This is a time for Magic.
In the calendar system, this moon may often be known as the the Blessing Moon in reference to the blessings of the sacred marriages of earth and sky, or dark and light, or the King and Queen of summer.
In many other belief systems there are already time-honored traditions for the establishment of a calendar.
In the Celtic Tree Calendar the name of this moon is Duir (Oak) which runs from June 10th to July 7th.
The Runic Calendar of Nordic traditions, (which is governed by half months rather than full months), divides this moon of the year by Odal (Home or Heritage) from May 29th through June 13th, and Dag (Daylight) from June 14th through June 28th.
The Goddess Calendar names this moon of the year after Hera and runs from May 16th through June 12th.
The American Backwoods Calendar refers to this moon of the year as the Hot Moon or the Strawberry Moon and is determined by whichever full moon falls in June.
However this moon is known to you, as the Hot Moon, the Strawberry Moon, or the Honey Moon, it will surely be known in some ways that call to mind the first honey dripping from wild hives, or the sweet ripeness of fruit orchards because this moon is the moon of ripening fullness.
In many cultures and in many beliefs, this is seen as the time in the Wheel of the Year when the goddess in her mature aspect of Earth Mother, is wed to the god in his mature aspect of Summer King. Together they will reign over this peaceful season of growth and abundance.
This is a time of maturing development when the greatest power of summer will be revealed on the Summer Solstice as the longest day of the year signifies light overcoming darkness.
It is said that on the eve of the Summer Solstice, when the shortest night of the year yields to the longest day, the veil between the fairy world and this world is stretched thinnest and so springs the belief that all wishes are granted on midsummer.
So, with all that information to guide you, it may be that you see this moon as the doorway of the year which opens to the power of light and the beneficial growth and expansion associated with the longest days of the year.
If you select a personal name for this moon, allow it to be one that calls to mind the rich fullness of fruit ripening on the vines and the heady sweetness of a season in which all desires may come to fruition and all wishes may be granted.
The Blessing Chant
May the powers of The One,
the source of all creation;
all-pervasive, omnipotent, eternal;
may the Goddess, the Lady of the Moon;
and the God,Horned Hunter of the Sun;
may the powers of the Spirits of the Stones,
rulers of the elemental realms;
may the powers of the stars above and the Earth below,
bless this place, and this time, and all who are with you.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Ribbon Magic
The age-old tradition of playing with colored ribbons and tying them in knots is rooted in folk magic.
Ribbons are a basic ingredient of most spells, and ribbon magic is one of the simplest ways to literally weave magic. Ribbons are easy to obtain, and it is worth buying a variety of different colored ones for use. An old custom that still persists into modern times is the Maypole---men, women and children hold colored ribbons and dance between each other, weaving them together in a fertility rite to ensure good harvests.
Healing Waters
Tying colored ribbons to trees near ancient springs or lakes honors the healing spirits of the waters and so represents a wish that these healing spirits will cure an ailment.
Tying knots
A knot secures something, be it a shoe or a boat. In magic, knots fix your spell and focus your intent. To secure your wishes, repeat your intent every time you tie a knot.
Binding (protection)
Just as ribbons bind your hair, protecting it from the wind or dirt, they also bind negative influences and prevent them from affecting you.
Timing
If you have allowed a time frame for the spell to work in, be sure not to untie any knots in the ribbon before this time.
Wearing Ribbons
For a period of time prior to casting your spell, wear your ribbon in your hair or on a belt loop. This charges it with your own energy, increasing the power being put into the spell.
Storage
When you've performed your ribbon spell, be sure to keep the ribbon somewhere safe. Wrapping it in a piece of natural silk is ideal.
Ribbons are a basic ingredient of most spells, and ribbon magic is one of the simplest ways to literally weave magic. Ribbons are easy to obtain, and it is worth buying a variety of different colored ones for use. An old custom that still persists into modern times is the Maypole---men, women and children hold colored ribbons and dance between each other, weaving them together in a fertility rite to ensure good harvests.
Healing Waters
Tying colored ribbons to trees near ancient springs or lakes honors the healing spirits of the waters and so represents a wish that these healing spirits will cure an ailment.
Weaving Magic with Your Ribbons
Tying knots
A knot secures something, be it a shoe or a boat. In magic, knots fix your spell and focus your intent. To secure your wishes, repeat your intent every time you tie a knot.
Binding (protection)
Just as ribbons bind your hair, protecting it from the wind or dirt, they also bind negative influences and prevent them from affecting you.
Timing
If you have allowed a time frame for the spell to work in, be sure not to untie any knots in the ribbon before this time.
Wearing Ribbons
For a period of time prior to casting your spell, wear your ribbon in your hair or on a belt loop. This charges it with your own energy, increasing the power being put into the spell.
Storage
When you've performed your ribbon spell, be sure to keep the ribbon somewhere safe. Wrapping it in a piece of natural silk is ideal.
Basic Ribbon Spells
Attraction Spells
Spells to attract a partner are frequently done with ribbons. Use two ribbons to bind yourselves together.
1. Male/Female
Take two ribbons, one red (male) and one white or pink (female).
2. Weaving Together
Weave the two ribbons together while visualizing the desired partner coming into your life and their path entwining with yours.
3. Added Magic
Use complementary candles and essential oils to anoint the ribbons, such as rose oil for a woman and frankincense for a man.
Weave your ribbons together to symbolize your life and your lover's becoming entwined. Rub romantic oils into your plaited ribbon to strengthen the magic associations with love.
Spells to attract a partner are frequently done with ribbons. Use two ribbons to bind yourselves together.
1. Male/Female
Take two ribbons, one red (male) and one white or pink (female).
2. Weaving Together
Weave the two ribbons together while visualizing the desired partner coming into your life and their path entwining with yours.
3. Added Magic
Use complementary candles and essential oils to anoint the ribbons, such as rose oil for a woman and frankincense for a man.
Weave your ribbons together to symbolize your life and your lover's becoming entwined. Rub romantic oils into your plaited ribbon to strengthen the magic associations with love.
Ribbon Colors
Use the magic of color to find the most appropriate ribbon for strengthening your spell.
White-- purity, healing, blessing, wisdom, innocence.
Red-- energy, passion, vitality, willpower, success.
Orange-- creativity, prosperity, emotional strength.
Yellow-- mental power, wealth, communication, travel.
Green-- growth, fertility, harmony.
Light blue-- healing, serenity, peace, security.
Dark blue-- success in long-term plans, clarity
Purple-- spiritual development, luck, psychic abilities.
Pink-- gentle love, romance, friendship, tranquility.
Brown-- grounding, stability, endurance.
Black-- binding, depression, absorbing negativity.
White-- purity, healing, blessing, wisdom, innocence.
Red-- energy, passion, vitality, willpower, success.
Orange-- creativity, prosperity, emotional strength.
Yellow-- mental power, wealth, communication, travel.
Green-- growth, fertility, harmony.
Light blue-- healing, serenity, peace, security.
Dark blue-- success in long-term plans, clarity
Purple-- spiritual development, luck, psychic abilities.
Pink-- gentle love, romance, friendship, tranquility.
Brown-- grounding, stability, endurance.
Black-- binding, depression, absorbing negativity.
Number of Knots
(1) The number of unity. For focus, single-mindedness, acceptance.
(2) The number of duality. Balance in partnerships and relationships.
(3) Number of Saturn. For solidity, timing, acceptance.
(4) Number of Jupiter. For dealing with authority, general health.
(5) Number of Mars. For energy, passion, courage, willpower.
(6) Number of the Sun. For success, wealth, charisma.
(7) Number of Venus. For love, fertility, emotional growth.
(8) Number of Mercury. For mental clarity, healing, communication.
(9) Number of the Moon. For the emotions, tides, glamour.
(10) Number of the Earth. For endurance, perseverance and grounding.
Remember to repeat your intent every time you tie a knot to secure your wishes, and be sure not to untie any knots in the ribbon before enough time had passed for your spell to work properly. A couple of minutes is usually not sufficient, some spells and magical workings require days or weeks to complete. It is sometimes best to start on the night of a new moon and allow the knots to remain until the full moon in order to get the best affect for your spellwork.
(2) The number of duality. Balance in partnerships and relationships.
(3) Number of Saturn. For solidity, timing, acceptance.
(4) Number of Jupiter. For dealing with authority, general health.
(5) Number of Mars. For energy, passion, courage, willpower.
(6) Number of the Sun. For success, wealth, charisma.
(7) Number of Venus. For love, fertility, emotional growth.
(8) Number of Mercury. For mental clarity, healing, communication.
(9) Number of the Moon. For the emotions, tides, glamour.
(10) Number of the Earth. For endurance, perseverance and grounding.
Remember to repeat your intent every time you tie a knot to secure your wishes, and be sure not to untie any knots in the ribbon before enough time had passed for your spell to work properly. A couple of minutes is usually not sufficient, some spells and magical workings require days or weeks to complete. It is sometimes best to start on the night of a new moon and allow the knots to remain until the full moon in order to get the best affect for your spellwork.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Casting Simple Candle Spells
The light and warmth of a candles' flame is one of our most powerful connections to fire--the element of creativity, life and health.
Remember the first time you made a wish as you blew out the candles on a birthday cake? As a child you believed your wish would come true and had an innocent faith that something magical would happen. You probably didn't realize it, but as you visualized the end result (made a wish), concentrated upon it (blew out the candles), and hoped your wish would be granted, you were casting your very first candle spell.
Getting Started
Candle magic is very simple---but highly effective. From the tea lights that warm your essential oil burner, to the romantic candles on your dinner table, you probably have everything you need in your house already. All that needs to be added is the knowledge of how to choose the appropriated candle for your purpose and how to use it to weave magic.
Choosing the Appropriate Color
As candles give out light, their power lies partially in the visual realm of the color spectrum . As colors have strong magical associations, choosing these the appropriate one for your candle can help to strengthen the power of your wish.
Red-- passion, energy, vitality, success
Orange-- stimulation, courage, creativity, prosperity
Yellow-- change, mental strength, travel
Green-- fertility, harmony in relationships, money
Light Blue-- healing, spiritual harmony, peace
Dark Blue-- removal of obstacles, long-term issues
Purple-- good luck fortune, legal matters
Pink-- friendship, love loyalty, romance.
Black-- absorption of negativity, depression, and other dark states
Casting Your First Simple Candle Spell
1. Choose your candle
Choose the candle most suited to your wish. Before you start, make sure you will not be disturbed.
2. Set your intent
Decide on the exact wording of your wish. This is known as your "intent" and focuses your mind on exactly what you are asking for.
3. Get it straight
You can write your intent down, speak it aloud, or just think it silently.
4. Meditate
Light your candle and sit quietly beside it, contemplating your wish.
5. Focus on your wish
As your candle burns down, visualize the energy of your will being released by the candle flame.
6. Release your intent
If you wrote your wish down, at this stage you should hold the piece of paper it's written on in the candle flame, until it has completely burned away.
7. Bind your spell
To "bind" your spell, you may wish to recite a suitable incantation: "I call on Earth to heed my spell. Air to speed its passage well. Bright as fire shall this spell glow. Deep as tide of water flow. By my will, this spell is done." Say this out loud or recite it silently.
8. Finish the rite
Some traditions discourage blowing out candles, as it can scatter the power of the spell. If you can do so safely, it is best to allow the candle to burn itself out. If you cannot, extinguish the flame using a snuffer or cup placed directly over the flame of the candle until it goes out. Keep your wish secret, and make sure to keep a journal of your magickal workings so you can track your spell's success!
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