The Witch’s Desk~ Choosing Your Craft Name

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Amythyst Raine

From The Witch’s Desk

Hi I’ve been reading through all your wonderful information & soaking it all up like a sponge, there is one thing I’d like to ask.. How does one find their (craft name)? I look forward to your reply! I am ready to be fully witch now! Bless Be )0(

____________________

Your name…I remember when the realization first struck me that I had the power to choose my own name, a name that would align me with magickal energies and entities, gods and goddesses, a name that would come from something deep within me and from some power beyond me. It was a stunning “Aha” moment in my evolution on this incredible spiritual path.

How do you find your Craft Name?

The more that you read and study and absorb, the more you will be exposed to new connections in nature and the magickal world– herbs; trees; animals; gods and goddesses. You will be exposed to all sorts of new experiences, unfolding as new perspectives, and magickal connections. And you will very quickly realize that certain things in this new world are touching you in a very personal way that somehow or other transcends the natural world as we knew it before this journey began.

When you recognize these new connections, take note of them…your Craft Name is in here somewhere. And the really strange thing about this is that you might realize that you’ve always had an affinity with a particular animal, plant, flower, herb, divinity, etc., and you never realized the monumental meaning and nuance of this connection– until now. It was there all the time, just waiting for the door to open.

In the Self-Initiation Ritual that I wrote, it’s significant that when you enter the circle, you enter and begin the ritual by announcing yourself to the Universe and the Powers that Be, with your legal given name:

“I, (name), have entered this circle in perfect love and perfect trust. I am ready to commit myself to the way of witch. I place myself now before the altar of the Goddess and the God, before the altar of the Ancient Ones, before the altar of the Powers that Be.”

And during this initiation, a transition is made, a magickal beautiful mystical change that will align you forever with All Things on a deeper level. And at that point in the ritual, you will re-introduce yourself to the Universe and the Powers that Be with your magickal name:

“I, (name), do solemnly swear upon the blood of my ancestors to devote the rest of my days to living the way of witch.

I swear loyalty to the Ancient Ones, the gods and goddesses who always were, are now, and shall forever be.

I swear loyalty to my fellow witches; my sister-witches of the past, as well as those who touch my life today, and those I have yet to meet. I vow to keep their secrets, to learn from them as well as teach, to respect our differences, and to celebrate our journey together upon this sacred path.

I freely take upon myself the life of witch. As I turn the corner to live my destiny, I declare to the Powers present here that my magical name is (craft name).”

It’s true, there are power in words. And there is incredible power in Your Name.

____________________

The complete Self-Initiation Ritual can be found Here.

The contents of this page is from
“The Gray Witch’s Grimoire”

Rate this:

New Video– “The Witch’s Diary: Bristolwicks, The Outer Circle

Posted on December 12, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

New video– “The Witch’s Diary: Bristolwicks, The Outer Circle”
This is one of the most fun type of videos to film– it’s basically a ’round the kitchen table with a cup of coffee chat…we just happened to also be open on the chat box at my coven site at the same time.

Rate this:

7 Magickal Questions

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

How did you “discover” Wicca/Witchcraft/Neo-Paganism?

I’m not so sure that I discovered Witchcraft, it’s more like Witchcraft discovered me.

I’m sure most people who’ve known me for any length of time have heard the story of the first spell I cast, as a teen-ager, in the basement of my Grandmother’s house. The fact that, somehow– by instinct or higher power, or both– I managed to get so many of the magickal correspondences right is somewhat of a marvel. Actually, the idea that a teen-ager living in South Dakota in the 70s, who had never been exposed to witchcraft, would even think of such a thing in the first place gives pause for thought.

Do you grow herbs?

Yes– mostly in the garden. I tend to have a very black thumb when it comes to house plants. I’m not sure if their untimely demise is totally dependent on my lack of indoor gardening skills, or my very dark very plant unfriendly house.

Are you “in the broom closet”? If not, share your coming out experience.

I don’t think I’ve ever been in the broom closet. I’m too open an individual, the closet would have been too confining and stuffy for me. The phrase “My Life is an Open Book”– I think it was written for me.

I am what I am. It is what it is.

What tradition do you follow, if any?

I’m eclectic– a mixture of practices.

Actually, over the years, I’ve developed a new religion, a new practice, or spiritual path, if you will. I dubbed it “Gray Magerium”. It’s a combination of Wicca, Green Witchcraft, and Hoodoo. (I feel another book coming on.)

For more information on “Gray Magerium”, follow this link: My Path/About Me

Do you consider yourself a Witch, Wiccan or Pagan (or maybe something else)?

Witch…most definitely. The word is all-encompassing.

I also love the sound of Hag, Crone, Wise-Woman, Priestess, and Conjure Woman.

How much of Witchcraft/Wicca are you able to incorporate into your everyday life?

Witchcraft, and being a witch, are an integral part of my life. It defines how I look at the world, how I relate to the people around me, how I set my moral compass, and the direction my life takes.

But on the other hand– just because my spiritual path is outside of the mainstream, mysterious, ancient, intriguing, interesting, exciting, or any other adjectives you can think of– this does not mean that my every waking moment is riveted on the fact that I’m a witch and practice witchcraft. I’m the mother of a large brood. I have groceries to pickup, laundry to do, toilets to scrub, meals to cook; I have pets to take to the vet, kids to take to the dentist, and a million other everyday ordinary things to do.

My spirituality is a large part of who I am, as I plod through regular life, just like everyone else.

Do you have a familiar? If you do, tell us how you met him/her, and how she/he takes part in your practice (if at all).

Yes, I do…Salem. He’s a beautiful black American Short Hair cat with a small white spot on his chest (called a ‘button’, by the way). He is elusive, prefers to live downstairs (away from the dog and visitors). My husband has lived in this house almost two years and has only seen him once. Various people have been to this house and have never seen him. I wouldn’t blame anyone for thinking he is a figment of my imagination. But he is extraordinarily loving, and sweet with me. He looks deeply into my eyes and communicates quite clearly. He is my Sweet Boy.

Does he take part in rituals or spell casting?…only in so far as eating all the catnip that I left out one evening; rolling through the black circle of stones which I had so carefully laid on the floor; tipping over a bottle of open oil; or trying to push his way into my lap as I sit in a cast circle trying to be all mystical and witchy and serious.

I nominate the following blogs for “The Witchy Blog Award”:

1. Writing the Witchy Way

2. The Witch Of Howling Creek

3. Witches of the Craft

4. A Witchy Life

5. Cauldron & Brew: A Witch’s Blog

Rate this:

So What Kind of Spell Do You Need?

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

Putting a spell together takes some thought, some research, some planning, and some foot-work (particularly if you don’t have necessary items on hand and have to purchase them, or cultivate them from nature). So start with a question: What kind of spell do you need?

Okay, I have a volunteer– “Stacy”. She has asked me to put a spell together for her to help her with issues of fertility; and she has kindly agreed to allow the making of this spell to be posted publicly, though her identity will be kept secret. (Thank you, Stacy!)

First, what does this issue involve deity-wise; what planetary and elemental connections are we talking about here; what sort of herbs would add the energy needed; candle color; timing; what sort of ritual to set this magic off– informal, most likely for a solitary practitioner who practices quietly; what other objects or ‘personal items’ would we need to collect; how would we finish this spell up– release the energy– dispose of the remnants (Or would we dispose of the remnants?). Can you see all the questions involved in constructing a spell? Can you see why the practice of witchcraft can be a lot of work? It requires a vesting of our energy, our mental thought and attention; it can be time consuming, and it must be carried off to work in the first place– which means making the time to actually cast the spell.

It isn’t easy being a witch. It’s not like the movies at all. There’s no big ole’ magick wand that we can wave with a special word or two spoken and ‘voila, the spell is cast and magick happens immediately. Get “real”, sez I. Here’s how real magick works, get ready to roll up your sleeves and put your energy into it…

First, the Deity: It might surprise you that I’m not going to choose one of the many goddesses who are connected to physical fertility; instead, I’m going to invoke the energy and spirit of “Papa Legba”. This entity was greatly maligned recently on a popular television program, depicted as a cocaine snorting devil with an unquenchable thirst for pure human souls (babies). It’s wise to remember that a lot of what you watch on tv is Fiction, and that creating a riveting story is part of the screen writer’s job. The ultimate irony in this is that Papa Legba is noted, invoked, and drawn upon by women with fertility issues, he is actually the anti-thesis of his television portrayal:

Papa Legba is the famous, and infamous, spirit of the crossroads, often appearing as an old black man. He’s a spirit from the West African Voodoo tradition, and you will find him under the guise of many other names, including: Elegba, Exu, and Papa La Bas– his New Orleans incarnation.

Papa Legba is a trickster who delights in practical jokes and word games, but he is also a spirit of amazing generosity and protective care. He protects infertile women, removing obstacles to motherhood; and he assists the poor, often opening up paths and removing obstacles that hinder their growth towards prosperity. It is said that Papa Legba stands at the crossroads with his shepherd’s crook, where he opens and closes access to life’s path.

Now that we’ve chosen the deity to invoke for the energy we need, what’s going to go along with him???

Ideally I would prefer to work with the energy of a full moon, or at least a waxing moon. Papa Legba’s ideal days are Mondays and the third day of every month. Mondays– perfect!– connected to the Goddess, women’s mysteries, the Moon, the element of Water, fertility, women’s physical and mental health.

Candle colors and altar colors would be red, black, and white (Also, ironically, these colors are connected with the three faces of the goddess: red, the mother; black, the crone; and white, the maiden.) The unique thing about being notoriously eclectic is that it broadens my spiritual path, allowing me to make connections and magickal links to topics, energies, and entities that those aligned with only one tradition or magickal practice might not think about.

The main herb I want to use with this spell is the strawberry…but you can also incorporate other herbs in this spell, and I would suggest herbs and flowers that produce through abundant seeds, such as dill, dandelion, goober daisies, cherry tomatoes, etc.

Okay, we have our deity, the timing, the colors, the herbs, now you have to decide what kind of magick you’re going to use, how are you going to process this spell and cast it. I’m going to suggest a combination of candle magick with a mojo bag, using the remnants left over to create the mojo bag that will be kept in a safe and sacred spot…and we can even do something especially significant here. Stacy, I’m going to speak directly to you now– go to one of those hobby shops (like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s), buy a small wooden box that you will paint and decorate yourself in a way that resonates with you and your idea of a baby; decorate this box in ways that connect with your deep desire. To this box you can add baby booties, a bottle of baby lotion, a pacifier, a letter to this baby, and whatever else you have room for that will bring this child to life in your mind, that will make its existence real and solid, so that you can almost bury your face in his fuzzy fine hair and smell the scent– most importantly, you will add to this box the mojo bag full of spell remnants– the candle wax and ashes (if you burned any type of spell paper with it). You could also add to the box small bags of the magickal herbs listed above.

Put this box in a very special and safe place, and have patience dear Lady, nature will work it’s own brand of magick at the perfect moment.

Spell Consultations:
http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/spellconsultations.htm

*Note: the photos are courtesy of Pinterest

Rate this:

Beauty: Look Absolutely Spellbinding

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

Beauty…Mundane women of the world grasp at fancifully advertised chemical preparations to keep themselves beautiful, to achieve youthful skin, to stave off the effects of time– the Witch goes beyond that. She knows that sometimes to achieve beauty and perfection, you have to get your hands dirty. This spell is a good place to start:

Shed Your Skin Spell

This spell takes advantage of the energy of three creatures who change or freshen their appearance by literally coming out in a new skin: the cicada, the moth or butterfly, and the snake. And you’re going to be using in this spell one of three things: the shed skin of a snake, the open and empty cocoon of a moth or butterfly, or the abandoned skin of a cicada.

Shudder now and get over the ‘ick’ factor– real magic requires girding up your loins and getting your hands dirty once in a while– as the gray witch will tell you.

Correspondences:

Day: Friday– associated with Venus, beauty, and love
Hour: 1st/8th hour after sunrise;
3rd/10th hour after sunset
Planet: Venus
Moon Phase: waxing to full
Color: pink, white, silver
Herbs: for beauty– ginseng, lilac,
rose; for youth– catnip, valerian
Oil: rose oil Stone: rose quartz
Number: 6
Letters: F, O, X– (no pun intended)
Symbols: The symbol for Venus
Deities: Venus/Aphrodite or Hathor

Items needed:

1. The dried shell of a cicada,
a snakeskin, or abandoned cocoon
2. A fireproof bowl
3. A bottle of rose oil
4. A pink or white candle
5. A red flannel bag

This spell works on the refreshing metamorphic energy of the creatures listed here. It also works on the mind and what you see, or what you think you see. This spell is not an instant facelift, but rather, it changes the perception of how others view you and how you view yourself. It will give you the illusion of beauty and youth.

After the basic preparations are in place, the candles lit, the incense going, place upon your altar the fireproof bowl. Drop within it the insect skin, cocoon, or the snake shed and light it afire– you may need a bit of a flammable oil sprinkled on the top to get it going.

When the fire has gone out and the remains have cooled off a bit, using your pestle, crush what’s left into a pulp, adding a few drops of rose oil and drippings from your pink or white candle until you get a good consistency with a nice scent. Now take it in your hands– yes, in your hands– and roll it into a ball…drop this treasure in the red flannel bag.

Keep this bag in a secret spot, and on the evening of a full moon bring it out when you are alone in a darkened candle-lit room. Stand before a mirror, calling to the changing energy of the creature whose remains are in the bag. Wave the bag in a gentle back and forth motion before your face, saying:

“By the power of the creature here,
May youth and beauty shine pure and clear.
By the power of the creature within,
May I shed what’s old to reveal fresh young skin.”

This spell is from: “The Gray Witch’s Grimoire”
by Amythyst Raine

Published by Moon Books

You’ll find more spells at
The Witch’s Corner:

Book of Shadows: page 1

Book of Shadows: page 2

Book of Shadows:page 3

Rate this:

What do you do?

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

What do you do? I’m asked this question all the time, in respect to my spiritual path, in respect to religious practices and routine, in respect to practicing witchcraft. People think in conventional terms of what they are familiar with– you have to attend a church service once a week, you have to follow this rule, you have to obey that rule, you have to undergo certain ceremonies (rites of passage) at particular set intervals, you have to follow a leader, etc. Paganism, and especially witchcraft, is not like that, it’s not like that at all. I keep trying to tell people, to explain to them, but I don’t think they understand.

Truth is, I don’t do a damn thing unless the urge hits me. I might go for days, or weeks, or months without lifting one magickal finger to cast one crummy spell. Then– Pow!– something comes up, something comes up that actually needs to be taken care of, there is a reason, there is a rhyme behind it. Something comes up in life that needs my attention, so I take care of it with a spell, with a candle, with herbs, with a poppet, with other magickal twists and turns, whatever needs doing.

And that’s what I do. There’s no law in my book that says I have to run around interneting people Happy this, or Blessed that– if I choose not to observe ‘traditional’ pagan holidays, that’s my choice, that’s my decision. The sky isn’t going to fall, and my magickal little soul will be just fine.

And that’s what I do…just exactly what I want to do.

This is the spirit of the witch…it wreaks of freedom.

Rate this:

Workplace Mojo– Bad Bosses Beware

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

Making Magick

Image may contain: fire and candles

As I sit here, right now, let’s put a spell together on a whim and a fancy, by the seat of our pants. So often I’ve noticed, especially with people new to witchcraft, that we tend to rely on spells being laid out before us, all black and white, neatly listed, pre-packaged, and ready to go– kind of like fast food. We shouldn’t be afraid to slap together a spell of our own making, our own unique creation. Not only will it ‘feel’ good when you cast it, it will carry so much of your magickal energy and power of intention that it’s bound to cause a tremor through the universe.

Workplace Mojo

1) Intention…Let’s concentrate today on the workplace and the problems that we find there. These ‘problems’ almost always tend to have two arms, two legs, and a great hole in their face called A Mouth.

2) Candle Color…If it’s The Mouth that’s causing problems, let’s go with a yellow candle– for the element of Air and communication. If we just want this ‘problem’ to go away, as in banishing to other-worlds, or in this case other departments, let’s go with my favorite candle color– black.

3) “Dressing” the Candle…We’re going to do several things. First: carve the name of your problem on this candle, and then sit quietly and hold it in your hands for few minutes, visualizing this individual, seeing in your mind what you want to happen, where you want this person to go, how you want the negative energy dispersed.

Put a bit of oil on your fingertips, either a magickal oil made for specific intentions, or a little olive oil from your kitchen cupboard, and smooth this oil over the candle.

Crush up or grind some herbs that are related to the energies that we’re dealing with and the intentions that we’re raising. If you’re using a yellow candle to shut a big mouth, you’ll find that slippery elm and cloves work great for this, and I’ve discovered that dieffenbachia will also stop the flow of word vomit just as effectively. As you grind or crush these herbs, you should chant a little chant and get yourself all worked up over this issue. After all, if you’ve come to the point of casting magick spells to defend yourself against an individual, you’ve got a right to be pissed– so get pissed, and imbue these herbs and this candle with all that emotion and intentions.

Pour the prepared herbs in a nice line the length of your candle or in a pile on the table. Lay your oiled candle on its side, and roll it in the herbs so that they adhere to the candle.

4) Igniting the magick…Okay, you can set this candle up now and light it. And while it’s burning, write down the name of the big fat old problem on a small slip of paper. Set this paper on fire by the flame of your spell candle and drop it in a bowl, allowing it to burn to ash.

While you’re doing this, chant your little chant, get mad, stamp your feet, spit in the bowl, and just throw a good old hissy fit. It will make you feel better, and it will direct the negative energy caused by this individual to come right back at them, full force. It’s kind of like slapping them in the face, but you won’t leave a mark.

5) Cleaning up…Once the candle is burned out, gather up the left-over wax, the ashes, and anything else from the makings of this spell and go bury it somewhere– but not on your own property.

Note: If it’s the black candle you used and banishing was your intention, these would be among my favored herbs for this deed: cloves; banishing powder– if you’ve got it; anything ‘hot’– like cayenne pepper, black pepper; anything stinging– like nettles; anything sharp– like thorns, which you can stick right into the sides of your candle.

It would be nice if we didn’t have to waste our time and energy on this type of person and this kind of magick, but the real world dictates otherwise. We can at least be thankful that there are measures we can take to defend ourselves and to make life bearable.

If you’re the victim of bad workplace behavior, go for it– more power to you! If you are the perpetrator of bad work place behavior…beware.

Rate this:

Candle Magick

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

Magick…it’s as easy as striking a match and lighting a candle– it is, really. It’s called ‘candle magick’, and there is a rhyme and reason behind it.

(I know, this post might be boring for all the practicing witches out there who do this type of magic all the time, those who’ve done it for years, those who can do it blind-folded. But there are so many new witches on the horizon, so many emails and questions coming in, bear with me– and definitely feel free to leave your own advice in the comments below. Everyone has their own little way of doing things, everyone has discovered magickal little tweaks that work for them, there is a gazillion ways to do magick. Pass your information along.)

First…Intention

What do you want? What are you trying to change? What’s your magickal intention? You have to know; you have to be specific; you have to have thought this out, have it squared away in your head. It has to be strong and definite in your mind, or you will not be able to successfully move the energy along to manifest this intention into the world.

Second…Candle Color

Once you definitely know what you want, what you’re trying to accomplish with this magick, you have to decide on what color of candle you’ll need. This is important. The color of the candle is associated with very definite images, intentions, magick; connected even to the elements (earth, air, fire, water); connected to the planets (astrological/magickal associations). Everything is so connected it’s unreal; most people have no idea.

Red Candles

For the element of Fire, for the planet Mars– it’s all about hot sizzling passion, whether your intention is for physical passion with a prospective mate, or just that wild over-the-top passion for justice or a particular cause. Red candles will create the kind of energy that moves things along like gang-busters. Think of those phrases: “too hot to handle”, “red-hot”, “I’m seeing red”; there’s a reason for these confirmations.

Green Candles

For the element of Earth– health and money, two basic necessities of life. Face it, you won’t be living very well if you don’t have enough of either one. The green candle for planet Earth– Mother Gaia, the embodiment of our world, a metaphor for the Mother Goddess, representative of our physical world (our bodies). Just as people of other spiritual paths request healing and prosperity from their god(s), so the witch turns to divinity, but in her case, it’s not a request, as divinity is part of the witch and the witch is part of divinity. It’s a different relati0nship within the metaphysical realm.

Yellow Candles

For the element of Air, for the planet Mercury– communication, creativity, mental endeavors. it’s all about pure thought, our mind, that intangible part of ourselves that make us who we are. Those cliques that are coming to me right now: “thoughts move mountains”, “what we think is what we are”. The mental aspect of us is the most powerful, some believing that it embodies our soul, our spirit, that which will survive eternally. It’s also about communication– communication with other human beings, with divinity, with ourselves. Use the yellow candle when you have something to say, something that needs to be heard.

Blue Candles

For the element of Water…light a blue candle to invoke the Goddess, to enhance your dreams and intuition. Use the blue candle to come to terms with your emotions, for understanding, for resolution, for enhancement. The blue candle for the heavenly body, the Moon: pagan spirituality, the goddess (all three aspects), magick, blessings, running with the tide (waxing and waning– drawing in, sending away). Use the blue candle for women’s issues, with the knowledge that you are tapping into something indescribably ancient and indescribably wise.

White Candles

You can use a white candle as a substitute for any other color. But the white candle is also used particularly for cleansing and purification. Use a white candle for House Blessings, or for cleansing any space. Use a white candle for invoking and honoring divinity. Use a white candle for pure energy. Use a white candle for inspiration, for clarity, for peace.

Black Candles

The black candle, for the planet Saturn…use the energy of this candle to return-to-sender negative energy, bad thoughts, curses, ill-wishes sent your way. Use the energy of the black candle for retribution and justice. Use the black candle to catch the bad guy, to banish something (or someone) nasty. Use the black candle to regain personal power taken from you through injustice.

The following information is a paragraph taken from my online book, “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”:

You can work with tea candles, votive candles, pillar candles, or hoodoo seven day candles. You’ll allow these spell candles to burn themselves out at one sitting, or you’ll light them at appropriate times over the course of a period of time. You will save the wax from these candles to be used in mojo bags; you’ll bury it; throw it into running water; or toss it in the trash. You will prepare these candles to work their magick when you anoint (dress) these candles with a variety of magickal oils– or a little olive oil, if you don’t have a stock of magickal oils on hand. You will use your athame, or another sharp object, to carve into the spell candle the name of your target, sigils and symbols relating to your intention, or designs of your own creation. You will roll these oiled candles in a variety of pulverized crushed herbs depending on your intentions and the desired outcome you wish for your magick.

Rate this:

KATZ

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

It’s said of cats that they can move magickally through time and space, visiting the Land of Fairy, where no human can safely travel. It’s also said that cats can cross the boundaries of a magickal circle, a witch’s sacred space, without breaking the circle or disturbing the energy. Cats are also very sensitive to spirits and other paranormal entities, so watch your cat carefully, it will tell you when something is lurking about. We personally experienced this one day as my girls and I sat watching our calico cat mysteriously circle an invisible something in the middle of the living room floor. She tightly circled around it, hair standing on end, cautiously reaching inward to sniff whatever it was, and jerking her head back, as though to stay out of its reach. It suddenly startled her. She jumped straight in the air, all four feet off the ground, and took off racing out of the living-room. Had I not seen this with my own eyes, it would have been hard to believe. I’m glad I had witnesses to this truly remarkable incident.

It is especially unlucky to harm a black cat, as this is a favorite form for spirits to take, and not every black cat you see is actually a cat– but a spirit in disguise. Black cats have, over the centuries, suffered greatly because of their association with Witches and their reputation as Witches’ familiars. In Italy, even today, thousands of black cats are slaughtered every year in the name of superstition. It’s recommended to black cat owners here in the U.S. that they keep their felines indoors over Samhain (Halloween) night, as black cats are often targeted for abuse because of their connection to witches and this holiday.

Cats are independent, intelligent, not likely to suffer fools. They may be loyal, but the recipient of that loyalty must be deserving of it. Cats are agile, silent, cunning, excellent and vicious hunters, aloof, and sometimes lazy.

Catnip…Valerian…Rue

Catnip is commonly used in sleeping potions, and the herb is well-known for the intoxicating effect it has on cats. Catnip is also sacred to all Pagan Gods/Goddesses who manifest in the form of a cat or other feline creature– this would include the Egyptian goddess, Bast; as well as the Norse goddess, Freya.

Correspondences:

Element: Water; Planet: Venus; Energy: Feminine (receptive)
Used in animal magick and for healing pets, increases the psychic bond with animals. Use as a tea for happiness and relaxation. Can also be used during meditation, increases psychic abilities. Useful in love magick- try burning dried leaves for love wishes.

Valerian is used in sleeping potions and dream pillows. It’s said that the scent of valerian is irresistible to cats and if they find it in your garden, they will dig it up.

Correspondences:

Element: Water; Planet: Venus; Energy: Feminine (receptive)
Valerian is a muscle relaxant and tranquilizer. Use for dream magick and sleep protection baths. Keep in the home or grow in the garden to aid in keeping harmony. May be used to purify a ritual space. Useful in consecrating incense burners. Drink tea daily, in moderate doses, during times of purification.

Rue is used to keep cats away, whether from digging in your garden, or hunting the birds gathering around your feeders. This would probably also work to keep them off your bed and the kitchen table. Since I find my cats’ presence at both of these places enjoyable, I’ll forego the Rue at these spots. Cats dislike the scent of Rue, which is purported to have been used in the middle-ages as a talisman of protection against witches and their familiars.

Correspondences:

Element: Fire; Planet: Mars; Energy: Masculine (projective)
Use Rue in purification baths to break hexes or curses; use in exorcism incense; use the magick of Rue to return-to-sender any negative energy or negative magick sent your way. *Odd Note: it’s said that Rue works best when stolen and replanted in your garden, where it will– ironically– protect your home and grounds from thieves.

Cats are considered to be the animal that is the ally of gamblers and games of chance; they are believed to bring good luck and success in these endeavors. Following are spells of luck, gambling, and goddess invocation, through cat magick:

Lucky Cat Spell

Candles in the shape of cats are the figure candles most associated with gambling magic. Red, black or green candles may all be used. Let your intuition guide you:

1. Inscribe the candle with your name, identifying information, and any lucky numbers.

2. Dress it with Black Cat Oil, or another gamblers lucky oil.

3. Burn the candle.

Lucky Cat Candle Spell

Lucky cat candles help fulfill your wishes. Color coordinate to suit the nature of the wish: use green for money, red for love, and black to resolve problems.

1. Carve and dress the candle as you will.

2. Write your wish succinctly and explicitly on a piece of paper.

3. Burn the paper; use this paper to light the candle, rather than a match.

4. Murmur wishes, incantations, and sacred verses, at least until the paper has completely burned to ash.

Spirit Petition: Freya Cat Spell

There is an old Norse tradition of paying tribute to the goddess Freya by feeding milk to cats.

1. Put out milk for stray cats. If you don’t live in an area with stray cats, bring contributions to a shelter or adopt a gray stray cat.

2. Feeding isn’t done mundanely, by rote, but as a conscious offering; speak with Freya simultaneously, explain your needs, desires, or broken heart, and request assistance.

3. Pay attention– the response may come through the cats

Rate this:

The New Moon

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

New Moon:

The night of the dark moon represents a time to cast spells that will reveal secrets, a time to cast spells that will perpetuate beginnings. The time of the dark moon is also excellent for divination. Although some witches view this phase of the moon as a time to refrain from magic, the gray witch knows that now is the time to step into the shadows and grab the powerful energy found there.

September
Wine Moon

Herbs: lilac, mugwort, marjoram, rose, thyme

Stones: sapphire, bloodstone, rainbow obsidian

Scents: gardenia, rose, lilac

Colors: brown, yellow-green, amber

Trees: hazel, larch, bay

Deities: Demeter, Ceres, Isis,

Astrological Signs: Virgo, Libra

Elements: Earth/Air

Crafting Your Magic: Feminine energy is highlighted, receptive energy. Cast magic to draw inward, magic to draw those things– both intangible and material– to you that you need to fill the void. The Goddess is in the spotlight. Work magic to benefit female issues, such as fertility, independence, and protection.

The Wine Moon works its magic in the area of love and relationships. Cast spells to discover your soul mate, find a lost love, or nurture a secret desire. The energy of Libra will bring balance to all magic cast at this time, and its energy promotes the very essence of love and sex. Cast spells now to promote healthy sexuality and to maintain or regain physical health of the reproductive system.

Concentrate on the third eye chakra, opening the doors to psychic experiences. Prepare to enter the autumnal dark months with the clairvoyant vision to see well beyond, into the light of the future.

___________________

The above material is an excerpt from:

The Gray Witch’s Grimoire

by Amythyst Raine

Rate this:

Magickal Accidents: The “Oops” Factor

Posted on September 1, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

Sometimes our magickal endeavors don’t always work the way they’re suppose to. Sometimes we mess up and get a whole lot of scattered energy running amok with all kinds of consequences, both for us and our targets, and sometimes even innocent bystanders. I’ve heard over and over again, “Never do magick when you’re angry”, but at the same time, “Cast your spell while you’re all revved up emotionally, in the heat of the moment, because this is when you are the strongest and your magick will be most successful.” You hear lots of things, honestly, and sometimes I don’t know whether it’s good to take all this in, or whether it’s best to follow your own instincts. I guess it depends on how serious a situation is that you would want to cast a spell to change it; or how threatened you feel in order to cast; or how out-numbered; or pissed off; or ‘revengeful’…I know, ‘revengeful’ sounds awful, but it can feel so good (oops).

Everyone has cast a spell that they wished they could take back. If they say they haven’t, they are probably lying, or they’re in denial. Because, in spite of what Hollywood movies & tv shows tell us, witches are not some mysterious drop-dead gorgeous immortal creature who can rise above everything– or destroy anything that gets in her way. Absolutely not– we’re mortal, just like the rest of humanity, and we make mistakes, just like everybody else; and sometimes we even lack good judgment– occasionally, once in a rare while (oops).

Romance is a biggy. People fuck up here all the time, especially if jealousy and spite come into play, but sometimes just because we can be mean-spirited. Say you jump on the magickal band-wagon to split up a couple because…because she was a real bitch and you want to teach her a lesson; or because he was dating you first and things were moving along smoothly till she showed up; or because they were crappy to you for a long period of time and by the time fences were mended and you were really getting to know them and possibly to like them, you had already thrown caution to the wind and cast this great big black spell to split them up (oops).

Then there’s those god-awful “love me forever” spells that are just a disaster waiting to happen; because if you’ve went ahead and cast one of these idiotic spells, you could be in for a rude and irritating awakening when you open your eyes some morning and decide you cannot stand anything about the guy in bed next to you. You decide it’s time to gracefully move on; you decide that there’s ‘bigger fish in the ocean’ (older relatives always tell you this); or you just plain can’t stand the way he whines, eats his food, leaves junk all over your house, or clips the hell out of your trees and flowers when you’re not around to stop him– you also may not like how he belches after a can of pop, or forgets to brush his teeth, or any number of things, but that’s beside the point. The bottom line is that you want him to “Go Away”…If you’ve already cast one of these sappy “love me forever” spells, while you were caught up in the heat of passion so hot your ass was sizzling no less, when your energy (and hormones) were raging, you are in for one nasty surprise. To get rid of this love-lorn target, you may find out it’s going to take a lot more than a candle in a cauldron. These are terrifically difficult spells to break. What it may take is an attorney and a restraining order (oops).

Money spells– I’m not even going there. No amount of money is ever enough; and when it is enough, it never seems to arrive on time, it’s always late. I’m just not sure that spiritual things are in tune with financial issues, and I know that this might not apply to everyone, but for me, this is my personal experience. Sometimes I believe it’s like ‘selling your soul to the devil’ (which is a really ironic and weird way for a pagan to put it) but that’s the truth– you give up almost everything, like your dignity and self-respect, to grovel and beg the universe for some currency. It’s too human. It’s too beneath what we’re really here to learn, what we’re here to experience; it’s the least important thing there is to cast magick for, yet we all do it, we’ve all done it…we’ve sold our proverbial ‘soul to the devil’ for some extra moolah (oops).

How many of us have hired a magickal hit-man? Huh? Who’d be willing to ‘fess up to this one. I can only imagine the eventful, unexpected, grandiose, or sublime ways this spell could go awry– it would be like a loose cannon; it would be like trying to teach an old maid to shoot a handgun…yeha, and get out of the way. She’d be shooting the hell out of everything in front of her, but most likely missing her intended target and leaving a bloody trail of victims who happened to be in the line of fire (oops).

Magick, like everything else in life, needs to be learned and practiced in order for anyone to be really good at it. It needs to have some personal guidelines, and most important of all, it needs to be practiced with a little restraint and a whole lot of common sense. And, like everything else in life, you’ll find people who will listen to advice like this and take it into serious consideration; and then there are those people who have to learn everything the hard way (oops).

Magick is a learning experience, and some people never learn…

Rate this:

Feather Magick

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

(I originally wrote this post for Moon Books Blog)

bird 7

The element of Air…the wind in our hair, the sun on our lips, the call of birds we hear with our eyes closed, to magnify all the other senses. And with those calls, we feel the magick; we feel the power; we know how to direct the energy of the feathered creatures into our daily lives, to find and keep love, to bring tranquility and healing, to expand knowledge, to protect us, or to inspire us.

Every feather I find is a gift. It’s carefully tucked away in a special box, or gently placed between the pages of a book. It will lay there and pulsate with unused energy, dormant magick, until I feel the need, until I hear the call…then I’ll bring it out. I’ll combine the feather with candles, herbs, incense, and often personal items. I’ll open myself to the spirit of the creature, the energy of Air– and often the other elements as well. I’ll cast a circle to contain my magick and protect me from all the other energies and entities swimming around the universe, or I’ll throw caution to the wind and leave myself open and vulnerable. It’s my call.

At the center of it all is the creature:

Blue Bird/communication & eloquence: the element of Air is mingled with Water– one pure thought, the other emotions and inner mysteries. I choose incense and herbs with receptive (feminine) energy to draw into myself the magick of eloquent communication touched with the right amount of intuition and insight: calamus, jasmine, hibiscus, columbine, pansy, or lilac. I choose incense and herbs that quiver with the energy of Air: lavender, bittersweet, goldenrod, sage, or slippery elm. The candles– one is yellow (Air); one is blue (Water); one is white and carved with personal intentions, goals, and wishes. To the cauldron I add the Blue Bird’s feather and perhaps a slip of paper holding the name of someone who needs to hear me, really hear me, maybe for the first time.

Blue Jay/protective magick: you know when you’re not safe, when you’re vulnerable and unprotected. Sometimes it starts as an uneasy feeling, or dreams in the night that stay with you during the day. You know. The Blue Jay’s raucous, obnoxious, aggressive behavior will cast a spell of protection around you; the bad boy of the bird world, like a strutting gutsy gun-toting bad boy on the streets. With the energy of this bird, your enemies will keep their distance, think twice about attack, think twice about crossing you. The candle is black, the herbs and incense pungent, stinging, obnoxious, even poisonous…cloves, allspice, cayenne pepper, belladonna, hemlock, black cohash, thistle. You will make a mojo bag to keep with you at all times, a bag that will contain at least three of these herbs, the Blue Jay’s feather, and a stone of black onyx.

Cardinal, Goose, Swan/Love:

Cardinal: the very color of this bird sparks with the energy of Fire…passion, lust, love, and raw sexuality. It wreaks of sweaty sheets; breathless whispers; the fierce mingling of bodies, the beautiful struggle to get ever deeper, closer; ecstasy so intense it leaves you exhausted. The red feather of the Cardinal carries desire, sexual fantasy, the raw instinct to mate, the pure unadulterated energy of sex. Save this feather for a special occasion, a special someone, because once this energy is released, you will no longer have control.

Goose: loyalty, fidelity, passion for a one-and-only love. The Goose mates for life, and this is the energy its feathers will carry. The magic of this bird is a love that will out last time, a love to grow old with, a love that is unquestionable, a love that you can trust– forever, perhaps through more than one lifetime. The magic of the Goose engulfs the mystery of soul mates. It is the energy that draws two people together with a first look, a connection that is keenly felt but can’t be explained.

Swan: the Swan is first love, new love, delicate and genteel love. It is the spiritual beauty of a new union. The Swan’s energy encompasses naïve enthusiasm, an awakening, a coupling of the mind as well as the body. The energy of theses feathers contain the gallantry of the knight in shining armor, the fair maiden, and happy-ever-after endings. Love magick of the Swan has nothing to do with reality; it embodies the fantasy of what we wish love were like. Beware the magick of the Swan, it can lead you into illusions and a lust to chase forever an unrealistic ideal…but this magick has its place.

Dove/healing rifts: this bird is the epitome of peace, and it’s this energy which can be used to heal rifts; to bring enemies together; to end feuds; to bring a sense of well-being to people, or a space. On a white sheet of paper, write the names of those involved in the dispute; but write them not in a single row, or on opposite ends of the paper– write the names one on top of the other. Lay the Dove’s feather on one edge of this paper and roll it up, tying it with white ribbon, creating a scroll. Either keep this token in a secret place and let the magick bubble and brew and build over a period of time, or unleash its energy in one furious burst by throwing it into the flames of a roaring bonfire.

Owl/wisdom: oh, be gone, the ways of the fool…bring with the feather of the Owl wisdom, the ability to judge truthfully, insight that reaches beyond what we can see or feel, and the means to keep in check all those things in life which can so easily unseat us. The spirit of this bird encompasses wisdom from the universe, the past as well as the present, it wreaks of ancient energy, the ancestors. Guard its magick well…there are those who would not wish wisdom upon you, for with wisdom comes discernment.

Robin/domestic bliss: heal the wounds of domestic strife, or enhance the energy of a happy home with a feather from the Robin. The magick of this bird is centered around hearth and home, family and familial connections. If the energy here is tainted, every other aspect of life will fall into the great abyss. Like the center of a wheel, the energy of the home supports and connects all those who touch it. Sweet Robin, bring with your energy the Mother’s great blessing upon our hearth and the loved ones seated ‘round it.

Sparrow/ambition: be cautious with the energy of this bird, for ambition, once released, can feed upon itself and devour the one who dared to wake it. Temper ambition with common sense; sensitivity to those around you; and a sense of balance above all else. The energy of the Sparrow is frenzied, highly concentrated, and too strong for some; but it may just be the push that’s needed to ignite motivation.

Raven/occult mysteries: the feather of the Raven is sacred to women like me. Within it lay the secrets of magick and manifestation; energies unseen; impossibilities realized. The magick of the Raven is wild and untamed; it carries the energies of the Wild-Woman, the Crone, the Sage, the Wizard, the Witch. The Raven will whisper in your ear, teaching you that which is considered forbidden by some. The Raven will send out it’s call, and if you’re of the right mind, the right spirit, to hear it, there will be no turning back.

Rate this:

Spell-Crafting Consultations with Amythyst

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

For years I’ve been asked, “Will you cast a spell for me?”, and for years my answer has always been, “No”. I still won’t directly cast spells for you, but I will directly consult with you to put a spell together, a spell that you will be able to understand and cast yourself, even if you are a novice at magickal spell crafting.

I will do this one of two ways:
1) through telephone consultation, or 2) through email

Spell-crafting includes spells for love, money, employment, health, healing, hexing, as well as spells for personal private intentions that are specific to you and you alone.

click Here

Rate this:

Money Chain, Money Charm…keep it going

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

I ran onto this at Tumblr, and although I don’t usually get into the chain letter thing, this was just too intriguing to ignore, especially with the oddity and uniqueness of the timing and the extra days:

This year July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years. This is called money bags. So copy this and money will arrive within 4 days. Based on Chinese Feng Shui, the one who does not copy, will be without money. Figured I’d pass this on!

Just for a little extra “oomph”:

3. Keep It Flowing
This is another spell based on hoodoo tradition– gotta’ love it. It’s one of those money spells that won’t make you filthy rich, but it will protect you from running out of money for life’s essentials. (One of these days I’ll come up with a spell to make us filthy rich, until then, this will have to do.)

Items needed:
1. A small bowl or a decorative container that
resonates with your own energy

2. Salt

3. Drawing powder

4. Rice

5. Crushed mint leaves

6. An open safety pin– for this spell I could also suggest, in place of a safety pin, a brooch that you will leave open, unclasped. This could be something that resonates with the idea of money, or in my case– I used my grandmother’s brooch, a deceased family member who loved me and who would want me to have all that I needed, a family member who would help me in life any way that she could, and who will help me from the spirit world.

Fill your bowl or open container with a handful or pinch of each of the ingredients listed above, depending on the size of your receptacle, usually an equal amount of every ingredient used. Within the center, place the unclasped safety pin or brooch. If you’ve used a brooch that belonged to a family member, it would be a good idea to include an invocation to this spirit, as well as a thank you for their help.

Keep this bowl in an open place within your home, and when you feel it needs it, refresh the ingredients; perhaps at regular intervals, such as every third full moon.
____________________

The spell “Keep It Flowing” can be found in my book,
“The Gray Witch’s Grimoire”

Rate this:

Spell Casting, Spell Crafting for Successful Magick

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

(Excerpt)…

Saturday: boy, oh boy, the planet is Saturn, the color is black, and this is “THE” day for revenge and retribution. I consider Saturday “Hoodoo Day”, and I can almost hear jazz music playing down the street and smell the incense burning while some old priestess is hunched over her bowl of chicken hearts cackling to herself. This is the day to magickally ‘clean house’. If there’s an idiot in your life, you can get rid of him today, just give Saturn a kick to wake it up and stand back so you don’t catch the fallout.

to read the complete article,
click Here

Rate this:

Happy Beltaine!

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

Traditions: love/sex magic, leaping the bonfire to bring luck, dancing ‘round the Maypole, honoring garden and house spirits, fertility magic

Pagan Lore: The Maypole…in ancient Irish history there was a sacred tree believed to be the forerunner of the maypole. It was thought that dancing around this tree on Beltane would send energy to the womb of the Earth and awaken her.

May Day Baskets…comes from the ancient Beltane Eve tradition of a young man leaving a garland of flowers at the door of a young woman who has caught his eye. This was an invitation, and if accepted, the young couple would steal away for a night together in the forest, awaiting the Beltane sunrise. In modern times, the garland was replaced with a basket of sweets.

Youth and Beauty…it’s said that at sunrise on the morning of Beltane, those women wishing to recapture their youth, as well as all women wishing to retain their beauty, should go out into the grass at the break of dawn, sweep up the morning dew within their hands, and bathe their faces with it.

This holiday is one of the most Pagan. It is a celebration of fertility. To the modern world, it’s more commonly known as May Day. What the Roman Church tried so hard to control, to portray as evil, sinful, or dirty is the very thing celebrated at Beltane…human sexuality. The ancient rites of Beltane celebrate the copulation of the God and the Goddess (the priest and the priestess); and in some Wiccan traditions this celebration of sexuality is honored with a ritual known as The Great Rite.

What was once considered wonderfully human, delightful, a miracle of life, and in some cases a spiritual act, was degraded by the Roman Church, the same church which branded women as evil and with it the emotions of lust and passion.

Modern-day Pagans have reclaimed the celebration of human sexuality and the miracle of fertility that accompanies it. People still dance around the Maypole, a phallic symbol, while they hold brightly colored streamers spilling from the top of this pole, symbolic of the creative force of sex.

The information above was taken from,
“The Gray Witch’s Grimoire”
by Amythyst Raine
Moon Books/JHP

Correspondences for Beltaine

Herbs: cinquefoil, frankincense, marigold, meadowsweet,
woodruff

Altar Flowers/Herbs: daisy, hawthorn, lilac, primrose, wildflowers, rose

Feast Foods: barley cakes, oat cakes, red fruit, elderflower drinks, herbal salads

Animals: honey bees, cats, horses, rabbits, white cow

Incense: frankincense, lilac, passion flower, rose, vanilla

Rituals/Spells: bale fire, fertility magick, sex magick, handfasting, beauty magick, love spells, The Great Rite

Rate this:

When did you first know you were a witch?

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

I knew that there was something ‘different’ about me before I was old enough to know that there was a name for it. One of the earliest magickal experiences that I remember took place when I was about four years old, hidden in the cool shade of a grove of trees on a terraced hillside at my grandmother’s farm.

The day was very hot, but beneath the canopy created by the large grove of trees that covered the hillside, it was very cool; and I squatted on one of the wide terraced ‘steps’, beneath a tree that had small round leaves lining it’s branches. I took hold of one of the small new twigs at the base of the tree; and I slid my hand along it’s length, filling my palm with the cool green leaves.

As my head was bent and I was examining these leaves, I heard a noise. I looked to my right, through the fence lining this edge of the grove, into the world of brilliant hot sunshine, to see a large white cow grazing in the field beside me, only a few feet away.

The wind came then, through the tops of the trees. I froze as I listened to it, the roar starting at the opposite end of the grove and working it’s way through the tree tops towards me, till it was directly overhead. I realized that this wind sounded like voices, voices that seemed to come directly from the trees.

It was then that a realization dawned on me, leaving an indelible print so strong that this memory is still starkly vivid to me fifty years later. It was a realization that I was too young to form into words…but I knew.

This blog post is an excerpt from my online book,
“Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”

Other topics covered in this book includes:

How Does Real Magick Work; Forms of Magick; The Mysteries of Magickal Manifestation; Creating Magickal Space; Magickal Supplies; 12 Months of Magick; 7 Days of Magick; Animal Magick; Magick for Love n’ Money; Mojo Magick; Magick Oils, Potions, Powders; Crystal Magick; Candle Magick; Magickal Alphabets & Symbols; Witches’ Bottles; Essential Oils; Kitchen Magick, Good Luck Charms; Questions & Answers; Magickal Substitutions; Terms & Lingo

Rate this:

Autographed Copies Available (The Gray Witch’s Grimore)

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Amythyst Raine

I just received copies of my book (The Gray Witch’s Grimoire), and I’ve added a paypal widget to the home page of my website for those people who have requested an autographed copy. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and your support!

http://ladyamythyst.webs.com

Autographed Copy
$13.95

Rate this:

When did you first know you were a witch?

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Amythyst Raine

EDIT:

This blog post is an excerpt from my new book,
“Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way

Other topics covered in this book includes:

Rate this:

Book Release Date

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Amythyst Raine

With “The Gray Witch’s Grimoire” you can empower yourself through ancient mysteries, secret rites, and magickal spells that leave the world of the mundane behind and nurture the wise-woman in us all.

Book Release!
May 25, 2012

US $19.95/UK £11.99

Moon Books
John Hunt Publishing

(Links & purchasing information will be posted
as soon as it is made available.)