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black witches. the superior. they just do it better.
The wheel is ever turning, and we once again have arrived at Imbolc. Unlike the equinox’s or solstice’s, Imbolc is held on the same day each year. This sabbat is typically celebrated on the 1st or 2nd of February, depending on the individual/coven. I choose to celebrate it on the 1st, which actually means I hold my ritual on the 31st of January. This is because I always celebrate my holidays on the “eve”, or night before, of the actual day. This is typical in many traditions. Whichever day you choose to celebrate it is up to you, however you see fit.
So…what is Imbolc?
Imbolc falls in the middle between the winter solstice (Yule) and the Spring Equinox (Ostara). It is viewed upon as the coming of light. In the sky, the days are beginning to become noticeably longer. This welcoming of the sun is often celebrated by lighting candles. The fire, warmth, and light from the candles directly symbolize the sun. I have heard many references to the Celtic Goddess Brighid. She is also symbolized by fire, in addition to the well (as in a water-well).
Imbolc, again, is the coming of the sun. It is also a time for cleansing, purification, transformation, and new beginnings. Many Wiccans choose this day for their self-dedication or initiation. Because of Brighid’s significance on this day, it is also a time to focus on mental skills, creativity, motivation, and psychic ability.
Another interesting attribute to Imbolc is its similarity to Ground-Hog’s day. Traditionally, if there is nice weather on Imbolc the winter will last longer. Alternatively, if the weather is poor, spring is fast approaching.
What to do on Imbolc?
❃ Dedication or Initiation rituals
❃ Spells for motivation or creativity
❃ Divination
❃ Light many candles. Some people light 9, others 13.
❃If indoors- Get your cauldron (or large metal salad bowl, perhaps) and fill it with dirt (I have also used cat litter and sand). Place 9 taper candles in a spiral.
❃ If outdoors- Have a large bon-fire, which can be used with or as an alternative to the cauldron.
❃ ❃ Most importantly, be safe, have fun, and blessed be. ❃ ❃
Hello my dears. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I have been working on creating a simple jar spell to help gather intent and help you reach the goal of your New Years Resolution. Now, I know New Years is not a Wiccan Holiday (Wiccans and other witches choose to celebrate New Years at varying times depending on tradition), but for those of you who choose to celebrate according to the calendar year, please enjoy this little spell!
**I find it easier to have the jar already completed before opening the circle. Just as when you make a wreathe or something that is time consuming, doing it all squatting in the dark by candlelight may be difficult. This, again, is up to you.
What You Will Need:
★ A Jar
★ Whole Bay Leaf (to write your wish/goal. Paper is a fine alternative)
★ A fireproof container to burn your leaf
★ Red Ink (red is to symbolize motivation)
★ An orange or red candle to burn to seal the jar (orange for attraction, or red for motivation)
★ Varying herbs or crystals to fill your jar. I have compiled a short list, which you can find here.
★ A Realistic New Years Resolution (read below).
** When you write your resolution, please keep in mind a few things. First being, always write it as a positive, just as you do when writing a sigil. For example, I will quit smoking as opposed to I won’t smoke. Also, please make your goal realistic. Your goal must be obtainable, something you know in your heart of hearts you will be able to make happen. If you are in need of money your goal may be I will get a job I love…not I will have 1 million dollars in the bank. Maybe someday, but not by the time 2018 rolls around. Many times, people give up on their goals because they set the bar too high.
What You Will Do:
★ 1 – Prepare your jar. Find a nice clean jar that you connect with. I like using mason jars, because I have about 5 billion from all the preserved goods we make. Keep in mind that the bigger it is the more you will need to fill it, though! Once you find your jar, fill it with all of the herbs and stones and other witchy things. You can use flowers, throw in honey to sweeten it up, or even glitter (I know you all love glitter). Make it speak to you.
★ 2 - When your jar is prepared, write your resolution on the bay leaf with your red ink. Remember to make it positive and realistic! When you have it written out, hold it in your hand and meditate. Your resolution is your mantra. Feel it filling you, visualize yourself reaching your goal. You know you can do it! When you feel that time is right, light your bay leaf on fire. Watch it burn, the smoke carrying your wishes to the cosmos, it will become a reality.
★ 3 – When your leaf is finished burning, collect the ashes and sprinkle them in your jar. Tighten your lid and pick your candle. Again, this can be red to motivate, or orange to attract. You could also use a candle that corresponds with your goal. Example: Green for money goals. Pink for love goals. Place your candle on the jar, and light it up. Meditate on your goal some more, try to think about the steps you will take to make it all possible.
★ 4 – When your candle is burned out, you have two options. Burry your jar somewhere on your property, so that you will attract those positive energies into your home. Or, if you are like me and need visual motivation, leave it on your altar or somewhere safe. You can look at it to remind your of your goal and keep you motivated. You can light a new candle on top of it every month to refresh your motivation and commitment. You can give it a shake whenever you feel defeated. Whatever you choose, make sure it works for you.
❤ Happy New Year’s, my loves! I hope yours is happy, healthy, and magickal! ❤
Seasons Greetings, My Friends! I am happy to say that the time of the Winter Solstice is almost upon us. December 21st will be the longest night (or shortest day, depending on your outlook) of the year. Winter is officially here, and though there is still darkness, the wheel will continue to turn and daylight will return.
Yule is one of the most widely celebrated of the wiccan/pagan holidays. It is a time to spend with family, spreading love and appertaining friendships. Peace, joy, positivity, warmth, happiness, love. Celebrate this holiday by creating a feast, burning the Yule log, and preparing to dive into the new year with spells and charms to bring motivation, hope, and positivity. And, of course, we can’t forget to exchange presents to our loved ones and leave a special offering to the Lady and Lord!
Take a look at the following Yule activities and crafts:
Yule Log –
Traditionally an oak or birch was harvested for the purpose of a Yule log. One could drill small holes to fit tapers or votive candles, and burn the Yule log in the fireplace. It sits on the altar, decorated, until Yule Eve at sundown. It is lit, and the fire is kept until sunrise, to represent the sun.
Of course, this may not be possible for all people, but there are many alternatives. Such as burning a candle throughout the night. It is tradition to keep a small piece of the Yule log to ignite next years log, or the stub of your candle to ignite next years candle. (witch tip – for those that use a candle as opposed to a log…you can still find and decorate a log. Just place it on display and you can use it year after year!)
Written Wishes –
Similar to a New Years Resolution, people like to write their goals, wishes, or dreams to burn during Yule. I had once read of a tradition in which people would leave out pens and papers during their Yule celebration. Guests could freely write a wish, fold the paper, and hang it on the Yule Tree. Later on in the night, during the ritual burning of the Yule Log, people would collect their wish from the tree and toss it into the Yule fire, sending their wishes and dreams up to the divine.
Bake –
Who doesn’t love holiday cookies, winter spice, and buttered rum. The kitchen is the best part of any winter celebration! Here are some links from around the web for you to try:
Chocolate Yule Log(yummy!)
Any of these traditional recipes
Your Altar –
Decorate with reds, greens, whites, and golds.
Cinnamon, pine cones, mistletoe, ivory.
Make a positivity jar, add some special sigils or wishes.
Make a special wreathe, or create Yule ornaments!
Whatever you do this winter solstice, be safe, be happy, and be healthy. Blessed be my friends!
Oak Moon:
Decemember 14th (or 13th, if you are like me and ‘tomorrow’ doesn’t start until you wake up in the morning) is the full moon this month. ***also, an fyi, the 13th is the night of the geminid meteor shower (click here for some info)***
The Oak Moon (I have heard by many other names) is a time to enjoy the warmth of your family and friends. Get together, sit by the fire, decorate for yule, and reflect upon the past year.
This moon is a great time to create apositivity jar, if you are feeling the winter darkness already. Or perhaps complete afreindship spell with some of your circle mates // coven mates.
Enjoy this prelude to the Holiday, and blessed be!
(photo credit: moon)
With all this talk of super moon, I am sure I do not need to go into grand detail about it. However, to further educate myself, and those of you who are just hearing the super news now, I did some research and here’s what I got:
Super Moon – When the Full Moon is closer than usual in Earth’s orbit.
Because the earth and the moon do not have a perfectly circular orbit, there are times during the revolution of these two celestial beings in which they are very close or very far away. It just so happens that Monday, November 14th at 6:30 am will be the closest the moon has been since 1948.
To be exact, the moon will be 216,486 miles away, which is 22,000 miles closer than average. Experts say that the moon will appear to be 14% bigger and 30% brighter than her usual bright beautiful self.
What does this mean for magick?
Well, the moon is already powerful and influential. This being a full moon making it even more so. Because the moon is closer to us, we can feel closer to our Goddess, and communicate with her even deeper.
It just so happens that November is the Mourning Moon or the Snow Moon! And what a perfect month to have our Lady be closer than ever.
During the November full moon, it is typical to reach out to the deities. It is a time to communicate to the Lady and Lord. Perhaps light a candle in their honor and sing them a song. Or ask them for guidance through full moon water scrying, or a tarot card reading. If you have a gratitude jar, this moon will be a great time to add to it (or begin one, if you don’t have one already). With the moon being so close, there is a greater chance that you will encounter the divine.
Also practiced during the full moon of November, preparing yourself emotionally for the coming dark, cold winter. This is a time to end bad habits or bury old negative feelings. Start preparing for a clean slate in the new year. Try to harness some of your bright and positive energy into a charm or talisman that will give you strength through the winter. Or bottle some of it up into a positivity jar!
During this November Super Moon, here is what you might do (quick re-cap, and some links):
✮ Practice Full Moon Water Scrying or Tarot Cards.
✮ Create a Gratitude Jar.
✮ Create a Shrine to the Lady (and Lord).
✮ Create a Charm or Talisman to Harness Positivity.
✮ Bottle Up Your Positive Energy in a Positivity Jar.
✮ Preform a Spell to End Bad Habits.
✮ Read about the Super Moon here.
