Benefits of Smudging and clearing negativity

Smudging is an important part of almost every ritual, and for most of us an everyday practice. There are several benefits to smudging, some of them including;

Releasing stress and negativity

Clearing your energy

Blessing an object or a ritual

Boosting your mood and positive vibes

Health benefits from the chosen aromatics

Not only this, but Sage has a long list of medicinal benefits as well. Some of which are;

Digestive aid

Anti-Inflammatory

Memory Booster

Sore Throat relief

It also repels insects and airborne bacteria!

The benefits of Smudging your home abound and it is so easy to do. Light one end of your smudge stick and allow it to catch fire before blowing out the flame. Once the smoke is rising, go room to room letting the smoke fill the space and running it around the door frames to protect the room.

If you are using smudge to bless or clean an object, you would light the stick the same way, but would then swirl the smoke around the object.

There are also a variety of different smudge sticks for different aromatics as well as uses.

Full Moon Magic

We are on the cusp of the Flower Moon in Scorpio and emotions and passion are running high right now. You may feel more frisky or desire more intimacy than normal, and in addition to that you may also be feeling feistier, more defiant, and more super charged than normal. ( I know my emotions sure have been running hot and unpredictable) The Flower Moon though is also a great time to celebrate the world coming alive around us. Full moon magic is the time when our energies are the highest and magic is the strongest. Here are a few things you can do to celebrate the Flower Moon.

1. Create charged moon water- This one is super easy. Get a clean glass jar or water bottle and run clean tap water into the jar let it soak up the moonlight power. (For added strength you can place crystals and stones in your water also)

2. Put your crystals, tools, stones, and altar items out to be cleaned and charged by the moon.

3. Practice a gratitude ritual in which you journal what you are thankful for and what is abundant in your life right now. The full moon is life and energy coming into fruition.

4. Think about what you would like to release with the waxing moon into the new moon. (I write mine down, but don’t do anything with it on the moon)

5. Take a long soothing bath or shower and take time to get in touch with your feminine side and your power.

Realizing your Callings

 

With so much happening in the world around us, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, especially you empaths out there. Many people are out of work, struggling to keep their sanity and heads above water. I have 5 boys and working at home and homeschooling has been a new experience to be sure. I will say though, I truly feel blessed to be at home right now and feel that we have been given an opportunity.

I am spending more time in my craft. I am exploring what makes me happy and taking a bit of time to hold space for others seeking to heal and explore their own callings. The longer I stay at home the more I feel as though I want to continue to work from home and not have to go back to an office setting. Fortunately, I know several people who are working and creating businesses at home that I can lean on with questions.

Something I have been considering, why not turn my passion in the craft into a profession? Share what I know, share my readings, share my tinctures and rituals? This is a big business and niche for sure. Then I ask you, why couldn’t you do the same thing also?  Just because it is not traditional doesn’t make it less needed or sought after. If it was more common buying supplies and tools and decorations wouldn’t be so damn expensive.

I am going to take this opportunity to see about turning my soul passion into a profit. What about you?

 

Happy Beltane!

Oh, this one is one of my very favorites!!! Our lovers have been apart for the long winter and they are finally coming together in their sacred union and the rebirth of the world. This is a holiday of the union, a celebration of the divine balance in the union of masculine and feminine. Having reached maturity through their long separation, Lord and Lady now come together as one. It honors fertility, abundance, sex, and the growth of everything beautiful on Earth.

Simple ritual ideas

Beltane Fire-

This is a fire ceremony (aren’t all the really good ones?). Light yourself a ritual fire somewhere safe. Dance, sing, drink and be merry either alone, with your partner, your coven or with a large group of friends and family. Celebrate what is to come and the abundance on the way. The union of yin and yang and the restoration of the balance of the world.

Here are some great suggestions from the Sage Goddess

Beltane celebrations to make your own

• Decorate your sacred space or altar in vibrant, living color. Use roses and flowers in rainbow hues, and gems and minerals in varying colors and shapes.
• Burn lilac and frankincense. My perfume blend, The Rite, was created just for igniting a sexual fire for Beltane.
• Craft your own sacred maypole using found wood, rainbow ribbons, and topped with a quartz point or other beautiful gem from your collection. Place this on your altar.
• Sit in meditation. Ask yourself, and your guides, what it would look like for the garden of your soul to burst fully into bloom, a thousand of your dreams like flowers spreading their glorious multi-colored petals? Visualize your fire and your blooming in as much detail as possible, and then take the actions needed to bring those visualizations into reality.
• If you’re looking to attract your twin flame, light a purple or green candle on the evening before May 1, and again on May 1 night, while you visualize that relationship coming into your life, asking that it manifest for the highest good of all.

I can say that I really like the one about thinking about your life in full bloom. Creative visualization and manifestation are the greatest gifts a witch has at her disposal and the easiest to use.

This is my ritual that I have created and that I use:

Set up your alter indoors adorned with A potted tree or plan or you could do your ritual under an outside lives tree and set up your alter under the tree.

Just like every ritual I recommend a cleaning bath prior to your ritual. For Beltane, I will place dried or live flowers in my bath to feel more in touch with nature and the process. I dress in a flowy or flower dress or robe something that makes me feel flowy and rich or something that makes me feel like a regal Goddess.

Altar supplies include:

A representation of the Horned God and the Goddess. Candles (White, Green, Red, Silver are recommended as Beltane colors) Spring decorations, flowers, crystals, bright cloth, and ribbon. A drink of some type for your ritual beverage. Sweet bread or cake offering. Athame or wand. A Maypole. (A staff, piece of PVC pipe, a stick, or even a wrapping paper tube will do) As well as colored ribbon.

Once my altar is set indoor or under the tree (this year I will be indoors). I will ground myself and begin.

Cast the Circle:

Open your arms, palms facing out. With each in-breath, visualize yourself pulling down pure, divine light through your crown, and as you breathe out you channel this light out through your palms to create a protective shield around you. Now hold your athame or wand or arm outstretched (the one you write with) and point to the edge of the circle. Spin around clockwise three times, mentally marking out your circle with the divine light. Then raise your arms above your head and say:

“I ask that the God and Goddess bless this circle

So that I may be free and protected within this space

So mote it be”

Call out the Corners:

Welcome East, power of Air!
Intuition, knowledge and wisdom,
Come and send forth your inspiration,
And be here now in the Spirit of Beltane

Welcome South, power of Fire!
Energy, heat and flame,
Come and send forth your passion,
And be here now in the Spirit of Beltane

Welcome West, power of Water!
Emotions, love and courage,
Come and send forth your tranquillity,
And be here now in the Spirit of Beltane

Welcome North, power of Earth!
Stability, structure, and growth
Come and send forth your strength,
And be here now in the Spirit of Beltane

***Note- Normally I am easy- take it as you feel it. This is a fully laid out and more traditional style ritual. It is really about what you feel and how you would like to celebrate**

Your food and drink offering should be on your altar and candles lit as well as your incense.

Take your athame or wand in your right hand and chalice (cup) in the left in front of you. These are the representations of the dieties.

“This night we greet and celebrate the union of the Lord and Lady, the marriage of the God and the Goddess.

May their union be fertile and productive (lower the athame into the chalice to symbolize the union of the two)

As they are one, we become one with them as well.

Mother Goddess, Queen of the Earth and the moon

Horned God, King of the Sun and the Forest

Let us rejoice in your union and the blaze of light and life abuzz around us.

Accept our gifts s tribute and thanks.

From your lovers embrace new life shall abound

New creatures shall cover the lands and the winds will blow sweet and pure

with the perfumes of new blooms bursting into life

My our lives in the coming months also abound with renewed life and purpose

flowers of promise and abundance bringing a new life into view

Now take your colored ribbons and wrap them on the Maypole you have chosen while mediating what you would like to bring into your life over the next few months. Think about your hopes and dreams as flowers and light that will spring up into the world so long as you nurture and care for them.

To close the ceremony:

May the Spirits of this Place have been nourished as much as their presence has nourished us. God and Goddess, we give you thanks. This celebration ends in peace as it began. May the blessings we have received go with us all as we depart this place, to nourish, strengthen and sustain us until we meet again. So mote it be!

At this point offer some of your chosen drink into the potted plant as well as some crumbles from your cake. Then take some of each for yourself. to close the ritual.

Flower Moon Intentions

Spring is a time for growth, for renewal.  The full Flower Moon is a great moon for intention and abundance rituals, and to plant your seeds.  This particular moon I chose to do a release ritual and an intention blessing.  Prior to moon rise I went through the house and gathered every single bill  I have (routine and debts) and there are many and tons of duplicates.  Not sure why I had so many months of bill copies stacked up.  I placed them in my fire pit and lit it up.  My ritual was simple and not thought out. 

Take this burden off my chest

my financial mess please put to rest

Burn it up and quick and let it fade

Bring to me a life that’s made

let the ashes gather and make the way

For a new life, and wealth, on a bright new day

It serves as a base for riches made

A path to grow I have here made

Let this burden burn and feed the flame

Of the riches I deserve and soon will claim 

My fire is bright and my soul now free

As I will it, so mote it Be. 

From the fire of my bills I lit a new fire of early twigs and some green branches. I visualized my wealth, success and future being ignited by my debt ridden and heavy past that was now burning away quickly and no giving rise to a new fire and light. I envious my pain and stress from debt being burnt up by the Goddess and a new path coming my way. 

I continued to tend my fire until all evidence of paper was gone and nothing but hot coals remained. I threw in a cinnamon stick as an offering to bring about wealth and satisfaction. 

Then closed by spending 10 minutes listening for any instruction that may come as to how to bring about this fortune the Universe has for me. 

What was your Full Moon intent?

Imbolc

​Today is Imbolc, the celebration of the return of the sun and the beginnings of spring. A time to celebrate new beginnings, fresh starts and to plant the seeds and inspirations you want to blossom this year. What seeds and ideas will you plant and tend to? What big plans do you have? It’s a great time to create your dream/vision boards. Manifest and meditate on your goals and what you will do to bring them life!

On your alter use white and red candles and colors that represent light and warmth. I also have a green candle on mine to remind me of spring coming and the renewal and birth of the land.  I light a fire in the backyard and thank the Goddess for birthing the sun and nurturing the God. 

Celebrate the seers of life, love abundance and fertility. 

Winter solstice, easy rituals for solitary witches

Today is the shortest day of the year and the longest night.  The beginning of winter.  This is one of my favorite days of the year. The winter solstice is a time for reflection and contemplation.  A time of rebirth.   This year I chose a more simple celebration than the norm. Displaying your faith doesn’t have to be in big ornate and lavish rituals (I do like those too though) they can be simple and easy, so long as they hold meaning to you.  Here is my plan if you wish to use it.

1. Have a big dinner a feast. Winter was traditionally a desolate time where people conserve food to ensure they make it through until spring. The feast demonstrates our faith that the Gods will provide for us in our lean times.  I had pasta, fruit, and sausages.

2. Light candles throughout your home or Christmas lights.  Winter solstice is, in fact, the celebration of the return of the sun. Most traditionally it is greens and reds and whites to represent the Holly King as well as reds and golds to portray the Oak King but pick something that sings to you. Or what you have at home, again it doesn’t have to be fancy.

3. I always make it a point to spend time in nature. This for me is a large bonfire in my backyard.  I burn my yule log on this fire and celebrate the return of the light and the sun. I reflect on the previous year.  What went well,  what could have been better and what can I celebrate.  No fire that’s okay. Go out for a walk, a park, a walking trail. Be part of nature. Light a candle on a small piece of wood or even just a little tiny fire in your cauldron.

4. Give thanks and set goals for the new year. What could be better, how can you be better? If you inclined or in need, the solstice is the perfect night to cast spells of attraction, abundance, and healing. What do you want to gain or increase as the light increases?

Blessed Be

Samhain Rituals

Hello hello! Happy Samhain, pronounced “sah-win” or “sow-in.”  Today is the day when the veil thins and we reflect on those who have come before us and invite them to join us for the evening in our celebrations. In early Celtic calendars, it marked the New Year and many have referred to it as the Witches New Year.  (Some believe though Yule as the new year as it is the rebirth, choose what works best for you). This is probably my favorite of all the Sabbats. It is the one in which the most people celebrate and  everyone around is just a bit more magic and a bit more believing in powers they cannot see.

There are so many ways to celebrate, but here are a few of my favorites.

Costumes

I still dress up. I love it. It allows for me to feel “into it”. I’m sure everyone reading this blog already knows, but just in case, the ritual of dressing in costume stems from the original Celtic Day of the Dead. It was believed that on Hallows Eve when the veil was thin, the ghosts, demons, goblins and other such beings were able to roam freely through the world. Treats and offerings of food and drink were left out to pacify the souls. This morphed into people dressing up as these haunting beings and going door to door for food and drink, and now into all costumes and candy. It is also believed in some sects and legends that by dressing up you would confuse the ghouls and you would be safe from their antics. Costumes

Carving Pumpkins

I have seen some absolutely astounding pumpkin carvings, true works of art. I’d like to say I’m pretty pumpkin crafty but that would be a lie. I still love to carve them though with the family and put them out on the porch. The Jack O’ Lantern is an Irish tradition that immigrated to the United States. It is thought that if you keep this lit pumpkin on your porch or doorstep during Hallows Eve it would frighten away evil spirits including that of Stingy Jack. This particular practice I also pair with lighting a candle for my ancestors to find their way home. It is believed that on this night our ancestors are able to come and visit and share in our merriment. Leave a candle in a window or on the porch for them to find their way home easily. Orange and Purple are the colors traditionally used but really any will work so long as your intent is correct.

Feast for the Dead

On my porch every year I also leave a snack for my relatives and well as to appease wandering spirits. This normally includes apple slices with cinnamon, a glass of wine, cheese and a sweet cake of some kind. It is also a time to make and enjoy passed down family recipes and traditions in a way of remembering your ancestors.  Soul cakes and pie, grains and stew tend to be my favorites.

Tarot and a Bonfire

When the veil is thin and my ancestors have come I often will do a Tarot reading so that I can get guidance and clarity from the other realm. When weather permits I do it outside next to my bonfire so I can be closer to nature but this is not a necessity. These are three fun new ones  I found this week on Facebook and Pinterest that I think I may try. You never really know what spread will work best for you, or if a new spread will work for you so I thought I would get a few options just in case.

 

I will call upon the Crone and the Horned God to aid in my readings as well as my ancestors. You may also just ask for visions from your fire. These should appear as flashes or even words in the flames.

I close my fire rituals with a goal for the New Year and a prayer for the winter. I ask that the lean times of winter be bountiful and full for our family and I set my intent for the year to come. This often includes writing a habit I wish to break on a piece of paper. I then cast it into my Samhain flames imagining it being released from me to haunt me no longer. I then visualize and imagine a newer healthier habit replacing it.

 

 

Blessed be and Safe Travels this evening to all

Coincidence is Bullshit

It’s been so long since I’ve written on this page I almost forgot that it even existed. October is probably my very favorite month of the year, as I actually think it probably is for most witches. Not quite sure what it is, just a more magical time. The thinning of the veil, the closeness between dimensions, I don’t know maybe it’s just the pretty leaves. Life for me has been real weird, and today was like an odd reflective time for me. Magic, I think, presents itself awkwardly. Or maybe we just choose not to see it all the time when it presents itself. We don’t give it the credit that it deserves. Little facts about me, I pray all the time. Probably more than most people that I’ve ever met, from any religion ever.  I pray, I give blessings, practice in some way almost every day. Very seldom do I ask for things, or call things to myself. Sometimes for others, but not so much for myself.

 The last few months I’ve performed a few rituals in which I asked for things for myself. To break free from some of the financial burdens that I’ve carried, the stress of the world and the weight. I asked to see changes in my physical appearance. To feel better, to regain my power, and my confidence. Low and behold, these things have come to fruition. Yet,  I ddidn’t think or credit magic for them. Like for example, I had done  an abundance spell in regards to money, and a month before that I had done a like a health and wellness spell. To try and lose weight to get rid of the extra weight that I’m carrying. Shortly after that, a friend at work introduced me to a side business a product called It Works.  I thought,  you know fuck it, whatever it’s a hundred bucks. I’ve spent that on Mexican food, and gave it a shot.  I’m down almost 40 pounds now, and I make an extra $600 a month with this little side gig. Not only did I change my physical appearance and improve my health, but I’m able to pay all of my bills. (Still tight, but pay my bills and not getting anymore shut off notices) My request was granted. At the time, and even until I don’t know last night, I didn’t think about it in terms of magic. In terms of the goddess granting my request. I accredited it to ItWorks, and I credited it to this product coming into my life. Not the weird coincidence of this product appearing in my life that I had never heard of prior to asking the divine. I asked for help finding my purpose, help finding my direction, and two weeks later I was introduced to a motivational speaker. A wonderful woman who inspired me to use my MBA and start my own consulting business. When I went to her first speech, that I won tickets to, I met and sat next to a woman who will be my first consulting job. A big job, lots of money and great credentials to my name. It wasn’t magic to me, it was a coincidence that I got lucky enough to meet this woman.

 I think many of us discredit our own power and our magic. We view it as coincidence. It’s not coincidence,  you are powerful. There is magic in you. You have the innate ability to speak your future into existence. If you use your energy, and see it for what it is.  Manifest your future, manifest your reality. Be open to seeing these things, be open to trying new things that the Universe presents you with. When you call out, when you request things from the spirit, be on the lookout for weird shit. It’s not going to come- just poof there it is. It may be a new person, a new opportunity, a strange coincidence or happening. That might be how it presents itself. Sit still once in a while and listen to it.

 Sorry, no real  tricks, practicing tools, rituals or anything helpful like that. I’ll try and post something for Samhain, and kind of an altar setup, rituals that I perform. Just something that was in my brain that I needed to get out the other witches.  It’s not like I can just go to work and explain to people that magic brought these great things in my life. 

Bright blessings to all of you my beautiful witches. Keep practicing, and may your magic be blessed. 

Reaping time

This last week I have been giving thanks and praise as my reaping has begun. Earlier this year, I wrote posts containing my New Moon rituals and requests for abundance and enrichment.  Oh and for my hair growing, and waist slimming.  Well, I’d love just to give an update.  

I also posted my Full and Waning moon releases to let go of debt,  stress,  negativity and doubt.  

Blessings have been flowing into my life. I have started a new business,  I’ve lost 30 pounds, my hair has grown 3 inches and my relationships have seen a solid sweeping in the right direction.  

I’ve said this a few times, and I believe it whole heartedly, our magick comeds from workin and we are able to draw from the universe whatever we wish.  Speak it into life and feel it as though it already exists. Our powers are enriched when working within the seasons and cycles that coincide with the results you seek. 

You create your future