A Home for the New Soul: Baby Blessing

If any ritual is meant to be swift, it is the blessing of a new baby into the family and tribe. The baby will often quite vocally let everyone know when time is up and even that just adds to the fun!

Gather together

    * a bright blue cloth for swaddling

    * a vial of water that has been blessed

You don’t need any other supplies, just loving, happy people with the new parents and their child. A priestess or elder conducts the ceremony and begins by welcoming all and speaking a personal intention for the new parents and the baby. She then carefully swaddles the baby in the blue cloth and begins singing this song:

    We all come from the Goddess

    And to her we shall return

    Like a drop of water,

    Flowing to the ocean.

    As below, so above.

    Mother, father, daughter, son,

    Wisdom’s gift shall be your own.

    Crone and sage, youth and sage

    We welcome you with all our hearts of love.

Gently pour a drop of the blessed water on the baby’s head and chant the blessing again.

At this point, the little one will doubtless be ready for a nap and the tribe should go for a joyful feast.

Your Personal New Year: Birthday Rite

The anniversary of your birth is like a new year, when everyone can start again, wearing new clothes, beginning life anew with a fresh attitude and bright hopes. Invite your friends and loved ones over for this special day.

Gather together

    * plenty of candles

    * 1 cup (240ml) of water

    * a dish of salt

    * incense

    * a new piece of clothing (such as a scarf) or a new item of jewelry

    * a plate of cakes and sweets to share

Light as many candles as you can in the room where you are performing this ritual. Create a circle of candles, and create a sacred space by having a symbol of each element in your circle: a dish of salt for Earth, a cup of water, incense for Air, and a candle for Fire. Sit lotus-style in the center of your circle and relax in the flickering candlelight. Feel the presence of the four elements and the balance they create. Notice how warm and alive the room feels. Notice how the gentle, flickering candlelight makes all feel safe. As you bask in the atmosphere of the loving candlelight, say to each of your guests, one by one:

I am grateful to have you in my life. May the power of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water bless you.

When you have finished your statements of appreciation, purify the new piece of clothing or item of jewelry by passing it through the smoke of the incense. Then put on your new piece of jewelry or clothing, saying:

With this act, I declare this new year is here, and see the future bright with hope.

Stay within your circle of light for 5 minutes. Then share the food and libations and relax with your special friends. Leave some of the cake or sweets as an offering to the gods in thanks for your new life in the coming solar year.

Coven Welcoming Ceremony

In your witchy community, a new name is an important signifier. It is a marker of your initiation and progress on your pagan path, and it lets the world know your intention and identity. When you are ready to take this step or induct a new witch into your community or coven, this ritual is a beautiful way to mark the occasion ceremoniously. Ideally, the high priestess or leader selects the name, but we witches can also choose what expresses our spirituality best. The greeting and welcoming of the newly named coven member is 5 minutes of pure magic.

Gather together

    * firewood and kindling

    * a sage wand for blessing with smoke

    * “gifts of wisdom” for the newly ordained witch

    * drums

Timing: This ritual is best performed on the night of the new moon.

Gather together the tribe, start the fire, and form a seated circle around the flames. Pass the sage wand around for the blessing of smoke.

Present the new name with the explanation of the name. For example, “I greet you ‘Lady Silverlake,’ so named because you are brilliant and reflective; because you shine.

The group should welcome the newly christened witch by going around the circle and speaking their blessings and hopes for the new pagan’s future. “Lady Silverlake, may you see the world and find the place that speaks most deeply to your heart.”

Next, the group should present the newly named tribal member with the gifts of wisdom. We are not speaking here of pricey prizes but perhaps a book that changed your life and the reason why, or an amber amulet for protection.

Drum and sing on this new-moon night, as an important new member of the tribe has just come into being!

A Celestial Guide to Companionship

I rely upon my knowledge of astrology to inform me whether a new acquaintance has the potential to become a dear friend (or more). While the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water are a major indicator of compatibility (Earth signs naturally get along with other Earth signs, for example), you should endeavor to have your astrological charts done and compare them. Finding the sun and the moon in the same sign is common among many soul mates. This is known as synastry in astrology. As example, a man with a Virgo sun will be attracted to a woman with a Virgo moon and this is true for every sun and moon combination. It is a true affinity.

    * Fire signs: Leo, Sagittarius, and Aries. People with these signs are bold, courageous, and fun-loving,         and they play well together.

    * Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces. These mysterious folks are sensitive, passionate, and                 creative, and they comfortably swim in the same current.

    * Air signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. These smart, talkative, and artistic people speak the same             language.

    * Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. These practical, savvy, and successful types enjoy helping     each other to the top.

    * If you “are born on one of the “cusp” days, then consider it a blessing. You get along with everybody!

The Flame of Friendship

You can further charge the candles on your Loved-one Shrine by scratching your desire into the wax. I use the thorn of a rose for this and write the words of my intention. Many witches use symbols: a moon, the sun, a flower, a heart, a dollar sign, or a number, for example. You can also inscribe a name.

Take a large solar-hued yellow pillar candle anointed with lemon or bergamot essential oil and charge it with positivity toward your loved ones. Scratch your own name into it and write “I love ____” with the name of your friend or family member.

Light the candle and say four times:

I love me. I love ______.

For a daily dose of one-minute magic, light the candle every night and repeat this love charge before bed and every morning when you arise. Your heart will lift and soar, which then emanates outward toward this special person in your life.

Making Relationships Sacred: Loved-one Shrine

This sacred space is dedicated to the special people in your life: friends, family, and your partner. Your shrine can be a low table or even a shelf and provides a place to put gifts you have received from your loved ones, which might include crystals, jewelry, art, and lovely objects along with all their photos in frames. Every time I see my own special Loved-one Shrine, I smile. It fills my heart with love. 

Gather together

    * sage for smudging

    * a pink cloth or scarf

    * 2 pink candles and 2 white candles

    * a small rose quartz and fluorite crystals

    * a vase of fresh cut flowers of your choice (daisies, for example)

To set up your shrine, purify the space by lighting the sage bundle and letting the smoke waft around the area. This is called “smudging” and is an essential part of witchcraft. You can use wild sage or purchase it in any herb store. Once you have smudged the space, cover your sacred space with the scarf or cloth, and place the candles in each of the four corners. (Pink is the color of affection and white represents purity.) Place the crystals around the vase of fresh flowers—whichever ones connote fun and friendship to you. Then add gifts or other trinkets that remind you of your loved one.

Light the candles, kneel before your newly created shine and say:

    I light the fire of loyalty

    The heat of heart and the flame of love and friendship.

    Brightest blessing, Great Goddess bring,

    The spirit of friendship will surely sing.

    As the fates do dance, I welcome the chance

    To share my love and my life.

    So mote it be.

Conjuring Cords

For ridding yourself of something (or someone) undesirable, try this spell.

Timing: Ideally this should be done during the waning moon.

Take 3 feet of string or fabric cord in banishing colors of gray or black. Begin tying knots as you chant:

By knot of one, my charms begun,
By two, my charms come true,
By knot of three, my desire is free.
By four, I shall have more.
By knot of five, I will thrive,
By six, ill fortune I nix.
By knot of seven, to Jove in heaven.
So mote it be.

Once you have finished, the string or cord should be given back to the earth by burying it in the ground or tossing it into a body of water, preferably a river.

Invoking Your Inner Goddess: Divine Essence Oil

This relaxation remedy is an excellent way to create personal space after a hectic week.

Gather together

    * 2 drops cedar essential oil

    * 2 drops sandalwood essential oil

    * 2 drops amber essential oil

    * 2 drops lavender essential oil

    * 4 drops carrier (or base) oil, such as sesame or jojoba

    * a small bowl or vial, preferably heart-hued red

Timing: This tincture is most potent on goddess Freya’s Day, Friday evening.

Mix together the essential oils with the carrier (or base) oil in the bowl or vial.

Touch one drop of the Divine Essence Oil on each pulse point: on both wrists, behind your ear lobes, on the base of your neck, and behind your knees. Wait a few moments and let the power of the goddess fill your senses as your mind, body, and spirit are renewed. Close your eyes and recite:

Freya, eternal and wise, give your strength to me now.

As I breathe, you are alive in me for this night.

Make sure to thank the goddess for all the blessings in your life.