Healing Charms

As I told you a few weeks ago, my co-blogger, Leanne is dealing with some scary health stuff right now.  It was recently discovered that she has a hole in her heart and will have to have open-heart surgery to fix it.  She is understandably frightened by this, but especially so because she has a five month old son.  So not only is she frightened, but she's feeling a bit depressed too.  That is actually a major understatement, but you get my meaning.

Anyway, I decide to write a healing spell and make some charms for her, which I am sharing with you.  Well, the charms anyway.  I decided to keep the spell back, I think it will be more effective that way, and so it won't be making an appearance on this blog unless Leanne wants to share it after her healing has run it's course.

What I found interesting while creating the charms is that they ended up with two-fold purpose: 1) to aid the physical healing (my intent); and, 2) to aid in emotional/spiritual healing (the fun bonus).  So these charms will, I think, help with healing both a physical and metaphorical broken heart!  It was a pleasant surprise to say the least.

Charm 1

 This is a fairly simple knot charm, tied with red string, and in the shape of a Celtic heart.  I'm a big fan of knot charms.  They're quick, their easy, and can be quite beautiful.  For me, the most difficult thing is learning how to do the fancy knots, because you've got to get it tied while concentrating on your intended purpose.  Otherwise, it's just a piece of string knotted prettily.

To make one of these, and to make it magical, you should:

1) Find and prepare your string or cording.  It can be as thin as thread, or as thick as rope.  Silk, linen, hemp, jute, cotton, or something synthetic.  Pick your color, something that radiates your intent.  To me, RED is the color of love, strength, and courage, and while it may not be relaxing, I find it to be healing because of those attributes.  My string is some kind of synthetic, mostly because it's affordable and easy to work with.  I cut it the length I need and scorch the ends.  It's also very forgiving, so I can untie and retie the knots until I have them just right.

2) Learn the knot.  There are so many different things you can do with rope, so many knots you can tie.  This heart knot I thought appropriate for this healing as it represents the part of Leanne's physical body that needs to be healed, also the bits of her spirit that need bolstering, and, well, my love for my best friend.

Practice the knot until you can do it without really thinking about it.  You'll want to concentrate on the healing/bolstering while tying, and don't want to have to break that concentration to figure out how the pattern comes together.  Now, I don't know these knots perfectly and usually have to go over them a couple of times to make myself comfortable with them.  I also still think about the tying of the knot, it's just in the background.

You can learn how to tie this knot here or by watching the video below:

3) Intent.  Think on what you want your outcome to be, write a few lines of spell or prayer and mutter them while tying.  I picture myself capturing wispy bits of love and healing with every turn of the cord, like a knot that traps and holds the wind.  Concentrate on that.  It's a meditation, and outflowing of energy, and a binding of that energy to your will.

4) Combine the above to create the charm.  As simple and as complicated as that.

Charm 2

Another knot charm, this time in the form of a very simple friendship bracelet.  What can I say?  I cam of age in the 90s, and these were all the rage.  It's a simple pattern, just the repetition of two colors of embroidery floss.  These are knots I can tie in my sleep, no reminders necessary.

The colors I chose are true healing colors: blue for calm and patience, and green for physical and emotional healing.  With every knot I tied I focused on calm and healing, hoping to ease my friend's fear and strengthen her body.

The steps are the same as the single knot above, just with more repetition.

You can, if you want, make a far, far more complicated pattern, and if you want to do that I recommend Friendship-Bracelets.net to get an idea of what is possible.  I felt that my simple and familiar rope-like bracelet was fine for my purpose, so that is what I created.  It can also be used as keychain, if the person you're making it for doesn't want to wear it.  Or, of course, it could just be set on a shrine or altar.

Charm 3

I found this little mesh(-ish) bag in my bedroom, the green of new growth, and knew I had to send it to Leanne.  It's another weird synthetic fabric, but, hey, it was free.  I really have no idea where I got it.  I decided to make a little bag filled with healing herbs and this was perfect.

Here's what I put in it:

• 1 bay leaf
• fennel seeds
• mint
• thyme
• dried orange peel
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 bloodstone

I put a little over 1/2 teaspoon of each herb in the bag.  All the herbs are known for their healing capabilities, and the mixture smells divine.

I added the bloodstone because for some reason or another I bought a bunch of bloodstones a few years back, and because it seemed appropriate.  According to one website:

"Bloodstones are also known as stones of courage. It improves physical strength, enhances self-esteem and self-appreciation, and calms anxiousness . . . And it strengthens the heart."

Plus I just like the stone.  It seems to have a calming effect on me, and I thought to pass that on to Leanne.

 Charm 4

This one I like best.

I cut two hearts out of felt.  One I left blank, the other I stitched the word HEAL in Ogham.  Then I glued the two pieces of felt together.  One side represents the whole, healed heart–the ideal; while the other side represents the damaged heart healing–the reality.  I chose Ogham, because I'm studying Irish Polytheism right now, and because I think it looks like stitches.  Again, it seemed appropriate.

If you can't see my photograph well, here's what HEAL looks like in Ogham:

᚛ᚆᚕᚂ᚜

I found this Ogham Transliterator online, which was just so useful.  I'm totally going to use it again.

The most difficult task was choosing what word to stitch onto the heart (though my stitching leaves a lot to be desired, it's not that hard).  In addition to HEAL, I considered HEALING, HEALTH, STRENGTH, HEALTHY, RESTORE, and several others.  HEAL, though, is a command and not a description; ultimately, I felt a command was what was needed in this situation.

So those are the charms I made for Leanne.  Add to their magic by sending healing thoughts her way. I'll post again at the next full moon, and maybe have an update on Leanne.

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. 

                         

River Wishes

Finley River. Ozark, MO.

Take a piece of paper (8.5x11 is fine), preferably paper that is easily biodegradable, with no harmful chemicals added.

Write down your wishes, your dreams, your hopes, things about yourself or your life that you want to change or work on.  Write down your prayers to the gods.

Meditate on what you wrote, the feelings behind it, what you are going to do to pursue these dreams or goals.

When you are clear and calm, and feel that you can go no deeper in your meditation, fold the paper into a little origami boat.

Origami boat tutorial:

Next take your boat to a river or stream.  Place the boat in the river and recite the following*:

This small boat carries my dreams to the sea.
River spirits - kind, beautiful, and strange -
Guide this craft that carries pieces of me
And guide my transmogrifying sea-change.
I'm letting go, the past has no more hold,
My dreams, my wishes, I will now pursue:
Where once I feared change, I will now be bold;
Where once I did lie, I will now be true.
Little boat, as the river makes your way,
I work to shape reality from dream.
Water spirits, sprites, nymphs, and gods, please sway
The magics of rain, river, sea and stream
To facilitate the change in my life
I need to make to live without much strife.

Release your boat in the water, watch as it travels downstream.  Imagine it joining with the next river, and the next, and ultimately with the sea.  See yourself, as you watch your boat, working towards your dreams, working to change yourself to be the person you want to be.  Imagine doing it.  Watch as your boat drifts farther and farther away, and see yourself changing in your mind.  

Say a last farewell to your boat, thank the river spirits, gods, nymphs, sprites, and such.  Get up, and get to work.  The change must come from within you, and all the magic in the world won't help if you don't start pursuing your goals.  Magic doesn't take the place of doing the work, it just makes it easier.  

*Actually, you can recite any small chant you think will help to focus your energies and magic, cementing your path to change within your mind.  I just wanted to write a sonnet.