Why Scry? Divining the Future

Scrying, the art of divining by looking into a reflective surface and receiving visions, has been used by witches, magicians, and others since pre-biblical times. The word “scry” forms the root for the English word “descry,” which means reveal or discover.

The ancients had special prophets and priestesses who engaged in foretelling the future, and it is certain they used scrying tools from various crystals. Perhaps a chunk of black obsidian was the first scrying mirror used by a Stone Age shaman. All these centuries later, we still use crystal balls made from quartz and obsidian.

It is known that Queen Elizabeth I employed Dr. John Dee, a mathematician and metaphysician, in all matters of the heavens and unseen. Dee’s assistants used a mirror of polished black obsidian, which led the next generation of magicians and psychics to prefer black mirrors. Dee and his assistants used scrying to call upon certain angels and reported hearing knocking, and even voices that sounded like an owl screeching, during sessions. The legacy of alchemist and metaphysician John Dee lives on, and modern seers such as Edgar Cayce have built on his foundation.

In addition to divining the past, present, and future, you can use scrying to contact spirit guides or to improve your skills of creative visualization. Some practitioners of scrying even use it as a gateway to the astral plane.

Although scrying tools usually have shiny surfaces, you can scry with nearly anything. Water, a mirror on the wall, a crystal sphere, a slab of rock, flames of fire, ink in a bow, or the bottom of a teacup all serve as scrying tools. You may find that smooth, neutral surfaces are less distracting and images will come through to you with less distortion. The ritual you follow when cleansing your scrying tools can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. My ritual involves cleansing my scrying tools before and after each use with rainwater that has sat through at least one day of sun and one night of moonlight. Just like with crystal balls and other sacred tools, you should polish any scrying mirrors or surfaces with a clean cotton cloth and store them in a special protective bag.

Rose Moon Ritual: Balinese Full Moon Ceremony

This ritual is simply lovely and taught to me by a friend who has the good fortune of spending lots of time in sacred place around the world. She calls this the Rose Moon Ritual:

Essential elements for this ritual are incense, offerings of fruit and lots of flowers, rice, and holy or blessed water. Make sure to have roses on the altar and rose petals scattered all around so the sight and sweet scent stimulates the senses 

Gather a group of like-minded folks and head to the nearest body of water—a lake, pond, creek, river, or the ocean. Nature will be your temple.

Begin by sitting in a circle and making garlands of flowers. You should talk, laugh, or be silent as you wish, but most important, be comfortable. When everyone is settled with a garland of flowers, place the garland around the neck of another person. Light the incense and set the rice and holy water in the middle of the circle.

Go around the circle and offer the water to people, sprinkling it on them gently with your fingertips in the Balinese fashion, and offer everyone a cupful of the holy water to rinse their mouths with so the worst they speak will be holier.  Each person should make a fruit or flower offering to the gods, and lay it near the cleansing smoke of incense. After the offerings are made, everyone should anoint their neighbor’s forehead with grains of rice and speak blessings aloud for each person. If a body of water is accessible, get wet, even if it is just to dip your hands or walk in the water.

Silently acknowledge the blessings in your life through prayer and meditation, and, again, give quiet thanks to the gods for the gift of your life. Unlike most Western-based rituals, there is not much talking during the Balinese Full Moon Ritual. Bask in the tranquility and listen to your thoughts.

Earth Element Ritual: Magical Trees

In Celtic lore, they were called wishing trees.  Taoists refer to them as money trees.  My spiritual group of thinks of them as manifesting trees.  Either way, they are trees that give to you and root in the earth, growing, giving stability, and cleaning the air.  Plant one in your yard or in a pot for your home or office.  If you have to rely on indoor gardening, the biggest ficus you can find will do nicely in a jade-green ceramic pot.  Choose from among the following magickal trees (or trust your intuition in arboreal matters):

Willow: healing broken hearts

Apple: divination, spell work

Oak: strength, lust

Peach: love magick

Olive: peace

Aspen: sensitivity

Eucalyptus: purification

Cherry: romance

If prosperity is your real concern, write your wishes on little paper scrolls and bury them in the soil near the tree.  Every time you water the tree, you will be bringing your wishes closer to fruition.  If you are looking for luck, happiness, or general good, verbalize your wish as you hang charms on the branches of your tree – colored ribbons, crystals, coins, and keys, anything that strikes your fancy.  This should also be a custom with friends and guests.  Every time you add an ornament, you must take one down.  Only when your charm has been removed will your wish come true.

Ganesha Mudras: Hand Yoga For Less Stress and More Calm

The elephant-headed Ganesha is the Indian god who helps overcome all obstacles. What better way to start the New Year that with this mighty deity at your side? Ganesha is beloved in India, where he is also called Vighnaharta, the “Lord and Destroyer of Obstacles.” When people seek success in work or school, they turn to this jolly elephant god. I keep a little bronze statue of a supine Ganesha on my computer.

Mudra is a type of yoga you do with your hands. It is also called “finger power points.” This is a portable yoga that you can do anywhere—on the bus, on the place, at your desk, even walking down the street. This is a marvelous way to calm yourself and handle stress. Buddha statues are usually shown with the hands in a mudra.

The very easy Ganesha mudra begins by holding your left hand in front of your chest with the palm facing outward, away from your body. Bend your fingers. Grasp your left fingers with your right finders bent, toward your body. Move the hands to the level of your heart, right in front of your chest. Exhale vigorously and gently try to pull your hands apart without releasing the grip. This will create tensions in your upper arms and chest area, exercising those muscles.

Now relax those muscles while inhaling. Repeat these steps six times, then place both your hands on your sternum in the Ganesha clasping position. Note the energy and heat you feel in your body. Now repeat six times with your hands facing in the reversed positions.

The Ganesha mudra opens the fourth chakra and vies us “heart”—courage, confidence, and good feelings toward others. It opens us up to new encounters and new, positive experiences. Performed once a day, this is a marvelous way to strengthen your upper body. It is also believed to open the bronchial tubes and stimulate that area.

Use the rituals in this chapter to become one with yourself and find peace within. May you use this learned tranquility to better participate in other rituals that focus on important aspects of your life.

G is for Good Health: Garlic, Ginseng and Ginger Are GREAT For You!

Keep these healing herbs handy at all times! Not only are the tasty but they add to savory dishes and are powerful natural medicine. Garlic, ginger and ginseng are the gggreat for you and your family:

Garlic (Allium sativum)

 We have all heard that the Chinese praise garlic for the health benefits. It is a powerful antimicrobial; often employed to combat colds, ease sinus congestion, and stave off digest problems that accompany traveling. It has even been shown that regular use can help gently lower blood pressure. 1 to 2 fresh cloves are the dose. It is, of

Ginger  (Zingiber officinale)

From tummy troubles to colds and flus ginger is beloved for its curative powers. Any green grocer or herbal apothecary will have plenty or ginger root in stock which you should always have around. When anyone in your family feel nauseous or a cold or fever coming, slice and mince a tablespoon of the root in a cup of hot water for tea. Steep to taste and drink twice a day for a surprisingly swift end to your suffering.

Ginseng  (Panax quinquefolius; P. ginseng)

Many people rely upon ginseng to relieve and avert mental and physical fatigue. This herb has been shown to reduce the occurrence and acuteness of colds.  Some even claim it can help with issues of male virility. Either dried or fresh will do 3 times a day simmered in a cup of freshly boiled water for 8 to 10 minute.

Homemade Healing: Easy-to-Make Herbal Ointment

Instead of expensive over-the-counter products, we use hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, calamine lotion, aloe vera gel, and both arnica cream and calendula cream.  We are ready for (almost) anything! Creams and ointments are often expensive to buy but can be made easily at home.  Here is an easy recipe to make your own curative cream.

Make Your Own Topical Ointment:

            stainless steel saucepan, bowl, whisk, and thermometer

            small clean jars or cans to store your ointment in

            15 grams (1 tablespoon) beeswax

80 milliliters (5 tablespoons) organic vegetable oil (sunflower oil is effective and affordable; jojoba oil is nice but pricey)

            tincture; add 30 drops of arnica tincture to make an arnica cream;

30 drops of calendula tincture and 10 drops of lavender oil to make calendula cream

Melt the beeswax and vegetable oil in a double boiler (or in a bowl over a saucepan).  When the beeswax is fully melted, remove the bowl or pan from the heat.  Whisk the ointment until it is cooled to around 100◦ F, then stir in the tincture you are using. Once you have the hang of it, you can experiement and make blends like rosemary and lavender which smells like heaven!

Label and store in clean, sealable lidded jars or cans.  These homemade creams will last longest if you keep them refrigerated

Witch Crafts: Light My Fire DIY Massage Candles

Making massage candles is very similar to making any other type of potted candle  I recommend using soy wax as it is soooo gentle on the skin . Soy wax is also nice and soft; it melts easily and stays together in a puddle after melting and can be reused for us thrifty crafters. If you have an allergy to soy (and it won't irritate your skin unless you have a soy allergy,) you can use beeswax instead which is very widely used. (For example, it is in nearly every single Burt’s Bees product.)  It is the addition of the oils that prevents it from hardening again and also enables your skin to absorb it. Essential oils or cosmetic-grade fragrance oils are also added to create a soothing atmosphere. All soap-making fragrances that are also soy candle safe are perfect choices for scenting your massage candles. Try the basic directions below to make your first candle. For every three ounces of wax, you'll add one ounce of liquid oil, and one-quarter ounce of fragrance. I suggest making two candles in 4-ounce metal tins while you master this craft.

You will need these elements:

·        2 ounces sweet almond oil or vitamin E oil

·        6 ounces high quality soy wax

·        Half an ounce scentful essential oil

·        2 4 ounce metal tins

·        2  6-inch candle wicks

Directions

1.     Melt the soy wax and oil in a double boiler over simmering water.

2.     Add the essential oils and stir gently to avoid bubbling or spilling

3.     Once the wax has cooled somewhat but is still melted enough to pour, place the wicks in your containers and pour the wax.

4.     Allow several hours for the candles to set and harden

5.     Trim the wicks to one quarter of an inch above the top of the candle, and they're ready to use.

Sensual Scents for Massage Candles:

These essential oils are beloved for their aphrodisiac properties and simply smell wonderful on your skin and in your home. Just burning the candles will be magical! Once you are a pro with making massage candles, try combining oils. Vanilla and amber, "Vamber" is divine. 

Amber            Cedarwood

Clary sage      Jasmine

Neroli             Patchouli

Rose                Sandalwood

Vanilla            Vetiver

Ylang ylang    Cinnamon

Connecting With Your Spirit Animal: Midsummer Ritual

Oftentimes, messages come with animals, either live or in spirit vision. If this happens to you, you should study the meaning of this animal, as it may well become your personal totem or power animal. Bear in mind, too, that your animal totem might be a real surprise. You may be a 300-pound linebacker, and your totem might be a mouse. Remember, the totem picks you; you don’t pick the totem.

 

I was surprised when my spirit animal totem first came to me. For whatever reason, I thought I was not a nature girl. I did a personal vision quest, and while a trip to an exotic place such as the Amazon jungle was not in my immediate plans, I felt I could definitely journey to the shore and make it a spiritual trek. Between Santa Cruz and San Francisco, there is a wonderful national park by the Pacific Ocean called Big Basin. Big Basin features a waterfall with a very large creek that flows down a mountain directly into the ocean. For sheer physical beauty and drama, Big Basin is nearly unmatched. The waterfall is a “word of mouth” phenomenon that only occurs after the rainy season. If you go at any other time, the waterfall is dry and, for all intents and purposes, simply does not exist. I decided that, for my purposes, I could experience a little of the magic Terrence wrote about.

So I set off on the seven-mile journey up the mountain to find Berry Creek Falls. Because I was hit by a drunk driver some years back and suffered physical trauma, I am not a hiker. But I was extremely motivated to try, and the beauty of the spring day I had selected for my vision quest was sheer joy to behold. Through flowering spring trees, the singing brook, and a lush green landscape, I felt like I had rediscovered Eden all by myself. After about five miles, my ankle, which had been smashed in the accident, was begging me for a respite. I moved down the bank of the big creek and dipped my throbbing leg into the cool water. It felt so good, and I was so hot and hungry, that it seemed absolutely essential that I plunge into the creek. I think I lay in the water for at least two hours, and I felt an enormous sense of release there. I wept, letting go of deep emotions as the water flowed around me. Lichen, moss, leaves, and some small sticks caught in my hair, but these only added to my sense that I was getting closer to nature. I was in my element and very glad of it.

Eventually, I became aware of the world outside my mossy mermaid creek bed. It was getting late and, lacking flashlight or fire, I could either wash out to sea or return to the world and my life. Refreshed, a little more lucid, and a lot hungrier, but with no distinct vision, it seemed that it was going to take another trip for me to get any real enlightenment.

I started the journey of several miles down the incline, deep in thought. After a few minutes I noticed that I was not the only one walking in the woods. I stopped, and the other footsteps stopped, too. I started and the other footsteps started again. The steps were very close. It seemed that someone or something was walking just off to my left, practically beside me. I started to get frightened; being followed was not in my vision quest plans!

Carefully and quietly, I turned to look in the dimming light. To my utter amazement, there was a young female deer walking beside me. We looked at each other, and I am not sure who was more frightened. We walked together and soon grew fairly comfortable with each other’s presence. I touched her and she didn’t flinch or run away. This was miraculous. I marveled that she remained at my side. I grew up in West Virginia, where deer simply don’t “hang out” with humans. I came to realize that this doe was my animal totem. She picked me, and definitely let me know that she was there for me, escorting me down the mountain from my vision quest. At the end of the grassy hill, before it became sand and beach, she turned, and with a long gaze gave me her goodbye. I was practically shaking with excitement and an indescribable bursting feeling inside.

All those Native American teachings I had heard were completely real and true. Never again did I doubt the veracity of vision and spirit from the elders.

The realm of the spirit is there. It’s just waiting for you to walk in.

Stone in Love: Crystal Magic for Romantic Bliss

As is well known, the ring finger on the left hand symbolizes a direct connection to your heart and serves as the love center. The ring finger also symbolizes creativity, and wearing an emerald will inspire ingenuity. Wearing tiger’s-eye or cat’s-eye will also help you meet creative goals. Wearing turquoise on this finger helps with practicality in your work and art. Traditionally, diamonds are worn on the left ring finger for deep and loyal love ties. A moonstone will also express your love. An opal shows service to your community and to the world. A ruby helps with serenity—both within and without.

Crystals and Gems for Love:

Chrysocolla increases the capacity for love, one of the sweetest and most beneficial qualities any stone can offer. But my favorite feature of chrysocolla is that it tells you when to be silent and when to speak. It doesn’t get better than that!

Emerald is also a heart stone, offering benefits on physical and emotional planes. I prefer emeralds above all other stones for engagement rings. This is your ultimate gem for happiness in a relationship. In fact, emerald has been called the stone of successful love and can engender utter felicity, total loyalty, and domestic bliss in a willing couple. The emerald is at its most powerful if worn as a pinkie—or ring—finger ornament or in a bracelet on the right wrist. But wearers, be warned! Do not wear emerald at all times or its super-positive force starts to reverse. A little emerald luck goes a long way.

Red garnets are love stones. These sexy stones can help those with a lethargic libido tune into their passion.

Herkimer diamonds are power tones, bringing great vitality and exuberance into your life. They can redirect stress away from you with their absorptive abilities. Placing these rocks in your bedroom will cause the stress to melt away and help you relax and feel safe.

Kunzite is indeed a spirit-lifting, soothing stone and helps neutralize stress and prevent worry and fear. This pink stone can help you control your thoughts and have the ability to detach yourself from what burdens you. Kunzite is a heart opener and creates the condition for love. It is also beneficial to the blood and circulatory system. Kunzite can help anyone with problems. Kunzite is another of the environmental stones that can absorb back harmful radio waves. It will also help you feel and express your love for your significant other without feeling possessive and jealous.

Invoking Goddess Blessings: A Ritual of Spring

In China and Tibet, the mountain holds a special place in mythology and religions because they are so close to the sky. Tibetan Buddhists bring down the blessings of one of their most benevolent deities, Nikadama, the female protection deity who lives high in the Himalaya Mountains. To get her attention, tie strings of Tibetan prayer flags or white silk scarves to the trees and bushes near your home or in your yard. If you live in the city, you can hang them at your door to fly in the breeze. Every time the flags and offering scarves flutter in the wind, Nikadama is blessing you! Here is a very simple ritual you can perform alone or with loved ones to bring luck and blessings during the waxing moon. Spring is the best time to do this, but any waxing moon will bring fortune and providence.

Tibetan Prayer Flag 101

The color symbology of a string of Tibetan prayer flags comes from hundreds of years of tradition. Monks always fly the blue flag highest and it should be at the top of the string of flags, as it symbolizes the closest you can get to higher consciousness. Other colors that represent aspects of nature are as follows:

Blue: Sky

White: Cloud
Red: Fire

Green: Water
Yellow: Earth

Lavender Love DIY Healing Tincture

Lavender is hard not to grow and once your seedlings and young plants have been established, they will bush out and produce loads of scented stalks, flowers and seeds. This bounty will become your source for teas, tinctures, bath salts and infusions.

 For tea, the rule of thumb is one teaspoon dried lavender flowers to one cup boiling water to aid tummy trouble, headache, aches, insomnia and even for calming the mind. You can easily amp up the therapeutic power of your brew, add any of these excellent herbs - dried yarrow, St. John’s Wort, or chamomile.  This is a simple and streamlined way to infuse lavender: pour heaping tablespoon into a bowl of hot water and then drape a towel over your head and breathe in the aromatic fumes to deal with respiratory issues, coughs, colds, headaches, stuffy sinuses and nervous tension. You will come away feeling renewed and your kitchen will smell like the heavens above. You can use the water in your morning bath or to your sink garbage disposal; grinding up the flowers refreshes that hard-duty kitchen appliance.

Lavender Tincture

This cure-all should be kept on hand at all times for soothing the skin, the stomach and anything in need of comfort. I have even seen it be used to stanch bleeding in small cuts. You need:

Dried lavender

Clear quart jar with lid

Cheesecloth

Dark glass for storage

2 cups distilled water

1 cup clear alcohol such as vodka

Fill your clear quart jar to the halfway point with the dried lavender. Pour in the alcohol also to the halfway point, Add in the water and seal with the lid securely and shake for a few minutes until it seems well mixed. Store in a dark cupboard for one month, shaking once a day.  After 30 days, strain with cheesecloth into the dark glass storage jar and screw the lid on tightly. The lavender leavings will make lovely compost and the liquid tincture will soon prove itself indispensible in your household.

Laven

The Herbalist’s Astrological Almanac: The Healing Wisdom of Plants

The Herbalist’s Astrological Almanac – Plant Healing  Wisdom

Plants carry potent energy you can use to amplify your magical workings. Use the signs of the sun, moon and stars to your advantage and, over time, you will come to know which ones are most effective for you. Make sure to use your own astrological chart in working with these herbs.  Here is a guide to the astrological associations of plants you may grow in your kitchen garden or keep dried in your pantry:

Aries, ruled by Mars: carnation, cedar, clove, cumin, fennel, juniper, peppermint and pine.

Taurus, ruled by Venus: apple, daisy, lilac, magnolia, oak moss, orchid, plumeria, rose, thyme, tonka bean, vanilla and violet.

Gemini, ruled by Mercury: almond, bergamot, mint, clover, dill, lavender, lemongrass, lily and parsley

Cancer, ruled by the Moon: eucalyptus, gardenia, jasmine, lemon, lotus, rose, myrrh and sandalwood

Leo, ruled by the Sun: acacia, cinnamon, heliotrope, nutmeg, orange and rosemary

Virgo, ruled by Mercury: almond, cypress, bergamot, mint, mace, moss, thyme and patchouli

Libra, ruled by Venus: catnip, marjoram, mugwort, spearmint, sweet pea, thyme and vanilla

Scorpio, ruled by Pluto: allspice, basil, cumin, galangal and ginger

Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter: anise, cedar wood, sassafras, star anise and honeysuckle

Capricorn, ruled by Saturn: lemon thyme, mimosa, vervain and vetiver

Aquarius, ruled by Uranus: gum, citron, cypress, lavender, spearmint and pine

Pisces, ruled by Neptune: clover, orris, neroli, sarsaparilla and sweet pea

Seasoned gardeners knows that the best ingredients can be found in your kitchen or your own backyard. Many plants now thought of as weeds have great healing powers and magical properties. Most of the herbs and essential oils in this book have become quite commonplace. With the plethora of aromatherapy products now available, most oil essences and scented candles can be bought commercially. For the more unusual ingredients, try your local health food market, herbalist, or metaphysical store.

Plant a Fairy Garden: Invite the Wee Folk Into Your Life

When planting your garden of enchantments, bear in mind that certain plants attract hummingbird, butterflies and fairies. The wee folk love daisies, purple coneflower, French lavender, rosemary, thyme, yarrow, lilac, cosmos, red valerian, sunflowers, honeysuckle and heliotrope.
Folk wisdom about Fairy Flora has been handed down through the centuries telling that pansies, blue columbine, snapdragons planted in bed are a welcome mat for fairies. These special guests a can use foxglove, which means “folk’s glove,” to make hats, linens and clothing as well as tulips for their haberdashery. They also favor sunny-faced nasturtiums. Fairies are also quite attached to certain fruit trees with pear, cherry and apple as their absolute favorites.  The hawthorn is one of the most magical trees. It marks the fairies’ favorite dancing places, and you should not cut or uproot a hawthorn unless you wish to incur their wrath. Apple trees also appeal as does the one in my own back yard.

Keep your eyes peeled when these trees and posies are in bloom as there are bound to be fairy folk about!