Ten Healing Crystals for Stress

Stress is unavoidable in any society and is a symptom of our

inability or ineffectiveness to accept change as fast as it seems

thrust upon us. We must adapt quickly to disappointments, shock and

traumas, physical pain, and other tremendous emotional and

psychological imbalances in our environments. It isn't easy to keep

up with the changes!



Crystals are particularly good at helping us adapt to changes in

energy frequencies created through stressful situations. There seems

to be a crystal for every form of stress including financial

(Citrine), relationships (Rose Quartz) and burnout (Smokey Quartz).

Having a large crystal in a room can also help reduce stress, by

reducing negative energies and harmonizing imbalanced energy

patterns.



By wearing the crystals through out the day, preferably as a full

necklace, as a pendant, or in a small pouch at the Heart Chakra; the

vibrations of the crystals will continue to affect areas of the

imbalance, restoring a positive state where the imbalance has

occurred. The effects of crystal healing at the emotional and

psychological levels are subtle, yet are often noticed more by others

than yourself! I have listed ten crystals and gemstones that are

useful in healing stress.



Ten "Stress Stones"

Amethyst

Keep an Amethyst cluster at your desk or in your therapy room to

transmute negative energy. Amethyst helps you think and act at your

highest level. It's good for promotions (spiritual), and reduces

tension headaches. Wear an Amethyst pendant continuously for migraine

prevention and for alleviating arthritic pain.



Citrine

The "Success Stone" - Citrine encourages a bright outlook and

happiness. It attracts wealth and joy. Keep a piece in your wallet to

enrich your holdings. It can help stabilize emotions and soothe

family problems. Citrine is also good for improving stress-related

digestive problems.



Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz can be worn as a crystal pendant to deflect radiation

from going to your body. Quartz is an excellent general physical

system fortifier and protector. It increases mental clarity. Hold a

clear crystal at your solar plexus and breath evenly for several

minutes to calm your emotions, to relax the body, to clear the mind,

and to refresh your energy. Stare into the crystal to clear writer's

block and to increase creativity.



Fluorite

Fluorite - a stone to unblock stuck energies. For digestive systems

problems use the yellow/green color combination. For pains in the

skeletal and muscular system, use the blue/white color combination.

For head area complaints, use the purple/clear combination. For

asthma, wear the green colored Fluorite. To help congested mental

thoughts, use a purple cluster in your work area, or position a

cluster at your crown chakra while sleeping.



Garnet

Garnet - An energy revitalizer. Garnet is excellent for strengthening

the base chakra. It promotes sexual energy (for your self and

partner). It helps increase circulation to the legs and pelvic area.

It reduces menstrual pain when held or taped over the ovaries and

uterus. Garnet can increase sexual stimulation and fertility too!



Hematite

"The Anti-Stress Stone". Hematite reflects back negative energies to

the sender (so you don't end up taking them on yourself). Hematite

dissolves the issues when one meets with confrontation. Tape a small

piece over the leg and back areas to reduce pain and to increase

electromagnetic circulation. Hematite helps balance the meridians.



Malachite

Malachite is excellent for Type A personalities and for those prone

to heart disease and stresses to internal organs. It helps to

detoxify the liver and to increase blood circulation. Malachite is

excellent for breaking up old energy patterns. Use it with Rose

Quartz to soften the effects of a broken heart! Due to the possibly

toxic copper content of this stone, keep Malachite away from pets and

children, and do not wear it against the skin for long periods of

time. This stone is for external use only.



Rose Quartz

"The Love Stone" - Rose Quartz is very protective and soothing for

many issues. Place a large chunk of the stone at your Heart Centre

for 15 minutes to relax after a stressful day. Rose Quartz helps to

unblock anxiety and to promote healing of private emotional issues.

It allows one to become more receptive and open to challenges.



Smokey Quartz

Smokey Quartz is an excellent stabilizer for mood swings. It helps

ground feelings of depression, and both absorbs and transmutes

negativity. This stone is best worn at the solar plexus, the seat of

the emotions. Smokey Quartz is excellent for PMS and cranky persons;

and good for persons imbalanced due to extreme stress and burnout.

It provides a protective field for recovery.



Turquoise

"A Stone of Protection" - Turquoise is an excellent toner for all

systems of the body. It helps prevent organs from absorbing toxins

and breaking down. Wear this stone at the throat to strengthen your

will and to communicate effectively. It helps to sweeten the voice

and speak your truth. Turquoise helps reduce premature aging.



Some Hints On Crystal Healing

Your commitment to the crystal is part of the healing process. Let

the crystal do the work for you.



It is best not to wear more than two crystals at any one time if you

are new to crystal healing, as many find the effects too distracting.

The length of time to obtain the effects desired will depend on the

quality of the crystal (size, color, energy charge), location worn,

duration worn, and the crystal's appropriateness to your healing

issue. Some crystals are better suited to the overall underlying

problem than to just treat superficial symptoms. Select your crystal

with an honest outlook on the problem.



by Karen Ryan, Crystal Energy Therapist

The Raven - by Edgar Allen Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,


Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

“ ’Tis some visiter,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—

Only this and nothing more.”



Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,

And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.

Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow

From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—

For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—

Nameless here for evermore.



And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain

Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;

So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating

“ ’Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door—

Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door;

This it is and nothing more.”



Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,

“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;

But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,

And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,

That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—

Darkness there and nothing more.



Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,

Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;

But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,

And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, “Lenore!”

This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, “Lenore!”—

Merely this, and nothing more.



Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,

Soon I heard again a tapping somewhat louder than before.

“Surely,” said I, “surely that is something at my window lattice;

Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore—

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—

“Tis the wind and nothing more!”



Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,

In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore;

Not the least obeisance made he; not an instant stopped or stayed he;

But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—

Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—

Perched, and sat, and nothing more.



Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,

“Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven,

Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore—

Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!”

Quoth the Raven “Nevermore.”



Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,

Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;

For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being

Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—

Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,

With such name as “Nevermore.”



But the Raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only

That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.

Nothing farther then he uttered—not a feather then he fluttered—

Till I scarcely more than muttered “Other friends have flown before—

On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.”

Then the bird said “Nevermore.”



Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,

“Doubtless,” said I, “what it utters is its only stock and store

Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster

Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—

Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore

Of “Never—nevermore.”



But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,

Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;

Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking

Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—

What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking “Nevermore.”



This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing

To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;

This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining

On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamplght gloated o’er,

But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er,

She shall press, ah, nevermore!



Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer

Swung by Angels whose faint foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.

“Wretch,” I cried, “thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee

Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore;

Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”



“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—

Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,

Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—

On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—

Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”



“Prophet!” said I, “thing of evil—prophet still, if bird or devil!

By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—

Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—

Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore.”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”



“Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!” I shrieked, upstarting—

“Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!

Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!

Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!”

Quoth the Raven, “Nevermore.”



And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting

On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;

And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,

And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;

And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor

Shall be lifted—nevermore!

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe

It was many and many a year ago,


In a kingdom by the sea,

That a maiden lived whom you may know

By the name of Annabel Lee; —

And this maiden she lived with no other thought

Than to love and be loved by me.



She was a child and I was a child,

In this kingdom by the sea,

But we loved with a love that was more than love —

I and my Annabel Lee —

With a love that the wingéd seraphs of Heaven

Coveted her and me.



And this was the reason that, long ago,

In this kingdom by the sea,

A wind blew out of a cloud by night

Chilling my Annabel Lee;

So that her high-born kinsmen came

And bore her away from me,

To shut her up, in a sepulchre

In this kingdom by the sea.



The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,

Went envying her and me;

Yes! that was the reason (as all men know,

In this kingdom by the sea)

That the wind came out of the cloud, chilling

And killing my Annabel Lee.



But our love it was stronger by far than the love

Of those who were older than we —

Of many far wiser than we —

And neither the angels in Heaven above

Nor the demons down under the sea

Can ever dissever my soul from the soul

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee: —



For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And the stars never rise but I see the bright eyes

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;

And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side

Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride

In her sepulchre there by the sea —

The 21 Rules Of Halloween!

1. When it appears that you have killed the monster, NEVER check to
see if it's really dead.



2. Never read a book of demon summoning aloud, even as a joke.



3. Do not search the basement, especially if the power has gone out.



4. If your children speak to you in Latin or any other language
which they should not know, shoot them immediately. It will save you
a lot of grief in the long run. However, it will probably take
several rounds to kill them, so be prepared. This also applies to
kids who speak with somebody else's voice.



5. When you have the benefit of numbers, NEVER pair off and go
alone.



6. As a general rule, don't solve puzzles that open portals to Hell.



7. Never stand in, on, or above a grave, tomb, or crypt. This would
apply to any other house of the dead as well.



8. If you're searching for something which caused a loud noise and
find out that it's just the cat, GET THE HELL OUT!



9. If appliances start operating by themselves, do not check for
short circuits; just get out.



10. Do not take ANYTHING from the dead.


11. If you find a town which looks deserted, there's probably a good
reason for it. Don't stop and look around.



12. Don't fool with recombinant DNA technology unless you're sure
you know what you're doing.



13. If you're running from the monster, expect to trip or fall down
at east twice, more if you are female. Also note that, despite the
fact that you are running and the monster is merely shambling along,
it's still moving fast enough to catch up with you.



14. If your companions suddenly begin to exhibit uncharacteristic
behavior such as hissing, fascination for blood, glowing eyes,
increasing hairiness, and so on, kill them immediately.



15. Stay away from certain geographical locations, some of which are
listed here: Amityville, Elm Street, Transylvania, Nilbog (you're in
trouble if you recognize this one), anywhere in Texas where
chainsaws are sold, the Bermuda Triangle, or any small town in
Maine. And definitely stay away from open fields.



16. If your car runs out of gas at night on a lonely road, do not go
to he nearby deserted-looking house to phone for help. If you think
that it is strange you ran out of gas because you thought you had
most of a tank, shoot yourself instead. You are going to die anyway,
and most likely be eaten.



17. Beware of strangers bearing tools. For example: chainsaws,
staple guns, hedge trimmers, electric carving knives, combines,
lawnmowers, butane torches, soldering irons, band saws, or any
devices made from deceased companions.



18. If you find that your house is built upon a cemetery, now is the
time to move in with the in-laws. This also applies to houses that
had previous inhabitants who went mad or committed suicide or died
in some horrible fashion, or had inhabitants who performed satanic
practices.



19. Dress appropriately. When investigating a noise downstairs in an
old house, women should not wear a flimsy negligee. And carry a
flashlight, not a candle.



20. Do not mention the names of demons around open flames, as these
can flare suddenly. Be especially careful of fireplaces in this regard.



21. Do not go looking for Witches in the Maryland countryside.





HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

How to Hold a Seance

A séance is an event that can either be fantastic, or a real mess. Which one it is will depend on how much preparation goes into it. With a little bit of planning and thought ahead of time, you can pave the way for your séance to go smoothly. Certainly, it's a good idea to expect the unexpected -- after all, the dead are hardly predictable -- but by setting yourself a few guidelines in advance, you can make sure that everyone has the best experience possible.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

Plan your guest list: Figure out how many people you're going to have -- and make sure the space you're using will allow them all. If your living room only seats eight people comfortably, don't invite fifteen! Also, be sure that everyone attending is open-minded to the spirit world. People who are adamantly "non-believers" bring a certain amount of negative energy, and this can be disruptive. You may also find that it adversely effects your communication with the spirits during your séance.

Create a Spirit-Friendly Atmosphere: Most people like to conduct a séance at a round or oval table, but if neither is available, don't worry. Drape the table with fabric or sheets -- some people prefer light colors to attract "friendly" spirits, but it's a matter or personal preference. If you use incense, be sure that no one in your group is allergic to it. Place incense somewhere away from the table, rather than on the table itself. Candles are a nice addition as well -- not only do they provide some visibility, but there's a school of thought that believes spirits are attracted to heat and light sources.

Common Sense: Help everyone get comfortable by offering refreshments before you begin. Make sure that guests will be respectful of the spirits, and of other guests. Turn off all cell phones. If anyone needs to go to the bathroom or have a smoke, do so before you begin. Set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature -- remember that spirit activity can cause some fluctuation in levels of cold or heat. Once everyone is seated, you can help everyone relax by doing a short guided mediation, offering a prayer, or casting a protective circle, if your tradition requires you to do so.

During the Seance: Although many people like to do this, you don't have to hold hands to raise energy. In fact, if a séance goes on too long, it can get downright uncomfortable. Whoever is acting as the leader of the séance -- the medium -- should ask the spirits to join the group. If there is a specific spirit you are trying to contact, ask for them by name. For example, now would be the time to say, "Dear Auntie Gertrude, we respectfully ask that you honor us with your presence this evening." In some séances, spirits are summoned by chanting -- this will be up to your medium to decide on.

As long as the spirits seem willing to reply, you can carry on a question and answer session with them. Bear in mind that spirits respond in many different ways. Sometimes there will be a tangible reaction -- a tap, a thump, a soft breeze. Other times -- particularly if you have a room full of very psychically gifted people -- the spirit may choose to respond through another person. This may be the medium, or any other guest. The individual may simply "get a message" to pass along, which they would then share, such as, "Your Auntie Gertrude wants you to know she isn't in pain any more."

Party Time: Sometimes, particularly if you have a group of psychically gifted individuals as guests, you may get several spirits arriving all at once, chattering away. This is not cause for alarm, but it does take some managing, because they've all got something to say. Treat it like you would any other conversation with a large group of people -- let each spirit get their turn to deliver the message they came with, and then move on to the next one. Also, bear in mind that not all spirits are from departed humans -- deceased pets may also have a message to pass along.

Unwanted Entities: Just like at any other party, sometimes a séance will bring an uninvited guest. In this case, when you have a spirit that seems malevolent or mischievous, someone needs to let them know they're unwelcome. Typically, this will be the medium who is leading the séance, who will usually say something like, "You are not wanted here, but we thank you for your presence. Now it is time for you to move on."

If an entity arrives that seems angry or hostile and will not leave, no matter what you do, end the séance. Chances are good that it's been attracted to someone in your group who is dysfunctional.

Closing the Door: When you're done with the séance, it's important that guests thank the spirits for coming to visit. After all, you would do so if you had living guests drop in!

If one of your attendees seems to have slipped into a trance or a sleep-like state during the séance, allow them to return gradually, on their own. Do NOT shake them awake. Chances are they'll have a message for someone once they're back among the group.

Close the séance by telling the spirits farewell, thanking them, and asking them to move along. You may want to offer a small blessing or prayer as a way of ending the formal séance, but bear in mind that some spirits like to hang around after the séance has officially finished. If they do, it's okay. They're probably just curious, and they may return to visit you later in the evening during a dream sequence.

Tips:

Before you begin your seance, smudge the area with sage or sweetgrass for ritual cleansing.

Make sure you've eliminated potential distractions, such as children or ringing telephones. Interestingly, many pets seem to come and go through spirit activity without causing any disruption. Cats in particular tend to be very curious about what's going on.

Your guests may wish to bring an object that belonged to a deceased person, as a way of strengthening the connection. Photographs are also good links to the dead.

**FYI - the above picture is a picture from a Houdini Seance.  Whenever I think Seance I think of Houdini.

7 Ways to Remove Negative Energy in the Home

With the day we are having today at work, we might have to do this for our office.

We all can appreciate the beautiful healing energy of spending time in nature, away from civilization. But eventually we have to come home. When we compare the sense of peace and connectedness we feel in nature and to the stress and noise and bustle of city, we know internally that there is a difference. Part of the difference is the energy programmed into the physical objects of these places. Nature in general has more positive energy than our homes or cities.

Reasons Nature's Energy is Positive

There are less people around in nature, so it is more isolated from people's thoughts. Thoughts are energy. Thought energy attaches to the physical objects near the origin of those thoughts. Negative thought energy creates stronger energy patterns and remains longer than positive thought energy. Worry, fear, and stress last longer than love, peace and happiness.

Sunlight is a stream of positive energy that washes away any negative energy. It's like pouring cold pure mountain stream water onto a sponge. The sponge is rinsed of anything it has collected. When was the last time you were depressed after a day at the beach.

Nature is usually filled with plants. Plants give off positive energy. They are alive so they put out a positive vibration, but they don't really think so they don't put out any negative thoughts the way people do. Plants don't' worry about jobs, or bills or relationships.

Before we can start filling our homes with positive energy, we need to remove any accumulation of negative energy. So here is a list of seven simple proven techniques that you can use to remove negative energy from any space:



1. Salt carpets. This is the simple easiest best way. Simply sprinkle dry table salt on the carpet, wait an hour and then vacuum the up the salt. Use approximately 3 to 6 spoonfuls of salt for a medium size room. Salt crystals have an amazing natural built in-ability to erase the programming of energy. Using salt is like using an eraser on a chalk board. The information on the board is wiped away.



2. Remove clutter. Things like old magazines and dirty clothes can trap a lot of negative energy in your house. Remove old items you no longer need. Keep coffee tables picked up and clean. Put your laundry in a laundry hamper. Wash your dirty dishes and put them away. Negative energy needs objects to hang on to so it can remain around.



3. Loud noises. This is the reason the Chinese love fireworks. Loud noises break up energy patterns and allow them to disperse. Mother Nature does the same thing with the noise of thunder storms.



4. Play spiritual music. My favorite is the album Eric Pepin album "Deep Resonating Aums" from the Higher Balance Institute. A close second is the song "God is Real" from Krishna Das on his "Door of Faith" album. Buddhist monks use tingshaws to dissipate unfavorable energy. You can use your stereo with the same effect. Combine this technique with no. 4 and a great pair of speakers for a really deep cleaning.



5. Meditate there. A proper meditation once or twice a day in your living space will broadcast out a powerful positive vibration. A broadcast from a meditative state of mind becomes much more powerful than it would otherwise be, making positive energy more powerful than negative energy. A proper meditation will saturate a space with uplifting energy for several hours.



6. Rearrange the furniture. The Chinese practice the art of Feng Shui. Again negative energy needs something to "cling to." Arrange your space with as much wide open space as possible, allowing any negative energy to disperse. But also the act of rearranging will cause this harmful energy to dissipate.



7. Add living plants. Plants add color, life, oxygen and positive energy to your home. All good things to have. But only if you water and maintain them.

Witch Bottles

Witch Bottles were originally sold by Matthew Hopkins and other such

self-proclaimed "witchfinders" who promised that their bottles would protect

their customers from all of the hysterical nonsense and ickiness they tried

to blame on Witchcraft. These enterprising ecclesiastical extortionists had

a captive clientele, because if you didn't buy one of these creations from

them, you might just get accused of being a witch yourself. Where these guys

got the idea in the first place is still a matter of dispute. It's quite

possible that the idea originated with the Witches in the first place, and

Hopkins and company stole it from folk magic they grew up with or discovered

as they traveled through Europe decimating villages.



Witch hunting was nasty stuff, but the technique of using a Witch bottle is

still magically useful, and if some good can be brought out of the sorrow and

pain of the past, perhaps we should do so. The Witch bottle has bogus

beginnings, but it is fertile with potential applications nonetheless--the

idea of working magic with a bottle as the primary medium of expression is

just too good to let languish because of some ill-mannered louts.



Using bottles for magic pre-dates the Inquisition by a considerable stretch.

The whole process of blowing glass to make a bottle was an alchemical art in

and of itself. Old bottles seem to have a charm to them, a quality or

character that makes them somehow special. Perhaps there was something to

the notion of the glassblower emulating the gods by blowing life-breath into

the glass in order to form it. There are all manner of romantic notions you

can draw on to add color to this particular practice of folk magic.



To make a Witch bottle, first select a bottle you want to work with. Your

bottle may be clear or tinted. If it is colored, select a color that suits

your purpose. If you want to see the contents, obviously you'll want to

avoid using brown bottles. Tinted bottles are wonderful for spells that make

use of color correspondences.



Once you have a bottle, wash it with warm soapy water, then magically cleanse

it, and bathe it in the light of the Full Moon. If you want to be more

finicky, choose a time when the Full Moon is in a favorable zodiacal

sign--check your empemeris or Llewellyn's Moon Sign Book for more information

about the Moon's signs.



When the bottle is clean, it's time to fill it. There are a lot of options

when it comes to the contents. Some suggestions are:



*To make a Witch bottle to aid in grounding, such as in a training group,

fill your bottle with sand, small rocks, granite dust, or other such

materials. Seal it with colored wax or a cork, and place the bottle in view

when it is to be available for use. If made for a training group, upon

graduation/initiation you might consider pouring out a share of the charged

material for each student to make their own bottle.



*For protection from unfriendly forces, you can fill a bottle with sharp

objects such as pins, needles, and nails. You can find ideas for this sort

of Witch bottle in the book "Magical Household" by Scott Cunningham and David

Harrington.



*By collecting appropriate herbs, resins, leaves, and spices and filling a

bottle with them, you can concoct a wide variety of wards, spells, or

talismans. Add vegetable oil or cider vinegar, and you have wonderful gifts

for your friends that not only can enhance their lives with magic, but can

enhance their food as well.



*Colored sand can be sifted into a bottle in order to create patterns of

rough symbols like a rune or planetary sigil. This takes a bit of patience

and care. You need a thin stick, like a tongue depressor, to move the sand

around in order to build the symbol from the bottom up. It takes some

practice, but once you get the hang of it, this looks very impressive,

especially if you use your color correspondences or the more advanced

flashing colors of the Golden Dawn.



*You can use iron or other metal filings to create a magical battery or

repository for specific sorts of workings. Let the filings acquire a good

charge from various rituals, then use them in divination or spellwork as

desired.



*Fill your bottle with different sorts of sawdust from various trees,

according to their magical properties. This is a bottle that can be charged

during the particular month, season, or sabbat appropriate to the wood(s)

used. You may even want to use this sawdust to start ritual fires for

specific sabbats or rites in order to add something special to the

proceedings.



*A bottle filled with ashes from special campfires, or pinches of soil from

campsites you've stayed at, makes a powerful memory catalyst and allows you

to carry some of that energy with you, or to bring it to another ritual or

sacred space like a talisman.



*You can also fill a bottle with a variety of flower petals selected for

their healing properties, attributes, or correspondences to planetary or

other forces. You may want to include a bit of alcohol, vinegar, or olive

oil to preserve the flowers.



Witch bottles are versatile, eminently useful, and can be a lot of fun to

make and share. Once you start playing around with this idea, you'll come up

with your own unique uses and applications.



Draining Negativity Spell

Boy, could I have used this spell last year,  this is a keeper.

To rid yourself of excess negativity, pour a cup of dark, old liquid such as stale coffee or tea into an old paper cup. Send all that’s bothering you into the cup, visualizing the bad energy leaving you and flowing into the liquid. Turn on the faucet at the sink, and pour the liquid into the drain. Say these or similar words:

Drain, drain, drain away,

All my pain and strain leaves today.


Watch it swirl away, out of your house and out of your life. Let the water run for a while, then toss a pinch of salt into the drain to purify it. Burn or throw away the paper cup. This spell is best done on the dark of the Moon, but is effective anytime.

Break the Power of a Spell

If you believe that a spell has been cast against you, place a large black candle in the cauldron (or a large black bowl). The candles must be tall enough to extend a few inches above the cauldron's rim. Affix the candle to the bottom of the cauldron with warmed beeswax or the drippings of another black candle so that it will not tip over.



Fill the cauldron to the rim with fresh water, without wetting the candle's wick. An inch or two should remain above the water. Deeply breathe, meditate, clear your mind and light the candle. Visualize the suspected spell's power as residing within the candle's flame. Sit in quiet contemplation of the candle and visualize the power flowing and growing within the candle's flame. (Yes, the power against you) As the candle burns down, its flame will eventually sputter and go out as it contacts the water. As soon as the flame has been extinguished by the water, the spell

will be dispersed.

Break your visualization of the spell's power; see it explode into dust, becoming impotent.

Pour the water into a hole in the ground, a lake or stream. Bury the candle. It is done.

Samhain

Samhain is the most important of all the sabbats because it is the start of the Witches' New Year. It is also the most misunderstood and feared sabbat. At this time of year, the veil between the two worlds is very thin. The altar is decorated with fall leaves, apples, pomegranates, pumpkin, and squash. Usually the third and final harvest is completed by October 30, and many people stockpile food in preparation for the upcoming winter months.




A way to banish negativity at Samhain is by bowl burning. In this ritual, you can write down on a piece of paper that aspect of your life from which you wish to be freed. Place the paper into a bowl and light it on fire. Then ask the Universe to transform this energy from a negative one into a more positive one, thanking the Divine Source ahead of time.



Other traditions include making a besom, leaving a plate of food outside for the souls of the dead, making masks, wassailing, and the two-thousand year-old-tradition of creating jack-o'-lanterns to frighten away evil spirits. Most importantly, fellow Pagans remember with peace and love tho who have crossed over to the other side.



Herbs and flowers associated with Samhain include acorn, chrysanthemum, deadly nightshade, dittany, ferns, flax, fumitory, hazel, heather, mullein, oak leaves, pumpkin, sage, straw, thistle, and wormwood.



Traditional foods of Samhain include pumpkin pie, apples, cakes for the dead, cranberry muffins and bread, pears, pork, red foods, beans, pomegranates, all grains, beets, turnips, corn, gingerbread, mulled wine, meat dishes, hazelnuts, ale, cider, and herbal teas.

by Jamie Wood and Tara Seefeldt

7 Ways to Remove Negative Energy in the Home

We all can appreciate the beautiful healing energy of spending time in nature, away from civilization. But eventually we have to come home. When we compare the sense of peace and connectedness we feel in nature and to the stress and noise and bustle of city, we know internally that there is a difference. Part of the difference is the energy programmed into the physical objects of these places. Nature in general has more positive energy than our homes or cities.


Reasons Nature's Energy is Positive

There are less people around in nature, so it is more isolated from people's thoughts. Thoughts are energy. Thought energy attaches to the physical objects near the origin of those thoughts. Negative thought energy creates stronger energy patterns and remains longer than positive thought energy. Worry, fear, and stress last longer than love, peace and happiness.


Sunlight is a stream of positive energy that washes away any negative energy. It's like pouring cold pure mountain stream water onto a sponge. The sponge is rinsed of anything it has collected. When was the last time you were depressed after a day at the beach.


Nature is usually filled with plants. Plants give off positive energy. They are alive so they put out a positive vibration, but they don't really think so they don't put out any negative thoughts the way people do. Plants don't' worry about jobs, or bills or relationships.

Before we can start filling our homes with positive energy, we need to remove any accumulation of negative energy. So here is a list of seven simple proven techniques that you can use to remove negative energy from any space:


1. Salt carpets. This is the simple easiest best way. Simply sprinkle dry table salt on the carpet, wait an hour and then vacuum the up the salt. Use approximately 3 to 6 spoonfuls of salt for a medium size room. Salt crystals have an amazing natural built in-ability to erase the programming of energy. Using salt is like using an eraser on a chalk board. The information on the board is wiped away.

2. Remove clutter. Things like old magazines and dirty clothes can trap a lot of negative energy in your house. Remove old items you no longer need. Keep coffee tables picked up and clean. Put your laundry in a laundry hamper. Wash your dirty dishes and put them away. Negative energy needs objects to hang on to so it can remain around.

3. Loud noises. This is the reason the Chinese love fireworks. Loud noises break up energy patterns and allow them to disperse. Mother Nature does the same thing with the noise of thunder storms.

4. Play spiritual music. My favorite is the album Eric Pepin album "Deep Resonating Aums" from the Higher Balance Institute. A close second is the song "God is Real" from Krishna Das on his "Door of Faith" album. Buddhist monks use tingshaws to dissipate unfavorable energy. You can use your stereo with the same effect. Combine this technique with no. 4 and a great pair of speakers for a really deep cleaning.

5. Meditate there. A proper meditation once or twice a day in your living space will broadcast out a powerful positive vibration. A broadcast from a meditative state of mind becomes much more powerful than it would otherwise be, making positive energy more powerful than negative energy. A proper meditation will saturate a space with uplifting energy for several hours.

6. Rearrange the furniture. The Chinese practice the art of Feng Shui. Again negative energy needs something to "cling to." Arrange your space with as much wide open space as possible, allowing any negative energy to disperse. But also the act of rearranging will cause this harmful energy to dissipate.

7. Add living plants. Plants add color, life, oxygen and positive energy to your home. All good things to have. But only if you water and maintain them.

http://www.lightwor kers.org/ blog/37541/ seven-ways- remove-negative- energy-your- home

Binding Spells

A CANDLE BINDING




Get a large white candle, the kind that drips wax, and set it up on a tray.

Affix to it a photograph or other image of the person you wish to bind.

Make a ring of salt around it. Make a second ring with protective herbs.

Some dried rosemary from the kitchen will not break your bank. Or use sage if you like.

Fill the rest of the tray with images that represent what you are binding the person from: pictures of your family, keys to your house, legal documents, whatever.

If the problem is too complex for images, write what the person is bound from on slips of paper and place them around the candle. Maybe they are gossiping and making your life a misery. Write it down and explain what you want stopped.

Papyrus, or good thick paper made from cotton or linen work best for this.

Use red ink if you are angry, purple ink if you are sad.

Wrap the candle and the image with black thread (use cotton tread or linen or even wool, if possible).

Invoke Hecate.

Say out loud what you are Binding the person from.

Light the candle and leave it to burn until the wax begins to drip over the thread and image.

Burn it every day for a week, until the image is thick with wax.

Use this as a meditation device to direct your will to Binding the person.

You will have direct results if you have a just reason for this spell.

You can also Bind a person from harming themselves.

(in your case, bind him from hurting you or your children by his lies and deceit)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



BINDING SOMEONE DANGEROUS



Best performed on Saturday (Saturn's Day), To bind a

criminal/one who intends to do harm, To bring someone

to justice.



Collect your materials, including a poppet you made to

represent the person in question. Cast a circle. Light

a black candle and burn myrrh incense. Sprinkle the

poppet with salt water, saying:



"Blessed be, thou creature made of art. By art made,

by art changed. Thou art not clothe (or wax, whatever)

But flesh and blood I name thee ___________ (person

being bound). Thou art s/he, between the worlds, in

all the worlds, So mote it be."



Hold the poppet and imagine it enmeshed in silver net,

binding the person in question. Tie the poppet up

firmly with red ribbon, binding all parts of it that

could possibly do harm.



Charge it, saying,

"By air and earth, By water and fire, So be you

bound, As I desire. By three and nine, Your power I

bind. By moon and sun, My will be done. Sky and sea

Keep harm from me. Cord go round, Power be bound,

Light revealed, Now be sealed. "



Release the powers and open the circle. Bury the

poppet at the time of the waning moon, far from your

home, under a heavy rock. Go home and have some juice

and do grounding and a clearing meditation.

Stress Management Spell

Do you have too much to do, and too little time? This is the catch-cry of our contemporary, time-poor lifestyle. Tonight, with a waning Moon, set aside some time to reduce some of that stress. Of course, we can’t completely remove all the stress from our lives, but we can ease some of the pressure and minimize its impact. On a sheet of black or dark paper, with a dark-colored pen, write the things in your life that are currently causing you stress. Imagine the dark pigmentation of the paper absorbing the ink, drinking in your challenges, easing your anguish. Fold the paper three times, and burn it in the flame of a black candle, as you say:

I will forgive
I will let go
Of those things
That trouble me so!

As you breathe out, visualize your worries diminishing and floating away.

GrannyMoon's Morning Feast Archives

Bringing Autumn Magic In

Adapted from Witch in the Kitchen, by Cait Johnson (Inner

Traditions, 2001).



There's nothing more luscious than inviting nature indoors in the
Fall: the brilliant colors of Autumn make our homes feel deliciously
warm and cozy as the weather turns cooler. Changing leaves, swags of grapevine, and vibrantly-colored apples and squashes make gorgeous, inexpensive decorations. Find out how to connect with the abundant bounty and beauty of this harvest season with these fun, easy tips for decorating with nature:



1. Preserve some colorful leaves. You can iron them between sheets
of waxed paper, microwave them for a few seconds, put them in a
solution of glycerin, or press them between the pages of a heavy
book. Then you can apply them to backsplashes, place them artfully
in a vase, mound them around a pile of gourds or squashes, or even
use them as coasters for your favorite beverages.



2. Food is art. Find a local Farmer's Market or roadside stand and
load up on apples, pears, pumpkins, decorative squashes, nuts,
gourds, and Native American corn. A simple wooden bowl loaded with these treasures makes an abundant centerpiece. You can parade them in a line on a mantel-piece or pile them in a basket. What you don't eat, you can enjoy looking at.



3. Other treasures. Bring in grapevines to twine along the
countertops, or make wreaths for doors or cabinets (see our article
on making your own Inner Harvest Wreath). If you live in an area
where bittersweet is not a protected plant, harvest some to put in
an earthen vase. Corn shocks are traditional to stand beside a door,but broom corn makes a beautiful and less usual alternative with its
graceful russet fronds.



4. Beeswax candles. The amber color and honey-sweet aroma of these safe, all-natural candles just evoke the golden glow of autumn. As the days get shorter, it can be a soothing ritual to burn a beeswax
candle at dusk.



5. Echo Fall colors. Bring in the Autumn hues of russet-red, vibrant
shades of orange, deep greens, mellow golds, wine-reds, and vivid
scarlet with cushions, towels, scatter-rugs, or other decorative
accents. My family has a brightly-colored autumn leaf potholder and a set of pumpkin-shaped mugs that we use with pleasure year after year. Find the simple treasures your family will enjoy.



6. Try this creative and relaxing Leaf Meditation. Find a perfect
autumn leaf and spend some time really looking at it, noticing the
variations in color and shape. Trace its outline on a piece of
paper, then try your hand at coloring it in with colored pencils,
markers, or paints. Slowing down and taking time to savor the beauty of something as simple and commonplace as a leaf opens our eyes and hearts to nature's magical variety. You may want to cut your colored leaf out and glue it on the cover of a journal to keep you company throughout the autumn months. Or do several leaves to decorate your cabinets or walls!



7. Think water. Western European traditions often associate Autumn
with the element of water, since it is a time of deep feeling and
flowing away: birds migrate, trees shed their leaves. Honor this
ancient idea with a bowl of water in a special place. Notice how
water evaporates. As you refill your bowl throughout the autumn
months, give a little thought to your own feelings, and the things
that you are in the process of releasing from your life.

The Art Of Casting Spells

"A spell is a symbolic act done in an altered state of consciousness

in order to cause a desired change."



To cast a spell is to project energy through a symbol. It is

important to note that the energy is what is key, not the symbol; too often,

the symbols are mistaken for the agent that casts the spell. While props are

useful at times, it is the mind that works the magic. Correspondences between

colors, planets, metals, numbers, plants and minerals, and musical notes make

up a great deal of magical lore, and particular objects, shapes, colors,

scents, and images do work better than others to embody certain ideas. The

most powerful spells are often improvised from materials that feel right

or that simply happen to come to hand, however.



Theory of Spellcasting



Spells are an important aspect of magical training. They require the

use of the combined faculties of relaxation, visualization, concentration and

projection. The casting of spells provides practice in coordinating

these skills and developing them further. Spells are extremely sophisticated

psychological tools that have subtle, but important, effects on a

person's inner growth. Spells may highlight otherwise hidden complexes of the

person casting the spell.



A person who has conflicts about success will find great difficulty in

concentrating on a money spell, for example. Many times the practical

results of a spell are far less important than the psychological

insights that arise during the magical work, for discovering our inner blocks

and fears is the first step in overcoming them. Spells also go one step

further than most forms of psychotherapy, in that they allow us not only to

listen to and interpret the unconscious, but also to speak to it in the

language it understands.



Symbols, images, and objects used in spells communicate directly with

Younger Self, who is the guardian of our emotions and who is barely

affected by the intellect. We often understand our feelings and behavior but

find ourselves unable to change them, but through spells, we can attain

the most important power - the power to change our lives.



Spellcasting also forces us to come to terms with the material world.

Many people attracted to the spiritual path of the Craft find themselves

uneasy with using magic for practical or material goals. Somehow it seems

wrong to work magic for oneself, to want things and to get things. This is an

attitude that is a holdover of the Judeo-Christian worldview that sees

spirit and matter as separate and that identifies matter with evil and

corruption.





In the Craft, flesh, the material world, none of what is commonly

thought of as matter is separate from spirit. The universe is made up of the

Goddess who is manifest in all things. Union with the Goddess comes through

embracing the material world and all the gifts that She has placed in

it for us. Our major task on this plane of existence is to become masters of

this realm of manifestation. We do not fight self-interest; we follow it,

but with awareness that transmutes it into something sacred.



Mechanics of Spellcasting



Spellcasting is the lesser, not the greater magic; but the greater

magic builds on the lesser. The paradox is that in spellcasting we may

start out working with the personal self, but in order to work the magic we

are forced to expand and recognize the Self that moves through all beings.



Magic involves the deliberate self-identification with other objects

and people. For example, to do a healing, we must become the healer, the

one who is healed, and the energy that is to do the healing. To attract love,

we must be able to love ourselves and to become love its self.



Spells work in two basic ways. The first is through suggestion;

symbols and images implant certain ideas in Younger Self, or the subconscious

mind, and we are then influenced to actualize those ideas. Spells can also

influence the external world.



The theoretical model that witches use to explain the workings of

magic is a clear one and coincides in many ways with the "new" physics. It is

simply an elaborate but extremely useful metaphor. The metaphor is based on a

worldview that sees things not as fixed objects, but as vortexes of energy.

The physical world is formed by the vortexes of energy, and if we

cause a change in the energy patterns they, in turn, cause a change in the

physical world. When our own energy is concentrated and channeled, it can

move the broader energy currents. The images and objects used in spells are the

channels. They are the vessels through which our power is poured, and by

which it is shaped.



As energy is directed into the images we visualize, it gradually

manifests physical form and takes shape in the material world. Directing

energy is not a matter of simply emoting. Emotion can be likened to a strobe light

which provides a very inconstant light, while directed energy is more like

a laser beam. Even concentrated power is a small stream compared with the vast

surges of energy that surround us. The most adept witch cannot be

successful in all her spells, for the opposing currents are often too strong.





The craft teaches to first identify the flow of energy and then to

decide whether or not it is going where we want it to go. If it is not, then

we can try to deflect it, or we may have to change our own course. Sensing

the energy climate is a matter of intuition and experience. Some witches

make a study of Astrology in an effort to plan their magical workings at the

optimal times, while others prefer to work when they feel the time is

right.



Of all the planets, the Moon's influence on subtle energies is the

strongest. Subtle power increases as the Moon waxes, so the time of

the waxing Moon is best for spells involving growth or increase, such as

money spells. The power peaks when the Moon is full and that is the best

time for workings of culmination and love. During the waning Moon, power

subsides and turns inward. The waning Moon's period is used for banishings,

bindings, and discovering hidden secrets. The practical witch soon learns to

adjust her spells to fit the time of the Moon. If, for example, she needs to do

a money spell during the waning Moon, she would put a little 'English' on it

and make it a poverty banishing spell.



Energy pursues the path of least resistance. Material results are more

easily achieved on this plane of existence through physical actions

than through magical workings. For example, it is simpler to lock your

door than suffer the constant drain from maintaining psychic seals on your

doors and windows while you are away from home. Of course, once you have

locked your door, you might feel more reassured by placing seals on it.



No magic spell is going to bring results unless channels are opened

into the material world. For example, a job spell is useless if you are not

willing to go out and interview for jobs or at least let potential employers

know that you are in the market for one. In the same vein, a healing spell

is no substitute for medical care.



Most medicine today can be broken down into two broad categories,

emergency medicine and that which is not needed for immediate life-threatening

situations. Emergency medicine has excelled at stabilizing the body's

condition so that it can repair itself at its own pace. Most other forms of

medicine consist of treatment through surgery or chemotherapy or a

combination of both. The procedures noted above work on the physical

body and do not take the other levels into consideration. Psychic healing

works at healing the higher levels of the person so that the physical heals

itself or allows the person to let go of their physical body if it cannot be

repaired. In either case, the choice rests with the person who is

being healed and not the healer.



Visualization used in creating a spell should focus on the desired

result, not the individual steps leading up to the result. We give the spell

free rein in how it goes about achieving the results with the

understanding that it is not to bring harm to anyone or any being. For this

reason, spells have a habit of working in very unexpected ways.



To assure that the power we have unleashed does not inadvertently

cause harm, we bind the spell. This serves to 'set' the form we have

created so that the energy becomes fixed in the pattern we desire. The energy

we project to others affects us even more strongly than the other person. This

is because we have generated the energy, and thus we have become the

object at which the energy is directed. If healing energy is sent out, then

the health of the person casting the spell is enhanced. By the same

token, any hex or curse that is sent out ALWAYS affects the person who sends

it no matter whether it affected the person it was sent at or not.



MAGIC IS NOT TO BE USED TO GAIN POWER OVER OTHERS. Magic is a

technique used in developing your own 'power from within.' Spells that are

directed at gaining power over others weaken the 'power from within.' Aside from

the damage done to oneself, it is important for another reason. Many

people who do not understand the laws of magic are afraid of being attacked

magically and are given to paranoia. The witch's main stock-in-trade used to

be removing a competitor's hexes and preparing charms to protect their clients.

While true psychic attacks are EXTREMELY RARE, a person's guilt makes

up for any lack, and after using 'forbidden' help, their paranoia leads them

to seek protection from the same person they just turned to in

desperation. Do yourself a favor, and resist the temptation to 'help' these

types. Most magical formularies consist of formulae gathered and tested by

witches as well as many charms to protect the common man from those same

witches who sold them their charms.



Times and Correspondences



I mentioned earlier that timing and the right props are considered

important in spellcasting. Over the years, systems of Correspondences were

developed which assigned certain attributes and aspects to the seven ancient

planets of Astrology. Each planet was assigned a God or Goddess, who embodies

the attributes the ancients wished to invoke. Each of the Gods and

Goddesses were assigned an hour of the day, color, incense, metal, number,

signature, plant, mineral, musical note, and animal or bird.



General Guidelines for Casting Spells



Set aside a room for your magical work. Decorate it with things that

put you in a magical mood. Remember to use things that stimulate all five of

your physical senses. Some obvious things would be the use of appropriate

colors for sight, incense for scent, music for hearing, wines for taste, and

textures for feel.



If you do not have a room you can set aside exclusively for your

magical work, then choose a room that can be locked while you do your work.



This will allow you to work undisturbed. In any case, you should clean

your work area periodically with a purifying powder/floor wash to keep away

negative vibrations.



Set up an altar to be used as your worktable. It's size and shape

should be those that appeal to you. Placing candles and other items that

assist you to concentrate on the work at hand is a good practice. Some people like

to cover their altar with a white cloth and place fresh cut flowers on

it every day.



Always use the best candles, oils, and incenses that you can afford,

or make your own, for scrimping on materials has a negative effect on the

subconscious. Don't forget that the subconscious is very good at

making do with raw materials that it can shape to its own use.



Never cast a spell until you have a clear and concise picture of what

it is you wish to accomplish. This ties in with the saying "Be careful what

you wish for, you just might get it."



Always ground out any extra energy you raise for the spell, and bind

the spell so that it expires within the predetermined amount of time.

Once you have cast the spell, do not discuss it with any one until after it

has worked. Most spells peter out because the person who cast it boasts

about it to so many people, that the spell is robbed of power before it has a

chance to work. The ancient bond placed on the magician was to dare, to know

and to keep silent.



Above all, at all times, remember the Rede: "An ye harm none, do what

you will." You do not know all the effects of your spell; therefore use

magick sparingly, if at all.



The above is an edited version of material that is, to the best of

this editor's knowledge, part of a public domain file that has been in

circulation for years.

Copyright 1999 Psychic Journal and Sabrina Scott Co., Inc

Banishing Past Sorrows Spell

There are times when our past mistakes and fractured hopes impinge on our present and make us feel low and depressed. This occasional feeling keeps us from realizing our full joy and happiness. We return again and again to the memories of broken promises and our various disappointments. Instead of greeting each new day as a moment of opportunity, our hearts remain stuck in the past. Not to worry, we can banish these sorrows. Gather together paper, a pen, and string. After centering yourself, write your sorrows and broken hopes on to the paper, using precise language. Roll the paper in a tube and tie it with the string, knotting it tighly. Place the tied paper into a burning bowl. Light the paper and chant:



The ties of the past must vanish.

With fire and knot I do banish.



Chant until the paper and string are burned entirely to ash. Gather up all the ashes and bury them in the earth.

MAGICKAL CLEANSING AND LIFTING A 'CURSE'

If you have been suffering from a series of mishaps or bad luck,

there are things you can do to turn it around. The first thing I

advise is to clean the cobwebs out - literally! Clean up your room, your

office space, your whole house if you can. Do as much of the following as

you can:Get rid of clutter. It develops an atmosphere of stagnation and

prevents movement, both literally and symbolically.



Visualize yourself Turning out all the unwanted energies from

your life, ridding yourself of negativity and doubt and fear. Open

up all your windows (and doors, if possible). It's best to do this on a

sunny day,naturally. Throw them wide open to receive the cleansing and

blessings of the sun and wind.



Wash down as many washable surface areas as you can with some

kind of liquid on which a blessing has been performed. You can use

an elaborate ritual blessing or something quick like 'Lady and Lord,

bless this water for purification, protection and love.'

Suggestions: water in which some chopped-up lemons have been

steeped overnight, or rosemary infusion; either one smells good as

well as adding a nice protective touch.



Next, cleanse the area with a purifying incense; you can use a

blend, or one of the following alone: cedar, frankincense, copal,

gum arabic. If you can't stand the smell of incense, use an essential

oil burner, carried on a tray or in a baking dish to guard your hands.

Use purifying and protective oils; I like a few drops each of

sandalwood, frankincense and myrrh, and a drop of lemon.



Walk through the entire area, holding the incense/burner up so

that its fragrance penetrates every corner. I sometimes like to

sprinkle blessed salt water about, and to set white candles burning merrily

in every room (do this *after* closing the doors and windows!).

You can add a chant while sprinkling/fumigati ng/ lighting; I

like 'Banished be, negativity!' , it's short but to the point.



Finally, when the area smells all clean and holy, looks clean and is blazing with

light, sit down and enjoy. Eat something, preferably something bready; you'll

need it after all that work, and it'll help ground you in your newly

cleansed space.



Once all this is over and you've recovered from the work, cast a few

spells to get things moving, and to pull some good fortune your

way... such as a Good Luck Spell.



GOOD LUCK SPELL

It's best to perform this one while the moon is waxing.

For this spell you'll need a candle to represent yourself in

whatever color you think appropriate, a gray candle, a black candle

and an orange candle.



Light the candle that represents yourself and say: 'This is me,

me in all things'.

Light the black candle and say: 'This is all the bad luck that

has dragged my footsteps. Trouble, disappointments and tears are

here. This bad luck now leaves me forever.'



Light the gray candle and say: 'All that was bad is neutralized.

All my bad luck is dissolved.'



Light the orange candle and say: 'This is the energy coming my

way, to get my life moving and speed up the change.'



Sit quietly for a while and visualize the negative energies

being whisked into the gray candle and dissolved into empty

nothingness. Visualize the orange candle drawing good energy and good luck

towards you, see the air stirring about with possibilities and opportunities. Let

the candles burn down completely (take the usual safety precautions) .



by Moon

Simple Healing Mojo Bag

*I like this one because it is simple and a nice dose of aromatherapy all rolled up into one. 
ZoeyK

Fold these in a velvet cloth...



leaves of tea

flowers of lavender

ginger

salt

clove and camphor



Tie it up with a scarlet thread. keep it beside your bed at night. Breathe it when you wake up every day. Soon you shall be healed and stay that way
 

Vibrations Matter - Frequency Can Change your Life!

*I have just been reading alot about vibrations, frequency, and moods - this article really sums it up.  Enjoy!
Good Vibrations, Love ZoeyK
Have you ever really thought about some of the terminology we use to describe our moods? If you say that your spirits are "low," people immediately conclude that you are troubled or depressed. However, an extreme victory or positive experience may cause such a "rush" that you are flying "high" for days.



Words such as high, low, rush, up, and down can be used to portray not only how we are feeling, but also describe the vibes in which we are living and emitting.



Everything is energy

Everything that exists, whether or not you can see or touch it, is made up of energy. From the floor that is beneath your feet to the thoughts that run through your mind, it all boils down to energy, and energy is never still.



For all intents and purposes, a floor is solid matter. You can see it, touch it and it supports your weight. Seems like it is just sitting there, serving its flooring purpose, but that doesn't mean that it is still. The energy that makes up the floor is hard at work, moving and vibrating at just the right speed and frequency to maintain its solid structure and physical appearance.



Thoughts are no less real than the floor beneath your feet, but they vibrate at a different speed and frequency. You may not be able to touch them, but that doesn't make them any less substantial. Your body also has its own vibrations. After all, there is a whole lot going on underneath the skin that most of us don't really think about!



Can you feel it?

We all have good days and bad, but have you ever really paid attention to how life tends to flow in relation to your mood? How about when you meet someone for the first time and immediately like or dislike them, without really knowing why? Everyone and everything is throwing off vibrations. Sometimes, we are consciously aware of the resonance and frequency, and the intermingling vibrations that either harmonize or repel. Because like attracts like, the vibes that we emit are similar to a mating call, drawing in people, events and things that exist on the same or similar vibrational plane as our own.



Most times, looking good and feeling good go hand in hand. When we are feeling good about our selves and our lives, we tend to have a bit more confidence and it shows. We are more charismatic, appearing brighter and more beautiful - to ourselves and others. Those "happy to be alive" days are the best. We may dismiss them as luck or a fluke, but the reality is we have kicked our vibrations up a notch, and we are emitting and feeling an energetic boost.



Harmonize energy

When our vibrations are low, we are more tired, pessimistic and can even be mean or depressed. Those vibrations are the energy we project and the energy we attract. This vibe is more likely to cause a bad hair day, get us caught in traffic and possibly top it all off by having our morning coffee spill on us before the big meeting or presentation. We tend to look at the incidents as the cause or source for our state of vibration, but many times it is our vibrations that attract the incidents.



Not all of us are meant to be one of those happy-shiny people who are bouncing off the walls with boundless energy, but each of us does have a positive vibrational groove. We've all experienced that level of harmony before, and with a little effort we can find it, maintain it and even increase it. Like a finely tuned automobile, when our mental and physical energies are in harmony, we hum with personal power.



Change your vibe

Life is probably never going to be easy, but there's no law that states we have to continually add to the chaos and confusion. With a little bit of effort, each and every one of us can be a little better and a little brighter, which will help clear away some of our obstacles or attract what we need to surmount them.



If life isn't going the way you want it to, change it. Put down that never-ending list of everything you have to do, and all the things you don't have for five minutes and simply focus on yourself. Understand that in your life, you are the point of origin - the place where everything begins. Therefore, the vibrations you project are like a magnet, drawing in things of the same frequency. When you truly understand that principle, you will feel a shift in consciousness and your vibrations will begin to change in accordance with that shift.



Words like "can't," "won't" and "never" may begin to fade if your quest is one geared toward happiness and improvement. These low frequency words are powerful, particularly in thought, especially if you believe them. They are heavy and limiting, and what they hold down and hold back is your vibrations - the essence of you. Try replacing them with will, can and deserve, and you have just created opportunity rather than obstacle. Believe those words and your vibrations will increase, lighten… and so will you.



A higher frequency

Changing your vibes can be fairly easy, but maintaining that shift may take a little practice. Fortunately, there is opportunity in every thought and every action. Focus on the good things in your life, even when things are tough. Visualize yourself as you want to be. Meditate. Exercise. Recite positive affirmations of your own creation or ones that resonate well with you. Absorb the energy of music that lifts you, pumps you up, or brings you peace. Sing. Dance. These are only a few simple things you can do to raise your frequency, but with consistent and conscious effort, you will be able to measure your improvement and success.



Our perceptions not only influence, but also create our realities. Like a ripple caused by throwing a pebble into water, the vibes we send expand and touch others just as their vibes are flowing and seeking us. Some moments in life seem so perfect. Even though those moments pass, their vibrations can remain. Surround yourself with the people and things that you love and make you feel good and consciously project the same.

http://www.californ iapsychics. com/articles/ Newsletter/ 3448/Vibrations_ Matter.aspx

A Blessing Spell for Oil Soaked Seas

Calling all Witches! Ritual for healing the Gulf Oil Spill to be done JULY 10 - tomorrow - Saturday
The Ritual is set for 12:00 Noon CST, Saturday 10 July 2010.

I say, if you can't do it precisely at that time, do anytime - all that energy going out has to help!




Preparation



If possible visit the ocean and gather some fresh seawater or using distilled or other pure water add sea salt to create your own seawater. Visualize the waters of the Gulf of Mexico becoming cleaned of oil and as clear as your seawater is. When the vision is clear, bless the water in the name of Gaia and give thanks.



Casting the Circle



Sprinkle the seawater as you cast your circle saying:



Equal is the light and the dark,

With the gift of Water my circle I mark.

As warm sunlight greens the earth,

The Lord and Lady dance with mirth.



Calling the Quarters



After calling each direction and deity, light a candle on the altar. (Optional)



Speak:



Come you spirits of North, powers of earth, hold me rooted by tree and flower. Bring the beauty of your lush green meadows. Be with me this day.



Come you spirits of East, powers of air, sail on golden wings of dawn. Blow away the sheens of oil upon the sea. Be with me this day.



Come you spirits of South, powers of fire, bring the heat of noon to warm my days. Coax the fruit from fertile bud and bring the early harvest. Be with me this day.



Come you spirits of West, powers of water, let my soul flow with the beauty of your tides. Bless the sea with cleansing and health. Be with me this day.



Prince of Light, Lord of Summer, you shine with the fullness of maturity and bless the world with your bright spirit. Join me in this sacred circle. Be with me this day.



Great Mother who gives the world form, as your web of life renews the earth, light that spark within me to awaken my soul. Join me in this sacred circle. Be with me this day.



Standing in front of your altar, raise your seawater. Close your eyes, and visualize the oil spreading across the Gulf of Mexico. Now, see the oil receding and the waters becoming clear and blue. Call forth the power of the great whale to energize your Magick. See the whale swim the clear waters as Gaia intended.



Gaia, Gaia mother of all,

Gaia, Gaia I heed your call.



Oil spilling in the deep seas,

Spilled for greed to appease.



Ocean drilling dangers strong,

Let farmers right this awesome wrong.



Dirty fuels no longer seen,

Oceans safe from oil's sheen



With this spell to provide,

Clean and fresh the morning tide.



Whales now swim in pristine seas,

Free at last from greed's disease.



As I will, so mote it be.

Blessed be!



Closing



Great Mother, I ask that your blessings remain in my heart and that I live in harmony with all that dwell on this earth. Thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.



Lord of Summer and all life, I welcome the new harvest in the fields. Thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.



Spirits of the West, of waters that nourish land and sea, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.



Spirits of the South, of fire that provides new beginnings, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.



Spirits of the East, of air and precious breath, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.



Spirits of the North, of earth that brings forth new life, thank you for your presence this day. Stay if you will; go if you must. I bid you farewell.



As all, good things, sometimes end,

Go forth with the love the Goddess does send.

For if your heart is always true,

The circle will return to you.



Adapted by Storm Wynd

Aka: Stormy)O(

From a Ritual by Sandra Kynes