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Sage (salvia officinalis) qualities are masculine, ruled by Jupiter and the element Air. Carry sage in your pocket to promote wisdom, also used for money and healing spells; traditionally burned by Native Americans for purification. When burned, a wonderful way to cleanse and purify the aura and balance of a person or space. We've heard tales that to make your desire come true, write it down on a sage leaf and keep it under your pillow.
Juniper (juniperus communis) qualities are masculine, ruled by the sun and the element fire. Used for everything protective from psychic attack to breaking hexes; when burned, offers aide to the Third eye. Thought to be one of the earliest incenses used by Mediterranean witches (Cunningham).
Angelica Root () qualities coming!
An Element Primer ~ Air: Yellow ~ East and the morning sun, new beginnings, speaking one's truth, expressions Fire: Red ~ South and the heat of high noon, courage and convictions, passion and inspiration Water: Blue ~ West and sunset, dreams and the unconscious, emotions and deeper knowledge Earth: Green/Brown ~ North and deep night, foundations and roots, grounding and support, the structure underneath Working tip: wondering how to infuse or charge a candle? There are many ways to charge items, here is merely one: sit in a comfortable position with your chosen candle before you. Breathe deeply and rhythmically, while focusing on the qualities you wish to charge your candle with. For instance, maybe I'm doing a working around wanting to feel more grounded in my life. I would call on images in my mind that show me behaving in a grounded manner ~ not losing my cool in a stressful situation, for instance. Include images and thoughts of how this is symbolized in your life ~ a favorite tree near your home, or were you frequent that you love and feel a connection to (or a plant, a flower.. something with roots). Pick your candle up and as you hold it i n your hands, imagine all these thoughts and images flowing into that candle. You will know when it is complete and ready. Light your candle, and if you like, state clearly a mantra that will assist your endeavors, such as "I am centered and prepared with every task I meet; as this candle burns my grounding is complete. So mote it be."
The Besom can be considered unisex in nature (the handle being masculine, the brush being feminine) but is readily seen in pop culture as all about the woman in her kitchen ~ regardless, we think it's dual gender qualities and function for service only heightens its power in ritual. Tried and true, this tool always delivers: whether as just a broom on your kitchen floor, or as a besom cleansing the space for casting circle. Found in every witch's closet, folklore is rich with tales of how the broom has been used magically; the image of a witch riding her broom is classic (we think it may have derived originally from the olde spinster down the lane chasing off greedy magistrates trying to steal their land). We believe here that this marriage of the mundane and holy is particularly potent in ritual work, "hidden in plain sight" as it were. Hang this near your door after charging to symbolically sweep off the outside world's negative energies, or 'brush' away the nasties in a cleansing ritual. Workings: On the night of a new moon, sprinkle salt in the corners of a room that needs clearing; in the morning light of a new day, focus all your intention upon cleansing and releasing all that is not wanted or needed as you sweep the salt into a dust pan. Throw this salt out in your garden, over your shoulder into a running stream, or somewhere on Mother Earth so it can be recycled. "As I release what I no longer need, my world is transformed for the good of all. So mote it be." Most importantly, then fill that room with something that symbolizes what you do want in your space ~ a lovely red candle to represent loving one's self more, or a green plant that you charge with a sense of grounding, a picture of the person that you wish to get along better with. Be creative!
The Witch's Ball similar to those we offer here were used in the 18th century as a form of protection, hung in windows to ward off evil. Usually made of glass, with additional suspended strands of glass inside to trap the curses and ill wishes, it hit North American shores in the 19th century. There is much lore around the use of such balls, and many are found once again hidden in plain sight ~ the Victorian glass balls seen today in gardens all over is the Witch Ball's offspring. The use of mirroring aides in turning one's ill wishes back upon the sender. So when you gaze upon them, think good thoughts! Workings: coming up
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Vitality ~ Spirit ~ Passion ~ Trust
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The
Blessed Thistle |
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Copyright (c) 2002-8 The Blessed Thistle
