February Full Moon: Quickening Moon

Tonight is the Quickening Moon, the perfect time for spells and Esbat celebrations!

February’s moon name alludes to the plants beginning to grow underground and the unborn animals stirring in the womb. February is the month of Aquarius and Pisces, so the colours aqua, blue and purple  are often used on altars, as are the corresponding stones: aquamarine and amethyst. February is a time for new beginnings, planning and ideas. Imbolc magic could also be cast tonight.

Use rose quartz or garnet in your spells for romance or Valentine’s Day plans. Aphrodite and Venus can be called on at this time of year. You might use roses, hearts, Valentine’s candy or the colors pink and red in your spell tonight. Candle magic is a wise choice; it works quickly and fire is related to passion. A 7-Day candle spell for love or lust could be done tonight and every night for the next week, culminating on Valentine’s Day.

Just some things to think about while you stare up at the night sky.

 

January Full Moon: The Cold Moon

via weheartit.com

On January 9th (Monday) we’ll see the first full moon of 2012 grace the sky. This month’s moon is called the Cold Moon, for obvious reasons. Other aboriginal names include Mulberry Moon, Cooking Moon and Rainbow Fish Moon. Monday’s full moon will be in Cancer, the cardinal water sign, meaning things are going to be EMOTIONAL. All water signs deal with deep emotions and subconscious beliefs, and on top of this, Cancer is also ruled by the Moon, which heightens emotions even further. So, WATCH OUT. If you end up crying in a bathroom stall over Monday’s lunch break, know that it’s not you, but the moon who’s to blame for your mental breakdown.

Witchy or not, January’s energies are felt by everyone. People who make resolutions, start new projects and begin adventures this month are tapping into January’s creative, inspiring energy. This full moon is the perfect time to cast a spell for motivation and will power, helping you stick to your resolutions. It’s also a good time for cleansing, banishing and protective magic, for all your “new beginning” needs (good-bye crappy job!)

Set aside some time on Monday night to meditate, cast spells or ask a goddess/saint/friend for help with your goals and projects.

January Correspondences

Colours and Stones: white, black, silver, red and purple are January’s colours that can also be seen in this month’s stones: garnet (birthstone,) hematite, obsidian and sugalite.

Goddesses whose energies correspond well to January are Freya, Inanna, Hera, Juno and Pax.

Animals are traditional Northern, winter animals: foxes, wolves, coyotes and blue jays and geese.

Plants: birch, nuts, pine and thistle

Element: Air, representing new ideas or information, also the seeking of wisdom.

For more information see this post on New Year’s magic that can be done any time in January.

 

Last Quarter Moon and Magical Correspondences

I don't remember where I found this photo but it's full of witchy awesomeness.

Tomorrow, July 23rd, is the Last Quarter Moon. While most witches celebrate the full and new moons, powerful magic can be cast during the last quarter, when the waning moon is half full.

The last quarter is a good time to banish things from your life. This contrasts with the moon’s astrological correspondence this month. The last quarter will be in Taurus, a sign known for acquisitions of power and wealth. Taurus is also ruled by Venus, the plant of love. Taurus is an earth sign corresponding to emeralds, copper, roses and horned animals, like rams and bulls.

That may seem like a pretty random grouping of correspondences but a love banishing spell immediately can to mind:

Spell to Banish a Lover

By banish, witches do not mean kill, destroy, or send to an alternate universe (although that would be pretty fantastic.) Banishing, in the case of this spell, is the act of removing someone from your life. It basically works by untangling your lover’s life from yours so that you can both continue living happily, but separately.

This is a great spell for people going through a breakup. It eliminates the stinging pain during that messy stage where you’re still talking on the phone but conversations end with silence where there used to be “I love you.” It will help heal your heart by soothing the emotional wounds. Know that every star in the sky is working on your behalf to keep your ex away and banish your pain. This should bring you comfort.

You’ll need:

1 black pillar candle

Rose petals (The spell will be more powerful if you happen to have flowers that were given to you by your lover, even dried petals                              from an old bouquet.)

Tears

Light the black candle and think of all your emotional pain. Don’t be afraid to have a really ugly cry. Add your tears to the burning wax. Channel all of your anger and sadness into the candle, looking at the flame as you think about all that has happened with your lover. When you’ve finished crying, crush up the rose or flower petals and sprinkle them over the candle so that they burn in the flame and stick in the melting wax. Say:

“As the candle burns, as the moon wanes,

(Lover’s name) is banished, as is my pain.”

Burn until you go to sleep that night. Light the candle and sit in front of it at least every night for the next 7 days. Whenever you cry or feel angry, light the candle. Whenever you’re tempted to call or text your ex-lover, light the candle. The candle absorbs all of your pain and as it burns, that pain is dissolved into the universe. Bury any candle remnants outside, off your property. If you live in an apartment, dispose of the finished candle in a trashcan in a public park.

Why does this spell work?

It’s important to understand why a spell works. Witches see the world as a big spider’s web whose strands connect everything in nature. Everything means something. Everything has a history. Everything has a unique energy and thus a unique magical vibration. That’s not crazy new-age talk, that’s Grade 11 physics.

This spell will be done on Saturday, a day that corresponds to banishing, as does the moon phase and the color black.

Taurus, the sign the moon will be resting in, corresponds to sex and love because of its association with horned animals (horny, get it?) and the planet Venus, which obviously controls love.

Roses correspond to both Taurus and love.

Taurus by itself refers to acquisitions. This spells allows you to acquire power by banish love.

July Full Moon: The Blessing Moon

The Blessing Moon is full tonight. At this time of the year we are blessed with an abundance of vegetation and crops. It is also known as the Thunder Moon, Buck Moon and Hay Moon. The moon names come from history and can be found in European agricultural practices and the beliefs of Native tribes.

Colors: Green, Silver and Blue

Element: Water

Deities: Cerridwen, Venus and Juno

Stones: Opal, pearl and moonstone

Trees and Herbs: Ash, oak, lemon balm

Dreamwork and divination are done under the July full moon. This is also an opportunity to work on self-discipline and personal goals, especially those that seem out of reach. Try scrying in a bowl of water or call on Venus to enchant a glass of tap water with loving energy. It is a good time to harvest herbs and walk outside. A ritual bath can be prepared with cleansing sea salt and rose petals.

In case you were wondering, July’s full moon will be in Aquarius. Interestingly, Aquarius, though an air sign, is called the “the water carrier” and is symbolized with watery lines. July is also known as the birth month for the sun sign Cancer, a water sign symbolized by the crab. This is where the connection between July and water comes from. Additionally, water symbolizes divination and dreams, so you can see how everything is connected and the reasons for the above correspondences. This is a good month for all water signs (Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio)

Coconut Career Spell

Herb Kane's "Hina"

This spell came about haphazardly over the weekend, but it is my favorite of all the spells I’ve ever written.

Tonight’s new moon was quickly approaching and I had a career prosperity spell in mind but not the necessary ingredients. I needed a large green candle, but all I had was a jar candle from Bath & Body Works that happened to be green but was also “Coconut Leaves” scented. How was I going to work the coconut  scent into this spell? I googled “coconut” and “goddess” and within 5 minutes discovered that Hina, the Hawaiian moon goddess, likes offerings of coconut and is know for being a giving goddess who rewards creativity.

Perfect.

I love it when spells magically come together. Check out all the correspondences:

Hina is a moon goddess – coconuts are her favorite offering – coconuts happen to be like white candles (they won’t interfere with my spell)

Hina also happens to be a goddess of prosperity – the purpose of the spell is prosperity – also, the candle color (green) symbolizes prosperity

Hina particularly rewards creativity – my career is in the arts (writing)

Hina is a triple goddess (like Hecate) who changes with the moon – my spell will change with the moon (prosperity will grow as the moon grows)

I realize this means absolutely nothing if you aren’t a witch, but it’s actually pretty amazing. I’ve never heard of Hina before and yet I discovered that not only would she be helpful, she would be PERFECT to call on for this very specific spell.

I’d like to take credit for this amazing stroke of genius, but I’m pretty sure Hina has something to do with it. I think she wanted to meet me. Which is interesting, considering I’ve had a life-long fascination with Hawaii for no apparent reason, other than the pretty beaches. Tonight should be interesting.

Hawaiian Coconut Career Spell

Carve symbols of prosperity and/or symbols of your chosen profession into a large, green candle.

Light the Candle. Invite Hina to join you.

I usually write a little rhyme or something, but I think sometimes just speaking from your heart is more powerful. Mention your intention (to have a prosperous career, to gain money or success from your craft) and bind it to the moon (“as the moon grows, my prosperity will grow”) and end with “so mote it be” which is kinda like the pagan version of “amen.”

Repeat every night until the full moon (this will take about 2 weeks) or until the candle burns all the way down.

The whole process shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes each night, but feel free to meditate for awhile on the candle flame.

Remember to thank Hina for helping you.

Motivation Spell

Kevin Smith and I are kindred spirits. Evidence:

So that’s pretty much how I approach work. I’m a super procrastinator who will look for ANYTHING that allows me to avoid actual work. Reality TV, making kitties dance, watching Kevin Smith videos on Youtube… it’s ridiculous. I decided I needed to motivate myself with a little magic. I pieced together this spell from a couple different ones I found online:

Write a “To Do” list of everything you need to accomplish. Use a green or red marker.

As you write down each task, visualize yourself completing it and feeling happy or relieved.

When you’ve visualized the completion of all your tasks say:

May my power and potential

Rise up from within.

May I seek to finish

All that I begin.

By the God, and Goddess Three,

And by my will so mote it be

Repeat daily until all your tasks are complete.

(Aside: I used a green marker to write my list because, to me, green means “go” and “correct” due to years of Canadian traffic lights and check marks on tests. In witchcraft, red is generally considered to be the color for willpower, action, and strength. I just can’t look at a page full on red ink and feel positive due to the aforementioned traffic lights and red x’s on tests. Also, red seems like an angry color to me. Do whatever feels right to you.)

Happy Bewitching!

Ostara/Easter Candy Spells

By comedy_nose

You are aware that creme eggs are full of edible goo, but did you also know they’re full of witchy magic? The next time you eat a Cadbury Creme Egg (and let’s face it, at this time of year it’ll be in the next 12 hours) see if you can take the foil off in one piece. Think of a question and phrase it in a yes/no format. Peel the foil from the egg. If it comes off in one piece, the answer is “yes” and if the foil comes off in several pieces the answer is “no.”

By 91RS

Bunnies symbolize fertility and (re)production and because of this they are effective in productivity spells. While you eat a chocolate bunny, visualize yourself achieving all of your goals. See yourself as productive and motivated. Think about the phrase “quick as a bunny” and visualize yourself accomplishing tasks that quickly. Obviously, don’t use this for weight loss goals.

By soopahgrover

Nom Nom Nom!

Happy candy consuming!

All-Purpose Ingredients for Spell Casting

 

I just bought this Wildfox's Couture t-shirt (it's from their fall 2010 line: http://www.wildfoxcouture.com)

 

I like to write my own spells for two reasons:

1. Personal spells are more powerful.

2. I hate it when spells list a billion strange and exotic ingredients. (Side note: Did you know that the “eye of newt, toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog…” speech in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” refers to the folk names of common plants NOT creepy animal parts?)

So I was thinking about the concept of all-purpose magical ingredients and I did a little research. Do I HAVE to use a certain ingredient? Is there an easier way? What’s a good substitute? If you’ve ever found yourself with a full moon overhead but no wolf’s bane in the cupboard or wondered how exactly to go about obtaining your love object’s fresh urine, you know what I’m talking about. Worry not, I have solved the problem. The next time you do a little hocus pocus, think about using some of these ingredients:

Sandalwood Incense: protection, spirituality, healing, banishing

Myrrh Oil: protection, healing, spirituality, banishing

Quartz Crystal: healing, psychic powers, protection, amplifies thoughts and intentions

Rosemary: protection, love, healing, sleep, mental powers

White Candles: spirituality, purity, invoking

All of these ingredients have been mentioned as being all-purpose. Substitute white candles for any other color, same goes with quartz crystals. Myrrh and sandalwood have a rich and ancient history. They have been used for centuries and are the most trustworthy ingredients. Rosemary was mentioned in Cunningham’s “Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen” as the most versatile plant and a good substitute for almost any herb.

 

More Wilfox Couture witchiness! So cute!

 

 

Spell to Accelerate Spring

A beautiful stargazer lily, one of my favorite flowers.

This Witchy Wednesday entry is a day late do to the fact that I was hiding out in my bedroom and avoiding windows all day. I was trying to pretend the blizzard outside didn’t exist. It’s officially spring and yet the weather gods insisted on dumping a huge pile of snow on Bunnyland (Southern Ontario) yesterday! I seriously have never seen snow like it in my entire life. It snowed ALL DAY LONG. It was snowing when I woke up. It was snowing when I went to sleep. How I felt can only be described by a long string of colorful swears. It prompted me to write this spell:

A Spell to Accelerate Spring

Call on Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers and springtime, and give her an offering (or a bribe… however you choose to look at it.)

The offering could be a spring flower in a vase, festively colored candles, or even a drawing. Put the offering near a window and say:

Flora, I’m tired of this snow,

Bring me Spring, make Winter go.

Additional Information:

Flowers

Tulips, daffodils, or lilacs are best but almost any flower will do. Make sure it is white or brightly colored… think Easter or Ostara pastel colors. Avoid any dark colored flowers. Avoid red roses (because of their overwhelming association with romantic love.)

Candles

Pastel colored or white candles work best.

White is an all-purpose color and sometimes symbolizes rebirth or renewal, perfect for spring.

Yellow symbolizes happiness and sunshine.

Pink symbolizes friendship and non-romantic love.

Light Purple symbolizes healing and intuition.

Light Blue symbolizes calm and relaxation.

Any of these colors or all of them together would work for this spell. Light the candles and burn them all day near a window.

Picture

Draw a picture of spring. Draw green leaves, grass, flowers, baby animals, or whatever else reminds you of spring. Tape it to a window with the picture facing the outdoors.

Happy Bewtiching!

A Spell to Banish Negativity

July 7 2009 Extravaganza – Prediction = True a photo by Pilottage on Flickr.

Who isn’t holding onto some kind of negative energy? Whether it’s the uber critical voice in your head, bad childhood experiences, or an ex-lover you can’t seem to get over, we all harbor negativity in our hearts and minds.

I want to share with you a spell that has helped me in the past. It’s best to do this spell on a full moon. The next one is on March 19th and it’s also a Super Moon, meaning that the moon will be orbiting closer to the earth than usual and will appear bigger and brighter in the sky. It will also have stronger magical energy. So use the Super Moon energy to start this spell off right.

Once you’ve cast the spell, you can return to it any time you’re feeling anxious or negative over the following two weeks. You’ll be working with the moon phase (full moon to new moon) and as the moon wanes and disappears, your negativity will wane and disappear.

A Spell to Banish Negativity:

Light a black candle.

Vent. Unload all of your negative feelings. Write it down, talk to the open air, or cry it out. Take as much time as you need.

When you feel cleansed or less freaked out, say the following out loud or in your head:

“By the power of three times three,
Take this negativity away from me.”

Repeat the rhyme nine times (3×3) and then say:

“So mote it be.”

If you’re new to spell casting or concerned about the spell back firing, here’s a little reassurance:

“This spell will not reverse,
Or place upon me any curse.”

Repeat this phrase until you feel super safe and protected. Then, snuff the candle (if you’ve written your negative feelings down, burn the paper in the candle flame before snuffing it out.)

Dispose of the candle (and burned paper) by burying it outside. Burying the remains of this spell is a symbolic way of “laying to rest” your negative feelings or having them “rest in piece.”