Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Sun Tea

Sun Tea - recipe calls for fresh herbs.
If you are using dried, reduce amount by 2/3 (3C would be 1 C)

For this spell, you will need:
1C Lemon Balm
1C Hibiscus Flowers
1C Spearmint
Juice of one lime
Honey to taste (add when warm)

Place herbs into a 1-gallon glass jar
Fill with spring water
Steep in the sun for several hours.
Remove herbs, strain and filter tea.
Sweeten with honey if desired.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Tarot Meditation: The Sun

The Sun tarot card is the 19th card in the Major Arcana. In the Rider-Waite deck, a wee child rides a white horse under the sun. The child is naked (suggesting innocence) except a crown of flowers (either daisies or mini-sunflowers). Large sunflowers happily bloom in the background.
The red flag represents the blood of renewal (and vitality) and the smiling sun represents accomplishment.

For this spell, you will need:
  • The Sun Tarot Card
  • Yellow Altar Cloth
  • Sunflowers
  • Frankincense
  1. Set up the altar
  2. Light incense
  3. Meditate on the Sun Card. Themes are: attained knowledge, overcoming fears and illusions, hope, expansion, accomplishment

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Seaweed Knot Wish


Summer by the seaside, what could be more magical?


For this spell, you will need:
  • A piece of seaweed
  • The ocean

  1. Get in the ocean, letting your worries sink to the bottom.
  2. Close your eyes and tune into the rhythm of the sea.
  3. Take your piece of seaweed and state your wish.
  4. Tie the seaweed into 3 knots
  5. and say, "By my will and knot times three. My wish is done, Blessed be!"

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Angel Spray


This was inspired by Archangel Michael and his flaming sword of power and strength. Michael is considered the patron saint of the warrior and can be invoked for justice. He has many associations in different traditions including the Jewish (Rabbinic and Kabbalistic), Christian, Roman Catholic, Islamic, Latter-Day Saints, Jehovah's Witness, Bahá'í, Anthroposophy and the occult.

For this spell, you will need:



  • Glass bottle (4oz, preferably blue) with spray mister

  • Purified Spring Water

  • 13 drops Myrrh Essential Oil

  • 13 drops Geranium Essential Oil

  • 7 drops Lavender Essential Oil

  • 7 drops Cypress Essential Oil

  • 6 drops Bergamot Essential Oil

  • 6 drops Lemon Essential Oil

  • 6 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil

  • 5 drops Rose Essential Oil

  • 5 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil

  • 3 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil



  1. Fill the bottle halfway with water
    Add Essential Oils in order.
    Top off with remaining water.
    Shake gently.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Quick Whiskey Mead


Ahh, two of my favorite things: Honey and Whisky!
Meade is the oldest fermented beverage known to man.
Honey is known as the "nectar of the gods" and as a sacred food, was used in offerings and libations. Bees are symbols of prosperity, industry, community and are thougth to be messangers to the divine. Throughout the ages they have been associated with many Gods & Goddesses including: Ra, Ishtar, Marduk, Vishnu, Indra, Krishna, Peresphone, Artemis, Zeus, and Odin.
The word Whisky derives from the Gaelic word, uisce beatha, which means "Water of Life"
For this recipe, you will need:
  • 1 Cup raw honey
  • 1 slice lemon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1 quart water
  • pinch of salt
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 Cup Whiskey (Scotch)

  1. Boil together the first 5 ingredients in a non metal pan (stainless steel ok).
  2. Remove scum from the top of the boiling liquid.
  3. When scum stops rising, add pinch of salt and lemon juice.
  4. Stain and cool to room temperature.
  5. When cool, add whiskey & chill.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Travelers Protection


Carry this pouch with you during travels afar.
Amethyst
Element: Air
Sacred to: Diana and Bacchus
Properties: Calms fears, lends courage, powerful amulet for travelers, protects aginst theives, Malachite
Element: Earth
Sacred to: Hathor, Venus and Freya
Properties: Worn to detect impending danger, will shatter to warn of forthcoming peril, protective magic, worn to guard against negativity & physical danger, travelers guardian
Moonstone
Element: Water
Sacred to: Selene, Isis, Hina & all lunar goddesses
Properties: Because the moon travels through the houses of the zodiac signs, it's stone is a protective charm for travelers, carry or wear when you are away from home, especially during travel over or on the water
Tiger's Eye
Element: Fire
Sacred to: Apollo, Amaterasu, Ra and Lugh
Properties: Roma soldiers wore Tiger's Eye engraved with symbols for protection during battle. Wear to protect from all forms of danger.

For this spell, you will need
  • A red pouch
  • White thread & a needle
  • amethyst
  • malachite
  • moonstone
  • tigers eye


  1. Sew the Radiho (the R shaped one) rune onto the red pouch. Radiho means wheel and journey.
  2. Add all of the stones and you blessings of protection.
  3. Tie up the pouch and travel away!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Irish Soda Bread Recipe


This is my Nana's Irish Soda Bread recipe.
For this recipe, you will need:
  • 3 1/3 C whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 pint buttermilk (add a bit at a time)

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F
  2. Sieve Flour, Salt, Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar
  3. Make a well in the center of the flour ingredients
  4. Pour in Buttermilk and mix to make a soft dough.
  5. Turn dough on to floured table.
  6. Knead to make a smooth ball.
  7. Press into a round flat, about 2 inches thick.
  8. Place on to floured baking pan.
  9. Cut a cross on the top.
  10. Bake for about 30 minutes.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Lughnasa Incense


For this spell, you will need:
  • 3 parts Frankincense
  • 2 parts Sandalwood
  • 1 part Rose
  • 1 part Chamomile
  • 1 part lemon balm
  • a dedicated coffee grinder (for herbs exclusively)
  • wood or glass mixing bowl
  • glass jar to store incense
  1. Grind up each herb or resin one at at time, adding to the mixing bowl
  2. When ingredients are powdered and in the bowl, mix it up with you hands (or a wooden spoon if you prefer)
  3. As you are combining the powders, use your powers of intention. Themes are harvest, gratitude, Lugh, Sun energy, community.
  4. This incense is powdered for use on a charcoal or open fire.


Monday, July 21, 2008

Lughnasa recipe


In preparation for the First Harvest, Lughnasa (means August in Gaelic) , here is a favorite recipe. Please use organic ingredients where possible.

So Easy, it's a (Rhubarb) Dream
For this recipe, you will need
crust ingredients: 1 Cup flour, 5 Tbs Sugar, 1/4 C butter
filling ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 1/2 Cups Flour, 1/4 salt, 3 Cups Rhubarb, fresh, diced

Preheat oven to 350F.
Blend crust ingredients.
Press into ungreased 9" x 9" pan.
Mix topping ingredients and spoon over crust.
Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes or till crust is golden brown.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Healing & Strength


Witches are known for their powers of healing. Herbs and botanical magic are particular areas of study for one of my covenmates. Some folks are drawn to study, divination, and astrology. Not this gal, she is a wealth of knowledge about healing remedies and magic. When a friend became particularly ill with a infected insect bite, she offered this working on his behalf, in addition to the internal and topical medicines applied. ***

For this spell, you will need:
  • A Strength Tarot card
  • A bowl or chalice
  • Spring water
  • lavender Essential Oil
  • Myrrh resin or incense
  • Charcoal for resin/granuale myrrh
  • White or blue candle
  • Lavender flowers
  • Bell or chime
  • optional: power item of the recipient of the working, a pine cone in this case

  1. Set up altar
  2. East: Myrrh incense
  3. South: White candle anointed with lavender oil. Arrange lavender flowers in a star shape around the candle
  4. West: Chalice with spring water
  5. North: Strength Card and personal item
  6. Cast circle, invoking Brigid, the great mother & Goddess of Healing
  7. East: Spirits of the East, powers of Air. I ask for the dawn of a new day. I ask that all information be made available to heal my friend. I ask that his intuition guide him, that he may know at any given moment, what will heal him quickly with ease and grace. I ask that this be done for his highest good and for the highest good of all.
  8. Light incense
  9. South: Spirits of the South, powers of Fire. I ask that you restore balance in his body and remove the angry heat in his leg. May your light and warmth be a comfort to him. I ask that you transform this disease and infection, with ease and grace. I ask that this be done for his highest good and for the highest good of all.
  10. Light candle
  11. West: Spirits of the West, powers of Water. Brigid, Mother Goddess of us all, I ask that your cooling waters soothe and refresh my friend. May he drink deeply from you healing well, the sacred chalice. I ask that you restore balance to the water in his body with ease and grace. I ask that this be done for his highest good and for the highest good of all.
  12. Sprinkle Water
  13. North: Spirits of the North, powers of Earth. I ask that you he feel your grounding and nurturing support. I ask that he have all the strength and courage needed to be well. I ask that all the foods, plants and minerals that will aid in this healing are provided to him with ease and grace. I ask that this be done for his highest good and for the highest good of all.
  14. Meditate on the Strength card while ringing the bell or chime.
  15. Send the energy and spiral out of the circle (close). Leave the candle lit until it is burned down entirely.

***This is in no way meant to take the place of professional advice from a naturopath, herbalist or physician. Please add your spells to whatever treatment is recommended by your practitioner.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Protection Amulet


For this spell, you will need:
  • red thread
  • a tiger's eye pendant or bead
  • a sprig of fresh bay leaf

  1. Thread the pendant or bead onto the red sting
  2. Tie the thread around the stem of the bay, knotting 3 times
  3. Anchoring the tiger's eye in the center
  4. Criss cross and wrap the thread around the stem either 3 or 9 times, depending on the length of the stem.
  5. Tie a knot 3 times.
  6. Measure the string according to where you are hanging the amulet. Longer for wearing around the neck, shorter for hanging in the car etc.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Full Moon

The Full Moon is a great time to purify and charge your magical tool, including yourself.
For this spell, you will need:
  • The tools (wands, crystals, tarot cards) you wish to cleanse and charge
  • sage wand
  • wooden matches (or a lighter if you must)
  • a white or silver cloth
  • chalice, cup or bowl filled with purified water

  1. If possible, bring your supplies outside under her light.
  2. Ideally, you will be able to leave the items outside safely to charge in the moonlight
  3. If this is not possible, you can bring them inside on a windowsill or other place where the moonlight will shine on them.
  4. Set out the cloth with the tools on them, including the water.
  5. Light the sage, bless yourself and then the tools.
  6. As you work with the sage, imagine the moonlight filling up the yourself and the objects with light and chant, "Mother Goddess, you are the light of the world, may you illuminate my path."
  7. Sit under her light for as long as you like, sleep out there if you are inspired.
  8. In the morning, drink the moon charged water, saying. ""Mother Goddess, you are the light of the world, may you illuminate my body, mind and spirit."

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Greek God Pan


For this spell you will need:
  • An image of Pan
  • A green candle
  • Vetivert Essential Oil (or Pan Oil, the Paganwise has a great recipe here)

  1. Get naked
  2. Set up altar to Pan with image and other offerings
  3. Anoint green candle, place in holder
  4. Read Pan poetry, my favorite is below
  5. Light the candle.

Pan the Hymns of Orpheus trans. by R.C.Hogart

Great Pan, God of the wild
We honor you, ruler of the sky
sea and earth, Light
ensouling all.

The world is yours
Every thing reflects you

Delighted by shady groves'
dancer under the stars
you rule the seasons

Pan, shepherd of goats,
giver of milk, meet and skin,
your horns sprouted
and the world began.

Inspire us
with dance and song.
Protect us from fear.

You love the hunt,
Echo's solitary song
and playful nymphs

All your works
reach fruition.
You rule increase.

Pan, splendid as a cloudless sky
sweet as fruit,
obscure as the deepest cave,
subtle as a snake'

wise as a wolf
no man can resist
your panic.

You hold up the Earth.
You rule the restless sea,
even ancient Ocean, Earth hugger,
loves your law

Air nourishes fire,
fire inspires life.
even the shining blue sky
loves your law.

Protect and care for
matter dancing everywhere.
Grace us.

Lift us, mighty Pan
come near, excite us.
Give us creative power
and freedom from fear.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Peaceful home


You will need:
Glass bottle (2oz, preferably blue) with spray mister
Purified Spring Water
small (to fit in the bottle) piece of Lapis Lazuli
9 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Insert the Lapis Lazuli into the botttle.
Fill halfway with water
Add 9 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Top off with remaining water.
Shake gently.

Spritz yourself and the house, while chanting:

Goddess, Goddess
Bless this house
Make it quiet as a mouse
This is my will,
so it be done.
Now it's time to have some fun!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Love-tini


Consider this a love offering, rather than a love spell.
Invite your sweetie over for a round of love-tinis and you will be merry and naked in no time!
You will need:
  1. Get the rim of the glasses wet with water and dip in sugar (like a margarita, but with sugar instead of salt)
  2. Pour 2 shots Vanilla Vodka, 3 shots Ginger, 2 tsp rosewater over ice in the shaker.
  3. Shake and sing anyone of these songs (Shake it up by the Cars, Twist and Shout by the Beatles, Shake That by Eminem, Shake That Thing by Sean Paul)
  4. Pour the liquid love into the glasses and toast to your love.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Greek Goddess Athena


On the way to dinner tonight, the coven was blessed with an owl sighting. We were discussing new financial opportunities and ways we were growing professionally. Athena blessed us with a physical manifestation and we were in awe as she flew with us for a mile or more.

One of my favorite stories about Athena is about the competition between her and her uncle, the sea god Poseidon. In order to gain the affections of the Greek people, they each were challenged to provide a gift to the nation. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident and gave the city a fountain of flowing salty water. Next, Athena struck the rock with her spear and the first olive tree appeared. The tree provided the people with food, oil, medicine, firewood, and shade. She showed how to crush olives to make oil, that could then be used in a variety of ways. Her gift was considered more valuable than the salty spring from Poseidon and residents of the new city declared Athena the victor. They named the city, Athena, after her and to this very day, an olive tree still stands where this event took place.

For this spell you will need:
  • Athena Anointing Oil (1 Tbsp Organic Olive Oil, 2 drop Lavender oil, 1 drop Bergamot and 1 drop sage oil)
  • A ritual bath or shower
  1. Take a ritual bath or shower, letting all your worries go down the drain with the water.
  2. Visualize Athena's owl, as a protector and your guide.
  3. While naked, take the Anointing Oil and bless yourself.
  4. On the forehead first, then on each cheek, the chin, your palms, the backs of hands, over your heart, over your belly, the tops of your feet and the soles of your feet.
  5. After you are done, say this prayer aloud.

Goddess of the olive tree,
Goddess of the shield and spear,
Goddess of wisdom and clarity,
Bless me with the piercing eyes of the Owl,
so that I may see what few can.
I ask that you guide me today and always.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Anti Poverty Spell


This is a best done on a Sunday, the Golden Day.

You will need:
  • Yellow or gold candle that will burn for 24 hours
  • Lodestone powder
  • Oil for anointing the candle. You may use these singularly or in combination - Cinnamon, Frankincense, Bay and Sandalwood.
  • Image of the Sun on one side of a piece of paper and your written antipoverty inscription on the other side.
  1. Place a pinch of Lodestone powder in the bottom of the candle holder.
  2. Place your anointed candle into the candle holder.
  3. Place the candle on top of your piece of paper with the Sun side facing up.
  4. Chant your antipoverty wish aloud three times as you light the candle at sunrise.
  5. Let candle burn continuously until gone. Never leave a burning candle unattended
Mosiac Mural in Dublin, Ireland. Photo by C. Siobhan Halstead, Shoobee Designs