Crystals That Raise Self-Esteem

Rosemary

Picture provided by: http://georgeweigel.net/favorite-past-garden-columns/cooking-herbs

Rosemary is a pretty hardy herb. It loves heat, it loves the sun, and it's a pretty low maintenance plant. If you're going to use this herb for cooking and you're growing your own, it's best to make sure to cut clippings before the plant blooms. Of if it does bloom then you should cut the blooms off because this makes the herb taste woody. If you're using it for other purposes other than cooking or for adding fragrance to soaps, lotions, your home, etc, then here are a few medicinal qualities that come in handy.

• Improves memory
• Relieves spasms and muscle pain
• Aids in hair growth
• Helps maintain circulatory and nervous systems
• Treats indigestion
• Can work as an antioxidant

You may ingest rosemary by eating it in foods or drinking it in herbal teas. You can also use it in topical creams such as lotion, soaps, salve, and oils. However, here are a few warnings about this herb.

• Do not use this herb if you are pregnant. It acts as an abortifacient which can cause miscarriage.
• If you are on medicines to control blood sugar and are diabetic Rosemary is known to altar blood sugar levels and interfere with the drugs taken for diabetes.
• Rosemary acts as a diuretic so do not take it in addition to other diuretic drugs. It can raise your chances of dehydration.
• Rosemary interferes with the blood's ability to clot so do not take it along with any other blood thinners you may be taking.
• Rosemary interferes with ACE inhibitors taken for high blood pressure

Reference: Rosemary Medicinal Properties

As for the magical properties of Rosemary the famous saying is:

"Rosemary for Remembrance"

Rosemary is most famous for its ability to improve our memories. It is also known to aid in protection, purification, and passion. It is commonly used in love spells as an anointing oil.

Try this!

• Place Rosemary under your pillow to help you remember your dreams
• Place 3 drops of Rosemary oil on a pink candle, let it burn all night and burn itself out to help bring passion and love your way.
• Carry Rosemary on you to help bring you good luck and protection.

Fionnghuala

Note* this one is the Daniel Smith Remix. For the original song click here.

Song: Fionnghuala
Artist: Anúna
Album: Celtic Origins

Basic Meditation

Meditation is a practice in grounding or raising energy. The individual focuses on their inner self and on the energy (life force, chi, prana, etc) that resonates within themselves and around them in the environment. As a person learns the art of meditation, they train their minds to induce a mode of consciousness that benefits the individual.

Meditation is sort of a catch all phrase referring to the strategy of inducing a relaxed state of being, building up energy and focusing on it, and developing quality traits such as compassion, love, understanding, and a sense of interconnectedness to the universe. Meditation helps regulate the mind and ease illnesses. Some of the things that meditation helps with include:

• high blood pressure
• anxiety
• depression
• stress reduction
• reduction in muscle and joint pain
• improves sex life
• aides in keeping calm
• improves recovery from traumatic experiences
• increases focus and concentration

Meditation can be done in multiple ways and not just sitting down in the lotus posture as seen in the above picture. You may lay down and even do meditation while being active. I like to go hiking and mountain biking. Biking is a good way for me to meditate and clear my mind while being out in nature. Some people like to color or drawn while meditating. You may also meditate while chanting the classic "Ommm" sound to stay focused.

Try this!

Take a white candle and sit either on the ground in a lotus posture or in a chair and stare into the candle flames. This is a form of meditation. As you watch the flame dance, clear your mind and feel your muscles and body begin to relax. Let the stress melt away from your body. Do this for 20 minutes each day to keep focused and calm!

How to Make A Cingulum

Pictured above: Element of Earth Cord at http://www.etsy.com/listing/74708023/element-of-earth-cord

The Cingulum is a very important part of a Witch's life. It originates from the Latin word meaning belt or girdle and is to be worn around the waist over the robe during rituals, ceremonies, and initiation. It is seen as representative of binding the God and Goddess to the owner and as the umbilical cord of the Witch.  Depending on the tradition, different colored Cingulums are needed for certain rituals. In my tradition, we are required to make our own Cingulum and it must be red. The Cingulum is composed of three cords braided together and is 9 feet long. It is used to hold the athame or wand at times. It is used in knot magick and binding rituals. The three cords are said to represent the New Moon, Full Moon, and Old Moon.

It is made of natural fibers such as cotton, silk, or wool. To make a Cingulum you will need 3 cords of natural fiber of a color that is representative of your tradition or the magick you wish to perform with it. In my tradition, one end is tied with a loop to signify the ankh and as a symbol of protection. The nine feet represents the nine levels of the nine forces. It must be created on a waxing moon only. It can be consecrated before braiding.

What you will need:

3 cords of 10-12 feet (it will need to be a little longer to account for shrinkage with braiding and the knots)

A tape measure (preferably without metal)

Herbs: vervain mint, basil, rosemary, hyssop, lavender, sage, valerian, and fennel.

Sea Salt

Mortar and Pestle

Incense (use charcoal and incense, not stick)

Things to represent the elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air

1. Cast a Circle
2. Consecrate the Elements
3. Run the Mortar and Pestle through the elements (sprinkle with water first, then salt, then pass through fire and air)
4. Consecrate the Mortar and Pestle before using it to crush the herbs.
5. Run your cords through the 4 elements and do as you did for the mortar and pestle.
6. Start at the ends of the cords and tie a knot.
7. Begin braiding the cords and each time you lap over a braid, repeat: "Wrought to measure, wrought to bind, blessed be these cords entwined."
8. In my tradition, we add knots at certain points along the length of the cord. If your tradition doesn't require that then you can just continue braiding the cord and knot at the end. For us, we make a knot at 0 (the beginning of the cord) at 3.5 feet, at 4 feet, at 4.5 feet, at 5 feet, and at 5.5 feet.
9. Take the crushed herbs and put some into the water and some into the incense.
10. Consecrate your finished Cingulum with the 4 elements once again with the herbs in the water and the incense.
11. Tie it around your waist and knot at the left side and meditate before dismissing the Circle.

Reference: The Way by Rhuddlwn Gawr

Taking Care of Your Candles

Most of us use quite a bit of candles during rituals, ceremonies, spells, meditation, etc. We use the energy from the candle and most of us just toss them away. Some of us reuse the melted wax and others even release the melted wax in running water which is what I try to do for the most part. Sometimes I reuse the wax to make new candles if it came from a candle that was not enclosed in glass or a tea lite.

Candles do a lot for us. They represent the element of fire. They light the darkness so that we may see. They expend their beautiful energy for us to make our spells and rituals powerful. Their colors represent our emotions and many other things. They give their life so that we may make ours a little better than it was before. So, personally, I think that we should take care of them and thank them for their devoted services and life.

Every now and then (probably about once a week) I take all my candles out of the drawer they're in and I set them on my floor. I handle them gently and tenderly, as if they were children. I have many candles, tea lites to pillars, short to tall, every color of the rainbow, scented and unscented. Our candles take care of us so we should take care of them.

The better care you take care of your candles, the better they will take care of you.

Candles are a significant part of rituals and spells. They aid us in our intentions of the Will. By caring for your candles they will work better for you and produce the most energy. When I take them out, I look over them. Some of the candles have been outside in the woods with me for rituals so I clean them with salt water. Then I charge them and cleanse all of them for the next time they are to be used. Once I've finished, I place them back where they belong till they are ready for use.

Not everyone does this, or has time for this, or necessarily has to do this with their candles. However, my candles are lovely and I intend to keep them that way. When they have burned out their last breath, I try to release the wax in running water and tell that last pieces of that candle "thank you".

Simple Solitary Ostara Ritual

Here's a simple ritual that everyone can do to celebrate Ostara or the Spring Equinox! But first, here's a little history on Ostara.

Ostara, or the Spring Equinox, is normally celebrated between March 20th-23rd depending on the year. It is said that the origin of the word Ostara comes from the word Eostre, which is the name for the Germanic Goddess of Spring. Coincidentally, it's also around the same time as Easter and Passover.

Ostara is the time for new crops and the emergence of buds from their seeds in the fertile soil. It's representative of fertility, growth, and renewal. The colors for the season can be seen in dyed eggs that are pastel colors like pink and light green. The animal that is associated with this time of the year is the hare. The reason for this is because of their fertility.

Knowing what the Pagan holiday means will help you in preparing for the ritual. Before you begin the ritual, I would suggest to meditate the principles of Ostara: fertility, growth, and renewal.

Simple Solitary Ostara Ritual

What you will need:

Dyed Eggs

Light Green Altar Cloth

Representations of the 4 Elements (water, salt, red candle, incense)

Candles for the 4 Quarters

Athame or Wand

Small pot

Seeds for your choice of plant

Chalice and plate for Cake

Cauldron filled with soil

All other altar tools, statues, etc.

Sage

Trowel

First, set up your sacred space by cleansing it with sage and decorate your altar according to the season. The dyed eggs will be placed on the altar for decoration and to represent fertility and abundance. Be sure to have all these items on your altar or somewhere within your Circle for access. Once you have finished cleansing your space and setting up your altar you may cast your Circle. (Reference How to Cast A Ritual Circle)

Once completed, recognize the Lord and Lady of the Sabbat and light a candle in their honor. You may want to say something while doing this. After doing so, say:

"On this day of the Spring Equinox, I recognize the changing of the seasons and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This is a new day, the day of Ostara and birth of life from the darkness of the soil."

At this time, place your Athame or Wand into the soil of the cauldron and say:

"I charge this soil of Earth with positive energy, the energy of the God and the Goddess, so what springs forth from it shall be positive and be a product of their love. It shall grow and thrive and follow the cycle of life. So mote it be."

Take your trowel and shovel soil into the pot till it is about halfway full. Take the seeds and place them upon the soil and shovel more dirt over them. As you plant them, meditate on their meaning. Think of them as goals for this year that you wish to bloom. After you have finished say:

"With these seeds shall come life from the darkness into the light and so shall my goals. So mote it be."

Finish the ritual with the Rite of Cakes and Wine. Try a natural bread with fruit and water or juice.

Open the Circle and thank the God, Goddess, and each Guardian/Watchtower.

Reference:

History of Ostara

Ostara Ritual

Benefits of Green Tea

I'm pretty sure everyone has heard of green tea and may have heard about how great it is for the body. However, do you know what green tea actually is? Well, green tea is derived from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that have undergone low amounts of oxidation during the processing stage. It originated in China and is more commonly consumed in Asian cultures. However, it is becoming more popular in the West where it is more traditional to drink black tea because of the amazing health benefits.

Spiritually, green tea is said to bring the drinker riches, courage, and strength. It's also supposed to bring the drinker a calming sense.

Lavender

Picture from: http://www.countryliving.com/outdoor/gardening/lavender-0908#slide-1

Lavender is a great plant to have around. It attracts bees and butterflies but is deer and rabbit resistant. It loves to be placed in a sunny space. It inspires feelings of peace and serenity and gives off a calming energy. Although it is a beautiful purple flower, it has found its way into shampoos, lotions, oils, food, and more. The best way to use its healing capabilities is to use it as tinctures, oils, in teas, in food, and as salve. Here are a few things lavender can be used for.

• Lavender oil is a good antiseptic and can be used to clean scrapes and cuts. The oil comes from the actual flower part and not the leaves or seeds.
• It reduces anxiety and nervousness. You can make a lavender sachet to hang around the house or carry with you.
• It can be used to cure headaches. You can take some lavender oil and massage it into your temples.
• Lavender oil can be used as a muscle relaxant and when massaged into the skin it helps unknot muscles and reduces spasms.
• Using lavender as an oil diffuser helps cure insomnia. I, personally, like to drink it as a tea before going to bed.
• When taken as a diluted essence it can help with conditions such as depression, hysteria, and fainting.

Reference: http://www.health-mind-body.com/lavender.html

Soothing Lavender Bath

What you will need:

Essential Lavender Oil

Lavender herb (optional)

Lavender candle (optional)

You may use one or all of these things in your bath. Place 5-10 drops of lavender oil into your bath water. Mix the water and oil with your hand. You may want to place some lavender herb into your bath as well. Anoint the candle with the oil and light it so that the scent of lavender fills the air. Relax and enjoy!

Born of Water

Song: Born Of Water
Artist: Lindie Lila
Album: Return Of The Goddess, Sacred Chants For Women

Video at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwId95VC49M

Things to Do on A New Moon

So tonight is a New Moon and you know what that means! It means it's a time of new beginnings. This is a time to set new goals or revamp your old ones. Here are a few things you can do on the new moon.

 

• Set some new goals! These may either be short term or long term. They can help you get motivated in the times to come. Try making a list of these goals and putting it in a place where you will always see it as a reminder of what you have accomplished and what needs to be accomplished.
• Honor the Crone! For those who follow the three aspects of the Goddess, the New Moon is representative of the Crone aspect. She is the embodiment of wisdom.
• Rid yourself of negativity! To make way for your new beginning, what better way than to cleanse yourself of the negativity that clings to you? Do a sage cleansing or scraping off of negativity.
• Become more in tune with nature! Take a nice long walk through nature tonight and breathe in some of the fresh air. If it's raining then crack a window open or keep the blinds open to let in some of the beauty of nature from outside.
• Cast a spell! The new moon is a good time to try for new job opportunities, good fortunes, and prosperity.
• Meditation and Grounding! Try giving a little back to the Earth. Meditate on a green or brown candle and send some of your love and energy back into the dark soil to help with growth and rejuvenation.
• Do a Ritual! Do a ritual for cleansing, purification, or new beginnings. Make it specific to your needs!

Stay safe on this New Moon and Blessed Be! )O(

Book Review: Crafting Wiccan Traditions by Raven Grimassi

Recently, I finished a book titled Crafting Wiccan Traditions by Raven Grimassi. It's not exactly a book for beginners in the Craft. In fact, if you're a beginner I would not suggest reading this book as it for intermediates. You may find useful information if you are a beginner but if you are looking for information and understanding, I would look for a book such as Scott Cunningham's Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner or Raymond Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft at least to build some sort of understanding of basics.

This book is aimed towards those that are seeking to create their own coven or sect of Wicca and how they can incorporate elements to make that happen. These elements would include, rituals, mythos, Gods and Goddesses, Book of Shadows, initiation, and rites. Each chapter goes into a thorough detail of how you can get your coven or tradition up and running smoothly.

However, I would suggest that before anyone decides to follow the advice in this book to seriously think about their goals, ambitions, intention, and path. I would also suggest that one should have formal training before deciding to just become a High Priest or Priestess of a tradition. It takes more than reading a book or reading things online. It also takes practice, dedication, and commitment.

This book contains many diagrams that clearly explain symbols and their meanings, rituals, altar placements, evoking and banishing pentagrams, positions within the Circle, and much more. This book will definitely give insight to a lot of different elements that are involved in the Craft, however this is for people who have some kind of foundation to build on.

Picture from: http://www.ravengrimassi.net/craftingtrad.html

Magic in Childlike Eyes

Magic in Childlike Eyes

Galloping in lush sultry fields of sun kissed flowers

splayed out on the grounds of ancestors longingly

searching for remnants of pieces shattered

when winter came to take life away on wings

of silver moon dust to undiscovered treasure

coves deep beneath the sapphire blue and

emerald greens of an ocean made of dreams.

As the tide rolled in upon the Earth’s gravity

came the rush of ecstasy when those pieces

shattered came together to form the most

perfect puzzle solved like the pinpoints of stars

when connecting them to create astrological

symbols of zodiac signs then to realize you

were staring upon the wrong set of stars all along.

And yet the imagination comes to rescue its child

giving life to inanimate objects and secret friends

of different stories to play along to the feelings

of the host to dull the sense of loneliness that

envelopes the soul when lost in a big world

without the love needed to sustain a life smaller

and weak in the eyes of nature’s troubles.

For one moment all the magic in the world

seems to be real and as true as that treasure

cove out in the deep vast mind of any child

who sees the world with open eyes that tell them

 all they need to know in this life filled with shades

 of gray and voids of passion and interest in the

simple pleasures we all used to be familiar with.

Playing with imaginary creatures hiding in that

lush field and running as if life itself depends on it

we find the cold grip of the once beautiful world

grasping magic by the throat and strangling it

till all the love felt in those days has drifted off

and found root in a desert with the other old stuffed

animals and makeshift forts that seemed to disappear.

Spinning around and clicking heels together in

one last attempt to return to days of enchantment

in a world that has slowly killed the one thing that

makes happiness feel more real and more intense

than growing older and wiser ever could can never be

redeemed after one has forgotten the magic and has

turned away from the childlike ways of imagination.

Who is the Goddess?

Title: Who is the Goddess?
Artist: Moonrise

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKKvNX8073Y

Peppermint

Picture from: http://purehomeandbody.com/essential-oils-2/single-and-blended-essential-oils/singleoils/peppermint/

Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs. I love using it in my herbal teas! Here's a little information on this fragrant herb's healing properties. Peppermint can be used internally or externally. When taking it internally it can treat morning sickness, nausea, excessive gas, and helps immensely with putting your gastric intestinal tract back on track. Externally, it can be used to ease the upper respiratory tract, to treat itching and skin burns, ringworm, and can be used to ward off bugs.

This plant can help clear the mind and can relieve headaches. It can also aid you in helping your body heal from the flu or a cold. It can also help with muscle pain especially in joints.

Try this!

Peppermint and Lavender Tea

1 part peppermint

1 part lavender

Boil a quart of water. Place peppermint and lavender in a teaball and place into the boiling water. Let it steep for 15 minutes. Add honey or sugar for sweetening.

*Note: this tea may have a relaxing effect that may cause drowsiness as lavender helps with insomnia.