Just in case you wanted some proof that I am, indeed, writing more articles for you, one has been added to the Maiden section. You will also find a lot of links that go to unwritten articles, or no where at all. This will save me time later, I'm sorry about how annoying links that go no where are right now.
For the record, I do plan to supplement the articles with pictures in the future. So much is in motion in my life right now that taking pictures is in the far future. But, the time will come, and I hope you'll be patient with me about it!
30 December 2007
25 December 2007
Full Cold Moon
The Cold Moon, also sometimes called the Long Nights Moon, is so named because of the long, cold nights of midwinter. Yule isn't actually the first day of winter. Meteorologically, we're about half way through.
Yesterday, the middle day of the three day full moon cycle, was the most opportune moment for me to begin a spell that will be unfinished until the moon waxes again.
This is actually a simple candle spell, I had originally intended for it to be a seven day spell - I tend to have much success with those - but the timing was not quite right. Spell work is really like anything you do; you get out of it what you put into it. A spell that gets completed over the course of several days becomes more effective because it is focused for a longer period of time.
I began by clearing my altar, and setting it to the north (where I normally start in the east). I placed two candles upon it, a green one for monetary prosperity, and an orange one for a successful endeavour. I cleansed and charged each candle with Reiki while thinking about my purpose and what I hope to obtain. I lit the wicks, the green one on the left first, and sat before my candles in meditation. About an hour of this concentration about what I wanted to draw to me was all I could hold, so I snuffed the candles and went to bed.
They will remain on my altar until the new moon, when I will light them again and meditate until they burn out. My goal is to finish at the next full moon and therefore come full circle. During the waning period, I will be physically putting my desire into motion. Even if you trust your spellwork, you should never just perform a spell. If you want money, for example, a great big wad of cash is not going to fall out of the sky and into your lap. You have to take action; mind your spending, work overtime, whatever you need to do to help things along. That money you're looking for will come in a natural way, but it won't come at all if you're not doing anything to encourage it.
Yesterday, the middle day of the three day full moon cycle, was the most opportune moment for me to begin a spell that will be unfinished until the moon waxes again.
This is actually a simple candle spell, I had originally intended for it to be a seven day spell - I tend to have much success with those - but the timing was not quite right. Spell work is really like anything you do; you get out of it what you put into it. A spell that gets completed over the course of several days becomes more effective because it is focused for a longer period of time.
I began by clearing my altar, and setting it to the north (where I normally start in the east). I placed two candles upon it, a green one for monetary prosperity, and an orange one for a successful endeavour. I cleansed and charged each candle with Reiki while thinking about my purpose and what I hope to obtain. I lit the wicks, the green one on the left first, and sat before my candles in meditation. About an hour of this concentration about what I wanted to draw to me was all I could hold, so I snuffed the candles and went to bed.
They will remain on my altar until the new moon, when I will light them again and meditate until they burn out. My goal is to finish at the next full moon and therefore come full circle. During the waning period, I will be physically putting my desire into motion. Even if you trust your spellwork, you should never just perform a spell. If you want money, for example, a great big wad of cash is not going to fall out of the sky and into your lap. You have to take action; mind your spending, work overtime, whatever you need to do to help things along. That money you're looking for will come in a natural way, but it won't come at all if you're not doing anything to encourage it.
22 December 2007
Bright Yule!
The solstices and equinoxes can sometimes be hard to plan. The dates change every year, you see, but as long as your ritual takes place somewhat nearby, it makes little difference what day it happens. It just so happens that the solstice will begin in less than half an hour; the official start is 0108 today.
The Yule ritual celebrates the re-birth of the sun god. To the ancient peoples, it probably did seem like the sun was dying in winter, until it suddenly started growing again. There is a reason why so many light and birth festivals occur during this time of year.
My ritual was simply a celebration. With my Yule log burning in the fireplace, I set my altar before it. In the center, I placed my altar cloth. This was my very first one, that has a pentacle, a special rune, and symbols for the four directions embroidered on it in spring colors. The symbols for the directions did not line up for this purpose, so I folded them out of the way. My Yule log served to represent fire in the south well enough. To the east, I set an incense burner, and lit the stick from the Yule log. It was interesting to watch the smoke from my incense go right up the flue. In the west was a silver chalice with water. This is also where I placed my wand on its stand, as I knew I would be facing south for most of this and I am right handed. In the front was a small glass holder with three pieces of moonstone to represent earth. Those pieces have an ironic significance that I may explain later.
I cast my circle and called the quarters. Then I lit a black candle from the Yule log and placed it in a holder on the pentacle. This candle symbolizes the end of the sun's travels. When it had burnt out, I threw the wax stub on to the Yule log. The log burned with new life, a representation of the new length of daylight to come. I contemplated this dark time, and the things I need to leave behind to move into the light of the coming season as the log burned.
When it had reduced itself to a pile of glowing coals, I dismissed the quarters and opened my circle. The water was offered to the Earth in libation. When the morning comes, I will clear my altar and light a single gold candle to represent the return of the sun. Sometime during the course of the day, I will collect the ashes from my Yule log for later use. (Among other things, they are said to be quite magickal!)
I hope this Yule found everyone warm and ready to rejoice with the soon return of spring.
The Yule ritual celebrates the re-birth of the sun god. To the ancient peoples, it probably did seem like the sun was dying in winter, until it suddenly started growing again. There is a reason why so many light and birth festivals occur during this time of year.
My ritual was simply a celebration. With my Yule log burning in the fireplace, I set my altar before it. In the center, I placed my altar cloth. This was my very first one, that has a pentacle, a special rune, and symbols for the four directions embroidered on it in spring colors. The symbols for the directions did not line up for this purpose, so I folded them out of the way. My Yule log served to represent fire in the south well enough. To the east, I set an incense burner, and lit the stick from the Yule log. It was interesting to watch the smoke from my incense go right up the flue. In the west was a silver chalice with water. This is also where I placed my wand on its stand, as I knew I would be facing south for most of this and I am right handed. In the front was a small glass holder with three pieces of moonstone to represent earth. Those pieces have an ironic significance that I may explain later.
I cast my circle and called the quarters. Then I lit a black candle from the Yule log and placed it in a holder on the pentacle. This candle symbolizes the end of the sun's travels. When it had burnt out, I threw the wax stub on to the Yule log. The log burned with new life, a representation of the new length of daylight to come. I contemplated this dark time, and the things I need to leave behind to move into the light of the coming season as the log burned.
When it had reduced itself to a pile of glowing coals, I dismissed the quarters and opened my circle. The water was offered to the Earth in libation. When the morning comes, I will clear my altar and light a single gold candle to represent the return of the sun. Sometime during the course of the day, I will collect the ashes from my Yule log for later use. (Among other things, they are said to be quite magickal!)
I hope this Yule found everyone warm and ready to rejoice with the soon return of spring.
14 December 2007
When the Time is Right
Many years ago, I lost touch with a very dear friend. I have tried all manner of ways to locate her, including old e-mail addresses, searching known aliases, and having a contact at the Census Bureau look up her last known address. She has a rather uncommon first name and a very common last name, you would think she'd be easy to track down. Alas, there has never been a response to any of my letters or e-mails.
I wrote a spell to attempt to get in touch with her again. In my case, it's simple because my address and phone number have not changed since I knew her.
You need some paper, a writing utensil, and an envelope. You can add whatever other tools you want to this mix; the simple way includes a cauldron and a candle. I used the brick fireplace in the house.
Cast your circle, sit comfortably, and write your friend a letter. Write it like you would if you were going to send it in the mail. Tell her everything you want to tell her; catch up on old times, give me a call, anything. When you are done writing, seal it in the envelope. I embellished mine with a wax seal. Then, light your letter in the candle flame, and place it in the cauldron to burn out (or toss it into the fire in the fire place). As it burns, see your words rise up with the smoke, to be caught by the wind and carried to your absent friend. Know that she will hear your words. Whether she acts upon them is up to her.
While Esbats are reserved for spellworking, you don't have to wait for an Esbat for all spell working. The time just happened to be right for me to do this last night. There was a fire in the hearth and the rest of the house had gone to bed, so I was not disturbing anyone. We had left the fire to die down on its own. The waxing moon was also just fine to carry a message (it may make sense if you think of your message as traveling to your friend, just as the moon is traveling to fullness). The brick fireplace is also on a South wall, the direction of fire, making it very appropriate as this spell taps the energy and determination of fire.
I wrote my letter and placed it on the log. I felt the heat as the paper burned, I could see my message being carried up the flue to the wind outside that would take it to my friend. Whether she contacts me or not, I know she will get my message and know I am thinking about her.
I wrote a spell to attempt to get in touch with her again. In my case, it's simple because my address and phone number have not changed since I knew her.
You need some paper, a writing utensil, and an envelope. You can add whatever other tools you want to this mix; the simple way includes a cauldron and a candle. I used the brick fireplace in the house.
Cast your circle, sit comfortably, and write your friend a letter. Write it like you would if you were going to send it in the mail. Tell her everything you want to tell her; catch up on old times, give me a call, anything. When you are done writing, seal it in the envelope. I embellished mine with a wax seal. Then, light your letter in the candle flame, and place it in the cauldron to burn out (or toss it into the fire in the fire place). As it burns, see your words rise up with the smoke, to be caught by the wind and carried to your absent friend. Know that she will hear your words. Whether she acts upon them is up to her.
While Esbats are reserved for spellworking, you don't have to wait for an Esbat for all spell working. The time just happened to be right for me to do this last night. There was a fire in the hearth and the rest of the house had gone to bed, so I was not disturbing anyone. We had left the fire to die down on its own. The waxing moon was also just fine to carry a message (it may make sense if you think of your message as traveling to your friend, just as the moon is traveling to fullness). The brick fireplace is also on a South wall, the direction of fire, making it very appropriate as this spell taps the energy and determination of fire.
I wrote my letter and placed it on the log. I felt the heat as the paper burned, I could see my message being carried up the flue to the wind outside that would take it to my friend. Whether she contacts me or not, I know she will get my message and know I am thinking about her.
07 December 2007
Page-o-Links
I have added a few choice websites to my links page, for your viewing enjoyment. These include stores that I know and trust, a few popular pagan-related sites, general reference sites, and a couple sites that aren't necessarily pagan oriented, but may have some interest nonetheless.
This list of sites may be expanded as I see fit. There are certainly more sites and stores out there than what I have listed, but I will not link anything unless I am familiar with what I am linking in some way.
Unfortunately, I have come across a few sites (online stores, mostly) that I simply can't support due to their lack of service or less than professional manner. These sites won't be pointed to at all, but I mention the existence of them here so you will know that some things are purposefully excluded. If they are not linked, that does not mean they are not worthy of your business. Please use your own judgement when deciding to trust any Internet store or information site.
There has also been one added FAQ in relation to links.
For those who are keeping up, my cat has improved greatly. I brought her to the regular DVM last Saturday, who altered the medication she was to take. Her limp is almost completely gone as of this evening.
This list of sites may be expanded as I see fit. There are certainly more sites and stores out there than what I have listed, but I will not link anything unless I am familiar with what I am linking in some way.
Unfortunately, I have come across a few sites (online stores, mostly) that I simply can't support due to their lack of service or less than professional manner. These sites won't be pointed to at all, but I mention the existence of them here so you will know that some things are purposefully excluded. If they are not linked, that does not mean they are not worthy of your business. Please use your own judgement when deciding to trust any Internet store or information site.
There has also been one added FAQ in relation to links.
For those who are keeping up, my cat has improved greatly. I brought her to the regular DVM last Saturday, who altered the medication she was to take. Her limp is almost completely gone as of this evening.
27 November 2007
For Anyone Who Wishes to Know
My cat did get to see a doctor yesterday, though it was not our regular doctor. After some prodding and a few x-rays, it has been determined that she is suffering a flair-up of osteoarthritis. In addition to the medication given by the doctor, her Reiki sessions will continue.
Remember, no matter how much healing work you do or how much faith you have in its success, never use your work as a substitution for seeking and following the advice of a professional.
Remember, no matter how much healing work you do or how much faith you have in its success, never use your work as a substitution for seeking and following the advice of a professional.
25 November 2007
Beaver Moon
My original plan for this Esbat was to do a cleaning ritual to help me clean up some of the clutter in the physical space I live in. Circumstances beyond my control forced a different kind of ritual upon me.
One of my cats woke up yesterday morning limping. I'm sure she did not injure herself through the night while she was sleeping with me (I'm not the kind of person who flails about in sleep). Her favoring of her left back leg did not improve during the course of the day. So, my Esbat plan changed.
I gathered my supplies, and made sure the cat was on her pillow where she often sleeps, not laying on that side that was hurting her. I gathered my last brown candle, brown being the color of animal healing, my special healing wand, a fluorite pendulum, and some ritual incense. I prepared my ritual bath, which is just a literal cleansing before your ritual. I have special soaps that have been made and given to me for pre-ritual use.
I set the candle and had the wand nearby and cast my circle around us. I lit the candle, and directed the healing energy with the wand to the cat. When I had visualized that to my satisfaction, I took out the pendulum. I was trying to identify the specific areas that were causing her pain. According to the swing of my pendulum, it was mostly in her hip and her toes. I performed an auric scanning, a skill learned in Reiki training, and came to the same conclusion, though her knee also seemed to be a source of pain. I then put my hands over that area for the Reiki to flow where it seemed to be needed. After I was satisfied with that, I closed my circle and dismissed the energies. The candle had already burnt out.
I did not time this ritual; I believe it lasted somewhere in the vicinity of an hour and a half. I am quite surprised and pleased that my cat stayed still for all of it.
Healing rituals such as this should always, always, always accompany the care of a professional. It seems that she has not improved any this morning, so I will be sure to get her an appointment tomorrow.
One of my cats woke up yesterday morning limping. I'm sure she did not injure herself through the night while she was sleeping with me (I'm not the kind of person who flails about in sleep). Her favoring of her left back leg did not improve during the course of the day. So, my Esbat plan changed.
I gathered my supplies, and made sure the cat was on her pillow where she often sleeps, not laying on that side that was hurting her. I gathered my last brown candle, brown being the color of animal healing, my special healing wand, a fluorite pendulum, and some ritual incense. I prepared my ritual bath, which is just a literal cleansing before your ritual. I have special soaps that have been made and given to me for pre-ritual use.
I set the candle and had the wand nearby and cast my circle around us. I lit the candle, and directed the healing energy with the wand to the cat. When I had visualized that to my satisfaction, I took out the pendulum. I was trying to identify the specific areas that were causing her pain. According to the swing of my pendulum, it was mostly in her hip and her toes. I performed an auric scanning, a skill learned in Reiki training, and came to the same conclusion, though her knee also seemed to be a source of pain. I then put my hands over that area for the Reiki to flow where it seemed to be needed. After I was satisfied with that, I closed my circle and dismissed the energies. The candle had already burnt out.
I did not time this ritual; I believe it lasted somewhere in the vicinity of an hour and a half. I am quite surprised and pleased that my cat stayed still for all of it.
Healing rituals such as this should always, always, always accompany the care of a professional. It seems that she has not improved any this morning, so I will be sure to get her an appointment tomorrow.
23 November 2007
Writing Continues
I'm sure you, my readers, are starving for some change. I assure you that things will change. I am diving into the dusty depths of my brain to compile the relevant information in some kind of order.
This will, of course, take time. But I assure you that it is coming along, though not at as fast a pace as I would prefer.
This is a hard time of year to deal with almost any project. The United States alone is looking at two holidays celebrated by everyone and four more celebrated by groups of people based on faith or ethnicity, all in a span of little more than a month.
For those of you in the United States, I hope you had a wondrous Thanksgiving, filled with the company of family and the bounty of this pre-winter harvest. Thanksgiving is, after all, a harvest festival. It is unique in that it has no religious roots whatsoever, and most cultures around the world celebrate the harvest in some way. Canada, for example, holds their harvest Thanksgiving the second Monday in October. It has become a day not only to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest, or the Natives who taught the Pilgrims how to have a bountiful harvest, but also for all of your blessings. Gratitude is a blessed thing.
While I came here today to tell you that I am, indeed, working on more articles, I do want to share a blessing with you. I usually bring this up around Lughnasadh but, as you can see, I did not have my journal up for that holiday. It is appropriate here because Lughnasadh is a Thanksgiving holiday, it is the first harvest.
Since many Wiccans and pagans come from other religious backgrounds, and most of those are Christian, many ask me about a pre-meal blessing appropriate to their faith, similar to a rhyme they were taught as children (for example, the "God is great, God is good" blessing of the Methodist Church, or the "Bless us, oh Lord, and these, Thy gifts" blessing of the Catholic Church).
There is such a grace that can be said with pagan flair. You can recite it aloud at a faith gathering, or to yourself when you are surrounded by grace-sayers of other faiths and wish to be discrete. I quite regret that I do not know who wrote this. It was repeated to me by a High Priestess of a local coven, and I heard it again in an online coven. It is usually credited as an historic part of the Lughnasadh festival, but even in other online sources, its actual origins seem to be unknown.
The grace:
Thanks to the Lord for the food we eat.
Thanks to the Lady for her gifts so sweet.
Thanks to the farmers who labored long.
Thanks to the animals for their bodies strong.
Thanks to the hands that prepared our meal.
Thanks to all who turn the Wheel.
Lughnasadh or Thanksgiving or just dinner, it's always a good time to give thanks for the food that keeps you alive.
This will, of course, take time. But I assure you that it is coming along, though not at as fast a pace as I would prefer.
This is a hard time of year to deal with almost any project. The United States alone is looking at two holidays celebrated by everyone and four more celebrated by groups of people based on faith or ethnicity, all in a span of little more than a month.
For those of you in the United States, I hope you had a wondrous Thanksgiving, filled with the company of family and the bounty of this pre-winter harvest. Thanksgiving is, after all, a harvest festival. It is unique in that it has no religious roots whatsoever, and most cultures around the world celebrate the harvest in some way. Canada, for example, holds their harvest Thanksgiving the second Monday in October. It has become a day not only to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest, or the Natives who taught the Pilgrims how to have a bountiful harvest, but also for all of your blessings. Gratitude is a blessed thing.
While I came here today to tell you that I am, indeed, working on more articles, I do want to share a blessing with you. I usually bring this up around Lughnasadh but, as you can see, I did not have my journal up for that holiday. It is appropriate here because Lughnasadh is a Thanksgiving holiday, it is the first harvest.
Since many Wiccans and pagans come from other religious backgrounds, and most of those are Christian, many ask me about a pre-meal blessing appropriate to their faith, similar to a rhyme they were taught as children (for example, the "God is great, God is good" blessing of the Methodist Church, or the "Bless us, oh Lord, and these, Thy gifts" blessing of the Catholic Church).
There is such a grace that can be said with pagan flair. You can recite it aloud at a faith gathering, or to yourself when you are surrounded by grace-sayers of other faiths and wish to be discrete. I quite regret that I do not know who wrote this. It was repeated to me by a High Priestess of a local coven, and I heard it again in an online coven. It is usually credited as an historic part of the Lughnasadh festival, but even in other online sources, its actual origins seem to be unknown.
The grace:
Thanks to the Lord for the food we eat.
Thanks to the Lady for her gifts so sweet.
Thanks to the farmers who labored long.
Thanks to the animals for their bodies strong.
Thanks to the hands that prepared our meal.
Thanks to all who turn the Wheel.
Lughnasadh or Thanksgiving or just dinner, it's always a good time to give thanks for the food that keeps you alive.
01 November 2007
Samhain Ritual
My evening started a little later than I would have preferred. My current living situation demands it. Also, sometimes a travel altar must be used, and circumstances called for that last night.
As you can see, I used a purple altar cloth. The pentacle was in the middle, and the symbols of the four elements were around it: a geode for North, a small wand for East, a candle for South, and a shell for West. My most-used tarot deck is close at hand, along with a very special stone that is a combination of prehnite and epidote that was gifted to me by an incredibly special lady. (The properties of this stone aid in divination and healing.) The tool that didn’t make it into the picture is the working wand that I used in this ritual; a small shaft of rosewood that was carved and given to me by a very dear friend (I think it was rosewood. My friend will kick me if I don’t get this right!).
This ritual, when broken down into its components, will seem rather simple. The first task after the quarters were called and the Lord and Lady invited was to meditate and commune with the souls of those who have passed during the previous year. During this part, I was also joined by my guides. They all had messages for me, and I was also open to receive them through the night. (Sorry, these messages are for me!) The second task was giving to the Crone all the things I do not want to carry with me into the new year. These were issues that were causing me much stress and it did not help me to hold on to them. The Crone will then take them with her and turn them into good, positive energy for me and the world.
The last part of my ritual involved a special "Wheel of the Year" tarot spread. Eight cards are placed in a wheel around the prehnite/epidote stone (this stone is a new addition to the exercise, though I do an annual reading every year). The first card covers the period between now and Yule: a hasty retreat, there will be arguments and some uncertain advice, but I am not running as fast as I think I am. The second card is for the time between Yule and Imbolc: it has been a long, slow, and hard struggle, but the destination is in sight if I press on a little further. The next card is for the period between Imbolc and Ostara: there is sorrow and delay, everything will look bleak, but that does not mean it truly is. For the time between Ostara and Beltaine: I will be hard at work at something, this something is seen and appreciated by others, my effort will not go unnoticed. After Beltaine and before Midsummer, I will find someone in my life who can lend me courage and guidance. The period between Midsummer and Lughnasadh will be a preparation, and will be filled with thoughts of the things I will be leaving behind. Leading up to Mabon, I will find myself with new ideas, deep in concentration about some news. The last period between Mabon and Samhain will be reflective and meditative about the things that have transpired.
By the cards, that is the year I am facing. It looks like the first part will be difficult if I let it, but the last half will improve and see things coming my way.
Not a bad way to end the year! And I hope this year will bring all of you the brightest of blessings throughout.
How Things Are Going
I noticed that there's a local error that causes the treasure chest image on the front page to cover some of the words. This is an issue with local browser settings; I've opened the page on several computers and on some it appears just fine. For the one of you who is keeping up with me here, the solution will be to remove the image entirely. I'll take care of that this evening. Thanks for watching!
31 October 2007
Happy Samhain!
Samhain is a complicated festival; there is much going on. It's the final harvest: the fields are barren of grain and fruit and the animals that cannot be sustained through the winter are slaughtered for their meat. This is considered the New Year by many Wiccans. It is one of two times a year when the veil between the world of the living and the world of spirits is the thinnest. Both can cross over it easily during this time. In the nature symbolism, the Lord has reached the end of his time and dies. Without his light, the winter days are cold and short.
Since the veil between worlds is thin, communication with spirits of those who have passed in the previous year are common. This also makes it an excellent night for divination.
On this night, with the passing of the previous year, I commune with the people who have left this incarnation before me, and with my guides who may have special messages for me. I also do some form of divination, this year will be tarot cards, to get a feel for the coming year. The last part of my ritual involves giving to the Crone the things that I do not wish to carry with me into the new year.
My Samhain ritual changes only slightly from year to year. I'll tell you all about it starting tomorrow.
(And for those of you in the southern hemisphere, Happy Beltaine to you!)
Since the veil between worlds is thin, communication with spirits of those who have passed in the previous year are common. This also makes it an excellent night for divination.
On this night, with the passing of the previous year, I commune with the people who have left this incarnation before me, and with my guides who may have special messages for me. I also do some form of divination, this year will be tarot cards, to get a feel for the coming year. The last part of my ritual involves giving to the Crone the things that I do not wish to carry with me into the new year.
My Samhain ritual changes only slightly from year to year. I'll tell you all about it starting tomorrow.
(And for those of you in the southern hemisphere, Happy Beltaine to you!)
27 October 2007
Up and Running
Today is not the day to elaborate on what I did for this past Esbat. It is, however, the day that I am happy to report that the holding page is gone, and you can now access the Arcanum in all its incomplete glory. I hope you enjoy and learn from what you find there, and come back often as more information will be added periodically as time permits.
Please feel free to send your thoughts to me at fyrecreek@thesaurusarcanum.com.
Please feel free to send your thoughts to me at fyrecreek@thesaurusarcanum.com.
04 October 2007
A Small Update
Well, really small. It is that my coworker had finished looking over things as she had offered and I accepted. She presented me with some grammatical suggestions, and said the layout is good, in her opinion. That was the important question, of course!
I have asked some dear friends to look over the lot of it as well. And while they're doing that (and I am assuming they will do that for me), I have a few things to finish writing. When the first batch of articles are complete, and when I have considered the opinions of the people who matter, I should be officially up and running. Yay! It will be ready in some form by Samhain, if not sooner. This is a promise I make to myself.
The charm I crafted on the Esbat was not only appreciated by my coworker and her husband, but their cat really loved it too. So much that she tried to dig it up. And tried again. And again. There is no catnip in there, but I guess the feline knows special magick when she smells it.
I have asked some dear friends to look over the lot of it as well. And while they're doing that (and I am assuming they will do that for me), I have a few things to finish writing. When the first batch of articles are complete, and when I have considered the opinions of the people who matter, I should be officially up and running. Yay! It will be ready in some form by Samhain, if not sooner. This is a promise I make to myself.
The charm I crafted on the Esbat was not only appreciated by my coworker and her husband, but their cat really loved it too. So much that she tried to dig it up. And tried again. And again. There is no catnip in there, but I guess the feline knows special magick when she smells it.
27 September 2007
Something Special
I had originally intended to start officially journaling on Samhain, the holiday that many Wiccans and pagans consider the new year of a different solar (some say Celtic-based) calendar. Last night was a full moon, an Esbat, and I did something a little different that simply must be shared.
One of the lovely ladies I work with and her husband are having a house built. They live on nineteen wooded acres in rural Virginia, and their current home does not leave much room for expanding their family.
I have seen the floor plan and pictures of the home they have ordered, and she tells me they will be taking pictures every step of the way (I would too!). Yesterday, they started digging out the basement. As she was explaining this too me, she said they have two pennies (one dated 2004, the year they were married, and one dated 2007, the year the house is to be finished) that they will bury in the soil just before the concrete is poured. I very much like this idea of theirs, and I told her that I would put a charm for peace and protection in my house, where I having one built. She told me that sounded like a good idea but wouldn't know the first thing about making one. Then, suddenly things lined up. I offered to make one for them, that they could bury with their two cents.
I really enjoy making charms like this. When I do, everything is significant, down to the color of the thread I use. Since this is a charm for their new home, the main focus is protection and tranquility, with a little bit of prosperity thrown in for good measure.
The first step was to find what I wanted to use, gather them, and cleanse them (just as you would do if you were making a meal in the kitchen). After that, the work begins. I started by cleansing my aura and creating a sacred space in which to work. I haven't been in the best of spirits lately and needed to be sure that what has been bugging me did not get put into this gift for my friend.
I sat facing the East, for all things begin in the East and this was certainly related to a beginning. I used a brown cotton, brown being the color for homes and cotton a natural fiber that will do no harm to the earth it will be buried in, and started sewing it into a bag with blue thread, blue for its tranquility. I also sewed in a blue hemp drawstring, hemp for, again, it being a natural fiber. During this, the part that takes the most time, I was thinking of my friend and her husband, and how their life together will change and grow in a new home of their choosing.
When the bag was completed, it was time to add the ingredients. I placed five stones in the bag, one by one, naming the properties for which they were chosen. A Carnelian to promote relaxation, a Citrine for peaceful sleep and to burn away negativity, a piece of Hematite to absorb what doesn't get burned away, a Snowflake Obsidian (with one bright spot) for its powerful protective properties, and a Clear Quartz for balance and keeping the other stones clean. Next, I added the herbs. Sage for protection and to keep the energies clean (burning sage is often used to clean spaces in the home or around people, called smudging), Rosemary to lend strong protective energy, and Red Rose Petals, which also have their own protective energy, but I really added it to give my friend and her husband a happy-home boost with the properties of love that are often associated with red roses. Then there were two little extras to add. The first was a pinch of a special blend of ritual incense, used to bring about success.
The second was a last minute addition: I thought about it as I was gathering my supplies and it was just perfect. Years ago, when I first started on this path, my brother and I made a charm for our home. I had always had a fear of my house burning down, or getting struck by lightening, or some other horrific end to the place I lived and loved. We took our instructions from Scott Cunningham's Earth Power; he had an anti-fire charm, and I wanted to make it. Even then, I was adjusting other people's recipes to suit me. I, with my brother's help, took a piece of oak and burned it to ashes. We then dowsed the ashes in water. When they dried, we tied them up in a blue bag (blue being the color of water, which quenches fire) and hung that in the heart of the house, the room that is used the most. Its presence has served me well, especially during thunder storms of which I used to have a terrible fear. It has been hanging there, undisturbed, for fourteen years. Yesterday, I added a pinch of ash from that charm to the one I was making for my friend, for its additional protective properties.
The charm, being complete, was tied up and then cleansed and charged with Reiki. I set it on my windowsill overnight to absorb the energy of the full moon.
I presented my friend with her little gift this morning, who was very happy to receive it. I can't think of a better way to have spent my Esbat. As I said earlier, the timing was perfect. They had just started digging, it was the night of the full moon, and my friends were going to bury the tokens this weekend. I even left the bag closed but not tied, so they may add their coins to it if they wish. My friend seemed very excited about the prospect of putting it all together.
I'm very excited about their new home. I suppose homes are an exciting thing, but this one isn't even mine. I am just so happy for them. And I really enjoy making charms like this for others. I had mentioned how I haven't been in the best mood lately. While what was upsetting me is still upsetting me, it feels very distant today. And I slept well last night, better than I have in a long time.
You never know what doing something for others can also do for you. Let a little magick in your life.
One of the lovely ladies I work with and her husband are having a house built. They live on nineteen wooded acres in rural Virginia, and their current home does not leave much room for expanding their family.
I have seen the floor plan and pictures of the home they have ordered, and she tells me they will be taking pictures every step of the way (I would too!). Yesterday, they started digging out the basement. As she was explaining this too me, she said they have two pennies (one dated 2004, the year they were married, and one dated 2007, the year the house is to be finished) that they will bury in the soil just before the concrete is poured. I very much like this idea of theirs, and I told her that I would put a charm for peace and protection in my house, where I having one built. She told me that sounded like a good idea but wouldn't know the first thing about making one. Then, suddenly things lined up. I offered to make one for them, that they could bury with their two cents.
I really enjoy making charms like this. When I do, everything is significant, down to the color of the thread I use. Since this is a charm for their new home, the main focus is protection and tranquility, with a little bit of prosperity thrown in for good measure.
The first step was to find what I wanted to use, gather them, and cleanse them (just as you would do if you were making a meal in the kitchen). After that, the work begins. I started by cleansing my aura and creating a sacred space in which to work. I haven't been in the best of spirits lately and needed to be sure that what has been bugging me did not get put into this gift for my friend.
I sat facing the East, for all things begin in the East and this was certainly related to a beginning. I used a brown cotton, brown being the color for homes and cotton a natural fiber that will do no harm to the earth it will be buried in, and started sewing it into a bag with blue thread, blue for its tranquility. I also sewed in a blue hemp drawstring, hemp for, again, it being a natural fiber. During this, the part that takes the most time, I was thinking of my friend and her husband, and how their life together will change and grow in a new home of their choosing.
When the bag was completed, it was time to add the ingredients. I placed five stones in the bag, one by one, naming the properties for which they were chosen. A Carnelian to promote relaxation, a Citrine for peaceful sleep and to burn away negativity, a piece of Hematite to absorb what doesn't get burned away, a Snowflake Obsidian (with one bright spot) for its powerful protective properties, and a Clear Quartz for balance and keeping the other stones clean. Next, I added the herbs. Sage for protection and to keep the energies clean (burning sage is often used to clean spaces in the home or around people, called smudging), Rosemary to lend strong protective energy, and Red Rose Petals, which also have their own protective energy, but I really added it to give my friend and her husband a happy-home boost with the properties of love that are often associated with red roses. Then there were two little extras to add. The first was a pinch of a special blend of ritual incense, used to bring about success.
The second was a last minute addition: I thought about it as I was gathering my supplies and it was just perfect. Years ago, when I first started on this path, my brother and I made a charm for our home. I had always had a fear of my house burning down, or getting struck by lightening, or some other horrific end to the place I lived and loved. We took our instructions from Scott Cunningham's Earth Power; he had an anti-fire charm, and I wanted to make it. Even then, I was adjusting other people's recipes to suit me. I, with my brother's help, took a piece of oak and burned it to ashes. We then dowsed the ashes in water. When they dried, we tied them up in a blue bag (blue being the color of water, which quenches fire) and hung that in the heart of the house, the room that is used the most. Its presence has served me well, especially during thunder storms of which I used to have a terrible fear. It has been hanging there, undisturbed, for fourteen years. Yesterday, I added a pinch of ash from that charm to the one I was making for my friend, for its additional protective properties.
The charm, being complete, was tied up and then cleansed and charged with Reiki. I set it on my windowsill overnight to absorb the energy of the full moon.
I presented my friend with her little gift this morning, who was very happy to receive it. I can't think of a better way to have spent my Esbat. As I said earlier, the timing was perfect. They had just started digging, it was the night of the full moon, and my friends were going to bury the tokens this weekend. I even left the bag closed but not tied, so they may add their coins to it if they wish. My friend seemed very excited about the prospect of putting it all together.
I'm very excited about their new home. I suppose homes are an exciting thing, but this one isn't even mine. I am just so happy for them. And I really enjoy making charms like this for others. I had mentioned how I haven't been in the best mood lately. While what was upsetting me is still upsetting me, it feels very distant today. And I slept well last night, better than I have in a long time.
You never know what doing something for others can also do for you. Let a little magick in your life.
22 September 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to my journal. There is nothing here for you yet, but rest assured there will be in time.
What you will find here is a log of my Sabbat and Esbat celebrations, and any other spiritually-relevant things that come to mind. I will also use this place to keep you updated on the progress of the Thesaurus Arcanum, which is coming right along.
And I do have an update on that front today!
I passed a copy of the site-in-progress to one of my coworkers, who offered to look it over. I was very thankful for her offer, because with anything new, people get nervous about it, and it's nice to have an opinion before it goes live. Some dear friends have already given me their opinions and input on the concept, but I did need an extra pair of eyes to look at that technical stuff. And, to be quite honest, I am really sure this coworker can benefit from my information. She is a self-proclaimed pagan, but does not seem to be very in tune with her spirituality. By giving her a sneak-peak of the Arcanum, as it was, I'm hoping she'll get back into the spiritual side of her life too. And, it was more practical to burn a CD and hand it to her, than to zip the whole site and send it off to my non-local friends whose opinions I value.
In any event, my coworker has said she hopes to finish looking things over this weekend. I'll evaluate whatever changes she suggests, and hope to get the site up next week.
Be patient! Building a website from the ground up is new to me, and there's a lot of information that just won't be ready right away!
What you will find here is a log of my Sabbat and Esbat celebrations, and any other spiritually-relevant things that come to mind. I will also use this place to keep you updated on the progress of the Thesaurus Arcanum, which is coming right along.
And I do have an update on that front today!
I passed a copy of the site-in-progress to one of my coworkers, who offered to look it over. I was very thankful for her offer, because with anything new, people get nervous about it, and it's nice to have an opinion before it goes live. Some dear friends have already given me their opinions and input on the concept, but I did need an extra pair of eyes to look at that technical stuff. And, to be quite honest, I am really sure this coworker can benefit from my information. She is a self-proclaimed pagan, but does not seem to be very in tune with her spirituality. By giving her a sneak-peak of the Arcanum, as it was, I'm hoping she'll get back into the spiritual side of her life too. And, it was more practical to burn a CD and hand it to her, than to zip the whole site and send it off to my non-local friends whose opinions I value.
In any event, my coworker has said she hopes to finish looking things over this weekend. I'll evaluate whatever changes she suggests, and hope to get the site up next week.
Be patient! Building a website from the ground up is new to me, and there's a lot of information that just won't be ready right away!
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