E is for Essential Oils - A Pagan Blog Project Post

Scouring Powder made with Sweet Orange and Clovebud Essential oils.

I use essential oils a lot in my practice. I use them in ritual, for spell bottles, magical housekeeping supplies, homemade lotions, potions and so much more.

Merriam-Webster defines Essential Oil as follows: Any of a large class of volatile odoriferous oils of vegetable origin that give plants their characteristic odors and often other properties, that are obtained from various parts of the plants (as flowers, leaves, or bark) by steam distillation, expression, or extraction, that are usually mixtures of compounds (as aldehydes or esters), and that are used often in the form of essences in perfumes, flavorings, and pharmaceutical preparations—called also ethereal oil, volatile oil; compare fatty oil, fixed oil.

Essential oils are used for medical purposes, for beauty and cosmetics, for perfumes and also for their magical properties.

In my Witchy Green Cleaning series I explain how to create cleaning products for the home that have specific magical purposes by using essential oils, for instance a window cleaner that includes protective qualities based on the Bergamot essential oil in the recipe or an All Purpose cleaner that rids an area of negativity through the use of peppermint essential oil. 

Fragrance oils are not the same as essential oils though some fragrance oils are blends of essential oils. Fragrance oils are generally blends of synthetic aromas and compounds which provide the scent of a plant. They have their benefits and drawbacks but due to their synthetic origins are- in my opinion - not suitable for magical works. The reason is because when working with the magical properties of something you need the real deal not a synthetic imitation - regardless of how great it smells! 

When working with essential oils you must be sure to research the various effects they have, not only magical but physical. Many essential oils are not safe for human consumption, some are irritants when they come in contact with the skin and some are just dangerous!

When I am looking for a specific property I consult the following books:

• Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham – This provides fantastic information on the magical properties of herbs.
• The Spell Casters Reference by Eileen Holland – this is a great tool. It provides the correspondences for plants as well as many other things.
• The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood – This book gives you information on which essential oils to use for specific reasons.
• The Herbal Alchemist’s Handbook by Karen Harrison – This book provides magical correspondence information on a variety of plants as well as recipes and more.
• Llewellyn’s Complete Formulary of Magical Oils by Celeste Rayne Heldstab – this book has tons of recipes for magical oils to use in ritual as well as for day to day things.
• Reference Guide for Essentials by Connie and Alan Higley – This book is very technical and provides information on nervous system, emotional responses, historical uses, properties and lots more. This is a great resource on essential oils.
• Herbs that Heal by Michael A Weiner, Ph.D., and Janet A. Weiner – This cook provides dosage information, traditional uses as well as scientific findings.

As you can see I like to know the magical as well as the physical properties of the oils and I really love to read the scientific data on the different herbs/oils. It is always gratifying to me to see the hearth witches, medicine men/women and the folk wisdom of the past being supported by the science of today!

I am sure there are lots of other books out there but these are the ones that I have and use on a regular basis. If you have a great book on herbs or essential oils that you like please leave me a comment letting me know the title and author, I am always looking for more information on this topic.

Thanks for stopping by.

C is for Chalice. A Pagan Blog Project Post

My Chalice

After a long week of playing catch up after being so horribly sick, I offer this pictorial representation of the chalice.

The Chalice is one of the many tools in a Witch’s toolbox. It is used during ritual, for libations, offerings to the Gods and Goddesses and to make blessings.

Pottery

In my practice, the chalice is feminine in nature and represents the Goddess as the mother of all creation.

Silver

A chalice can be made of any type of material. It can be plain, ornate or anywhere in between. The most important thing about any magical tool is that it speaks to you and you want to work with it.

Vintage Gold

Dragon

Obsidian

Dragon with Amethyst

Ceremonial Chalice

Wine Chalice

Alchemist Chalice

Custom!!

All of the images have links to their source. All are also from Etsy and can be purchased from the talented artists who created them or the wonderful shop owners who have listed them. I am not affiliated with any of these shops, I just found them while viewing their lovely listings!

Additional Source: Witch School 1st Degree Handbook

B is for Besom - Pagan Blog Project

This week I’ll be writing a little bit about the Besom, the Witch’s Broom. Our household is still recovering from my hubby’s hospital stay last week so my post this week will be brief.

So many people are familiar with the image of a witch flying on her broom and while the image has ingrained itself into our collective memory it fails to show the true significance of the Besom to the everyday witch’s toolbox.

I like the word Besom, to me it just sounds cooler than broom, though I used both in this post.  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary Besom is from Old English besma, similar to Old High German besmo which translates to broom and is defined as a broom, especially one made of twigs.

Many modern Witches use the besom to sweep the negativity out of their home, to sweep the negativity away from their ritual space before casting a circle, and sometimes for directing energy in the same way as a wand. Some couples use the Besom during Handfasting ceremonies where they will jump over the broom to signify fertility and the joining of the couple in their new relationship (among other things) while a besom hung over the door is said to keep out evil spirits. 

A good besom practice to follow is this - when standing a broom you should always place it so the bristles are in the air, this not only brings you good luck but for practical purposes will make the bristles last longer!

The Besom is traditionally made with an ash handle and bristles made of birch twigs which are bound together will bindings of willow.  Being both masculine (the phallus-like handle) and feminine (the birch bristles) in nature the Besom is a symbol of fertility and sexuality as well as one of protection and cleansing.

Modern besoms can be made with materials you harvest from the forest or purchased in the local grocery store; they do not need to be made from the traditional materials to be effective to your craft and I recommend making a Besom if possible (actually - I recommend making all you ritual tools if possible!!)

 I believe that when you make your tools you add more of your own energy to them. If you don’t have the time, energy or inclination to make a Besom you can easily personalize a store bought one by adding herbs and other materials that align with your intent for the tool. For instance if your Besom is strictly for a Handfasting Ceremony you may want to add ribbons, sprigs of Lavender and/or sprays of roses to signify love. If you are using it for protection you may want to add rosemary or hyssop for protection.

The wonderful thing about making your own is that you can make it from any materials that you feel are called for and in whatever size you need, larger or small, broomcorn or birch, ash, oak or dogwood. The choices of materials are wide open and only limited by your imagination and what you can find in your area (or online!).

Recently my favorite local shop Pathway Spirit (Link is for their Facebook page) started carrying besoms with jeweled handles - swoon! I will be getting one of these soon! They are just so pretty and will look magnificent standing in the corner of my room protecting my home.

Some fun besom lore (these were taken from http://andorshop.webs.com/besomlore.htm - this site has LOTS of fun Besom information)

• Stumbling over a besom handle will bring you good luck
• Burning a besom will bring you bad luck
• If dirt is swept out the door before sunrise you will have bad luck
• Storing a broom with the bristles up will bring you good luck
• When moving into a new home a loaf of bread and a new besom should be sent in first for good luck.

Hhre are some sites I visited while researching Besoms:

http://paganweddings.blogspot.com/2008/04/fairy-broom-tradition-of-broom-jumping.html

http://avalonoftheheart.yuku.com/topic/3449/BESOM-BROOMMaking-UsingSpells-Rites-Info-Lore#.UtYQRhBdV8E

http://vsnapdragyn.hubpages.com/hub/The-Basics-of-the-Besom

http://www.controverscial.com/The%20Besom%20(Broom).htm

http://andorshop.webs.com/besomlore.htm (This had fantastic Besom Lore!!)

Courage Oil is in the Shop

Courage Oil

My Etsy Shop, aptly named Beneath the Witch's Moon now has a couple 10 ml bottles of Courage Oil in stock. I love magical oils, they can be used in so many ways, to anoint candles, jewelry, tools, bodies and so much more. 

This particular oil is one of my favorites which is why I choose it to be the first Magical Oil I sell in my shop. It is specifically designed to give your courage a boost when you are starting something new. As an artist I always feel hesitant when I start a new project so I keep this oil around the shop and when in need of a little boost I just dab a bit on my wrist. I've also put a couple of drops on a sachet to carry in my purse when I needed to take that courage with me (this oil goes great with the Help with a Job Search Spell Bottles!)

My little shop is growing slowly. I make all of the items myself and since most of them are magical in nature they must be done at specific times. With my hectic schedule I work those things in when I can. I love combining Magical purpose with art. In my opinion life should be filled with both Magic and Art. 

I have more spell bottles and oils in the works and hope to add some actual hand sculpted Halloween figures and decor items by mid-August. If you are looking for a particular spell bottle email me either through the blog or contact me via The Shop

Thanks for stopping by!

Autumnwind

New Spell Bottles in My Etsy Shop

One of a Kind - Prosperity Spell Bottle

This week I will be adding two new types of spell bottles to my Beneath the Witch's Moon Etsy Shop. I am adding two sizes of Protection Spell Bottles and two sizes of a spell bottle to Aid in Finding a Job. These join the Good Luck Spell bottles and the Wealth/Prosperity Spell Bottles that are currently in the shop.

Both the Protection and the Finding a Job bottles come in a pocket size so you can carry them with you as well as in a slightly larger size that you can use to add specific magical intent to any room in your house.

Each spell bottle is hand made by me during the correct moon and astrological phases and with ingredients specifically chosen for the intent of the bottle. Most of my small spell bottles (not the pocket size) are made from antique salt shakers which gives them a beauty all their own.

Larger spell bottles are one of a kind works of magical art and are also created with the correct ingredients and during the correct times for their intended purpose. These are designed to be magical as well as decorative and should be displayed somewhere that they are visible.

All spell bottles are charged and ready to go and come with a spell that the individual can use to make the bottle specifically theirs, adding their own intent and power to the original spell. This step is not necessary but  included for those who prefer to add a little of themselves to the power of the bottle.

Also currently in the shop are several domino pendants, a Kitchen Witch Apron and a gold embroidered Wheel of the Year Altar cloth.

Check it out if you get a chance.

Autumnwind

Etsy Shop Update!

I have been working like a mad woman to get some inventory in my Etsy shop and I am happy to report that I have added  several Good Luck Spell Bottles, a few Mini Prosperity Spell Bottles, a lovely gold embroidered Wheel of the Year alter cloth and some additional Domino Pendants.

I am working on some other types of Spell Bottles, some ritual kits, additional alter cloths and some other fun things that I hope to add soon. 

Here are the Good Luck and Prosperity Spell bottles

Good Luck Spell Bottles

Mini Prosperity Spell Bottles

I was fortunate to find a box (velvet lined no less) of antique crystal salt shakers to use for my mini spell bottles. They turned out so nice I will be hunting for more soon!

Wheel of the Year Altar Cloth

The altar cloth embroidery design is from my favorite design shop - Urban Threads. It depicts the phases of the moon, the astrological signs and the Witch holidays. It is embroidered in metallic gold on a purple/blue crushed velvet type material - stunning!

Thanks for stopping by

Pagan Blog Project: C is for Cauldron

From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

caul·dron noun \ˈkȯl-drən\

Definition of CAULDRON

1: a large kettle or boiler

2: something resembling a boiling cauldron in intensity or degree of agitation <a cauldron of intense emotions>

This week I chose to write about the cauldron. This is one of those stereotypical symbols of the witch along with the broom, the wand and of course the black cat. Of course, aside from the black cat (mine is a torti) I have and use all of these in my craft.

My cauldron is very tiny. It is used for small items when I am working at my ritual altar. I do have a gigantic cast iron camp bowl that could easily double as a cauldron if necessary but so far, after many years of ritual work I haven’t felt the need to use anything else.

The Cauldron is typically a symbol of the Goddess and its element is water. It can be used as a container during rituals, for scrying, as a place to burn ingredients for a spell and is a place for magical transformation.

A cauldron is generally made of cast iron so that it can be used with high heat if necessary and often has three legs though some cauldrons do have four legs.  An article by Sheila Buck states that if a cauldron has three legs they represent the Maiden, Mother and Crone and if the cauldron has four legs they represent the elements of Earth, Air Fire and Water. 

Please forgive my brief post this week. I have unfortunately had way too much on my schedule. To make sure this doesn't happen again anytime soon I’ll be working harder to get my posts done a little early!

Sites visited during my research for this post:

http://www.examiner.com/article/pagan-tools-the-cauldron

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cauldron

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/wiccaandpaganismbasics/tp/Craft_Tools.htm

http://www.paganlore.com/cauldron.aspx

http://www.lunasgrimoire.com/cauldron-magic/

D is for Divination - A Pagan Blog Project Post

This week I am writing on Divination and the Tarot

Since I was a little girl I have been fascinated with divination and the Tarot. I have always had dreams of things to come and when I discovered that not everyone dreamed of future events divination became very interesting to me.

A little history: my parents divorced when I was 4 and my mother was a 23 year old, divorced mom of 2 at a time when being a divorcee was strongly frowned upon. Mom did the best she could. She worked hard and where she went, my brother and I went too. We moved almost every year for the next 10 years, fortunately for me, being a gypsy was wonderful.

My mom’s friends were unusual, odd, creative and mysterious. They were artists, musicians and authors and we often traveled to craft fairs and art shows on the weekends when my mom wasn’t working. My first experience with Tarot cards was at one of these art fairs. There was a woman giving readings. She was dressed in vibrant colors of silk, she wore bells on her scarves which caused her to jingle musically whenever she moved, she had jeweled rings on her fingers and she was not only beautiful, she was the epitome of wise and mysterious.

I was just a little bit of a thing, maybe 5, and I was fascinated with her. She handed me a deck of cards to look at while she and my mom talked. The colors and pictures just sucked me in. I was totally absorbed by the images that my little 5 year old brain couldn’t quite process. I sat looking at those cards all afternoon while they talked. I went home and for weeks I made up stories about those cards and their beautiful pictures.

Rider Waite Deck

When I was twelve I got my first deck, the Rider-Waite Tarot, along with a how to book for reading them and my love of the Tarot blossomed. Since that time I have found many different Tarot decks to use though I will always love my Rider-Waite deck.

Here are a few individual cards I have collected

Believed to have originated in mid 15th century Europe as a card game, the Tarot’s use as a divination tool didn’t become widely recognized until later, however, divination using a standard deck of cards is documented as early as 1540 in the book The Oracles of Francesco Marcolino da Forli.

There are many popular Tarot layouts or “Spreads” the most familiar being the Celtic Cross Spread, a 10 card layout which gives the person a fairly good look at an issue.

A Celtic Cross Spread using the Fairy Tale Tarot Deck by Lisa Hunt.

In the Celtic Cross, as in all Tarot spreads, each position in the spread means something different. Each card also has a separate meaning depending on whether it is right side up or upside down so during a reading you look at what position the card is located in the spread and also its individual meaning.

The thing about the Tarot is that in order to read it properly you really need to pay attention to what the images mean to you. The guidebooks are great, they give you the traditional meanings and help you as you learn but if the traditional meaning of a card does not ring true to you, you need to follow your instinct.

Some books to help you along:

Learning the Tarot by Joan Bunning

Tarot made Easy by Nancy Garen

Tarot: A new Handbook for the Apprentice by Eileen Connolly – this is the one that I started with.

These books are all vastly different in styles and I recommend you read as much as you can, expose yourself to different styles until you find the one that clicks for you.  I pick up a lot of books on Tarot at thrift stores and used book stores. While many of them are similar in their teachings, I have always found something interesting and unique, something that helps me grow, in every Tarot book I buy.

Next week I will be writing a personal essay on dreams and divination.

If you haven’t already, check out this post and enter to win one of the lace butterfly masks I am giving away!

BB

Autumnwind

Amazing Yule Gift

The fact that I am Pagan and my husband is not has, fortunately, never been an issue for us. He accepts me for who I am and respects my beliefs. He even celebrates my holidays with me. In our household we celebrate Pagan holidays as well as recognize most of the traditional Christian holidays, though in more of a secular fashion, as our families and children celebrate traditional Christian holidays.

This year for Yule, my amazing man bought me a wonderful selection of Pagan/Witchy books. We just recently started shopping at a fantastic used bookstore called Grassroots Books. They have a large selection of books and their prices are really, really great!

During our first visit to the store my hubby made sure I found my way to their metaphysical section.  What a lovely thing. I found a dozen interesting books that I HAD TO HAVE and that wonderful man got them for me for Yule. The great thing about used book stores is that you never know what you are going to find. I found fabulous books on Astral Projection, Meditation, Herbs for Healing, several spell books and more!

My two favorites:

1) The Dictionary of Witchcraft by Collin de Plancy - originally written around 1825, this fun little book is an A - Z listing/definition of common and not-so-common terms. It is fascinating! I have only glanced through it but I will be reading it cover to cover as one of my books for the reading challenges I am taking part in so look for a review and some comments on this little gem soon.

2) Signs, Symbols & Omens by Raymond Buckland - This is another reference book. I love symbols. I use them in my practice as well as in my art. This book has symbols for so many different faiths and practices that I almost did a little dance with glee in the bookstore!

I am so excited about these books! I love old reference books of any kind. The language, the way the sentences are structured, the ideas being shared, all of these things make old books such interesting things. I'll be writing more about these and others this year. Check back when you get a chance and look for my 2012 Reading Challenge posts to see what new and unusual books I have found.

Ciao,

Autumnwind