New Altar

Mrs. B's fab givaway!

Mrs. B is having another givaway!

This time its a candle from Beyond Magical Candle Company! Ohhhh.  If you're interested go visit Mrs. B's blog at http://www.confessionsofapagansoccermom.com/!

The how question.

I got an email last night from a friend of my containing what I call the How question.

"How do you (meaning Witches, Wiccans, Pagans, Druids etc.) find the time to learn everything about your religion? My aunt let me borrow her Book of Shadows when I told her I was interested in Paganism. But I was working full time, taking two night classes, and could barley manage to keep a social life much less learn a Religion. I tried for two years to learn what I could but I couldn't even master basic meditation. How to you find the time to balance your regular life and your Magickal life? I can't seem to see where I went wrong and three years later I'm still interested in learning. Is this why I couldn't find that many teens who were real Magickal people? The ones I met all turned out to be posers who didn't want to study or work hard for anything. How do you do it?"

Would anyone like to share tips or tell how you learned to balance your life to include Magick? You can comment or make a post about it in your blog if you'll link it here.

My Book of Shadows

Oil recipes

Add the essential oil recipes to 2 oz of any base oil, or as recommended: Hazelnut, sweet almond or grape seed. Olive oil and Sesame oil are heavier, although they are also used at times. Visualize as you blend and smell, this will put your personal spiritual intent into the mix.

Do not use synthetics if you want results. I recommend pure essential oils.

Altar Oil
4 ml Frankincense
2 ml Myrrh
1 ml Cedar
Anoint the altar with this oil at regular intervals, calling your Deity (Deities) to watch over it. Mix with 4 oz base oil. Recipe is for a year of 13 Full moon phases, keep the blessing oil in tightly capped dark glass bottle.

Anointing Oil
5 ml Sandalwood
3 ml Cedarwood
1 ml Orange
1 ml Lemon
Use for most ritual anointing purposes, mix with 4 oz oil. Recipe is for 12 or more uses.

Astral Travel Oil
5 drops Sandalwood oil
1 drop Ylang-Ylang oil
1 drop Cinnamon oil
Add ingredients to 2 oz almond oil and mix. Anoint the stomach, wrists, back of the neck and forehead. Lie down and visualize yourself astrally projecting.

Beltane Oil
4 drops Lily Of The Valley Oil
2 drops Violet Oil
2 drops Honeysuckle Oil
Pinch of Lemon Balm herb
Mix with 2 oz olive oil and tightly bottle. Anoint your altar and candles.

Healing Oil
4 drops Rosemary
2 drops Juniper
1 drop Sandalwood
Blend with 1 oz each: Olive oil and Hazelnut oil. Wear to speed healing.

Litha (Midsummer) Oil
1 part Hazelnut Oil
1 part Elder Oil
1 part Lavender Oil
1 part Rosemary Oil
Mix in bottle. Anoint on altar and candles.

Lughnassadh (Lammas) Oil
1 part Sunflower Oil
1 part Hazelnut Oil
1 part Heliotrope Oil
1 part Fir Oil
1 part Basil Oil
1 part Rose Oil
Mix in bottle. Anoint on altar and candles.

Mabon Sabbat Oil
1 part Hazelnut Oil
1 part Almond Oil
1 part Crushed Walnut Shell
Tsp of Marigold Leaves
Add small Yellow Agate or golden crystal. Anoint your altar and candles.

Psychic Visions Oil
4 drops Lemongrass
2 drops Bay
1 drop Nutmeg
Mix in 1 oz Hazelnut oil. Anoint the forehead to produce psychic awareness and dreams.

Sabbat Oil
3 drops Frankincense
2 drops Myrrh
2 drops Sandalwood
1 drop Orange
1 drop Lemon
Add to an olive-oil base and wear to Wiccan Sabbats

Samhain Oil (Sow-in)
4 drops Pine Oil
2 drops Frankincense oil
2 drops Patchouli oil
2 drops Lavender oil
Blend with 1 oz Olive oil in bottle. Anoint on altar and candles.

Yule Sabbat Oil
1 part Pine Oil
1 part Fir Oil
5 part Almond Oil
1 cinnamon stick
1 drop Musk Oil
4 Cloves
Mix 1 oz almond oil in bottle. Anoint on altar and candles.

Chakra Oils
7th Crown: Myrrh, Lotus, Frankincense, Camphor
6th Head: Carnation, Lavender, Rosemary
5th Heart: Cedarwood, Mimosa, Rosemary, Clove
4th Throat: violet, Vanilla, Ylang-Ylang, Eucalyptus
3rd Belly: Frankincense, Honeysuckle, Galangal, Lemon Verbena
2nd Spine: Orange, Oakmoss, Sandalwood.
1st Base: Civit, Muguet, Ambergris, Cinnamon, Musk
Chakra Balancing Oil: Lemon, Orange, Lavender, Myrrh, Clove

Magical Blended Oil Uses
Astral Travel: Frankincense, Myrrh, Cypress, Jasmine
Attraction: Musk, Cassia, Sandalwood, Myrrh
Blessing Oil: Myrrh, Cedarwood, Amber
Divination: Musk, Ambergris, Vetivert, Violet, Lilac
Fast Luck, Patchouli, Carnation, Mimosa
Gambler’s: Lily of the Valley, Rose, Sandalwood, Mimosa, Cinnamon
Love: Gardenia, Jasmine, Muguet, Sandalwood, Musk
Money Drawing: Patchouli, Pine, Bay
Needed Changes: Sandalwood, Mimosa, Hyacinth, Cinnamon
Prosperity: Patchouli, Gardenia, Cinnamon
Protection: Frankincense, Sandalwood, Amber
Psychic Power: Cedarwood, Myrrh, Violet, Musk, Ambergris
Success: Heliotrope, Patchouli, Lavender
Uncrossing: Rose, Carnation, Bay, Clove

Posted by Gregory Branson-Trent's Ghost Hunter's Blog

How to make candles

Candle making is useful for increasing the quality of your candle magick.

    Melting the wax is the most dangerous part of candle making. The fumes from melting wax are flammable and can cause a serious fire.

    Double boiler Use a double boiler to melt the wax. You heat water in a lower pot that then heats the upper pot. Never melt wax directly in a single pan or pot (the wax will catch on fire). It is better to use electric stoves rather than gas stoves because the open flame of a gas stove can ignite wax fumes. The water in a double boiler can’t get above 212° F. The double boiler helps distribute the heat evenly and helps to prevent dangerously high temperatures by separating the wax from the heat source.

    You can make your own homemade double boiler by placing a smaller pot into a larger pot. You can use a metal cookie cutter on the bottom of the pot to elevate the upper pot. A real double boiler has use for lots of kinds of cooking in addition to melting wax for candle making.

    Fire extinguisher Keep a smother-style fire extinguisher (rated for grease fires) nearby. Review the instructions before you start work, to make sure you know how to operate the fire extinguisher if you need it. If the wax catches on fire, you need to smother the flames and put out the fire the same way that you would for a grease fire. If the fire is small enough, you may be able to smother it with a pot lid. Using water will only spread the fire (the burning wax will float on the water and spread around your kitchen).

    Melting wax It will take a long time for the wax to melt. You need to keep a patient eye on the wax, because once it starts to melt the temperature of the wax will rise rapidly and catch fire. The flash point for wax is above 300° F. Use a thermometer to make sure that your wax never gets hotter than 250° F.

    Put an inch or two of water into the lower pot. Bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn down the heat to keep a steady simmer. Simmering water and rapidly boiling water are both at the exact same temperature, 212° F. You may need to occasionally add more water to make up for water lost to evaporation. Never let the double boiler run dry.

    There are numerous on-line sources for candle wax. The most commonly used is paraffin. Food-grade paraffin makes shiny candles. Non-food grade paraffin may contain oils and other impurities, some of which may be toxic or harmful. Sometimes a mixture of paraffin and bee’s wax is used for magick candles.

    Molds Once the wax is melted, you will want to pour it into a candle mold. There is a wide variety of metal pillar molds that can be used for candle making, offering a wide variety of shapes. Metal pillar molds are typically made from sheet metal or aluminum, but there are also plastic, latex, and silicone pillar molds. Metal pillar molds should last for years of use. As an alternative, you can use disposable molds, such as empty milk cartons (almost anything that won’t catch on fire when exposed to melted wax).

    Wick Pick a wick that has the proper size for the diameter of mold you are using. If you are using a metal pillar mold, thread the wick through the wick-hole in the base of the mold. If you are using a homemade mold (such as milk carton), punch a small hole in the bottom of your mold. If you have trouble getting the wick through the wick hole (possibly because the wick end is frayed), dip the end in some molten was and roll it in your fingers until you have a pointed end on your wick.

    Wick rod Place a wick rod over the top of your mold. bring the wick up from the wick hole at the base of the mold and tie the wick to the wick rod. Make sure that the wick rod is secure on top of your mold. A toothpick or small wooden stick serves as a fine wick rod. You want the wick to taut, but not too tight. If the wick is too tight, it might warp and ruin your candle mold.

    Wick screw Secure the end of the wick to the wick hole with a wick screw. Don’t over-tighten the wick screw as it may cut or damage the wick. The purpose of the wick screw is to hold the wick firmly in place, not to seal the wick hole. Trim the wick with scissors or diagonal cutters. You want to leave about 1/2 inch ot one inch of wick sticking out the base of the mold.

    Mold sealer Press mold sealer over the wick hole, wick screw, and wick. press firmly and create a tight seal so that no hot wax can leak out of the base of your mold. You do not want to be able to see any wick sticking out of the mold sealer.

    Scents and colors For magick candles, you will almost always want to add scents and/or colors. You can use melted wax crayons, but that will tend to make your candles very smokey (and annoying). Dyes for candle making are easily available. Most scents are essential oils from various herbs. You can purchase candle making scents or you can prepare your own from raw herbs and/or from essential oils. Because essential oils are highly volatile, you will want to add the oils shortly before pouring the wax so that the oils don’t evaporate away on you.

    Watch the temperature of the melting wax until it gets around 175-185° F. Add fragrance oils, dyes, and other additives now, just before pouring the wax into a mold. Mix well with a wooden spoon.

    Initial pour Carefully pour the melted wax into your mold. You should have an old towel or cloth handy to wipe up any spills. Fill your mold to about 1/2 inch from the top of the mold. Save some melted wax for later, but don’t return it to the heat yet (to preserve scents and colors).

    Relief holes Let the wax cool a bit until a surface has formed. Poke several relief holes into the surface to allow for the wax to naturally shrink as it cools and solidifies. The relief holes should surround the wick and should be poked almost all the way down the wax 9about one inch less than the total depth of the mold). Air will get sucked into these relief holes. Without relief holes the candle might get air cavities, the wick might get pulled off center, or the external walls of the candle might get warped and deformed. You may need to poke relief holes several times during cooling to keep the air vents open and clear.

    Let the candle cool completely to room temperature. This may take several hours for a typical candle, and may take more than a day for a really large candle.

    Re-pour Re-melt the leftover wax you saved from before. Heat to a temperature about 5-10° F. higher than the original pouring temperature. Carefully pour the melted was into the relief holes. Fill to a level just below the original filling. Filling higher will leave an ugly visible horizontal seam line at the base of your candle. Overfilling might also allow new wax to seep down between the mold and the candle, creating very ugly streaks on the outside of your candle.

    Remove candle Remove the mold sealer and the wick screw. Your candle should slide easily out of the mold. If you have a problem getting the candle out of the mold, try refrigerating it for about 15 minutes. the cooling should shrink the wax from the sides of the mold and allow the candle to easily slide out. If you used a homemade mold (such as a milk carton), you may optionally tear or cut the mold away from your candle (do this gently so you don’t damage your new candle).

    Trim wick Use scissors or diagonal cutters to trim the end of the candle wick that is tied to the wick rod. This will be the bottom of your candle, so you want to cut the wick cleanly so that the bottom of the candle is flat. Cut the top wick so that you leave about 1/4 inch of wick above the top of the candle. If the base of the candle isn’t smooth enough for you, you can heat up a cookie sheet and then press the base of the candle against the heated cookie sheet. The heated cookie sheet will melt the candle enough to make a flat base.

    Burn candle Burn your candle on a candle holder away from drafts, small children, and pets. never leave a burning candle unattended.

updated rede

The Wiccan Rede
(Full Version)

---

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight.   Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

Sigh

I haven't gotten much response to my blog and I'm running out of things to say. I have no idea what people expect to see here and I would love ideas.

ITEMS FOR SALE!

j

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING PRICES, QUANTITIES, AND SIZES PLEASE CONTACT ME OR GO TO MY SHOPS WEBSITE :http://www.myspace.com/artemis_garden

Filling a Casket -by Gregory Branson-Trent's Ghost Hunter's Blog

Start to build up a store or ‘casket’ of general magical ingredients and equipment. Your casket can be a cupboard chest or special box or a collection of several different sized boxes, perhaps kept inside a cupboard. You can often find something interesting in a second hand or antique shop, or perhaps you, or someone you know, can make something specially. If you buy something that has been used, make sure you cleanse it thoroughly first to rid it of any unwanted emanations from its previous owners. Ideally your casket should be made of wood or other natural material rather than anything man-made.

The casket will need to contain the following basic elements:

• Natural sea salt(for cleansing and purifying)
• A length of white cord for casting spells
• A selection of incenses and essential oils
• Candles in various colors
• Special crystals, stones, and gems of your choice
• A selection of dried herbs
• Feathers
• Gold and silver pens (to represent the sun and the moon respectively)
• Silk and cotton fabrics in a choice of colors
• A variety of colored threads
• Good quality natural paper (for writing spells)
• A goblet and platter
• A spell bag (a drawstring pouch for keeping spells in)

 

Posted by Gregory Branson-Trent's Ghost Hunter's Blog at 10:33 AM

Coming soon

Pictures of all the things I am trying to sell!

Horse Woman pt 5

The Warrior!

The Horse woman is a powerful and formidable energy. The goddess Epona, traditionally associated with the horse, epitomizes the Horse woman's ability to surmount obstacles and free herself from restrictions. Freedom-loving, passionate, and strong, the Horse woman is a dynamic worker who is capable of attaining larger-than-life goals.

The Horse woman is full of high ideals, and often takes up on cause or another in order to release the champion within. At the same time, there is a part of her that is elusive and free-spirited-- almost unattainable. These characteristics make her a complex and fascinatig person.

 

Ick

Sorry for not posting so much recently. I've been very sick. I plan to continue tomorrow!