Winter is Still Here

Hey everyone, 

Just a little reminder that we’re still in the depths of winter. It’s ok to need to go at a slower pace. This is a time of regeneration, recuperation and rest. As you take the time to look after yourself with sleep, good food, and all the lovely things that comfort you; your body and soul responds with growth. 

As we travel the Wheel, and get nearer to spring, we will pick up more energy. The Sun will soon melt away, not only the literal ice of the winter; but also our troubles. For it’s easier to tackle things when we have the energy. Work on personal protection, and leave everything else free to evolve in its own sweet way. The spring is a new beginning for everyone, and as we approach it, it will be easier to make the changes we need to.

Have faith in yourself, and your abilities, you’ll feel much better soon! 

Runes:

ᛒ - Berkana 

ᛁ - Isa 

ᛖ - Ehwaz

ᛉ - Elhaz

ᚱ - Raidho

Sacred Symbols: Elhaz of the Elder Futhark

We have a rune in the floor of our hallway. As I sit on the stairs, and put my boots on, my gaze always lands on this shape. It appears to be Elhaz of the Elder futhark, also known as Algiz, Eoih, Elgr. ᛉ

You can’t see it very well in this photograph but the bottom branch of the stave is more - or less - visible depending on the light.

Elhaz is the rune of defence and protection, and I think it is fitting, as the mark is right by our front door. My eyes trace over the symbol each time I sit it in front of it, or pass by it; and in my mind’s eye I imagine protective energy emanating from it. Each time I do this the feeling gets stronger and stronger. I ask it to protect all that dwell in this house.

This symbol asks us not to take this protection for granted (I won’t), but to remain alert and level headed; using intuition where possible and when needed. Your intuition is your protection with this rune.

Do you have any markings in your home that were already there when you arrived? Have you placed runes, or other symbols, in or around your home for protection or other reasons? 

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: Thor's Hammer
NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Eggshells
NEXT - Simple Magick: Magickal Attitudes & Personal Protection 

Simple Magick: Is It A Sign?

It’s important to remember that not everything you see is a sign.

Sure, it’s good to be open to receiving signs, and keeping an eye out for them; but it’s important to maintain a level of objectivity, too.

I have four crows that regularly frequent the cemetery, so I can’t depend on crows to be a sign in this location. Unless I choose to interpret their behaviour as divinatory; a method known as augury.

But on walking through the middle of a neat, cut grass field, with no trees nearby, I saw this. The only sticks around, they almost seemed deliberately placed. Do you think this is a sign?

It reminds me of the Nauthiz rune in the Elder Futhark, which represents Need (naudh).

“Need makes for a difficult plight; 

the naked freeze in the frost.

Need is the pain of the bondmaid,

and a hard plight,

and toilsome work.”

Taken from Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries & Shamanism by Edred Thorsonn.

This stave represents the resistance or friction that can be found in all parts of the world; in nature, in society, and in ourselves. Whilst this resistance or friction may come from an outside source, it is up to us to utilise the energy of this resistance, on the understanding that we have the power and the control to do so.

Magickally, this stave can be used to overcome distress ~ or even stress ~ so perhaps that’s the message for me in this sign. I need to employ Nauthiz.

Do you look out for signs often? Do you get answers to your questions? What’s the biggest sign you have ever received?

NEXT - Simple Magick: Storing Tarot Decks
NEXT - Simple Magick: The Shadow
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Black Annis 

Sacred Symbols: Runes

Jumping on the @witch.with.me train for Week two of their Divination Month, and we’re talking runes!

Runes are letters that were used to write Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet.

The three best known runic alphabets are the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark, a reduced form of the Elder Futhark.

The word “rune” comes from the Germanic root run- meaning “secret” or “whisper” and can also be found in Baltic languages, meaning “speech”.

In Norse mythology the runes are seen as having a divine origin; the poem Hávamál explains that they came from Odin, as a result of self-sacrifice:

“I know that I hung on a windy tree nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself, on that tree of which no man knows from where its roots run.”

I absolutely adore the runes, but my relationship with them is in its infancy. Our resident expert is @marget.inglis_witchcraft - check out her page for lots of information on them.

Do you use runes in your craft?

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: The Witch's Foot
NEXT - Winter Is Still Here
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Storm Callers 

Sacred Symbols: The Witch’s Foot

The Witch’s Foot is composed of three lines of equal length; one that runs straight down, and two intersecting at an angle to create a snowflake-type shape.

Its composition is such that you can break it down into several parts, depending on how you look at it. There is one central point; and three long lines, or six short lines radiating from the centre.

The pattern of the world is realised in this device. The power that flows from above, the power that flows from below, and the power that flows from the four cardinal directions, with the witch being the point in the centre.

The central line, the spine, represents the balance between light and shadow, silence and expression, inner and outer influences. The power from above and the power from below, which brings me on to the saying “As above, so below”, the idea that whatever happens in the astral plane is reflected on the Earth, and vice versa. That whatever happens in the microcosm, the world of the individual, affects the macrocosm, and vice versa. The balance in all this is the centre point, where the witch stands, and to keep this line straight and strong to support the other two lines, the witch must accept herself, shadows and all, to find balance.

The diagonal lines represent the four cardinal directions. They represent our emotions and intellect, our experiences and wisdom. I also relate these lines to the Four Planes of Existence, and to the tenet “To know, to will, to dare, to be silent”, the conscious and unconscious mind, and the World of Matter and the World of Spirit.

The witch is where all these lines meet. The witch is where these worlds intersect.

The Witch’s Foot is used in a myriad of ways, and is a powerful device for invoking the presence of Spirit. It is also used for meditation and for Riding the Hedge.

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: The Pentagram
NEXT - Word Magick: As Above So Below
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Witch's Familiar 

Simple Magick: Magickal Beliefs & Attitudes

Following on from another post, I want to discuss the attitudes and beliefs I believe crucial for spell casting and ritual.

Integrity:

I believe having integrity is very important as a magickal person. If we do not keep our word and follow through in our ordinary lives, how are we to believe in our words and actions during workings; and follow them through to spellcasting success, in our magickal lives? I believe that if we behave poorly, and without honour, we risk straying into dangerous territory with our magick.

Language:

Our words are magick, which is why it’s called ‘spelling.’ If our words mean nothing - that is, we don’t do the things we promise, or we are careless with them - then how can we successfully apply words and language to our spellcasting, especially in the form of incantations and chants? If there is no truth in the words we speak, and they have a low vibration energetically, then how can we expect to use those words to do our bidding and manifest energetically in our spellwork? Words have their own vibration; pick them, and use them, carefully.

Belief: 

Following on from the Magician’s rule ‘to will’. As well as our intention and determination to create, there has to be absolute belief in ourselves. When I set my mind to something, whether it be magickal or mundane, I have absolute belief in myself, and my ability. There is no space for anything else. If I do fail at something I simply acknowledge the reason why, and believe that next time I will succeed.

Love & Acceptance:

It is important to love ourselves. We are as we are meant to be. We have to embrace the darker half and the lighter half, if indeed we are to be whole. If we understand there’s magick, and we can create it, then we must be magickal, too! Which is surely worthy of love? We are each our own priest or priestess; and to hold ourselves in a divine and sacred way when we are expressing ourselves magickally - ie spellcasting - means we need to love ourselves. Hold your head high, and work your magic.

Runes

Clockwise from Top:

Wunjo - joy, happiness, wellbeing, success

Jera - harvest, reward, natural cycles, fruition, fertility, growth

Mannaz - the self, intelligence, support, humanity

Elhaz - (on its side) divination, health and healing, foster spiritual awareness,  clarity

Middle:

Nauthiz - need, necessity, have patience

NEXT - Simple Magick: The Mind