Mistletoe

Mistletoe which grows between the earth and the air was especially sacred to the Druids.

It was gathered with a golden or silver sickle, or curved knife. It had to be cut with a single stroke and must not be allowed to fall to the ground. Should it do so it was thought to portend a great disaster to the land. The believed that it had great powers of protection, especially when it grew upon the Oak. Such Oaks were considered especially sacred. It was gathered ad distributed to welcome the New Year, and this custom is still enacted when we add it to our Yule or Christmas decorations. Mistletoe also features in Norse mythology, being the plant which was used to kill Balder.

One of the folk names for Mistletoe is All Heal. Mistletoe leaves were used to treat internal hemorrhage, epilepsy, convulsions, delirium, urinary problems, nervous disorders and many other ills. A tincture was also made of Mistletoe was used to treat heart irregularities. Today it is usually only used homeopathically, as to much of the pant or the berries can cause convulsions.

Magically Mistletoe is used in spells for protection, hunting, fertility, healing and exorcism. It is also called the Golden Bough and Witches Broom. It is carried to ensure fertility, possibly the origin of kissing under a sprig. Placed over the bed it induces peaceful sleep. Wearing a ring made from the wood is said to protect against illness, and hanging it around the house will protect against spirits. Burn Mistletoe to drive out negativity and to break negative spells.

"Punctuality shows you care."

November 20th

Onions

Onions have long been credited with healing and protective properties.

Eating onions, especially with garlic, is very helpful in preventing and combating the common cold. It is said that placing a sliced on in the sick room will speed recovery, and modern research has shown that slices will attract germs. Cut onion was also rubbed into the skin to prevent pain being felt, particularly by schoolboys expecting the cane! They are also helpful in easing the pain of wasp stings. Hot Onion was often used as a poultice to draw bruises and boils, and to ease earache.

Magically Onions are also used for healing as well as for protection, love and prosperity spells. A sliced Onion can be used to clean and cleanse magical tools, especially those made of metal. For magical healing rub half an Onion over the affected part and then burn it. It was said that place half an Onion under the pillow will brings dreams of a lover to be. To decide between two or more partners carve their names into separate Onions and put them in a warm place. Whichever sprouts first will have the strongest love for you. Onion skins should never be dropped on the ground as this will remove your prosperity; to draw money to you, burn them. My mother used to say that if you have Onions in your house you will never lack food on the table. To protect the home hang a string of Onions in the kitchen, or take a small one, cover it with black-headed pins and place it in the window facing the road.

"Pursue perfection, but don't expect it to be easy."

November 21st

Nut, Pip and Seed Divination

Nuts, pips and seeds have long been used in love divination.

To choose between a number of possible partners, name pips and place them on a hot shovel to see which jumps off first. To see whether a love was true a pip would be placed into the fire; if it burned brightly then so would the love. Few people today have open fires; however, a heated frying pan or a hot charcoal briquette can be used instead. The rhyme, "Tinker, tinker, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief," is another form of love divination, the stones of fruit being thus counted to determine the occupation a future husband would have. To determine how long it would be before a girl would marry she was supposed to place 10 Apple pips into the fire, those which flew out of the flames would give them the number of years before her wedding, unless it was all 10 which would indicate she would die an old maid!

Nuts are also used to determine the answers to questions. Take three hazelnuts, paint a cross on one, a circle on another and leave the last plain. Place them in a bag and when you seek to know whether to take a particular course of action take one out at random. The circle will indicate that what you do will bring benefit, the cross that it will bring strife, and the plain one that you do not have all the information you need to make a decision.

"Clouds are just sunshine in hiding."

November 21st

Nut, Pip and Seed Divination

Nuts, pips and seeds have long been used in love divination.

To choose between a number of possible partners, name pips and place them on a hot shovel to see which jumps off first. To see whether a love was true a pip would be placed into the fire; if it burned brightly then so would the love. Few people today have open fires; however, a heated frying pan or a hot charcoal briquette can be used instead. The rhyme, "Tinker, tinker, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief," is another form of love divination, the stones of fruit being thus counted to determine the occupation a future husband would have. To determine how long it would be before a girl would marry she was supposed to place 10 Apple pips into the fire, those which flew out of the flames would give them the number of years before her wedding, unless it was all 10 which would indicate she would die an old maid!

Nuts are also used to determine the answers to questions. Take three hazelnuts, paint a cross on one, a circle on another and leave the last plain. Place them in a bag and when you seek to know whether to take a particular course of action take one out at random. The circle will indicate that what you do will bring benefit, the cross that it will bring strife, and the plain one that you do not have all the information you need to make a decision.

"Clouds are just sunshine in hiding."

November 23rd

Sun in Sagittarius

Sagittarius is a Fire sign bringing energy and inspiration. It represents enthusiasm, spontaneity, intuition and idealism. It is a Mutable sign bringing flexibility, resolution and problem-solving.

Sagittarians are generally self-expressive, energetic, spontaneous, assertive and extrovert. The typical Sagittarian seeks freedom and space, physically and mentally. They are ambitious and optimistic and will frequently take on large and complex tasks with enthusiasm and energy. Sagittarians make good mediators, having good insight into the feelings of others. Intellectually strong, they enjoy challenges and learning. While not innovators, they are good at examining and interpreting the thoughts of others. They can be idealistic and are inclined to hold strong beliefs. They are also disposed towards outdoor activities and sports. They are ardent lovers but do not like feeling tied down. On the negative side they can be a know-it-all, outspoken, tactless, boastful and inconsiderate. They can also alienate others by moralizing when they hold the same traits themselves. It can be easy for Sagittarians to be unfocused or to flit from one thing to another.

During this period Sagittarians should focus on undertaking problem-solving, intellectual and physical pursuits. But they should be wary of allowing their love of freedom to cut off those close to them. Non-Sagittarians will find this a good time for honest examination of personality traits and addressing outstanding problems in that area.

"It's not the chocolate that's fattening, it's the quanitity."

November 24th

Making Incenses

While incenses can be bought, it can be more meaningful to make your own.

Not only can you be completely sure that all the ingredients are the ones you need for your magic, but the actual work of making it becomes a part of your spell. Loose incense is the easiest to create at home. Of course many plants and herbs can be burned on their own, but blended incenses are often more effective. The main components of incense are resins, such as Copal and Frankincense; woods, such as Sandalwood and Pine; and plant materials, such as flowers and leaves. Try to ensure that no more than one third of your mix is resin, otherwise you could find that it generates far too much smoke for comfort. Also ensure that the other ingredients are completely dry, for the same reason. When making incense your equipment should be scrupulously clean and dry, and try to avoid incorporating traces of things which may not be helpful for your magic. Plant ingredients should be relatively fresh, or freshly dried, as they lose their properties over time. A quick guide to this is the smell: if it smells musty it is unlikely to be useful. All the ingredients should be finely ground or chopped, but not reduced to powder, before blending. Incenses should always be kept in a cool, dry and dark place, and for no longer than a few months.

To burn your incense you will need a fire-proof container and some self-igniting charcoal. This should be kept completely dry, ideally in a container together with a small sachet of silica.

"Only give the benefit of the doubt the first time"

Elder Month

The Elder is a very useful tree.

Its flowers can be eaten and made into wine. A tea or syrup made from the flowers is good for coughs and sore throats. The berries, which are high in vitamin C, can be eaten in a variety of ways and also make a fine wine. The berries and leaves, also high in vitamin C, can be made into jam. The leaves can be cooled and used as a dressing to relieve earache. Elderflower water is excellent for the skin, cleansing, soothing and, for those with pale skins, whitening it. It also helps to reduce acne and prevent it from scarring. The bark was boiled to make a laxative tea. Its wood can easily be hollowed out to make whistles and, for children, pop-guns.

The Elder is a tree of wisdom and knowledge associated with the Crone. It used to be thought of as a tree of death and sorrow. It is said that to cut the tree, or to burn its wood, is to invite ill luck. In Northern Europe it is said that the Elder-tree Mother inhabits the tree and if any wood is cut she would follow the wood and haunt its owner. Even fallen wood should only be taken with permission., Elder leaves were thought to keep off Witches and were hung on doors to protect all within, The pith of the branches was supposed to make a wick which, when lit, would reveal all the Witches in the neighborhood. Meditate under a fruiting Elder if you seek answers from those who have gone before.

"A life without some disappointment is a life with nothing in it.

November 27th

Divination

The term Divination covers a number of ways of finding out things which are otherwise hidden from us.

There are many different forms of Divination. Some are fairly limited, answering only questions with yes/no responses, for example the Pendulum. Others deal with certain specifics, like Divining Rods. Some will only answer specific questions, others are better for general readings, like the Tarot. Some forms are more useful than others for in depth examination of a person's character and potentialities, like Astrology or Palmistry. Probably the earliest forms of Divination used water, as in the Dark Mirror, and fire, as in scrying in the flames. No one method is any better, or more accurate, than any other, it is simply a question of finding the method which you feel most in tune with. In all cases the cards, ball, runes or whatever, are the only means by which the reader can access their inner mind, It is this which actually produces the insights which make the reading meaningful.

One common misconception about Divination is that pictures are actually seen, or voices heard. This is rare, as for almost every reader it is more a question of just finding that the knowledge is already there in the mind. For most people the 'secret' to learning to read is simply a question of learning to trust these feelings. A second misconception is that our fates are fixed and the reader can tell us exactly what will happen. But any form of Divination can only give the possibilities that are available. Your future is still subject to your own free will.

"Hang on to your sense of humor; you're bound to need it."

December 11th

Beryl

Beryl is a semi-precious clear stone which usually comes in greens, yellows, and occasionally pinks, ands various shades thereof.

The Beryl is closely related to the Aquamarine, and indeed green Beryl is sometimes heat-treated to create Aquamarines. In its clearest forms Beryl has been used to make eyeglasses, although these were very brittle. Dr John Dee's famous crystal sphere, now housed in the British Museum, is made of Beryl.

Beryl opens the subconscious mind, facilitating psychic development, and is especially good for scrying. However, it is a stone best used by the solitary worker or those in partnership,. as it also opens the mind to love, which can be distracting. Having said that, it can also be worn to protect against fascination, or a person seeking to take advantage psychically. Being a psychic stone it has also been used to make psychic mirrors as well as spheres. The former were placed against a white cloth, rather than being backed with soot as in the dark mirror. Beryl is also associated with the Element of Water and is considered protective for travelers, especially at sea. Indeed it is thought to halt sea-sickness. Beryl is good fro bringing clarity of mind and should be worn to facilitate discussion and communication. It also aids study and the retention of information. Beryl is also psychically energizing, but should not be employed continuously for this, as the weariness it banishes will be stored up and will sooner or later catch up. Beryl should be carried, not worn, to banish gossip. Exchanged between long-term partners, Beryl will renew and refresh the relationship.

"You may as well accept aging; it's going to happen anyway."

December 17th

Goddess and God Symbols

Most Witches like to have a statue of the Goddess and/or God on their Altar; indeed some have many statues around the home which can be placed there for particular rituals.

Today we are lucky as there are many relatively inexpensive statues available. The last 10 years have seen something of a revival of interest ion Greek, Roman, and Egyptian deities as decorative objects for the house and garden. Indeed many china or gift shop sells attractive images of Anubis and Bast, not to mention figu4rines representing the signs of the zodiac, many of which are taken from Greek images of the Gods. Images of the Green Man and Woman can be found in garden centers.

Of course there are many other ways of representing the deities. The Goddess can be represented by a holed stone, by the herbs and plants which are sacred to Her, or by a silver candle. The God can be represented by any phallic-shaped piece of wood or stone, by natural things or by a gold candle. But by far the best thing to do is to create your own images. There are a great many things you could use for your image: clay, papier mache', or even wood, but probably the best to start with is children's clay which dries without the need for firing. Such images will not only be imbued with your own energies, but their creation becomes an act of worship and a means of opening the way to greater understanding of the form you work on.

"Never light a fire unless you are certain you can put it out."

December 26th

Elves & Gnomes Magic

The magical elves and gnomes love nature and are often drawn to the part of your garden that is a bit wild and unkempt. This small area will make your magical friends feel welcome.

You will need a shiny wind chime.

Begin taking deep breaths in and out to center yourself. Hold the wind chime in your hands and say:

Helpful elves and gnomes, I offer you this gift

And respectfully ask you to come into my garden

Be with me here now, those of you who are my friends

Please bestow your beneficial gifts upon me.

Hang the wind chime in your garden. The magical elves and gnomes also like bits of leftover food, milk, beer, juice, and honey. Offer these to the earth and entice more magical beings to your garden. Also plant bulbs and perennials that will come up and flower next spring and summer, and the faeries will grant you divine favors and gifts year after year.

December 28th

Blessing For the Goddess

You will need a few pictures, figurines, or objects that represent the Goddess and creation to you. This is a simple prayer of thanks to the Goddess for what she has given you and what she is about to give to you. The time after the winter solstice is one of reflection and thanks. Keep this in mind as you say the following blessing:

Goddess of Creation,

Mother of All

Thank you for your guiding light

Every day and every night

Whenever I call you

I am surrounded by your divine light

Thank you Mother Goddess, and bless you.

Survey the pictures, figurines, or objects you have gathered together, and think about how the Goddess has influenced and helped move your life forward.

December 31st

New Year's Eve Scrying

Scrying is an ancient divination technique that often uses a crystal, but in this case you are using a holiday snow globe as the medium for perceiving what the coming year has in store for you.

You will need a snow globe (preferably made of glass and containing lots of snow) and a desire to view the future.

Start by placing the globe on a contrasting colored surface so that the globe and the images in it are easily viewed. Pick up the globe and say,

I empower this globe as a divine oracle.

Next, think about a question regarding your future. Turn your mind completely toward your question. Then shake the globe vigorously several times, churning up the contents, while saying:

Send the wisdom of the Fates,

Through the waters of time,

So I may know what waits,

In the next year, what I will find?

Now put the globe back down on the surface, and begin moving your awareness into the water, snow, and images in the globe. Continue to ask the question about your future as you meld and become one with the water, snow, and images in the globe. Perceive yourself in the coming year, doing the things that are now only dreams waiting to be actualized and brought into creation. New Year's Eve is a powerful time for reflection and also a time to renew your dreams, hopes, and aspirations, and send them like beacons of divine light forward into the coming year.

January 04th


Love Magnet

This spell is meant to draw more love into your home.

You will need a sage smudge stick, a gold-colored coin, a red doormat, and a small magnet.

Smudge the coin, the doormat, and the magnet to clear them of any unwanted energies. Next put the doormat in front of the main entrance of your home, and hold the coin and magnet in your power hand. Merge with the power of the Goddess and Say:

North, east, south, and west,

By the Goddess, I am divinely blessed,

Draw love into this home eternally

As I will, so shall it be!

Put the coin and magnet under the doormat and leave them there to attract love. Then recharge the coin and magnet every month or so to keep bringing love into your home.

January 06th


Magnifying Your Love

You will need a giant imaginary magnifying glass because today is Sherlock Holme's birthday. What this giant magnifying glass does is help you to be more aware of and focus on all the love that is happening around you. Imagine yourself as Sherlock Holmes, the great detective. See yourself becoming more aware of the details around you. Take this imaginary magnifying glass and look at all the people who love you and all the people you love. Use the  glass to focus on people's subtle actions and to differentiate between what is and isn't loving to you. Examine the love relationships that you have in your life for what they are and not what you want them to be. Be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes and cut to the chase as to what's really happening in your love life and your relationships. Finally, use the magnifying glass to discover and focus on what works and what makes you feel more loved and loving.