The Seven Sacred Grains of Antiquity

 Good Evening,

During this harvest season I thought to discuss some magickal properties of some food stuffs we are familiar with.  Tonight let's discuss the seven sacred grains of antiquity. They are Barley, Corn, Oats, Millet, Rice, Rye & Wheat.  These grains are responsible for human kind still being alive today. They truly were nutritional staples that allowed vast cultures and entire civilizations to survive in very mean and lean times.

A food stuff as significant as a staple would soon be attributed magickal properties by ancient man and they still hold true today.  Grains have always signified abundance and fertility, the many small seeds reminiscent of many coins or currency, the more, the more abundant.  Grains are small and a small amount can be made to feed many. For instance one cup of oats added to water makes four cups of cereal. This same ratio is used for rice also.

Many grains are easily adapted with manipulation into other food stuffs such as breads, cooked cereals, and flours and are mild, pleasant tasting and nutritious. The alchemical properties I present below I took directly and without modification from an excellent website called :

The Alchemical Properties of Food  http://www.alchemylab.com/guideto.htm  I added the photographs to help the reader identify the specific grain.

The Seven Sacred Grains of Antiquity 

Barley is the oldest of the Seven Sacred Grains of mankind and was cultivated in Jordan around 10,000 BC. The grain was sacred to various gods throughout India, Greece, Scandinavia, and the Middle East. Esoterically, barley is a gentle, nurturing force that stimulates the Heart Chakra and is used to ease a person’s emotional burden by turning harsh feelings into love and warding off any negativity that originates from other people. Barley grass juice is considered an effective psychological grounding agent and physical energizer. [Earth +++]

Barley the grain

The barley plant


Corn symbolizes the eternal return of life and the abundance of nature. As one of the Seven Sacred Grains, corn (or maize) was first cultivated in Mexico around 6000 BC. The Mayans used the blood of their enemies to fertilize cornfields, and their king willingly drew blood from his earlobe and penis to be sprinkled among the corn saplings. Corn was sacred to the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, and the Aztecs tried to attract rain clouds by tossing corn pollen into the air. Today, the Hopi and Zuni tribes still use sacred blue corn in their fertility ceremonies, and in the southeastern United States, red corncobs were sometimes burnt under the bed of a woman in labor to help speed up delivery. [Earth +++]

corn kernels

a corn cob

Millet is one of the Seven Sacred Grains. Wild millet was part of the Balkan diet as far back as 6000 BC, and Japanese farmers grew it around 5000 BC. The tiny yellow seeds have a slightly nutty flavor. [Earth +++]

millet the grain

millet the plant

Oats was probably the last of the Seven Sacred Grains to be cultivated by man. For centuries, oats were believed to cause mental and physical disorders. In the Bible, wild oats were called "tares," which had to be separated from wheat before it was made into flour. After being cultivated in Europe around 100 AD, oats came to symbolize prosperity and sustenance, and the grain became an important part of many money spells. During the Middle Ages, oats were thought to attract vampires, and farmers who grew the grain also had garlands of garlic wrapped around their doors and windows. North American wild rice is really not rice at all, but an aquatic form of oats; groats are split raw oat kernels. [Earth +++]

oatmeal

 

oats plant

Rice is one of the Seven Sacred Grains and was first cultivated in China around 4000 BC. At first, rice seemed an inexhaustible source of food, but over the centuries, it has become increasingly difficult to grow. That development is said to be a punishment to mankind for his ingratitude for the gift of rice. Rice still indicates fertility and abundance, which is why it is thrown after betrothed couples at weddings. Basmati is an aromatic and chewy rice from India. Brown rice is an unpolished form in which the germ, bran, and nutrients have been retained. White rice or sushi rice consists mostly of starch and is used only as a flavor absorber and texturizer. [Earth +++]

rice kernels cooked

rice plants growing


Rye is one of the Seven Sacred Grains and was first cultivated in Europe around 2000 BC. The grain is thinner than wheat and has a robust and tangy flavor that is said to inspire grounded devotion. Gypsies used rye in their love spells and believed that serving warm rye bread to a lover would increase his or her feelings for you. Triticale is rye-wheat hybrid with a less robust taste than rye. [Earth +++]

 

Rye Grains 

Rye plant



Wheat is the most revered of the Seven Sacred Grains and represents fruitfulness, bounty, and rebirth. Because wheat fields seem to replenish themselves, the golden plant represented a cycle of resurrection into light again. Many funeral rites contain offerings of wheat as part of the ceremonies. Wheat was sacred to the Babylonian god Ishtar, the Egyptian Osiris, the Greek Demeter, and the Roman Ceres. Kamut is an ancient wheat with a buttery flavor and chewy texture that is easier to digest than modern varieties. Spelt is another ancient wheat, though it is not as versatile as kamut. Bulgher is parched wheat in which the wheat berry has been cracked and dried. When cooked, bulgher becomes very fluffy. Farina comes from just the hulled endosperm of wheat. Couscous is a semolina made from the endosperm of crushed wheat. It is used more like a pasta than a cereal and carries the same nurturing qualities of Earth as other varieties of wheat. Sheaves of wheat are a well-known symbol of prosperity. [Earth +++]

wheat kernels

wheat plant

All of the above was reprinted from website : 

The Alchemical Properties of Food  http://www.alchemylab.com/guideto.htm

This is an excellent site and a great reference tool for the magickal or alchemical properties of many of the foods we use and enjoy every day.

So how about a fun, unique prosperity spell for the harvest season using kitchen witchery. The following menu is sure to bring prosperity and abundance to your household. Just by making, serving and enjoying this meal can help bring abundant, prosperous energies to your home and life. 

 Light a green candle then put a small pot of water on the stove to simmer. Add cinnamon, a few sticks to the water and allow to simmer for an hour or so. Doing this during the dinner makes for a delicious aroma that will compliment the rest of the meal.  After the meal is prepared and cooked burn a green candle on the dining table while eating the food. 

appetizer:       Corn nachos with salsa

main entree:   a mild or spicy chili with beans with a few pinches of ground mustard seed

                     white rice with red beans 

                     corn bread with chopped jalepenos sprinkled throughout batter before baking

                     rose' wine or sparkling grape juice

Finish the meal with a small custard cup of oatmeal with brown sugar and a small pat of butter for dessert. Liberally sprinkle with cinnamon for extra yummmm and add cream if desired for an extra rich, abundant treat!  Serve with coffee (another wealth attractant) eat, drink and visualize the abundance in your life and the further abundance you desire. Enjoy!

Peace and Happiness

© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Happy Mabon

 Good Evening,

Tonight we discuss Mabon, the Autumnal or Fall Equinox.  This is the second harvest and Mabon is thought to be the name of an ancient Celtic God of the Harvest.  Many people are sending Mabon blessings although techically the equinx occurs on Friday the 23rd this year.

The Equinox which also occurs in the spring is a time of equal length of daylight and darkness in a 24 hour period.  This is one of the Sabbats or Celebrations to be found on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. 

A harvest celebration that is symbolized by the dried corn found in the fields, the corn stalks, pumpkins, gourds, and brightly colored autumn leaves.  A feast celebration, as are all Sabbat gatherings, which features the pies of the autumnal fruits, loaves of bread and its also traditional to eat pork at this Sabbat. Pork was considered a sacred food by the ancient Druid's and the Celtic people they governed.

It is the second food harvest with the first being August 1st, Lughnasa and the third and last Samhain,  October 31st. Mabon is a simple holiday with lots less huppla than say Beltaine or Samhain, but its significant as it marks an important time with the light starting to fade into the darkness of winter.  The harvest season is upon us and I often ask myself this time of the year .  .  .  what am I harvesting? It's a metaphorical question as I look at my life. I take responsibility for the people and circumstances I have in my life as I have in someway planted those seeds to grow into what I harvest now.

I think about the opportunities life is offering me, the possibilities and how I've grown and harvested past opportunities to be what they are today. Some things I  may need to weed out of my life, what? Oh, yes! You can weed out those and that,  that no longer benefits or serves you.  Get rid of the dead wood, and instead I try to put my energy and effort into the healthy, happy, and life enhancing people and situations that make life worth living.

We celebrated Mabon at Enchantments by erecting a labyrinth with candles, hundreds of candles and after a ritual of celebration and a fabulous feast put on by the students of Enchantments, with delicious roast pork, we walked the Labyrinth in the hopes that personal issues and puzzles could be worked out with the magic of the Labyrinth.  The photos below are taken of the Labyrinth as it burned the other night under a night sky with the full moon still present. 

 Happy Mabon Especially to you!



Peace and Happiness

© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

The History of Halloween ~ Part 1 ~ The Celtic Connection

 Good Evening,

Tonight I'll start a series of short discussions covering a vast topic, 'The History of Halloween', that will run over the next few weeks.

The topic of these discussions will be featured in a program by the same name I will be conducting at Manchester Community College on Friday October 21, 2011.  I start the evening's program with the audience eavesdropping  on the Witches of Shakespeare's MacBeth.  Then the program is conducted with a Power Point presentation along with ample opportunity to ask questions. Each person will be given a 'charm' magickal stone to help them connect with loved ones who have passed.  If you would like to enroll for this one night class please go to the bottom of this discussion and click the link to bring you to MCC's Credit Free Continuing Education Division and you can enroll by going through the Fall Catalog. The fee for this class is $20.00 payable to MCC.  If the link does not work, or is not visible, (I'm not the most techy witch in the coven!!) please call 860-512-2800 to register over the phone. Thanks, it would be great to have you in class!

To start our discussion, let's consider Halloween from a bit of a distance shall we? Let's see .  .  .  we've got black cats, ghosts and witches to start. Then we have little hobgoblins dressed like fairy princesses and cowboys demanding candy one evening late in October.  We have superstitions, traditions and imagery that only seems to work this time of year.  The night air is growing chill and the days are growing shorter. We soon are to celebrate the Fall Equinox this week.  Where did the holiday of Halloween come from and how did all the celebration and pageantry of this season come to be?

To answer these questions we need to peer back through time to the land of the ancient Celtic tribes that migrated West from Eastern Europe to eventually settle in the British Isles. The land and culture of the Irish seems to contribute a large part to the modern Halloween tradition. The ancient Celts were governed by their religious rulers, the Druids. The Celtic Sabbat of Samhain pronounced (Sow-en) occurred at the end of October and was a turning point on the Wheel of the Year indicating the last harvest of the growing season. Samhain is Gaelic for November and the holy-day, or holiday, marked the beginning of winter and the month of November.

 The Tor - an ancient mound found in Western Great Britain and has a long and magickal history and was believed to have been used by the ancient Celts and Druids for sacred processionals during Sabbats.

The ancient Celts had many beliefs and many surrounded the death and reincarnation of the human spirit in the human vehicle of the body. They felt that spirits roamed close to humans on the earth and that at certain times of the year, it was easier than others, to communicate with them, as it was believed much knowledge could be gained from the spirit world.

This was the time of the year when the ancients celebrated a 'Day of the Dead' a memorial, remembrance holiday where loved ones who have passed on were remembered, revered and celebrations were held in honor of the dead.  Just about every ancient tribal culture has some sort of 'Day of the Dead' in their cultural history.

Divination, the ability to see what will happen in the future, was a serious business to the Celtic people as well as for the Druids, who were the Priests and religious leaders of the Celts. Divining the future with crystal balls, in pools of water and in flames as well as the cracks that develop in bones placed in the fire are all ancient methods of telling the future. There is belief that the Druid's practiced all of these methods and more.

The Druid's felt that to appease the spirits, offerings needed to be made. At one time in the far, distant past, the Celts did practice human sacrifice. They felt that the offering or gift given to the Gods in gratitude and in return for the life they received from the Gods needed to be significant and worthy. A life for a life.  After time the offerings became less deadly and became symbolic of life i.e. cakes, breads, fruits and nuts, wines, honey and then the burning of candles as votive offerings.

  When early Christianity came on the scene several thousands of years later, the ancient Sabbat of Samhain became renamed and re-dedicated, also to the spirits of the dead but more precisely, November 1st became All-Hallow's Day later renamed All-Saint's Day.  This day was dedicated to the most hallowed, the saintly that were set aside as very special by the early Catholic Church.  The night before in the old English was soon referred to as to the eve of All Hallows. So we have All-Hallow's Eve on October 31st, All Hallow's Day on November 1st and then we have All-Soul's Day for everyone else not special enough for notice the day before and they were honored on November 2nd. The early church took this most sacred of Pagan holy days and made it a three day holiday that featured fasting, praying and sacrificing of earthly pleasures.

 All Saint's Day



There was for many people for many, many years a belief that spirits roamed all over the earth all the time, but were especially fearsome and dangerous after dark. Of course, this speaks to the basic human psyche where what we can't see causes us fear. The dark back then was a serious consideration as light was not readily created and available as it is today.  Candles were costly and cast dim light at best for several hundreds of years until the formulation was evolved and with the addition of wax rather than animal fat,  candles became brighter.  But for centuries the night held fear and danger, in most peoples minds, so anything they could do to alleviate this fear was helpful. Sympathetic magick abounds around Halloween. Sympathetic magick is kind of like saying 'like attracts like'  for instance if you wanted to scare away evil spirits,  you made scary faces at them! What would scare a human should by definition scare a spirit.

And yes, I can see all sorts of arguments for this knowing what we know of magickal principles today, but the ancient people saw simple logic. Scary was scary. So the Irish would carve turnips (not an easy feat, I tell you true!!) with scary faces like our Jack-O'-Lanterns of today and they would also put a candle inside to light them up and they were used as make-shift lanterns to light the way on All Hallow's Eve. 

Eventually the tradition of leaving out 'treats' to appease the spirits became common place. The day of All-Soul's Day celebrated on November 2nd,  over time developed into a tradition where people, beggars at the start, would go 'a-souling' and would beg at people's doorsteps for food and drink.  Soon 'soul cakes' were developed and fed to those coming to the door that day or night. Eventually this past time was taken over by children who would go to doors begging for treats of sweets, cakes and candies.  

The Druid's would also dress in costumes and masks to scare away the evil forces they felt would come close on the eve of All Hallow's Day.  This was a big feast celebration as it was considered the last food harvest of the year and according to tradition the next would be August 1st of the following year! There was much superstition and traditions created around the dark half of the year From November 1st until May 1st the following spring. The dark, the cold, illness, lack of fresh food all succeeded in causing many winter deaths for even the healthiest and strongest tribes that made up the Celtic empire.  

Dressing up as goblins and ghosts became a part of this part of Halloween.  As this tradition grew and evolved the promise of treats to keep the mischievous spirits that roamed the countryside that night from practicing tricks on the innocent became a significant part of our modern Halloween tradition. Soon mischievous spirits became mischievous children and young adults.

 Carved Turnip Jack - O'- Lantern 

 When the Colonists first came to America the Halloween traditions were not followed as the Puritans and then later Protestants were against the Catholic church and their practices and so the celebrations of All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day were not recognized or celebrated until the middle to end of the 19th century (1800's) as immigrants came to America, many from Ireland. They brought with them their varied and colorful customs of celebrating this ancient of holidays.  The Irish may have been traditional but they were also resourceful and smart! They soon realized that carving pumpkins was a whole lot easier than carving rock hard turnips and the pumpkin Jack- O'-Lantern was created.  The pumpkin was also a seasonal staple in Colonial America and many delicious dishes were created during the Colonial period and one tasty seasonal favorite has become pumpkin pie.

 Harvest Pies 

Pumpkin Pie, a seasonal favorite is considered to be an effective love spell for men especially. Ladies if you want to increase and enhance the love you share with a man, feed him pumpkin pie. The ingredients from the pumpkin squash, the cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg, the brown sugar and molasses all have love and lust magickal properties. These work well on men whereas for ladies, yes Pumpkin pie works as a tasty love spell, as does Apple Pie, the apples being distinctly feminine in magickal properties.

Magickal Pumpkin Love Pie

 Burn one red candle while preparing and baking pie.  Then burn another red candle or continue with the same candle while you and your lover share the dessert.


1 ready made, white dough pie crust in the refrigerated section of your local market

1 large can ready pack pumpkin 
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp mace
1 Tbsp molasses

Beat eggs together until well mixed, then brush some of the egg mixture on the inside of the crust and place crust in 400 degree oven for 5 minutes until the egg is dried and crust is sealed.  While crust is baking, mix the rest of the ingredients together with a hand mixer and make sure everything is well incorporated.  Take crust out of oven and let sit for five minutes. Then pour pumpkin mixture into the crust and place in 400 degree oven. As soon as pie is in oven, turn down the heat to 350 and bake for 35 -45 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean.  Allow to cool to room temperature or refrigerate if desired.  Serve with fresh vanilla scented whipped cream and share one slice, with one fork with your sweetie. Each feeding the other and allowing the spell to wash loving, happy energies over you both. The rest is up to you!!

Remember to get outside a bit before the air turns cold. So many things can be done in a couple of months indoors, so schedule outdoor activities and chores while we can still enjoy being out!

Peace and Happiness





   © 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Support your local witch shop . . . starting a grass roots movement!

Enchantments has a New look!


Good Evening,

Just in the last few weeks I've heard of a number of Wicca- Witch - New Age shoppes (call us what you will ) going out of business.   Enchantments herself has been on the verge of becoming a memory but we're still hanging on.  Why this closing trend? Of course the economy, as what we sell falls into luxury, extra-curricular products as we're really not selling vital, necessary products like clothing, food and medical supplies! Also the Internet has hurt us tremendously. Yes, it's easier to buy your stuff on the Internet and many times cheaper.  But at what cost .  .  .  ?

It's also cheaper to buy your candles at discount outlets, Christmas outlets and other places like craft stores and supermarkets.  I'm not arguing this point. But realize, if you've ever said that Enchantments is your favorite shop, that you love shopping here or at shops like Enchantments, that the more you and others purchase at the discount outlets, on the Internet or other franchises and chains that we will soon all be gone.  There are no franchises or chains for witch shops. we are all owned and operated by individuals, Mom & Pop shops that don't have the seemingly unlimited resources that many franchises have. Many of us don't even take home a pay check and rely on other part time jobs or our spouses income to keep us afloat. 

You can get products cheaper by not shopping your local witch shop, but can you get the knowledge, the advice, the authentic information you need for your magickal workings by someone who you can speak to in person? Someone who has had several years, or in my case several decades .  .  .  wait .  .  .  decades? .  .  .  Yikes!    But it's true .  .  .   several decades of practice and knowledge to impart to you?

If you buy your products on the Internet, can you then call the person you purchased your items from to ask a simple question on candle magick? Can you even speak to a real person?  Wait .  .  .  have you ever wondered if the Internet sites actually have real witches or magickal practitioners involved?  I have personally checked out a number of Internet sites and with a few questions which many times are not even answered it is apparent that there are people running these sites that are not magickal, informed or knowledgeable about the products they sell.

That's not every site, as there are some good mail order sites run by respectable magickal people, but many, so many are just run by those who will sell anything to anyone to make money.  Beware of sites that offer to do spells for you, to cast spells or curses on others and promises of love spells and the like for lots of money that are guaranteed to work!!  I have spoken to and met dozens of people that have been taken for lots of money and little results from many of these sites.

For an alternate example,  at Enchantments,  you can purchase a simple love spell, that you cast yourself for a mere $9.00.  I have personally written ever spell for each type of spell kit I sell and I am available throughout the week to speak to and discuss the spells, how they worked, why they may not have and how to tweak them to help you become an effective magickal practitioner.  I make many of my own products and I stand behind  them all.  You can call or stop by to speak with me personally about my products.  Try that on the Internet!!

But soon .  .  . we will be gone.   Unless you can help us, and I hope you can .  .  .   help keep us in business, a real brick and mortar establishment that you can stop by and go in and talk to, browse, explore and soak up the atmosphere and good energy as you look at polished stones, candles and herbs. As you peruse books, tarot decks and and at Enchantments read the walls to learn more about the products we offer.

Enchantments offers not only the products but the knowledgeable expertise to go along with the products and easy techniques so that you can use them like a professional.   This is a short discussion tonight and I am counting on you to share this link with others. 'Like' this link on facebook, tell your friends and make a definite plan to stop by and support your local witch shop this week and all through the year. Only you can keep us here for you.

I personally thank you for keeping us in business so that we can continue to supply your magickal needs. Also come by and see Enchantments new look!!

A rose from our garden - just perfect!



Peace and Happiness




  © 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Your invitation to come with me to Salem & honoring the victims of 9/11 in a magickal way.

 Good Evening,

I want to remind you that this Saturday I will be in Salem, Mass conducting a lecture on the 1692 witch trial vixtims and a ritual to honor their memory.  We will all meet at 11 am at the Victims memorial whch borders the Noth wall of the Old Burying Ground in Salem Village.  Fear not if you don't know the town, just go to the Visitor's Center located at 2 Liberty Street, Salem, Mass (GPS's coordinated and ready? Check!) and they will have cute easy to read street maps for everyone. I highly recommend you all get one, and then meet me at the site for the lecture and ritual. 

I will need about 20 people to help me with the ritual if you are willing and able, not much to do except be able to call out the name of  a victim and the date they were hung in a loud voice.  Afterwards we will go to a large fun place for lunch, The Beer Works which is a micro-brewery that has sandwiches, salads and main entrees from fish, to steak and chicken. Lots of fun places to visit and we will make a point to stop at Dracula's Castle, Ye' Old Pepper Company (the longest continuously run candy factory in North America, and Pickering Wharf where many shops are witch shoppes run by 'real' witches. 

For those who are interested in recognizing the victims of September 11, 2001 and aren't sure what to do, there is a movement around the United states to have everyone burn a red, a white and a blue candle for the victims of (9/11) this week. The candles can be lit on Sunday morning at 8:46 a, the time of the first plane crashing into the Trade Towers.  Those that wish to light four candles (get a fourth candle in silver or gold) for the times each of the four planes crashed and took over 3,000 lives the following candle burning schedule can be followed:

Red candle start burning at 8:46 a.m
White candle start burning at 9:03 am
Blue candle can be lit at 9:37 am  and
 the last a slver or gold candle (Silver represents the Goddess/ Gold represents the God and both one of each silver and gold can be burned simultaneously at the fourth time of)

Silver or Gold or both can be lit at 10:03 am.

For most who use the special chime or spell candles we sell at Enchantments (for .45 ea) all candles will be burning for a few moments at the same time, all together. That s if there is no draft, wind or air conditioning blowing on the candles which can make them burn and go out faster.

You do not need to be Wiccan, consider yourself a magical person or religious to take a moment and join a large collective of individuals who wish to take notice and honor those who gave their lives, here on American soil on that fateful day of September 11, 2001

We will be honoring the victims of 9/11 along with those who perished in the summer of 1692 with our ritual I will be conducting in Salem, Mass this Saturday. I hope you can make it!  I'll see you then!


Peace and Happiness


 



© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Hurricane and its effects in a Witch's Garden

  Good Day to you,

Well, we survived Hurricane Irene in the middle of CT in Southern new England this past August 28th. The hurricane came on my birthday and the energy and excitement was fine up to losing power. I did all the things I suggested during my last post, but after a few days without power one does feel cut off and a bit discombobulated!  But power is back, the Goddess is smiling and I have some photos I took of my witch's gardens right after the storm passed. They are doing o.k. with little damage although things did get blown over a bit. Here, I'll let you see for yourself!

My gardens fared fairly well, how about yours?


Peace and Happiness




© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.


If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

What to do in case of a power outage! For the magickally inclined that is . . .

 Good Evening,

Well here in Southern New England we are battening down the hatches and hunkerin' down for a real Nor'Easter called Irene. A hurricane that is threatening all sorts of terrible things and power outages are one.  What to do in case of a power outage? No need to be bored or depressed.  Yes, without electrical power our lives are changed a bit. But think about this. We've had power for a mere 100 years or so about now. Mankind has been around for over a million and civilized for tens of thousands of years. All without electrical power. 

Yes, life was different back then and mankind existed, laughed, loved and lived happy and fulfilling lives.  One thing to do if you're a magickally inclined person is firstly, burn candles! For centuries candles have been the only source of illumination after dark. Also torches were commonly used to light up larger areas, which are like large poles with a burning mass at the end. Lighting was as necessary in ancient times as it is now to see by and read by after dark.  There were different activities to occupy the little free time ancient man found in his day or evening. Different from what is normally done today for relaxation and fun. Or are we so different?

For instance ancient man may have read a 'good' book by the light of tallow candles, rush light or fire light.  As for many years the bible was the only commonly printed and available reading material, and many homes would not be found without one,  it offered much to occupy one's time. Today I recommend reading something that is interesting and stress relieveing. For me it's classic Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson.

In ancient times, chopping ice and keeping it packed wth sawdust helped keep food cold as meats and other foodstuffs were even more perishable than many foods today. To keep food cold today, and have drinking water on hand, freeze several spring water bottles then use them in the compartments of your refrigerator or in ice chests. We also filled zip lock baggies and these can be laid between foods to keep them chiled to a safe temperature.

Bored? Have a ritual and cast some spells! The energy of a storm lends itself nicely to a ritual and can pump up your spell!  Here's a spell to cast for when you've lost power and wish to aid the situation at hand in a harmless beneficial way.  The object of this spell is not specifically to get power turned back on quickly, but more that it comes on in a timely manner and that no one gets injured or worse during the repairs it will take to get the power back on.  So if the power does not come back during or directly after you cast your spell, it does not mean your spell didn't work. You've added your energy and blessings to the universe and the repair efforts for your community struck dark by the storm. And indeed your power may come back quicker and safer with a little help from you.

Power On Spell  (all spells are written and crafted by me for you)  Any colored candle can be used for this spell.

With all lights off, and this spell can be done to aid others suffering power shortages, even if you still have power. Just turn off all lights in room and illuminate entirely with candles. Enough to see your magickal workings by.

Then take a candle and sit comfortably and take a toothpick or small knife and inscribe into your candle the words 'lights on' 'power on' 'an it harm none'  Write small enough to be able to include all the words. If you use a spell sized candle, or chime candle, you will have enough space. Votives are also good for this spell.

While carving your candle, visualize an overhead view of a large city darkened and the sky turning the deep blue that it turns right before dark falls.  'See' the darkened city start to light up with a section at a time 'turning on' and then see the entire city glowing with bright white light.

Outloud petition the Goddess with the following incantation as you ready to light the candle.

'Lovely Lady whose light is shone by the moon,
 bring back our power, our light very soon.
As this candle burns by its light
may our power be returned burning bright.'

As you recite this, touch flame to candle wick and as you watch the flame grow, see again your visualization of the city burning brightly.  Allow candle to burn completely down, which means if its a votive that it should be supervised for its entire burn. Never leave candles burning unattended, this is especially true during a storm or power outage when more people unaccustomed to burnig candles may become forgetful and leave candles burning unsupervised. Stay Safe for Goddess's Sake! Keep the visualizing up every so often, maybe every hour for a few moments to keep your spell strong.

If you don't have candles home, then for next time re-stock at your local witch shop and help the local economy grow stronger. 

Other things to do? How about some board games? I like to color in some coloring books I have. I have one coloring book of garden herbs and fowers. A more adult coloring book (yes they have adult coloring books!) and it's a fun, creative way to spend some time. 

Whatever you do, have a safe, happy day living for just a few moments,  more like our ancestors did than we normally ever do. Think a bit about what life would be like without electrical power. Find the magick in the moment.  All Hail Irene! A powerful storm Goddess, no doubt!

Peace and Happiness





© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

 If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Birthday Magick, Earthquakes! & Magick from the Old World

 Good Evening,


Birthday Magicks
 

Tonight we'll touch on a few interesting and magickal concepts. Firstly I want to briefly revisit a discussion I had with you on February 22, 2011 called 'Happy Birthday! Birthday Magicks, Legends and Lore'.  The reason? My birthday is in a few days, on the 28th to be exact and I've been thinking about the magickal workings I can do for me, on my birthday. 

One fun thing to do is make a list of what you would like in the upcoming year. No, this is not the time to ask for world peace or happiness for all. Though lovely sentiments, this list is for the material, practical or fun things you want for you. Material? What?! Yes, its O.K. to ask for material things. Come on, really, where would we be without material things? Naked and homeless!

The Goddess has given us everything on this earth, literally everything. It's perfectly fine to ask for things for you. In fact, it's necessary, for how will you ever be able to give to others if you yourself are bereft?

So, on the first full moon after your birthday, for example my birthday is this Sunday the 28th, so the first full moon after falls on September 12, I will write a list of things I would like in the upcoming year. Then dedicate the list under the full moon and then keep the list somewhere safe, don't destroy it.  You can look at it throughout the year or not, as you choose. The magick works that by the next year's birthday these things will come to you.
  
Earthquakes and other 'natural disasters'? 

Now onto Earthquakes!  We just experienced an earthquake on the East Coast today at 2 pm EST.  We often (humans that is) refer to earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes as natural disasters. They really aren't you know. Yes, they can be disastrous to humans and our lives, but they are simply nature. No, God is not mad at us, punishing us or any such nonsense.  The are simply nature doing her thing!  We have a hurricane coming up the coast this week and it should be here by the weekend, some cool energy to tap into if you'd like.

Collecting rain water from a storm or hurricane is ideal as the water will have a high level of natural energy within it that can be used as ritual water and in spell work.  I once came across a tree that had been hit by lightening in the woods. The side of the tree was split open and I could see the path of the lightening as it went down the trunk of the tree and through the roots which were exposed from the dirt and one root in particular was laying on the ground split from the rest of the tree from the force of the lightening strike. I gathered that root, a cedar tree root, and have it to this day. It's a highly charged natural wand of mine.


Old World Magicks

I was working in the yard of Enchantments this week and while I was sweeping the front sidewalk, and along the curb (well,doesn't everyone?!) I started to think of some magickal practices I've heard of concerning shop keepers in the old country. In this case Italy. You see, in times past, they never sweep the front steps or doorways of the shops in the mornings and they never sweep from the door to the street. They will sweep from the street to the doorway or across the door. This way they don't 'sweep' away potential customers!

I burn green candles, incense created especially to bring customers into the business, and sprinkle glitter on the sidewalk. I never sweep away from the store but always to or across. Many would call these superstitions, but I firmly believe that the superstitions we have in this country today really are the repository of old world magicks kept alive by tradition.


Peace and Happiness!




© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

Come with the witches of Enchantments and me to Salem Mass!

 Hello!,

Oh! I'm so excited!! Tis' that time of year again, our annual trek to Salem, Massachusetts. In past years we have rented a huge bus to travel to the land of witches and all things magickal, but alas, the cost makes it prohibitive to do that, so we all caravan and meet up in Salem for our day. Would you like to come along? Here's the information.

We will be going to Salem on Saturday, September 10th and its important to know that the shop, Enchantments will be closed that day. This way everyone who helps out at the shop can go also. We will be meeting at 11 am at the Old Burying ground just a few blocks south of the Witch Dungeon. Another important note.  I do not bring people to the Witch Dungeon, the Witch hunter's house or any of the 'touristy' expensive spots. Of course, any are free to go to any of the attractions they wish to go to. I focus on the real Salem. The Salem with real witches, real witch shops like Enchantments and you will meet real practicing witches.

At the Burying Ground, in front of the cemetery, is a memorial dedicated in 1992, 300 years after the witch trials and hangings of 1692. This is where my lecture of the events of that fateful summer of 1692 and the subsequent executions will take place.

After we conclude the lecture we will conduct a simple but meaningful memorial service for the victims of 1692 and we will also take time to send blessings out to those who lost their lives, have lost loved ones and have been forever affected by the events of September 11, 2001.

After we conclude the memorial service continue hangin' with the witches by having lunch with us at The Beer Works Micro-Brewery, a fantastic place to eat in Salem or you can choose one of many great eateries in the small village by the sea. 

Afterwards we recommend the oldest continually run candy factory in the United States, Ye' Ol' Pepper Company where you can buy all sorts of old fashioned, delicious candies and chocolates. I always stop by!!  Stop by Michael & Theresa Pendragon's quaint little shop for an amazing tarot card reading and visit Pickering Wharf where you can visit many 'witch' shops run by real witches and magickal practitioners.

There's so much to do, from seeing the Elizabeth Montgomery Statue depicting her role as Samantha Stevens on the television show 'BeWitched', (great for taking pictures), to getting scared witless (if this is your thing!) at 'Dracula's Castle' at the Salem Mall, one of the best 'Haunted House' attractions in the country. So says this witch!!  It's a personal favorite attraction of mine!!

We visit Salem in September rather than October simply because it makes sense. Over twenty years ago when I started going to Salem and learning my way around the village, the Salem Chamber of Commerce told me that the city of Salem would receive 40,000 tourists a year. That was twenty years ago.

A couple of years ago, I re-checked with the Chamber and was told that today Salem receives 400,000 (that's not a typo) tourists in the single month of October!!!  Everyone wants to visit in October but it can be difficult to get into the shops, the eateries or .  .  .  well ..  .  .  anywhere!  It's fun to go in October and I have myself been there, but if you opt for October bring plenty of patience!  Better yet, come with me to Salem this September 10th. We'll have a great time!!   


Peace and Happiness


© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

The Bats are back!!

 Good Evening,

It's a happy evening indeed! Tonight I was sitting in my back yard, enjoying the gentle breeze and commenting to a friend on the phone on what a beautiful August evening it was. My friend noticed that where they were, in another part of the state that there were many bats flying around in the gathering twilight.  I was happy that they were still in the state although they have been gone from this area for two years now. Then, the most amazing thing happened. A small, brown bat flew right in my field of vision and darted back and forth as if to say "here I am!" " Hellllooooo!" I continued to sit out until full dark and was rewarded with seeing two of the little creatures flitting back and forth consuming their fill of mosquitoes.  I was and am so happy that they are back.

As far as I know, the scientists have yet to find out the cause or a cure fr the white nose fungus the little brown bat of North America is suffering and dying from in large numbers. But my friend commented on how 'they will adapt' and I think that's what we're seeing. I hope so at least. All through the history of evolution, many diseases and illnesses have come around and the sickest and weakest have succumbed, leaving a stronger and more resilient species. I think this may be the case with the return of the bats. I hope so, and if so, perhaps the bees that are also dying out may be able to rebound, even stronger and more resilient than before. 

I pray to the Goddess that this is true.  In the meantime, spend some time looking for the small, flitting and fluttering brown little creatures in the early night sky and say a blessing for them. Even if bats aren't a favorite of yours they deserve a blessing just for the job they do. A bat can consume up to 10,000 mosquitoes in an evening. That's one little bat in one summer evening. 10,000 mosquitoes! Wow! Now that's a serious job.

I am happy they are back because it speaks a bit to the health of our environment. Like any other living organism, if it can be ill or sicken it can also be healed and become healthy. The return of the brown bat speaks to the better health of our environment, at least in this small part of the world.  

Peace and Happiness 


 © 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website.

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.

New at Enchantments - Candles!

 Good Evening,

I love candles! Candle magick is one of my favorite methods of spell casting. My life is happier and healthier, empowered and successful and I credit much of it to effective spell casting due to candle magick. Now the  candle magick doesn't do the hard work for you, but the energies work in your favor to create the needed change and manifestation you desire.

Let me explain a bit.  Everything, according to the quantum physicist is made up of vibrations. Everything. You, me, candles, colors even. Why even a rock is vibrating, although at extremely low frequencies.  I call this vibrational energy.  Working magick is working in this realm of vibrational energy. Some energy syncs up with us and our vibrational level and some energy doesn't.  Ever wonder why it is that some people you just met you automatically like? And some you automatically dislike! Even though they all may be very nice people, some you gravitate towards and some you are repelled from. Why? Your vibrational level can be close to and 'sync up' with others and it seems like you've always been friends whereas others your vibrational level is on a different level with theirs and an instant dislike or disinterest develops.

We even have many phrases in our vernacular today that indicates when two people are on the same vibrational level. They are considered 'in sync', on 'the same page', 'simpatico', 'two bugs in a rug', they're like 'peas in a pod', 'soul mates', just to name a few.  Well take this concept of vibrational energy and apply it to colors and the burning of candles. The color red is thought to attract certain 'magickal properties' to the person using the color. It is known to increase physical energy, attract loving and passionate, romantic energies. It is thought to instill energies of courage, strength and it can be used in combination with candles, of which the burning process puts off energy of a stronger vibrational level.  Combining a red candle, burned on a Friday (which is the day of the week attributed to the Goddess of Love, passion, lust and desire) makes a simple, nifty love spell. 

In addition to colors and candles, herbs, oils, music, incense burned all work on the 'vibrational' level. By using these ingredients properly you can entice certain energies to surround you. Now of course .  .  .  it's important to know that once the energies are around you and circumstances are tweaked in your favor that it's necessary at times to take physical action for you magick to manifest.  For instance take a situation where you wish to ask your boss for a raise. You have done the work, you deserve the raise but you are really concerned that the request will be turned down.  By burning a green candle, carved with magickal symbols, annointed with a mixture of basil, olive and corn oil and rolled in crushed chamomile and burned on a Thursday during the new moon can cause the energies to be more favorable to you.  Now after you burn the candle, you must physically go to and speak with your boss and voice your request! Waiting for your boss to take it upon himself to award you with a raise which may indeed be the result of your spell, but don't wait for that to happen.  You need to do the physical actions that are necessary.

If you burn a red candle on a Friday, carved with hearts and the X rune Gifu, annointed with rose oil, and rolled in sugar (to sweeten your chances of finding a lover) be prepared to go out of the house to actually meet someone!  The Goddess will give you all the help she can, but this is our life, we are the director of the play which is our life. We will get from this life what we take and what we make of it.  Burn a candle, ask the Gods to help you in the areas you need help, and make magick happen. 

Enchantments has just redesigned the sales floor and we have installed a large candle display that offers many varieties of hand dipped tapers, votives, spell candles and every color and many fragrances you could desire for your magickal needs.

Here are some photos of the new display, but I hope you come by in person to check it out! 

Peace and Happiness


© 2010-2011 Enchantments, LLC Portions of this blog posting may include materials from my book “Enchantments School for the Magickal Arts First Year Magickal Studies.” For more information, see www.enchantmentsschool.com or go to the title of tonight's discussion and click, it will link you to my school's website. 

If you know someone who would like my work, please send them this link. If you or they would like to be included on our daily email distribution list send me an e mail with your email address to be included. If you ever wish to unsubscribe to this blog, please contact me and you will be immediately removed from our list.