Simple spell

As we head into yule some of you will be considering doing a spell. Here is my easy way to create your own spell.

1. Create sacred space-do a full opening of a ritual. Gather all the energies to help you. If you need an ide for ritual check out creating ritual.
2. Anoint a candle-have oil and herbs and rub it on a candle. A simple anointment would be to use pure olive oil and sage. Once anointed light the candle.
3. Do your wish-have the end result in mind and what you want to say written down. Be specific in what you want. Be realistic and make it a goal you are willing to work towards. The spell is to give you extra energy not to just give you what you want. The spell is there to have the gods help you get what you desire.
4. Close the circle-thank your energies. Blow out the candle.

Getting Divination tools

Cheapest: Playing cards is the oldest form of tarot. A nice deck can be purchased at your local thrift store.

For information on playing card tarot meanings check out:

Cafe Astrology: http://www.cafeastrology.com/fortunetellingcards.html

Serena's Guide to Divination: http://www.serenapowers.com/playingcards2.html

Cortez, Ana The Playing Card Oracles: A Source Book for Divination; United States Gaming Systems; 2005

Second-hand: Many second-hand stores will have tarot cards and other forms of divination tools.

Crafty: For the crafty person the options are endless. From painting your own deck to carving runes.

Getting Incense

Cheapest: Dollar stores will probably be your best option for the cheapest price. You may not get the best quality or variety.

Quality: New age storefronts, head shops, and some department storefronts will have good quality incense for various prices. Many will have various types and some may be made locally.

Garden: A herb garden can be a low maintenance way of keeping herbs. Many can even be done inside, on terraces or balconies.

Useful herbs: Rosemary, thyme, dill, basil, sage, comfrey, camomile, ginger, hyssop, marjoram, saffron, turmeric, vanilla, frankincense, myrrh

In a pinch: potpourri and dried flowers can always be used instead of incense.

Muisc for your rituals

When looking at music there are general genres to look for. These include: classical, folk, folk rock, Celtic, medieval, chants, pagan, middle ages, Middle East, Russian, ethnic, world.

Online: When downloading music, it is best to look at the most ethical way to do it. There are various sites where you can purchase music of various genres and styles. Some sites are specific to the new age and pagan consumer. Some artists even will put their stuff online for free to download. Always check with the artists and be mindful of copy-write laws.

Great Sites for Music:

Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/+free-music-downloads/

Free music Archive: http://freemusicarchive.org/

Noisetrade: http://noisetrade.com/

Amazon Free Songs: http://www.amazon.com/Free-Songs-Music/b?ie=UTF8&node=334897011

Itunes Free Music: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/free/

Mp3.com: http://mp3.com/

Epitonic: http://www.epitonic.com/#/

Todd Alan: http://www.todd-alan.net/free-music-downloads.htm

Witchcraft Music- Pagan Music Resources: http://www.witchcraftmusic.com/paganmusicresources.html

Festivals: The best way to get some great music is to check out the local festivals in the area. You will be supporting local and newer musicians and get some great stuff.

Second-hand: Check your local thrift store for different styles and genres. Many will have great classical and folk music to buy. Also with the booming LP market if you have a player you can get some great stuff.

Getting Books

Electronic: a tablet, ereader or smart-phone can all be purchased so you can download books onto them. Many have apps with the ability to get free or reasonably priced books in down-loadable format. There are also various web sites with open-source material that are available. Where all that is needed is an ereader program of some kind. To get some ideas check out my page great websites for books

Best Bet: Many second-hand and local book stores will have a new age, wiccan or religious section where you can get reasonably priced books. Many times you can get some great finds. For a small list of books to buy check out pagan book resources

Exploring the warrior

I have come to know some warrior Deities in my experience of being a pagan. Each has come to me during a difficult time.

Athena: The first deity I every worked with. I felt her presence the first time when I was giving birth to my firstborn son. During that time I was just researching paganism in general. I was not fully on the path, but she knew I would have need of her. She came again when I was being diagnosed with mental illness. She knew I needed wisdom and understanding.

 

Kali: When I came across Kali I was studding the occult. She strode into my consciousness and never left. She is the one I use for spellwork. She helps me with my everyday battles.

 

Morrigan: I have used this goddess during rituals. I came to her as I was just beginning my path on Celtic-Wicca.

 

 

 



Using Statues

Many Gods and Goddess can be represented by herbs or flowers instead of statues. Many of those items can be purchased at local plant storefronts. You can also check antique storefronts for representations of your God(s). If artistic enough you can do a painting or carving of your God(s).

Tin-Foil Holders

In a pinch for candle holders? Don't have any to use? Try this handy idea to make a candle holder out of tin foil!
Follow these steps:

1. Take a piece of tin foil and wrap it in a circle shape. 
2. Take another piece and fold it into the shape of a saucer.
3. Poke a hole in the saucer form to allow the second piece to fit.
4. Glue in place for extra security.

Honoring the Ancestors

During Samhain it is the traditional time to honor the ancestors. The veil between the worlds is thin. Some say you can even commune with relatives from beyond.  Here are some simple ways to get in touch with those relatives.

1. Light a Candle-You may wish to use a natural made candle. Have it burn all night
2. Leave an offering-a favorite food and drink of a relative. Place it on a plate and leave on a table.
3. Say a prayer-say something to remember your ancestor. It can be a song, a poem, chant, or just words.

Re-used candles

Need:

small pieces of candle

wick

double boiler

candle mold

1. Boil water in pot. 
2. Place the candles in the top and melt.
3. Once fully melted, place the wick inside the candle mold and pour in the candle mix.
4. Let cool at least 24 hours.
   
   

Getting candles

Many storefronts will have white candles, votive, and birthday candles. All can be used. If you live in an area with a local Jewish community check the local synagogue and/or community centre for Chanukah candles for sale. If you want to add some colour to white candles, just save either coloured candles or wax crayons on to the candle and melt them in.

Bolem idea

Check your local retail store for a knife and paint the handle white.

Athame tip

Check your local thrift store for unique knives. Even plain knives can be spruced up and decorated as you like.

Homeade Athame

Create your own Athame by flowing these easy directions:

Dowel Athame

Need:

wood dowel

heavy cardboard

paint

duct tape

glue

decorations (shells, stones, beads, ribbon)

1. Take the dowel and paint and decorate it as you choose. 
2. Take one end of the dowel and wrap it several times with duct tape.
3. Take the cardboard and cut a triangle shape.
4. Decorate that if you choose or just paint it a silver colour.
5. Glue the 'knife' part to the non-wrapped end.

Creating ritual

When we are doing rituals we can do it from a already written ritual. This is a great way when you are starting to get the feel of ritual. As you progress you will find you will want to add your own words. Take it a step further and write your own ritual. I have included a format that could be used for any path. Feel free to take away all or just some of the format.

Step 1: prepare yourself

Relax& mediate before your ritual. It is always best to get in the head space. Use the method that best works for you.

Step 2: prepare your alter

Have all the items needed for your ritual in place. Put all your items on the Alter that you wish.
 

Step 3: the ritual

Create the circle-create a circle of energy and protection around your working area. 

Sweep the area with a feather or a broom first. Then circle the area with salt, incense, and water.

Call the quarters-call the energies of the land. Using the directions of a compass you call each energy starting at one direction and move clockwise. I start in the east, but regardless you're direction use words that have power. Each direction is associated with an energy and is as follows:

East-Air

South-Fire

West-Water

North-Earth

Honour the Gods-whatever Gods or Goddess you worship call them to join you

Call the ancestors and spirits-call upon any spirits, beings, fey, ancestors, or others to join your ritual

Chants or songs-there are many already written chants that can be used. But can also write a poem on the festival, say a prayer, sing, or dance. This is the purpose of the ritual why you are doing it. Is it to honour a festival, or make a spell? Create something that fits that purpose.

Spellwork & divination- If you are into utilizing spellwork and divination include it here.

Close the circle-say goodbye to all the energies, Gods, beings, and whatever you called. Placed your hands on the ground and release extra energies. Sweep the area clear of all evidence of the ritual. 

Chalice Ideas

Thrifty: From your local thrifty store purchase a nice cup or goblet. If you want could also use a nice teacup or round bowl. Can spruce it up by adding decorations like shells, paint, stones, or other natural things.

Family memories: A great option is to ask your family to give you an heirloom and use that.

Handy: If you have carving skills carve a bowl or cup from your favorite material.

Getting a wand

Urban: Many local stores will have things that can be re-purposed and used as wands. If you’re crafty, you can decorate a simple item and make it yours. Look for sticks, poles, or rods. For the end, you could use a fancy bead. When decorating, get as fancy or as simple as want.

Rural: As it best to find from nature, you can look for a lovely stick. If you are crafty enough you may want to decorate it. For the end you can use a stone you find. If you rather you can get a crystal from a new age store. Learn how to wire-wrap stones and make your own crystal wand. Or just simply glue a stone or crystal to the end of a nice piece of wood you find.

Cauldron ideas

Outdoor: If you are able to dig a large fire pit in the backyard. Go to a garbage dump and get an old dryer drum and place it in the pit. Put several stones around it.

Cheapest: Check your local thrift stores for ceramic bowls or iron pots. All can handle small amount of flame.

Inexpensive book of shadows

Cheapest: Go to your local thrift store and purchase loose leaf paper and a binder or a notebook of some kind. You can decorate the front if you’re crafty or leave it as is if you choose.

Cheap: Mid-July starts the school supply season, so go to your local department store and see what you can find. Notebooks, journals, even just fancy paper will work.

crafty Book of shadows

Ever Want your own Book Of Shadows (BOS)? It's easy to make. Gather your materials and follow the easy to follow steps for your very own customized keeper of your witchy secrets.

What You Need:

• Rope
• hole punch
• cardboard
• paper
• clamps
• glue
• decorations (pain, ribbon, shells, rocks)

Easy Directions:

1. Take two pieces of cardboard & cut to the length and width desired.
2. Take paper and make certain it lines up evenly in between the cardboard.
3. Hole punch three holes in the cardboard (and paper if needed).
4. Decorate the cardboard as you wish.
5. Take the rope and make certain it is strong and braided.
6. Put the rope through the holes, glue the ends of the rope, and clamp them down.

Inexpesnive Alter ideas

The Altar is typically the main worship spot where you do rituals. It can be a permanent spot or temporary. The style and items will depend on the tradition you follow. If you can do a permanent spot, you want a hard surface of some kind.

The Local Easy Way: In your local thrift store you can find a nice desk or table that you could re-finish if want. Or you could leave it as-is if it looks good when you buy it. Always keep in mind delivery, as there may be cost involved. What you can get is limited to what is available, but certainly you can get cool finds.

Re-use: Garage sales and local garbage centres may be places where you can find hand-me-downs to re-use. Some may just need paint, others may need more crafty solutions.

Handy: Check local libraries and online sites for instructions on how to build your own table. There are various designs for various skill levels out there. Make certain you measure accurately for the space in which you are putting the table.

Crafty: Why not make a table cover of some kind and use that. From tie-dye to sewing to knitting there are several crafty solutions to use.