Valentine's Day is the most important day of the year for lovers. But if you are still looking for yours, here's a magical way to help you find your true Valentine.
You'll need:
1 grey and 1 white pebble, red marker pen; river
The two pebbles represent male and female. Using the red pen, write your name on the white pebble and a question mark on the grey pebble. On the night of a Full Moon, take both pebbles to a river or a body of flowing water and throw them in. Within 28 days you should meet your true Valentine.
There are many spells that can help with alleviating painful headaches, but this particular one has excellent results. Try adding a couple of drops of lavender and geranium essential oil into a bowl of warm water. Soak a flannel in the water and place over your forehead. Breathe deeply and repeat over and over: 'My pain is melting away'.
You will need: A basil plant Red ribbon Two red candles
Basil is believed to possess magical properties and increase the chances of conception. Carefully snip off a little bunch from your plant and tie the red ribbon in a bow round the stems, making a bouquet. Hang the basil over your bed and light the red candles. Be sure to make love that night. When the basil starts to wilt, replace it with a fresh bunch, to keep your fertility tip-top.
Collect rose petals after the dew has disappeared in the morning. Place all but one of the rose petals on white paper to dry the moisture. The petals will need turning to dry completely. On the remaining rose petal, prick your name with a pin above the name of the one who you want to date you. Pour the other petals into a handkerchief or pretty scarf and sprinkle them with powdered orrisroot (available online or herbal supply shops), mixing and crumbling the two together until you have a fine powder. Put the still-whole petal bearing your names on top of the mixture. Scoop the ingredients into a ball shape and tie a red ribbon around them. Sleep with the spell pouch under your pillow and you will not be alone much longer!
At midnight, light a golden candle in your bedroom. Write your lover's name on a small piece of white paper and put the piece of paper besides your bed. Place a vase with a rose in it on top of the paper bearing your lover's name. Look into the candle flame and dwell upon your lover saying: "Tonight I shall dream of true love." Snuff out the candle get into bed, and enjoy loving dreams. When the rose fades, remove the petals and scatter your dreams into the wind.
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If you've been feeling a bit depressed of late you may find that this simple but effective spell may help.
What to do
Go outdoors on the first clear day that comes along and open your arms to the clear blue sky. Next ask to feel joy in the good weather repeated in other things.
Afterwards light a sky-blue candle, and wish for pure happiness. Don't be specific to any one thing – just let providence choose for you. You can repeat this as often as you like throughout the day, and you'll be granted happiness in something important before a week is up.
Write the gossiper's name in blue ink on a small square of purple paper.
Place the piece of paper into a small, empty bottle, then fill the bottle with garlic cloves or powder. Bury the bottle outside or in an indoor pot to stifle the gosspers words.
Wiccans have a positive view death seeing it as part of the natural cycle of endings and rebirth and because of this belief in the afterlife and reincarnation, they tend not to fear it. They call a funeral 'the Requiem' or the 'Rites of Departure'. Most Wiccans are cremated as they don't support the use of embalming fluids or airtight coffins that are sealed off from nature.
A 'sending ceremony' takes places place prior to a cremation, where close friends and family gather round a wicker casket laced with flowers. Each guest places a gift, such as a crystal or a message written on a card, on top of the casked while saying their goodbyes.
Following the cremation, the ashes are taken to the person's favourite tree, where they are buried or scattered. Coloured ribbons are tied to the branches so that they send prayers to the angels across the winds. Finally, all guests light a white candle and drink a glass or wine to toast the passing of their loved one.
To encourage a lover back all you need is a box of new pins, an onion, and the desire for your partner's love.
Begin on a Friday night by pressing one pin into the onion. Imagine you are putting a thought into your lover's mind, as you pierce the onion with pin, say:
It is not this onion I wish to stick,
But your mind and heart I wish to prick.
You'll think of me night and day,
Until with words you arrive and say, " I Love You."
Leave the onion in the sunlight, to invoke enlightenment.
This spell must be repeated for seven consecutive nights, preferably at the same time each evening. When the onion has seven pins in it your spell is completed. Plant the onion in the open with love's blessings.
If you feel you need a little magical help to improve your flirting techniques then try this simple spell.
Items Needed:
13 daisy petals 1 tablespoon of lavender bath salt or some lavender petals. Pinch of cinnamon Cheesecloth Pink or red candle
Taking this magical bath before you go out for an evening of romance should really help boost your sex appeal. In your bath water, place some daisy and lavender petals, a pinch of cinnamon, and place a candle at the side of the bath. Choose a pink candle for romance, or red for passion. Daisies represent innocent love, while cinnamon adds a touch of spice. Light your candle and fill the tub. Place the flowers and spice in a cheesecloth bag, and let them diffuse in the bath. Climb in, relax, and visualize the kind of lover you want. Don’t use soap or any other bath products. When you’re ready to get out, snuff out the candle with wet fingers. Do not rinse off, but simply towel dry. The magic of the bath will stay with you all night.
Camomile tea can be used to magically cleanse your system and help shift that excess weight. Make a brew, and as you sip it, imagine yourself at your ideal weight. When the tea is finished, repeat this mantra:
'I cleanse my soul to reach my goal, The power of will I shall instill. Healthy within, slender and slim. So mote it be.’
Repeat at least once a day, especially when you feel your willpower flagging!
Two teaspoons of raspberry leaf loose tea Boiling water
The day before your test, put the raspberry leaf loose tea in a pot and add boiling water. Steep for five minutes, then strain into a cup. Place your left hand above the cup and say out loud that you wish to stay calm and focused in your test. Then drink the tea. Repeat three times in total that day, the third time just before you leave the house to take the test.
Place the two candles somewhere where they won’t be disturbed, place the rose quartz midway between them, and leave for a month. Light the candles each day for 15 minutes and focus on the two of you becoming a committed couple. When you blow out the candles, place them a little closer together. Once the candles are touching either side of the quartz, tilt them towards each other so there’s just one flame burning from the two wicks. Let the wax drop on to the stone until it’s completely covered. Give the gemstone to your partner, and have him keep it close, ideally touching his skin. Or put it under your bed on the side he sleeps on.
When: Waxing Moon, preferably on a Friday when you're with the one you love.
This spell is designed to draw the one you love closer to you. Choose whichever oil you like best and pick your candle colour according to what you are tyring to accomplish. Pink represents love, red represents passion, and orange represents balance.
During the Waxing Moon, before you're going to be with the one you love, put several drops of the oil you've selected into your burner. Dip two fingers into the oil and anoit the candle with oil. Remove the suit of cups from your deck of tarot cards - it represents affairs of the heart. Then, select the king, queen and 9 of cups (the wish card) Place the three cards on a table top, between the candle and the burner.
Light the burner and your candle, and state your wish. Be specific. Imagine it happening. Blow the candles out when you're finished, anoit them again with the oil, and place them in the area where you and your lover will be spending time together. when the two of you are in that room, make sure the candles are burning.
On the night of the Full Moon, light the candles again, state your wish once more, then snuff out the flames rather than blowing them out. Throw out the candles when you've finished and wait for the magic to happen.
Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, was stunned last year to learn that one of her relatives was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials and narrowly avoided being burnt at the stake. Sarah Jessica made the shocking discovery when she traced her family roots for a TV programme.
The actress learned the shocking secret when appeared on the American version of the popular British series Who Do You Think You Are.
Sarah Jessica became emotional when told that her 10th great-grandmother Esther Ellwell was one of the innocent victims accused in the 1692 trials.
And the star couldn’t hide her relief when she found out that Ellwell was saved after the witchcraft trial court disbanded just weeks before her hearing.
The 45-year-old who coincidentally played a witch in the 1993 hit movie Hocus Pocus, later admitted that she had been deeply changed by the discoveries.
Starting on a Friday, place the candles on either end of a fireplace or table. Light the candles and spend half an hour thinking about how happy you’d be together. Now blow out the candles and move them an inch closer. Do this every day until the candles touch. By then you should be organising your first date!
You suddenly start feeling nervous and unsettled in your own home for no reason
The temperature may drop suddenly
You start hearing or seeing things
Objects move on their own or vanish completely
You often get the feeling that you are being watched
You feel exhausted, depressed or unwell but your doctor can't find any medical cause
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you suspect you or your home might have a negative spirit attachement you can either contact a local priest for advice or get in touch with the Spirit Release Foundation
www.spiritrealease.com
You can also contact the Spiritulalists National Union, www.snu.org.uk
No one likes paying taxes, but a group of Romanian witches took it particularly badly when a new law was introduced earlier this year making their profession liable for income tax.
The unhappy Wiccans responded by cursing government officials!
Twelve witches created the curse by throwing posionous mandrake plants into the River Danube to put an hex on government officials 'so evil will befall them'.
Danube, Bratara Buzea, 63 (pictured left) a witch who was imprisoned for practising the craft in 1977, said: "My curses always work. We do harm to those who harm us"
The dew that gathers on Midsummer's Eve is said to have magical properties.
It's even believed to heal the sick and make the blind see!
Decant drops of dew into a bottle and mix in a couple of drops of rosemary esential oil. Add to baths when you want to feel strong, or spinkle around your home for protection.
Garlic is well-known for keeping vampires at bay, but did you know that if you hang a string of 12 garlic bulbs over your front door it's said to banish jealousy or someone's ill wishes
According the World Health Organization, (WHO) there are more sorcerers and witches practising medicine in Russia than there are doctors!
Data collected by the WHO recently found that there were about 800,000 occult healers in the former Soviet country, compared to just 640,000 professional doctors.
Interest in the paranormal really took off in the final years of the USSR, when psychic healers Anatoly Kashpirovsky and Allan Chumak became huge stars and drew TV audiences of millions as they demonstrated their sixth senses. Even today shows like "Bitva Ekstrasensov" (Battle of Psychic) enjoy prime time slots on Russian TV.
If you're undecided between two lovers, gypsy magic can help.
Take two tulip bulbs. With a new pin scratch the name of one of your admirers on each bulb. Remembering which bulb represents which lover, plant the bulbs beside each other in a pot, window box, or garden.
The Gypsies believe that the bulb that blooms first will reveal the admirer who is most deserving of you.
You will need: One tablespoon of garlic salt A few sprigs of fresh mint, chopped (or one tablespoon of dried mint) A fireproof dish or bucket
Place the garlic salt and mint in the fireproof dish. Write ‘protection from intruders’ in ink on a piece of paper. Light the paper and add to the dish so the mixture smoulders. When the moon is waxing, take the cool ashes and bury them in the ground close to your house as you say:
‘I sanctify and clear this place, Let all that trespass be banished with haste
This spell is from Valerie Worth's "The Crones Book Of Words."
When world and fate Conspire to mark Your life with lines And characters dark, Mould a tablet Of earth or clay, Write on it all You would cast away- All you regret, All that you bear, All that afflicts you, All that you fear- Break it and bury it In the ground, saying this charm To heal the wound:
"Sorrow be dust And dust dissolve: Let my grief Go into this grave."
Even if your wish seems out-of-reach or impossible don’t despair try using this simple spell. This is a white magic spell so it's power is based on not interfering with anyone’s free will.
Items you will need
A light blue or white candle
A piece of paper
A pen
Faith that ‘all things are possible’
Write your name and date of birth on the piece of paper, followed by your wish.
End it with this: 'While many without faith may dismiss I promise I will always believe in this wish And in the things I am yet to learn So grant me this wish I soulfully yearn'
Fold the paper 3 times.
Now light the candle and burn the paper whilst repeating the phrase above.
Move the candle to somewhere safe and let it burn out.
NOTE: It may take some time for the wish to happen, but eventually it will, unless what you wished for wasn't white magic or the spirits saw it wasn't what you needed, although this happens very rarely.
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In these days of high unemployment if you're searching for work or perhaps just looking for a better job you may find details of how to make this good luck job charm of interest
So if you have an interview looming large, or you're hoping for promotion why not seek a little magical help to improve your chances of securing the job of your dreams! This charm will help boost your confidence and convince future employers that they really should give you a chance to show just how talented you really are!!
On a Sunday take a clean handkerchief, preferably green in colour, and lay it flat with one of the corners pointing towards you. Place three cardamom seeds, a bay leaf and a sprig of rosemary (or a teaspoon of dried herbs) in the centre.
These herbs are believed to surround you in self-confidence and attract positive energy. The cardamom seeds are traditionally believed to sweeten your personality and bring out your natural eloquence. Bay leaves are the ancient Roman symbol of success and triumph, whilst rosemary is a herb of achievement and mental alertness.
Then tie the corners of the handkerchief together with a length of thread or string so that you have a bundle of herbs small enough to carry with you to job interviews.
Before each interview hold the little bundle and touch it to your forehead, keep it there while you close your eyes and visualize yourself walking into the interview room, radiating confidence. Imagine yourself wowing the interviewer(s) with your personality. Visualize yourself being in a position to pick and choose jobs at will.
Carry the charm in your pocket or bag to all your interviews and be sure to accept any possible rejections as a sign from the universe that this job was not right for you. When you come across a job that is perfect for you, your charm will help you get it.
I passed this charm to a lady who had been unemployed for several years.
She was of the opinion she would never work again. Her self-esteem was at rock bottom. But, once she started carrying the charm to interviews within two months she was back in the work force and re-starting her life. Why not try it. It may work faster than you can ever imagine!!
Candle magic is said to be one of the most effective and simple forms of spell-casting. It is commonly used by pagans and witches - followers of the pagan philosophy of Wicca - but we have almost all used it at some point, even if we do not realise it. Ever blown out the candles on a birthday cake while making a wish? It really can be as simple as that, but it can also be more elaborate if you choose.
Before you begin, you obviously need to have a clear idea of what it is that you wish to achieve. Think this through carefully, considering if it is what you really want and how your intended outcome might affect others. It is always good to bear in mind that the Wiccan rede, or law, "an harm it none do as ye will", was written for a reason and anything that does not sit comfortably with this is grey magic at best.
Choosing your Candle
Once you are sure of both your objective and your motives you can choose the colour of your candle. Colour has an important impact on how we think and feel. This is equally important in magic. If you can't find the colour you need, white is all things and will always suffice. Never feel you have to use a colour you don't like as the negativity could affect your outcome.
A Brief Summary of Colours
Gold - The sun, attraction, money, autumn
Silver - Overcomes negativity, the moon
White - Truth, purity, spirit, peace
Red - The south, summer, fire, sex, life force, energy, passion
Orange - Adapting to different circumstances, motivation
Purple/Dark Blue - Water, west, protection, psychic abilities, spirituality, knowledge
Brown - Grounding, winter, security, stability, earth
Black - Release of deep negative energy, banishing
Naming the Day
You may also wish to pick an appropriate day on which to use your candle. Different days have different planetary influences and are believed to be governed by different deities concerned with different areas of life.
Once you have chosen your candle, you might like to decorate it. You can do this in any way you choose, the more personal the better. You can use ribbon, runes, astrological symbols, or anything at all. You may also wish to anoint your candle with an appropriate oil, whatever feels right for you. Decorating your candle helps you to focus your intent for the spell.
Sacred Space
Before you actually begin your spell, it is useful to create a sacred space in which to work. This not only helps very much in focusing and being relaxed enough, but also keeps friendly energies in and negative ones out. There are many ways to create a sacred space, from the simplest to the most elaborate - used either when you have the time or most likely for reasons of ritual - and this is quite a personal thing: over time, you will find your own ways. To get started, though, sit comfortably with a plain white candle burning and all you'll need for your spell to hand, including your specially selected spell candle. You should also remove any jewellery or watches and switch off the phone and television to remove outside distractions.
While focusing your attention on the white candle's flame, take deep breaths, breathing in the world around you. Try to feel the white light of the candle tingle along the whole length of your spine, and slowly breathe out all your worries and the everyday world. Once you feel completely relaxed and at peace imagine a bubble of bright blue light surrounding you. If you wish you could also say a few words, such as:
North, east, south and west, help me with the magic you know best, earth, air, fire and water please guard and bless me from your quarter. Hail and welcome.
Moving your plain white candle to one side and lighting your coloured candle, you may wish either to speak your objective out loud or to write it as a rhyme and then burn the paper in the candle's flame. You may also choose to bury the ashes outside. If you want to, you can add herbs, flowers, a photograph, or whatever feels appropriate and will aid your focus on the object of your spell. However, you must always end any spell with: For the good of all and harm to none, so mote it be now it is done - or words to that effect. This ensures that if your spell is not for the good of all it will not work, so sparing you karmic consequences!.
After you have finished your spell, say 'thank you' to your deity of choice and allow your spell candle to burn down in a safe place such as a ceramic pot. The white one can be extinguished.
**This healing spell is not intended to replace conventional veterinary treatment which we all have an obligation and responsibility to seek if our pet is unwell. It should rather be seen as complimentary treatment and support to any professional treatment advised. But just like humans, pets respond well to a little magickal healing help! So it's well worth a try.
You will need:
Lavender oil
Camphor Oil
Rosemary Oil
Base Oil (Apricot Kernal, Jojoba, Grapeseed, or Olive Oil are good)
A Black Candle
A Red Candle
A Brown Candle
Several stones or crystals
Mix some healing oil, using:
6 drops Lavender oil
6 drops Camphor oil
6 drops Rosemary oil
1/2 ounce base oil (apricot kernel, jojoba, grapeseed, even olive oil)
Anoint a black candle, a red candle and a brown candle with this healing oil. The black is for absorption of the negativity (the illness), the red is for strength and health, and the brown is an "astral" or "significator" candle for the animal. Place the brown candle between the black and red candles, and make a ring of stones around the set-up, using stones or crystals that you associate with healing (amethyst, quartz, agate...you choose whichever type or combination of types). Place some of the oil in your hands, and begin to rub them together, generating heat and energy. When you feel that you've built a small "bundle" of healing energy, place your hands on your pet, stroking it and giving it the healing energy you've built, making sure to concentrate on any areas where you feel or sense the illness. Focus on the candles, continuing to maintain contact with your pet, and visualise the strength from the red candle pouring into the brown candle, and pushing all the sickness into the black candle. Attune with the Goddess, and when you've got a good grip on the visualisations above (and the animal!), say:
"Goddess, with your healing touch Bless this animal we love so much. God, with beasts as your domain, Remove the sickness, heal the pain. So mote it be!"
Continue the stroking and energy flow until you feel that the spell is done, then allow the animal plenty of time to rest and heal. Obviously, if you wish to perform this spell in a cast circle, that's your choice. If you wish to continue the spell for a number of days (I'd suggest at least 3 days), and your pet has a special place where it rests or "lives" (such as a cage, etc.), ring this area, if possible, with the stones, place a red candle on one side of the area and a black candle on the other (anointed with the healing oil); focus on the red candle and project its energy into area with your pet, visualising the illness being pushed out the other side, since there's no room for it, and into the black candle. Rub the oil onto your hands and stroke it into/onto the animal's body as often as you feel necessary.
**If you are not familiar with aromotherapy oils you should seek professional advice as if you do not mix them correctly they can cause skin irritation.
This powerful love spell was sent in by one of Psychic Reach's readers, Debbie.
Debbie says "This spell really does work. I have used it and actually I met my husband just a few weeks after I performed it. It is very specific and must be followed exactly."
Best Night: Friday Best Moon: Full
Things you will need:
1 sheet of lined paper
1 red pen or marker
1 letter envelope
Your favorite perfume
Your favorite shade of red lipstick
A few pink or red flower petals
Write out the qualities you want in a lover on the sheet of paper using the pen.
Next spritz the paper with your perfume.
Fold the paper and place it in the envelope.
Now take the flower petals, hold them in your right hand. Envision yourself happy and in love, squeezing the petals tight in your hand. Keep envisioning this scene.
Drop the petals into the envelope. Seal the envelope closed and seal the whole spell with a kiss. Apply the red lipstick and kiss the envelope!
Place in a safe place. NEVER open it again. If you do, the spell will be broken.
Note: Do not use characters or qualities specific to a certain person. The spell will not work that way
From the time the Romanies arrived in Britain in the fifteenth century, they protected themselves with a positive attitude. Whatever wasn’t good wasn’t even worth thinking about, and they focused on their search for happiness and talismans forecasting good luck.
The Romanies believe that it’s extremely luck to find a key. It means that you will soon be opening a door to success in love, marriage, or work, or even something very specific, such as getting a new car. No matter what form happiness is guaranteed.
But the good news is that you can still harness the good luck of a key without finding one by taking your own personal key and carrying out the following ritual:
With the key at hand, light a white candle. On a piece of paper, draw a door that will open to your wish.
Pour some candle wax on the drawing of the door and place the key in the wax, to weld the two together. Let the wax cool. Fold the paper around the key to form a neat envelope or parcel. Generously seal all the edges with more wax from the candle. Blow out the candle.
At night, toss the parcel into a fire, imagining as vividly as possible the door you are passing through. Pour all your energies into the flames and visual your wish being sent out into the universe. The spell has been cast. Don't dwell on your wish, because such thoughts drag it back to earth and sap its energy. Have faith. Believe in the spell and it may come into being in the strangest of ways!
When you feel under stress and need to assert yourself, use this girdle of fire magic tip and your detractors will be eating out of your hand
Picture a belt of fiery flames sitting upon your waist. It extends out, giving you space to breathe, and keeping any harmful comment or thoughts at bay. The girdle supports you, its heat stirring the fire in your root and sacral chakras, so that you are quite literally ‘firing on all cylinders!’
A red flannel or chamois bag filled with a wishbone (from the back of a chicken), a pebble taken from a graveyard and a ginseng root is said to be a powerful good luck spell that will draw money to you.
The most effective magical charms, powders and oils intended for use in love spells are best created and performed on a Friday. This day is said to be the sacred day of the planet Venus, the astrological patron of love
In the 20 century ley lines became part of modern folklore, perhaps better described as New Age beliefs.
It all started one day in the 1920s when a photographer named Alfred Watkins was walking on the Bredwardine Hills. As he looked from his high vantage pont across the Hereford landscape he was suddenly struck by the concept of lines traversing the countryside to link pathways and ancient buildings and monuments.
Excited by the idea he hurried home and on an Ordnance Survey map ruled straight lines and linked stone circles, old churches, holy wells and other relics from the path.
As more and more lines connected such features on his map Watkins came to the conclusion that he had discovered a system of straight lines that had been used by the Ancient Britons and later inhabitants of Britain as paths across the then road less island.
After a spending much time in further research Watkins eventually published his theories in 'The Old Straight Track', which created a vogue for seeking 'the leys', the name he gave the invisible lines, across the countryside of Britain.
Since the publication of Watkins’ book, ley lines have come to be regarded as something other than convenient pathways. As most mystical sites are situated on ley lines and psychic manifestation is associated with their junctions it has been suggested that they are channels for ‘geometric power’. Watkins did not claim the lines were anything more than ancient tracks, yet the last sentence of his book became an inspiration for ley hunters and New Age enthusiasts alike: “I feel that ley-man, astronomer-priest, druid, bard, wizard, witch, palmer and hermit, were all more or less linked by one thread of ancient knowledge of power, however degenerate it became in the end."
To give someone the ‘evil eye’ is a well-known saying but did you know that it has origins in the belief in witchcraft?
One of the most feared aspects of witchcraft was the Evil Eye, the ability of a witch to inflict ill luck and even death by staring at the victim.
In the west of England the practice is known as ‘overlooking’ and there is no shortage of stories about crops been ruined and animals becoming diseased by a witch gazing across a farm.
Belief in the Evil Eye dates back to Roman times and was not restricted to the witches of Britain but was – and in many cases still is – dreaded in different cultures around the world.
Protection was given to animals by hanging bells from their collars and to children in the form of red ribbons which they wore beneath their clothing.
It’s said the most effective way to stop the power of the Evil Eye is to spit in it!
One method by which witches believed they could commit murder was explained by Elizabeth Southern, better known as ‘Olde Demdike’, when she confessed to witchcraft at the Pendle Witch trials, at Lancaster Assize Court in 1612.
She declared that in order to kill someone by sorcery witches would: 'Make a Picture of clay, like unto the shape of the person whom they meant to kill, and dry it thoroughly, and when they would have them to be ill – and…have any part of the body to consume away – then take part of the Picture and burn it. And when they would have the whole body to consume away, then take the remnant of the said Picture and burn it, and so thereupon by that means the body will die.'
An example of the power of a witch’s spell was recorded in Yeovil, Somerset, in 1657.
According to the account at her trial a young boy, forgetting his parent’s warnings, accepted an apple from an old woman reputed to be a witch.
Evidence given at her trial stated that no sooner had he bitten into the apple than ‘he rose in the air and flew about 300 yards’.
With such charges laid against her the witch had little chance in a culture of superstition and fear – she was found guilty and hanged the following year.
A magical love spell to help you decide which lover to choose:
If you’re lucky enough to have several suitors but can’t decide which one's for you then here’s a simple little spell to help you decide:
Items required: White candle, oil of your choice (jasmine, almond and rosehip are all excellent), apple pips.
Suggested lunar phase: Best done when there’s a full moon.
First, dress the candle with oil, moving from both ends to the centre of the candle.
Next, take as many fresh apple pips as you have suitors and stick them in a line around the candle, naming each pip after each one of your suitors as you do so. Now light the candle and watch to see which pips falls first. The last pip to fall from the candle is the one you should choose.
There are countless little magical charms and amulets traditionally used to protect yourself and your property from harm. Some of the most effective are outlined below.
Mirrors are said to frighten away dark spirits and tiny pieces of silvered glass are often sew into Indian cotton dresses as are bells which are also used for this purpose.
A tiny silver bell worn about the neck is a very potent protective charm as evil spirits are said to hate the sweet ring of any bell.
Mistletoe, carried in a little hand sewn cloth bag is an ancient Celtic method of protecting the self and is also used by the followers of magic from America’s South.
Marjoram or wild oregano is believed to absorb dangerous negative energies when powdered and sprinkled around the home. In Italy the followers of Italian witchcraft make this herb into a tea and add to the water when washing clothes to protect the home and inhabitants.
Cuban and Puerto Rican followers of the folk religion known as "santeria" regularly burn brown sugar, a pinch of sulphur and garlic powder on charcoal within their homes to cleanse them of negative energies.
Travellers are especially in need of protection when in a foreign land. A tiny mirror smeared with a clove of garlic and placed beneath the bed is said to protect the sleeper when away from home. The mirror may be also carried for the same purpose.
The herb Sage symbolises domestic virtue, wisdom, skill, esteem, longevity, good health and brings protection. And, it's said that Sage leaves hung above the threshold will trap dark energies and prevent them entering the home.
Also Sage tea with salt added may be sprinkled about the home in every corner to lift the "Chi" and disperse negative energies.
Sage has a long and respected history -the Romans considered it to be a sacred herb and held highly elaborate ceremonies for its planting and harvesting. A sage gatherer would have a ceremonial bath to ensure his feet were clean and pure before walking on the earth where the sage grew. After bathing, offerings of bread and wine would be made to the soil before finally harvesting.
There is also an old saying, of Greek origin, 'How can a man die when sage is growing in the garden?'
The Book of Shadows is the name used for a book that contains magical and religious texts in the religion of Wicca and other witchcraft traditions.
A Book of Shadows typically contains details of the witch’s personal spells, rituals, practices, ethics and philosophy of Wicca.
In British” Traditional Wicca”, which generally revolves around the structure of the coven, the book is traditionally copied by hand from that of one’s initiating High Priestess or Priest, who copied theirs in turn from their initiator.
But in” Eclectic Wiccan” (solitary practitioners) a Book of Shadows is usually a personal journal of the witch’s journey in witchcraft.
Witches usually make their own books but for “the curious ” like most things these days “The Book of Shadows” has been commercialised and can be found for sale in New Age shops and even on EBay.
