Stead Hallowing Spell Norse Tradition

This is a stead hallowing Spell in the Norse tradition.

.....
When Mostr's hairy Hrolf was led,
By mighty Thor, his Friend, Godspeed,
'Cross churning white-capped Ocean wide,
To Stafa's banks to Thorsa's side.
...
VingThor shewed Mostrarskegg the way,
Who Hymir's monstrous brood did slay,
Great Thor Who drove from Oeger's stead,
The Blasphemer Who fearful fled.
.....
T'was Thor by Grace and magic spell,
Led Hrolf to Holy Helgafell.
The godhi marked with burning brand,
The borders of his Godgiftland.
....
By Goddess-power and God's own might,
He hallowed thus the holy site,
That nought profane might e'er pollute,
Nor leet nor thing nor sacred Blot.
......
In manner like by Eordhe's Grace,
And Thor's hot power, I mark this place,
And in Thor's name, all bane and doubt,
By Magic Rune, I banish out.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Tarostar - The Witchs Spellcraft Revised
John Dee - Enochian Magic Spanish Translation
Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition
Ross Arthur - English Old Norse Dictionary
The Troth - Welcome To The Troth Honoring The Northern Tradition

Black Mirrors

"Mirror mirror on the wall... who's the fairest of them all?"
Remember that line from the "Evil Queen" in the Disney classic Snow White?

Since the earliest of times Sorcerers, Witches, Soothsayers and so on have used Black Mirrors for Scrying.
Even in the Disney classic "Snow White"... the Evil Queen would Scry looking into the mirror and asking questions concerning her vanity and her rivals.
What is Scrying? It is the divination of future or past events or talking with spirits from another plane of existence by gazing into an object such as the Black Mirror. Now the Black Mirror is not the only thing that can be used for scrying. It can be a puddle of water or a crystal ball or a piece of shiny metal.... even a regular mirror will work. One old favorite is to use a bowl of water and part black ink, which creates a very good black reflection. It can actual be almost any type of object that will allow you to stare into it for long periods of time and gain visions from doing so. The two most popular are the Crystal Ball and the Black Mirror. For me the crystal ball is too bright, although I do also have a solid black crystal ball.
The Black Mirror is my choice for the art of scrying. All in all the items are all used as a focal point. They have no real Super Magical power.... they do have magical energy after they have been consecrated for use and after they have been used a few times they will gather your own magical energies, but all in all it is the Sorcerer/Scryer who has the Power.... the Power to see within the mirror.
The Black Mirror then becomes the window to the Universe and to the Spirit world. It can bring you visions of past lives or things that are to come. It can show you answers to questions you may have or show you your spirit guides for it is a doorway to the other side.
You must understand that Scrying takes quite a bit of practice to develop ones Astral Vision. What is Astral Vision?.... it is the ability to see onto the Astral Planes. For some people who are more psychic inclined it may come naturally easy... for other it may take weeks or months to master. Clearing the mind and concentration without stray thoughts is hard to master just as in meditation.
So as I have stated it can be used for may different things in Magical Divination. For those of you who are interested in studying High Magic... then you know that the Black Mirror is used in the "Triangle of Solomon" for conjuring the Demon or Celestial being into the mirror. The Spirit does not manifest into the physical form.... it manifests as a vision in the mirror by the magician being able to see onto the Astral Plane via the Black Mirror. The Mirror is also surround by 3 sacred names of God and Archangel Michael to help control the spirit.

Now, back to regular Black Mirrors...
Now there are a few places online where you can buy some really nice fancy Black Mirrors. You can get them as fancy as your heart desires. But for those of you who don't want to spend allot of money and would like to get started quickly in the Art of Scrying.... you can simply make your own for about five-seven dollars. Simply go to Wal-mart or Wallgreens and buy a small 5x7 picture frame (you can buy an oval shaped one if you so choose) and a can of flat black spray paint. When you get it home take the glass out and make sure it is clean.... no finger prints. Then paint the back side of it with the flat black paint and let it dry for about a half hour. Then put it all back together making sure that the painted side is facing the back and you now have your Black Mirror ready for you to consecrate and put on your alter for Scrying.

Ok now that I have given you some history and facts about Black Mirrors. It is time to teach you how to Scry. This is going to be a short lesson because there is not much to teach and there is no secret method to make it work instantly for you. It will be a matter of practice makes perfect.
He who is patient and continually works at this will have success in the art.

Hopefully by now you have a small alter set up to do all your Magic Rituals. This is where you want to set up your Black Mirror.
Mine sits dead center towards the back of one of my alters. Below is a picture of one of my smaller alters that is set up in my office.
You will want to arrange your candles on your alter so they are not seen in the reflection of the mirror and that they do not distract you in any way.
The first thing you need to do before starting is decide what you will be Scrying for.
You will want to do the LBRP... but do the invoking version to start with... at the end of your Scrying you should do the normal Banishing LBRP to get rid of any spirits that may be still hanging around. If you have your own protection type of Rituals then you may use them instead.
Ok now that you have done the invoking LBRP you should sit on a comfortable stool that is the proper height of your Alter. You don't want to be standing for a long period of time.... that is why I myself use a stool or chair. Sit and gaze (stare) into the Black Mirror. Ask the universe to bring you a vision or call upon a spirit guide to show you what you want or need to know. You will need to sit there and gaze into the mirror for a good period of time.... you will know when it is starting to work when you own reflection vanishes and all you see is black. That is the key to knowing that you are getting close to success. From that point on is when your visions will begin to appear. the first few times you may not even see all black... you will probably get bored and quit. This is not the way of the Magician. Patience is a virtue with magic. So it may take a few times to get the total black out effect. From then on you must strive to keep gazing into the mirror. You may only get a glimpse of a unfamiliar face or an unknown landscape. But as the weeks progress you will have success. One of the other most important things besides practice is for you to communicate to the universe or to your spirit guides as to your desires when Scrying. Some of you will find this very easy and many others will simply say this does not work and you may never do it again. Like all magic nothing comes instantly or without true dedication and practicing the art. And all and all it takes an altered state of consciousness.... however you so choose to get into that state of mind.
I will say no more about that.

You also may enjoy this free books:

Carroll Runyon - The Secret Of The Dark Mirror
Hermes Trismegistus - Book Xii His Crater Or Monas
Aleister Crowley - Magick Without Tears
Meshafi Resh - The Black Book
Stephen Flowers - Black Runa

Religious Propaganda And Celtic Traditions

The main aim of religious propaganda…has been to tell us that Below is Bad, Above is Good. Celtic tradition tells us something different.

The main aim of religious propaganda in our culture has been to turn humanity away from the Earth, telling us that Below is Bad, Above is Good. Why ? Well, historically, this was to get customers away from the pagan religions and sacro-magical practices, and into those early and poorly funded churches. Such outer evangelizing hides a more subtle inner campaign, for power at a spiritual level. Ancient pagan practices were substantially based upon Earth powers, prophecy, healing, and the widespread worship of goddesses whose divine attributes were founded in the land, the ocean, the Earth . The evidence for this in Ireland is widespread, and central to many ancient Irish manuscripts, and permeates many aspects of folkloric tradition. To the early Christians, any masculine deity became a deo falsus, a false god. Deo falsus has often been proposed as the origin of diabolus or “devil”.

“Let no man indulge in that most filthy habit of dressing up as a stag” thundered St Augustine : but he did not reveal the real reasons why. Animal/human magic, horned deities such as Pan or Cern, are manifestations of UnderWorld power, and drawing that power up to the surface was central to the old ceremonies. Likewise, the goddess powers of wells, streams, rivers, and sacred mounds, were repudiated and often transformed into semi-historical figures or amalgamated with saints.

To this day a most potent figure in Irish legend is the feminine Sovereignty or goddess or fairy queen of the Land.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Richard Roy - 13 Questions On Paganism And Wicca
Al Selden Leif - Pagan Incense Information Pages
Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition

Cord Binding Spell

This spell is adapted from one by DJ Conway in the 1996 Llewellyn Magickal
Almanac. It is intended to be used to prevent someone from causing you harm,
and I have also used it to batten down anger (my own and another's). In order
to work properly it requires full concentration.

Take a short length of black thread.

Tie a knot in one end, saying: 'One to seek him/her/it.' (choose whichever
pronoun is appropriate)

Tie a knot in the middle, saying: 'One to find him/her/it,'

Tie a knot in the other end, saying: 'One to bring him/her/it,'

Tie the two ends Together, saying: 'One to bind him/her/it.'

Bury the knotted thread far away from your property or drop it on a road or
waste ground far from where you live.

And that's right, the rhyme is adapted straight out of Tolkien! However, I do
NOT recommend that you finish off this spell with 'In the land of Mordor where
the Shadows lie'!

You also may enjoy this free books:

Leo Ruickbie - Halloween Spells
Kelly Link - Magic For Beginners
Anonymous - Divination Spreads
Aleister Crowley - Concerning Blasphemy

The Magic Ritual Of The Sanctum Regnum

Book: The Magic Ritual Of The Sanctum Regnum by Eliphas Levi

This Translation of a previously unpublished work by the late Alphonse Louis Constant, or, as he preferred to call himself, Eliphaz Levi, is published with the consent of its possessor, Mr. Edward Maitland, the eminent collaborateur of the late Dr. Anna Kingsford, to whom it was given by the Baron Spedalieri, so well known as the friend, disciple, and literary heir of Eliphaz Levi. The original MSS., which is in the handwriting of Levi himself, is written upon pages interleaved with the text of a printed copy of a work by Trithemius of Spanheim, entitled De Septem Secundeis: the edition was published at Cologne, and is dated 1567. This work of the Abbot Trithemius is a very curious and interesting dissertation upon the ruling of the world by the seven great Archangels, to each of whom in succession is alloted a period of 354 years and 4 months.

The ordinary reader who has made no special study of the magical writings of Eliphaz Levi, nor of the Kabalah, may consider that, however interesting the subject?matter of many of the following chapters, the Connection between the Tarot Trumps and the details given under each heading is but slight. It must be understood that there is in all cases a direct relation between the card and subject; but the keys which connect them are missing by intention of the author, and yet are obtainable by study of Levi other works.

"The Mysteries of Magic, a Digest of the Writings of Eliphaz Levi, by Mr. A. E. Waite, published by Mr. Redway in 1886, has had so large a circulation among English readers, that the editor anticipates a cordial Reception for this little volume. LONDON, February 1896.

Download Eliphas Levi's eBook: The Magic Ritual Of The Sanctum Regnum

You also may enjoy this free books:

Max Heindel - The Message Of The Stars
Aleister Crowley - The Heart Of The Master
Aleister Crowley - Liber 025 The Ritual Of The Star Ruby
Richard Alan Miller - The Magical And Ritual Use Of Herbs
Eliphas Levi - The Magic Ritual Of The Sanctum Regnum

Spell To Change The Weather As It Is Happening

A Spell TO CHANGE Weather AS IT IS HAPPENING
by Keith Parker



Rain* subside, rain abate,
For this weather I do hate.

*I used rain, but sun, snow, or any Other weather condition may be used.

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Tobias Johansson - The Crucible And The Reasons For The Salem Witch Hunt
Hesketh Bell - Obeah Witchcraft In The West Indies Ocr Version
Wim Van Den Dungen - Enoch And The Day Of The End

Meaning Of Magic Groups For Me

Like many of my friends, I have concerns about the intellectual stagnation of the members of these groups, particularly in the occult and pagan communities with which I have the most acquaintance. They claim not to be dogmatic but their members share many unexamined assumptions which they defend with intense hostility when they are called into question, however politely or reasonably. Systems of belief are seductive. I am frightened they will seduce me and repelled when I see others who have been seduced. Looking back on my personal history I can remember times that I fell into rigid systematization and I am ashamed. It's very satisfying to have all the answers but it chokes off the potential for independent thought. Now I am determined to embrace my own ignorance and the intrinsic ambiguity of the world, without abandoning my quest for knowledge.

Groups are hard for me because of my idiosyncracies. People become hostile because of my heretical positions on issues that are close to their hearts. In addition, I find much of the ritual work in these groups is so poorly done that it enters the realm of the patently offensive, like superhero comics or situation comedies. Finally I have personal mental blocks about group membership that derive from my intellectual distance from other children in school and the utter divergence of my interests - mostly scientific at the time - from theirs. I do not expect to fit in and in some ways group integration is a very threatening unknown. I admit that I have been known to act out when I seem to be starting to integrate, which does not always make me the most pleasant company. It takes a lot for me to admit that I like to have a group of friends. Given all this, one would think that I would avoid groups altogether, and for years of my life I have. During the current decade (the 1990's) I have been closer, though. There have even been a few months of heavy involvement here and there. Why?

In brief I know of three reasons. One is educational. I learn about spirituality through contact with others. Topics of study include ritual practice, social dynamics and the role of belief. I learn about methods I would otherwise never encounter, or only read about. I am an O.T.O. member at the moment because it gives me an opportunity to observe and take part in rituals due to its relatively liberal admission policies; if not for that I might never have a chance to study initiation, which is so important to many people.

The second is social. While I might at times deny it, there is something compelling about fraternal dynamics, something more than hanging out with one's friends, even though it is also that. I do not understand this very well yet but I only have the opportunity to study it by belonging to a group. In addition, there is a great range of variation, and I sometimes meet wonderful people who share my unusual interests. I don't know where else I would meet such people.

I suppose I would lump the sexual in with the social. Almost all my girlfriends have had some occult or pagan involvement. Given my own degree of personal involvement and the general social prejudice against Occultism there might be problems otherwise. I don't know where else I would meet suitable partners. But perhaps this assumption reflects some insecurity in myself. I'm a pretty reasonable and accomodating person and could probably come to terms with any spiritual person, occult or otherwise.

Third and last there is the experiential aspect of spirituality in groups. This differs from solitary practice in many ways. In the past I hoped for some balance to my natural reclusiveness by matching solitary practice with group practice, but I have found over time this is based on something of a false distinction, and I no longer feel motivated by the idea of equilibration. This is only a quest for external redemption. So what is different and worthwhile about ritual in groups?

A good group ritual can transform the space more powerfully than most solitary rituals. Something about the group affirmation of the change of space brings in a whole new dimension that is only rarely attained in my private rituals. The energy is thick, hanging almost palpably in the air. This is a remarkable experience and often a very rewarding one. (I feel embarassed by admitting this, as if I should defend my solitary practice, which does transform space. Perhaps I err in saying that group ritual transforms space more, rather than differently.) A bad group ritual, though, can evoke revulsion and offense, whereas a bad solitary ritual is usually only disappointing. I don't have bad trips in solitary ritual or meditation, but I can leave a poorly-done group ritual absolutely furious. In any case, the range of ritual experiences is expanded in groups and so is my understanding as a participant-observer.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - You Forever
Nu Isis Working Group - Magical Scripts And Cipher Alphabets
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Melita Denning - Mysteria Magica Book V

Intellectual Exploration In Magic

I am motivated by a quest for knowledge, that is, by curiosity. I'm an intellectual type and I like to be able to formulate clear ideas about things. My spiritual experiences are very hard for me to understand. I don't even have a good concept of the scope of the subject. What is the spiritual? Is it a group of psychological faculties? Or an arbitrary semantic convention that conflates dissimilar phenomena? Is it a value judgment masquerading as an observational category? Or does it indicate some underlying psychological or metaphysical reality around which we revolve, whether we know it or not?

I can't answer these questions. They may not ultimately be answerable, because spirituality seems to take us outside the realm of reason. However, by doing ritual and meditation by myself and with others, and observing in a phenomenological mode - that is, accepting mental phenomena as real without regard to their accuracy or defensibility - I feel that I am getting closer to understanding parts of the continuum of spirituality. At least I am asking better questions than I used to. My curiosity about the spiritual has become a goal in its own right, whether or not this curiosity furthers my own spiritual development; the spirit has become a subject for psychology.

Largely as a result of my interest in spiritual experience, I have become interested in related subjects, such as the history of Occultism and the social dynamics of spiritual groups. I find that spiritual practice and group membership provide useful resources and observational opportunities to further these studies.

This is all very interesting, at least to me, but by itself it is only "the dogs of reason." There is more.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Phil Hine - Aspects Of Evocation
Phil Legard - An Approach To The Operation Of The Arbatel Of Magic
Melita Denning - The Foundations Of High Magick
Eliphas Levi - The Ritual Of Transcendental Magic
John Coughlin - Out Of The Shadows An Exploration Of Dark Paganism And Magick

What Is The Nature Of The Gods

What are the Gods? Throughout the years I have asked many figures, including Isaac Bonewits and Amber K how they defined the gods. I asked if these were figures outside ourselves, or aspects of our inner power, I asked if they were repositories of energy that we could draw on, or if they were actually metaphors through which we accessed channeled energy that was stored, are they archetypes, or transcendent? Most people say, “Yes. All of the above, none of the above.”

Our Gods are a combination of all that we need from them. In the Jungian philosophy, Karl Jung talks of the Collective Unconscious - this amounts to a racial mind which holds all the information, energy and patterns we use to view our world, and create social communities. This has many implications - and although not an accurate picture perhaps of what is happening, it is a solid start.

Imagine many centuries ago, it is a quiet calm day. You were out walking. it was early afternoon, the sun became obscured by clouds rolling in. You were on the side of a mountain in the early foothills. Suddenly, there was a great, loud, CRACK of thunder. It was so near, so powerful, that you almost weren't frightened so much as in complete awe. So you went home, and you spoke to your friend and told him about the experience. He says, “Yeah! I know what you mean, that happened to me once. It's incredible!” And together you find a reference in common to explain the awe and wonder that the experience held for you - Thor - God of Thunder. And Thor contains within its definition all the meaning that the experience held: Power, Male, Overwhelming, Strength, all the hidden and apparent meaning that went with the experience. Now every time you mention Thor, you are calling on that common definition and all its ramifications, to convey your meaning to another. It has become a shorthand for those values and emotions. It does not mean that there is a broad shouldered male standing up in the clouds somewhere, it is a way to call upon that experience to convey the experience verbally. Now, that does not mean that Thor does not exist, either. Based on the common experience, the acceptance of Thor as a God and a force within our lives, and the power we grant and call on through His name, Thor becomes a repository and a source for energy working within our lives. Through our use of this reference to Thor, we have created an archetype, a symbol for this power, and that symbol is now part of the Collective Unconscious and all the race can access it as a common referent point for their needs. Their name for it may differ, but there is no doubt that even among far distributed cultures, there are very similar gods, religious beliefs, and mythology.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Eliphas Levi - The Key Of The Mysteries
Valentina Izmirlieva - All The Names Of The Lord
Frater Achad - The Anatomy Of The Body Of God
Ea Wallis Budge - Legends Of The Gods
Albert Pike - The Book Of The Words

What Is High And Low Magick

High magick is ceremonial or ritual magick, used more by the practitioners of The Order of the Golden Dawn, Kabbalists, and followers of Aliester Crowley. High magick also follows a set of guidelines and certain formalities. Ceremonialists call upon demons and other entities to do his/her bidding; this ritual takes time and needs to be done correctly. These guidelines follow a very precise set of parameters and if deviated from usually cause problems for the practitioner.

There are also other references to the differences; one of the more common ones is that High Magick came from those that lived in the cities, castles on the hill. It is said that those who practiced High magick had more time on their hands, therefore their rituals are more expansive. Low magick is practical everyday, or folk magick, generally used by wiccans and witches, and other nature-based religions. Low magick has less formality and encompasses more of the "common sense" magick. Low magick often involves the use of herbs, aromas, stones, flowers, animal parts (sympathetic magick) and other natural materials. These animal parts are NOT the result of sacrifice, but rather the practitioner finds that feathers, furs, and discarded bones. Low magick came from the fields, and the lowlands. The fact is that most of those who lived in the lowlands worked from dusk to dawn, had little if any time or need for elaborate ceremonies; therefore the practice of low magick was straightforward and to the point with little fanfare.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Eliphas Levi - The Ritual Of Transcendental Magic
Phillip Williams - Night Magic
Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love

The Character Of Magick

I have a friend, her husband is morbidly obese through indulgent overeating. Whole roasts at night! She feels betrayed. My husband is unconscious in the hospital bed, as I sit here I feel incredibly alone and abandoned. I miss him, yet he is right there. A friend is divorcing. Her husband says she should trust him, even though his last two years are filled with an adulterous affair, a current romantic interest and games she cannot possibly unravel. The young magician says he wants love, but lurks around the house peering out windows after the love spell is complete. He becomes bitter because magic doesn't work either.

In Stephen Covey's book Seven Habits of Highly Successful People he provides a tool. Envision yourself at your own funeral. People come to speak of you. Your mate, your co-workers, your friends, your children. What would you want each of these people to say about you? Now, he says, look at your life. Are you living your life, are you interacting with these people in such a way that they can say that about you? If you want your wife or husband to say that you were supportive, creative, generous and understanding - have you been supportive? Creative? Generous? Understanding?

We are the sum of our behaviors and experience. Our actions throughout our lives define who we are and what our beliefs are. It matters not what we say, if our actions express another belief and personality. My friend's husband refuses to understand why his wife cannot, will not trust him. In the past year he has given his wife a sexually transmitted diseases, had an affair without protection, risking his life, her life and the future of their children. He may see himself as a good man, an honorable man - but there is no validity.

Robin lies in a hospital bed. I have my hand on his leg, yet I was alone. Why? Robin is my supporter, my counselor, my cohort in humor, my lover. This body is not my love. My love is the sum of all the actions he brings, all the support, his every word. I am alone, so alone, until he recovers and again offers me these things.

My girlfriend's partner isn't the man she signed on with either. He lost weight, became active to catch a woman, then went back to his old ways. When they met, he was active, average weight, involved in her pursuits. Now he is sedentary, loath to take a walk, protests his infirmity. She is right. He has abandoned her.

All of these people would be completely appalled by these portraits of betrayal. There is no question about good or bad persons. We are that which we have become, that which we have accrued, based on the sum of our express actions. The man who lies and has sex, is a liar and an adulterer. He has no rights to acceptance in our world. Yet, already, he is busy twisting things in his head so he can be self-righteous about abandoning his little girl and their newborn son. But there is no issue here with his honor, he has none.

The magician who has lit a candle and said the right words, never followed up with actions consistent with that stated goal. His actions say not, "Hey, I want love and am willing to be a partner." These actions state, "Hey, you come to me. I'm not going to change. If this isn't easy, I'm not going waste my time."

Recently a young girl wrote us and said her father was and elder in a Lutheran church, but she was pledged to the Goddess. Her question? She was scheduled for confirmation, should she go through with it?

I passed this question amongst the wiccan community. I was astonished to discover that almost every Pagan said, "Sure, why not?" It would save strife and avoid embarrassing her father. Folks thought I was so harsh to have told this child that if she lied, she would be a liar and that lie would shape her life. Now her actions are expedient, later it will become easy.

When you screw it up, lie, don't follow through commitments, it shapes your life, sets up the pattern for the future and defines you. There is a cultural myth that beliefs are important - not acts. Other sects insist, "Through your acts shall you be known." People have not been trained to examine their thoughts and actions for consistency with their values, commitments, and stated belief system. Those who follow the Old Gods and their magick must.

I tell those beginning in magic that they must look at the overall picture. If you cast your spell, but do not follow up with action consistent in the accomplishment of your goal, the magick is weakened and ineffective. If you cast your spell, using proper words, but have any conflict or doubt about those goals or words, the magick is weak and ineffective. When people tell me that so-and-so bad person is casting spells for harm, I rarely worry. Weak character will provide for poor follow-through and inconsistent internal messaging, and thus their magick is weak and ineffective.

For magick to truly work, for our world to be magickal, we must decide what we want it to look like, what we want us to look like, and then live the appropriate actions, and thoughts, to bring it into being. We must become who we are. If wiccans are not people of honorable and consistent character, then this magick we love so much is just a fantasy of illusion, a pretty game.

Live the Magick!

Books You Might Enjoy:

Kenneth Grant - Magical Revival
Israel Regardie - The Art And Meaning Of Magic
Aleister Crowley - Magick
Amber K - The Basics Of Magick
Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic

Basic Spell Construction

BASIC SPELL CONSTRUCTION

Because of the very nature of Magick, each working should be highly
individualized and personal. Even if following a traditional spell, it should be
tailored to your specific needs to be most effective for you. Understanding the
basics of Spell Construction will enable you to formulate your own specific,
effective spells for any purpose you desire.

Preliminary planning is necessary. The very first step is to decide precisely
what your desired end result is to be. Before you can start, you must decide
where you are going. You must be very explicit.
It is important, also, that you choose your time carefully. You should take into
consideration all Astrological implications, energy currents and Moon phases.

The Moon is the astronomical body closest to us and, therefore, has a profound
influence upon us, it is very important to choose a time when the Moon is in an
astrological sign which is appropriate for your working. For example:
Aries/Action - Enthusiasm, Taurus/ Renewal - Sensuality, Gemini/Communication -
Curiosity, Cancer/ Emotion - Nurturing, Leo/Vitality - Determined,
Virgo/Organizing - Studious, Libra/Balance - Cooperation, Scorpio/Sexual -
Philosophical, Capricorn/Authority - Ambitious, Aquarius/Innovation - Social,
Pisces/Sensitivity - Idealistic.

Bear in mind that magickal workings for gain, increase or bringing things to
you, should be initiated when the Moon is Waxing (from Dark to Full); when the
Moon is Waning (from Full to Dark), it is time for magickal workings of decrease
or sending away.
The highest energy occurs at the Full Moon and, therefore, this is the most
powerful time for magickal workings. The New Moon is the next Most Powerful time
for Magick.

Whenever possible, follow Nature's natural Energy Currents. There is a natural
time for starting things (a planting time), for maturing things (a growing
time), for reaping things ( a harvest time) and, of course, a time for rest and
planning.

Flowing with these currents will make your magickal work much easier. Remember
to plan your project for a time of uninterrupted privacy. It is important that
you have no distractions. Generally speaking, it is best to work as late at
night as possible. A time when there is less frantic energy is most appropriate.
You might consider Midnight or later.

In choosing a place to do your magickal working pay particular attention to your
needs, for you must be comfortable. Your place should be private, quiet and
secure. If at all possible, set aside a special place for this purpose only. An
unused room, a special corner of your bedroom, a quiet, secluded spot in your
garden. A place that is yours. A place that you can come to whenever need arises
and that is as free from intrusion of others as possible.

Prior to the night of your magickal working, gather together the things that you
will need. All of the things used are tools. They have no inherent magick. They
are to help you create a mood. If correctly made and used, they will trigger
primitive responses from deep within you. They should be chosen with care.
Consider the purpose of your ritual and choose your tools accordingly. If your
magick is to be sexual, your candles, oils, incenses and so forth, should bring
forth a sexual response. If the desired result of your Magick is Tranquillity,
then the tools should make you feel calm, peaceful and serene. Any candles you
might use should not have commercially added fragrances as these may not be
appropriate for your working.

Prior to your ritual, prepare yourself and your equipment by any means necessary
to clean and purify. Historically, people have fasted, followed meticulous and
detailed bathing practices, practiced chastity and used many other methods.

Most often a Ritual Bath is the preferred method. A bath frequently utilizing
candlelight, fragrant herbs, bath salts or sensuous oils. A sumptuous hot bath,
special bathing preparations and appropriate lighting, combined, can create the
soothing effect which will help in the very important step of relaxing and
clearing the mind completely of all mundane thoughts and experiences of the day.
Your ritual Bath should, also, begin to set the specific vibrations conducive to
your purpose into motion. You must not only cleanse and purify but must, also,
begin to create the type of energy necessary. Once your purification process has
been accomplished, you are now ready to begin. Proceed to the special place you
have previously chosen in which to perform your magick. If at all possible, you
should make use of the primitive responses set into motion by a well-chosen
piece of music. Your music should start slowly and build to a rousing climax.

As you use your oils, light your candle or incense (or utilize any other tool
you have chosen), you should begin to further intensify the energy that you have
set into motion around you. A high degree of intensity is vitally important.

The Altered State of Consciousness that you must reach is not a meditative
state. Anything that interferes with your ability to concentrate upon, reach
and control the high energy state necessary to perform magick should be avoided.
Such as, screaming children, a sink full of dirty dishes, use of alcohol or
drugs, etc.

Do not scatter your energy by attempting to do more than one magickal working at
a time.

Remember that Magick is the manipulation of energy, a thought is a form of
energy and a Visualization is an even stronger form of energy. Your
visualization can be a method used to intensify further and direct your will.
Your visualization can be the method by which you control the magickal energy
you have produced. You must know what you want. You must see it. You must feel
the high-energy flow. You must direct it.

One of the most important elements in the practice of any form of Magick is the
Universal Law of Cause and Effect. This means that whatever you do (or don't do)
you cause something to happen.

The most important consideration is the Universal Law of Retribution. This means
that no matter what you do, it comes back to you in like kind.

It is the nature of things that as you send something out it gains momentum, so
that, by the time it comes back to you, it is three times stronger. If you do
something nice for someone, someone will do something nicer for you.

"As you weave and
spin your spell,
Three fold return
the tale will tell."

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Raymond Buckland - Bucklands Book For Spirit Communications
Greg Wotton - Basic Theories On Sex Magic
Richard Johnson - The Zodiac Stellar Stories
Robert Bruce - Treatise On Astral Projection
Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition

Separation Of Magick From Religion

1. Prayer is Energy work. Modern day clergy of many religions provide their flock, parishioners, congregation, whatever it is called, with access to divinity. Although each person is admonished to lead a “Godly” life, the primary focus of worship tends to be through large group ceremonies where a leader, priest, channels the prayers and energy of that congregation through themselves and off to whatever the focus of the prayer was. I personally feel that this channeling through a third party, as a required step and mindset, dilutes the efficacy of that energy somewhat. However, it does not differ substantially from the wiccan coven practice of channeling or focusing energy through a high priest/ess. And even though many are not aware of it, there is strong, statistical, scientific proof that prayer is incredibly effective when used for healing the ill. This study simply looked at the survival rate, and healing speed among people who had been prayed for, all other factors being the same, and those who had not been prayed for. The energy is the same in prayer, or healing spells, which is a strong indicator that wiccan magick provides the same power - a power that is effective and measurable by contemporary science.

2. Spells are Energy Work. Such energy was always amongst us. It is only in the last few hundred years that we have had the technology to document and examine these energies and their effects. In the past there tended to be an individual who was more gifted than others in interpreting and understanding such things. These folks probably devoted time to things such as herbal remedies, and as their healing skills improved, they were able to devote more time and thought to it. People were willing to trade these healers, treatment for food, and over time these people became specialists in their discipline - whatever that entailed. Perhaps reading omens, herbal preventatives, cures, etc. And these folks also had the knack of knowing what would happen. Whether it was early psychology or a good guess, their reputation made them into the Village Wise Woman - the Country Sage. Sometimes these folks skills combined with an inheritance of knowledge from their ancestors, provided them with a powerful knowledge of people, healing, and energy use. These were truly the witches of renown. Powerful people, but without today's communication ability, their influence tended to stay local, only effecting their village or county. Their skills also included various forms of divination, but not usually religion as such. That was left to the Church which was a powerful and distant force. And religion was best left to the priests and ministers of that church, since it was punishable by death for commoners to have read the bible.

1. Even the Christian church, which condemned magic as a devilish art, was also filled with magical beliefs and practices. Magic was legal in Roman times, and this tolerance continued on for many centuries. Sir Walter Raleigh praised said magic, “bringeth to light the inmost virtues, and draweth them out of Nature's hidden bosom to human use.”. The nobility - including princes of the church - supported court magicians, astrologers, and diviners who helped them conduct their affairs. Scholars carefully classified different types of magicians, as if to distinguish the heretical from the acceptable. (The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets, p 566) Although the Christians had the most documentation, almost all cultures had their version of magician or magic workers.

3. Shaman/ka - Other cultures less effected by the power of the formal Church included the interpretation of the god's will among their skills. These indigenous cultures labeled their healing and magick specialists Shaman or Shamanka. In tribal cultures almost everyone had a specialty that made up their part of the entire survival of the tribe. It tended to be those persons who were marked special who became the voice of the Gods for the tribe. Again, these persons had the time to learn, or just think a lot about, the nature of reality, illness and the Gods. In shamanic experience, when one is in non-ordinary reality things will seem quite as material as they are here. ….. All the phenomena that just as real as they do here if it is an extremely clear shamanic journey. But the shaman does not view these non-ordinary phenomena as mental in the sense that they are regarded as a projections of one's own mind. Rather, the mind is being used in order to gain access, to pass through a door into another reality which exists independently of that mind. Usually, the shaman views the universe itself of the ultimate reality. In many shamanic cultures there is preoccupation with the idea that there is some spiritual being who is either in charge of the whole show, or who once was but is now permanent vacation. Most shamans seem to believe that this universe is “just the way things are.” We are given the fact that there is a universe where everything is alive, that there is an interconnectedness of all things, and that there are hidden purposes which we can attempt to investigate to some extent through shamanic methods. So, as one gets involved in shamanism and thus keeps seeing, interacting, and talking with spirits, one quite naturally tends to believe in their existence. And those who continue doing shamanism will most likely also start to believe in the existence of spirits. Of course, more supposedly “sophisticated”: religions may then be built upon that base. I think it is noteworthy that modern physics seem to have elements of animism. Some physicists today are like animists in that they believe everything which exists is alive. It is the sense of our unity with a living universe, the feeling that we are all just parts of that greater life, which is basic to animism.” (Shamanism, compiled by Shirley Nicholson, pp4-5). In some cultures being crippled, having seizures, having mental problems, etc. marked one as being closer to the gods or perhaps having been called by the spirits, and thus a good candidate for the shamanic path. These people freely mixed together the concepts of both the Gods and magick. Their mythology made their gods a part of their everyday world, and allowed for a rich mix of customs, responsive to the tribe's situation and needs. The shamanic tradition focuses of the strengths and aspects of various natural forces within our world, and uses inner journeys of the shaman to bring those truths for use by the shaman's social group.

4. Ceremonial Magick is an area of study that demands much discipline of its adherents. We tend to differentiate its practice from that of the religious magicks that Witches, Pagans and Druids accomplish, primarily because of the Pagan emphasis of calling energy through the gods and the planet. Ceremonial Magic has its own pantheons, and although my understanding is minimal, there is much knowledge that must be acquired, memorized, understood and properly applied. Golden Dawn is one of the best known organizations dealing with ceremonial magick.


Books You Might Enjoy:

Marcus Cordey - Magical Theory And Tradition
Andrew Lang - Myth Ritual And Religion
Sir James George Frazer - The Golden Bough A Study Of Magic And Religion

Nature Of Chaos Magick

...all Nature was all Chaos,
The rounded body of all things in one,
The living elements at war with lifelessness...
The Metamorphosis, Ovid

Chaos magick is the fruit of Austin Osman Spare and Peter Carroll's rebellion against the traditional magickal systems which they deemed needelessly complicated, discriminatory and impotent.

Influenced by both Spare and Austin's scientific pursuits and interests, Chaos Magick is a 'non-system' focusing on the mechanisim of 'belief' as a means to achieve a desired end. Belief in anything, a force, a diety, will be adopted for the purpose of the magickal work at hand and then discarded after it has served its purpose. To do this magicians must become skilled in changing their beliefs at a moment's notice and 'believing' that "Nothing is True and Everything is Permitted" as Ray Sherwin wrote in 'The Theatre Of Magick' "The (Chaos) Magician believes nothing in the sense of having faith. He experiments practically to ascertain if there is any value in the postulates he has either originated or borrowed from elsewhere. It is a fact that we all must hold certain organic beliefs for the sake of convenience. You all believe that the chairs you are sitting in are real -- most of the time. This is not however a mental process, but rather an instinctive or organic one without which life would be impossible."

The path of Chaos is not one for the weak or fearful. You must realize that you are entirely on your own and free to do as you please, therefore you alone are responsible for the outcome of your actions. You will not find 'Karma' or 'The Law of Three' in Chaos Magick to comfortably set your limits for you. Chaos Magick is not black, white or gray, it is simply neutral energy which you will shape into your intention. Therefore, unless you have a solid code of ethics and know what you are doing, Chaos Magick is not for you, indulge in foolishness and you will quickly be on the way to self-annihalation.

In Chaos magick it is up to you to use or create whatever methods of ritual or magickal workings you desire, however there are three core practises that Chaotes commonly use and they are; gnosis, god-form/servitor work, and sigilization. Chaos magick relies on 'gnosis' an altered state of mind to achieve effects. It is a state of single-mindidness which can be achieved through yoga, drumming, chanting, dancing, sex and masturbation and through the use of certain drugs. You will know that you are in a state of gnosis once your mind stops rationalizing about your experience...it is the gateway into your subconcious.

Chaotes generally don't worship a 'god', but as mentioned above they will temporarily believe in any god-from required to make their magick work. Working with god-forms in Chaos Magick involves the same or similar invocation or evocation methods used in traditional systems. Unlike god-forms that already exist, servitors are magickal beings, created by a magician to perform a certain task. Servitors are created in a state of gnosis and stored in a material object such as sigil which then enables the magician to summon, communicate and affect it. There are mainly two types of Servitors; "Egregores" which are large servitors usually created by a group of magicians and remain in existance indefinetly , and "Independent Thought-Forms" which are usually active for the duration of the magickal working and then destroyed by the magician.

Sigil Magick was developed by Spare and involves the creation of an abstract image of the magicians written will or intent and absorbing the sigil into the subconcious in a state of gnosis. It then, should be forgotten and the material sigil destroyed, for it is belived that once the sigil is in the subconcious mind it will operate unaided.

Chaos magick is path of complete magickal freedom, make your choices carefully and be responsible. Above all, if such freedom makes you uncomfortable and you feel a compelling need to be goverened by dogmas, then steer clear from the path of Chaos or your sanity just might get swept away...

Books You Might Enjoy:

Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic
Aleister Crowley - Magick
Julian Wilde - Grimoire Of Chaos Magick

Did We Invent The Gods

Yes. Or have they always been there? Yes. Are they reflections of us, or are we a mirror of them? Yes. Are our Gods external to us, or an internal representation of our own essence. Yes. Do we worship the Gods, or recognize that they are but a complex anthropomorphization we use to give meaning to our lives? Yes. All of the above. Every race of humankind views God/dess in their own image; racial features, social behaviors, etc.. And each race chooses how they will view the Gods. Those who must analyze their world into component parts will find more technical answers. Those who are content to enjoy the mysteries in our lives, simply use the magick inherent in the belief system. There is no conflict in saying that we worship the Gods, even though we are also scientifically based in our world. A rational individual can choose what they intend to do, even if that chosen behavior is irrational. So long as you know it, you acknowledge it and you accept the consequences, there is no conflict. The ability to explore your world rationally, only provides greater meaning to the method you implement in its exploration. There is always a structure, a paradigm through which we make decisions. And the pagan paradigm, which honors each individual as their own best authority, brings honor to all of us, and provides a base culture which works by recognizing everything and everyone's potential: everything and everyone's right to their own path and decisions.

d. Physiological changes based on magick use. Use of magick has other effects besides those not tangible or measurable by the average person. Training in magick has high demands on our mental and intellectual capacities. Earlier I mentioned that magick is weak unless your goal, ritual, and behavior all reinforce each other. That internal consistency is the product of a mind that has learned to examine itself and make rational, reasoned decisions on what its thoughts and behaviors will be. Recent scientific studies have shown that not only is this considered a plus for your in your social interactions, but it also has a physical effect on how your physical mind works. They did studies of individuals involved in Rational Emotive Therapy - a branch of psychology which teaches this internal decision making and consistency - and discovered that with time (three months, I think) the chemical makeup of the brain changed. There was more efficiency and different brain functions were enhance in information takeup. So magick is not only a great way to express your interaction with the divine, but it will literally change you.

e. Psychological changes based on magick use. The way you choose to view your world also has monumental effects on how successful and happy you will be within it. I worked for a very nice lady, named Rose. She had an odd tendency to go from an isolated negative incident to an assumption that everything was bad. If one person was five minutes late to work, she would dress us all down at staff meetings, cautioning everyone to be on time. Any isolated misbehavior became the model and assumption for future speeches. I tried to talk to her about it a couple time, but she just did not seem to understand, that it was only one person, one time. To her each incident was everyone, all the time. She - as I later discovered - was Catholic. The Catholic belief system is based on the idea that we are all horrible sinners, and without direct and frequent intervention and supervision, we would all tumble down that long hill to indulge in the very worst of our natures. With those beliefs as a starting place, it was a normal progression to believe that someone else was just about to demonstrate even worse behavior unless she was responsible enough to intercede now.

My view was very different. With a belief that each of us is a mirror of the Gods and much as they are a reflections of us, I believed the best of each person, unless it became necessary and obvious that their behavior was going to effect others. So, I might mention to the single offending individual that their behavior was not acceptable in this environment, but it would never occur to me to offend everyone else by assuming their behavior would also be negative.

How does this effect our daily lives? I like to illustrate it this way: if you were expecting your significant other to show up, and they not only don't show, but they don't call - ALL NIGHT! - you would very likely go past unhappy, concerned and worried, and proceed over to becoming really angry! If your view of the world is that we are all just bad behaviors waiting to get loose on the world, then it is not hard to see how you would easily assume that your significant other was rude, thoughtless and probably not worth your time.

Now, what if the next morning, you discovered that your SO's mother had a heart attack, your SO had to go to the hospital with her, and was the only family member available to give blood - since Mom had a rare blood type - so your SO had to stay overnight, and was tanked out on drugs to increase blood production and not coherent.

Now, what would your assumption be? Most of us would understand under those circumstances. Now let's look at the Pagan paradigm and review this incident. Same instigating factors, of course. No SO, no call. Now you are worried and concerned. But since you know that your SO is a responsible person, who would not deliberately inflict harm, and who values you as a person innately divine, there has to be something else going on. See, with an assumption that this person is innately divine and a reflection of the Gods, it takes more for you to assume that they are rude and scummy people. It would take actual proof.

So, from the wiccan paradigm, you are more likely to treat others, their decisions, and behaviors with respect. And you will incur that level of respect in their reactions to you. A definite Win-Win situation.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Sir William Stirling Maxwell - The Canon
Aleister Crowley - The Book Of Lies
Max Heindel - The Message Of The Stars
Phil Hine - Oven Ready Chaos
Ea Wallis Budge - Legends Of The Gods

The Magical Library Of Harry Price

Book: The Magical Library Of Harry Price by Anonymous

An Exhibition of Books, Archives and Artefacts from the Collection of a Psychic Investigator and Ghost Hunter.

This exhibition celebrates the treasures in the Harry Price Library of Magical Literature, one of the largest, most well-known and diverse collections in the University of London Library. Recently, major cataloguing and retrospective conversion of the printed books, archives and artefacts has been carried out on the Library, thanks to generous funding from the Vice-Chancellor’s Development Fund. Work on this project is well advanced, and this exhibition is mounted to mark the milestone of the completion of cataloguing printed material and to reveal treasures in the Library, many on view for the first time, to new audiences.

The collection of Harry Price (1881-1948), the publicist of psychical research, developed from a childhood collection of conjuring books into a collection of materials for the cultural history of attitudes to the occult that is unique in the United Kingdom. Although its holdings are strong from the early modern period onwards, they are indispensable for the history of psychical research and spiritualism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In 1937, it contained 4,376 books, 5,343 pamphlets and 725 volumes of periodicals, with extensive holdings comprising ephemera, press cuttings, manuscripts, film, photographs and slides recording the investigative activities of Harry Price and his associates. The printed collection has since been enlarged from a modest endowment and many gifts to approximately 14,000 volumes, and is growing steadily each year. To give an indication of the date range covered by the collection, an estimated 225 books and pamphlets were published between 1600 and 1699 and a further 325 between 1700 and 1799.

Download Anonymous's eBook: The Magical Library Of Harry Price

You also may enjoy this free books:

Aubrey Bell - The Magic Of Spain
Janus Lacinius Therapus - The New Pearl Of Great Price.pdf
Solomonic Grimoires - The Magic Of Armadel
Anonymous - The Magical Library Of Harry Price

The Four Directions Correspondences For Ritual And Magic

he Four Quarters in Circle Casting

It’s a common practice to call upon the energies of the four quarters in circle casting for ritual. Many of the modern aspects associated with each direction have been filtered through ceremonial magic. Other traditions borrow from native cultures and add a shamanic component with animal spirits as guardians of each quarter. The term Guardians of the Watchtowers is sometimes used to call the quarters and believed to be derived from the Enochian (Angelic) system of magic developed by John Dee in the 16th century.

orrespondence Systems

Various traditions and cultures have different correspondences for each direction that are to be used as a complete system. A person working with a group will undoubtedly be trained in that group’s style. But options aren’t limited for solitaries. Encyclopedic books of correspondences are helpful tools.

You can, however, develop your own system of correspondences that you relate strongly with as well as studying the systems of those who came before you. The purpose is to use these components in ritual to focus your mind on the working at hand.

What is presented here is a framework to build from based on systems that have worked for others over the centuries. Below are common correspondences related to each direction to help you connect with the energy you are calling on.
East - Direction of New Life

Season: Spring.

Element: Air.

Colors: Pastels, Yellow.

Tarot: Swords.

Other correspondences: Archangel Raphael, animals that herald in the spring such as the robin, waxing moon, creativity, inspiration, clarity of vision, youth. The eagle is a common totem for the east. Some traditions have the altar facing in this direction because it is the place of new beginnings and vision.

South - Direction of Passion

Season: Summer.

Element: Fire.

Colors: Reds and oranges.

Tarot: Wands.

Other correspondences: Archangel Michael, sun gods and love goddesses, fierce, fiery animals such as the lion, passion, sensuality, regeneration, the full moon, adults in their prime.
West - Direction of Intuition

Season: Autumn.

Element: Water.

Colors: Blues and purples.

Tarot: Cups.

Other correspondences: Archangel Gabriel, dark gods and goddesses, the otter or other watery creatures, dreams, intuition, emotions, the waning moon.

Pentacle in the North
Pentacle in the North
North - Direction of Mystery

Season: Winter.

Element: Earth.

Colors: Browns and black.

Tarot: Pentacles.

Other correspondences: Archangel Uriel, the bear, the ancestors and spirits, the dark moon, the divine mystery, stability, darkness, crones. Some traditions have their altar facing this direction because of its association with spirituality, and the occult.
Learn to Associate with Each Direction

Spend some meditation time with each direction getting to know what aspects are important to you in your area of the world. What plant life flourishes in the different seasons where you are? What animals seem more prevalent and what are their actions? What scents do you associate with each direction? For instance, I would place earthy musk scents in the north and flowery scents like lilac and lavender in the east.

You don't have to be in a rural environment to notice these things as the directions are based on spiritual concepts. Mythological creatures may come to your mind as guardians of each direction or to bring in energies you need to work with.

You may want to spend a period of time over days, weeks, or longer meditating on each direction before moving on to the next. However, in the process of casting a circle or in the middle of ritual, you very likely will be prompted by the spirit of the direction that needs your utmost attention.

Trust your intuition and write down or sketch everything that comes to you in these meditations even if it seems unimportant. This can prove invaluable to your personal practice and provide information in developing your own system of correspondences to use for years to come.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Aleister Crowley - The Initiated Interpretation Of Ceremonial Magic
Eliphas Levi - Transcendental Magic Part Ii The Ritual Of Transcendental Magic
Ophiel - The Art Practice Of Caballa Magic
Eliphas Levi - The Doctrine Of Transcendental Magic

Spring Flower Magic

As spring arrives, our gardens begin to bud and eventually bloom. For hundreds of years, the plants that we grow have been used in magic. Flowers in particular are often connected with a variety of magical uses. Now that spring is here, keep an eye out for some of these flowers around you, and consider the different magical applications they might have.

* Crocus: This flower is one of the first you'll see in the spring, and it's often associated with newly blooming love. The crocus is also known to enhance visions and bring about intuitive dreams.
* Daffodil: The bright petals of the daffodil are typically found in shades of white, yellow or even pale orange. This flower is associated with love and fertility -- place fresh ones in your home to bring about abundance. Wear this flower close to your heart to draw love and luck.
* Dandelion: The leaf of the dandelion is used for healing, purificaiton, and ritual cleansing. To bring positive change about, plant dandelions in the northwest corner of your property. The bright yellow flowers can be used in divination, or placed in a sachet to draw good energy your way.
* Echinacea: Also called purple coneflower, this garden mainstay adds a little bit of magical "oomph" to charmes and sachets. Use it for prosperity related workings. Burn the dried flowers in incense, and use on your altar during ritual as an offering to deities.
* Goldenseal: This sunny yellow flower is often found growing in the wild, alongside roads and in fields. Use it in money spells, or for business dealings. Work it into charms connected to matters of financial gain or legal issues.
* Hibiscus: This lusty flower incites passion -- use it to attract love or lust, or for prophetic dreams about your lover. Burn in incense, or carry in a sachet to bring love your way.
* Hyacinth: This flower was named for Hyakinthos, a Greek divine hero who was beloved by Apollo, so it's sometimes considered the patron herb of homosexual men. Hyacinth is also known to promote peaceful sleep, and guards against nightmares. Carry in an amulet to help heal a broken heart or to ease grief when a loved one dies.
* Lily: The Easter lily or Tiger lily is associated with all kinds of Spring connections -- fertility, rebirth, renewal and abundance.
* Narcissus: Named for another Greek figure, the Narcissus helps promote polarity and harmony. Its calming vibrations bring about tranquility and inner peace.
* Tulip: The tulip appears in many different colors and varieties, but is typically connected to prosperity. You can use the different colored variations in color magic -- use a dark strain such as Queen of the Night for full moon rituals, or bright red flowers for love magic.
* Violet: In Roman myth, the first violet sprung from the spilled blood of the god Attis, who killed himself for Cybele, the mother goddess. However, today the violet is associated with tranquility and peace. The leaf offers protection from evil, and can be sewn into a pillow or sachet for a new baby. Carry the petals with you to bring about luck and enhance nighttime magic.

Important: Remember that some plants can be toxic to pets. Before you plant or pick any of these, be sure to check to make sure it won't be harmful to your furry companions. A great resource to check is on the ASPCA website at Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Nathaniel Harris - Liber Satangelica
Sepharial - Astrology And Marriage
Dion Fortune - Ceremonial Magic Unveiled
Aleister Crowley - Magick

Magick Mirrors

The black scrying mirror, or magick mirror, is a powerful psychic tool. It can bring the user hidden knowledge and clairvoyant ability and can act as a portal to other planes of existence. History shows its use in many of the traditional mystery schools and oracular temples. Today the serious student of magickal arts can rediscover the ancient rites of the magick mirror, for these techniques are again coming to light.

Scrying can be defined as the mantic art of gazing into or upon a crystal or dark mirror, allowing the physical eyes to relax, thus letting the inner psychic eyes begin to open and receive desired visions or information. The use of the black mirror is one of the best methods of achieving the state of mind required for entering trance and for scrying work. It not only acts as a focal point for visualization but can become a doorway into the astral plane. It allows communication with higher realms and the subconscious and access to Akashic records. The traditional crystal ball is also a wonderful tool, but it is more difficult to scry with and is extremely expensive. The mirror is a more efficient way to begin to learn to scry and journey in other realms.

Books You Might Enjoy:

Thomas Moore - Candle Magick For Love
Roger Bacon - The Mirror Of Alchemy
Medieval Grimoires - The Grimoire Of Honorius
Margaret Alice Murray - God Of The Whitches
Aleister Crowley - Magick Without Tears

Magical Crystals And Gemstones

Many wiccans and Pagans use crystals and gemstones in workings, because every stone is connected to some aspect of the human experience. Different traditions attribute various therapeutic and magical properties to each stones, but you can learn which correspondences work best for you. While this is by no means a comprehensive list of every stone in existence, you can use this as a reference point and add to it in your own notes. Write down any workings you do in your book of shadows so you can keep track of your results later on.

Agate

* Common Name: Agate
* Appearance: Brown or gold, sometimes found banded, or in greens or blues
* Element(s): Earth
* Healing powers: Connected to brow chakra and matters of the mind; used in workings related to energy, depression, mental health
* Magical uses: Brings about truth and new perspectives, memories and healing, overcoming loneliness or sadness
* Other Info: Various forms include Moss Agate and Lace Agate

Amber

* Common Name: Amber
* Appearance: Light yellow to orange, sometimes found in shades of green
* Element(s): Fire
* Planetary connection: Sun
* Healing powers: Used to treat eyesight disorders, afflictions of the throat
* Magical uses: Provides clarity and confidence, strength and protection
* Other Info: Amber is not truly a stone, but a resin

Amethyst

* Common Name: Amethyst
* Appearance: Purple/violet form of quartz crystal
* Element(s): Water
* Astrological connection: Aquarius, Pisces
* Healing powers: Connected to the crown chakra, used in treatment of depression and anxiety, stress relief
* Magical uses: Use in rituals for sharpening the mind and enhancing intuitive powers; also can be an aid in cleansing and clearing sacred space

Bloodstone

* Common Name: Bloodstone
* Also known as: Heliotrope
* Appearance: Green, speckled with reds and golds
* Element(s): Fire
* Planetary connection: Mars
* Healing powers: Connected to matters of the blood, such as hemorrhaging, menstrual cycles, circulatory system
* Magical uses: General healing, but also used in workings related to money and abundance, fertility

Carnelian

* Common Name: Carnelian
* Appearance: Red/orange to brown, often streaked with white
* Element(s): Grounding
* Healing powers: Associated with treatment of impotency and infertility, also believed to stop nose bleeding or hemorrhaging
* Magical uses: Use in magical shielding, or as a talisman against psychic attack

Diamond

* Common Name: Diamond
* Appearance: Colorless or white, sometimes streaked with yellows
* Element(s): Air, Fire
* Planetary connection: Sun
* Healing powers: Can be used for fertility issues, reproductive health, sexual dysfunction
* Magical uses: Use for rituals involving meditation and intuition, scrying, astral travel

Garnet

* Common Name: Garnet
* Appearance: Deep red to purple
* Element(s): Fire
* Deity connection: Persephone
* Healing powers: Connected to the root chakra, garnets can be used in healing of reproductive disorders and regulating the menstrual cycle
* Magical uses: Strongly tied to women's bodies, the garnet is associated with moon magic; also used in rituals to balance the spiritual with the physical body
* Other info: In some traditions, a garnet obtained through deceit brings a curse upon the person who possesses it, until returned to the legal owner

Hematite

* Common Name: Hematite
* Also known as: Paint ore, Iron rose
* Appearance: Silvery-gray, shiny black to brown
* Element(s): Fire
* Planetary connection: Saturn
* Healing powers: Connected to healing of inflammation and blood disorders, treatment of infection and fevers
* Magical uses: Use for workings involving protection, particularly of home or property; also an excellent stone for willpower and confidence, problem solving, psychic awareness

Jade

* Common Name: Jade
* Also known as: Tremolite
* Appearance: Pale green, sometimes white, pink or gray
* Element(s): Earth
* Healing powers: Connected to healing of the internal organs such as the kidneys or spleen; also used to balance the humors of the body and promote longevity
* Magical uses: Symbolic of pure love, serenity, innocence and truthfulness

Jasper

* Common Name: Jasper
* Also known as: Egyptian marble
* Appearance: Usually a brownish-red color, often contains streaks of white
* Element(s): Earth
* Healing powers: Can be used in therapy for cancer and other debilitating diseases, blood disorders
* Magical uses: A great stone for grounding and centering after a ritual, also used to bring luck and good fortune

Lapis Lazuli

* Common Name: Lapis Lazuli
* Also known as: Lazurite
* Appearance: Shades of blue, from pale to deep; usually spotted or banded
* Element(s): Water
* Healing powers: Used to treat depression and lift the spirits, also connected to brow chakra and brain disorders
* Magical uses: Workings involving altered consciousness, trance work, meditation, connection with the divine

Moonstone

* Common Name: Moonstone
* Also known as: Cylon Opal
* Appearance: White to colorless, sometimes found in pale blues; looks a bit like Opal in some cases
* Element(s): Water
* Planetary connection: Moon
* Deity connection: Any goddess with a triple aspect - Diana, Selene, Hecate
* Healing powers: Anything related to female reproduction, childbirth, menstrual cycles
* Magical uses: Can be used in workings related to wisdom and intuition, Goddess-focused rituals

Obsidian

* Common Name: Obsidian
* Appearance: Glassy and black, shiny to smoky along edges
* Element(s): Fire
* Healing powers: Draws toxins from the body, particularly the liver; can be used in energy work at the base of the feet to pull toxins downwards; also protects soft or gentle people from abuse and harm
* Magical uses: Excellent for use in scrying and intuition, also for workings involving women's mysteries or the subconscious self

Opal

* Common Name: Opal
* Appearance: Found in many shades, ranging from opaque and pale to dark grays or blues, usually speckled with multiple colors
* Element(s): All four
* Healing powers: Because it contains many of the colors found in other stones, opal works as a substitute for other crystals; usually used in emotional and spiritual healing rather than physical
* Magical uses: Protection, enhancing magical workings, opal absorbs the energy around it, whether positive or negative

Quartz, Rose

* Common Name: Quartz, rose
* Appearance: Pale pink, usually opaque
* Element(s): Air
* Healing powers: Connected to heart chakra, issues of love and relationships
* Magical uses: Any workings related to love and friendship, both giving and receiving love; relief of emotional issues
* Other info: Rose quartz will fade over time if left in the sun

Quartz, White

* Common Name: Quartz, white
* Appearance: Clear to opaque white
* Element(s): All
* Healing powers: Because it's clear, white quartz can disperse light in any color, which connects it to all seven chakras
* Magical uses: Use in any healing ritual, connecting with the Divine, workings related to intuition or spiritual growth and development
* Other info: Sometimes called the "Ice of Eternity"

Sapphire

* Common Name: Sapphire
* Appearance: Various shades of blue, from pale to dark, sometimes found in white or yellow
* Element(s): Water
* Planetary connection: Mercury
* Astrological connection: Libra
* Healing powers: Connected to throat chakra, disorders of the respiratory system and breathing problems
* Magical uses: Use in rituals involving prophecy, contacting spirit guides

Tiger's Eye

* Common Name: Tiger's Eye
* Also known as: Bull's Eye
* Appearance: Brownish-tan or gold with black banding
* Element(s): Fire
* Planetary connection:
* Healing powers: Enhances overall energy, general physical health
* Magical uses: Use for courage and protection rituals

Turquoise

* Common Name: Turquoise
* Appearance: Various shades of blue, often speckled or banded in black
* Element(s): Water
* Healing powers: Treatment of stomach disorders, eye ailments, broken bones; use for chakra alignment
* Magical uses: Brings about wisdom, intuition, and healing

Zircon

* Common Name: Zircon
* Appearance: Colorless to white, pale orange, pink or yellow
* Element(s): Fire
* Planetary connection: Sun
* Healing powers: Sexual energy, overall healing
* Magical uses: Use in rituals involving beauty, love, peace and relationships
* Other info: Because it is similar in appearance to diamonds, some traditions use zircon as a substitute in workings

Books You Might Enjoy:

Sepharial - Astrology And Marriage
Mira Ray - Minerals And Gems In Indian Alchemy
Michael Jordan - Dictionary Of Gods And Goddesses
Aleister Crowley - The Stratagem And Other Stories
Anonymous - Pagan Stones And Gems