Plans for the Next Year

By Ken Crawford, Veil Nebula, via Wikimedia Commons

So my goal for this blog in the upcoming (now on us!) year is to publish a post on or about every full moon.  Sometimes rituals, sometimes recipes, and sometimes philosophical thoughts on the nature of magic, the gods, faeries, etc.  Additional posts will be made by myself or Leanne whenever we have time or something interesting to write about.  I also plan on writing short, solitary devotional rituals for the 4 fire festivals, which I will try to get out before the actual day—no promises.

My personal goals, for my own practices of both magic and worship, are, right now, more ethereal.  I plan on starting daily practice of meditation, and morning and evening prayers to my gods.  I'm devoting the next year to learning about Manannán mac Lir (specifically), the Tuatha Dé Danann (generally), and, of course, Hecate (who claimed me first some 20 years ago); so, it's only polite that I offer to them all.  I'm going to figure out a schedule for offerings to the spirits and faeries, as well—I'm thinking bimonthly, but haven't made any definitive decisions yet.  All this will start in February with Lá Fhéile Bríde (Imbolc), which is when I plan to formally start my studies.

Beyond all that, I'm hoping to find the time to study ceremonial magic.  I've always been more comfortable with hedge- and kitchen-witchery, small spells, fairly simple, but lately I've been finding the need to change the way my brain operates, the way I see the world, and I've been reading John Michael Greer's Well of Galabes blog and really digging what he's saying.  So I bought—a while back—his book The Celtic Golden Dawn and it seems interesting.  I think I can learn something from it, so I'm planning on following the lessons and incorporating what works for me into my magical practice.

In another effort to rewire my brain, I'm going to study two languages: Mandarin Chinese, because I think it's beautiful, and I took 3 years of it as an undergraduate, and I'd like to work on my proficiency—which is sadly lacking after several years of nonuse; and, Gaeilge (Irish), because I've always wanted to learn it, and it seems appropriate right now considering what I'm about to step into. Language is a powerful thing.  Words are powerful.  Learning a new language will help me look at the world with a different view, I think.  Anyway, it'll be fun and I've been bored since getting my Master's degree and I can't afford right now to go after my PhD.

So those are my plans.  They will require more time studying and less TV, which I think is a very good thing.  Once I figure out my daily practices I'll create a post or a page here outlining them, and then, occasionally, I'll write about my experiences—successes and failures.

Expect a post at the next full moon!

Happy New Year, everybody!

Update: News, Plans, and Other Likely Stories

Miranda–The Tempest, John William Waterhouse via Wikimedia Commons

I can't believe that it's been six months since either of us has posted anything!  Seriously, I started this blog with the express purpose of posting at least something once a month.  Leanne expressed to me the same desire.  Life, it seems, had other ideas.  Leanne spent those months preparing for and then welcoming her son to the world.¹  While I, like the ship in the picture, spent my time crashing against the rocks with a major case of burnout that ultimately cost me a job; granted, it was only a part time job, but since my other job is also part time I'm feeling the damage.  We've had no time for magic, is what I'm saying.  Or recording our magical practices, anyway.  More's the pity.

That, however, is changing.  I don't know about Leanne, because babies take a lot of time and effort, but I am planning on posting more.  I've promised my gods that I will observe all the Celtic Fire Festivals (Lá Fhéile Bride [Imbolc], Lá Bealtaine [Bealtaine], Lá Lúnasa [Lughnasa], and Oíche Shamhna [Samhain]) and I'm thinking I'll probably celebrate the solstices and equinoxes as well.  Everybody like a party.  I will record my ritual doings here.  As well as any major or minor magical happenings in between.

My religious leanings–polytheistic–have been pushing me more towards a more devotional practice, and towards Irish reconstruction and the Celtic pantheon.  I've been dreaming of Manannán mac Lir for months now, and, more recently, Brigid.  This change of perception requires a boatload of research, practice, and patience.  I will likely post articles about my path and what stumbles befall me.  It should be interesting.  Also, if you're interested, I've constructed an eShrine for Manannán (and Hecate and Bendis) over on Tumblr.  Check it out.

In addition to spells and rituals, and witchery of all types, I'm hoping to add poetry, prayers, stories, and songs.  I'd also like to add more reference pages/posts, which, I think, will come in handy on my journey, and will hopefully be helpful to our readers as well.  So keep an eye out for posts on: gods, gems/stones, the fair folk, plants/herbs, tools, shrines/altars, divination, and whatever else we think of.  Though, likely, those posts won't come any time soon.  There are a lot of changes happening in our lives, Leanne's and mine, in a lot of ways we're both having to rebuild from major upheavals, so please be patient!  We'll get this blog rolling again soon.

¹Cutest baby boy in the world, her son!  Not cutest baby in the world, as that title currently belongs to my brother's new daughter. ;)  I'm an aunt twice over (kith-aunt & kin-aunt)!  So exciting. 

What I'll be doing on the 31st of July

by M. Gage.  The logo is a highly stylized symbol of Ba'al.

I'll be participating in the Polytheist Day of Protest and Remembrance.  This is a mass ritual cooked up by Galina Krasskova, and posted on her personal website and polytheist.com.  It is meant as a remembrance of and protest against the destruction of ancient and holy sites by Daesh.

Check out the ritual and join me.

Gemstones For The Nursery

With a baby on the way, I have been thinking of ways to add some magic to the nursery. A simple and beautiful way to bring specific energies into the space is through the use of gemstones. The following are the gemstones that are especially helpful in the nursery.


ROSE QUARTZ

Polished rose quartz in heart shapes.

Rose quartz just may be the most beneficial stone to keep in the baby's room (or sleep space). She is the "Stone of Love", providing comfort and reassurance as well as deep inner healing. Attracting the energy of love and removing negativity while restoring peace, Rose Quartz is my number one choice for my son's nursery.

HOWLITE

Howlite

Howlite is a beautiful and unique looking stone. The "Stone of Tranquility", it is a perfect helper for a baby having trouble sleeping through the night. This stone is also known for its ability to eliminate stress, a bonus for sleep deprived parents!

FLUORITE

Purple and green Fluorite.

Such a gorgeous gem that comes in a variety of colors! Fluorite fits right in the nursery with its ability to bring strength and protection during transition; and what bigger transition is there than the move from womb to Earth? Fluorite stabilizes energy and brings order to chaos. 

LAPIS LAZULI

Lapis Lazuli.

A stone that was sacred to Buddha, Lapis Lazuli is my personal favorite, and therefore will have a place in my son's nursery. The "Stone of Protection and Enlightenment", Lapis assists with spiritual growth. Mentally calming, bringing serenity, it also enhances dreams. 

BLOODSTONE (HELIOTROPE)

Bloodstone also known as Heliotrope.

What a special stone! Bloodstone, or Christ's Stone, carries the purity of blood and speaks of life and birth. Its virtues are protective and nurturing. Legend tells that the blood of Jesus fell upon the green earth during crucifixion turning to stone. Connected to blood and detoxification of the organs, heliotrope brings strength and life force! This stone is a Mother Goddess stone, it assists in the bonding process after a traumatic birth. A good stone to keep close to baby who may have had a rough go at the start of life. 

May these stones enhance your baby's nursery, or your home in general. A word of caution; when your child begins to grow and put things in her mouth, do not leave small gemstones in easy to reach places. Such beautiful stones can easily be mistaken for tasty food! 

~ Love & Light ~

Cleansing and Purification

Elakala Falls. Forest Wanderer.

I think it's important to regularly cleanse and purify not only your sacred and mundane spaces, but your mind, body, and spirit as well.  Imbolc, which occurs on roughly the second of February marks the start of spring cleaning for me, and though I didn't write or perform an Imbolc ritual this year (which I totally meant to do) what follows is at least part of the purification process involved in my usual Imbolc rituals.

Cleansing and purification is important way to renew and rejuvenate.  By removing the negative energies that bog down your spirit, and cleaning your home of clutter and filth that exhaust your mind and body, you open yourself to the possibility of new beginnings and positive change.

Salt, Water, & Fire

These are the base of all of my cleansing and purification rituals/spells

Dead Sea Salt. Hassan Bushnaq.

Salt

Salt has been used for thousands of years by cultures all over the world for purification purposes.  According to folklore salt purifies and repels evil beings and negative energies, which makes it perfect for our purposes.  

Water

Water is the universal cleansing element.  It is what we use to wash ourselves, our homes, our world.  Water is connected to the moon and the divine feminine.

Fire

Fire is a purifying element.  Both destructive and creative, without which we could not be.  Our world would not be here, not as it is.  Fire is connected to the divine masculine and the sun.

Herbal Sea Salt Scrub for Self-Cleansing Ritual

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sea salt 
• 1/2 cup of jojoba oil 
• 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary 
• ~15 drops of rosemary essential oil 

Mix the salt and oil, stir well.  Add the rosemary, stir again.  Add the essential oil, stir again.  Put it in a wide mouth container for easy use.  Use.  

Fire from a brazier. Erin Silversmith.

[Notes: (1) The dried herbs and scent are totally optional.  (2) The coarseness of the salt will affect different people differently, so experiment.  I find that a coarse sea salt is great for my body, and the finer dead sea salt is wonderful on my face.  (3) Instead of jojoba oil you can you can use grapeseed, almond, coconut, or whatever type of oil you prefer.  (4) You can replace the rosemary and rosemary essential oil with any of the other cleansing herbs (i.e. lavender, sage, chamomile, hyssop, lemon balm, peppermint, etc) or you can remove it entirely!]

To use in a shower:

Light some candles to add the element of fire to the room while you bathe.  Burn incense if you wish.  PrepareWash yourself with soap and rinse off.  Turn off the water in the shower, if you use the scrub with the water running it'll rinse off before you're full scrubbed down.  Scrub you body head to toe with the salt scrub until you can no longer feel the salt.  Be gentle with yourself.  If you have a partner let them scrub your hard to reach places.  Turn the water back on and rinse off. 

To use in a bath:

Basically the same.  Only I'd drain the tub between washing and the scrub, and use a pitcher or hand shower to make sure I'm fully rinsed.

Visualization for the cleansing:

Focus on the warmth of the water, the coarseness of the scrub.  Picture all the negativity, all your troubles and worries being washed away, swept down the drain and out towards the sea.  See your mind, body, and spirit being purified.  Find that glow from within and strengthen it.  

To Purify a Space

Clean the room.  Pick up the clutter.  Dust, take down the drapes, beat the pillows, change the sheets or slipcovers, sweep or vacuum.  Move in a deosil or clockwise direction while cleaning, at least as much as possible.  When the room is clean in the more mundane sense, set small bowls of salt or salt water in the corners of the room.  Allow the bowls to stand for 24 hours before removing from the room and discarding the contents.  Additionally, you can mix water, salt, and cleansing herbs to asperge the room:  walk around deosil around the room and sprinkle the mixture while you walk.  You can also smudge the room with burning herbs or incense.  I usually use a mix of all three.

2015: Year Of The Sheep

The Year Of The Sheep begins February 18, 2015. After a fast paced, no holds barred, Year Of The Horse; the sheep brings a sense of calm and a more "Zen" pace to 2015. The horse was about DOING, while sheep is about CONTEMPLATING. This is a perfect year to start up that meditation practice you've been meaning to begin. 

Sheep are agile and expert mountain climbers. In 2015 we will have a sense of being grounded and sure footed in the direction we choose to go. Sheep literally cannot walk backward, and this is symbolic of the forward momentum we will continue to carry through into 2015 as we exit the Year Of The Horse. The difference in the momentum of the sheep is that it is slow and steady as opposed to fast and risky like the horse. 

Sheep correlates to the zodiac sign Cancer; the mother and nurturer. Family and close friends are important. Focusing on these relationships will be fruitful. 

A big theme we see for sheep is creativity! Dig deep and express your creative side. This is the year for art, imagination, dreaming, and cultivating beauty. 

Look forward to a calm and peaceful year full of creativity and beauty shared with family and friends. 

FOR THE ALTAR:

- A sheep figurine

- images that inspire creativity

- photos of family and friends or people you want to strengthen your relationship with

- rose quartz for love, peace and tranquility

NEW YEAR OFFERING:

Fill a bowl with the old, expired herbal teas in your cupboard. Stir the teas to blend them together. Take the bowl to a place where you can give them back to the earth; a secluded area of your yard, a river or even a compost pile. Hold the bowl between your hands and say:

"Out with the old, In with the new.

Mother Earth, these herbs I offer you.

The Horse brought us lessons and blessings,

laughter and pain.

Let the Sheep bring us peace, love, 

and nothing but gain. 

So be it."

Sprinkle the herbs on the Earth as an offering. 

Prosperity Spell

This simple spell will draw prosperity and abundance to you in 2015.


Supplies:

~ Images of your desires
~ Two small gold or yellow candles
~ a lighter or matches
~ Jade gemstone (or any green talisman)
~ Bergamot oil (or essential oil of your choice)

The Spell:


To begin, find a quiet space with a small table to perform the spell. If you have an altar this is ideal. First, place several images that represent prosperity on your table or work space. These images could be of money, destinations you wish to travel to, your dream home, job, car, images of happy couples, families or babies if you are wishing for children. Draw your images or cut them from magazines or print them off of the internet. After arranging your prosperity images, set two gold candles on the altar, one on the right, one on the left. Place your jade gemstone in the center between the candles and set the bergamot oil near the stone.

Dim the lights if you are indoors and sit before your altar in a comfortable position. Close your eyes and take several deep cleansing breaths.

After you are in a calm and clear state, open your eyes and light the candle to your left, as you do so say the following:

                       Money, love, and happiness,
                        Beauty in all I see.
                        A world of joy and adventure,
                        Where ecstasy is free.


Next, light the candle to your right and say:
     
                         This year I see full of magic,
                          I now possess the key.
                          I shall want for nothing,
                          So mote it be.

Now take the bergamot oil or the oil you have selected and anoint the jade gemstone or talisman with several drops. Rub the oil into the stone and then cup it in your hands. Bring the stone to your nose, inhaling the bergamot oil while staring at the images of prosperity you have placed on your altar. Spend as much time as feels good visualizing yourself happy and living your ideal life. When you can feel yourself in a mindset of prosperity, place the stone back on the altar and blow out the candles. 

It is done.

Repeat this spell as often as you like, and re-visit your prosperity images frequently. You may also choose to wear the bergamot oil or carry the jade stone with you as a reminder to be grateful for all the Universe has provided to you and to be an open channel to the prosperity and abundance headed your way.