Lady Hekate's Online BOS- 2012

Lady Hekate’s B.O.S An online Book of Shadows with a focus on Lunar Magick

©2012- Lady Hekate

BOS Blessings

Hail Ekate,Hail Hekate Queen of Witches Queen of the Night Mistress of all Magick Ekate I evoke Enlighten the eyes which truly seek Blind those eyes who do not believe Bless those called of you, Bind those who would mock your own Blessings from Blessings sent Cursed be those who dare to play.

Lady Hekate)0(

Table of Contents

Charge of the Dark Goddess

Moon Magick

The Goddess Hekate

Rite of Her Sacred Fires

Sacred Days of Hekate

Magickal Correspondences

Correspondences of Hekate

Dark Goddesses

Magickal Trees

Rituals

Magick with Herbs

Spells

Magickal Gemstones

The Sabbats

Magickal Incense

Miscellaneous

Unless otherwise noted all material is Lady Hekates

Behold the words of the Goddess Hekate Hear now the words of She who was, is and ever be.

She who is the Mistress of the Night, Queen of Witches, Magick, and Sorcery, whose Owl , and Raven are Her messengers, The Dragons Her Servants. The Key barer, Light Bringer Hekate..

Hail those who are Mine, those who have heard, and have without fear followed,I am your Queen, and Mother, and Crone . I hold the Keys of Magick, and the unknown, I am womb of creation, yet the Tomb of all the living. I am the dread of those who do wrong, and the blessing of those who do right. To know new beginnings, you must know endings, to know life, you will also know death, to know joy, you will also know sorrow, to know compassion, you will also know hate, to know justice you must know injustice, and to know the light, you must also know the dark. I am the One standing at all crossroads, Behold the secrets of Magick, are mine to give, and that I have,For you My Children, know Magick is within you, you are the cauldron of magick. You know your answers lay within, not without.I call to Thee to come before Me honor Me at the New, Full, and Dark of the Moon. I am the Maiden, The Mother, and the Crone. Do not hide yourself in the garb of ego, but sacrifice your ego upon my altar of fire.

For the Prideful shall never stand before Me.

The Goddess Hekate Hekate is a complex goddess with many faces Oftentimes, neoPagans pigeon-hole her as a crone goddess of wisdom. While she can be understood that way, she is so much more to me. Through research into her traditional areas of jurisdiction as well as personal gnosis gained through experience and communication with the goddess today, I have come to understand Hekate as a goddess with three broad, major domains of influence – liminality, transitions, and transformation – and a vast many related “minor” domains.

In my personal practice, I associate her with liminality because of her ancient post as a goddess of doorways/gateways. Her altars were sometimes kept at the entrance to the temples of other prominent Greek deities1. The people of Greece also kept personal altars to the goddess at their front door1. Posted in/at/as the doorway, Hekate occupied a unique space, a liminal space, the space between, the space that is neither this nor that, here nor there. For this reason, to my mind, when we are betwixt and between, when we are nowhere at no time for reasons that are unclear to us, we are in her realm. These liminal spaces can be a source of grace where we can gather our thoughts and feelings with the focused illumination provided by Hekate Phosphoros (the Light Bearer)1 and then strike out boldly in some productive direction of our own choosing with Hekate serving as Propolos (the attendant who leads)1. However, liminal spaces can also become bastions of fear, doubt, and confusion, painful places that look more like prisons than havens. In either case, they are not places

where one should linger indefinitely. Hekate is a patroness of such places in their light and in their dark aspects. The beauty and terror of these places is also the beauty and terror of Hekate. Here, she is prominently Hekate Atalos (the Tender)2 as well as Thea Deinos (Dread Goddess)2 and Hekate Brimo (the Terrible)2.

In ancient Greece, the crossroads – a liminal space because it is where roads meet (i.e., it is none of the roads yet it’s part and parcel of each) – were the jurisdiction of Hekate Trioditis (of the Crossroads)2. I believe that they are still under her influence. Crossroads were understood as particularly dangerous places where all manner of seemingly vial and nefarious beings took up residence2. These beings were usually the spirits of the restless dead led on their nightly revels

by Hekate herself in her Nyktipolos (Night Wandering) aspect2.

Because Hekate leads and rules these beings, she was often invoked in Greece as Hekate Apotropaios (Averter of Evil) for protection against these nightly terrors1. It is common for deities to have the power to bring on or hold at bay those forces under their sway. Ghosts and other restless dead were and are no exception. Hekate can prompt them to induce terror or calm their wrath3.

Hekate’s second most prominent domain is transitions; she is nothing if not a goddess of the core processes of life, death, and rebirth. This is not surprising for a goddess of doorways/gateways; she is, after all, Hekate Propylaia, the one before the gate1. As Hekate Kleidouchos, she is Keeper of the Keys, the keys that lock and unlock that gate.

Through the metaphor of unlocking a gate, Hekate facilitates movement, the transition from the liminal space into a more definite

space, whether it be the from the doorway to the inside of a temple or from a state of indecisiveness to decision or from a state of confusion and fear to understanding and confidence. She bears the torches that light the way to the gate and she keeps the keys that unlock the gate allowing each seeker passage through. We also see Hekate as a goddess of transitions in her role as Kourotrophos, the nurse of the young. She governs the developmental stage from marriage to childbirth and, similarly, the final stages of life where a person passes out of the world of the living and into the world of shades3. As Hekate Chthonia (of the Underworld), she greets souls at the gates of the underworld, unlocks them, and ushers souls through to the other side2.

She is also a companion to Persephone, Queen of the Dead, and she accompanies her yearly as she descends into and on ascends out of her underworld abode2. This is one of the most powerful and prominent transitions in Greek myth.

Hekate’s influence over transformation is a necessary outgrowth of her role as a goddess of liminality and transitions. As we move from step1 to 2 to 3 and so on, we change. Each transition teaches us its mystery and provoke us to change in dynamic relation to all of the steps that have gone before. Productive transition is by definition a type of transformation. I also associate Hekate with transformation because of her ability to help us ascend out of and descend into our psyche. She can help us delve into our underworld (the unconscious), drag what’s concealed there past the gate (into the subconscious, because she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty), and then hold a glaring light to it (conscious awareness). With the light cast upon it, we can assess it, process it, and then use it in a productive and healthy way toward our becoming. It is as Perseis (the Destroyer)2 that she aids us in destroying thought and behavior patterns, relationships, and anything else that no longer serves us. It is as Hekate Soteira (the Saving

Goddess)4 that she helps us to create new patterns and relationships that heal us and advance us on our spiritual soul journey. It is also in this capacity that she can link us to other deities, other beings, and other worlds4 .

In conclusion, Hekate is an awesome lady and I have been blessed to have her as a patroness. As a goddess of liminality, transitions, and transformation, she presides over and occupies “the space between�. I am not the first to speak of these three overarching domains in relation to Hekate; however, these critical aspects of her being are so profound that they bear repeating and they are made all the more powerful when put into direct relationship with her myriad divine roles from antiquity.

Our lives and, I would add, our planet and our universe are in a constant state of transition. The various processes that move our lives along are in continuous motion. Birth, growth, death, and rebirth.

Begin, develop, end, and begin again. Due to her connection to these transitions, we are always oscillating between the points in a given cycle, hence the liminality and also the transformation (as we inch forward in the cycle). Hekate, in her glory, rules all of this. Any undertaking that requires a link between two or more states, stages, or steps requires her might. In my opinion, Hekate’s reach is truly limitless. In all honesty, I see her might and main even in the shaping of galaxies and other cosmic phenomena.

Sacred Days of Hecate (Hekate) November is the month in which the Day of Hecate at the Crossroads is celebrated. Hecate was worshipped by both the Greeks and the Romans who had their own festivals dedicated to her. The Greeks observed two days sacred to Hecate: the Moon of Hecate on the 13th of August and the Day of Hecate at the Crossroads on the 30th of November. The Romans observed the 29th of every month as her sacred day.

y

Symbols of Hekate

The Triple Moon )0( Hekate (also spelled Hecate) is a primordial Goddess whose genealogy goes back to Her birth at the beginning of time as a daughter of Nyx, Ancient Night. Hekate may have been originally derived from the Egyptian midwife goddess Heket, who in turn evolved into Heq or the tribal matriarch of predynastic Egypt. In Greece, Hekate was a pre-Olympic Goddess, but unlike many other primordial deities, Hekate was absorbed into the classical Greek pantheon. Hekate is one of the most ancient embodiments of the Great Triple Goddess, in which form She is associated with Artemis and Selene as a moon triad. Hekate is most often linked with the dark of the moon and presides over magic, ritual, prophetic vision, childbirth, death, the underworld, and much more.

Torches She is known to stand at the Crossroads with Her torches, enlightening the pathways, Animals All wild animals are sacred to Hekate, and She is sometimes shown with three animal heads – the dog, snake, and lion, or alternately the dog, horse, and bear. However, Her primary animal form and familiar is the dog. She is associated with the three-headed dog, Cerberus, who derived from the Dog Star Sirius, whose rising foretold the annual flooding of the Nile.

The Owl is known to e Her Messanger, and Dragons as She is known to have three which pull Her chariot. The Raven, Crow is also associated with the Dark Goddesses, The Cauldron Cauldron of magick and transformation The Dagger, or Athame.

The Dark Moon Although She is associated with all aspects, and may be called on all aspects, today She is known more for Her darker aspects. This is Her high time if you will.

Samhain This is Her high Sabbat, also known as the Witchs New Year

Sacred Trees The yew is well known to be the tree of death, and is associated with immortality because it takes longer than any other tree except the oak to come to maturity. Hekate’s cauldron contains ‘slips of yew’ and Her sacred tree is said to root into the mouths of the dead and release their souls and it also absorbs the odors of death. The willow tree and bark is also sacred to Hekate as it is to all the Moon Goddesses.

Crosses, and Crossroads She is Hekate Trivia Goddess of the Crossroads. Well known to be where the dead and living cross. A Place of danger in old Greece, where people, travelers were known to get robbed. People would seek protection of Hekate at the crossroads.

The Hermit In Tarot She is the Hermit She stand alone. She call us to introspection, before you take your next journey from the crossroads, Hekate is also associated with the 13rg card Death.

Correspondences Colors ; Black, Silver, Purple, Red Stones; Black stones such as jet, onyx, black obsidian, moonstone, black tourmaline, hematite and smoky quartz. I also add bloodstone, especially if you work with dragons.

Herbs/Plants; belladonna/nightshade, garlic, mints, mandrake, sandalwood, cypress, myrrh, patchouli, hemlock, wolfbane, azalea, lavender, monkshood, dandelion, Almond, Willow, and funerary trees, especially the yew, alder, and poplar . I also use sage as well.

Workings: Justice, Vengeance, Banishings, Protection, Prophecy, Divination, inner-self, Healing, Favor, Dragon Magick, Truth, Dark Magick.

Numbers- 3, 9, and 13

Magickal Trees ALDER

The Alder is the tree of fire. In the battle of the trees, the Alder fought in the very front line. It is described as the very "battle witch" of all woods, the tree that is hottest in the fight. You can use Alder to make three different dyes, red from its bark, green from its flowers, and brown from its twigs; this symbolizes the elements of fire, water and earth. The Alder wood is the wood of the witches.

Whistles may be made of this wood to summon and control the four winds. It is also the ideal wood for making the magical pipes and flutes. To prepare the wood for use, beat the bark away with a willow stick while projecting your wishes into it. The Alder is a token of resurrection and a water-loving tree, but it is also highly combustible, showing an affinity to Fire. This means the alder is an unusual tree, for Fire and Water do not normally mix well. Alder is often used to symbolize one's appearance, and can be used in glamour spells. The alder tree's wood is oily and resistant to underwater decay. It can be used to contain Water elementals and many negative spirits. Alder's personality is Ambitious/impulsive is opposite. Elemental: Air

ALMOND

Almond has a very sweet natural being. Aids in self protection. Almond also helps with fruitfulness, and stands for virginity. The fairies love almond trees.*

APPLE

It is an old English custom to drink to the health of the Apple tree with a good glass of cider all in hopes of encouraging the tree to produce a good crop next year. Apple also helps with fertility. The apple tree symbolizes youth, beauty and innocence. Apple juice can be used to infer strength and beauty. The leaves are a useful focus in spellweaving. The apple wood makes good staves.

Apple's personality is Motherly/weak-willed is opposite. Element: Water

Ash

Ash is a healing wood. It is also used for protection. The Ash is considered to be the father of trees. The Ash is the tree of sea power, or of the power resident in water. Special guardian spirits reside in the Ash; This makes it excellent for absorbing sickness. Snakes have an innate fear of the ash and avoid it. Ash is an excellent wood for purification. It is good at removing and

cleansing internalized strife and conflict. Ash is good in any spell or working involving mental and emotional purification. Ash wood is a good conductor of power and thus makes good wands. Ash's personality is Charming/egocentric is opposite. Element: Air

Aspen

Aspen is an excellent wood for spoken spells. It brings the wizard eloquence.

Aspen's personality is Caring/insecure is opposite. Elemental: Water

Beech

Beech is an excellent wood for charms. A Beech Wood wand will bring the wizard luck. Beech symbolizes stability and flow of energy. It is an incredible conductor of energy, but doesn't hold energy very well. It is sometimes used for Druidic groves if oak is not available, though oak is preferred.

BIRCH

With the exception of the mysterious elder, the Birch is the earliest of the forest trees. The Birch is used extensively in cleansing rituals. Throughout Europe, Birch twigs are used to expel evil spirits. Birch rods are also used in rustic rituals to drive out the spirits of the old year. Birch is used also stands for Birth, healing, Lunar workings, and protection. Birch wood is a useful tool in spells involving structures, support, shielding, warding, and cleansing. Birch's personality is Happy/immature is opposite. Element: Air

Cedar

Cedar is a protective wood. It will protect the wizard against evil. It is also used for money and love charms. Cedar is exceptional at repulsing energies and protection. It is best used to ward or to drive off negative influences or spirits.

COCONUT

The Coconut is feminine and very fertile. The shell represents the womb, and the milk, fertility. Coconut also helps with protection from negative psychic forces.

Cypress

The cypress tree was seen as a sad tree or tree of mourning. It was often used to build funeral pyres. Cypress wood is extremely resistant to water. Cypress containers can successfully contain water elementals, air elementals, and most spirits.

Dogwood

This tree represents charm and finesse. It can be used to enhance one's social abilities and increase one's personality. The dogwood flower is a good cleanser of wounds, and its scent is a relaxant.

Ebony

Ebony is the most powerful wood for wands. Ebony gives the user pure, unlimited power.

ELDER

A waterside tree, the Elder has white flowers that bloom to their peak in midsummer thus making the Elder an aspect of the White Goddess. The Elder is also said to be the crucifixion tree. The inner bark and the flowers have long been famous for their therapeutic qualities. The elder also stands for banishment, magical art and the waters of life. Elder's personality is Intelligent/unfortunate is opposite. Element: Earth

Elm

The elm tree is a dark and brooding tree. It was often planted in tainted or uncleansable areas to warn off others in the area. Elm can be used in any spells that cause depression or darkness. It can dull the senses and works well in spells dealing with shadows.

Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus is a nurturing, protecting, life-giving tree. It can sometimes symbolize sloth due to the fact that its foliage is a narcotic. It contains quite a bit of moisture, and thus could easily have a connection to Water. Small doses of eucalyptus are highly effective. It can be used to numb or invoke sloth in others. It can protect the body from certain poisons. When mixed with certain other herbs, eucalyptus can make a high body-sustaining potion.

FIG

The Fig is androgynous. The fruit representing the feminine and the triple lobed leaves suggest the masculine force. The fig also stands for balance.

Fir

Fir symbolizes malleability, cleverness, and the ability to change. It is a good wood for magic involving physical structures, forms, and shapeshifting or other changing magics.

Hawthorn (Thorn) Witchthorn

or May Witch. It is a generally unlucky tree and its name, translated from the Irish Brehon Laws, had the meaning "harm". The Goddess, under the name Cardea, cast spells with the Hawthorn. In many cultures, the month of the Hawthorn (May) is a month of bad luck for marriages. The Hawthorn blossom, for many men, has the strong scent of female sexuality and was used by the Turks as an erotic symbol. This tree stands for purification, enforced chastity, male potency and cleansing.Thorn symbolizes strife and harshness. It is an excellent tool for protection as its energies work well for defense. Thorn is used to dispell energies, especially negative energies or curses, and excells at banishing strife. Hawthorns' personality is Passionate/ruthless is opposite. Element: Fire

Hazel

Hazel is favored as one of the best woods for an all-purpose magical wand.

Carrying hazel will make wishes come true.The Hazel is a tree of wisdom. In England, all the knowledge of the arts and sciences were bound to the eating of Hazel nuts. Hazel wood can be used for divining for water also. It stands for Wisdom, intelligence, inspiration, wrath. Hazel's personality is Generous/deceptive is opposite. Element: Water

Hazelnut

This tree symbolizes attraction (the nut can be used to make an aphrodisiac), loss of inhibition or willpower, and drowsiness. It is used to make sleep potions, aphrodisiacs, and potions to inhibit the will or remove inhibitions.

Holly

Holly is the strongest of the protective woods. It is used to guard against evil.

Holly means "holy". The Holly has many uses from making a dye from its berries to being used as an aphrodisiac. It stands for Holiness, consecration, material gain, beauty. Holly symbolizes combat, defense, and a "look but don't touch" beauty. It is also used as a life symbol. Holly is good at holding and storing energy, but does not work well with energy flow. It is also useful in glamours and warding. Holly's personality is Determined/insensitive is opposite. Element: Fire

Hornbeam

Hornbeam is a lucky wood. It brings good fortune to the Wizard. It is very good for spells. It's powers and attributes are lifting/removing the unwanted, prosperity, protection, spiritual love, strength/stamina. Element: Water.

Zodiac is Taurus and Celestial body is Saturn. It's energy is feminine. Use in rituals that mark life transitions and banishing spells. Bach flower remedy: Against feelings of exhaustion and tiredness from effort.

IVY / VINE

Vine and Ivy come next to each other at the turn of the year, and are jointly dedicated to resurrection. Presumably, this is because they are the only two trees that grow spirally. The Vine also symbolizes resurrection because its strength is preserved in the wine. The Faeries love Ivy and it stands for joy, exhilaration, wrath, rebirth, fidelity, constancy, love and intoxication. Ivy's personality is Ambitious/unfortunate is opposite. Element: Earth, air and water. Energy is feminine. Powers and attributes are fertility, good luck, growth, healing, protection, resurrection, transformation and vitality. Zodiac is Gemini

and Celestial body is Saturn. Ritual is celebrating and honoring the balance of light and dark, life and death.

Juniper

Juniper has been used for many purposes for a long time, for perfumes, soaps, cosmetics, furniture and was even believed that burning Juniper during childbirth would protect a baby from being taken by the faeries. This may have come from a story connected with the infant Jesus during the flight from egypt, when Juniper was burned for protection against leprosy, the plaque and other illnesses. In opposite, it was also believed that if a person cut down a Juniper tree they would die within a year. Powers and attributes are cleansing, healing, love and protection. Elements are earth and fire. Celestial body is the Sun. Energy is masculine. Ritual is for attracting a lover using dried berries on a string as an amulet, good luck in childbirth, attraction spells and dispelling negativity.

Mahogany

Mahogany is known for its ability to withstand lightening strikes. It has strong protective qualities.

Maple

Maple is a favorite wood for magical wands. It is the wood of longevity. Maple is a happy tree. It often symbolizes attraction, luring, drawing in, or bringing things together. It has very positive energy, and is used to attract attention or lure positive spirits in magic.

MISTLETOE

The mistletoe was sacred to the Druids and to the Norse. It was considered to be the great healer and has both male and female qualities. It was so well regarded by the Norse (because it was sacred to Freya) that they refused to fight in the vicinity of Mistletoe. The custom of hanging Mistletoe in the house

to promote peace comes from this. Generally regarded today as a symbol of love and purity. It also stands fertility and sexual potency.

Oak

Oak is a potent magical wood. It adds potency to all charms, particularly health and money charms.The Oak is the tree of endurance and triumph, and like the Ash, is said to count the lightings'flash. The Oak is a male wood which is ideal for the construction of any tool that needs the male influence such as Athames, certain wands and staffs. The midsummer fire is always Oak and the need fire is always kindled in an Oak log.Oaks also stands for endurance, triumph, strength, power, dominion, prosperity, sacrifice, guardian and liberator. Oak symbolizes wisdom, strength, and endurance. Oak is extremely versatile and can be used in many areas of magic. The wood is good at both storing power and conducting it, thus making good staffs and wands. Oak can be used in spells involving authority, majesty, power, strength, wisdom, or endurance. Oaks personality is Fatherly/dominating is opposite. Element: Fire

PALM

Is regarded as particularly powerful because of its incredible durability and because it is self renewing, never changing its leaves. Aids in rejuvenation. The Palm stands for resurrection, and the cycle and matrix of life.

PEACH

The Peach is an emblem of marriage, abundance, fruitfulness and happiness.

PINE

External symbol of life, strength and immortality. It is one of the few trees that are androgynous. It was also worshiped by the ancients as a symbol of fire because of its resemblance to a spiral of flame. It is regarded as a very soothing tree to be near. Being an evergreen, standing for long life and prosperity.Pine is everlasting (from its evergreen properties). It induces clearness of thought with its scent and often symbolizes survival as it can grow even in sub-zero

temperatures. Pine wood is useful in spells of preservation. Pine incense is helpful in divining/scrying rituals and rituals to clear the mind. Pine's personality is Outgoing/introverted is opposite. Element: Earth

Poplar

Poplar is favored for flying charms. Carrying poplar will also aid in attracting wealth.

Redwood

Redwood is a protective wood. It is also good for love and success charms.

Rosewood

The Wood of Rose has many magical qualities. It is used for divination and love charms.

ROWAN /Rowen

The Rowan is seen as the tree of life. It is also known as Mountain Ash, Quickbeam, The Witch or Witch Wand. In the British Isles, Rowan is used as a protection against lightning and magical charms of all sorts. In ancient Ireland, the Druids of opposing forces would kindle a fire of rowan and say an incantation over it to summon spirits to take part in the battle. The Rowan is also used for many healing purposes. The "Quickbeam" is the tree of quickening. Another use was in metal divining. In Ireland, a Rowan stake was hammered through a corpse to immobilize the spirit. Rowan is also known for divination, healing, astral work, protection. Rowan's personality is Spiritual/fanatical is opposite. Element: Air

Sequoia

The sequoia is a majestic tree symbolizing eternity, longevity, and vast wisdom.

It can also symbolize endurance and strength. Sequoia wood makes excellent Druidic staffs, as it is very good at both holding and conducting energy. It can be used in spells of fire resistance, and the sequoia seeds are an aphrodisiac.

Spruce

The spruce is a versatile tree which grows quickly and is dominant over its environment. It is an aloof tree and can symbolize the North and coldness. The wood is good for bargaining with Earth elementals as they especially like spruce wood. Spruce holds and stores a large amount of energy. A living spruce tree is an excellent ground.

Sycamore

The sycamore symbolizes growth, persistence, strength and endurance. It is water resistant (though not as much as cypress) and often grows where other trees cannot. To some Native American cultures, the sycamore is a holy tree equivalent to the oak in Europe. In magic, it is useful for spells involving growth, and can be used in healing potions (especially those with regenerative properties). It is also a good gift to give a Fire elemental.

Walnut The Walnut's powers and attributes are change, fertility, healing, inspiration intentions, new perspectives, protection and wealth. Elements are air and fire.

Archangel = Remiel, and other beings are the Elves. It's energy is masculine and its associated with the Zodiac sign Gemini, Leo and Virgo and the Celestial bodies Jupiter and the sun. Ritual work and meditations with the walnut deal with life transitions, initiations, manifesting intentions into the physical realm and weather magic.

WHITE POPLAR

The tree of the Autumn Equinox and of old age, is the shifting leaved White Poplar, or Aspen, The shield makers tree. Heracles bound his head in triumph with poplar after killing the giant Cacus (the evil one). The Black popular was a funeral tree sacred to the Mother Earth. Silver Fir as an aid in divination. The Silver Fir standing for hope assured and the Black Poplar for loss of hope. In ancient Ireland, the coffin makers measuring rod was made of Aspen, apparently to remind the dead that this was not the end. White poplar stands for Hope, rebirth, divinations.

Willow

Willow is a feminine tree. It is favoured for its general magical uses. It has strong protective qualities and is good for healing and love charms. The Willow was sacred to Hecate, Circe, Hera, and Persephone, all death aspects of the Triple Moon Goddess, and was often used by the Witches in Greece. The moon owns it. It is a female symbol. It is the tree that loves water most and is sacred to the Moon Goddess who is the giver of dew and moisture, generally. It is a water-loving tree and is linked to lunar rhythms. It is often a melancholy tree and can represent sadness and quick growth leading to a quick end (some trees only live for 20 years). In magical areas, willow has a great influence over water and water elementals. It has the ability to banish depression and sadness. The Willow is the tree of enchantment. Can be made into a tool to make wishes come true. Willow stands for Moon magic, psychic energy, healing, inspiration and fertility. Willow's personality is Wise/bitter is opposite. Element: Water

Yew

Yew is the Wood of Death. Used for its strength for bows in Greek times.The yew tree is held sacred by the Druids because of its symbolism of death and rebirth. The yew tree's branches grow into the ground. Thus when the central trunk dies, the tree lives on as the branches become trees. It symbolizes transformation, great age, and reincarnation. Yew wood is good in any rituals that use the preceding symbolism. Yew holds and conducts energy very well, and yew is a good shield for magical energies that directly hit the wood is reflected. Yew's personality is Enduring/sanguine is opposite.

Tarot Card: Death - Element: Earth

Source:- A compile of information in the above table provided by "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" by Scott Cunningham, and "Whisper From the Woods-The Lore & Magic of Trees" by Sandra Kynes

Herbal Magick Herbs are used in magick for their vibrations or essence. What does "essence" mean? Herbs, like people, have gender, are ruled by a planet, an element, and sometimes, are sacred to a certain deity. You can find an herb that has an essence in line with something you need.

Harvesting herbs for magickal use. In herb magick, quality counts more than quantity, so choose or harvest your herbs carefully and in an appropriate manner. Many people who harvest their own herbs for magickal purposes use a special cutting knife called a boleen. Others use a special pair of shears reserved for the purpose of cutting their herbs.

Roots should be harvested during the waning moon, whereas foliage (when used for positive magick) should be cut during the waxing or full moon. Depending upon the complexity of the spell, you can cut your herbs upon the appropriate day of the week (an herb ruled by the Sun would be cut on Sunday), and some people go so far as to cut their herbs at the appropriate hour, when the her, andb's planet is in the moon's house. This may sound very complicated and intricate, but it's not necessary to delve into so much detail when you are starting out.

Disclaimer; Some Herbs are poisonous, please know them, and use caution.

There are several opinions concerning the "must haves" and nobody can really agree on what is mandatory. The key is: Use whatever works best for you.

Everything you need to get started in herbal magick is probably sitting in your back yard (or your kitchen) right now. Let's discuss some of these wonderfully magickal culinary herbs.

Sage is a staple in herbal magick. It is commonly used by magicians as a "smudge", which means it cleanses and purifies, or, more practically, keeps bugs away. Wiccans and other magicians use Sage to cense the sacred space, or circle. Though it is commonly used as incense, it is also widely used in baths, especially the purification bath taken before working magick.

Rosemary The vibrations of this herb lend themselves well to healing magick. It's magickal properties of protection and love makes it a suitable substitute for Frankincense.

Garlic is an herb that is sacred to Hecate. This protective and healing herb can be used in a variety of ways, especially when combining culinary magick with healing herb magick.

Basil Every good Kitchen Witch has Basil within her/his grasp. It's wonderful for tomato dishes, sure, but what about it's magickal aspects? You

may be surprised at its diversity. Basil is associated with the element Fire.

Primarily, it is used in love and/or protection spells. In a crunch, basil can be used for health spells.

If you intend to pursue herb magick, I recommend that you go out and buy a good reference book that states the magickal properties of herbs. It will include references for these "regular-everyday" herbs as well as some of the hard to find varieties. (See the section on recommended texts.) Let's look at some of the other varieties of herbs, now.

Frankincense This has to be one of the most popular herbs for cleansing and protection. Burned as incense, it has an uplifting affect on the spirit, and all negativity in the area is banished.

Myrrh is usually burned with frankincense. It acts as an amplifier to the effects of the frankincense. However, it has cleansing properties all it's own.

Dragon's Blood is another of my basic essential herbs. On it's own it is effective in love magick (and to bring back one's potency). It is also quite good as an amplifier for dominant herbs in your spells.

Mugwort This plant has several uses. It is infused (made into a tea) and used to wash magickal tools. It can also be used to heighten psychic abilities, or bring visions. Experiment with this herb and learn its many uses for yourself.

References, Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Cunningham, Scott, 1992, Llewellyn Publications.

The Herb Book, Lust, John, 1974, Bantam.

Moon Magick

January: Wolf Moon

The Wolf Moon, also known as the Cold, Snow, or Winter Moon, is a time of protection and strength. While it is the first full Moon of the calendar year, in terms of nature it occurs in the middle of the cold winter season, a season of death and desolation. In these respects, the Wolf Moon can be seen as a time of both beginnings and endings. This is the time to start to consider what you want to plant and plan for the spring. You can do magick so that as the spring approaches your magickal goal will grow close and closer to fruition.

February: Storm Moon

The Storm Moon, also known as the Death or Quickening Moon, is a time to do magick for fertility and strength. For most people in the Northern Hemisphere, February is a time of storms and bleak, short days. In the olden days, it was a time of true hardship.

This is a good time to do magick to help you face life's challenges. You could do a spell to help you with a particularly challenging project at work. Your spell could focus on helping you to accept the challenge, perservere, and make it through. You could concentrate on the idea of weathering the storm and giving yourself the extra stamina to succeed. This is also a time of cleansing both internally and externally. As such, it's a great time to get rid of physical things you don't need and any mental or emotional baggage you might be hauling around with you, too.

March: Chaste Moon

Also known as the Seed or Worm Moon, the Chaste Moon is a time to plant mental seeds - thoughts of success and hope. This is also a time of purity and newness. It's the time to bless the magickal herbs and plants in your garden and to start preparing the soil for the seeds that you will plant. It's also the time to mentally prepare yourself for new experieces, a new job, pregnancy, taking a trip, or bringing a new animal into your home.

April: Seed Moon

The Seed Moon signals a time of fertility, growth, and wisdom. This Moon is also known as the Egg, Grass, or Wind Moon. This is the time to sow the seeds of Magick. If you are planting a magickal garden, you want to get out there now and put things into the Earth. This is the time to move from the planning phase into action. If you want to get pregnant, this is a great time to go for it. Fertility is in the air. This is also the time to bring that new puppy home, it that is what you have been planning. It's also a great time to empower some seeds to both help them grow and to do Earth magick.

May: Hare Moon

The Hare Moon, also known as the Flower or Planting Moon, is a time of health, love, romance, and wisdom. This is a great time to plant the seeds that you have empowered. As the seeds begin to grow, the energy you have filled them with will start to manifest in your life. It's also a great time to rekindle the romantic spark and passion in a relationship. If you've been working magick to help your career, now will probably be the time to decide which of your job offers to accept. And you might want to do some divination magick to help you make that decision.

June: Lover's Moon

Also known as the Strawberry or Rose Moon, the Lover's Moon brings with it energy for love, marriage, and success. Is it any wonder that in some traditions this Moon is called the Honey Moon? This is a time to nurture your garden and marvel at its beauty and abundance. If you have taken that new job, now is the time to make sure you have everything running smoothly. And you might want to keep your eyes open to see how you can move into a more desirable position.

July: Mead Moon

The Mead Moon, also known as the Blessings, Lightning, or Thunder Moon, is a time of enchantment, health, rebirth, success, and strength. This is the time of the first harvests, when you begin to enjoy the fruits of your labors. This is

also a time of celebration and magick. Remember that mead is the nectar of the Gods. Now is the time to gather your magickal herbs and do some prosperity magick so you get that raise you've worked so hard for.

August: Wyrt Moon

The Wyrt Moon, also known as the Wort, Barley, Corn, or Red Moon, is a time of abundance, agriculture, and marriage. This is the time to collect your magickal herbs and store them for the winter or share them with others.

Remember to give an offering back to the Goddess for her generosity. At this time of the year, you might want to do magick to help someone else reap the benefits of the Earth's abundance. (With that person's permission, of course!)

This is also a good time to make a move at work for that higher level position. If you have become pregnant, this is the time to concentrate your energies on having a healthy pregnancy.

September: Harvest Moon

Also known as the Barley or Hunter's Moon, the Harvest Moon is a time of protection, prosperity, and abundance. This is the time of year when the grains are being harvested, and it is a good time for magick involving your prosperity, abundance, and the nurturing of others. If you have had a long illness, this is the time to finally come back to full health again. This is also the time to obtain that

higher paying position at work. The energy of the Harvest Moon will help along any magick that is geared to bring you or someone else abundance.

October: Blood Moon

The Blood Moon is sometimes called the Falling Leaf or Hunter's Moon. It is a Moon of new goals, potection, resolution, and spirituality. The night of the Blood Moon is a great time for divination of any kind. At this time of the year, all of nature is making ready for the winter. Animals that hibernate are gathering the last scraps of food. Birds are heading south. In human societies, this used to be the time when we turned from agriculture to the hunt as our means of sustenance. This is the time to refect on what you did during the year and to evaluate your accomplishments.

You also want to check to see how you will survive the coming months. Make sure that you have enough money in the bank. If your work is seasonal, you might want to do some magick to find other ways to support yourself. If you work outdoors, do magick to help you survive the cold months ahead. You also want to check on things that are important to your safety and survival. How are the tires on your car? And what about that smoke alarm in the kitchen?

Because the holidays are fast approaching, you also might want to do some work to remove stress and negative energy from your surroundings.

Novemeber: Snow Moon

The Snow Moon is also known as the Beaver, Mourning, or Tree Moon.

This is a good time to work with abundance, properity, and the bonds of family and friendship. This is also an excellent time to use divination to get an idea of what is up ahead. Remind yourself that although winter is coming, it will not last forever. Do what you can to reduce your stress and to strengthen your bonds with family and friends. Back before the advent of grocery stores and central heating, people really counted on those bonds, which could be the difference between making it through the winter or perishing. So, know who is really there for you, and count your blessings.

December: Oak Moon

Also known as the Cold or Long Night Moon, the Oak Moon is a time for hope and healing. This time of year the Moon has reign over the Earth, because there are more hours of night than day. Our thoughts turn to the rebirth of the light and the longer days that are promised after the winter solstice. Women who have become pregnant in the spring are about to give birth and will probably want to focus their energies on delivering a healthy baby. This is the time of year to complete something you have worked hard on and to make sure that the task is truly completed, all the details dealt with. It's also a great time to let go of old patterns or problems and start anew. If something has been eating at you for a long time, work to give it up at this time. Let go of the negative and let the light of longer days shine inside you. Working with children in a nurturing way can be very rewarding and healing.

One complete cycle of the moon takes exactly 28 days to complete, the same average time for a woman's menstrual cycle. This is no accident. A woman's body is something of a mirror of the moon and her ways. In many ways the difference between the sun and the moon are very similar to the differences between men and women.

The different personalities the moon presents throughout her cycle have perhaps the most profound affect on ritual workings than any other Time Correspondence. In order to coordinate your ritual workings with the cycles of the moon, you can follow the generalized guidelines below or the more advanced guidelines.

***Note that the more Time Correspondences you add to your ritual workings, the less you will need to rely on the more advanced system of the lunar cycle.

And, in fact, sometimes you will be unable to use the more advanced system especially if you try to incorporate either the Lunar Zodiacal Calendar or the system of the Days of the Week. In all, familiarize yourself with all systems, but use what works best for you.

The Waxing Moon

Magick for increases that mirror the increasing size of the moon including: healings, prosperity, attraction, success, gains, love, increases, friendship, protection and any other positive magicks. The horns on the crescent you see in the sky during the waxing phase of the moon are facing to your left.

The Full Moon For the rituals that require the most potent and powerful magick, the fullest phase of the moon is most appropriate. Though there is some controversy over what kind of magick is most appropriate during the full moon (see below for details), protection and any other dire situation in which a great deal of energy is needed in order to attain ritual success are universally accepted as appropriate at this time. The full moon is the point when the moon reflects all light from the sun back to the earth. It is the most potent time of the lunar cycle.

The Waning Moon Magick for decreases that mirror the decreasing size of the moon including: banishings, exorcisms, cleansings, magick to rid yourself of a bad habit, any type of ritual to rid yourself of negativity whether it is from human or spirit sources.

The horns on the crescent you see in the sky during the waning phase of the moon are facing to your right.

The Black Moon

This particular phase of the moon carries some controversy. Some practitioners insist that no magick be performed on this night, however, next to the full moon, the black moon is the second most potent time of the lunar cycle.

Either highly difficult banishings that have been resistant to rituals performed on other nights of the waning moon can be abolished during this night when the moon is at it's blackest in the sky. However, take care to perform these banishing before the moon is at it's darkest point otherwise the moon will no longer be the Black Moon, but the New Moon which is associated with beginnings rather than endings.

The New Moon

The new phase of the moon begins when the moon is hidden from sight due to the earth's position between the sun and the moon. No sunlight is reflected back down to us from the moon's surface. This phase is sometimes mistaken for the Black Moon, which directly precedes it. The New Moon and all it's accompanying characteristics can be relevant from three days after the darkest point of the moon. Experiment to determine how best this system works for you.

During this time, the following types of ritual/spell work are most appropriate:

As the newest and earliest point in a new moon cycle, the new moon is seen by most practitioners as the most appropriate time to begin new projects, new spells and any rituals that require many days to complete.

Magick performed on the waxing crescent moon is very similar to the waxing gibbous moon (they are both in the waxing or increase phase) and indeed you don't have to pay attention to the distinction between them if you choose not to, but you should be aware that the closer the moon comes to being full, the more powerful it's increasing potency becomes. This can be useful to know because sometimes we all have the luxury to wait a few days until after the half gibbous moon has passed into the more powerful phase, the waxing gibbous phase. With rituals that require less lunar potency or are the first in a line of several consecutive rituals that lead up to the full moon, you can confidently use this phase of the moon. For example, a healing performed to ease a cold or mild chronic illness can easily be started during the waxing crescent phase of the moon. However, a more serious illness would be better served during the waxing gibbous phase.

Ideally, with some minor examples, nearly all magick would be best divided out between the full or new moon, but this is such a short period of time each month, that we delegate certain phases to certain less important tasks. However, remember two things. For very serious illnesses the full (for healing the illness) or black (for banishing the illness) moons are the best choices, but they are not always necessary for more minor problems. Also the time does come sometimes when we have no choice but to do ritual work during incompatible times. In emergency cases, don't let bad timing stop you. Use other Nature Correspondences or the other types of magick (Mental or Spiritual Magick) to offset your lack of timing.

The Waxing Half Moon

This unique time of the month allows for all forms of positive magick that can otherwise be performed on the waxing phase of the moon, however, the waxing half moon is special in that you can perform magick during this time if you are engaged in a situation that is teetering on the edge of two resolutions and you want the result to turn out in your favor or in some positive fashion. For example if you wanted to do a spell for the success of a surgery in which the doctor predicts the patient has a 50-50 chance of survival, you could do the spell on the half waxing moon to ensure that the situation will have a favorable outcome.

The Waxing Gibbous Moon Similar to the waxing crescent phase, you can perform all actions compatible with increase during this time period. However, magick that requires more lunar energy than the waxing crescent can provide should if possible be delayed until this time period because of it's closer proximity to the full moon. Of course minor magickal workings can also be performed during this time as well, but the added energy here may not be absolutely necessary.

The Full Moon The moon in it's fullest phase reflects all the light sent to it by the sun. The earth is completely out of the path between these two bodies and the energy of the moon is at it's most potent. The full moon is the most potent time of the entire month and the time when many traditions of witchcraft hold their esbats, or ritual gatherings or celebrations.

Since there is so much controversy over what actually begins and ends the cycle of the moon, there is some discrepancy over what kind of magick is best performed during this time. Technically, the full moon is the middle of the moon's

cycle when the positive aspects of the moon's influence are at their peak, however many practitioners view the full moon as an downslope rather than a peak and thus either of the two types of magick below may be performed a full three days before the full moon depending on your personal preference. Many people prefer to only perform full moon rituals on the day of the full moon, but as with all other things in magick, feel free to experiment. What works for one person may not work for you and vice versa.

Positive magick of any kind including completions of spells begun during the new moon or any other positive spell that requires massive lunar energy to propel a ritual intention into being. Fortunately not all spells require this much energy and some magicians consider performing trivial workings during this time as "overkill". However, you will have to decide for yourself how serious a working is to you to decide whether it warrants waiting until the full moon. Experience is the best teacher here.

Negative magick as in banishings, exorcisms, cleansings or bindings. Protective magick while not necessarily negative is extremely effective when performed on the full moon.

The Waning Gibbous Moon The relationship between the waning gibbous and waning crescent phases of the moon are opposite to those of the waxing phase because as the moon approaches the darkest point, it's decreasing potency grows. Thus as it moves from waning gibbous to half waning to waning crescent, it becomes more powerful in decreasing energies. So for minor decreasing and banishing rituals,

the waning gibbous moon is more appropriate because not as much lunar decreasing energy is required to be successful. However for more serious decreases and banishings, the waning crescent moon is most appropriate because of it's closer proximity to the black moon (the greatest point of decrease) The Waning Half Moon This is another unique time of the month which allows for all forms of banishing or decreasing magick that can otherwise be performed on the waning phase of the moon. However, the waning half moon is special in that you can perform magick during this time if you are engaged in a situation that is teetering on the edge of two resolutions and you want the result to turn out in your favor or in some decreasing fashion. For example if you wanted to do a spell to keep yourself from being audited (in essence decreasing the problem) and you thought that you have about a 50-50 chance of this happening, then you could do the spell on the half waning moon to ensure that the threat of an audit will diminish and eventually disappear.

The Waning Crescent Moon Rituals that require more energy for banishment though not necessarily the raw power of the black moon are best performed during this time as the waning crescent phase of the moon is close enough to the black moon that it carries a good portion of its lunar decreasing energy with it.

The Black Moon

The Black moon, also called the Dark Moon and the Lost Moon, is the point when the moon is at it's darkest in the sky. It is the end of the moon cycle when the absence of light in the sky reflects a void. Therefore by this theory, the black moon is the most appropriate time to perform banishings, cleansings, exorcisms and other rejectionary forms of magick. Do your own experimentation to determine which system (or both) is right for you.

Resources as well, Moon Magick- DJ Conway, Lady of the Moon,.In the Shadow of the Moon For many cultures the pattern of the phases was the first calendar, and those changing faces came to represent the Goddess in her stages of existence.

Most cultures believe it is female because of this connection. Those who follow witchcraft are not the only ones who find the moon special. The mystery of it’s great powers have been connected to the tides, the growth and abundance of crops, and even connected to human emotions.

For those who practice witchcraft of any kind, the moon has a strong and influential role in religious practice and belief. The moon is a symbol of the Goddess, lunar magick, and of spell casting. Most witches believe that under the light of the moon is when magickal work should be done to be most effective.

The power of the Goddess is present at this time, and it is the time of the day that she rules.

It is also believed by many who practice witchcraft that the appropriate time to cast spells, do ritual work, and hold specific ceremonies or rites are all dictated by the phases of the moon. The calendar of the moon with its new/dark, waxing, full, and waning phases creates the magickal calendar for every month of worship.

Each phase of the moon is believed to have specific energies and symbolism associated with that time of the month in witchcraft. Casting spells and doing other magickal work in harmony with these times gives a powerful extra kick to the spell work and is believed to make the spell more powerful.

For many cultures the pattern of the phases was the first calendar, and those changing faces came to represent the Goddess in her stages of existence.

Most cultures believe it is female because of this connection. Those who follow witchcraft are not the only ones who find the moon special. The mystery of it’s great powers have been connected to the tides, the growth and abundance of crops, and even connected to human emotions.

For those who practice witchcraft of any kind, the moon has a strong and influential role in religious practice and belief. The moon is a symbol of the Goddess, lunar magick, and of spell casting. Most witches believe that under the light of the moon is when magickal work should be done to be most effective.

The power of the Goddess is present at this time, and it is the time of the day that she rules.

It is also believed by many who practice witchcraft that the appropriate time to cast spells, do ritual work, and hold specific ceremonies or rites are all dictated by the phases of the moon. The calendar of the moon with its new/dark, waxing, full, and waning phases creates the magickal calendar for every month of worship.

Each phase of the moon is believed to have specific energies and symbolism associated with that time of the month in witchcraft. Casting spells and doing other magickal work in harmony with these times gives a powerful extra kick to the spell work and is believed to make the spell more powerful.

Now For the Stones

Magickal Gemstones

African Pyrite

Used for focus, practicality, logic, memory, clearing fuzzy thinking/scattered ness etc. like Hematite. Helps Yellow Chakra: Stomach, intestines, ulcers; sulphur and mineral assimilation, circulation, body acidity imbalances, depression, illusions/lack of clarity about situations/people. Great for grounding spiciness after meditation/psychic readings. Represents Sun's golden energy.

Amazonite

Relating to the skeletal part of the body, spasms, soothes nervous system, stengthens physical stamina.

Amethyst

Healing, calming mental effect, enhances the meditative state, creates pure thoughts, spiritual insight, relaxation, higher values. Also transmutes negativity and enhances the dream state.

Apache Tear

A stone of protection that prevents emotional draining from others, works as a shield against unwanted vibrations, sharpens vision, helps with transitions.

Aventurine

Increases visionary powers, intuition and perception, a stone of opportunity and good luck, aids with emtional stablization.

Bloodstone

A stone of protection to prevent injury and disease. Used for blood purification and aids circulation.

Blue Quartz

A good healing stone for linking heart with Throat and Brow Chakra to expand self expression and creativity, plus refining communication skill to new levels. Eases throat tension. Immune system, thyroid, iodine and B Vitamin use.

Some say shining light through Blue Quartz can help reduce need for glasses.

Still evolving. Yin.

Carnelian

Stimulates energy and appetitie, physical power and courage, helps to ground you to the physcial plane, practical application of ideas.

Dalmatian Jasper

Aids memory retention and development of psychic ability.

Green Moss Agate

Good for blood sugar balance and Anorexia. Works on heart chakra. Also can bring back a sense of self esteem.

Hematite

It is one of the most grounding of all stones, it reduces stress and combats insomnia. It is said to help increase courage, concentrate energy and strengthen the heart. It is very beneficial to those attracted to it, but it is one of those stones that you either love or hate.

Howlite

This is a white stone with a high calcium content, this makes it an ideal stone for pregnant and nursing mothers. It is good for deepening sleep thus recovering wisdom from the dream state.

Jade

Health, wealth, longevity stone. Ancient Chinese used it also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, and harmony. Lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and blood detoxification and the nervous system. It is a very popular gemstone projecting universal love, health, wealth and long life.

Kyanite

Placed on brow, this opens the 3rd eye and blue/throat Chakra. Enhances psychic images, foresight, consciousness, meditation, and communication. Place on 3rd eye; answers questions, especially in imagery. Brings out our natural ability to manifest things into reality via thoughts and visualization. Gives peace and Tranquillity.

Lapis Lazuli

In meditation, opens Brow Chakra: higher guidance, intuition, and connection to higher self, overview, and decisions for good of all. Organizes, quiets mind.

Opens Throat/Thyroid Chakra: Self-expression, writing, creativity, dream insight...Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, autism, shyness, nervous system; MS, speech, hearing, pituitary, DNA, lymph, inflammation, pain (especially head), protection.

Mahogany Jasper

Increased grounding and protection.

Malachite

On brow: Stimulates physical and psychic vision and concentration.Egyptians used green Malachite paste for eye makeup,calling it Udju,they believed it gave them psychic protection.

Moldavite

Powerfully expands psychic ness, channelling. On Heart Chakra. Eases longing to leave earth. On pillow, brow, and crown: Telepathic access to spiritual laws, info from higher regions/places to help us and Earth to be healthier and more spiritual. An intense meteorite helping people incarnating from elsewhere be more comfortable here on earth (reducing asthma, toxin sensitivity, emotional intensity, epilepsy...)(May make some too spacey; be sure to ground self after use and before driving). Fragile - Don't salt cleanse!.

Moonstone

Calms and balances emotional situations. Second sight, psychometry, aura reading, use in regressions, opens up psychic potential.

Petrified Wood

Aids in the ability to recall past lives. Develops a great love for the earth.

Quartz Crystals

Easy to cleanse, store info/energy in, program or amplify energy and healing with. Can both draw and send energy. Powerful clear ones open Brow, Crown, and Transpersonal Chakra for meditation, sending/receiving guidance.

Stimulates natural crystals in body tissues and fluids to resonate at new healing frequency.

Red Jasper

Protection against unseen lower astral entities. Enables you to work with heavy negativity. Stabilizes emotions.

Rhodenite

Works with Heart Chakra; helps us express confidence and lovingness on physical plane in day to day ways. Calms and feeds the soul through the heart.

Soothes nightmares. Stress, heartache, loss, etc. Very good for speech and hearing problems. Eases Asthma suffering.

Rose Quartz

Relaxation, inner peace and tranquility. The ability to give and receive love. It is a stone that heals the heart emotionally and physically. All matters dealing with love, affection, compassion and kindness.

Serpentine

Excels in healing emotional and physical aspects of heart/lungs and throat chakras. Flushes out/heals hurt, fear, stress, loss. Antidepressant. Sinuses, mouth; bone and tissue regeneration. On Solar Plexus: Aligns the subtle bodies, harmonizes heart, mind, and body. Wholeness, peace of heart, selfexpression, creativity. Balances yin/yang. Draws out pain, inflammation, fever.

Shiva Lingham Stone

Excellent meditation stone. It is said of all the stone, these have the highest vibrational frequency.

Smokey Quartz

Enables you to follow through with the highest hopes and aspirations.

Abstract thoughts and telepathic messages pu to practical use.

Snowflake Obsidian

Use for astral travel and clairaudience, absorbs negative energy and therefore is used to cleanse before crystal healing.

Sodalite

Clearing and balancing mental disorders; filling the doubts, fears and anxieties with white light and transformation.

Tiger Eye

A combination of earth and sun which would be practical in decision making and creativity. Belief in self, objectivity, stability and inner strength.

Turquoise

A good general healer for all illnesses and excellent conductor (high copper).

This gentle, cool, soothing stone is a Native American classic. It opens the Throat Chakra, for open communication, creativity, serenity, spiritual bonding, upliftment; Opens the Heart Chakra for giving/receiving. Symbolizes our source spirit/sky) and spiritual love for healing, help. On brow: Psychic connection to Great Spirit. Strengthens and aligns all meridians, chakras, and energy fields. Like amethyst, it protects and detoxes from alcohol, poison, pollution, x-ray/sun radiation. Ancient absorber of "negativity"; protection from "evil eye." Brings wisdom. Helps anorexia, headache, fear, etc. Throat, lungs, asthma, infections, teeth, TMJ, hearing, high blood pressure, creativity block, depression. Dull, paler, weaker. Works well with Chrysocolla, best with Silver. Used for healing on every continent! Androgynous, balances yin/yang.

Fades in sunlight, sweat, oil, and dishwater...Avoid bleach/chlorine!

Magickal Incenses

2 parts Cinnamon1 part BayBurn during divination and healing rituals.Apparition Incense (caution)3 parts Wood Aloe2 parts Coriander 1 part Camphor 1 part Mugwort1 part Flax1 part Anise1 part Cardamom1 part Chicory1 part Hemp*Burn to cause apparitions to appear, if you really wantthis to happen.Aries Incense

2 parts Frankincense1 part Juniper 3 drops Cedarwood oilBurn as a personal altar or household incense toincrease your own powers.Astral Travel Incense3 parts Sandalwood3 parts Benzoin1 part Mugwort1 part Dittany of CreteBurn a small amount in the room to aid in projecting theastral body.Aquarius Incense1 part Sandalwood1 part Cypress

Another like the above.Gemini (Astrological) 4 drops Lavender 1 drop Peppermint1 drop Lemongrass1 drop Sweat Pea BouquetWear as a personal oil to increase your own powers.Goddess #1 1/2 tsp dried Yarrow1/2 tsp dried sweet Basil1 tsp powdered Myrrh3 drops Rose3 drops Lavender 1/2 cup base Olive OilPlace all ingredients in a clear glass jar & gently swirl in aclockwise direction. Keep in mind images of the Goddess& visualize Her divine power as an aura of white glowing

light radiating from your hands into the jar of oil, charging it with magical energy.Goddess #2 3 parts Rose2 parts Tuberose1 part Lemon1 part Palmarosa1 part AmbergrisWear to honor the Goddess during ritual.Good Luck 1 tbsp dried Wormwood3 tsp ground Nutmeg 1/2 tsp powdered Mandrake Root13 drops Pine1/4 cup Olive Oil baseAllow to sit for 13 nights.Healing #1 4 drops Rosemary2 drops Juniper

1 drop SandalwoodWear to speed healing.Healing #2 3 drops Eucalyptus2 drops Cypress1 drop Patchouli1 dried Mint leaf Mix the essential oils in a base of sesame oil. Add thedried mint leaf to the blend. Wear during rituals of defensive magick. Also wear during the waning moon inhonor of Hecate, Goddess of the fading crescent.Healing #3 3 drops Eucalyptus1 drop Niaouli1 drop Palmarosa1 drop Spearmint

Rite of Hekate’s Sacred Fires THE RITE OF HER SACRED FIRES – Original English Text Preparation: Find a quiet place where you will be able to perform the rite undisturbed. You will need a candle (or another form of devotional fire, such as a lamp or hearth fire) and something with which to light it. You may wish to consecrate the candle, or other materials you will be using in keeping with your usual tradition of working, otherwise please simply ensure that it is clean.

Prelude: Make yourself comfortable, breathe deeply and find your point of balance, a balance of mind and soul and body, which will present you proud and beautiful to the world. Breathe deeply and find your voice, the voice with which you will speak words of true and pure intent. Breathe deeply and call upon the freedom within your heart so that you will be able to express yourself with purity of intent and with strength of desire.

Place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats). Now enclose your thumbs within both your hands (in fists) and raise both your arms to the heavens.

Open your hands and with palm upwards in your left hand, bring your right arm to your side palm facing downwards and invoke the Goddess.

Invocation: I invoke thee, Great Mistress of the Heaven, Earth and Sea, By your mysteries of Night and Day, By the Light of the Moon and the Shadow of the Sun I invoke thee, Mistress of life, death and rebirth Emerge now from the shadow realm to feed my soul and enlighten my mind, Triple-formed Mistress of the three ways I entreat thee, Key-bearing Mistress of the Nightwandering Souls To bring forth your wisdom from amongst the stars To bring down your starfire from the darkness between, Creatrix of Light!

Goddess of the Shadow Realms! Light-bearing queen!

Whisper now your secrets!

Fire-bringer! Earthly-one! Queen of Heaven!

[Raise both hands with palms facing upwards to the heavens (three heartbeats) and then touch the ground palms downwards] [Sit before the candle and prepare to light it] [Take three deep breaths and allow your senses to awaken]

Say: Hekate, companion and guide to the mysteries I light this sacred fire in your honour, [light fire] Its light uniting the stars and stones, the heavens and the earth, With this fire I express my desire for a greater understanding of your mysteries Askei Kataskei Erōn Oreōn Iōr Mega Samnyēr Baui (3 times) Phobantia Semnē, Great Hekate, who spins the web of the stars and governs the spiral of life Guide me through towards pathways of understanding, From Crossroad to Crossroad, The Torchbearers and the Keybearers of your mysteries, will always find one another,

Now sit and watch the flame flicker and dance, allow yourself to focus on the different colours in the flame, the yellows and reds, the blues and whites, and the black. If you wish you may decide to spend some time meditating on the flame, skrying for visions or omens. Likewise, you may wish to extinguish it and keep the candle – let your true self radiate brightly its beautiful mysteries from this day on forth, the flame of the fires of Hekate burns on in your heart!

I banish now the shadows of doubt from my mind, Infused by the silence and warmth of our union I feel your golden radiance within my heart And the glory of knowledge on my brow, I am a student of your mysteries.

Extinguish the flame, then place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats).

Open your palms reaching towards the heaven, then reach down and touch the Earth.

[Copyright Notice] This ritual was written in celebration of the completion of the book Hekate Her Sacred Fires and as an act of Devotion to the Goddess Hekate. Permission is given for the adaptation of this ritual for personal and group use. The ritual is designed to be performed as is, but can also be incorporated into longer rituals, and is compatible with most magical traditions. Whoever performs this rite takes personal responsibility for the results (or lack of results!) thereof, the author cannot be held responsible for any undesired effects. This ritual may be reproduced freely for non-commercial purposes in any format electronic or printed, providing that this original notice remain intact.

For any changes, updates and further resources see www.sacredfires.co.uk (c)Sorita d’Este, 2010

Magickal Correspondences

Orange - encouragement, adaptability, stimulation, attraction,kindness Yellow - knowledge, learning, concentration, persuasion,confidence, comfortGreen - fertility, luck, success, rejuvenation, growth, ambition,plantsBlue - tranquility, understanding, patience, health, truth,devotion, sincerity Violet - loyalty, peace, wisdom, astral projectionPurple - tension, spiritual protection, regal nature, wealthBlack - negation, banishing, removing barriers, binding White - purity, consecration, meditation, healing, peace,spiritual strength, all purpose color can be used as a substitutefor any other color.Gray - balance, neutrality, erasing mistakes, cancelling,neutralizingBrown - earthiness, grounding, trees, concentration, telepathy,protection, animalsSilver - the color of the Goddess, purity, the moon, treasures,unconscious mindGold - the color of the God, the sun, wealth, conscious mind,activity Days of the Week In much the same way that a friday feels different from amonday each day of the week has its' own flavor or energy. Longago the days of the week were given names to honor the oldGods, and in doing so they gained a power that has grown overtime as those associations have become stronger. The week wasarbitrarily made seven days long to honor the seven greatestGods and known Bodies in the solar system, thus the days became associated not only with the Gods but also thier traitsand spheres of influence.Monday Lunedi the Moon the tides,

emotions, travel by waterTuesday Martedi Mars courage, overcoming enemies,getting rid of negativity

Wednesday Mercoledi Mercury communications, writing,speaking, negotiations, intellectual goalsThursday Juvedi Jupiter health, wealthFriday Venerdi Venus love, friendship, artisticendeavorsSaturday Sabado Saturn business, possessions,acquired learning, boundaries, protectionSunday Domenica the Sun healing, success, family Phases of the MoonThe gentle pull of the moon controls more than just our tides,there are many stories of the effect of a full moon on crime,accidents, even tales of the heart. From a magick point of view we view the full moon as a time of abundant energies beinggiven to us, and the dark of the moon as a time of drawingenergies away. So, on or about the full moon we work withattraction magick (attracting love). And during the new moon we do banishing magick (banishing loneliness).These may seem like semantic distinctions but part of being a witch is working in tune with nature. Even if there is no traffic itis still better to follow a one-way street in the proper directionsince it reduces your chances of an accident and of getting aticket. By modifying our rituals to work in tune with nature (thefeel of the moon) we can strengthen our magick and avoidunnecessary problems.Time of the Year As seen in the section on the Wheel of the Year the time of yearhas a definite feel and purpose. Early spring is a time forplanning, then we move into preparing and enacting our plans,followed by a time of action and trying to learn from ourmistakes as we move into summer. Moving into fall we startmaking tough choices and decisions, then we get to a reflectivephase in winter. Another, deeper way of looking at the year is throughastrological

correspondences. But that is a much deeperdiscussion that belongs under its' own section.Time of Day

This can be looked at in two ways: planetary hours - each day is broken into 12 equal chunks of daylight and 12 more equalchunnks of darkness where each "hour" is associated with aplanet.

Sunday during the first sunlight hour is the sun,followed by venus, mercury, the moon, saturn, jupiter, andmars. The sequence is repeated over and over again for 24repetitions in one week (which gives the proper planet to thefirst daylight hour of each day).The second way of looking at time of day is based on theelemental correspondences: East is the rising sun and early morning. South is the midday sun. West is evening and twilight,things enveloped in mystery.

North is midnight wheneverything sleep

Dark Goddesses Persephone, a Greek goddess known in her childhood by the nameKore (or Cora, meaning young maiden), was the only child of theunion of Demeter (goddess of the bountiful harvest) and Zeus, themighty king of the Olympians.

The Greek goddess Persephone was

The goddess Persephone, Queen of the Underworld, was willing tohelp Psyche pass Aphrodite's tests so that Psyche could be reunited with her beloved husband. Psyche had been assigned to go to theunderworld and return with some of Persephone's famous youthserum/beauty ointment (actually it was a sleeping potion, but hey, weall know what a bad night's sleep can do to our appearance!) WhilePsyche was in the underworld, she found Persephone to be both agracious and generous hostess.The Greek goddess Persephone also helped Heracles (Hercules),loaning him Cerberus, the ferocious three-headed dog that guardedthe entrance of the underworld, so that he could complete the TwelveLabors he'd been assigned to make retribution for the death of his wife.

The goddess Persephone was also at home in theunderworld when Odysseus (Ulysses) arrived. She rewarded him with a legendary tour of the souls of women of great renown.In another intriguing story, the Greek goddess Persephone agreed tohide Adonis, a mortal youth who was Aphrodite's lover, from Aphrodite's suspicious husband. But upon seeing the beautiful Adonis, Persephone, receptive goddess that she was, also fell for hischarms and refused

to give him back to Aphrodite. (Remember, theseGreek goddesses were the original "wild women", refusing to yield toconvention!)Eventually, Zeus had to step in to settle the argument. He ruled that Adonis should spend a third of the year with each of the goddesses,Persephone and Aphrodite, and be left to his own pursuits theremainder of the year. Unfortunately, Adonis chose to spend his freetime hunting and was killed in a hunting accident a few years later.The Greek goddess Persephone represents both the youthful,innocent, and joyous maiden aspect of a woman as well as the more

womanly self who, innocence lost and family attachments loosened,can begin to consciously decide for herself.In Greek mythology Persephone, goddess of the soul, is the possessorof its dark and frightening wisdom. But the goddess Persephone isalso the harbinger of spring . . . and a reminder of all the growth andhope that it brings.The Cailleach by a sister * Opal Thank you .The Cailleach is pronounced “Kal ee ak , She is the Dark Goddess of the BritishIsles.The Cailleach, is older than time itself, and figures in Britishfolklore as a Giantess who shaped our Land itself, she controls theforces of nature, weather. Her origins are believed to be from theclassics of Rome and Greece, and She came over to Britain with theearly Celts from Spain to Scotland and Ireland and later was known inEngland( one of Her aspects is featured as Black Annis ) . She is theGoddess of the Winter, being dual manifestation with Bride, whotakes over from Her in the Spring. She has strong associations with water, and rocks and wells.

The Morrighan ("Great Queen", "Specter Queen", "Supreme WarGoddess" or "Queen of Phantoms or Demons") Irish/Celtic. The Dark aspect of the Celtic Triple Goddess. Crone aspect of the Goddess.Great Mother. Moon Goddess. Great White Goddess. Queen of theFairies. Matroness of priestesses and Witches. Queen of the Witchesand Goddess of Magick. Associated with revenge, night, magick,prophecy, wisdom, war and peace. Possibly a pre-Celtic Moongoddess.In her Dark Aspect, she is the Goddess of War, Fate andDeath. As a War Goddess, she reigned over the battlefield, helping with her magick, but did not join in battles. The "Washer at the Ford"(seem washing bloody laundry prior to battle by those destined todie). With her, others like Fea (Hateful), Nemon (Venomous), Badb(Fury) and Macha (Battle) encouraged fighters to battle-madness.Marries the Dagdha at Samhain. Daughter of Ernmas, and sometimesa collective name for all three of her daughters; see Badhbh. Hersymbol was the raven or crow. Like many Goddesses, She was ashapechanger. She often turned into a raven or hooded crow. Thecarrion crow is her favorite disguise. Could also appear as a beautifulMaiden or an ugly Hag.Myths/Tradition says she has nine loosed tresses on her head, a signof her connection with the Ninefold Goddess of the Cauldron.Goddess of rivers, lakes, and fresh water. Once she confronted theCeltic hero Cu Chulainn, attacking him in the forms of a crow, a gray wolf and a hornless red heifer. He was able to fight all of them off, butshe had the last laugh, when he was dying in battle years later, sheturned into a hooded crow and perched on his dying body as hisenemies approached to finish him off. she did not actually fight, buturged on her chosen armies and intimidated the ones She wanted tolose with Her fearsome war cries. she survived into medieval times asMorgan Le Fay, the witch who haunted King Arthur and his

knights."Like Macha, the Crone aspect of the Morrigan, Morgan as MotherDeath cast the destroying curse on every man.

Rituals Raise your arms and say: “blessed be.”

With your athame, draw and invoking pentagram in the flame of the candle and say: “i do bless and consecraTe Thee, o creaTure oF Fire To Make Thee FiT For These My riTes.” Raise your arms and say:"Blessed Be." With your athame, draw an invoking pentagram in the water and say: “i do bless and consecraTe Thee, o creaTure oF air To Make Thee FiT For These My riTes.” Raise your arms and say: "blessed be.”

Raise your arms toward the sky and say: “i call on earTh To bind My spell, Air to speed its passage well.Bright as fire shall it glow,

and deep as ocean’s Tides shall Flow.

Count the elements fourfold,For in the Fifth the Spell shall hold.Blessed Be." Calling the Quarters Pick up your athame or wand in your power hand and the small white taper candle in the other and proceed to the northern quarter of Earth. Light the candle, draw an invoking pentagram with your athame, and say: “I do summon, stir, and call ye O element of Earth. Guardians of the gateway of the North, attend me, guard me, guide me, and protect me in these my Rites.

Hail and Welcome.”

Proceed in a deosil direction to the eastern quarter, light the candle, draw an invoking pentagram, and say: “I do summon, stir, and call ye O element of Air. Guardians of the gateway of the East, attend me, guard me, guide me, and protect me in these my Rites.

Hail and Welcome.”

Move deosil to the southern quarter, light the candle,draw an invoking pentagram, and say: “I do summon, stir, and call ye O element of Fire. Guardians of the gateway of the South, attend me, guard me, guide me, and protect me in these my Rites.

Hail and Welcome.”

Lastly, proceed to the western quarter, light the candle,draw an invoking pentagram, and say: “I do summon, stir, and call ye O element of Water. Guardians of the gateway of the West, attend me, guard me, guide me, and protect me in these my Rites.

Hail and Welcome.”

Return to your altar and place the candle and athame or wand upon it.This is the heart of the ritual. The Working can be a celebration of a Sabbat or Esbat, an initiation, or a cleansing, consecration, banishing, healing, or divination,it can be a spell designed to change you or the world around you. It can also be a combination of several of these elements or none of them at all. Your Working can also just be used as time to commune with the Goddess and or God. Keep in mind that the Gods have a sense of humor and like to have fun as much as you or me, so not all your workings have to be rigid and serious!!! Think of some ritual ideas, write them down.

Spells,Spells,Spells Wish Spells For Prosperitu Take a penny , anoint with pacholi oil, Go to a fountain on a Sunday Kiss the pnny 3 times Elements four, let my wish come true In 3 days

* Before the full moon

Light a green birthday candle Anoint with pacholi Set in the earth abpove a barried you write to self For a specific amount Chant as candle burns I wish I may I wish today, (checkSay amount of money) come may wiay * The Money Tree Spell

You will need:

Green candle anointed w/ pine oil.

Sweet basil (1 tbsp of basil in right hand.)

Pine incense (Pass the basil over the altar candles and the green candle and incense 3 times and sprinkle basil around the green candle.)

Green silk pouch

White altar candles anointed w/ sandalwood oil

5 pennies, 4 old, 1 new.

Salt Water

Orange candle anointed w/ basil oil

Parchment

Pine incense

On a waxing moon, set the altar in the east of your circle. This will need to be left up for a full waxing cycle. You will need easy access to a door. Take a new penny in your hand, Circle the altar deosil (clockwise) and say

Bring to me what I see, By thy power, Hecate

Spin rapidly deosil (clockwise) and go outside and toss the new penny in the air. Wherever it lands, bury all 5 pennies, saying:

I give thee money - Hecate Return to me prosperity.

I give thee five Return by three As I will So mote it be.

Return to your altar and snuff out the candles. Next week, at the same day and time, return to your altar with your talisman bag and the parchment. Light the orange candle. Visualize money flowing onto the altar. Unearth the coins and bring them to the altar. Wash them in the chalice water to purify them. Pass them through the incense smoke and the fire from the orange candle. Place each coin in the talisman pouch, old coins first. Add nine pieces of rock salt, close the mouth of the talisman pouch and face east and say:

Bring to me what I see By thy power Hecate.

Altar power Must it be Earth and Air

Fire and Sea Bring to me What I see By thy power Hecate.

Place the bag inside your clothing and wear it every day for 7 days. Leave it on your altar every night visualizing prosperity. On the 7th day, hide it in the eastern portion of your house. * The 7 Day Luck Spell

Items you'll need:

Black 7 day candle Water saucer paper Fill your saucer slightly with some water. On a piece of paper write the things you most desire, (like love, money, a job..) Fold that up and put it on the saucer (yes, in the water)

Now put your 7 day candle on top of the paper and light it.

Each night before you go to sleep visualize your desires being obtained.

On the seventh day, snuff out the candle and dispose of it by getting it away from your property.

This spell can be customized by using different colored candles, pink or red for love, purple for spirituality, and so on. The black candle is used for "breaking through" those obstacles that are preventing you from your desires. * Spell to Make you Invisible

Relax and become conscious of every part of your body. Feel your skin. relax and feel the photons of light hitting your skin, a rain of warmth over your entire body. Now start repeating to yourself. "Light pass through and around me, nobody will see me. Light pass through and around me ..." and as you chant (out loud or in your head) feel the rain of photons passing around and through you until you don't feel them any more. Bang! you are effectively hidden.

I have done this in class then raised my hand to answer questions and have the teacher look straight at me and say "You mean nobody will even try" and people looking for me look right past me. I will say that the invisibility is fairly fragile meaning that if you make yourself noticed people will notice. I assume that you could do a similar things for other objects. I have never actually tried it but I believe it would work

-Stormchaser

The Sabbats The 8 Sabbats we Celebrate and the Wheel of the Year goes as follows: Yule or Winter Solstice-Dec. 20-23-The rebirth of the God. Imbolg, Imbolc, or Candlemas-Feb.2-A day to Honor the Goddess who is slowly turning the Wheel to Spring.

Ostara, Eostre, or Spring Equinox(There are other names I can't think of right now)-March 20-23-Celebrating the first signs of Spring. A time to bless the seeds that will be planted when the ground thaws.

Beltain, Beltane, or May Eve-April 30-A fertility festival and celebrates life.

The Goddess and God come together as one and She becomes impregnated.

This is one of the most controversial Pagan holidays due to a part of the ritual called the Great Rite. In ancient times, people of the village would go out into their crops and make love in the fields to encourage crop growth. The Great Rite is done by the God and Goddess to ensure life will go on and the God is reborn at Yule after passing on into the Summerland at Samhain. There are some covens that perform the Great Rite at Beltane but this is just not an excuse to have sex with each other. Most of the covens that do an actual Great Rite has a High Priest and Priestes that are an already established couple, married r otherwise. Then there are covens, like mine, who do a symbolic Great Rite. Instead of having sex, we take a chalice and athame, saya blessing, and lower the athame (a symbol of the God) into the chalice (a symbol of the Goddess).

Litha, Midsummer, or Summer Solstice-June 20-23-Marks the longest day of the year. This is the point we enter the waning of the coming year. The Goddess is heavy with pregnancy and so is the Earth with its bounty for the harvest season.

Lughnassad, Lughnasadh, or Lammas-August 1-The first of the 3 harvest Sabbats. This celebrates the time that the first grains are to be harvested and to give thanks to the land for it's bounty.

Mabon or Fall Equinox-Sept. 20-23-This is a day of balance between light and dark. It is also the second of the Fall harvest celebrations. I have also read that this is the Pagan Thanksgiving although some Pagans do celebrate Thanksgiving again or wait until the other celebrations in November.

Samhain (pronounced Sow-in, SAh-vin, or Sahm-hayn), All Hallow's eve, or as everyone knows it Halloween-Oct. 31-It is the Third and final harvest time, a time to remember the people who have died this past year and honor the ones who have gone before. This is also another very controversial Sabbat of ours.

One reason is the Christians insistance that it is an evil celebration. There is nothing evil about honoring our dead ancestors and communicating with them.

The idea that evil spirits walk the Earth is a very popular misconception! In fact this is the night our God dies. He dies to protect us from the spirits that are not welcome on this plane. He stands at the veil and holds them back. This is also the first day of Winter and is also said to be the Pagan New Year.

Miscellaneous Daily Tarot

Two of Wands Hard work with perserverances brings success The keywords of this card are boldness, originality and personal power, success Work and finances are improving even if it is seemingly slowIt is also a good time to spend time dreaming and planning with your significant other. Think of things that you’d both like to do together – get some holiday brochures, book a night away in a hotel or plan to renew your vows. You’ll find this sharing of the future will only serve to strengthen your connection to each other

Daily Oracle

Isis Universal Mother,Goddess of 10,000 names Goddess of Magick,healing,fertility Isis reminds us today that all is connected and interconnectedToday's choices, decisions will effect your tomorrow, and you are where you are now because of past choices. Each day is a new Beginning if we want itLife is not just about you, nor just about me.Some live as hermits, but in truth none is an island to themselves Isis also calls us to life of balance.

Grounding, centering Grounding and Centering Face East and center yourself.

"I am grounded in the center of my being."

Visualise energy of below.

"I am supported by the powers of below."

Visualise the God/Goddess of above.

"I am guided by the powers of above."

Visualise the unity of self with center above and below.

"I am balanced in the axis of my being."

Extend your hand to the East. Visualise and make contact with the powers of the elemental forces. Visualise clarity.

"I am inspired by the powers of Air." Visualise purifying/transforming.

"I am enlightened by the powers of Fire."

Visualise healing/cleansing.

"I am renewed by the powers of Water."

Visualise nurturing/stability.

"I am nurtured by the powers of Earth."

Establish the balance of axis and elements. Feel this to be

true.

"The forces are in balance within me and about me."

Feel the Sphere of the Circle.

"The Sphere is placed."

Feel the Cube of the Temple within the Sphere.

"The Temple is established."

Feel the Temple within yourself.

"I am the Temple."

Grounding to Earth Here is a sample exercise to help you ground. In this example you will ground to earth. While grounding to any element is possible, earth is probably the easiest, especially if you are starting out. If another element calls to you, or you already have your own way of doing this. feel absolutely free to use it.

Stand or sit comfortably on the floor or ground. If you are not on the first story, that is okay, just be as close to the actual ground as you can for the space you are in.

Visualize roots slowly extending from your feet (or other body parts touching the surface). Slowly they travel down, down, until the meet the soil. This is easy if you are outside, if you are not, imagine them traveling down throughout the layers of building, down through the foundation and eventually into the soil. Imagine the feel of the cool, secure soil all around your roots, keeping you safe, taking away all impurities. Aboriginal people who don't have much access to water bury themselves except their face in earth, and emerge totally cleansed and renewed. Imagine the smell of fresh, wholesome earth, as if you were turning over dirt to plant the first seed of spring.

Imagine that you are a giant, primeval redwood (or other tree of your choosing). You are sturdy and confident. You are part of the earth, yet distinct from it.

Your roots go down deep into the earth and all excess "nervous" energy, tension and stress flow down your roots and seep harmlessly into the earth, where the loving earth accepts and is nourished by it. In return the earth sends back calming nutrients, stability, and ancient serenity.

You are an ancient tree, your roots go deep into the ground. You have been here before humans walked this area, you have seen so much. You have seen most of your old comrades die, be struck by lighting, be chopped own to build for the people, but you withstand.

As you stand there, you think about the rings within your mighty trunk. The ones just inside your bark remind you of last spring's rain. The thin inside that of the cold year when you didn't grow so much. Continue to work inward until you reach the center rings, those rings of dark wood at your core that represent the inner you, your heart, your oldest part. Breath from that part. Suck the air in through all the rings to that central core. Feel your life force gather and recharge in you center. Pull it back from the outermost limbs where the growth may be unbalanced. Feel the sap brimming in your core. Once you feel totally charged, let it go and it will course through you, back out energizing you, but at your center is still the central heart of your energy, calm, full and ready for anything.

Copyright Š 1997, Zephyr Lioness

Basic Astrology THE BASICS OF ASTROLOGY

by Hermotimus

Astrology is the science that predicts (based on the time and place of birth) the physical, emotional and social aspects of an individual for his or her lifetime. Astrology is based upon the idea that the positions of the stars, planets, moon and sun at the time of birth influence and affect every part of a person's life. Just as the sun, moon and planets affect and create the tides in the earth's oceans, they also affect the tides within each individual. These effects are predictable (as are ocean tides), and through accumulated knowledge an accurate prediction of the basic characteristics of a specific person can be made.

The chart of the positions of the stars, planets, moon and sun at the time of birth is called a Natal Horoscope or Birth Chart. It is comprised of several different elements: The 12 houses of the horoscope, the twelve signs of the Zodiac, the planets of our solar system and the moon and sun. In creating this

chart, the Astrologer assumes the Earth is a fixed point and that all other cosmic bodies revolve around it on a daily basis. Thus each of the 12 houses of the horoscope represent two hours of the day.

The celestial heavens make up a circle which contains 360 degrees. The 12 signs of the Zodiac divide this circle into 30 degree sections. Each of these sections are divided into three 10 degree segments called decans. Each decan has a planetary ruler and specific characteristics associated with it. (The numbered cards of the Minor Arcana of the tarot deck are assigned one to each decan and take much of their meanings from the decans.)

Each of the twelve houses of the horoscope represent a different part of the life, character and emotions of the person. They are as follows:

First House: The personality, disposition, health, temperament, physical build and appearance, and one's outlook on life. It has a bearing on manners, and forms of outward behavior.

Second House: Possessions of all kinds, and the person's attitude towards them, and worldly resources which support the physical body, also moral values and ambitions.

Third House: Family ties, brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. School life, education, communications, letters, books, short journeys, cars, bicycles, public testimony and speech. This is the House of Communication.

Fourth House: The beginning and end of life; the home as a base. This house has a certain bearing on parents, their abilities (and their ability to fulfill their commitment) since personal status and home life depend to some extent on them. Houses, land, foods, household items and private life are also related to the fourth House.

Fifth House: Creativity, children, pleasures, holidays, enterprises and new undertakings. Pleasures, love affairs, and the object of instinctive affection.

This is the House of romance and creative expression.

Sixth House: This House rules work; also subordinates, providing a strong pointer aimed at people's attitudes towards servants. This is also the House of health and service, although physical well being cannot be entirely assessed from it.

Seventh House: Indicates those who are in close relationships of an emotional

and business nature. Also close friendships, legal affairs and contracts.

Eighth house: Represents money from legacies, shared feelings, life force elements of sex, birth and death, and attitudes towards death and the afterlife.

In addition, high business; the stock exchange and insurance companies. This is also the House of crime and other people's money.

Ninth House: Further education, study in depth of profound subjects, and mental exploration; also long distance travel, foreigners, languages, This house also has a bearing on moral ideals, conscience and dreams.

Tenth House: Aspirations, ambitions, public standing. All matters outside the home; the career or profession, and attainment in that field, social status and responsibilities, a sense of discipline, and matters affecting outward appearances and the personal image.

Eleventh House: This house influences friends and acquaintances, clubs and societies. Objectives in life, and the more detached contacts made in day to day affairs. Intellectual pleasures, as opposed to more physical or sporting forms of relaxation. It is known as the House of friendships.

Twelfth House: A need for seclusion; service to others, such as hospital visiting, self-sacrifices (often as a result of a partner's illness). Bad habits, things done secretly, and self-undoing. It is called the House of selfundoing.

The twelve signs of the Zodiac also have specific characteristics for persons born under them. The sign of the Zodiac are divided in several different ways:

First, they are divided into the four elements: Fire, Water, Air and Earth.

Fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. These signs represent the spiritual world, and persons born under these signs have many spiritual qualities.

Water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces representing man's emotional nature.

Air signs of Gemini, Libra and Aquarius represent the mental part of man's nature. Persons born under these signs tend toward the intellectual.

Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn represent people who are more physical in their nature.

The next division of the Zodiac is into Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable signs.

Cardinal signs are pioneers, activists, reformers, and seekers of new conquests.

The Cardinal signs are Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn.

Fixed signs represent conservatives, they are slow to change and suspicious of new ideas. The Fixed signs are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius.

Mutable signs are the counselors and compromisers, striving to bring harmony.

The Mutable signs are Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces.

The signs of the Zodiac are also divided into Masculine and Feminine aspects.

The Masculine aspect is considered to be active, powerful, outgoing and electric. Masculine signs are Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius and Aquarius.

The Feminine aspects is considered to be passive, inward looking and magnetic.

The Feminine signs are Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn and Pisces.

The Signs of the Zodiac each have specific characteristics for people born under each sign. They are as follows:

ARIES: March 22 to April 20. Masculine, Fire and Cardinal in nature. Its positive traits include pioneering, competitiveness, courage, independence and quickness. its negative traits include domineering, quick-tempered, violent, intolerance and self-centeredness. Aries governs the head, face, brain and upper jaw.

TAURUS: April 21 to May 21. Feminine, Earth and Fixed. its positive traits include practicality, patience, endurance, and persistence. Negative traits include possessiveness, laziness, inflexibility and stubbornness. It governs the throat, neck, ears, vocal cords, thyroid, tongue, mouth, tonsils and lower jaw.

GEMINI: May 22 to June 22. Masculine, Air and Mutable. Positive traits include adaptability, versatility, intelligence and a fine sense of newness. its negative traits include restlessness, changeability, nervous energy and inconsistency. Gemini governs the shoulders and upper chest.

CANCER: June 23 to July 23. Feminine, Water and Cardinal. Positive traits include kindness, sensitivity, imagination and sympathy. Negative Cancerian traits include emotionality, weakness of character and instability of effort.

This sign governs the arms and hands.

LEO: July 24 to August 23. Masculine, Fire and Fixed. Leo's positive traits include generosity, enthusiasm, broadmindedness and drama. Its negative traits include dogmatism, snobbery, intolerance and conceit. Leo governs the heart, sides and upper back.

VIRGO: August 24 to September 23. Feminine, Earth and Mutable. Its positive traits include discrimination, modesty, tidiness and analytical judgment.

Negative traits include fussiness, worrisome, finickyness and conventionality.

Virgo governs the intestines, liver, pancreas, gall bladder, lower plexus and upper bowel.

LIBRA: September 24 to October 23. Masculine, Air and Cardinal. Libra's positive traits include charm, easy going nature, romantic and diplomatic. Its negative traits include lack of decisiveness, resentfulness, flirtatious and gullibility. It governs the kidneys, lower back, adrenal glands and appendix.

SCORPIO: October 24 to November 22. Feminine, Water and Fixed. Scorpio's positive traits include strong feelings and emotions, a sense of purpose, imaginative and discerning. Negative traits include jealousy, resentment, obstinacy and suspiciousness. It governs the genitals, bladder, rectum and

reproductive organs.

SAGITTARIUS: November 23 to December 22. Masculine, Fire and Mutable. Its positive traits include joviality, optimism, open-mindedness and adaptability.

Negative Sagittarian traits include exaggeration, extremism, and irresponsibility. It governs the hips, thighs and upper legs.

CAPRICORN: December 23 to January 19. It is Feminine, Earth and Cardinal.

The positive traits include reliability, ambition, carefulness and prudence. Its negative traits include a rigid outlook, pessimism, conventionality and miserliness. Capricorn governs the knees and lower legs.

AQUARIUS: January 20 to February 19. Masculine, Air and Fixed. Its positive traits include humanitarianism, friendliness, loyalty and originality. Negative traits include unpredictability, rebelliousness, tactlessness and unconventionality. Aquarius governs the ankles.

PISCES: February 20 to March 21. Feminine, Water and Mutable. Its positive traits include humility, compassion, sympathy and sensitivity. Negative traits include vagueness, carelessness, indecision and secrecy. Pisces governs the feet.

The planets have meanings that depend on what sign or house they appear in, and the relationships of the other planets to them. This allows me to give you only a very basic description of their characteristics along with their symbols:

THE SUN: Its symbol is a circle with a dot in the center, and represents individuality with its creative ability. This is the life-giver, the center on which all else depends. It represents the creative urge, the will to lead. Its attributes are bigness of heart, nobility, sincerity, pride and ambition. It brings intensity to all situations.

THE MOON: Its symbol is a crescent, usually shown as a half moon. It suggests reflection of individuality, just as the Moon reflects the Sun's light. It brings fruitfulness to things under its spell. It is impressionable, changeable, frank and open, refined, kind and modest.

MERCURY: Its symbol is a circle with a crescent above it and the cross below. It represents the mental processes, when the entire nature of man discusses with itself the course on which it finds itself and methods of improving it. It is quick, mental, imaginative, studious, sharp, logical, and fond of oratory. It brings keenness of mind to its affairs.

VENUS: Its symbol is a circle with a cross below it. This means the individuality has conquered the materiality, the nature becoming friendly and altruistic. It represents the beautiful, the harmonious, and friendly. It is affectionate, sympathetic, refined, fond of pleasure, social and artistic. It brings softness and smoothness to its affairs.

MARS: Its symbol is a cross above a circle, although the cross has been altered slightly to have it appear as an arrowhead. Its meaning is that materiality has conquered individuality, resulting in greed and war. This is the planet of force and energy. It is good or bad depending on the way man uses it. It is constructive, courageous, fond of the outdoors, hot-tempered, aggressive and grasping.

JUPITER: Its symbol is a crescent above a cross. It means the personality is master of the materiality; a jovial exterior hides the crass earthliness of the physical nature. It is a symbol of happiness and expansion. It expands, enlarges, brings good fortune. It is noble, sincere, kind-hearted, religious, honorable and faithful.

SATURN: It shows the cross of materiality above the crescent of personality,

the basis of the word saturnine or sadness. Material and physical woes have mastered the urge to be free of trouble. Life's great teacher or taskmaster, this is the planet of experience. It limits, and by limiting bestows wisdom. It tends to subdue enthusiasm and zealousness. It is reflective, chaste, careful, fearful, and economical.

URANUS: Its symbol consists of the cross above the circle, the cross bordered by two crescents. This is the symbol of Mars with the double symbol of the Moon. It is the symbol of rebellion and revolution, when the personality desires to free itself of the symbols of greed and war. It is liberty-loving, original, abrupt, boldly romantic and philosophical.

NEPTUNE: Its symbol is the cross above the circle with a crescent running through the cross. It suggests mystery, for there is a subtle partnership between the personality and the materiality of man; a psychic path winding itself through the physical body. It teaches awareness of the unseen worlds.

Psychic ability, mysticism, introspection and carelessness about material affairs.

PLUTO: Its symbol is the circle above the crescent above the cross. It means the individuality is on top, preparing something new. Thus Pluto is the planet of

far-reaching changes, and gives a strong inner desire to upset the old order and inaugurate something new. This not done in haste but with careful planning.

Cauldron Magick

EARTH Cauldron

Layer salt, wax shavings, three powdered or ground herbs, lighter fluid and ivy leaves in the cauldron while focus and chanting. Use

a candle to light it. When the smoke starts to roll, extinguish

the cauldron by putting the lid on.

AIR Cauldron

Using tongs, put a chunk of dry ice is a small glass or ceramic

bowl and place the bowl on a cloth in the bottom of the cauldron.

Allow the cauldron to smoke as long as the ice lasts. The mists create excellent images for scrying.

FIRE Cauldron

Cover the inside bottom with dirt or sand to dissipate heat. Light

incense charcoal and add either saltpeter for flame and spark or flash powder for a different but spectacular effect. To assist in releasing or firing off peak energy, try using flash "bombs". Make

a small pocket in a piece of flash paper, fill with flash powder

and tie with thread. The "bomb" should be about the size of your smallest fingernail. The results are spectacularly bright, so use the powder sparingly. Don't look directly at the flash as you drop

the "bomb" in the cauldron.

WATER Cauldron

At least seven days before the ritual, place equal quantities of three appropriate herbs in a pint glass jar. Fill the rest of the jar with Everclear (200 proof alcohol), cap tightly, and shake

gently while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Add a chant if its feels right. Let the jar rest in a dark, warm spot

and shake twice daily, charging with purpose. Before the ritual, place a fireproof ceramic or glass bowl in the cauldron. Pour in the herb mixture, being careful none spills into the cauldron.

Light with a candle to produce a beautiful blue flame.

The cauldron, as the fifth elemental spirit, symbolizes inspiration,

rebirth, illumination and rejuvenation. Use a Fire cauldron with saltpeter to cast a Circle. Use the mists of an Air cauldron for an initiation. Burn away hate, prejudice and negative self-images,

with a Water cauldron. The Earth cauldron is ideal for indoor

Beltane rites.