Category: Uncategorized

  • Days of Strawberries and Roses

    So today is the last "supermoon" of 2021 and will be at peak fullness at about 2:40 PM EST.

    As a lifelong lover of all things pink, I love that this moon can often have a glow as if viewed through rose colored glasses. 💕🌚🌹What a fitting way to describe that lunar effect on our emotions and the world at large! 🤗

    In fact this moon is known as the strawberry moon, the rose moon, and even the honey mead moon. June always did mean the yummiest berries and the most beautiful and plentiful roses of the year here in the northeast US. 

    In the latest edition of collecting random facts I learned a little something today. Mead, a medieval  fermented beverage brewed from honey, was the celebratory beverage of choice for wedding feasts. And that the aptly named post wedding couples getaway the "honeymoon" may very likely have received that name because June is traditionally the month for weddings.

    It's a great time to charge divination tools, altar accessories and crystals under the glow of the Summer Solstice sun AND the full moon. 

    That being said, I should get to that. All this energy has me kind of inspired. And I suspect I know someone who would love some pretty pink roses😉. 

    In service, 

    Khouzhan Morgan

     

  • Here comes the Rain Again

    At last the glory of summertime is upon us with her long languishing sunny days and her warm nights that brazenly hum with inviting expectation. But today we have cool rain.

    I never lament dreary days in the summer. I love the energy of a thunderstorm, the way the downpour sounds on the roof, and the peaceful stillness it affords. Nature makes sure that everything outside keeps growing, and inside it allows my imagination to blossom in solitude.

    I love to light candles "in case the lights go out" all the while knowing I am just finding an excuse to burn them.

    There is magic there, in the rain, in the isolation, the way water washes over everything and makes it clean.

    The misty fog hovers along our rural roads like the whispers of a spirit, beckoning us to uncover what is unknown or even  frightening to us.

    Indeed, sometimes we are lucky enough to spy a beautiful rainbow, in all her glorious shades, her colors painting the sky in hope and endless possibility.

    I try to "catch" rain water for Ayido Wedo, the rainbow serpent and wife of the great Papa Damballah. I truly believe that these great spirits are like the foundation of the Earth herself. Ever present, solid, and quietly supporting us as we surge- unaware through day to day life. I am so very grateful for them. 

    What about nature nspires you to  be fanciful, grateful or magical? We love to hear your stories at customerservice@spellmaker.com.

    In service and with love and light, 

    Khouzhan Morgan

     

     

     

    What inspires you when Mother Nature showers us with the waters of life? Does it bring out the magic in you? 

  • You ordered your reading…now what?

    Hey there!

    Most of you know that both Mambo Sam and myself do some extensive preparation before we speak with you for a reading.. Meditation is one of the ways in which we prepare. The preparation meditation is focused on what we know of you and your situation, as well as whatever questions and concerns have been listed on your reading form.

    Did you know that there are steps YOU can take to prepare yourself for our reading :P)

    Here is a brief list of suggestions for things you can do to prepare yourself before a reading :

    1. Be present for the reading! Schedule your appointment at a time when you have plenty of time both before and after the session. If you are feeling time pressure, you will not be able to focus on what is being said. Be as calm and relaxed as possible.
    2. When you submit your form for your reading, really think about your questions! What questions do you find that you ask yourself the most about your situation? Is there some worry or concern that is on your mind as you fall asleep, and is still there when you wake up? If so, ask about it!
    3. Sometimes a reading may  go in a direction which was not planned. This is OK! The Spirits sometimes believe they have information they deem more important!  And they are almost always right!
    4. Don’t be afraid to ask more questions or ask for clarification. This is your session. If something doesn’t make sense, keep asking questions until you really understand the answers. You will be glad you did.
    5. If you want a transcript of your reading, order the reading to be done in the typing chat room. The transcripts generated can be read and reread, and referred back to when time has warped our memories, which is so often does J  If you prefer a phone reading keep a notebook handy to jot down information or more questions if you get them.
    6. Ten to fifteen minutes before the session sit quietly and clear your mind. This will help you be more present during the session and actually hear what is being said.
    7. Sometimes you may hear something which you consider “bad news”… it is our position that no news is truly bad news. We look at these instances as an opportunity to address something hindering the situation about which we did not previously know. Knowledge is Power! If we do not know about a problem, well, how can we address it???
    8. After the session you may want to take some time to integrate and reorient yourself back into your everyday world. Be aware of this and plan a few minutes to “come back” after the reading. Review your notes, if you took any.
    9. You may experience some emotion in the hours or day following the reading. Embrace this! Do not stuff the feelings back down. Journal about them if journaling is your thing. If you find the emotions confusing or persistent, email Mambo Sam or Sister Bridget and they will assist you.  

    If you are interested in having a reading with Mambo Sam, please click here 

    If you are interested in having a reading with Sister Bridget , please click here.

    In Service

    Sister Bridget

     

     

  • Once in a Blue Moon!

    Hello everyone,

    I am sure that most of you have seen that tonight we are having a blue moon! :-)  While there are some variations on the definition of a blue moon, this one is categorized as such due to the fact that it is the second full moon in the same month. 

    So what does this mean for us magickally?  According to moon magick beliefs, this is a great time to decide on setting new goals.  This is a time of creativity and starting new projects.  If you have going through something and want to have a fresh start, tonight is great time to put some energy towards that thought process.

    Light yourself a nice candle, put on some mood music, and write in your journal about any new projects that you would like to plan. Put some energy towards the idea that you are wanting a clean start on an old problem. Set goals for upcoming events and projects.  This is an awesome time to thing magickally, creatively, and with thoughts of letting go of past failures and looking forward to new successes.

    This is also a good time to charge up ritual objects that you might have – put them out in the moonlight! 

    If the weather holds out, charge yourself out in the moonlight, too!  Visualize the enriching rays filling you with promises of success, letting go of past failures, and sticking to new goals.

    Since we won't get another blue moon of this type until January 31, 2018, I think I will make some blue moon oil!  It's pretty easy! 

    What you need:  1 lodestone, 1 piece of iron pyrite, some blue violet leaves and whatever carrier oil you prefer.  Throw them into a mason jar, shake them up, and leave them out in the moonlight overnight. Voila! Blue moon oil charged up under the light of the blue moon.  This is an oil that can be used to consecrate objects, work with new projects, goal setting, creativity, etc.

    Have fun!

    Best regards,

    Mambo Samantha Corfield

    www.spellmaker.com

    Bluemoon

     

  • Tips for beating anxiety.

    Hi!

    I came across this article this morning in my inbox.  Belleruth Naparstek has a wonderful collection of guided imagery recordings on her website Health Journeys. I have been listening to her for many years. She is a pioneer in this area, and also has quite a nice collection of articles and summaries of scientific studies done on the effect of guided imagery on various conditions.  I know many folks (my self included) suffer from anxiety, and I hope you find these suggestions below helpful.

    Love

    Sister Bridget

    Image result for destress cat

     

    BR’s Tips for Beating Anxiety

    Anxiety causes people to lash out, react impulsively and jump into places and relationships they shouldn't. Nine times out of ten, anger and nasty behavior is born of anxiety, looking for a place to get released.

    It's also a huge energy waster and time-sapper, preventing people from getting things done, simply because it sucks up so much time and focus. More often than not, efficient, productive people aren't any more talented or educated than others, but they're people who are unhampered by anxiety, so they get a straight shot at their goals.

    I recall seeing a surprising statistic that 50% of all office visits to the doctor are due to anxiety in one form or another (as opposed to illness).

    So here are a few tips and tricks for anyone who wants to better manage his or her anxiety and get back into the driver's seat, where surely their tush belongs. I doubt any of these will be news to you – but they might serve as a good reminder and punch list. Please add your own suggestions – this is by no means comprehensive. And, of course, if you've got persistent, unrelenting anxiety that is interfering with your life, get some professional help too.

    1. Get Mindful of Your Triggers
      Focus your attention on your innards enough to become mindful of how and when your anxiety gets activated. You're going to need to know this if you want to get ahead of it and short-circuit it, before it develops into full-blown flooding. So this is the key to everything else, unless of course, you want to become a full time meditator, 24/7 – a pretty ambitious alternative.
    2. Learn to Breathe
      Learn to breathe slowly, deeply at will. It's the quickest way to trick the body into thinking it's relaxed, and everything else will follow suit. When we're relaxed, we breathe like sleeping babies – slowly, with the belly rising with the in-breath and emptying with the out-breath. Practice at this and you're halfway there, even if you do nothing else on this list. (You may also want to read Priscilla Warner's book by this very name: Learning to Breathe: My Yearlong Quest to Bring Calm to My Life).
    3. Listen to Guided Imagery or Affirmations
      Take a few minutes each day to listen to some soothing guided imagery listen to affirmations in the car while driving. Again, all your'e doing is habituating your mind and body to the habit of relaxation. Then when something happens and you need it, it's right there for you, in your back pocket.
    4. Get Stuff Out of Your Head and onto a List
      Carry around a lightweight notebook, so you can relieve your mind of having to keep track of all the dumb detailed stuff you need to do. Simple, it's true, but you'd be surprised at how unburdening this can be on your mind. Plus, it's a good habit for actually remembering to do them!
    5. Use Physical Exercise to Channel Anxious Energy
      You don't have to run a marathon – just walk briskly or go crazy with the vacuum cleaner. Like learning to breathe, this is a physical way to approach calming your mind, as old as dirt, but very effective.
    6. De-Clutter Your Surroundings
      Studies show that messy, disorganized surroundings subtly but surely feed anxiety (depression, too). This doesn't mean you should become a compulsive neatnik and give yourself one more thing to worry about. But if you can reduce the clutter in the living spaces that you use (or even throw it all in one room you don't use, where you don't have to see it) you can reduce your baseline anxiety levels.
    7. Eat Smart
      You know the drill. Take it easy on the caffeine – coffees, colas, teas and, yes, even chocolate, all stimulate adrenaline, so use them wisely and judiciously. And do lean on the omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B's, and whole grain carbs for regulating serotonin. And big doses of sugar is NOT your friend.
    8. Practice Silence
      Give yourself some quiet. Shut off the radio, take a news fast from the TV, let the phone go to voicemail, get away from chattering colleagues and friends (even the really nice ones) and help yourself to some silence. This includes text messages on your phone and emails on your computer. Mini-retreats taken during the day give your brain a chance to rest and your psyche to sort itself out.
    9. Try Aromatherapy
      You'd be surprised at the relaxing impact of aromatherapy and what certain fragrances can do to make a dent on your anxiety levels. Scents like lavender, sandalwood, pine, chamomile, lemongrass and bergamot can be mixed or matched uniquely to suit you – all it takes is a little experimenting to see what works best. And you can access them through lotions, candles, bath oils, inhalation beads and diffusers – even scented pillows.
    10. Laugh, Play, Smile
      Even if you don't feel like it at first, and even if your anxiety is telling you that you can't possibly afford to take the time for it, a little break with friends or an absorbing, light-hearted movie or just a laugh with a laugher can interrupt anxiety.

     

  • Healthy Relationships begin with Ourselves!

    Hello there!

    I was just reading this article, and the LAST line really grabbed me – it says

    “It’s crucial to have a great relationship with ourselves because it’s the only relationship that you are guaranteed to have every day of your life!”

    Seems so simple, right? Yet, it came as a bit of a "Duh!" moment for me. I am posting a link here to the rest of the article. I hope some other folks out there find it helpful as well.

    6 Ways You Can Have a Healthy Relationship with Yourself

    Love

    Sister Bridget

     

  • Relationship advice from the Harvard Business School!

    Well, sort of! I found  this short article published by the Harvard Business School which talks about how to avoid those pesky knee-jerk reactions we can have in tough situations or during tough conversations. And while we try really hard not to get into these tough conversations in the immediate post-casting period, sometimes, well, stuff happens! And sure, we are not in a "business" relationship with our HDs, we are still in a relationship and this advice seems very applicable. The actual HBR tips are at the bottom of this post. These 3 here have been modified for our particular situations:

    1 – Know yourself! Take some time and look back at how you have reacted in the past in difficult situations and how other people reacted. This can be the hardest thing of all to do! But we can not change what we are not aware of (Sorry for the Dr. Phil reference!) so even though it can be tough, spend some time in reflection on this topic.

    2- Have a plan! It is infinitely easier to come up with a plan when you are NOT in the heat of the moment. If things have been tense with your HD and there is a chance things might go sideways, thing ahead and have plan incase they do. If you are having trouble coming up with a plan, ask your caseworker.

    3- Its OK to say No! (Sometimes…) so this one I have  to put a caveat. Certainly, if you are feeling super emotional or sad or angry then for sure, it may not be the best time to see HD that day. Why set yourself (and your spellwork) up for failure? If you are just maybe in a snit because HD did not return your text fast enough, then sorry – Suck it up, Buttercup! Take the high road, be nice, polite and responsive 🙂 This one is a little tricky, and again, if you have any questions or need any guidance, by all means ask your caseworker. Oh – and avoid sarcasm. Trust me! When tensions are high, it is *always* misinterpreted!

    Strive for this –                   

    not this –

    Love

    Sister Bridget

     

    Override Your Default Reactions in a Tough Conversation (From Harvard Business Review 7/3/14)

     
    In a difficult conversation, our default reactions can lead to unproductive outcomes. You’ll perform better in those tough moments if you’re conscious of how you want to react. Here’s how:

    • Know your defaults. Make a list of daily interpersonal situations, like meetings, conversations, negotiations, and conflicts. Then identify your default behaviors — interrupting, becoming aggressive, micromanaging, or jumping to conclusions.
    • Plan your overrides. Before these challenging moments arise, envision how you’d ideally like to respond. For instance, if you want to overcome your tendency to interrupt, rehearse being a more active, engaged listener.
    • Design your days. Self-control varies across a day and a workweek. Why schedule high-conflict conversations before lunch or at the end of the day? If your morning becomes unexpectedly difficult, reshuffle your afternoon to avoid letting a snide comment or criticism slip.

  • Happy Summer Solstice 2014!

    Hey all!

    Wishing each of you a very happy Summer Solstice today! It is the longest day of the year (and the shortest night!)  I hope each of you get to enjoy it in your own, unique way. There are many different things you can do to honor the day. If you do not have alot of time today, your celebration does not have to be elaborate. Or you can work it in to your already busy schedule! You can sit in the grass and meditate for a few minutes, or read a book in the sun, or have a cook out, go for a swim, water your plants, wash your car. You get the idea!  Get outside and feel the warmth of the sun on your face and breathe in the fresh air! Whether it is for a few moments or a few hours, enjoy the warmth and energy of this special day!

    I will be posting some pictures of the Spellmaker Solstice fun later on! Stay tuned!

    Love

    Sister Bridget

    Lionsun

  • New Product – Holy Spirit Psalm Oil!

    Psalm2

    Newly available! One full ounce of our Holy Spirit Psalm Oil. This very special oil has been hand mixed and consecrated by Mambo Sam and contains 9 ingredients found in Bible, including mustard seed, frankincense, lily of the valley, olive oil and more.  This oil has a very, very high vibratory quality!

    This oil is made by steeping all 9 blessed ingredients and creating a "Mother Oil". Once the essence of the herbs has steeped into the Mother, the oil is strained and a small amount of the original herbs added back to the vials for distribution.

    The Psalms have been used throughout the ages to ask for special favors or relief from troubling situations. Each Psalm has been attributed a special power though Kabalistic teachings.

    Included in the purchase of this oil are two documents by digital download. The first is a complete copy of "The Book of Psalms" so that you have access to every psalm right away! The second document is a collection of "Candle Prayers and Affirmations"  which contains instructions on how to use the oil along with a simple colored household candle and the Psalms to petition for your particular need. "Candle Prayers and Affirmations" also contains an extensive table showing each Psalm, its special power and the color candle to use!

    Combine this oil along with our Chango's Mystik Chrysalis™ Incense! Chango's is designed to bring about a change, in yourself or others. May be used for transformation or to attempt to cause an effect, which makes it a wonderful accompaniment to any form of Psalm oil use! This oil can also be used along with some of our candle magick kits or blessed household candles. If you have any questions about how to combine anything, please feel free to write me at bridget@spellmaker.com !

    You can find Holy Spirit Psalm Oil in our Etsy shop  or on the Spellmaker website. 

    Love,

    Sister Bridget

     

    Psalm8

  • Why do we need spiritual protection?

    Hello everyone!

    Very often people will ask me about protection charms, spells, oils, rituals, etc.  We have many things to use for protection at www.spellmaker.com! 

    However, sometimes when I ask them do they mean physical or spiritual protection they ask me, "Do I need spiritual protection?"  YES!  We all do.  Sometimes I think we need it now more than we have ever in the past.  The world is a changing place, and right now, I am not sure that it is changing for the better. (Might have to have a whole post just on that!)

    Spiritual protection is something we can all benefit from!  Mean people, negative people, negative energies, evil spirits (though that is the least of it usually, mostly it is humans we need protection from, even ourselves!), self-imposed negativity, lack of confidence, low self worth… all of these types of things harm us.  Spiritual protection can help us battle those things! 

    One of the items we use is a spiritual protection charm.  It is consecrated on the points of the great power couple lwa, LaSiren and Agwe. 

    Every so often, we change out the designs of the charms – truthfully, the design of the charm is inconsequential, though we always want them to look nice! The power in the charm is what we do to it here to make it work for you AND what you do to it when you get it to make it powerful.  Our team efforts, yours and ours, is amazing! :) 

    Anyway, we recently changed out the design of our spiritual protection charm – it is a beautiful stainless steel mermaid! I don't know how long this design will last – we use a small manufacturer who doesn't always have the same designs.  But we enjoy the personal attention from them and love to support small business!

    Spiritual protection is important… it can be complicated or it can be simple.  Sometimes that depends on your circumstance and how much negativity you are encountering. 

    The Spiritual Protection Charm is simple, beautiful, and a great place to start with spiritual protection!

     (Please note that the picture on the website might not have been updated yet, but it is the mermaid shown below, while supplies last!)

    Best to all,

    Mambo Samantha Corfield, www.spellmaker.com

      PAC236