Life As The Witch – Thinking Outside the Magickal Bubble

Witchy Comments

Balloon Magick

By Melanie Marquis

They star in parades. They stand out at parties. They can bring both smiles and tears in seconds, and they float through the sky inspiring wonder and curiosity. Balloons are indeed magickal, both as delightful objects to amuse us and as powerful mediums for effective spell casting.

As a kid, getting a balloon brought mixed emotions. On one side, there’s the happiness and excitement of having the balloon in hand to hold and toss about, but on the other side, anxiety and anticipated sadness regarding the balloon’s certain eventual fate. A world of fun while intact and inflated, but bursting suddenly at the slightest prick from a pin, balloons show us that reality is temporary and can be changed in a heartbeat. Balloons teach us to enjoy what we can’t hold forever, while we can hold it. It’s no wonder why balloons incite our fascination, and using them magickally has benefits.

Working with the same old spell mediums time and again can get repetitive, and balloons offer an unusual means for casting many types of magick. When we switch up our routines, our rituals become more enjoyable and we are more likely to be full-fledged participants in the magickal process. Manipulating candles for the thousandth time for example, it makes it easy to simply go through the motions without really working the magick. But with uncommon novelty of balloons at the altar, the Witch’s attention is focused and interest is piqued, making for powerful spell casting energy. If you’re looking for something different to add to your magickal repertoire, grab a bag of balloons and get popping.

 
~Magickal Graphics~

Psychic Protection for the Witch in Everyone!

Psychic Protection for the Witch in Everyone!

Find out more about psychic protection here…

Psychic Protection for the Witch in Everyone!
As part of the launch of my new book, The Witch’s Shield: Psychic Protection and Psychic Self Defense, I wanted to share the techniques that helped me maintain psychic boundaries and a healthy sense of safety. Though few of us learn them when we should, I really think they are basics of psychic hygiene. If you learn to take care of yourself on a daily basis, you can avoid problems in the future. I learned these techniques studying the art and science of witchcraft, hence the book title – The Witch’s Shield. I’ve shared them in classes for both witches and non-witches alike with great success.
Sometimes the word “witch” scares people off. I can understand that. I thought it was silly at first. When my first teacher, a good family friend, revealed she was a witch, I didn’t understand. But I soon found out the spiritual traditions of witchcraft stretch across the globe and throughout time. Witches were the priestesses and priests of the ancient world. They kept the mysteries of magick and psychic ability. A witch is someone who does magick, not only for her- or himself, but for the good of the community. Sometimes the first step in helping our communities, in helping the world, is helping ourselves by finding health, balance, and clarity. Only then can be devote energy to help others.
So, with that in mind, the wisdom of the witch broadens for us. We might not all identify spiritually as witches, but these techniques of psychic protection and magick are universal, and can apply to anyone as long as the person is open to magick, change, and personal responsibility. You will find similar wisdom in the traditions of shamanism, energy healers, ceremonial magicians, and other New Age seekers.

Here are seven psychic protection techniques from which anyone can benefit:

1 – Smudging – Smudging refers to passing yourself or an object through sacred smoke as a means of purification. When burned, certain herbs release a high vibrational energy that is used to purify unwanted, harmful forces – what most people call negative energy. Herbs like sage, cedar, sweet grass, pine, and lavender can be burned, as well as incenses such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal. Simply wave the smoking substance around you and make sure you pass through the smoke. Don’t do too much. It’s an energetic process, not a physical one, so you don’t have to feel like you are asphyxiating.

2- Sea Salt Bath – Similar to smudging, taking a sea salt bath can cleanse the physical body as well as the energy. Put two tablespoons of sea salt or kosher salt in your bath water and soak. Imagine all the stress and harmful energy you have accumulated or taken on from others flowing into the water. Sit in the bathtub as its drains and imagine it flowing down the drain, neutralized by the salt and water. I have a friend who puts a spray bottle of sea salt and water and gives herself a little spritz and sponge bath. The salt neutralizes any harmful energies, and then she just wipes it off. It’s a great way to clear yourself if you’re on the run and a bath is too time consuming.

3 – Amulet – Symbols and charms have long been lauded for their protective powers. In almost every culture, there is a tradition of wearing or carrying a particular amulet, often blessed by a priest/tess, to confer the powers of divine protection upon the wearer. Take a symbol you find sacred and divine. Find it in a jewelry or pendant form. If you cannot, try drawing the symbol on a piece of paper or wood, and carrying it with you. If you are Christian, use a cross. If you are Wiccan, use a pentacle. Hindu, try the Ohm symbol. There are a variety of symbols, from the Star of David to the Hammer of Thor. Find the one that speaks protection to you. Smudge the amulet and hold it in both hands. Think about protection and infuse your thoughts into the amulet, activating its power to protect in the name of your divinities. Carry the charm with you to receive its protection.

4 – Protection Stone – Like a symbolic amulet, you can carry a stone known for its protective and grounding qualities with you. Most dark colored stones have magical associations with protection. Some of my favorite choices are hematite, smoky quartz, onyx, obsidian, jet, and aragonite. Other stores that are protective include red jasper, amber, citrine, and clear quartz. Like an amulet, cleanse your stone and infuse your intention into it.

5 – Meditation – Meditation is one of the greatest keys to psychic defense. Regular meditation practice leaves you clear, centered, and in a mental place where you can respond to potential threats, rather than unconsciously react to them. It doesn’t matter the style or tradition of meditation. Regular practice is the key. You will not get the long term psychic protection benefits of meditation by doing it only once every few weeks. It must be like exercise, done regularly. I suggest at least three times a week. If you can do it daily, so much the better.

6- Healthy Emotional Boundaries – Emotional boundaries are not the most esoteric form of psychic defense, but one that quite a few people leave out. Sometimes psychic defense – particularly from people who are harmful to us, intentionally or unintentionally – is the ability to say “no” and stick to it. If someone asks you to do something or go somewhere, and you only say yes because you are afraid of being “mean” or “letting them down” but you know its not a good situation for you, you must learn to say no. As an adult, only you define what is acceptable and unacceptable in your life. Draw those boundary lines and stick to them.

7 – Living Your True Will – The best form of psychic self-defense is to live out your true will. What is your divine purpose? Find it! Then actually live it. If you are doing what you are meant to be doing, the universe will support you and very little anyone else does or says will be able to stop you. You true will, or what some call your magical will, is not your destiny. It doesn’t happen regardless. This your partnership with the divine. You must choose to fulfill it. But once you choose to be a full, conscious partner with the divine, you will have a divine protection that will help you in all of life’s difficult areas.

For more information and an expanded view on these techniques, and a whole philosophy on psychic protection, look to my full length work, The Witch’s Shield: Psychic Protection and Psychic Self Defense. May the divine guide, bless, and protect each of your steps.

Your Magickal Spell for July 16 – Spell to Send Love & Light Through Pendulum

Magickal Spell for Monday, July 16th

Spell to Send Love and Light Through a Pendulum

Even if you are not confident about sending healing, you can transmit love and light to a person who is ill or unhappy or whom you know is under intense pressure. The easiest and most powerful tool for this is a crystal pendulum. It will simplify and transmit your own positive feelings and wishes, even if you have never tried healing before.

What You Will Need:

A white or purple candle; a clear quartz or amethyst crystal pendulum (even a small one works).
When To Cast:

At last light.

The Spell:

  1. If possible facing the sunset, light the candle.
  2. Hold the pendulum in front of the candle so that the light shines on it.
  3. Spin the pendulum gently so that the candle light reflects through it. As you look at the spiraling light, project into the pendulum (as if you were looking through a window) an image of the person you are sending love and light to.
  4. Speak, either aloud or in your head, the words you would like the person to hear, and visualize him or her smiling in response and perhaps holding out a hand.
  5. Spin the pendulum even faster, so that the color blurs.
  6. When the pendulum reverses direction, blow out the candle, using your own words to send the love and light to the face in the crystal.

Your Magickal Spell for July 15 – Spell to Repel Ill Wishes or Remove a Curse

 

A Spell to Repel Ill Wishes, or Remove a Curse from Yourself or Those You Love

Sometimes individuals will cast a curse or wish you ill for no apparent reason. They could actually mean you harm or they could just want to show you their power. By doing this scaring you while you are in a vulnerable state.

If you feel this is being done to you or a loved one,  then try this spell:

Items You Will Need:

Nothing

Timing:

Sunset

The Spell:

  1. Stand facing an open window or door and carefully press your vertical palms outwards, straight in front of you, in the air.
  2. Quietly call the ill-wisher and say just once:  “I return the pain, Send it not again.”
  3. Shut the window or door firmly.

Your Magickal Correspondence for Saturday, July 14th

Your Magickal Correspondence for Saturday, July 14

Saturday Is Ruled By Saturn

Archangel:  Cassiel

Candle color:  Purple or brown

Incenses:  Patchouli or mimosa

Crystals:  Jet or banded agate

Use Saturdays for spells to do with property, security and long-term financial matters, for closing doors on the past, for psychic protection and for locating lost objects (as well as animals and people).

Where possible, work in woodland, near rocks and stones or on animal or bird reserves.

Magickal Correspondence for Wednesday, July 11

Magickal Correspondence for Wednesday, July 11

Each day is ruled by a planet, whose influence takes on great importance in your Spellcrafting and Ritual work. This is the most straightforward way of organizing the time at which to practice your Magick.

Wednesday

Wednesday Is Ruled By Mercury

Archangel:  Raphael

Candle Color:  Yellow

Incenses:  Lavender or Fennel

Crystals:  Citrine or Yellow calcite

Use Wednesdays for spells for money-making ventures, learning new things, passing a examinations and tests, house moves and travel, overcoming debt, and repelling envy, malice and deceit.

Where possible work in a windy place or when the clouds are moving fast across the sky.

Magickal Correspondence for Tuesday, July 10th

Magickal Correspondence for Tuesday, July 10th

Each day is ruled by a planet, whose influence takes on great importance in Magick rituals and spells. This is the most straightforward way of organizing the times in which to practice your Magick.

Tuesday

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Archangel:  Samael

Candle color:  Red

Incenses:  Dragon’s blood or cinnamon

Crystals:  Jasper or garnet

Use Tuesdays for spells for courage, change, independence in home or business life, for overcoming seemingly impossible odds and for passion.

Where possible work near a fire or bonfire or with a huge red beeswax candle as a focus; alternatively work next to a flowerbed or large vase of red, orange and yellow flowers.

Your Magickal Spell for July 4th – Herb Jar to Enhance Your Energy and Power

Herb Jar to Enhance Your Energy and Power

 

Fill a jar with the following herbs:

Cinnamon (for dream Magick)
Nutmeg (for good luck)
Allspice (for healing)
Ginger (for lunar magick)
Basil (for protection) Fennel seeds (for spiritual healing)
Garlic (for spiritual purification)
Marjoram (for protection)
Sage (for spiritual purification)
Cloves (for protection)
Mustard seed (for protection)

Before you do any scrying or any kind of psychic or magic work, inhale the scent deeply, and shake the jar gently.

Wishing You A Very Happy & Blessed Summer Solstice!

Litha Comments & Graphics

Good Morning and Happy Summer Solstice, my dear friends! On days like today, you can feel the magickal energy flowing through the atmosphere. The energy courses through your blood and your body. Today, we truly are reminded we are magickal beings!

 

We give thanks to the Goddess for blessing us with Her Love. For without Her Love, we would not exist. We realize Her True Greatest not only in us, but everything we see around us. She is our Mother, our Protector, and our Comforter.  The Goddess is Our All.

 

With this said, I humbly offer this prayer for today…..

 

O Mother, thank you for the Love You

show me in all of Your many manifestations.

I see You in every leaf of every tree,

and in the dew on a butterfly’s wing.

Thank You for the joys and pains I have

experienced, and will experience, this

Summer. 

O Father, thank you for all of Your gifts.

The gift of sunshine and the gift of rain.

The gift of happiness and the gift of pain.

Thank you for life itself, the most precious

gift of all. My love is forever with you.

Please keep me faithful in Your service. 

So Mote It Be. 

Magickal Graphics

Your Magickal Spell for June 18th – Dwelling Blessing

DWELLING BLESSING

Dwelling of Stone, Metal, Wood and Earth
Silent One, Protective One, you of the four winds
Dwelling of Health, Wealth Joy and Peace:
Guardian Sustained you of the Earth
Dwelling of Stone Metal Wood and Earth
Secure One Peaceful One
You of the Guarded and protected you be
Cleansed and pure you be
Peaceful and loving you be
It is finished in Beauty
It is finished in Beauty
It is finished in Beauty