Personal Magick: Stone

A huge part of my magical practice has been celebrating and worshipping in the presence of huge ancient megaliths... Sacred stones have borne witness to my spiritual devotion many times over the years.

Stone circles have been an obsession since I visited Avebury Stone Circle as a child.

I was immediately captivated and enchanted, energised and enthralled; a feeling that has never left me, and is always present whenever I visit a stone circle, burial chamber, or dolmen.

I have been lucky enough to visit many stone circles around the UK, including the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney.

I feel happiest with my face touching cold stone, with the wind in my hair, and the sun in my eyes.

NEXT - Personal Magick: Circle
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Hurlers on Bodmin Moor
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Nine Ladies Stone Circle 

Resin Magick: 8 Resins & Their Magickal Correspondences

Every region has resins, gums, and sacred herbs that bring them closer to the divine. They have been traded since people first came together. In Egypt, Frankincense was burned at sunrise as an offering to Horus, and Myrrh was burned at midday as an offering to the Sun-God Ra. Both are used today for protection and healing.

The Magickal Properties of Resin

Acacia:
Prosperity, fertility, healing, spiritual grounding.

Balsam of Peru:
Happiness, aphrodisiac, visualisation.

Benzoin:
Exotic, sensual, astral travel.

Dammar:
Dispels the demons of depression, healing.

Dragon’s Blood:
Dispels negative energy, protective.

Labdanum:
Sensuous, opens the imagination.

Sandarac:
Stimulates creativity, lifts the soul, freshens.

Storax:
Associated with Hecate, dream and astral work.

Personal Magick: Circle

When I think of today’s Witch With Me prompt, Circle, I think of being ‘in circle.’ There is nothing like joining together with like-minded others to observe and celebrate. I am fairly solitary now due to a change of location, but I have had the blessing of sharing and melding energies with other magical souls many times over the years.

It is wonderful to listen to the poetry and storytelling of the Bards ~ connecting us with the season ~ and to call in the Quarters in the presence of the Arch Druid. To share bread and mead with the Earth and other circle goers; to celebrate and to worship. To join the circle and hold hands with strangers, and to leave the circle with more friends than when we joined.

NEXT - Personal Magick: Favourite Witchcraft Tool 
NEXT - Building Community: Kindness & Compassion
NEXT - Building Community: What Witches Look Like
NEXT - Building Community: Some Thoughts On Social Media 

Media Appearance: Chris Down Art

These are just some of the incredible artworks by Chris Down. @chrisdownart

I’m in two paintings in this picture, can you spot me?

I first met Chris in 2010. Another artist I worked for (see my post on the 12th February) recommended me to Chris, and we started corresponding. We’ve been on several adventures together over the years - some for fun and some in the pursuit of art - and I’m honoured to call Chris a friend, although geography means we don’t get to catch up as much as I’d like.

Chris has been an artist and illustrator for more than 20 years, and has illustrated in excess of 50 books. Check your witchy books - Chris will have illustrated some of them.

Chris illustrated the Celtic Tarot by Kristoffer Hughes and released his new book, Otherworld, last week, which I’m honoured to be on the front cover of.

Fabulous Folklore: Salt

“Salt! Salt! I put thee into the fire, and may the person who has bewitched me neither eat, drink, nor sleep, until the spell has been broken”.

In the 19th Century it was believed that the power of a witch could be destroyed by sprinkling salt into the fire nine mornings in succession. Quite how you protected yourself for the first eight days I do not know!

There are many superstitions surrounding salt. For example chucking it over your left shoulder, should you spill any, to avert bad luck.

You can create Black Witches Salt by combining sea salt, charcoal, incense ash and black pepper. Some witches use salt to represent the element of earth as it is a mineral, and some use it to represent water as it has come from the sea. 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Crystal Balls 

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Horseshoe Magick

Sacred Symbols: The Pentagram

The Pentagram was used in Babylonia and Ancient Greece, and is found in faiths and traditions around the world. Used by many Witches and Wiccans, the pentagram was banned in many US schools in the 1990s because of perceived associations with Satan. This was later found to be a violation of student rights, and they found their way onto pencil cases, bags and notebooks once more.

Despite being such a misunderstood symbol you can find it on several flags around the world; Morocco and Ethiopia’s national flag, and on city flags for Nagasaki (Japan) and Haaksbergen (Netherlands).

In the Chinese tradition the five points represent wood, fire, earth, metal, water; and for those of a Pagan persuasion it is usually earth, air, fire, water and Spirit.

I have both a pentagram and a pentacle (pentagram contained in a circle) tattooed on me; it is an honour to carry these symbols with me at all times.

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: The Om
NEXT - Simple Magick: 12 Tips For New Witches 

Personal Magick: Our Handfasting Besom

I’m filled with so much joy when I see this picture. This is my lovely friend and Witch-Sister Noelle decorating our hand-fasting besom with Rosemary just before our ceremony at Beltane, 2016. It was such a lovely day, although it was very windy, and absolutely freezing, as it usually is at Avebury Stone Circle. We were hand-fasted by our friend Terry Dobney, the Arch Druid of Avebury.

The best part of the day was ‘Jumping the Broom’ where you jump over the broom together, symbolising the leap from your old life into the new.

I got so caught up in the moment I panicked when I saw the besom at shoulder height - I had totally forgotten that it gets dropped down at the last minute, even though I’ve held the besom myself at others’ handfasting - silly me! 

NEXT - Personal Magick: My Beltane Handfasting
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Ring Stone at Avebury
NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Beltane

NEXT - Personal Magick: What My Craft Means To Me 

Tasseography

Day 17 #witchwithme – TASSEOGRAPHY

Tasseography is a method of divination which involves the reading of tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments. It’s not an art I practice, and as I don’t like tea or coffee (and I don’t drink!), it would be a bit tricky! However, I couldn’t help but admire these gorgeous cups and saucers at the Covenstead B&B in Glastonbury.

It is believed that Tasseography can be traced to medieval fortune tellers who used molten wax and lead, reading the splatters - sounds dangerous! This evolved into tea-leaf reading in the 17th Century.

Many interpretations for symbols exist; these can be people, animals, inanimate objects. When I look at these cups I really wish I liked tea.

Emotion

Day 12 #witchwithme - EMOTION

This photograph was taken back in August 2011 as I was being shown the first ever painting I was to appear in (Lost Between the Wonder and the Why by Neil Geddes-Ward).

I was really proud, and very honoured, to have been chosen for this project, and to represent normal, Pagan women everywhere. I went on to sit as reference for 8 more paintings, including appearing in a tarot deck, and posing naked for a fine artist.

This experience helped me overcome some fairly serious self-esteem issues, and taught me that everyone has something beautiful to offer. A belief I always had, but which now extends to myself.

The Element of Earth

Day 10 #witchwithme – ELEMENT

We can use the element of Earth easily. We can gather soil, rocks, plants, crystals, and herbs for our magical practice; we can ingest the element of Earth when we eat our food, making us feel grounded and connected to source. We can take our shoes and socks off and feel the earth beneath our feet. We can visit ancient earthworks and Ley lines, and other natural places of wonder.

Earth energy is feminine, grounding, nurturing, strong, and life affirming; it is honest, raw, reassuring and productive. It is also fierce, wild, and raging.

Earth is the basis and foundation of all elements, which is why I love it so.

Moon Magick: The Snow Moon

Some call it the Hunger Moon, others the Storm Moon (appropriate for us in the U.K. currently getting battered by Storm Ciara), and others the Snow Moon due to the snow on the ground at this time of year. The Snow Moon is the full moon in February, and once in every 19 years or so February does not have one.

The Full Moon is the perfect time in the lunar cycle for setting intentions and asking questions. How can I live more consciously? What do I need to let go of? What am I going to work on? How can I be more helpful to others?

I have made my intentions ready to be cast into my ritual fire tonight, so for now, it’s time to curl up and enjoy this book about the Moon.

“The elegance of the Moon teaches us to be elegant and kind.” 

~ Debasish Mridha

Natural Remedies: Lavender Salve

To create Lavender Salve you must first create some Lavender Oil:

Fill a jar halfway with dried Lavender. Cover with carrier oil, cap, leave in cool, dark place (shaking occasionally) for 4-6 weeks. Strain.

To make the salve you will need:

LAVENDER SALVE

Ingredients: 
100g/3.5oz Lavender Oil.
15g/0.5oz Beeswax - or half as much Candelilla Wax for a Vegan alternative.
A heatproof tin or jar.
Small tins or jars.
Lavender Essential Oil (optional).

Method:
Put the wax into the jar/can.
Put the jar/can into a saucepan containing an inch or two of water.
Place on a medium heat until wax has melted.
Mix in the Lavender Oil.
Add in a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil (optional).
Pour into small tins or jars and leave for a few hours to harden.

The salve will last approximately 9 months to a year. Use to soothe bug bites/stings, on temples for headache relief, on wrists and neck for perfume, and to reduce sunburn healing time. 

NEXT - Natural Remedies: 10 Ways To Use Dried Lavender
NEXT - Natural Remedies: Lavender Oil
NEXT - Lupin Magick: 12 Correspondences for Growth

Moon Magick: Making Moon Water

The simplest potion there is: Moon Water.

The Moon is an amplifier, its energy strongest at Full Moon, and it has strong cleansing properties. Moon Water is simply water that has been charged by the Full Moon and bears these properties.

You can use Moon Water for all sorts of wonderful things; energising crystals, blessings, rituals or spells that require water, moon baths, perfumes, charged drinking water, watering plants and magical herbs... the list is endless.

Collect water in your chosen vessel and leave out under a Full Moon for an entire night. Bless your water and set your intentions. 

What do you use Moon Water for? 

NEXT - Moon Magick: New Moon in Aquarius
NEXT - Cancer The Crab: Magickal Correspondences 

Simple Magick: The Shadow

Today’s Witch With Me prompt immediately made me think of The Shadow, which is the psychological term for everything we can’t (or perhaps won’t) see in ourselves. You can no more get rid of this inner shadow than you can avoid casting an outer shadow in the sunlight.

It is hard to see one’s own Shadow; it is natural to want to deny anything unflattering. Whilst avoiding this ‘darker side’ we actually stunt our opportunity for growth and development; and in expending energy avoiding our true selves, we often miss the positive attributes of our personality.

Exploring The Shadow can lead to greater authenticity, which in turn leads to greater happiness, fulfilment, and creativity.

I have been doing a lot of work on my Shadow, and I am learning to love every part of myself, as I stumble through each situation and experience.

Photo is of Mr Cemetery and I looking down toward our house.

NEXT - Simple Magick: 65 Colour Correspondences 

Simple Magick: Using Snow in Magick

I love the strange light quality when it snows, and the eerie silence. I love venturing outside and seeing the magical transformation,but being forced inside is also a blessing. The peace sharpens my focus, and this is the perfect time for spellwork and meditation.

You can incorporate snow into your spellwork in place of water; light fluffy snow can be used in a ritual for peace and tranquility, and imagine what you can do with full moon charged snowflakes!

Make snowmen into large poppets, form bad habits into snowballs, launching them away from you. Take a walk in the peace, and make intentions for the month ahead, visualising them being manifested as the snow melts away.

NEXT - Simple Magick: Folklore, Traditional Witchcraft & The Lincoln Imp

Simple Magick: 65 Colour Correspondences

You only have to scroll through my Instagram news feed to see that I LOVE colour! Each colour has its own vibration, which is why it’s so important in magic.

The most obvious way to use colour is in candle magic, but these correspondences can be applied to anything within spellwork; ribbons, paper, clothes, etc.

Magickal Correspondences for Colour

Yellow:
Disputes, happiness, mental clarity, communication, goals


Pink:
Love, self-love, friendship, emotions, healing the heart

Green:
Healing, nature, fertility, abundance, luck, prosperity

Blue:
Protection, calm, spiritual matters, legal issues, integrity

Red:
Passion, sex, lust, health, attraction, vitality, strength, courage, fast action

Orange:
Business, success, justice, opportunity, celebration, positivity

Purple:
Wisdom, consciousness, spiritual development, psychic ability

Brown:
Home, animals, stability, family, material goods, pets

Gold:
Wealth, masculinity, luck, Sun

Silver:
Intuition, home, dreams, femininity, The Moon

Black:
Protection, banishing, obstacles, decisions

White:
Purity, peace, higher self, unity, any type of spell, blessings

NEXT - Simple Magick: Thorns

Simple Magick: Thorns

Thorns are protective; they are a defence against predators, and can cut, pierce and draw blood, which gives them powerful energy. Thorn magic is special because it allows for vulnerability whilst establishing a protective boundary. For example, they are useful to those who wish to be available and vulnerable in love again after heartache.

Thorns can be useful in spellworkings to protect, heal, and hex; placing a thorn in a tincture can increase its strength and potency. Long thorns (eg Blackthorn) can be used in place of pins in poppets, which can also be used for healing, love and friendship.

Use thorns with ink to write magical text, carry as a charm, or use to pierce negative ‘bubbles’. There are many plants that possess strong thorn energy: Hawthorn, Rose, Bramble, Blackthorn and Gooseberry to name but a few. 

NEXT - Simple Magick: 11 Ways To Cleanse A Space 

Review: Need To Know Zodiac Types by Collins

Today's #witchwithme prompt over on Instagram is sun sign, so I thought I’d share one of my favourite books; Collins Need to Know - Zodiac Types.

This is such a wonderful book; accurate, easy to digest, and lots of helpful information.

Your star sign - or sun sign, as it’s more accurately known - is the sign the Sun happens to be occupying at the time of your birth. It has a strong bearing on the basic elements of your character, though of course the planets in various parts of the zodiac also play a part, too.

This book would suit a beginner; it has a good introduction into Astrological terms, symbols and sun sign tables - however it is valuable to everyone as it has a wealth of information on each of the twelve signs. It is useful for magical work as it details correspondences for each sign - colour, plants, gemstones etc - plus lots of other helpful information. If you’ve wanted to step into Astrology but haven’t been sure where to start this book is for you.

NEXT - Review: Spirit Nest Oven Mitts 

NEXT - Astrology: Cancer The Crab - Magical Correspondences 

Pagan Holidays: Imbolc

A blessed Imbolc everyone!

Imbolc is about half way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and celebrates the first stirrings of Spring.

This period of growth, gestation, and birth makes it feel like a time of beginnings, and so for me it feels like the beginning of the year, trumping Samhain (the Witches New Year) and January 1st.

I have chosen today’s bright blue sky for my #witchwithme Imbolc submission, as when I think of Imbolc I think of the blue skies and sunshine that are now (occasionally!) making an appearance.
We have brighter days with a noticeable change in light quality, and with that comes a change of attitude, as well as feelings of rebirth and renewal. It is a time of magic and transformation; and of hope: the return of the light we celebrated at the Winter Solstice is now confirmed. The Sun is returning!

NEXT - Imbolc Magick: 40 Correspondences 

NEXT - Imbolc Blessings! 

NEXT - Spell: Cloutie Spell for Justice