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The Burden of the Witch’s Crown

Responsibility and the Sovereign Witch.

Balance, Power, Respect, Awareness, Divinity. The five points of the Pentacle of Sovereignty, the seat of the Witch’s Crown, a keystone for us in Sacred Fires that I share with readers in my first book, The Witch’s Book of Power. In our tradition, we use this as a psychic diagnostic tool; one aimed at helping us as witches not only rule over our own actions and choices, but to help us live in “right relation” with the forces of the universe as an autonomous Sovereign being. For many witches the ability to become and then remain sovereign unto themselves is something that is worth fighting for, so much so that the clear majority of practioners are solitary.

Beyond the outer definitions of the points that can found in any dictionary, the Pentacle of Sovereignty informs us as to the threats to our sovereignty and helps us to create a plan of action to protect it. The trouble with this pentacle, along with others similar found in the Faery Tradition, is that we actually have to use it in order to receive its benefits. The power which comes from the Witch’s Crown comes from an active investment in exploring ourselves and our witch power. In the book, I go through the practices associated with the Pentacle of Sovereignty in a lengthy chapter, if you’re looking for more info, check it out at your local metaphysical bookstore, library, or wherever books are sold.

The other morning, I woke up feeling a little vague about my purpose. I was feeling saddened by what I am seeing on television, social media, and at my own interactions with family and now former friends. Not only has this been a rocky first several days but they have been absolutely polarizing. I have been involved in discussions about whether or not it was ok to punch Nazi’s (the answer is yes, always!) and whether or not America should consider eradicating the Black race (the answer is NO, Fuck off Nazi!) Discussions that I never thought I would be having with adults in the twenty-first century.

Even worse, I have watched in horror as our new president releases executive order after executive order, declaring war on the land its self (see DAPL) and blocking refugees fleeing war torn nations from entering the country (as long as they don’t come from places he has invested in, claiming that terrorists are flooding into our country disguised as the poor, weak, and tired; ignoring the fact that not one terrorist has come from those countries in forty years but keeping access to Saudi Arabia, where the terrorists responsible for 9/11 are from, wide open). But most horrifying is his grab for power by declaring a war on media after the reported information that he didn’t like and his continued censorship of scientists.

I could fill this post with the many screwed up things that are happening right now but you likely already are aware, to some extent, that the world is turning into a very dark place. We can blame whoever we want or find bliss in ignorance by looking the other way, but in doing so we are eroding the very fabric of our sovereignty as witches. The burden of our crown is that we cannot sit idly by and watch as the darkness strips power from others so easily, because history tells us that when that happens every one is in danger, especially those who think they are the safest. The burden of our crown requires us to respond to this as a threat to our own independence and sovereignty and to act accordingly. By getting swept up in attempts to continually prove the validity of our case, we are allowing ourselves to be tricked into looking at all the yesterdays that brought the darkness about, and all the tomorrows that may be ruled by the darkness, but in doing so we are neglecting the call to act today.

We have to ask ourselves if we feel there is Balance between the people and the president. If his executive orders are helping to bring balance or to destabilize it- regardless of intention.

We have to ask ourselves where his power comes from and where our power comes from. We have to ask ourselves if the power sought is good for the all, only some, or perhaps only one.

We have to ask if the people respect the president and his cabinet and if the president and his cabinet respect the people. All of the people, not just some of them; all of the president and his cabinet, not just some of them. We have to ask if the president respects the constitution and if his respect for the constitution is even necessary as president.

We have to ask if we are aware of what is happening as a result of the president’s actions, and if the president is aware of what is happening as a result of them. We must ask ourselves if we are “ok” with what we are aware of and if the president is “ok” with what he is aware of.

We must ask ourselves as divine beings if what we see is right or wrong and if it is acceptable or not. We have to ask if the divine beings we work with would be at peace with what is happening.

To keep our sovereignty during these times we have to ask ourselves a lot of really awkward and uncomfortable questions. It may seem silly to sit and ask yourself these, but by doing so you are initiating a conversation between yourself and the powers that guide you. If while reading those questions you felt even one “red flag” then your only option as a witch is to act, even if it is only in the interest of self-preservation.

The burden is heavy. It is frightening. It is crippling those around you and its gravity is so immense that it can make you feel like you are being torn apart from the inside. This is normal. This is initiation. Do not succumb to the weight, the anger, the fear, or the ignorance. Instead seek only to know yourself deeper and find comfort in the glory of defending the crown that sits upon your head.

In this case, we cannot fight alone, everyone must reach deep inside to find their purpose, and then join a cause to see it manifest. Be you healer, mystic, or mage, your magic and your voice are needed now more than ever and we all have a part to play in the days to come. So if you have been waiting or not sure if it was something you should be getting involved in, I hope you consider what is required of those who wear the Witch’s Crown.

Here is a list of resources that I have been using to stay informed. Please visit these pages and bookmark them for easy reference! Stay loud, stay woke, stay sovereign. #wearearadia

The Resistance Manual

Stay 100% informed about what is happening globally, nationally, and locally!

https://www.resistancemanual.org/Resistance_Manual_Home

News and Guts

Started by Dan Rather to keep Americans informed about what is happening and to provide real news when it is available!

https://www.facebook.com/newsandguts/

We Are Aradia

A network of witches who are actively working towards the end of the Trump administration.

https://www.facebook.com/WeAreAradia/

The ACLU

The American Civil Liberties Union is fighting hard to block executive orders and defend the rights of those being persecuted.

www.ACLU.org

In Black Rose we celebrate the longest day by honoring Lucifer the Witch King. In our tradition’s mythology Lucifer is the bringer of light and is personified by the brilliant shining sun. This Midsummer we will be invoking the spirit of Lucifer through an adaptation of one of our most treasured practices known as Kala. During Kala we gather energetic blockages and purify them with the power of our own light. We finish this ritual by consuming this energy, now instead of it being a toxic blockage it is nutritious power that can fuel us.

What you need:

A drinking glass

Distilled or Spring Water (boiled/filtered water will do in a pinch)

Access to direct sunlight

How to:

Fill the drinking glass with water and place it somewhere close to you. While standing in the sun take a few moments to collect your thoughts and ground your energy body. Begin by breathing slow and deep and allow your attention to become centered on the sensation of that breath. Allow your belly to expand first as you breathe, followed by your lungs and make sure to keep your body relaxed. When you feel ready to move on, pick up your glass and hold it six inches from your solar-plexus.

Focus now on the blocks you perceive to be present in your life. What areas could you benefit from clarity and wisdom? Where might light be shed so you can continue to blaze courageously along your path? Allow these thoughts to become symbols in your mind and bring the glass to chin-level.

Take three deep breaths and as you exhale envision these symbols spilling forth from your body and into the cup. See that the water grows thick and dark with each breath as symbols of all those things that block you leave your energy body. Feel the cup grow heavier in your hands. When you feel you are emptied of the blockages place the glass down in front of you.

Reach with your left hand to the sun above and say, “By Lucifer’s aid I am made strong, Hail the Witch King!” See now a sunbeam land in your raised palm. Let its energy move through your arm and chest finally spilling forth into your right arm. As the energy reaches your right hand draw a pentacle of golden sunlight above the cup. Raise now your right hand towards the sun and chant three times, “Hail the Witch King for he is light!”

With your hands above you make the shape of a triangle by touching the ends of your index fingers and overlapping your thumbs. Catch the sun in the empty triangle and envision that you have trapped a bit of it’s light. Slowly bring the triangle down to the glass. As you do this envision that the light of the sun travels with your hands and fills the glass. See that as the light spills through the pentacle it’s golden energy dissolves into the water. Breath slow and deep. Direct the energy of the sun into the cup and as you do so see that the light clarifies the dark contents of the glass and say:

Lucifer, the Holy Sun

Whose fire burns within the soul

By witch’s right

I claim thy light

For on this day we share his might!



When you perceive that the water in the glass has become clear and vibrant take the glass in both hands and drink deeply. Feel the water enter your body and rejuvenate you. Repeat as needed, an excellent practice for Sunday’s as well.

For more information visit www.blackrosewitchcraft.com.

First posted on Pagan Square Saturday, 21 June 2014

Within our tradition we celebrate the sabbats as they occur astrologically. This year astrological Lammas will happen on Friday, August 8th when the sun enters 15* Leo. Traditionally Lammas is celebrated as the first of the three neo-pagan harvest festivals with roots driven deep in Irish and Celtic folklore. At 15* Leo we find a fixed star by the name of Dubhe (pronounced DUB-ee) (Bear in Arabic) which is associated with psychic power and destruction. Dubhe is also referred to as “The Eye” or “Pivot of the Universe” and makes up the center of Ursa Major’s spine.For our Lammas ritual we combine both the terrestrial fascination of the first harvest with the celestial alignment of this great star.

During this ritual we surround ourselves with symbols of the harvest. This can be fresh fruit or grains or ceremonial tools like the scythe or boline. We then enter trance and commune with Dubhe to align ourselves with the psychic potential to see clearly what must be harvested and to gain insight regarding how to move through specific issues that we might be facing. This ritual requires us to both be receptive to the messages of the heavenly host and to be able to form a complete description of any issue we might present during this ritual. We are communing with Dubhe through the lens of Leo so we must approach this ritual with clarity and dominion in mind. This ritual is performed best either as the Sun rises or at night when Ursa Major is visible.

For this ritual you will need:

Symbols of the harvest: Corn, Grain, cereals, fruit, wine, scythe, boline, etc.

Quiet space preferably outside.

Sit comfortably facing the east (where you will find Dubhe) surround yourself with symbols of the harvest. Invite your guides and allies that you commonly work with during rituals. Cast a circle and invoke your own personal set of grigori (watchers) and then find yourself relaxed in the center, again facing the east. As this ritual does not specifically work with a pantheon please feel free to invoke your own gods as well if you feel it is appropriate.

Begin now by closing your eyes and taking slow and steady deep breaths. As you inhale allow your belly to fill first, then your chest, always keeping your shoulders relaxed. As you exhale feel the air spill out of you like a cup, chest first and then belly. As you breathe draw your attention to the points of stillness and silence at the beginnings and ends of each breath. Allow all other distractions to become part of this experience, driving you deeper into the moment.

Envision before you the constellation of Ursa Major. Each breath should act like a step in the direction of this constellation and each moment of stillness a step further to being present. See this pause between breaths grow pregnant with possibility and allow yourself to be drawn deeper into yourself. Know that as you travel closer to the constellation you are also traveling deeper into yourself.

Draw your attention to the fifth star from the left, Dubhe the pivot of the universe. See that unlike the other stars that compose Ursa Major, Dubhe illuminates the heavens with orange light. Move closer to this orange light and see that all other stars fade away into the blackness of space. As you float in the emptiness the only thing that you can see now is that orange star.

Invoke the heavenly host by saying, “Dubhe, great Eye of the big dipper, spine of Ursa Major and Pivot of the Universe I call to you! Align with this earthly body so I may see all that my senses fail to see! Bring forth clarity in my psyche and destroy the blocks that keep me from your sight! Rest upon my third eye and show me that which alludes me!”

Envision now that the orange orb moves to rest on your third-eye. Take three deep breaths to ground and align yourself within this energy. At the time you should feel free to commune with Dubhe. Ask it what blocks exist that you aren’t seeing, ask for insight into older blocks, ask that the hidden now come to light. Pay attention to any insights you might get during this time and try to remain as open to messages as possible. It is also appropriate to convey any issue that may feel like a major roadblock in your life to Dubhe.

Once you feel that you have communicated effectively with Dubhe pick up one of your harvest symbols and hold it in both hands. Lift it up above you and recite, “Aligned within me, aligned above me, aligned below me. I am at the center of all things. I am the ebb and flow, I am the alpha and the omega. Dubhe, Ak, Leo-Eye, from your vision I will not shy! Dubhe, Ak, Leo-Eye, with your guidance I will fly! Dubhe, Ak, Leo-Eye the only limit is the sky!”

See that your whole body now begins to grow in the orange light of Dubhe. With each breath allow this orange light to grow until it encompasses all of what you see, even the darkness. Take three deep breaths to align with this energy and then see that below you is your body. Place the harvest symbol in your lap and begin to make your way back to your body. Take time as you do this, remembering to breathe slow and deep, once again paying attention to the moments of stillness and silence at the beginnings and ends of each breath.

Once you feel you have made your way back to your body, open your eyes, thank and release your personal allies and close your circle. Keep the harvest symbol you used during your trance. Allow it to serve as an anchor for the energy you encountered today. Whenever you have a need to revisit the energy it is now in an accessible place. If you used fruit, such as an apple, eat it and save the seeds, if you used grain or cereal, save the seeds! These objects will become quite useful for future work.

For more information about Black Rose witchcraft check us out online at www.blackrosewitchcraft.com

Entheogens, psychedelics, hallucinogens, and other intoxicants are connected with witchcraft because they help us to escape the trappings of the mind and aide in spirit flight. Witches have been working with herbs to alter consciousness for thousands of years and the story is no different today. What is different however is the availability of these substances. The legal drinking age in the United States is twenty-one, younger in most others. Medical marijuana is currently legal in several states and without question will become legal recreationally soon. Herbs like Salvia are also available in the large majority of locations as well as Ayahuasca in South America and abroad. Even mugwort and Mexican tarragon when prepared the right way can induce intense dream states. Modern witches have all of these herbs at our disposal with just a few clicks on the Internet so I thought I would share with you some safe and effective ways to work with the most popular of psychoactive herbs available, Cannabis.

I started working with Cannabis to alleviate IBS symptoms that began some years back. Growing up in a place where it was available recreationally through unmentionable channels, I did have some exposure to it prior to my diagnosis but was largely unfamiliar with the plant as a spiritual ally. Once it became somewhat of a staple for alleviating the often-debilitating symptoms of IBS, I realized that I had a job to do as an animist; I had to familiarize myself with the plant spirit to continue to work with it responsibly.

I was never much of a user prior to getting sick and to be honest, I was not immediately into sharing my experiences with others, mostly because I didn’t want to be labeled as a ‘stoner’ in the eyes of other witches. That fear would melt away in my close circles and give rise to discussions and new experiences that would better my understanding of what having a spiritual relationship with this plant can offer.

Lets get one thing straight: You don’t have to work with Cannabis if you don’t want to, it doesn’t make or break you as a witch. It is a relationship that I developed as an adult with legal access to it. If you can’t enjoy it legally it isn’t really worth the penalties that can often come with possession of such a plant.

There are several ways to partake of Cannabis, the most popular being the smoking of the sticky cone like flower. Other products such as oils and tinctures are easily made or obtained through extracting the whole plant essence, not just the flowering bud. The psychoactive chemical of the plant known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produces an immediate shift in the mind and is generally responsible for the euphoric feeling associated with consuming the plant. Cannabidiol (CBD) on the other hand is responsible for the medicinal effects of pain relief, nausea reduction, to reduce seizures, and in strong enough doses can actually stop the growth of and even shrink the size of tumors. For the majority of medical Cannabis users strains of the plant containing higher volumes of CBD are desired. When working with the plant spiritually to alter consciousness and raise vibration, we want to work with strains with higher amounts of THC and minimal amounts of CBD. Too much CBD can make the body feel heavy after sometime and will either put you to sleep for a few hours, or will make it difficult to maintain focus during spiritual exploration.

Cannabis strains I can recommend for spirit flight:

Sour Diesel: Has a very nice calming ability on the body, releasing anxiety and tension while sharpening the mind. The high lasts a moderate amount of time and is an easy transition back to sobriety without any crashing effects. Very stimulating and makes for an excellent soul flight experience. Probably my most preferred.

3D: A hybrid strain that combines three euphoric varieties which in small amounts will make you feel creative and social. In larger quantities has been said to bring deep states of shamanic awareness.

Voodoo: A strain that comes from Thailand, known for its long lasting euphoric effects and mind altering anti-depressive properties. This strain is excellent for long durations of soul flight and can be used in smaller increments over a longer period of time to maintain shamanic conscious states.

Blue Dream: Balancing full-body relaxation and gentle mental invigoration this strain hails from California and is a favorite among practitioners. A nice subtle shift in the mind, a euphoric body high and an almost immediate loss of anxiety makes this strain a go to.

White Widow: Another hybrid which boasts impressive effects for spiritually minded users, this strain comes from the Netherlands and is a cross between plants from both India and Brazil. It gets its name from the white crystals that coat the flower, this stain is perfect for deep emotional healing and all night spirit communion. Very strong, this variety should be used with caution for new users.

When working with this plant as a spiritual ally it can open doors to parts of the mind which beg for healing, speed the vibrational astral process, and enhance shamanic reality. The trick to this practice however is to not use so much that you lose the ability to actually do the work at hand. I worked with a group for years who would use cannabis to aid in spirit flight and by far the biggest challenge was in keeping everyone at a level of consumption that would allow us to remain task oriented. If you’re smoking then one or two puffs should do it, or a dose of THC that is somewhere around the 20-milligram mark.

I prefer to do this kind of work with a group where drumming, chanting, and singing can be done to raise the special vibration and provide a psychic stream of energy to slip into. If you’re doing this alone be sure to make music or have some playing that is faster than 100 beats per minute. The other reason to work this magic with others is that I like to have at least one sane, sober, and magical person around. This person acts as a “temple ward” and will help keep everyone safe and the experience directed if needed. For the most part the temple ward only needs to keep the space sacred and keep the people flying out of harms way. They are the designated fliers, who may enter a light trance state but should remain sober.

Cleanse yourself and your space beforehand and prepare an incense using three parts cannabis (leaves will work well for this), two parts myrrh, and one part honey amber. Blend well together and burn 2/3 of the mixture over charcoal while you prepare your mind by grounding and centering your energy. Load a bowl of your favorite green stuff or prepare your herbal remedy according to usage instructions. Using your dominant hand draw a pentacle of green fire over the herb and with a deep breath visualize the pentacle descending into the plant matter then say, “ Cannabidia! Cannabidia! Cannabidia! I call forth the green goddess from the eatheric realms! I summon her from the plane of spirits! Blessed is this herb which bares your name, holy is its power! Cannabidia, you who parts the veils, who flourishes on the mountain side, you who breaks the chains that bind and redeemer of the mind! Cannabidia as I inhale I take in your essence. As I partake I breathe in your spirit medicine! Be here now! Be here now! Cannabidia – Be here now!”

Take the recommended amount of herb and then immediately begin drumming, chanting, and singing, or playing your music.

Over the next thirty to forty minutes continue to do this and allow your mind to remain open but keep a conscious composure. During this time allow any visions or messages to come through and merely be present in the moment. Just allow for what comes to come, don’t over analyze it, don’t try to make immediate sense of it, just be present. After your work is done stop the music and burn the remaining third of the incense and as it burns simply breathe and focus on bringing your consciousness completely back into your body. Take a few moments to feel your bones and muscles, your skin and your hair as you slowly breathe and appreciate the silence.

Once you feel you are once again grounded spend the next few minutes writing down any messages you received and to the best of your ability, try to write down your overall experience.

To develop a continued relationship with the plant spirit use the herb sparingly and with intention. Lets face it, getting high off of cannabis is fun and far less calories than drinking, but any substance used without moderation can become a problem and in this case is abusive to the plant spirit. You also don’t want to grow the habit of relying on these methods solely because too much exposure to these substances will weaken the mind and your ability to protect yourself. Remember, 98% of magic is about being clear-minded and grounded. The 2% of the craft that isn’t really should only remain the 2% for the majority of us.

In addition to not overdoing it, you can also make the container in which you store your herb a shrine for the plant spirit. Be creative and make it beautiful! Cannabidia, the goddess I spoke of earlier is a deity that came to me during one of my own spirit flights and has been a constant ally. Her symbol is a burgundy seven-pointed star contained within a bright green triangle.

I hope you make the most of your experiences and that you take the time to consider the spiritual side of working with cannabis if you are already a user or are about to embark upon that journey. In my case, my IBS symptoms have almost completely disappeared and I no longer need to use this herbal ally as much as I once did. I credit the dramatic change for the better in my health to establishing a relationship with this plant and the spirit that resides within it. I also credit that relationship with intense breakthroughs regarding my own spiritual and emotional health. Sometimes being able to find relief from suffering is all you need in order to find an end to it.

I want to first thank John Beckett for writing an incredibly well crafted piece, I Don’t Get Men’s Mysteries, regarding his experience with the concept of the male mysteries. It inspired me to write this post. I agree with everything he said and was once in his shoes, especially being one of only a handful of men in a Goddess-centered tradition. I read his post and remember saying these same words over and over again, until one day I accidentally joined a men’s group and reluctantly stayed.

The short of the story is that after moving to California six years ago I found myself with partners who attended a monthly men’s gathering. If I wanted to see them on that particular Saturday night each month I had to go to what I affectionately referred to at the time as, “that stupid men’s group.” There was something about the concept that I just didn’t get and I didn’t resonate with at all, but we do strange things for love! Within the first year the group shifted enough and what emerged was one of the coolest and most supportive groups of people I have ever met. That was five years ago and I am glad I stuck around.

Over this time I have grown to see how important these spaces have been in my life and I would like to share from an insider’s perspective what can make them so special. Here are five reasons you shouldn’t knock-it ‘till you try-it!

One: They can help make you a better man. Yep, I said it! The biggest complaint we have in society is that men are taught to be hyper-masculine, fem-resistant, anti-emotional Marlboro types. Those behaviors are learned from our male role models and peer groups. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks and what better place to have your male privilege and macho BS served to you, than in a men’s group? Let’s face it, it can be hard to hear some things from members of the opposite sex, male privilege is one of them. In my experience I am usually the one calling it out, but I have actually made some life long friends by having those discussions.

Two: They can show you all the things your father couldn’t. Though I haven’t personally had to worry about this particular issue I did find that having older men with healthy relationships and balanced perspective around me to have greatly shaped my perspective of masculinity. It went from being something I generally acquainted to barbarism to something that I saw as being responsible, strong, and care giving both emotionally and physically. The only way we can ever shape the idea of masculinity is to redefine it; men’s groups allow you the space to do that.

Three: It’s good to have bros. After a long week of fighting patriarchy and redefining the concepts of masculinity it is good to kick back, have a beer (or glass of wine), and commiserate. There is nothing like knowing there are other guys who are fighting the good fight and have your back! I can’t tell you how many times my bros have talked me off a ledge or convinced me to delete the post before publishing. It’s nice to have a place to vent, collect strategy for the long war against bigotry ahead, as well as get the occasional “Job well done” from a fellow bro.

Four: It actually isn’t all about the sex. Despite what most people think, when male pagans get together we don’t actually all stand around and talk about sex. We actually spend most of our time talking about how to education other men and what we would like to see happen in the community. I have never once been hit on, preyed upon, or made to feel uncomfortable by sex talk. Relationships built in these settings rarely become more than good friends, and if the bar is set high enough sex will be the last thing on everyone’s mind.

Five: We are still figuring this out. Like the rest of paganism, male mysteries are still a mystery. There is no set way, there are only models; models that needed to be changed and were. The best part of this work is that every one of us who identifies as male has a voice. Unlike some of the feminist pagan movement, the mysteries don’t lie within our reproductive cycles, they lie within how we help to provide and take care of our world. When I read the post by John I couldn’t help but think, “Hey! This guy is exploring the male mysteries right now!” The truth is, every one who identifies as male has a piece of the mysteries and when we circle in groups we can share those pieces that we do have with one another.

No group is for everyone and no way is the only way. There are plenty of other things a pagan man can get himself into but I can say that if he is like me, he might find some really valuable pieces of wisdom hidden in all that testosterone.

For those who identify as male and would like a place where they can experience this online, I would like to invite them to Project Pagan Priest on Facebook.

Every once in a while I get an email from a fan or a seeker along the path who has a really good question. I decided to compile some of the best questions and reformat them for the blog. Names have been adjusted to protect identities. Do you have a question? Email me at Devin@devinhunter.net and I’ll try to answer it in a blog post or on the show!

Dear Devin,

I was wondering what your thoughts are about involving sex and relationships and spiritual community. I have been Pagan for almost ten years and after moving to Texas from the East Coast I finally found some really cool people to hang out with. They invited me to attend their public circles and after a few months also invited me to their private functions. One of the members and I have really hit it off and I am thinking about asking her out on a date.

Normally I wouldn’t think about making a move like this but the group dynamic is very different than what I am use to. Members of this circle have almost all dated each other from what I can tell and more than a few have sexual relationships now. It all seems on the up and up and everyone is very open about it all. I like the idea of being open with my sexuality in a spiritual setting.

I guess my question is- should I go with my initial feelings and ask her out or should I look elsewhere for love? I come from a coven that didn’t allow for those types of relationships and thought it was something that was suppose to be avoided. With this new group though, it all feels different and there are hardly any rules, and none like that. Is it bad form to date coven members? Will it hurt my spiritual path? I’m a little confused.

-Dave in Austin

Hi Dave!

One thing that I think we all try to find in love are people who are ‘like minded.’ In other spiritual traditions, like Christianity for example, there is a sort-of dating safety net put into place for members of the faith to meet and develop potential relationships. This is something that Paganism has unfortunately largely failed to do. If you want to find an available Pagan partner, you are left with the Internet and if you are lucky, a festival or event. Otherwise, meeting potential partners can be challenging for many modern Pagans. This means that communities like covens, which provide an intimate setting where trust and openness are expected, are hot beds for potential romantic attraction.

We have all been in one of these types of relationships before or we have seen friends of ours go through them. Sometimes they become serious, producing marriage and kids, and other times they lead to the total destruction of an organization. Because of the latter, I was taught to avoid these types of relationships all together. The damage that can be caused far outweighs the good that they can bring to an organization. It also goes without saying that relationships between students and teachers should be avoided unless they precede spiritual mentoring.

That being said, if you are part of an organization that has this already as part of the culture I would suggest proceeding with caution. There are three things that you absolutely must do if you are going to move forward.

Let your coven know you are dating and what your rules are. Since you say several of the members have a sexual relationship in the group, you should be aware that they may have had one or might currently have one with your potential partner. If you suddenly introduce monogamy, make sure everyone knows to avoid unwanted jealousy or weirdness that may accrue.

Don’t bring your coven mates into your relationship issues. Unless you are seeking mediation, bringing up your personal relationship problems when your partner is also a member of your coven will make everyone uncomfortable. This can force people to polarize and will immediately crack the foundation of the group. If you accidently do this, be sure to take responsibility, apologize, and let others know it wasn’t fair for them to have been put in that situation.

Make a game plan with your partner about what you should do if it doesn’t work out. In the event that your magical partnership starts to dissolve be aware that the coven will be weakened, if only for a bit. Agree not to involve anyone in the coven and ask the members of the coven to stay out of it if unless they see signs of abuse.

I would also like to bring up one critical part of this; your newness to the group. The biggest problem you face is that if you proceed with this relationship you both run the risk of being pushed out of the group if things don’t work out. The likelihood of that person being you is far greater than of being her.

Ultimately I am a lover and a fighter. I moved twenty-four hundred miles from my home to be with my partners seven years ago. I believe in love and in taking risks when it comes to love. Since you haven’t seen this type of thing happen in the coven before you might want to wait a while and watch what the other couples are doing. I can say that when it comes to this sort of thing, the proof is in the taste of the pudding. If you observe healthy relationships with these couples and both partners appear to be truly happy, then take a dip.

-Devin Hunter

www.DevinHunter.net

As a professional psychic and witch of over twelve years I have done my share of love readings for clients. It’s ok, we all do it. We all want to know how love will potentially shape our future. Inevitably most of these readings either end up being about a current relationship on the rocks, when an ex may or may not come back around, or when the client is finally going to find their prince. As the reading winds down almost everyone asks the same question: Is there a spell I can do to bring love into my life or fix the love that is already there?

The truth is, love spells are tricky. They are tricky because there tends to be a lot of variables for us to work through. Sure you may have a big crush on Jimmy and would do anything to get him, but what if Jimmy is secretively gay or what if Jimmy could only love someone with one arm? I know that might sound improbable but these things get in the way far more than one might suspect.

Another aspect of love magic that is worth investigating is that almost always it is done for external pursuits. The spell might work initially, bringing you into the arms of another, but what happens when the glamour fades and you are left with the realization that not only are they not what you wanted, but you aren’t who you wanted to be. The first time I cast a love spell, not only did it work, but it worked so well that I actually tricked myself into thinking that they were the one for me. At some point I started to wonder if it was me he was in love with or the spell. That not knowing caused me to break the spell which subsequently led to the end of that relationship a few days later. For years I would beat myself up over who I let myself become in that relationship and would have a string of very unhealthy relationships.

One day during a particularly intense phone call with a client over her disastrous love life I realized that I had a lot more in common with her than I had expected. The problem was that we were too busy feeling alone and undesirable that we weren’t looking for a way to fix the issue, just to bandage up old wounds that were seeping bad ex-boyfriend and latent daddy issues. I sat there for a few moments and suddenly realized we were doing it all wrong. What came from that realization was this love spell. The Self Love spell is the only love spell you will ever need!

Cast a love spell on yourself? Really?

There is something to be said about Ru Paul’s famous exit on Drag Race, “If you can’t love yourself, how the hell are you going to love anybody else?” You see, when we love ourselves and put ourselves first this funny thing happens, we feel good about ourselves and our decisions. These good vibes lead to a boost in confidence which eventually leads to us being able to make better decisions for ourselves. Those decisions help us to know who we really are when we don’t feel unlovable and what we really want out of love.

The benefits of casting a love spell on yourself go even deeper than just that. When we perform love magic on ourselves we are forcing the issue. This type of magic means you can’t glamour yourself or pull the wool over your own eyes. This makes you much more likely to actually look for and root out those lies that we have led ourselves to believe. You get to choose self preservation over settling for less than you’re worth, and you get to rise to the occasion instead of waiting for someone else to come along and make you feel better. When you choose to love yourself you are making a big statement to the universe and everything changes.

I have prescribed this spell to hundreds of clients over the years and have received phenomenal feedback. This spell is great for those who are looking to find love, fix the love they have, and/or ignite love in their life. This spell can be done any time but is designed to be worked on a Friday evening, just after sunset.

The Self Love Spell

Items Needed:

Pink Candle

Lavender Petals

Jasmine Flower

(if you cant find these herbs I recommend the Reconciliation blend from The Mystic Dream)

Gold Glitter (optional)

5-10 pieces of Rose Quartz

A bowl of Salt Water

A White, Pink, or Red cloth

A Small Compaq or Hand mirror

Bless and sanctify the space you will be doing this spell in. When preparing for love work I prefer to sprinkle the area with salt water and then to project the image of pink flames surrounding the space.

Place the candle in the middle of your altar space and then place the rose quartz pieces equidistant to each other in a circle around the candle. As you place each crystal around th unlit candle visualize yourself coming closer to an authentic version of you. Around the circle of rose quarts sprinkle generous amounts of the herbal mixture. As you sprinkle the herb mixture ask for the wisdom and medicine from the herbs to aide in your working. With jasmine ask for self love and with the lavender ask for the ability to intuitively feel where the changes need to be made in your life. Sprinkle the gold glitter (symbolizing sovereignty over the self) over the herbs and candle.

Sit for a moment and wash your face, then hands, then feet in the salt water. As you dip the cloth in the salt water and gently scrub these parts, take a moment to see the blocks and bad relationships from your past wash off like oil and dirt. When you have completed this, envision the pink flame from before washing over your body and restoring any damage left behind from the past.

Draw a pentacle of pink flame with your wand or index finger over the candle and then light it. After you light the candle, bow your head slightly, eyes on the candle flame and say,

“By sacred flame I ignite the passion of the Goddess. Hear me great mother!”

Touch each stone gently and say,

“By sacred stone I summon the love of the Goddess. Hear me great mother!”

Softly hover your hands over the herbs and say,

“By sacred flower I call forth the spirit of the Goddess. Hear me great mother!”

Take a few moments to breathe slowly and ground your energy. Allow yourself to feel any shifts around you and allow for the energy to settle in the air just a bit. At this time spill your guts out. Cry. Get angry. Tell the Goddess everything, even the stuff you don’t want anyone to know. Don’t stop until you feel like you have said anything and everything you need to. The whole time while doing this, look directly into the candle flame and see yourself pouring this energy into the light. Once you feel that you have released any and all stuck or heavy energy into the candle say,

“No more tears will blind me, no more fears will chain me.

No more pieces to find within, no more pain to keep within.”

Turn around so that the candle is behind you and lift up your small mirror or compaq and stare directly into your own gaze. After a few seconds say,

“Looking back I see my soul not pieces to be made whole.

Looking in I see my heart a lush work of ancient art.

Looking out I see my path free of self inflicted wrath.

(Insert your full name), I love you and you are worth love

Together as one we let it shine from above!”

Gently close the mirror and/or place it down close by. Turn to face the candle one last time and say,

“Queen of Heaven, Queen of Hell, horned Hunter of the night, lend our power to this spell and work my will by magic right.

Air to speed it well, earth to bind my spell, I count the elements four fold and on the fifth my spell shall hold!

May my heart be mine for all time. My love is mine for all time.

I cast this spell, so must it be, for the good of all, but most for me!”

Let the candle burn out completely and then collect the remnants. Take the remaining pieces of the spell- the herbs, unburnt wax, and glitter and burry them on the following new moon for optimal results. Keep the mirror and gaze into it whenever you need a reminder.

For more information about love spell, including this one check out Episode 3 of Season 3 from the AV Club favorited show, The Modern Witch Podcast.

The Modern Witch #13daysofmagic challenge is off to a great start and I have already seen some really amazing photos. This morning the timer on my phone reminded me that it was time to fulfill my daily challenge; doing magic for the sake of doing magic. I had thought I would have some great list of spells prepared to perform each day but I haven’t had the time to create such a list. As I stared at my phone I had no clue what I was going to do.

I decided this was a great time to go back to basics and meditate on it. Because I had no big plan I decided to ask myself a very selfish question. What do I need? Usually when I am doing magic it’s for a client or for a member of my community. I do little things here and there through out the day but I never really cast a spell for my own enjoyment. What did I need? I needed to manifest my personal goals like finishing a book and adding to my spiritual repertoire. Without hesitation I went to my book of shadows and found a manifestation spell I wrote a few years back. My first #13daysofmagic challenge photo is a manifestation spell for witches who are ready to get a little selfish.

Manifestation spell for the Selfish Witch

What you need

One Black Candle (To draw from the infinite)

Wisdom Herb Blend (I used Wisdom of Solomon from The Mystic Dream. Solomon Seal, Chamomile, or Mandrake would work great or this.)

Spirit Guide Oil (I used a special ritual blend however essential oil of Rue, Lavender, or Rose would work great.)

The World card from the Tarot (The card shown here is from the Giant Rider Waite)

Casting the spell

Dress your candle with the oil and then the herbs. Before dressing them hold each in your hand and send a little bit of your Holy Fire (auric energy) into each as you whisper your intention to them. “[Wisdom Herb] I seek to align with your powers of wisdom and ask your aide in this working.” “[Spirit Guide Oil] I seek to align with your powers of guidance and ask your aide in this working.”

Place the candle in a fire safe dish and place that over The World card. Draw a pentacle of Holy Fire over the candle and recite the spell.

“By spirit guide and witch’s fire, I summon now my heart’s desire.

Burn ye bright and light the way- for nothing in my path shall stay.

By Queen of Heaven and of Hell, I claim my right to cast this spell.

Head my words and hear me now, for open roads this will endow!

[With a commanding tone declare what it is you wish to manifest and light the candle]

As I will it, so must it be, for the good of all but most for me!”

First posted on Pagan Square Sunday, 19 October 2014

Talisman of the Dark Equinox:

A Celebration of Autumn-tide

By Devin Hunter and Storm Faerywolf

The autumnal equinox marks a shift of power from that of the world of the living and beginning a slow descent into resonance with the realm of the ancestors. At this time many traditions celebrate the descent of the Goddess into the Underworld such as in the myths of Inanna or Persephone where she will begin a series of trials that will culminate in the creation of life from death.

Also called “Harvest Home”, another name for this holiday is “Mabon” and refers to a male Welsh deity later adopted into Arthurian legend. On the Neo-Pagan agricultural wheel of the year this holiday celebrates the “second harvest”, and the awareness of the need to share one’s bounty with the community to better fare the winter months.

In Black Rose Witchcraft we celebrate the eight Neo-Pagan Sabbats during their astrological occurrence and this year Mabon falls on Monday, September 22. For our solitary ritual this year we have chosen to celebrate the opening of the gates between the world of humankind and the world of spirits by creating other-world wax talismans to act as our guide through the dark half of the year. As the dark year descends the power of our spirit community rises to see us through.

Other-World Wax Talismans

You will need:

A small pouch.

One household candle of appropriate color. (We suggest white or black but feel free to use a candle color that might better represent the work you will be embarking on during the dark half of the year.)

An empowered magickal oil of your choosing such as “Mighty Dead”, or anything dealing with themes such as death, underworld, or spirit contact. If you don’t have access to magickal oils we suggest using an essential oil such as sage, lavender, or dragon’s blood, but even simply extra virgin olive oil that you have prayed over will do in a pinch.

Create a sacred space by casting circle, invoking the elements and your allies, and whichever deities you work with, if any. While facing the direction of West, hold the candle in both hands and perform a sacred breathing technique such as the four-fold breath and as you exhale softly whisper your intention to the candle.

“Creature of flame be now a light unto a path between the worlds.”

Place the candle next to you and pick up the oil with both hands and perform the sacred breathing as before. As you exhale softly whisper your intention to the oil.

“Creature of oil be now aligned unto a path between the worlds.”

Dress the candle with the oil and as you do chant:

“By light and flame, by thought and breath,

Here cross the roads of life and death.”

Light the candle and say:

“By holy art and magick word into all worlds my voice is heard.

By light that shines while dark descends, By rising power without end

As the veil does now grow thin I summon forth my spirit kin,

Guide me true and ne’er depart, from this my beating witches’ heart.”

Draw a pentacle of holy fire over the candle and repetitively chant until you feel the need to stop:

“Light that shines while dark descends, rising power without end!”

Allow the candle to melt all the way down and then gather up the remnants. Place them in the small pouch and then hold it in your left hand. Place your right palm over the left palm and visualize the holy fire empowering the pouch. Say:

“Dark equinox, the autumn-tide

be now my otherworldly guide.”

Imagine the last vestiges of the energy you have raised being absorbed into the talisman. Present it to the four directions and pronounce to the spirits therein that you have a new tool and that it will be used to help guide you through the next several months. When done, release any allies, the elements, and close the circle. Keep the talisman on your altar or wear it during dark times.

Last modified on Monday, 22 September 2014