Wednesday 31 December 2014

Seven Day Motivation Spell by Autumn Ravenflower

A seven day spell tied in with planetary magic to boost motivation written by our very own Autumn Ravenflower:

I will set myself up a small working altar for my seven day spell and use one candle holder but seven colour corresponding candles for each planet and day. I will carve the planet symbol on each candle and use if possible crystals and herbs/plants that also correspond with that planet. I will also use the numbers associated with each planet. For example, one of Mars numbers is 25, so I may cast that day's spell at 25 minutes past an hour.

There are many incense blends that I could buy for each planet correspondence but as I don't have those to hand, I will smudge with frankincense to create sacred space and stimulate positive energies.

The first planet I am going to start with is Mars. I'm starting with Mars because this is the most potent one to start with I feel. Mars Beneficial is winning and taking action. The zodiac sign connected with Mars is Aries, my sun and moon sign and Aries are energetic and want to make things happen!

Mars day is Tuesday is perfect for starting new goals and finishing long overdue projects. So this all ties in nicely with the spell that I am writing.

Set up on my altar will be the following:

A red candle - this is one of Mars' two colours but I chose red as it also corresponds with the Mars element of Fire and red speaks to me of a passion to get the job done.

Mustard Seed - this fiery seed is excellent for success and strength.
A garnet which is one of Mars' stones.
Lighting the candle I will ground and centre and invoke the planets energies by saying:

"On this Tuesday, the day of Mars
I call upon its energies and power
As I burn this candle red
It's strengths I will devour”

After the third time, I will say "so mote it be!"

Day Two: Mercury

Now I have set the wheels - or planets - into motion, so to speak, Mercury will set the spell on the right course to move forward. Mercury's beneficial influences include helping memory and communication. Eloquence in writing and a great time for study.

Wednesday is a great communication day.

Set up on my altar will be the following:
A pale blue candle - pale blue which is one of Mercurys colours speaks to me of a quiet confidence. Calm and reflective to embark on my "doing" journey ahead.

Daffodils and dandelions are associated with Mercury for their bright ideas and high communication. It is the wrong time of year for those but yellow is a good colour for clarity so I will place on my altar some yellow citrine and Amber which enhances thought and memory - just what I need! Also cloves to improve memory and focus.

Again I will light my candle, ground and centre and say:

"On this Wednesday, the day of Mercury
I call upon its energies and power
As I burn this candle blue
It's strengths I will devour”

After the third time: "so mote it be!"

Day Three: Jupiter

Now this is where things really get moving! Jupiter has a way of lighting a fire under us and making us get a shifty on. Thursday is known as one of the most productive days. Jupiter takes its name from the Greek God who was king of his pantheon and was a highly confident larger than life deity. Things got done when he was around and utilising the planets energies will ensure that started tasks are well under way now.

Set up on my altar will the following:

A purple candle. Purple is one of Jupiters two colours and purple means to me passion, which is what I hope to achieve to undertake my tasks fully.
Sapphire is one of Jupiters stones. I do have a sapphire ring so that will be placed on it.
Thyme is a plant that is associated with Jupiter. It is also used in Magickal workings to keep a positive attitude if facing difficult tasks.

"On this Thursday, the day of Jupiter
I call upon its energies and power
As I burn this candle purple
It's strength I will devour"

(3rd - "so mote it be!")

Day Four - Venus

Venus speaks of love and contentment and by now, the spell is over halfway there and should be starting to manifest.

The Goddess Venus, who the planet was named after, was born from the seas and the waves moved her to her final destination. Using Venus's planetary influences, my spell will gradually now move forwards to its final destination too.

Set up on my altar will be:
A pink candle. One of Venus's colours, pink is a soft colour, rosy and warm.
Venus's stone is emerald but as I don't have one, the next natural choice is my rose quartz.
An apple. Associated with Venus but also as a symbol of fertility and nourishment. Fertility and nourishment in achieving my goals and tasks.
Silver is also suggested for beneficial workings so I will also place a silver piece of jewellery on my altar too.

"On this Friday, the day of Venus
I call upon its energies and power
As I light this candle pink
It's strengths I will devour"

3rd - "so mote it be!"

Day Five - Saturn

Things are really on a roll now! Venus's energies might have led me to think that things are all rosy now but I mustn't be led into a sense of security - I need to concentrate on the task in hand and get my intent into my spell on this, the homeward lap of my seven day spell.

Saturn's energies are more likely to get you to get the jobs done that you need to. Saturday - it's day - is best for studying and homework. Saturns energies will really crack that whip to ensure I'm not even thinking of procrastinating.

Set up on my altar will be:
A black candle - for power and strength
Onyx - One of Saturn's stones. This will also keep you stabilised, grounded and focused.
Ivy - plant associated with Saturn also corresponding with development.

"On this Saturday, the day of Saturn
I call upon its energies and power
As I light this candle black
It's strengths I will devour"

Day Six - Sun

Although Sunday is generally thought of as a rest day, Suns energies are also about expressing, expanding and growth. Time to see those tasks and chores come together - reaping what you have sowed. The Sun is nurturing all the good you have put in so far.

On my altar I would have:
Orange candle - one of the Suns colours also represents personal strength
Nutmeg - for clarity of mind
Carnelian - increase ambition and drive and also one of the Suns crystals.

"On this Sunday, the day of Sun
I call upon its energies and power
As I light this candle orange
It's strengths I will devour"

3rd - "so mote it be!"

Day Seven - The Moon

Last day of the spell. Interesting day to finish it on and I had to check in which phase the moon would be in on that day. Monday, the moons day is a time of quiet, rest and relaxation. After using the planets energies for seven days, I will indeed need to relax and rest.

The last day of the spell will be two days after the full moon. On the fifth day of the spell, the moon will be full and this will be a time of great energy and power. As the moon goes into waning gibbous two days after, I can use its energies to contemplate, relax and let the fruition of the spell commence.

Items for my altar will include:
Silver candle
Stone: pearl. One of the moons stones and used to heighten imagination.
Potato: a plant that corresponds with the moon. Also for stability and firm foundations.
As this is the last day, I will plant the potato in the earth to represent fruition of the spell, firm its foundations so to speak.

"On his Monday, the day of the Moon
I call upon its energies and power
As I burn this candle silver
It's strengths I will devour"

After the third time as I say "mote it be", I will plant the potato in the soil outside.

Sunday 21 December 2014

On the twelfth day of Yule...Pine

Pine
(Pinus)


The scent of pine is good for bringing us back to ourselves, for centring and focusing.

An excellent herb to use in all kinds of Dragon magic.

Pine also brings with it a strong magical protection for your home and also a sense of hospitality and welcome. Keep pine needles in your home to bring in abundance (I would suggest keeping them in a medicine pouch rather than sprinkling them as they are uncomfortable to tread on).

It is also a useful herb to use in truth spells to find out hidden knowledge or secrets.

Use in incense blends to protect and purify your home or sacred space. I like to add a few drops of pine essential oil to my floor wash.

Use pine cones in fertility magic workings and healing spells.


Pine Magical Properties:

Centring, focus, Dragon magic, protection, truth, abundance, purification, fertility, healing
Ruling planet – Mars, Saturn
Sign - Capricorn
Element – Air, Fire
Gender – Masculine



Saturday 20 December 2014

On the eleventh day of Yule...Nutmeg


Nutmeg

(Myristica fragrans)

Nutmeg hails from a tall tree with smooth greyish bark that flowers three times a year. It takes nine years before the tree produces its first crop. The nutmeg we are familiar with is the seed which is covered by an outer shell that we know as mace, they are separated and then dried.

Carry nutmeg with you for good luck and to attract money to you. A whole nutmeg makes an excellent good luck charm.

Sprinkle nutmeg (powdered not lots of whole ones…) around your property to protect against negative energy.

Keep a whole nutmeg under your bed to ensure that fidelity in your relationship stays solid.

Nutmeg is sometimes used in place of High John the Conqueror in spell work.



Nutmeg Magical Properties:

Money, luck, fidelity, protection
Ruling planet – Jupiter
Sign – Sagittarius
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine



Friday 19 December 2014

On the tenth day of Yule...Frankincense


Frankincense

A resin from the Boswellia tree, a deciduous tree that grows on rocky outcrops.

As with all resins when burnt on charcoal it makes a lot of smoke but I have to say I think this is my favourite resin scent and again as with most resins it works well for cleansing and purifying.

A good resin to burn for spirituality and your spiritual connection, also for cleansing the chakras and promoting a general feeling of relaxation.

Frankincense can also bring about focus and clarity.

Carry with you for abundance and to attract love.



Frankincense Magical Properties:

Purification, spirituality, relaxation, focus, love, abundance
Ruling planet – Sun
Sign – Aries, Leo, Aquarius
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine



Thursday 18 December 2014

On the nineth day of Yule...Oak


Oak
(Quercus alba, Quercus robur, Quercus petraea)

The Oak; ancient, wise and strong.

Oak trees were used as meeting places where laws were passed and declarations read out to the public. Oak is sacred to druids.

It was considered lucky to be married under an oak tree.

The oak leaf symbol is one of strength and used to appear on coins in England (before the lion took over). The fruit from the oak, the acorn is a symbol of strength, power and vitality.

Holly rules the first half of the year up until mid summer then he is replaced by the Oak who rules the second half of the year until the winter solstice.

It is said that King Arthur’s round table was made from one solid piece of oak.

If you dream about sitting under an oak tree it means a long life and prosperity.

Burn oak wood in your home to clear out any illness.

Carry an acorn with you to bring good health, youthfulness, fertility and vitality.

Carry oak or an acorn with you to bring good luck.

Oak and acorns are an incredibly useful ingredient in magical workings – use them for healing and health pouches; protection, prosperity, fertility and luck amulets and any workings to bring you strength, power and vitality.

Oak hung in your home is said to provide protection from lightening.


Oak Magical Properties:

Healing, health, protection, money, fertility, luck, strength, vitality, power
Ruling planet – Sun, Jupiter, Mars
Sign – Sagittarius
Element – Fire, Water
Gender – Masculine



Wednesday 17 December 2014

On the eighth day of Yule...Bay


Bay
(Laurus nobilis)

Bay probably gets its association with psychic powers from being used in incense at the Delphic oracle.

Add bay to any spell work to give it a bit of a power boost.

Used dried bay leaves in incense blends to purify, cleanse, protect and bless your home and also to increase your spiritual and magical connections when in ritual.

Bay can also be used in pouches and powders to help increase your creativity and inspiration. Place a bay leaf under your pillow to bring insightful dreams. Write a wish on a bay leaf and bury it, burn it or send it off into the wind for it to come true.

Hang a bundle of bay leaves (or if you are feeling creative make a bay wreath) above your door to bring protection to your home. Also carry a bay leaf with you for personal protection and strength.


Bay Magical Properties:

Protection, purification, strength, power, healing, creativity, spirituality, psychic powers
Ruling planet – Sun
Sign – Aries, Leo
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine



Tuesday 16 December 2014

On the seventh day of Yule...Myrrh


Myrrh
(Commiphora myrrha)

A natural gum tree resin from a thorny tree that has a long history of perfume and incense use.

As with all resins it makes lots of smoke when burnt on charcoal so it works well to protect and purify.

This one also helps you to heal spiritually and emotionally and brings a huge boost of courage with it too.

It has a strong Crone energy and therefore also good for Underworld workings.


Myrrh Magical Properties:

Protection, purification, healing, Crone, Underworld, courage
Ruling planet – Mars, Sun
Sign – Aries, Aquarius
Element – Water
Gender – Feminine




Monday 15 December 2014

On the sixth day of Yule...Clove

Clove
(Eugenia carophyllus, Syzygium aromaticum, Caryophyllus aromaticus)

One of my favourite scents and flavours, cloves are gown on a small evergreen tree, they are the beginnings of the seeds that form just after the flowers.

Add cloves to incense to clear negative energy and increase the spiritual energy in your home.

Use clove oil as a love blessing or add a couple of drops to cider, mead or wine and share with friends to bring your friendship closer. If you want to keep harmony amongst a group of people charge a number of cloves with peace and friendship and then give one to each person to keep with them. If you want to attract a lover cloves can be carried on you for that purpose too.

Keep a clove in your purse or wallet to attract abundance. I think the idea of cloves being for prosperity came about when they were an extremely expensive spice.

Hang a pouch of cloves above your door to stop gossip and bring about protection to those within your home.

Smelling the scent of cloves will ease tension and anxiety.



Clove Magical Properties:

Love, money, exorcism, clarity, protection, abundance, repels negativity, prevents gossip, stress relief, truth
Ruling planet – Jupiter
Sign - Aries
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine



Source -  A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Plants & Herbs by Rachel Patterson

Sunday 14 December 2014

On the fifth day of Yule...Cinnamon


Cinnamon
(Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum verum)

Such a fabulous scent and flavour packing a powerful punch of energy, cinnamon is made from the dried bark of the branches of the tree.

Burn cinnamon as an incense to bring focus and concentration, this will also bring about a deeper spiritual connection and boost your psychic abilities.

Add cinnamon to sachets and pouches to bring about love and success. I often add a pinch of powdered cinnamon to any spell work that needs an extra boost of power. That cinnamon power punch also gives you the strength and courage to make necessary changes in your life.

Tie a bundle of cinnamon with a black or red ribbon and hang it in your hallway to bring protection, love and success to your household.

Wear a dab or two of cinnamon oil when you go on a date for added oh la la. (Might be an idea to dilute with a carrier oil first if your skin is sensitive).


Cinnamon Magical Properties:

Success, healing, power, psychic powers, protection, love, focus, lust, spirituality, changes
Ruling planet – Sun
Sign - Aries
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine




Saturday 13 December 2014

On the fourth day of Yule...Apple


Apple
(Malus spp)

The apple is a very magical fruit right throughout history.

Cut an apple in half across its centre and you will reveal a five pointed star.

A lovely wood to use for wand making and a favourite tree of witches especially with its link to the autumn equinox and Samhain.

Excellent to use in any love spell workings or recipes but also for healing.

Eating an apple is said to open a portal into the other realms and allows us to gain clarity and knowledge.

Apples are also symbolic of abundance.

Apples are often connected with the mysteries of Avalon so work well in any incense blends or spell workings to connect with Avalonian deities. Apples are also considered the food of the dead so they are excellent to use in spirit work.

Pick an apple and carve the initials of the one you desire and your own initials into the fruit, bury the apple in the ground to set your spell into motion.

Peel an apple in one long continuous piece then drop the peel, the letter that it forms is the initial of your true love’s name.


Apple Magical Properties:

Love, healing, clarity, knowledge, abundance, spirit work
Ruling planet – Venus
Element – Water
Gender – Feminine



Friday 12 December 2014

On the third day of Yule...Ivy


Ivy
(Hedera helix)

Ivy creeps, clings and binds as it grows so it is ideal for binding spells.

Make an ivy wreath to place in your home to bring love and abundance in and to keep negative energy out.

Use ivy in workings for protection, fidelity and healing.

Ladies should carry ivy with them for good luck (sorry guys, this seems to be a feminine thing).

Ivy is a symbol of the goddess and feminine energy it also represent the spiral of life.


Ivy Magical Properties:

Protection, healing, binding, love, abundance, fidelity
Ruling planet – Saturn, Moon
Sign - Scorpio
Element – Water
Gender – Feminine



Thursday 11 December 2014

On the second day of Yule...Holly


Holly
(Ilex aquifolium, Ilex opaca)

It wouldn’t be Yule without holly would it? Although holly is also burnt at Imbolc ceremonies.

Keep a sprig of holly above your bed to ensure good dreams and insightful visions.

Plant holly around your property for protection against lightening, poison and evil spirits.

Put holly sprigs on your altar at the winter solstice to invite happiness, balance, success and luck into your life for the coming year.

The holly berry is symbolic of the life giving blood of the Goddess, to work with fertility and feminine sexuality take three holly berries and throw them in water (the ocean, a river or a pond) and make your request to deity as you do so.

Holly Magical Properties:

Protection, luck, dreams, balance, success
Ruling planet – Mars, Saturn
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine



Wednesday 10 December 2014

On the first day of Yule...Mistletoe


Mistletoe
(Viscum album, Phoradendron leucarpum, Phoradendron flavescens)

As mistletoe doesn’t have roots in the earth but seemingly appears to grow ‘from the air’ in trees it is considered a sacred plant from the ‘in between’ places.

Hang mistletoe in your home for protection and to bring love and peace to your household.

Uses mistletoe in fertility, dream and healing spell work especially for spiritual healing.

Why do we kiss under mistletoe? In Norse mythology the arrow that killed Baldur was made from mistletoe. The Norse gods then ruled that mistletoe belonged to the goddess of love as a balance for its use to kill – possibly an explanation of why we now kiss under it. Or it could be that mistletoe was used at the Roman festival of Saturnalia in wedding ceremonies … any excuse is good with me.

Wands made of mistletoe are said to ward off werewolves, I have not tried this as we don’t get many where I live…

Caution: Mistletoe is poisonous – do not ingest.


Mistletoe Magical Properties:
Fertility, protection, love, health, dreams
Ruling planet – Sun
Sign - Leo
Element – Air
Gender – Masculine




Friday 5 December 2014

Goddess Moons - By Rosie Meadows


One of our fabulous Kitchen Witch School students Rosie Meadows has created her own list of names for each moon of the year and her own list of personal correspondences:

24th December – 20 January Macha Moon
Totem animal                        -    Crow
Magic workings/
energies/type of spell work  -    Winter spell for a safe home
Herbs                                     -    Cinnamon, cloves, marjoram and parsley
Colours                                  -    Navy blue, peach, grey and purple
Trees                                     -    Larch and sycamore
Crystals                                 -    Blue obsidian
21st January – 17th February Badb Moon
Totem animal                        -    Deer
Magic workings/
energies/type of spell work   -    Banish depression spell
Herbs                                      -    Ginger, geranium, and turmeric
Colours                                   -    Pale yellow, grey and brown
Trees                                      -    Oak and willow
Crystals                                  -    Yellow calcite
18th Febrary – 17th March Bloddwedd Moon
Totem animal                        -    Robin
Magic workings/                   -    Seeds of opportunity spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                    -    Mint, parsley and sage
Colours                                 -    Teal, white and silver
Trees                                    -    Cherry and Lilac
Crystals                                -    Aventurine
18th March – 14th April Coventina Moon
Totem animal                       -    Frog
Magic workings/                  -    Peacock spell to increase confidence
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                   -    Fennel, chamomile and cinnamon
Colours                                -    Pale green, pale blue and lilac
Trees                                    -    Blackthorn and Birch
Crystals                                -    Banded Agate
15th April – 12th May Henwen Moon
Totem animal                       -    Dog
Magic workings/                  -    Money spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                    -    Nettle, rose and oregano
Colours                                 -    Pink, brown and gold
Trees                                    -    Apple, Pear and Ash
Crystals                                -    Moonstone
13th May – 9 June Aine Moon
Totem animal                      -    Dolphin
Magic workings/                 -    flower wishing spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                   -    Mint and dandelion
Colours                                -    yellow, orange and red
Trees                                   -    Hawthorn, elder
Crystals                               -    Rose quartz
10th June – 7th July Olwen Moon
Totem animal                    -    Bear
Magic workings/                -    Seeds of opportunity spell
energies/type of spell work       
Herbs                                 -    meadowsweet, clover and avens
Colours                              -    Bright green, bright pink and violet
Trees                                 -    Crab apple, field maple
Crystals                             -    Yellow calcite
8th July – 4th August Danu Moon
Totem animal                     -    Ant
Magic workings/                -    Summer prosperity spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                   -    Rose, catnip and lavender
Colours                                -    Lilac, pink and yellow
Trees                                   -    Lime and silver birch
Crystals                               -    Amethyst
5th August – 1st September Branwen Moon
Totem animal                     -    Butterfly
Magic workings/                -    A spell to protect your cat
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                  -    Fennel, marjoram and ladys mantle
Colours                               -    Orange, green and brown
Trees                                  -    Wych elm and Hazel
Crystals                              -    Green moss agate
2nd September – 29th September Elen Moon
Totem animal                   -    Crane
Magic workings/              -    Queen bee spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                                -    Bay and yellow loosestrife
Colours                             -    Gold, turquoise and Olive
Trees                                -    Elder and Hornbeam
Crystals                            -    Carnelian
30th September – 27th October Morrigan Moon
Totem animal                 -    Bat
Magic workings/            -    Misplaced objects spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                             -    Chickweed and coriander
Colours                          -    Russet, purple and dark blue
Trees                             -    Poplar and Oak
Crystals                         -    Moonstone
28th October – 24th November Morgan Le Fey Moon
Totem animal                -    Dragon
Magic workings/           -    Friendship spell
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                            -    Echinacea, ginger and thyme
Colours                         -    Black, silver and teal
Trees                            -    Poplar and grey willow
Crystals                        -    Aventurine
25th November – 23rd December Rhiannon Moon
Totem animal             -    Horse (of course)
Magic workings/        -    To improve physic vision spell         
energies/type of spell work
Herbs                          -    Wintergreen, barley and borage
Colours                       -    Grey, orange and blue
Trees                          -    Holly and Yew
Crystals                      -    Citrine

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Mandrake - By Lela Moon

Mandrake written by one of our lovely Kitchen Witch School students - Lela Moon ♥


When we went to the witch museum in Bosscastle in Cornwall they had a whole section of mandrake and I have never seen a root/herb that looked so like a human form. Of course everyone knows about the mandrake as it features in all the Harry Potter books and films.

The plant has large leaves that come out direct from the base and form a circular shape. The flowers are bell shaped and grow on a stalk. They are white with a purple tinge and flower during March and April. These are followed by the fruit that is apple like, starting off green and then turning deep yellow when ripe and smell a little like pineapple. The smell of the plant is generally unpleasant.

The roots look very much like a parsnip and it runs a long way into the ground sometime as deep as three feet and it is these that everyone thinks about when the name mandrake is mentioned.

 It is a member of the potato family and can grow to a height of 1 metre. The plant is native to southern Europe.

The name comes from the Greek word mandra which means herd of cattle and is thought to be a reference to the fact that this plant is poisonous to cattle. The folk name is Satan’s apple with reference to the apple like fruits that it produces.

This plant has the most magical reputation to any other plant. Sections of the root have been found in pyramids and were also mentioned in Asstrian clay tablets in 800 BC.

In the 4th century Theophrastus said they should be scrapped and soaked in vinegar and the plants should be gathered when facing west having previously drawn three circles around it with one sword and then used as an aphrodisiac.  Mandrake was used for this purpose by the Greeks and was dedicated to Aphrodite, it was also used by them in wine as a surgical anaesthetic but could also be chewed to deaden pain and induce sleep.

Mandrake was given to those who were about to be crucified but it is said that Christ was just given vinegar as an added punishment. This led to the romans spearing their crucified victims to ensure they were dead and not just in a sleep produced by the mandrake.

As the Mandrake took on the human form it was also used as a fertility aid and has been mention in history for this purpose as well as in the bible. This root would be carried by baron women who wished to become pregnant but would also be worm to attract love .

The roots were thought to be good luck charms and the Anglo Saxons would use them to free a person from demonic possession.

Mandrake root added to your moon water will increase its strength and likewise if you place it on top of money will make it multiply. I must give this a go !!!!

The shape of the root takes on the human form, if the root is split in two it was said to be female and if not it was the male form. The female roots were the ones most sought after. If a witch harvests mandrake she must wash it in wine and the wrap in silk for storage, possession of one of these was a sure giveaway during the witch trials.

It is said that when mandrake is pulled from the ground it will scream a terrifying scream that will send anyone who heard it mad. So when one harvests mandrake they should go out on a Friday before sunrise closing ones ears with cotton wool or some sort of plug.

The roots should be loosed from the earth and tied to the tail of a dog the human should then retreat and let the dog pull the root. Don’t forget to circle the plant three times with your sword before you start to dig!!! I bet harry potter didn’t have to go to all that trouble!! .

The planet for this plant is mercury and its element is fir, gender male, crystal is quartz and the tarot is the world.

The mandrake can be uses as a plant familiar giving the owner contact with the otherworld. For this purpose the mandrake should be dug up and washed in wine, given a name and this should be called out three times. It should then be re buried. This process should be done three times and the mandrake should always be called by its name.


Mandrake is not recommended to be taken internally.