completed under this number and everything will be
Brought together quite nicely, so that the next cycle can start. It
Is lightly connected to luck, such is seen in the myth that cats
Have nine lives.
Thirteen
There has been a jump to this number because ten, eleven, and twelve
Do not play so much of a big part in spells. Thirteen is linked to
The moon, due to there being thirteen lunar months per year. It is
Also the number of the coven, as most covens do not usually allow
Themselves to ecede this many members. Though this number seems
Unlucky to many people, the educated will realise that this is quite
A lucky number, especially when it comes to magic.

A Ward for a Ring

A Ward for a Ring

This is good for bringing you protection from that which poses as a threat.

Place the ring in the North of the room you wish to cast the spell in. Place around it stones and symbols of earth. Take the ring and in a shell or crystal dish filled with water mix some salt in. Say over this

Creature of earth, I beseech of thee. Protection from harm is what I wish for me. In to you this ring I place, bind the protection well and to evil give chase.

Leave the ring in overnight in the light of the full moon and in the morning wash the salt water off, clear everything away and wear it!

To remove the spell, place it in the south and say "With thanks for protection given I now wish this spell riven!" and leave it there overnight in a window during a new moon.

http://www.mysticvoodoo.com/free-spells-archive.htm

Arts Of Witchcraft: The Universal Condenser

Condensers are fluids which are used to carry magical charges. One method of charging them is to place your hands together palms down (as you might for a "push-up" exercise) so that the index finger-tips meet as do the tips of the thumbs. Next inhale deeply, visualizing the full moon above your head. Bring the triangle opening in your hands over the condenser liquid and exhale three times through the opening and upon the liquid. As you do this visualize the light of the moon pouring down through your head and into your lungs (as you inhale) and then visualize it flowing out with your breath as you exhale.

The Condenser: take 2 level teaspoons each of chamomile flowers and eyebright and place them in a bowl. Boil two cups of water on an open flame and then add the herbs. Set the mixture aside to cool for 15 minutes. Then filter the mixture through four layers of clean linen cloth/cheesecloth.

This condenser can be used medicinally as a lotion or magically for evocations (also to improve clairvoyance). Diluted in 7 parts of warm water it can be drank for stomach problems. Undiluted it can be used for various minor aches & pains by applying it to the area with a cotton soaked pad for 1 - 2 hours. Ears can be treated by applying it with cotton balls in an "earplug" fashion. For clairvoyance place soaked cotton balls upon your closed eyes for about 20 minutes. To increase occult sensitivity in the palms of your hands (for psychometry) use the cotton pads on your hands for the same 20 minute period.

Raven Grimassi

Keying Your Magic Tools for Personal Use

Keying Your Magic Tools for Personal Use

How to Key General Magic Tools
There are specific ways to key the tools for each of the four elements (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth), but if you want to use a general magic tool, like my bracelet, there is a very simple way to "key" it so that it works with your personal and unique energies. Here's how:

1. Put the object in your dominant hand (usually the hand with which you point or write)

2. Hold the object and flow energy into it. If you want to use the tool for a specific purpose, flow images or thoughts about that purpose through your hand as well. I sometimes also chant a spell verse while doing this.

3. Continue with this process until the magic tool feels "charged," warm, or tingly. At that point, your magic tool has been keyed to your specific energy, and will work for you personally.

This generally works well for any general magic tool. For the specific tools associated with the magical elements, including the Firebowl, Wand, Athame, Chalice, and Plate, there are more detailed keying instructions since these tools are designed to handle much more magical energy. These tools can also be used many ways for different magic rituals and operations, especially spell work, banishments, blessings, and cleansings.

http://shamanmagic.blogspot.com/2009/12/keying-your-magic-tools-for-personal.html