Tag: magick

  • Venus and the Sun

    So I wanted to talk a bit about a Venus and Sun conjunction we have recently experienced in the sign of Libra.

    First, what does all that astro mumbo jumbo mean? Well…the sun is the sign of the self, your identity. When someone asks you what your "sign" is the answer most people give is the sign that the Sun was astrologically transiting in the heavens on the day they were born. For example, if your birthday is today, October 27, you were born when the sun was in the sign of Scorpio. But the sun, as a rule astrological, translates to the self.

    Venus is the planet that rules love and romantic love especially. Also anything that gives us pleasure-lovely art, delicious food, music, beautiful poetry, falls under the gaze of Venus. And Libra, in the 12 houses of the zodiac, rules the 7th house, or the house of partnerships.

    So this sun and Venus conjunction in Libra on a very universal level, is giving humankind an opportunity to take stock of our personal relationships. What relationships nourish or deplete you? If you are single, what traits do you want to attract ( or avoid) in a potential partner? How do you approach relationships? Is there room for improvement in your own behavior? Do you and your current partner need to make some changes to improve your relationship? 

    These are all things that have been coming to and will continue to be, in the forefront as this conjunction finishes out in the heavens. And don't be afraid to put your intentions out there for the things you want in relationships right now! 

  • Happy National Black Cat Day!

    As a lifelong Halloween lover and cat lover, I am delighted to wish everyone a Happy Black Cat Day 🙂

    I have always, until recently, had a black cat in my brood. Black cats also show up in my life to bring me messages from my ancestors. I don't take this as anything sinister. As a matter if fact, I feel like it is a message for me expressed in a way that I will pay attention, which is pretty darned clever, in my humble opinion!

    Of course, all that black cat nonsense about their being signs of bad luck, etc…well that is just a bunch of nonsense! But legitimately, Black cats tend to be euthanized in animal shelters at a higher rate than felines of other colors. This fact has always been so heartbreaking ro me! 

    I have always found little black cats to be the most magically inclined and loyal! ( Though let's face it…kitties all seem to be rather otherworldly, don't they?)

    Many shelters in the U.S. hold adoptions on black cats during the month of October as an effort to keep them from being harmed. I have noticed recently that most of my friends that have gotten cats or kittens in the past few years have adopted a black cat. Salem from Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Thackery Binx from Hocus Pocus were, I think, good P.R. for black cats everywhere  🙂 And though I have never had one who speaks "human"- I have noticed they tend to be the chatty sort, as far as cats are concerned 😉

    So, in honor of this spooky season, I bid you all Happy Haunting, and may you all be lucky enough to be loved by a little black cat…or many!

     

  • Harvesting your Magickal Herbs!

    Harvesting and storing your magickal herbs! 

    Whether you’re an apartment dweller with a few small containers on the patio, or a rural gardener with an entire patch of magical goodies to choose from, harvesting homegrown herbs is a gratifying experience. You can either harvest a few bits at a time, as you need them, and use them fresh, or you can gather entire bunches at once to dry and preserve.

     

    Harvesting Your Magical Herbs

    Herb Gardening
    Gather fresh herbs from your garden for magical uses. Helen King / Fuse / Getty Images

    Although there’s no hard and fast rule about what to use when cutting herbs, some magical traditions recommend the use of a boline, or ritual cutting tool, for herb harvesting. If your tradition doesn’t require this, you can use any pair of garden snippers.

    Keep in mind that the best time to harvest your herbs is early in the day, after the morning dew has dried away. Harvesting them early, before the sun has had time to dry them out, allows the plants to maintain their essential oils, which is an important part of herb use. The oils are what  .

    Basic cutting: if you’re only going to collect what you need for a ritual or working, simply snip off the leaves or stems that you’re going to use that day. Some herbs, like basil, are easily stripped of leaves just by sliding your fingers along the branch. Others, like rosemary, have a woody stem that is easier to snip off in its entirety. During the summer months, snipping off leaves and stems will encourage new growth in your plants.

    If it’s the flowers you’re after, such as chamomile or lilacs, collect blooms after they’ve developed fully and opened up. If you’ve got a plant whose seeds are the main focus, be sure to wait until the seeds have fully developed and begun to dry and turn brown on their own. An easy way to gather seeds, such as on the dill plant, is to place a paper bag over the head of the plant, and shake it into the bag. Any dry seeds should fall easily into your paper sack.

    Bunch cutting: If you’d like to gather entire bundles of herbs to hang up and dry, snip off the stems where they branch off from the main plant. This not only encourages new growth later in the season, it also makes it easier to hang them up in a bunch.

     
     

    How to Dry Your Magical Herbs

    Herb Garden in Pots
    Maximilian Stock Ltd. /Taxi / Getty Images

    When you dry herbs, you have a couple of options as to method. A bundle or bunch of herbs can be tied together with string–use about a dozen stems tied together to make a nice fat bundle–and hung in a dry, airy place. It’s generally not a good idea to hang them in direct sunlight, because they can burn and become over-dry. You can hang them from a drying rack in a warm spot in your house, and let them sit for about three weeks. This is usually enough time to dry most herbs – you’ll know they’re done drying because the leaves will crack when you pinch them.

    Again, if you’re harvesting the seeds or blossoms, use the paper bag method. Secure the bag over the head of your drying bundle, and as the plant dries, the seeds and flowers will fall off into the bag.

    Another method that some people like to use–and it works well if you’re in a hurry–is to lay the gathered herbs flat on a cookie sheet and place it in the oven at a low temperature. This will take a few hours, and it makes your house smell amazing. Be cautious, though; you don’t want to overbake your herbs, because they’ll be useless if they burn.

    If you have a dehydrator, you can use that in a similar manner as the oven method. Fortunately, a dehydrator works at a lower temperature than your oven, so the risk of burning your leaves is lower. Be sure to check them periodically to see if they’re done drying. Again, when the leaves crumble to the touch, they’re ready to go.

     
     

    Storing Your Magical Herbs

    Herb Jars
    Store your herbs in glass jars for long-term use. Cavan Images / PhotoLibrary / Getty Images

    To store your herbs, there are a variety of methods you can use. While a plastic Zip-loc bag works well to keep air out, it doesn’t keep out the light, and that’s something you want to be sure to do. Use colored glass jars, or ceramic containers with an airtight lid to store your herbs. Be sure to label each jar with the herb’s name on it–and if it’s something that might be toxic, make sure you indicate this on the label, particularly if you have children in your home. Keep your herb jars in a cool, dark area; don’t store them over the stove or in an area that is known for high heat.

    Source: learnreligions.com

    learnreligions.com/harvesting-drying-and-storing-magical-herbs-2562025

     

  • Yarrow in Magick!

    Another popular herb during fall and Mabon is Yarrow! It's autumnal colors and readiness for harvest make it a natural addition to Mabon altars and spells! 

    Yarrow

    Achillea filipendulina var. gold plate (Yarrow)
    Chris Burrows / Getty Images

    Yarrow was often called Woundwort or Knight's Milfoil, thanks to its use in treatment of battle injuries. Scotland's Highlanders use it to make a healing ointment, and in the Orkney Islands, yarrow is used to make a tea that "dispels melancholia." Maud Grieve tells us in A Modern Herbal that the Romans referred to it as herba militaris, the soldier's herb. French workmen in the Middle Ages knew that yarrow worked well on injuries to fingers and hands – in fact, in some areas it was known as "the herb of carpenters."

    In addition to its uses in soft-tissue injuries, yarrow is well known as a combatant against fever. A number of Native American tribes used it in teas that were given to the sick, to bring body temperatures down. In India, a tea called gandana is given to the ill to induce sweating, thus lowering the fever.

    Yarrow can be used in magical workings related to healing, love, and courage. Wear it on your person to boost your self-esteem and courage, or carry a bunch of dried yarrow in your hand to stop fear. A sprig hanging over the marriage bed guarantees at least seven years of passion and love. Taking a ritual bath with yarrow can help increase your psychic abilities. It can also be used to exorcise negative energies from a place or person.

    If you're working on a healing ritual for someone who is ill, consider burning dried yarrow as incense, or place a sachet of yarrow under the person's pillow to bring about restful sleep.

    Other Names: Achillea, Lady's Mantle, Woundwort
    Gender: Feminine
    Element: Water
    Planetary Connection: Venus

    Yarrow has a fairly bitter taste, but you can use both the leaves and flowers in cooking. The leaves themselves, which are flat and paddle-shaped, can be chopped up, seasoned with some lemon juice and salt and pepper, and served either in a salad or with a light summer seafood dish. If you'd rather not eat it, try putting some yarrow flowers in a bowl and adding boiling water to it — then put your face over it and let the yarrow steam open your pores.

    Note: pregnant women should not take yarrow internally, and it should not be used for undiagnosed bleeding.

    Source: Learnreligions.com

    learnreligions.com/magical-herb-correspondences-4064512

     

  • Apple Magick!

    With Mabon just around the corner, now is a perfect time for apple picking and to incorporate this wonderful bounty into your magick! 

    Apple Magic

    Apple tree orchard during the harvest.
    Photography René Bosch / Getty Images

    Because of its associations with the harvest, the apple is perfect for Mabon magic. 

    To include apples in your magical spells and rituals, consider adding them to your fall altars, placing them around your home in bowls and baskets, or cooking some of your favorite apple dishes to serve at mealtimes. Use the wood from an apple tree to craft runes, Ogham staves, or a wand or staff. If you're lucky enough to have a bit of land for planting, consider adding a few apple trees to your property; they'll start producing fruit when they're a few years old, and you can take advantage of their magic all year long!

    Apples have always been popular tools for foretelling the future. There are a number of traditional methods in folklore for seeing who one's lover might be.

    • Peel the apple, keeping the peel in one long piece. When the peel comes off, drop it on the floor. The letter it forms is the first initial of your true love's name.
    • Wait until midnight and cut an apple into nine pieces. Take the pieces into a dark room with a mirror (either hanging on the wall or a hand-held one will do). At midnight, begin eating the pieces of apple while looking into the mirror. When you get to the ninth piece, throw it over your shoulder. The face of your lover should appear in the mirror.
    • If a girl has more than one potential lover, peel an apple and pull out the seeds. Place a wet seed on your cheek for each boyfriend. The last one left stuck to the skin represents the suitor who is the true love.

    Source: learnreligions.com

    learnreligions.com/the-magical-energy-of-apples-2562299

  • #MotivationMonday

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  • Remember.

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  • Happy House Omelette! – Enjoy this recipe from Mambo Sam’s cookbook !

    RITUALISTIC COOKING 

    Omlette

    Ritualistic cooking is an extremely ancient form of spell casting.  Food has been linked with love, nurturing, and caring for centuries.   Many people cook to show how much they care for their partners, families, friends, etc.   Cooking takes on a ritualistic twist when any kind of magick ritual is added to boost the spiritual energy that cooking already has!   In Reverend Samantha Corfield's cook book  Cajun Voodoo Love Cookin', her Cajun family recipes for food and  magick are shared with you.  Detailed explanations of the rituals and the recipes are outlined for you.  Here is a sample recipe from the book!

    HAPPY HOUSE OMELETTE
    by Mambo Sam

    Usage:  To smooth out problems after a fight

    Ingredients:

    1 dozen eggs

    1 dozen raw, fresh oysters, drained

    1 cup cooked crabmeat

    1/8 pound unencased hot sausage, fried and drained (reserve drippings)

    6 tablespoons cream

    1 very finely chopped onion

    1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

    1/4 cup minced celery

    Tabasco® sauce

    Salt and pepper

    Butter

    Rum for flaming (optional)

    Spiritual Gifts:

    2 white tapers (candle)

    1 glass (8 oz.) of water

    1 serving of grits (or oatmeal, etc.)

    1 paper bowl

    2 small paper plates

    1 pair women’s inexpensive sunglasses

    1/2 cup of regular (plain) water

     

    Before beginning your cooking:

    1. Line up your candles one before the other (in a vertical line) anywhere in the kitchen.

    Put one candle in the rear, and the other in front of it, about 6 inches apart.

    Put the grits in the paper bowl.

    Put the grits and glass of water between the candles.

    Set the sunglasses up around the grits and water

    (The candles, sunglasses, grits and water are to remain in place overnight.)

    1. Go to any corner of the kitchen with the 1/2-cup of water.

    Sprinkle some water from your fingertips in the corner three times.

    1. Go to the candles. Stamp the floor three times. Light the rear candle and say:

    “Hey, Legba. Open the gate and let my words carry to the other side.”

    Pause a moment, then light the front candle, clap your hands three times and say:

    “Mademoiselle Florida. Florida. Florida, I am upset. You, my dear, truly the queen of luxury, may be of service to me. Listen to this. My man and I have had a fight. I want to smooth out the problems, Florida. And I want all women to have a soft life with their men. Mademoiselle, I ask this of you: Give me some of that luxury. Make my man and I relate to each other in a fashion smooth as silk, soft as satin, sweet as sugar. Do this for me, Florida, do it now.”

    1. Begin to make your omelet with your desire in mind.

    Keep that desire in mind and honor Mademoiselle Florida during the preparation.

     

    Start cooking:

    In a large, nonstick frying pan melt 3 tablespoons of butter; add in sausage drippings, onion, parsley and celery. Cook about ten minutes or until tender. In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs adding in the cream, a couple of dashes of Tabasco®, salt and pepper. Beat until frothy. Fold in the crabmeat, sausage and oysters. Pour into pan with the onion mixture. Fold from one side to the other, letting uncooked egg fall to the sides, then folding in. Do not overcook.

    Slide out of pan onto warmed platter. If desired, pour a small amount of rum over the omelet and flame briefly. 

    Serves 10-12.

    Serve for Sunday or holiday brunch with hash browns, buttered grits, and hot biscuits.

    After cooking:

    1. Put out the front candle and say:

    “Thank you, Florida, for hearing my cry and making my desire come true. If it pleases you, you may now depart.”

    Pause a moment. Put the rear candle out and say:

    “Thank you, Papa Alegba. If it pleases you, you may close the gate.”

    1. Cut out 2 small pieces of omelet and put each one onto a paper plate.

    Before you eat (if not possible, then afterwards):

    1. Take the 2 paper plates with the omelet pieces outside and go to the base of a tree, telephone pole, lamppost or fence post.
    2. Stamp the ground three times with your foot. Put one plate down and say:

    “Papa Alegba, this is for you.”

    Put down the other plate and say:

    “Blessings and thanks to you, Mademoiselle Florida.”

    1. Turn your back and walk away, leaving the omelet servings there overnight.

    The next day:

    1. If the omelet is still by the tree or pole, place it on the ground and trash the plates.
    2. Take the candles, sunglasses, grits and glass of water and set them out on a street corner.

    Do not be noticed doing so. Leave quickly.

  • Happy Birthday, Marie Laveau!!!

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    Happy Birthday, Marie Laveau! 
    by Sister Bridget
    Marie Laveau was born 9/10/1801 – which would make today her ……well, it's not polite to state a lady's age!  Marie Laveau is the most well known American voodoo priestess to have lived to date. She is buried at St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans and is credited with almost single-handedly being responsible for the flourish of Voodoo in America today. Her unique powers caused her to be sought out by women and men of wealth and power in New Orleans, seeking her special brand of Voodoo magick. Today, her tomb is a focal point of special wishes and offerings by New Orleanians swearing that she still grants her favors even today. She is most famous for granting love wishes.So much has been written about Mistress Marie, there is little we can say here that will do her contribution to New Orleans Voodoo justice. We do wish her a Happy Birthday and much gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. Another way we honor Mistress Marie is to produce several products and articles in her honor! 

    Marie Laveau Clean Sweep House Blessing Kit! 

    Mistress Marie Love Magnet Oil

    Marie Laveau Hoodoo Love Incense

    Marie Laveau Hoodoo Love Herb Pack

    Make a Love Wish on Marie Laveau's Tomb

    Presentation from Online Voodoo Convention

  • Cousin Azacca!

    Azacca

     

    Hail to our dear Cousin Azacca (Azaka, Azaca)!

    Sometimes considered one of the simplest lwa, he brings a good nature and warmth into life. He is syncretized with the Catholic saint, St. Isidore the Laborer, sometimes called St. Isidore the Farmer. This is not be be confused with St. Isidore of Seville — this is a different person altogether! This makes perfect sense as St. Isidore was a simple farmer, and his feast day is May 15! 

    Since Azacca is one to make all things grow, this May feast day is a perfect time to honor him. He is such a good natured and easy going lwa, he is always considered one of the family, hence the "cousin" moniker. He is, of course, the lwa of agriculture, farming, all things to do with planting and growing. He is a wonderfully hard worker, a peasant, nothing sophisticated about him. I always consider Azacca sort of an everyman. He loves good profit, good girls, and good food! 

    He doesn't care much for "city folks" and is extremely down to earth and doesn't mind getting his hands dirty with honest work. He will have little to do with anyone with a pompous or condescending attitude. Azacca appears barefooted, in denim overalls, carries a straw bag, wears a big straw hat, and is rarely seen without his pipe and smoking tobacco.  He should serve as a reminder of our roots and our dependency on this earth for our very survival!  He is the ultimate conservationist living off the gifts of nature.

    He loves a good song and has a penchant for the being the town gossip. He is often the quiet observer, taking in all the doings around him, saving the knowledge for later when he can use it to his best advantage. Azacca knows who is who in the zoo! He generally will have all the info on who is dating whom, who is trying to swindle whom, and all the details that people sometimes try to hide! When possessing someone, it is not unusual to have him start telling everyone's secrets! Luckily for those who have something to hide, his voice is gravely and rough and he is somewhat hard to understand.  However, if you suspect someone is keeping a secret from you, do a service to Azacca and ask him to reveal that secret to you and watch what happens.

    He can, however, be very suspicious and does not always seem to want to give his favors easily. If you motivation for calling upon him is less than honest, he may refuse you.  However, usually he can be won over with some white rum and a plate of boiled corn. For the most part, he is a good-natured lwa. He is entertaining when he appears at ceremonies, singing you songs about how he would he would rather take charity than steal, all the while "stealing" everything he can get his hands own, usually while he is dancing in his unique fashion! These things are then returned to the distracted owners with everyone having a good laugh at his humorous antics.

    He usually will be found in a corner of any party where there is food, voraciously eating his food, looking with suspicion at anyone who might eye his plate. He is a greedy eater and drinker with little in the way of table manners. But this is easily forgiven because of his good nature and good humor.

    He is also is generally seen as the brother of Ghede. Author Bob Corbert writes, "There are interesting similarities between the sophisticated Ghede and the more bumbling Azacca, as though a younger less sophisticated brother were imitating a more secure older brother. Like Ghede, Zaka loves his food. But, unlike Ghede, he is rude and voracious in his eating habits, often running away to hide with him food and eat it quickly."

    As the lwa of agriculture and plant life, it is natural that Azacca is also an herbal healer. He is said to carry his healing herbs in his djakout (a straw shoulder bag) and is often called upon when there is sickness in a family. In Louisiana, animal fat candles are burned for him and bread is offered to him when someone is ill.  He is said to sop up the illness with the bread from the melted fat from the candles and eat it, thus curing the patient! 

    We here at Spellmaker.com call upon Azacca in many ways. We call upon him to "grow" things for us, even though they may not be considered the usual way to call on our Cousin! We call upon him to grow love between two people, to help people "grow" their finances, etc. He has always responded well to these petitions and we certainly can suggest that it is a wonderful way to broaden this powerful lwa's scope in your life! Look at your goals from the perspective of wanting them to grow to be big, beautiful plants and call upon Azacca to help you make that happen. 

    Of course, it probably goes without saying that he is also particularly wonderful to call upon if you are planting this spring. Pour a little rum into the ground around your garden and ask Azacca to help that garden grow! We make a mixture of corn and boiled peanuts and spread it around our garden for him. We just leave it there to mix with the soil and help the plants grow better.

    No matter what you are trying to grow in your life, May 15 is the perfect day to offer a feast to Azacca! Set up a small altar using his colors and offerings: A piece of denim makes the perfect altar cloth for him, yellow and green candles, a container of dirt, small gardening tools, etc. Spend some time thinking of what plants need nurturing in your life garden and ask Azacca to nourish them and help them grow! Ask him to renew and rejuvenate any wilting plants and cut out all the weeds!

    Azacca Stats: 
    Feast Day: May 15
    Saint Syncretization: St. Isidore the Farmer
    Colors: Green, yellow, brown – earthy colors.
    Foods: Avocados, corn, peanuts, beans and rice, strong coffee that is highly sweetened with sugar, yams, sugar cane and cane syrup (pour it all over his food and he will love you for it!), heavy breads, coconuts and coconut candy.
    Drink: Light or white rum (kleren).
    Offerings: The above food and drink, a straw bag, a straw hat, pipe with pipe tobacco, small gardening tools. We usually put a container of rich earth, something like nice potting soil, on an altar to him. Later on, put that dirt in your garden!  Azacca and your plants will reward you.

    In Service, 

    Mambo Samantha Corfield