Tag: witchcraft

  • Into the Autumn

    Into the Autumn

    🍂 Good Magick for the Fall Season


    Fall has always felt like magick in motion, hasn’t it? The air gets crisp, the leaves start turning, and something in our spirit shifts right along with the season. This is the time of year when many different magickal cultures lean into the energy of harvest, gratitude, and the nearness of our beloved ancestors. Let’s take a look at some beautiful ways people honor this season — and some simple magick you can do right at home.



    🍎 Harvest Blessings

    In Pagan and Wiccan traditions, the autumn equinox — called Mabon — is a time of balance and thanksgiving. Feasts, baskets of apples and corn, and bread baked with love all become offerings to the earth.

    ✨ Your turn: Write down the blessings you’ve “harvested” this year — maybe a goal reached, a relationship strengthened, or even a hard lesson learned. Light an orange candle, read your list aloud in gratitude, and then let the flame consume the paper, sending your thanks out into the universe.



    🕯 Honoring Our Ancestors

    In Vodou, November brings Fèt Gede, a joyful honoring of the spirits of the dead with music, candles, and offerings. In Mexico, families celebrate Día de los Muertos with marigolds, altars, and the foods their loved ones enjoyed. Both remind us that our ancestors still walk with us.

    ✨ Your turn: Create a tiny ancestor altar. A candle, a flower, a photo, maybe even their favorite candy bar — it doesn’t have to be fancy. Whisper their names with love and thank them for being part of your life.



    🌿 Autumn Herbs and Kitchen Magick

    The fall harvest gives us herbs and foods that carry natural warmth and protection. Apples reveal a secret star when cut, cinnamon stirs up energy, and pumpkins guard the home from unwanted spirits.

    ✨ Your turn: Make yourself a little autumn potion — apple slices, cinnamon, and ginger in hot water. Sip slowly while imagining a protective golden glow wrapping around you and your home.



    🔮 Listening Through the Veil

    As the nights grow longer, the veil between our world and the spirit world feels thinner. This is why so many people turn to divination in the fall — tarot, pendulums, dreams, or scrying. It’s a season of guidance and wisdom.

    ✨ Your turn: Light a single black candle before bed and ask your guides to bring clarity in your dreams. Keep a notebook nearby — those midnight messages can slip away quickly.



    🔥 Firelight and Release

    The Celtic festival of Samhain is marked by fire — bonfires that offered protection and honored the turning of the year. Fire carries energy of transformation across cultures.

    ✨ Your turn: If you can do so safely, light a small outdoor fire or candle. Write down what you’re ready to let go of before winter — fears, frustrations, or habits that no longer serve you. Release them into the flames and feel yourself growing lighter.



    🍂 Wrapping It Up

    Fall is a season of gratitude, remembrance, and quiet preparation. Whether you’re honoring ancestors, stirring up some kitchen magick, or simply watching the leaves fall, you’re participating in the timeless rhythm of the season.

    So bundle up, light a candle, and let your autumn magick shine.

    ✨ With love and magick,
    Mambo Sam

  • Celebrating Lammas as a Voodooisant

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    Celebrating Lammas as a Voodooisant

    For a Voodooisant, celebrating Lammas can be a unique and enriching experience that blends the traditional elements of Voodoo with the themes and rituals of Lammas. This syncretic approach allows for a deeper connection to the earth, the cycles of nature, and the spiritual forces that guide and protect us. Here are some ways a Voodooisant might celebrate Lammas:

    1. Creating a Syncretic Altar

    A Voodooisant can start their Lammas celebration by setting up an altar that incorporates elements from both Voodoo and Lammas traditions. This altar can serve as a focal point for rituals and offerings.

    • Harvest Symbols: Include traditional Lammas symbols such as wheat sheaves, corn, fresh fruits, vegetables, and a loaf of bread baked from the first grain of the season.
    • Voodoo Elements: Add items that honor the loa, such as candles, veves (sacred symbols), and offerings specific to the loa being honored (e.g., rum and tobacco for Papa Legba, white foods and flowers for Damballah).
    • Nature Items: Incorporate natural elements like stones, feathers, and flowers to represent the connection to the earth.

    2. Offering Rituals

    Offerings are a central aspect of both Voodoo and Lammas celebrations. A Voodooisant can perform offering rituals to honor both the loa and the deities of the harvest.

    • To the Loa: Prepare offerings that are traditionally associated with specific loa. For instance, offer rum, cigars, and candy to Papa Legba at the beginning of the ritual to open the way. For Damballah, prepare offerings of white foods, eggs, and milk.
    • To the Harvest Deities: Present the first fruits, grains, and a freshly baked loaf of bread to the deities of the harvest. You can also offer honey, wine, and seasonal vegetables.

    3. Incorporating Music and Dance

    Music and dance are integral to Voodoo rituals and can be harmoniously integrated into a Lammas celebration.

    • Drumming and Chants: Use drumming and chants to invoke the presence of the loa. Each loa has specific rhythms and songs that can be played to invite their presence and blessings.
    • Traditional Dances: Perform dances that honor the loa and celebrate the harvest. Encourage participants to dance around the altar or in a circle, creating a powerful energy of gratitude and joy.

    4. Baking and Sharing Bread

    Baking bread is a traditional Lammas activity that symbolizes the first harvest. For a Voodooisant, this can be a sacred act infused with intention and gratitude.

    • Preparation: As you prepare the bread, focus on your intentions for the ritual. Infuse the dough with thoughts of gratitude for the earth's abundance and prayers for continued fertility and prosperity.
    • Sharing: During the ritual, break the bread and share it with the participants as a symbol of community and shared blessings. Offer a portion of the bread to the altar as an offering to the deities and loa.

    5. Performing Gratitude and Abundance Rituals

    Lammas is a time to express gratitude for the harvest and the blessings received. A Voodooisant can incorporate gratitude rituals that honor both traditions.

    • Gratitude Ceremony: Write down things you are grateful for on small pieces of paper. During the ritual, read each one aloud and place it in a bowl on the altar. Light a candle and meditate on the feeling of gratitude, allowing it to fill your heart. Burn the papers in a safe container, releasing your gratitude to the universe.
    • Abundance Ritual: Create a corn dolly or another harvest symbol to represent the spirit of abundance. Place it on the altar and surround it with offerings and candles. Focus on your intentions for abundance and prosperity, and ask for the blessings of the loa and the harvest deities.

    6. Connecting with Nature

    Spending time in nature is a vital part of both Voodoo and Lammas celebrations. A Voodooisant can deepen their connection to the earth through various activities.

    • Nature Walk: Take a walk in a natural setting such as a forest, field, or garden. Collect natural items like leaves, stones, and seeds to use in your rituals and crafts.
    • Harvesting: If you have a garden, harvest fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Use these fresh ingredients in your feast and as offerings on your altar.
    • Meditation: Find a quiet spot in nature to meditate and reflect on the cycles of life and the interconnectedness of all living things. Offer a small libation or food offering to the spirits of the land as a sign of respect and gratitude.

    7. Community Feasting and Storytelling

    Community gatherings are a central aspect of both Voodoo and Lammas celebrations. Sharing a feast and stories can strengthen bonds and create a sense of unity and gratitude.

    • Feast Preparation: Prepare a communal meal using seasonal ingredients and harvested produce. Include dishes that are traditional in Voodoo culture as well as those associated with Lammas.
    • Storytelling: Gather around the table or a fire and share stories, myths, and experiences related to the harvest and the loa. This can be a time to reflect on the past year, share hopes for the future, and celebrate the community.

    8. Crafting and Creativity

    Engage in crafting activities that honor the harvest and the loa. This can be a meditative and creative way to connect with the spirit of Lammas.

    • Corn Dollies: Make corn dollies or other harvest symbols from dried wheat or corn stalks. These can be placed on the altar or used as protective talismans.
    • Veve Creation: Draw veves, the sacred symbols of the loa, on paper, wood, or fabric. These can be placed on the altar or carried as charms.
    • Decorating: Decorate your home and altar with seasonal flowers, fruits, and other natural items. Use your creativity to create a space that feels sacred and connected to the earth.

    By blending the traditions of Voodoo and Lammas, a Voodooisant can create a rich, meaningful celebration that honors both their spiritual path and the cycles of nature. This integration allows for a deeper connection to the earth, the loa, and the deities of the harvest, fostering a sense of gratitude, community, and spiritual abundance.

    In service, 

    Mambo Samantha Corfield 

  • Happy Witches’ Day!

    Witches day

    Celebrating Witch's Day: Embrace the Magic!

    Hey there, fellow witches and curious souls! 🌟 Today, we're going to dive into the enchanting world of Witch's Day, celebrated on July 21st. This special day is all about honoring the craft, embracing our magical practices, and connecting with the vibrant community of witches worldwide. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to the path, Witch's Day is a perfect opportunity to celebrate your unique journey and the magic that surrounds us. Let's explore the origins of Witch's Day and some fun and meaningful ways to celebrate this magical day.

    The origins of Witch's Day are rooted in the modern pagan and Wiccan movements that gained popularity in the 20th century. As interest in witchcraft and pagan traditions grew, practitioners sought to establish specific days to celebrate their beliefs and practices. Witch's Day emerged as a way to unify witches around the world in a shared celebration of their craft.

    Witch's Day is not tied to any particular historical event but rather serves as a contemporary observance that honors the diversity and richness of witchcraft. It provides an opportunity for witches to come together, share their knowledge, and celebrate their unique traditions and practices. By designating a specific day for this celebration, the witchcraft community can collectively embrace their heritage and the evolving nature of their spiritual paths.

    Ways to Celebrate Witch's Day

    Host a Gathering One of the best ways to celebrate Witch's Day is by hosting a gathering. Invite fellow witches, friends, and family members who are interested in witchcraft. You can organize a potluck, where everyone brings a dish infused with magical intent. Decorate your space with symbols of the craft, such as pentagrams, crystals, and candles, to create a magical atmosphere.

    Activity Ideas:  Conduct a simple ritual together, focusing on themes like protection, abundance, or gratitude.  Share your favorite spells and create new ones as a group. You can craft protection charms, prosperity bags, or love spells. Encourage everyone to share their experiences and stories related to their magical journeys.

    Solo Rituals:  If you prefer a more introspective celebration, solo rituals can be incredibly powerful. Take this day to connect deeply with your own practice and honor your personal journey as a witch.

    Ritual Ideas:  Spend time in meditation, focusing on your intentions and what you hope to achieve in your practice. Use tarot cards, runes, or scrying to seek guidance and insight for the coming months. Take a walk in nature, collecting natural items like stones, feathers, and leaves to use in your magical practice. This can also be a time to ground and center yourself.

    Crafting and Creating Channel your inner creativity by crafting magical items. This can be a fun and therapeutic way to celebrate Witch's Day.

    Craft Ideas:  Create herb bundles for smudging and cleansing. Use herbs like sage, lavender, and rosemary.  Make your own candles infused with essential oils and herbs that correspond to your intentions. Decorate a journal for recording your spells, rituals, and experiences. This can be a powerful tool for reflection and growth.5. Virtual Celebrations

    In our digital age, virtual celebrations can be just as fulfilling as in-person gatherings. Join online communities and participate in virtual rituals, discussions, and workshops.

    Online Ideas:  Participate in live-streamed rituals hosted by online covens or witchcraft groups. Attend webinars on various topics related to witchcraft, such as spell casting, moon magic, or deity worship.  Share your celebrations on social media using hashtags like #WitchsDay and connect with witches from around the world.

    Honoring Deities and Spirits: Take time on Witch's Day to honor the deities, spirits, and ancestors who guide and protect you.

    Ways to Honor:  Set up or refresh your altar with offerings, such as flowers, incense, food, and drink. Recite prayers or invocations to connect with your deities and spirit guides.  Light a candle for your ancestors and spend time reflecting on their influence in your life.

    Self-Care and Reflection: Witch's Day is also a time for self-care and reflection. Nurturing yourself is essential for maintaining a healthy and balanced magical practice.

    Self-Care Ideas: Take a ritual bath with sea salt, herbs, and essential oils to cleanse and rejuvenate your body and spirit. Reflect on your magical journey, your successes, and areas you want to grow. Practice mindfulness and gratitude, focusing on the present moment and the beauty of your magical path.

    Witch's Day is a beautiful celebration of the craft and the magical community. Whether you choose to celebrate with others or enjoy a day of solitary reflection, the key is to embrace the magic within and around you. By honoring your practice and connecting with like-minded individuals, you can create a powerful and enriching experience.

    So, gather your herbs, light your candles, and let the magic flow! Happy Witch's Day, everyone! 🌟🕯️🔮

    Love, 

    Mambo Sam

  • The Witch’s Besom!

    Besom

    The Witch's Besom!

    Sit back and enjoy a brief ride through the history and uses of a witch's broom! 

    History of the Witch's Besom

    The association of besoms with witchcraft can be traced back to the early modern period. This time was marked by the peak of witch persecution, where besoms were often depicted as tools used by witches to fly through the air to sabbats (gatherings of witches). Despite these dramatic depictions, besoms were commonly used for everyday cleaning in many cultures. This dual use in both mundane and magical contexts has led to the enduring association of besoms with witches and magic​​​​.

    Traditional and Modern Ritual Uses

    • Cleansing and Purification: Besoms have traditionally been used to sweep away negative energy and protect homes from evil spirits. They are used in rituals to purify and consecrate sacred spaces, symbolically sweeping away psychic dirt and stagnant vibes​​​​.

    • Creating Sacred Space: They are often employed to mark the boundaries of a sacred or ritual space. This use symbolizes the clearing and consecration of the area for spiritual or magical activities​​.

    • Protection: Besoms are placed over doorways or thresholds as a protective measure against negative energies or unwanted influences​​.

    • Astral Travel and Meditation: In some magical traditions, besoms serve as tools for astral travel or meditation, symbolizing the broomstick used for flying​​.

    • Sabbat Celebrations: In Wiccan and Pagan traditions, besoms are used during sabbat celebrations, such as jumping over a besom during Beltane as a symbol of fertility and union​​.

    • Decoration and Craft: Besoms are also popular as decorative items in magical or witchy spaces, often adorned with symbolic elements like ribbons or charms​​.

    How to Make a Besom

    Creating your own besom is a rewarding process that allows for personalization and connection with the tool. Traditional materials include birch twigs for the bristles and willow or hazel branches for the handle. These materials are chosen for their durability and symbolic meanings. Making a besom involves gathering these materials, binding the twigs together, attaching them to the handle, and adding personal touches like decorations or blessings​​​​.

    Symbolism and Beliefs

    Besoms are deeply symbolic, carrying various meanings across different cultures. For instance, jumping over a broom is a tradition in some cultures to signify marital union or to welcome prosperity. Besoms are also linked to folklore, such as the belief that if a broomstick falls, company is coming, or hiding brooms on certain nights to prevent them from being stolen by other witches​​.

    The witch's besom is a fascinating subject, combining practical uses, deep symbolism, and a rich history that spans centuries and various cultures. Its enduring presence in modern witchcraft and pagan practices speaks to its powerful symbolism and versatility as a magical tool.

     
     
     

  • Today is the Day! Love Potion #9!

    Love potion #9!

    Lovepotion92009

    At: http://www.spellmaker.com/potion9.htm

     Love Potion #9

     * 9 oz. sweet red wine (or use cherry soda, cherry Kool-Aid or cherry juice for non-alcoholics)

     * 9 basil leaves

     * 9 red rose petals

     * 9 cloves

     * 9 apple seeds

     * 9 drops vanilla extract

     * 9 drops strawberry juice

     * 9 drops apple juice

     * 1 ginseng root, cut into 9 equal pieces (or use 3 powdered ginseng capsules)

    You also need:

    * 9 pink votive candles

    * Cheesecloth

    * Wooden Spoon

    * airtight contaner to hold the potion (big enough for at least 10oz fluid)

    By the light of 9 pink votive candles, put these nine ingredients into a cauldron on the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year. Stir the potion nine times with a wooden spoon, each time reciting the following magickal incantation:

     LET THE ONE WHO DRINKS THIS WINE

     SHOWER ME WITH LOVE DIVINE.

     SWEET LOVE POTION NUMBER NINE

     MAKE HIS/HER LOVE FOREVER MINE.

     Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and let it  simmer for nine minutes. Remove the cauldron from the heat and allow the  potion  to cool off. Blow nine times upon the potion, bless it in the names of  The nine love goddesses: Inanna, Ishtar, Astarte, Hathor, Nephthys,  Aphrodite, Venus, Freya, Arianrhod.

     And then strain it through a cheesecloth into a clean container.  Cover and refrigerate it untill you are ready to serve it to the man  or woman from whom you desire love and affection.

    **(Do not  allow anyone other than your beloved to look at, touch, or drink the love potion.)

    ~~

    A word of warning: This potion is extremely potent and should be used  with caution. Its results have been reported to be very intense, long-

     lasting, and often difficult to control or reverse. So please be absolutely  sure before you give it to an intended lover that he or she is the right

     one for you and vice versa. 

     WARNING: Webmistress accepts no responsibility for effects or consequences of casting spells found on this Website. Cast spells responsibly.

  • Great Quote!

  • Hearth and Home Incense!

  • 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!

     

  • St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day!

    Hello!

    Below is a short video about St. Francis. He is quite near and dear to our hearts hear at Spellmaker, due to our love of animals! The video is short but informative! I hope you enjoy it. 

    Love,

    Sister Bridget

    PS – Did you know St. Francis was canonized just TWO years after his passing? Now you do! 

    Fast Facts: St. Francis of Assisi

    • Known For: Patron saint of animals
    • Also Known As: Francesco (or Giovanni) di Pietro di Bernardone
    • Born: c. 1181 in Assisi, Italy
    • Parents: Pietro di Bernardone, Pica de Bourlemont
    • Died: Oct. 3, 1226 in Assisi, Italy
    • Notable Quote: "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

     

    Prayer to Saint Francis of Assisi, for Our Pets:

    Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures. To you they were your brothers and sisters. Help us to follow your example of treating every living thing with kindness. St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals, watch over my pet and keep my companion safe and healthy. Amen.