Magickal Properties of Herbs Part 1

Cottage or Kitchen Witches have known for generations that plants hold the power of magick. The key to harnessing that power is to understand their magicak properties. That is what we are going to explore for the nex few days. Since the list is so long we are going to take in a few parts.

Today we are going to talk about Herbs A through G. Please keep in mind that this list is far from complete. But these are the most commonly available and most widely used herbs.

Key: G = Gender P = Planet E = Element
ALOE
G/P/E: Feminine, Moon, Water.
Magical attributes: Beauty, protection, success, peace.Uses: Aloe has always been known for its healing qualities. For treating wounds and maintaining healthy skin. It may be applied right from the plant or in gel form for burns, sunburns, and can relieve poison ivy rash and helps to combat a variety of bacteria that commonly cause infections in skin wounds. It is also an excellent additive for soaps and creams as a conditioner.After using gel from a leaf the opened the leaf will seal itself so you can store it in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for future uses.

ANGELICA
G/P/E: Masculine, Venus, Fire.Magical attributes: Protection, Exorcism.Uses: Grow in the garden as a protection. Carry the root with you as an amulet. Burn the dried leaves in exorcism rituals.

ANISE
G/P/E: Masculine, Jupiter or Moon, Air.Magical attributes: Protection, purification, awareness, joy.Uses: For treating coughs, bronchitis and a stuffy nose, it loosens bronchial congestion, making it easier to cough it up and expel it. A good breath freshener in the morning, and if kept by the bed it will prevent bad dreams. Also a digestive aid and can relieve an upset stomach and flatulence when taken as a tea, and a treatment for colic. Also suggested that anise may be beneficial to women because certain chemicals in the plant are chemical cousins to the female hormone estrogen. Though it is mild, anise may help to relieve the discomfort of menopause. In traditional folk medicine it has been used to promote milk production in nursing mothers. It's recommended dosage would be 1 teaspoonful of seeds for every cup of boiling water, steep 10-20 minutes and strain, drink 3 cups a day for maximum effect. A good general cleansing bath is made with a handful of anise seeds and a few bay leaves. A pillow of anise keeps away nightmares. Also a good sedative.

APPLE
G/P/E: Feminine, Venus, Water.Magical attributes: Love spells, good luck.

ASH
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Water. Magical attributes: A tree with protective qualities, it is used to make brooms for purification and wands for healing. The leaves placed beneath a pillow induce psychic dreams. The leaves bring luck and good fortune when carried in a pocket of bag worn around the neck.

BALM of GILEAD
G/P/E: Feminine, Saturn.Magical attributes: The buds are carried to ease a broken heart and can be added to love and protection charms and spells.

BASIL
G/P/E: Masculine, Mars, FireMagical attributes: Protection, love, wealth (if carried in your wallet), healing relationships, ensuring faithfulness in a mate, courage, fertility, exorcism.Uses: It is good as a tea for calming the nerves, settling the stomach, and easing cramps and good for the bladder. In tincture form, also makes a good hair rinse for brunettes. An ingredient of the Purification bath sachet. Add to love sachets and incenses.

BAY LAUREL
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, FireMagical attributes: wisdom, protection, psychic powers, banishes negative energy.Uses: DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY-use as a poultice on chest for bronchitis and chest colds.

BAY LEAVES
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire.Magical attributes: Psychic visions and dreams, repels negativity and evil.

BENZOIN
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Air.Magical attributes: Used widely in purification incenses. Tincture of benzoin preserves oils and preparations.

BETONY
G/P/E: Masculine, Jupiter, Fire. Magical attributes: Add to incenses of protection and purification. Sleep on a pillow stuffed with betony to prevent nightmares.

CARAWAY
G/P/E: Masculine, Mercury, AirMagical attributes: Protection, PassionUses: Add to love sachets and charms to attract a lover in the more physical aspect. Also a mild stimulant for digestion.

CARNATION
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire. Magical attributes: Worn by witches for protection during the "Burning Times", adds energy and power when used during a ritual as an incense.

CATNIP
G/P/E: Feminine, Venus, Water.Magical attributes: Cat magic, familiars, joy, friendship, love.Uses: Its flowers and leaves have often been used to treat colds and insomnia. It lowers fevers, dries up post nasal drip, gets rid of bad headaches and relieves sore aching bones due to colds and flus, when taken in tea form, 2-3 times daily. As an incense it may be used to consecrate magical tools.

CAMOMILE
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun or Venus, Water.Magical attributes: Good as a meditation incense, for centering, peace, sprinkle in your home for protection, healing, money.Uses: Is an excellent herb both internally and externally for calming. Great for digestion, fevers, burns, rs, anti-inflammatory for wounds, and sedative for nervous disorders. And releaves stomachaches and diarrhea in infants and small children (always using in diluted form). In tea form, made of 2 teaspoons of the herb steeped for 5 minutes in a cup of boiling water is a gentle sleep inducer. Chamomile also makes an excellent insect repellent, simply splash some tea on face arms and feet. It is also a good hair rinse for blondes. Plant camomile in your garden to be the guardian of the land, and you will have certain success.

CARAWAY
G/P/E: Masculine, Mercury, Air. Magical attributes:Used in love charms to attract a lover. Uses: Culinary herb.

CELANDINE
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire. Magical attributes:Helps the wearer escape unfair imprisonment and entrapment, cures depression.

CINQUEFOIL
G/P/E: Masculine, Jupiter, Earth. Magical attributes:Hang around the doors and windows for protection from evil. Use in spells and charms for prosperity, purification and protection.

CINNAMON
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire.Magical attributes: Spiritual quests, augmenting power, love, success, psychic work, healing, cleansing. Used in incenses for healing, clairvoyance, high spiritual vibrations. Reputed to be a male aphrodisiac. Use in prosperity charms.Uses: It is recommended as a skin astringent and digestive aid in tea form. Ground, or taken with milk, good balance after a heavy meal or dessert. Also used for diarrhea, dysentery or general indigestion. It is an excellent aromatic and makes a good anointing oil for any magical working.

CLOVER
G/P/E: Masculine, Mercury, Air. Magical attributes: Associated with the Triple Goddess. Use in rituals for beauty, youth, healing injuries, curing madness. A Four-leaved clover enables one to see fairies, and as a general good-luck charm.

CLOVE
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire. Magical attributes: Wear in an amulet or charm to dispel negativity and bind those who speak ill of you. Cloves strung on a red thread can be worn as a protective charm. Money matters, visions, cleansing and purification.Uses: It has a mild antiseptic quality for toothaches (chew), or in tea form it is an expectorant for colds, also good foe nausea or vomiting. It is an antibacterial,antiseptic, and analgesic, which means it helps prevent disease and infection.

COMFREY
G/P/E: Feminine, Saturn, Water.Magical attributes: Safe travel spells, money, healing, honoring the Crone aspect of the Goddess.Uses: Has been known to slow bleeding, aid colds, ease burns. As a poultice or a tea, comfrey may be applied to bites, sores, rashes, broken bones, and cuts. Also a good ingredient for lotions to soothe sunburn.

CORIANDER
G/P/E: Masculine, Mars, Fire.Magical attributes: Protection of home and serenity, peace , good in ritual drinks, incenses for longevity and love spells.Uses: If added to wine, it makes a good love potion for 2 consenting parties. To use in this fashion, grind 7 grains of coriander and mix into a wine and drink. Also used in love sachets and charms.

COWSLIP
G/P/E: Feminine, Venus, Water. Magical uses: Luck in love, a woman who washes her face with milk infused with cowslip will draw her beloved closer to her. Induces contact with departed loved ones during dreams.

CYPRESS
G/P/E: Masculine, Saturn, Earth. Magical uses:Connected to death in all of its aspects. The smoke of Cypress can be used to consecrate ritual objects.

DAISY
G/P/E: Feminine, Venus, WaterMagical uses:Decorate the house with daisies at Midsummer's Eve to bring happiness to the home and to obtain the blessings of faeries. Daisies are also worn at Midsummer for luck and blessings. In the old times, young maidens would weave and wear daisy chains in their hair to attract their beloved.

DANDELION
G/P/E: Masculine, Jupiter, Air.Magical attributes: Divination, welcoming, messages.Uses: The ground root can act as a coffee substitute, and the flowers make a lovely wine. A superb cleansing tonic, and the milky juice is a diuretic, a tonic and a relief for common stomach problems. Use a handful of flower tops to 1 pint of boiling water, steep 10 minutes and strain. Drink this several times a day. Use the milky latex from the stem , rub on a wart several times daily and soon its gone. Also good for night blindness.

DILL
G/P/E: Masculine, Mercury, Fire. Magical attributes:Useful in love charms. May also be hung in childrens rooms to protect them from evil spirits and protect against bad dreams.Uses: A culinary herb.

DRAGONS BLOOD
G/P/E: Masculine, Mars, Fire. Magical uses:Widely used in love, protection and purification spells. Keep a piece under the bed to cure impotency. Carried for good luck. May be dissolved in the bath for strong purification.

ELECAMPANE
G/P/E: Masculine, Mercury, Earth. Magical uses:Useful in raising spirits and to aid in meditation.

ELDER
G/P/E: Feminine, Venus, Air. Magical uses:Branches are widely used for wands. One must always be cautious to ask permission from the Elder Dryad before cutting or harvesting Elder limbs or leaves and berries to avoid very bad luck. It is also considered very bad luck to burn Elder wood. The leaves hung around the doors and windows will ward off evil.

EUCALYPTUS
G/P/E: Feminine, Moon, Air. Magical uses:Used in healing rituals, charms and amulets. Place the leaves around a blue candle and burn for healing energies. Green pods worn around the neck eases the discomfort of colds, sore throats and congestion.

EYEBRIGHT
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Air. Magical uses:Anoint eyelids with the infusion daily to induce clairvoyant visions and psychic dreams.

FENNEL
G/P/E: Masculine, Mercury, Fire.Magical attributes: Purification, protection, healing, money.Uses: Sometimes employed as an appetite suppressant and digestive aid. Used in tea form to expel mucus. Chew the seeds slowly for really bad breath, or use the fluid extract to rub on gums.

FERN
G/P/E: Feminine, Saturn, Earth. Magical uses:The Fern is an extremely powerful protective plant. Grow them in and around the house for protection from evil and negativity.

FRANKINCENSE
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire. Magical uses:A very powerful aid to meditation. Use to purify ritual spaces and invoke a spiritual frame of mind.

GARDENIA
G/P/E: Feminine, Moon, Water. Magical uses: Used to attract true love.

GARLIC
G/P/E: Masculine, Mars, Fire.Magical uses: A very protective herb, healing, good weather, courage, exorcism. Lowers tension, ease colds, and improve circulation. Garlic vinegar can be used to disinfect wounds and soothe rheumatic pain and any common pain (made from one liter of vinegar and ten cloves of crushed garlic steeped for at least 10 days). Shrinks warts, relieves pain from teeth and earaches. Good for high and low blood pressure and removing parasites and infections. To ease the pain of aching joints, a toothache or an earache, place a crushed raw bulb of garlic on a piece of gauze and place over the area of pain. For joints, try using garlic paste.
Uses: A culinary herb.

GINGER
G/P/E: Masculine, Mars, Fire.Magical attributes: Power, success, love, money matters.Uses: Acts as an aid to ingestion or colds (tea form). Also in tea form, good for cramps, to stimulate the digestive organs, migraines and nausea, external stiffness. Can be added to the bath as a way to ease pain and increase circulation, but only use a few sprinkles, not to much, like cayenne, ginger quickly brings the blood to the surface of the skin. For pain you can also soak cloths in ginger tea and apply them directly to the painful areas. Add in cooking to detoxify meat, especially chicken. A good healing tea is made from a pinch of peppermint, a pinch of ginger and either a pinch of clove powder or 2 bruised cloves, add 1 cup of hot water and steep.

GINSENG
G/P/E: Masculine, Sun, Fire.Magical attributes: Love, wishes, beauty, desire.Uses: Stimulant, tonic, and agent for prolonged life. Also a mild pain killer, and improves blood circulation. Reported to successfully treat asthma, bronchitis, cancer, flatulence, diabetes, weakness, fever, coughs and heartburn, and a mild stimulant. In tea form it helps to relieve stress and moderate heart disease.


Sources: www.wicca.org

Becoming a Cottage Witch

I think that I was born to be a Cottage Witch, sometimes called a Kitchen Witch. I have always loved being in the kitchen. Cooking and making kitchen crafts is still one of my favorite things to do. In my opinion, it is the easiest magick to master. If you have the right tools, know the right food and herb combinations, and know a few tricks of the trade; you could be an excellent cottage witch.

A Cottage Witch is someone who does magick is done mainly in the kitchen or using foods and herbs for healing, protection, prosperity or any number of other things. They make charms, wreaths and sachets for the protection of the entire house.

Many people who do cottage witchery also are involved in other magickal paths. I, for example, am a fairly accompished kitchen witch but I am also involved in magickal rites of other types as well. I do many rituals outside of the kitchen as well as in.

There are a few tools that you will need in order to become a good Cottage Witch. You will need your traditional witchy tools, such as your wand and candles. But there are a few special things that you might want to have on hand as well.

Many people set up alters in their kitchen set up honor whatever diety they choose. If you are dedicated to a certain diety, then by all means, honor them with your alter. You might also choose a hearth and home diety such as Bridget to honor. This can be your only alter or it might a smaller version and you could have your main alter somewhere else. I personally have a small alter set up in a cabinet in my kitchen and my main alter in the spare room that I use as my magickal workshop.

You will also need a Broom. Not an a everyday, mundane sort of broom although you probably will want one of those too. You need a scared Broom for clearing the negative energy that sometimes linger from guests or that might come in with you from the outside world. You need to a special way to sweep all of the negative psychic energy out!

Get yourself a good Kettle for brewing potions and teas and other magickal workings. I have one that is specially used for magick as well as one for cooking. I don't use iron kettles in honor of the Fairy Folk, as iron is replusive to the fae. Mine is copper. But be warned. Anything brewed in a metal kettle will be more potent.

A morter and pestle are also a must for any good kitchen witch. They are used to crush herbs and spices for your teas and potions. The best ones that I have found are soapstone. They work well and are not so expensive. I have a marble one that I love but they are a good bit more expensive.

Of course you will also need a good knife or athame (spirit balde). If your's has a wooeden blade you can carve sigils or magickal symbols in the blade. Also, a good pair of scissiors is recommeneded for not only cutting, but for breaking spells. A time honored tradtions holds that if you hold an open pair of scissors behind you and drop them, any curses will be broken.

I will talk to you more about foods and herbs later, but for now these tools, and a little imagination, is all you need to get started on the road to being a Cottage Witch.

The Everything Guide to the Sabbats

With the changing of the seasons, the rythm of Earth moves and stills, freezes and thaws. In the Pagan faith this is called The Wheel of the Year. As the Earth turns so does the wheel. The Wheel turns on a 8 point cycle; the water stills and waits, Life wakes and stirs, Life emerges, flowers and plants grow, the growing Life matures, growth slows and ripens, the Harvest time comes, preparations for Winter are made. This cycle repeats year after year. These cycles are called Sabbats. For Wiccans these Sabbats are a time for celebration!

There are 8 Wiccan holidays or Sabbats each year. They are put into 2 catagories, each with 4 Sabbats each; the Major Sabbats and the Minor Sabbats. They occur about every 45 days.
The Minor Sabbats consist of two Equinoxes. The first is on March 21st, the Spring Equinox, and is known as Ostara. The second is on September 21st, the Autumnal Equinox, and is known as Mabon. There are also two Solitices. The first of these is June 21st, the Summer Soltice, known as Litha and the last is December 21st, the Winter Soltice, called Yule. The actual dates for the Minor Sabbats may vary from year to year (those stated above are for 2007). They occur between the 20th to 23d of the year.

The Major Sabbats also consist of 4 Sabbats. They are usually at the end of the month, halfway between the Minor Sabbats. The names of these Sabbats may vary from tradition to tradition, but the meaning are almost always the same. They are: Samhain, October 21st; Imbolg, Feburary 2nd; Beltaine, April 30th; and Lammas, August 1st.

The Wheel of the Year begins with Samhain (the old Celtic New Year and Witch's New Year) and ends on Mabon. Let's take some time and examine each Sabbat individually.

SAMHAIN October 31st

Samhain is the beginning of Witches' New Year just as it was the New Year for the ancient Celts. It is also called the Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples, All Hallows, and Halloween. It is a sober celebration.

It is a time to remember our ancestors and those who have gone before. It is at this time of the year that the thin veil between our world and the spirit world grows even thinner and the spirits may visit this world. Communication with the dead proves easier on Samhain.

It is time for reflecting on the past year. Time to prepare for the deep winter through the harvest and harvesting of animals. It is time for ending bad relationships and bad situations.

Correspondences for Samhain:

Colors: Black, Orange, White, Silver, Scarlet, Dark Brown, Bronze and Gold.
Foods: Apples, Pumpkin Pie, Hazelnuts, Corn, and Bread, Ale, Nuts, Cider, Turnips, Gourds, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.
Symbols: Jack-o-Lanterns, Photos of the Deceased, Apples, Squashes, Autumn Flowers, Fall Leaves, Gourds, Black Cats, Bats, Crows, Oak Leaves, Divination Acorns and Besoms. Incense: Apple, Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Mugwort, Patchouli and Sage
Candles: Black, Orange, White, Silver, and Gold.
Gemstones: Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Carnelian, Jasper, Smoky Quarts, and Bloodstone.
Deities: Anubis, Arianrhod, Astarte, Cernunnos, Cerridwen, Crone, Dark Lord and Lady, Demeter, Hathor, Hecate, Horned God, Innana, Isis, Kali, Odin, Morrigan, and Lilith
Herbs: Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak Leaves, Sage, Pumpkin, Apples, Chrysanthemums, Thistle, Rosemary, Calendula, Sunflower Petals, Pumpkin Seeds, Apple Leaves, Mushrooms, Wild Ginseng, Wormwood, Tarragon, Bay Leaf, Almond, Hazelnut, Passionflower, Nettle, Mandrake Root, Hemlock Cones, Garlic, Pine Needles, Acorns, and Straw.
Animals: Stag, Cat, Bat, Owl, Jackal,, Ram, Scorpion, Heron, Crow, and Robin.
Work: Sex Magick, Release of Bad Habits, Banishing, Faerie Magick, Divination of any kind, Candle Magick, Astral Projection, Past Life Work, Dark Moon Mysteries, Mirror Spells, Casting Protection, Inner Work, Clearing Obstacles, Uncrossing, Inspiration, Creative Visualization, and Contacting those who are no longer on this plane.
Tools: Besom, Cauldron, Tarot, Obsidian Ball, Pendulum, Runes, Ouija Board, Black Cauldron or Bowl filled with Black Ink or Water, and Magick Mirror.

YULE December 21st

Yule is the Winter Solstice. It is both the shortest day of the year and the longest night. The turning point of the season, the days grow steadily longer as winter rushes toward spring.
This is the Pagan holiday on which the Christian Christmas is based. In the beginnings of the Catholic Church, they decided to celebrate the Birth of Jesus at Yuletide to induced more Pagans to give up their faith without giving up their olde tradtitons. Most theologians now agree that the actual birth of Jesus was in the Spring, not the Winter.

This is the time for celebrating love, family, togetherness and accomplishments of the past. A Yule log, usually made of Oak, is burned in a fire. Part of the Yule Log is saved throughout the year to protect the home and is used to light the next year's Yule Log.

Correspondences for Yule:

Colors: Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold, Yellow, and Orange.
Incense: Bayberry, Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Juniper, Cinnamon, and Frankincense.
Candles: Red, Green, White, and Gold.
Foods: Roasted Turkey, Nuts, Eggnog, Cookies, Fruit, Pork, Ale, Roasted Apples and Mulled Wine.
Herbs: Bayberry, Blessed Thistle, Evergreen, Frankincense, Holly, Laurel, Mistletoe, Oak, Pine, Sage, and Yellow Cedar.
Symbols: Yule Log, Evergreen Boughs, Wreaths, Holly, Mistletoe, Gold Pillar Candles, Baskets of Clove Studded Fruits, Poinsettias, Cinnamon Sticks, Ivy, Wheel, and Fir or Pin Bows.
Gemstones: Ruby, Cat’s Eye, Blue Zircon, Turquoise, Serpentine, Emeralds, and Diamonds.
Deities: Athena, Attis, Dionysus, Fates, Frey, Freyja, Hathor, Lucina, Norns, Osiris, Woden, and the Horned God.
Animals: Reindeer, the Stage, Mouse, Deer, Horse, Squirrel, Phoenix, and Bear. Work: Peace, Harmony, Love, Happiness, Banishing Disease, Seeking Past Lives,
Meditation, Singing Around the Hearth Fire, and Goals and Accomplishments.
Tools: Bells.

IMBOLC February 2nd

Also known as Candlemas, Bridget's Day, the Feast of Torches, the Feast of Pan, and the Snowdrop Festival, Imbolc is not celebrated by all Pagan traditions but is very popular among Wiccans. It marks the coming of Spring. Imbolc is a celebration of purification, of love, light and fertility.

Correspondences for Imbolc:

Colors: White, Pink, Red, Orange, Yellow, Light Green, and Brown.
Incense: Basil, Bay, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Rosemary, and Wisteria.
Candles: Brown, Pink, and Red.Foods: Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Muffins, Dairy Products, Peppers, Onions, Raisons, Garlic, Poppy Seed Bread and Cakes, Herbal Teas, Spiced Wines, Potatoes, and Turnips.
Herbs: Angelica, Basil, Bay, Blackberries, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy, Snowdrops, and Violets
Symbols: White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Yellow Flowers, Lamps, and a Dish of Snow.
Gemstones: Amethyst, Garnet, Bloodstone, and Onyx.
Deities: Bridget, Aradia, Gaia, Dagda, Pan, and Herne.
Animals: Sheep, Wolves, Bears, Stags, Eagles, Ravens, Groundhogs, Owls, and Snakes.
Work: Blessing the Seeds for this years Garden, Fertility and Purification, All Virgin and Maiden Goddess are honored, Candle Lightings, Stone Gathering, Searching for signs of spring, and Rituals of Initiation.
Tools: Plough and Garden Implements.

OSTARA March 21st

Ostara is the Spring Equinox; the first day of Spring. It is the time to take action. It is time for new beginnings, planting, tending the gardens, and fertility. Today the hours of the day time and the night time are equal. Feasting and socializing are key compontents of this celebration. It is also time to celebrate the rebirth and growth of the natural world.

Correspondences for Ostara:

Colors: Light Green, Lemon Yellow, and Pale Pink.Incense: African Violet, Jasmine, Rose, Sage, and Strawberry. Candles: Gold, Green, and Yellow. Foods: Hard-Boiled Eggs, Honey Cakes, 1st Fruit of the Season, Leafy Greens, Dairy Products, Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, and Flower Dishes.Herbs: Daffodil, Jonquils, Woodruff, Violet, Gorse, Olive, Peony, Iris, Tansy, Honeysuckle, and all Spring Flowers.Symbols: Eggs, Rabbits, Seeds, Spring Flowers, Four-Leaf Clover, and Colored Ribbons.Gemstones: Aquamarine, Amethyst, and Red Jasper.Deities: Diana, Artemis, Ostara, Eos, Eostre, Mars, Ares, The Green Man and The Maiden. Incense: African Violet, Jasmine, Rose, Sage, and Strawberry. Candles: Gold, Green, and Yellow. Animals: Rabbits, Hares, Robins, Dragons, Lambs, and Chicks. Work: Planting, Coloring Eggs, Fertility Rites, Herb Work, Spells for new beginnings, prosperity, fertility, and potential. Tools: Eggs, Baskets, and Green Clothe.

BELTAINE May 1st

Beltaine, also known as May Eve or May Day, is the great Fertility Rite of Life. Except for Samain (which is shares equal importance) this is the greatest of Pagan celebrations. This is the time celebrate the return of vitality to Nature, to celebrate passions and hope. The last Spring Fertility Festival; food, wine, friends and celebrating are in order. Dance around the May Pole, which symbolizes fertility. It is a celebration of flowers and youth.

Correspondence of Beltaine:

Colors: Pink, White, Green, Soft Pink, Blue, Yellow, and Red.
Foods: Red Fruits, Herbal Salads, Red or Pink Wine/Punch, Large round Oatmeal or Barley Cake, Strawberries, Cherries, Passion Fruit, Kiwi, Marigold Custard, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Green Salads. Symbols: Bonfires, Maypole, and Flowers.
Incense: Frankincense, Lilac, and Rose.
Candles: Dark Green.
Gemstones: Emerald, Orange Carnelian, Sapphire, Rose Quarts, Amber, and Malachite.
Deities: Flora, Diana and Artemis, Pan, Aphrodite, Venus and Maia.
Herbs: Honeysuckle, St. Johns Wort, Almond, Angelica, Ash Tree, Bluebells, Daisies, Hawthorn, Ivy, Lilac, Marigold, Dandelion, and Apple Tree. Animals: Swallows, Doves, Swans, Cats, Lynx, and Leopards.
Work: Fertilize, Activities of Pleasure, Leaping Bonfires, Making Garlands, Dancing around the maypole, and Feasting.
Tools: Besom, Bonfire, and Cauldron.

LITHA June 21st

Litha, also called Midsummer, is the Summer Solstice and is the longest day of the year. The is the traditional time for Magick of all kinds. Dreams comes true this day. It is the celebration of the triumph of light over the darkness; a celebration of the beauty of the world in bloom. Flowers are everywhere; in circles, on alters and worn by everyone. Bright colors are also commonly worn.

Correspondences of Litha:

Colors: Blue, Green, and Yellow.
Foods: Fresh Vegetables, Summer Fruits, Pumpernickel Bread, Ale, and Mead.
Symbols: Dried Herbs, Potpourri, Seashells, Summer Flowers and Fruits.
Incense: Frankincense, Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, and Wisteria.
Candles: Blue, Green, Gold, and Red.
Gemstones: Emerald, Jade, Lapis, and Diamond. Deities: Ra, Bast, Mother Earth, Mother Nature, Father Sun, Father Sky, and the Oak King.
Herbs: Lavender, Chamomile, Roses, Daisies, Cheekweed, Apple, Vervain, and Lilies.
Animals: Butterflies, Caterpillars, Sea Creatures, Wren, Robins, Horses, Cattle, Satyrs, Faeries, Firebird, Dragon and the Thunder Bird.
Work: Herb Drying, protection, luck, health, transformation, career, and relationships. Tools: Drums, Rattles, Bonfire, Mirrors for reflecting the sun or bonfire, Earth circles of stone energies

LAMMAS/LUGHNASSADH August 1st

Some traditions called this Lammas, other call it Lughnassadh. It is time for the First Harvest. In Wicca, which was born in America, it is the great corn ritual; in most Celtic traditions this is the celebration of the wheat god. Most celebrations include much dancing and feasting. This is also the time that the crops start dying and turn to seeds. There is no constants, but simply a circle of life that continues from year to year.

Correspondences for Lammas/Lughnassadh:

Colors: Yellow, Orange, Green, and Brown.
Incense: Aloes, Rose, and Sandalwood.
Candles: Orange and YellowFoods: Homemade Breads (Wheat, Oat, and Corn), Nuts, Wildberries, Apples, Rye, Berry Pies, Elderberry Wine, Ale, Corn, Rice, and Meadowsweet Tea.
Herbs: Heather, Hollyhock, Crab Apples, Grapes, and Sunflowers
Symbols: Corn Dolls, Wheat Weaving, Corn, and Wheat Stalks.
Gemstones: Aventurine, Citrine, Peridot, Sardonyx, and Tourmaline. Deities: Lugh, Demeter, Epona, Tailte, Cerridwen, and Rhiannon.
Animals: Goats, Lamas, and Horses.
Work: Grains woven into God and Goddess symbols and Meditation. Tools: Athame

MABON Septmeber 21st

The Fall Equnox, this is not celebrated by all Pagan groups as it is a lesser Sabbat, but it is celebrated by most Wiccan groups. It is the end of the harvest that began with Lammas. Nature begins to recede and hide until the next spring. Winter is coming. We give thanks for the harvest and the sunlight. It is also time to leave offerings of cider, wine, and herbs for the Goddess.

Correspndences for Mabon:

Colors: Orange, Dark Red, Yellow, Brown, Maroon, Deep Gold, Violet, and Indigo.
Incense: Benzoin, Myrrh, Pine, Cinnamon, Cloves, Jasmine, Frankincense, and Sage.
Candles: Brown, Green, Orange, and Yellow.
Foods: Corn Bread Cakes, Wheat Products, Breads, Nuts, Vegetables, Apples, Cider, Carrots, Onions, Potatoes, Wine, Ale, and Pomegranates.
Herbs: Hazel, Corn, Acorns, Oaks, Wheat Stalks, Cypress Cones, Pine Cones, Thistles, Milkweed, Pine, Cedar, and Sage
Symbols: Acorns, Pine Cones, Baskets of Fallen Leaves, Ivy Vines, Dried Seeds, Dried Leaves, and Dried Flowers.
Gemstones: Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Agates, and Yellow Topaz. Deities: Thor, Morgan, Green Man, Epona, and Land Mother and the Muses.
Animals: Dogs, Wolves, Stag, Owl, Eagle, Salmon, Goat, and Blackbirds.
Work: Celebration of the Second Harvest, Ritual sprinkling of leaves, protection, prosperity, security, and self-confidence.
Tools: Red Alter Cloth and Bolline.

Make Your Own Book Of Shadows

The Book of Shadows is an important tool for a witch. It is a place where you can keep records of all aspects of your magickal and spiritual journey. It is something of a diary to record your research, thoughts, spells. chants, incantations, poems, essays, recipes, even dream interpretations and aspirations.

It is a very personal thing for each person. There is no one certain way that you have to do it. Every witch creates his or her own unique Book of Shadows, so it is difficult to say how one should be written. But there are a few general outlines that most people follow. That is what this is meant to be, a general outline. When you sit down to start yours, it will take on your personality and be unique from anyone else's.

Some people believe that a BOS should be handwritten in order to transfer the energy of the writer into the spell. I agree with this to a certain extent, I do think that spells, chants, and incantations should be hand written. However, I see nothing wrong with using a computer to print out your research, herb and tree lore, history, beliefs and things of that sort. A computer can make it look nice and be much easier to assemble. If you do choose to hand write all or part of your BOS, be sure to make legibly so that you can read it later. Some people even use a computer disk to keep information for their BOS. The pages can easily be printed out for use in an actually book.

The actually construction of you Book of Shadows can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be. A very simple method is to begin with a blank notebook and start writing. Beautifully bound and covered volumes are available for purchase, if you wish. That is fine, but it isn't really necessary.

One of the simplest and most popular method is to purchase a three-ring binder and add pages. This way, you can arrange rearrange the pages as often as you wish. It is also a good idea to put page protectors so the pages do not get messed up with use. You can make your own beautiful cover for it that will be unique to yours.

This is how I make mine. I actually have 5 at this point; 3 are spells, poems, magickal ethics, and things like that. 1 is the history and lore of the Celtic tradition and the other is the history and lore of the Faery tradition. I also have separate journals for tarot and runes, as well as for my essays.

Be mindful of the laws of your tradition or coven. Keep them at the front of your book at as a reminder of what is acceptable behavior and what is not. If you are solitary or eclectic or both, you can use the beginning to write about what you think is acceptable and what isn't. Set some guidelines for yourself. If you are a member of a coven, you probably should include a copy of your dedication ceremony here also. If you have dedicated yourself to a God or Goddess on your own, this a good place to announce that as well. A simple line saying that you dedicate yourself to whatever Deity you choose is fine.

Below is a general guideline for what you might want to include. Arrange it how it feels right to you.

A dedication
Copy of your dedication ceremony
A protection spell for the book
A blessing
Table of Contents
Glossary of Terms
Pagan Traditions
Magickal Ethics (The Wiccan Rede, Law of the Three-Fold Return, etc.)
Beliefs
Wheel of the Year
Sabbats
Tree Lore
Herbalism
Moon Phases
Crystal Healing
Reiki
Aura Studies
Tools
Fairy Lore
Dragon Lore
Mythology
Paranormal Studies
Humor

Rituals & Spells:
Circle Casting
Cleansing and Consecration
Blessings
Meditations
Prayers
Candle Magick
Ritual Construction
Rites of Passage
Invocations
Chants
Music
Sabbat Rituals

Correspondences for:
Color magick
Crystal, gemstones, and minerals,
Elements
Planets and Planetary hours
Herbs, Plants, and Tress
Animal Totems
Oils
Incenses
Days of the Week
Magickal Symbolism and Alphabets
Divination Information and Studies:
Dowsing
Tarot Cards
Runes
Astrology
Scrying
Pendulum
Palm Reading
Aura Studies
Tealeaves
Numerology
I-ching
Ouiji
Recipes for:
Ritual and Sabbat Foods
Bath Salts
Incense
Oils
Candle Making
Herb Blends

If you copy your information from a book or website, remember to write down the source to refer back to later. Including a list of books and websites could also be helpful in case you want to share information with others.

You Can Write Your Own Spells!

If you want to use spells that you find in books or that trusted friends give to you, that is fine. There is nothing wrong with that, in my opinion. But you may not want to use other people's spells or you may not be able to find exactly what you are looking for. The fact is, writing your own spells is not hard and can be an intensely spiritual act. If you follow are few easy steps, you can write you own spell!

First, take some time to figure think about what you want the spell to accomplish. Be clear on this! Do you want to clear your spirit of negativity? Or is it that you want to find the perfect love for you? Do you need a new job? Whatever it is that you want, be sure to state that specifically.
Next, think about what items you want to incorporate into your spell. Do you like working with candles, crystals, or herbs? Find out which candle colors or herb or type of crystal best represents the kind of thing that you wish to accomplish in your spell. You don't have to use any of these items, but using some type of magickal item may increase the power of your spell. Decide what you are most comfortable with depending on your level of experience.

Think about the timing of your spell. If you are a practitioner of moon magick, find out what phase of the moon is best for your spell. The waxing moon is best for positive works and drawing things to you. The waining moon is best for negativity and destructive magick. Just be aware of what you want to accomplish and which phase of the moon is best for you. Also, the day of the week you preform your spell on may be important to you. In many Pagan traditions, the days of the week can be very important aspects of magick. You might want to learn more about this before deciding on when to perform your spell. If you are new to spell writing and spellwork in general, don't get bogged down in the details too much. Follow your instincts. If the timing feels right to you, go for it!

Lastly, think about what you want to say. Do you wish to verbalize what you want? Do you want to say a poem, or do a chant? Do you want to call upon the Deities to help you achieve your goals? This doesn't have to be any complicated. A few words of praise for your Deities of choice and a small wish for their help is all you would really need.It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it. You might even decide not to speak at all, but to use this time on nature, your life, or what you wish to accomplish.

Write your new spell down in your Book Of Shadows and do the ritual whenever you want to. Like I said, it doesn't have to be complicated. Just get out there and do it! If you haven't seen and effect from your spell within a lunar month (28 days) you might want to take another look at it and see what variables can be changed to try again. Don't give up! The sense of accomplishment you get from writing a spell that works for you is amazing!

Blessed Be!

The Blood Moon

Tonight, Oct. 26, is the Blood moon, sometimes called the Hunter's Moon, This moon mark's the beginning of the Third Harvest, when people are bringing in the last of the crops from their fields. Everyone is making making ready for winter. This is as true today as it was in ancient times.

It is time for the Hunts to begin as well. Animals were hunted and domesticated animals slaughtered, dressed and stored to be eaten during long winter to come. In days passed, this became known as the Blood Moon in remembrance of the animals that were sacrificed so that the people could have food.

All of nature makes ready for the deep winter as well. Animals gathered the last of the food they will need for the winter. Birds fly south to warmer climates. Even plants and trees recede for the cold winter to come.

In modern times, the Blood Moon should serve as a reminder that we should prepare for the coming winter. Check you food stores to make sure you have extra on hand in case of bad weather, But extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Check your smoke alarm. Have your car serviced and the tires checked to be sure it is winter ready.

Magickally speaking this is an amazingly powerful time! Spells of protection are best done during the Blood Moon. Magick to remove negativity and stress are good when worked on this night as well. Set new goals and reflect on your accomplishments of the year past. This is the prefect time forming growing and learning spiriutally.

Divination takes on a special power on the night of the Blood Moon. Practioners of all forms of divination use the enhanced powers tonight. Be it divining rods, tarot cards, runes, casting stones, or any other type of divining; all are better when done during the Blood Moon.

Do something special tonight. Bless your home, work protective spells for yourself and your family, take a ritual bath. Whatever you want to do to mark the Blood Moon. Don't forget to reflect on the year past and prepared for the winter to come.

The History And Symbolism Of Samhain

Samhain is my favorite Sabbat and my favorite time of year. It has a wonderfully colorful and magical history as well.

Samhain is one of the four Greater Sabbats. Pronounced SOW-in in Ireland, SAH-vin in Scotland, or, more commonly in modern times, SAM-hayne; it means "End od Summer. This is the thrid and final Harvest of the year and marks the beginning of winter. It is commonly celebrated on October 31st, but some traditions celebrate on November 1st.

Samhain is known by many names, Third Harvest, Samana, Vigil of Samana, Day of the Dead, Old Hallowmas (Scottish/Celtic), Shadowfest (Strega), and Samhuinn. It may also be called All Hallow's Eve, although this day actually falls on November 7th; or Martinmas, which is actually on November 11th.

Samhain is a most magical night! Just as on Beltane, the barrier that is general present between our world and the spirit world is lifted. Departed spirits journey through this world on their way to Summerland. For this reason, it is easier to communicate with our ancestors and those loved ones that have departed. Since it is the beginning of the deep, dark winter, it is time for studying Dark Mysteries. We should honer the Dark Mother and Dark Father, symbolized by the Crone and her consort, at this time as well.


It was originally celebrated in Celtic countries as the "Feast of the Dead". Food was left as offerings on alters and doorsteps for the spirits of the dead journeying to Summerland. Many pagans still hold to this tradition in modern times. A single candle is lit and placed in a window as a guide to bring the spirits of our ancestors home. Extra chairs are set at table and around the hearth for the spirits to know they are welcome. In olden times, apples were buried along the roadsides and paths, for the spirits that were lost or who had no one left in this world to welcome them into their homes.

This was a night for magic and mischief! Turnips were hollowed out and carved to look like protective spirits. In modern times, we use pumpkins instead of turnips. The Wee Folk; fairies, gnomes and the like; came out to play pranks on humans. It was not advised to travel after dark. To fool the Wee Folk and the spirits, people dressed in white to look like ghosts, or wore disguises made of straw, or even dressed as the opposite gender. This is were the custom of wearing Halloween costumes comes from.


This was also when livestock were slaughtered and put away to ensure meat would be available during the dark winter. Crops had to be harvested before Samhain. If any were still in the field, they were left as an offerings to the natural spirits.

Known in olden times as Bonefires; bonfires were built after feasting and the bones were thrown into the fire. These were offerings to ensure healthy livestock the next year. Stones were marked with the names of people and cast into the fire, to be retrieved the next morning. The condition of the stones was said to fortell the future of that person in the year to come. All of the homes in a village lit their hearth fire from the village's bonfire. This was said to ensure unity of the village in the coming year. The ashes from the bonfire were spread across the harvested fields to protect and bless the land.

Symbolism of Samhain
Third Harvest, the Dark Mysteries, Rebirth through Death


Symbols of Samhain
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms


Colors of Samhain
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold


Incense of Samhain
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg


Herbs of Samhain
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip. Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak Leaves, Sage and Straw


Foods of Samhain
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry


Stones of Samhain
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian

Sources: The Celtic Connection www.wicca.com
A night of mischief and magick! by Anna Caldwell

The Science Of Magic

Most people who became interested in Wicca do so because they first have and interest in magic. It is, of course, only small part of Wicca as a religion. But if you think about in as a whole, Wicca is all about magic. Wicca is about creation, spiritual growth and transformation. Magic is all of those things.

Everything is composed of energy. Everything that you see, everything that you touch and much that you cannot see or touch is made of energy. In fact, you are also made of energy. Your body, which seems so solid, is made of endless numbers of microscopic particles held together at the sub-atomic level by energy.

Modern day scientists have discovered this. But the Druids of Europe, untold many years ago, knew this as well. The witches that came after them did not forget and this knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation in many pagan religions.

If you have read the ancient maxin, "AS ABOVE, SO BELOW" you will understand this. Just as we live is a vast universe filled with countless stellar bodies, whole universes of a different nature exists within us. Worlds exist within other worlds.

The electro-magnetic energy that holds electrons and protons and other microscopic particles together goes by many different names. In Asia it is known as Chi. In Polynesia it is Mana. The Iroquois called in Orenda. In Germany it was Od. Even in Stars Wars it existed as the Force. In modern times it is most widely known as Psychic Energy. No matter it's name, it is all energy.
Energy constantly evolves, transforms and renews. It is always in motion. This motion is in response to our thoughts and emotions. Most of us are unaware of it. An even smaller group are those who truly understand what is happening. It takes it's shape from us. It reacts to us. It happens naturally and instantly, just as water behaves when you place your hand into. It gives way and reforms around your hand. This is so with energy as well.

However, if you were to bring your conscience mind to this process, it would be entirely different. This natural occurrence that is outside of our control would become an exact and conscience tool that we can control. That is MAGIC! The art of consciously focusing and controlling energy.

Magic cannot be done on an everyday conscience level though. Magic requires a much high level of consciousness in order to work. This is sometimes called the Higher Self or the Alpha State. It is not hard to reach this level. However, it is sometimes hard to learn how to reach it. It takes much practice and effort to do. Once you are experienced, it will come as naturally as breathing.