The Manifestor’s Mindset: Magical Thinking

I first heard the wisdom of the visionary teacher and writer Louise Hay 25 years ago when my dear friend Duncan gifted me his well-worn cassette tape of her speaking about how to develop a mindset of abundance. I admittedly brought a bit of a scarcity mindset to California with me from West Virginia and was eager to learn new ways. I loved Louise Hay’s insights, which were wholly new to me. Duncan patiently explained to me his takeaways from Hay’s wisdom and how it had worked for him and changed his life for the better. When paying bills, instead of resenting the utility that had supplied water and electricity, write the check, seal the envelope, and say aloud “Thank you, Pacific Gas and Electric, for supplying me with power for my home and trusting me to pay you. Blessings to you, PG&E!” We even began a ritual of paying bills together and then walking to the mailbox and pronouncing our gratitude to all the recipients of our money. We even added the finishing touch of kissing the stamped envelopes and saying “Thank you!” before dropping them in for mailing. We got some looks of surprise at our mailbox rituals but we believed wholeheartedly in Louise Hay, and doing that had been working for Duncan. Soon, it began to work for me and I fully embraced the mindset. Most surprising of all, I stopped being filled with dread and worry when bills came in and started paying them the same day they came in, whenever possible. In addition to adopting an attitude of abundance, it helped my credit score!

Birthstone Blessings

Sit in a comfortable position with your birthstone placed in a bowl or dish in front of you. Think

about the blessings in your life and gifts your particular stone offers. What are you grateful for at this

moment? There is a powerful magic in recognizing all that you possess and in having an attitude of 

gratitude. Breathe steadily and deeply, inhaling and exhaling slowly for twenty minutes. As you meditate, 

send the positive energy into the bowl containing your personal gem. Now, the birthstone blessings are 

there any time you need them.

Twinkle-Star Toe Ring

Every step you take will be supernatural when you wear your Twinkle-Star Toe Ring! To make this ring, you’ll need forty-four tiny amethyst beads, 18 inches of elastic thread, two sewing needles or two wire thread needles, and glue. Once you get the knack of the projects, you can try it again and vary the number and type of crystal beads.

Begin by blessing the beads on your altar. Next, thread the needles onto each end of the elastic thread and then string four beads to the center of the elastic. Thread the left needle through the last bead on the right-hand side. Pull it tight, forming a diamond shape. Next, string one bead on the left thread end and two beads on the right. Thread the left needle through the last bead on the right. Pull it tight. Repeat until all the beads are used. In order to close the ring, thread the left needle through the end bead of the first diamond, instead of the last bead on the right. Pull tight, tie the ring off with a double knot, and place a drop of glue on the knot.

Notice how everyone is looking at you as you sparkle by? You are irresistible!

Support from Afar

We all have friends and loved ones who live many miles away but who need our support. Long-distance magic can be quite effective so, on a Thursday, try this ritual with your group. It has worked really well for my spiritual circle.

Gather together

    * a photo of the friend in need or other symbol to represent that person

    * a small hand bell or chime

    * a vase of yellow flowers

    * a piece of paper and a pen

Take the photo of your friend or the symbol that represents him or her, for example a gift he or she has given, or even a business card, and place it on a pedestal or table. Surround it with a small hand bell or chime and a vase filled with one or more of these “flowers of fortune:” nasturtiums, golden poppies, daisies, yellow roses, or your friend’s favorite happy posy.

Take a piece of parchment and write your friend’s full name. Speak the following spell:

    On this earth and under these stars, I call upon the gods and goddesses to bring great help and good        fortune to ______ [your friend’s name].

Ring the bell or chime.

    In this air and through these waters, speed here in the name of _____.

Ring the bell or chime again.

    Through the fire and through the rain, bring aid, goodwill, and bright blessings to _____ now.

Ring the bell or chime again.

As a group, send the positive energy to your friend across the miles by saying, “We love you, ____”, and ring the bell vigorously one last time.

New Moon Charm for Banishing Heartbreak

Any new moon is the perfect time to create a new opportunity. Clear away relationship “baggage” with this banishing spell. If you have been hurt emotionally, this will clear it, fast.

Gather together

    * a clear glass bowl filled with 2 cups (480ml) of water

    * a silver spoon

    * a salt shaker

    * palo santo incense

    * 2 white candles and 2 black candles

Place the clear glass bowl of water on your altar. Set a silver spoon beside the glass bowl along with a salt shaker. Light the cleansing palo santo incense, the two white candles, and the two black candles. Pour salt on the spoon, sprinkle the salt into the water and stir with the spoon clockwise. Recite aloud:

    Hurt and pain are banished this night;
    Fill this heart and home with light.
    With harm to none and blessings to all.
    So mote it be.

After a few moments of contemplating the candle flames, recite the spell again. Using the silver spoon as a snuffer, extinguish the candles. Toss the bowl of water out on the street in front of your house, near a drainage grate. All your love troubles should drain away by the end of this lunar cycle.

Coin Conjuration

We all have unexpected expenses that come out of the blue—car repairs, medical bills, or helping a loved one in need. I had the latter with my family and had to reach deep into my coffers to heed the call. When you need to recover quickly financially, this coin spell will fill the bill, literally.

Gather together

    * athame

    * 3 gold (or yellow) candles

    * frankincense or myrrh incense

    * 3 yellow or gold-colored crystals, such as tiger’s eye, amber, citrine, yellow jade, or another favorite         of yours

    * 3 pieces of yellow- or gold-colored fruit, such as yellow apples or oranges

    * 13 coins of different denominations

    * a green or gold jar with a lid

Timing: Perform this spell on the evening of a new moon or during a waxing moon phase.

Make a quickie temporary altar wherever you pay your bills and handle your money—maybe it is your desk or perhaps the kitchen table. Use your athame to create the circle of magic in this soon-to-be-sacred space. Place the candles, incense, crystals, and fruit on the temporary altar and arrange them into three groups so each group contains a crystal, piece of fruit, and candle. Light your candles and the incense. One by one, take the coins in your hand and pass them through the incense smoke. Place the coins in the jar. Now take the crystals in your hand and pass them through the smoke, then place in the jar and seal. Pick up one piece of fruit at a time and touch to your third eye (in the middle of your forehead). Pray aloud:

    This offering I make as my blessing to all,

    Comfort and earthly gifts upon us shall fall.

    Fill my coffers with silver and gold.

    In this time of great need, I will be bold.

    For the good of all, young and old.

    Fill my coffers with silver and gold.

    And so it is.

Extinguish the candles and incense and place on your altar for future use, as well as the vessel containing the coins. When you go to sleep, dream of everyone you love, including yourself, receiving a harvest of material and spiritual wealth.

Prosperity Pouches: DIY Charm Bags

A charm bag is a little bag or pouch filled with objects charged with magic for a specific intent. You can charge the objects with magic by placing them on your altar for 24 hours or, for a 5-minute fix, use spellwork, as suggested here.

Gather together

    * 12 inches (30cm) green cord or string

    * 1 green candle

    * thyme or cinnamon incense

    * a small muslin or cloth bag/pouch (that could fit in the palm of your hand)

    * bolline

    * 1 cinnamon stick

    * 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

    * 3 pebble-size crystals of green jade, peridot, or turquoise

Set the cord or string aside and place all the other items on your altar. Stand at your altar and light the candle and incense. Pick up the pouch and smudge it in the sweet smoke of the incense while saying the following spell:

    My life is blessed and this I know.

    Into this bag, prosperity will flow.

    I see the future is bright wherever I go,

    My life is blessed; this much I know.

    With harm to none; so mote it be.

Using your bolline, cut the cinnamon stick into 3 pieces. Cut the green cord or string into 3 pieces. Place the basil, crystals, and cinnamon into the pouch. Now take the pieces of green cord and, one at a time, tie the end of the bag securely. Keep it with you in your pocket and into your life, money will flow.

The Crown of Cronehood: A Ritual of Honoring

Women should feel good about aging. They should celebrate long, full lives, and be respected and honored for the wisdom they bring to the community. Croning rituals, such as this one, are the signal to the group that a woman has ascended into a new role of service and leadership to the family, the tribe, the village, and the sisterhood. Elders say this coming of age occurs at the woman’s second Saturn return, which is at age 58 to 60, but modern women now often decide for themselves.

While this ritual can last as long as is needed, the actual crowning lasts for 5 very magical minutes.

Gather together

    * a flowering branch

    * a crown or tiara (you can easily obtain one at any costume shop), placed on the altar table

    * enough candles to represent every year of the crone’s life

Upon the arrival of the soon-to-be-crowned crone, the eldest woman present should take a flowering branch, dip it in water, and sprinkle it on the crone’s head, just a few drops, and speak this blessing:

    I bless you in the name of the Goddess.

    I bless you in the name of Mother Earth.

    I bless you in the name of every woman.

    Sister, do you accept the role of teacher and leader as crone?

The crone responds. If she accepts the title, then the eldest woman says:

    She is crowned.

The eldest woman places the Crown of Cronehood upon the new crone’s head. Now everyone should speak together:

    We gather together to celebrate that [new crone’s name] is entering the Wise Age.

Now the eldest woman and the youngest woman present light the candles. After everyone has spoken her tribute to the crone, she can speak her thanks. When the newly crowned crone has spoken from her heart, she ends with “Blessed be to all.” Food is then served, and it should be a birthday party to remember for a lifetime.

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.

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.

She Brings You Blessings and Strength: Hecate Invocation

 

Hecate, above perhaps all others, is the original goddess of witchcraft. She is also the goddess of night, magic, necromancy, the moon, and ghosts. At “the witching hour of midnight,” the power of magic is strongest. This is also the optimal time to call down the goddess known as queen of the witches” for a power boost of blessings and strength. By honoring her and inviting her into “your life, you will receive untold gifts of wisdom, joy, and beauty.

Gather together

    * 1 large crystal, ideally a geode, amethyst, quartz, or rock crystal

    * 3 candles in sturdy glass votives

    * an image of the goddess

    * a rattle or drum

Timing: The best time to perform this ritual is midnight.

Place the large crystal on your altar, along with candles and the goddess image.

    Blessed one, all sky and earth and ocean is yours.

    May we all be blessed by you.

    May we all draw strength from you.

    I sing to thee, bright lady.

    I dance for thee, queen of all.

    In your honor, 

    Blessed be.

Now, pick up your rattle or drum and shake or beat it while dancing under the midnight sky.

Sanctuary Spell: Rose-water Rite

 Three simple ingredients—a pink candle, a red rose, and water—can bestow a powerful steadying and calming influence. The rose signifies beauty, love for yourself and others, blossoming, budding, the earth, your heart, and peace. The candle stands for the yellow flame of the East, unity, harmony, focus, higher intention, and the light of the soul. Water is cleansing, free flowing, affects emotions, and stands for the West. This spell can be done alone or in a group where you pass the bowl around.

Timing: Sun or moon in Venus-ruled Libra is a sweet time to share this rite with those you care for.

Float a red rose in a clear bowl of water, and light a pink candle beside the rose. With the fingers of your left hand, gently stir the water and speak aloud this blessing:

    I give myself life and health, refreshing water for my spirit.

    I give myself time to rest, and space to grow.

    I am love. My heart is as big as the world.

    I am peace of mind. So be it, now and always.

Rite of the Wise Age: A Ceremony to Bestow the Crown of Cronehood

The essential elements for this ritual are enough candles to represent every year of the crone’s life, flowers, silver wire, crystals, water, flowering branches, silver moon-shaped paper cutouts, and potluck food. The potluck food served at the party after the ritual will be even more special and good for all if they emphasize “women’s food” such as estrogen-filled yams, calcium-rich broccoli, and yogurt. Soy is recommended as well, and chocolate is essential. 

The first part of the ritual takes place before the honored guest, the new crone, arrives. Working together, women should take the silver wire and form a round crown. Glue semiprecious crystals to this crown, attach charms and amulets, and affix the silver crescent moons. Make it beautiful and meaningful. The silver moon is a sign of the Goddess, and the new crone is a representative of the Goddess’s third aspect. The crystals, which are the stones and bones of Mother Earth, add power and the beauty of Gaia. Charms and amulets are for health, protection, good luck, and good life. As you make it and place the jewels and charms on the crown, state your intentions and hopes for the new crone. When the crown is complete, place it on a beautiful purple pillow or on the altar.

Upon the arrival of the soon-to-be-crowned crone, the eldest woman present should take a flowering branch and dip it in water and sprinkle it on her head, just a few drops, and speak a blessing, such as:

    I bless you in the name of the Goddess.

    I bless you in the name of Mother Earth.

    I bless you in the name of every woman.

    Sister, do you accept the role of teacher and leader as crone?

The crone responds. If she accepts the title, then the eldest woman says:

    She is crowned.

Now the elder places the Crown of Cronehood upon the new crone’s head. Go around the circle and have each woman speak of the gift she added to the crown; here are examples:

    I give you amethyst to represent the healing power of the planet.

    I give you silver, sacred to the moon.

    I give you roses, the flower of desire.

    I give you a sacred heart charm to represent the mysteries of love.

    I give you a blue star because you are a star.

    I give you an abalone shell because you are powerful like the ocean.

    I give you moonstone because you are wise and reflective.

    I give you an angel pendant because you are so beautiful in body and in soul.

Now everyone should speak together:

    We gather together to celebrate that [new crone’s name] is entering the Wise Age.

Now the eldest woman lights one candle, and then each woman present in turn lights a candle until all fifty-six (or the appropriate number equaling this crone’s age) candles are lit.

Singing and chanting now take place with the circle holding hands:

    [Crone’s name], Lady Mine,

    We now honor you; we will never forsake you.

    [Crone’s name], we listen to your wisdom with the love of our hearts.

    We accept your teachings with ears and hands.

    Blessed be the new crone! Long life and good health! Happiness

    and joy!

After everyone has spoken her tribute to the crone, she can speak her thanks. At this point, the crone assumes her leadership role. Leadership is best handled with great gravity and lightness at the same time. “Benevolence” and “wisdom” are the watchwords. The crone should speak anything she is holding in her heart. Doubtless, she will want to speak her gratitude for the support of the sisterhood, but she should also speak forth any concerns she has. The concerns can be specific to her world, which is now her domain—her family, her group of friends, her spiritual circle, her community, or even the planet. The crone can choose to ask a pair of disputing friends to make up and work it out. She can request that a healing garden be made for her people. Whatever comes to her mind that will be helpful and essential to the group and the greater good is what she should speak. I know a cronewho has asked people to help her build a community center, and it is happening.

I know another crone who quit her high-powered corporate job to study the medicine wheel and become a shaman. Still another elder has taken up the brush and is painting beautiful art after years of working for the defense department; this is my mother, Helen, who is a wonderful example of the power of cronehood. When the crone has spoken from the wisdom of her heart, everyone should again hold hands. The eldest woman who inducted the new crone again holds out the flowering branch and hands it to the new crone. The crone speaks her blessing to everyone present, touching everyone’s heads with a few drops of blessing water and saying words from her heart to each person. When she is done, she says: This circle is now open. Blessed be to all.

Now the food is served, and it should be a birthday party to remember for the rest of the crone’s life.

Song of Self Ritual for Self-Expression and Introspection

This solo ritual is one that I find particularly entertaining. It requires you to look hard at yourself, but it’s also fun. Essential elements that are necessary for this ritual include:

• Big sheets of butcher paper
• Color markers, glitter, beads, shells, cloth, ribbon, yarn—whatever colorful materials you respond well to
• Sewing kit and craft boxes with random scraps, buttons, and/or shiny objects

It is good to undertake this ritual on a Sunday, but whenever you need support, reserve half an hour of quiet time and brew up some willpower to help you with your self-expression. Light a white candle anointed with peppermint oil and light spicy incense such as cinnamon. Prepare for your Song of Myself by sipping this warm drink for encouragement: Take a sprig of mint (homegrown is best), a cup of warm milk, and cinnamon sticks and stir together clockwise in a white mug. Recite:

    Herb of menthe and spicy mead,

    today is the day I will succeed.

    In every word and every deed.

    Today I sing the song of me.

Drink the brew while it is still warm and “sit for a spell.” You will know when you are ready.

Now take the paper and markers and begin your song of yourself. Write with any marker you pick up and finish this sentence at least twenty-four times: I am _______. Be as wild and free and true as you can. You are so many things. Express them here and now, once and for all. I will share some wonderful “Songs of Self” that I have seen and heard:

    I am a wild woman.

    I am beautiful.

    I am wide.

    I am a secret.

    I am sexy.

    I am brilliant.

    I am a blue sky.

    I am all possibility.

    I am a dream come to life.

    I am truth.

    I am the Goddess.

    I am the living incarnation of wisdom.

    I am life.

    I am a living blessing.

    I am the road.

    I am perfect.

    I am a tiger.

    I am yesterday and today.

    I am hope.

    I am angry.

    I am art.

    I am a crone.

    I am a sister to the sun.

    I am a poem.

    I am creative.

    I am me!

This can go on as long as you want it to. Only when you feel you have expressed every aspect of yourself should you put down your marker and begin to decorate the paper. Paint on it; glue mirror shards to it; create one or many self-portraits. Scrawl symbols on it. Write more words, allowing yourself total and absolute creative freedom. There is no wrong or right; there is only you and all your myriad aspects. Celebrate yourself and reveal yourself completely. By the end, you should have a one-of-a- kind self-portrait that tells your real story. Hang your self-song portrait in a sacred place, perhaps near your altar or shrine area. Its energy will permeate the place with your personal essence in a wonderful way.

Two Paths Diverge: A Parting Ritual for Mutual Healing

Maintaining a healthy balance in your friendships is essential. Occasionally, a friendship takes on an unhealthy aspect and there is no choice but to leave it behind. Ideally you will perform this rite after you have discussed it with this person. It will be mutually healing if it can take place with both parties present, but as often as not, you will perform it alone. You will need a black candle for protection, a gray candle to help you keep a low profile, and frankincense incense. You will also need a sharp knife and a length of cord three feet long. Light the incense, and holding your right hand aloft, say:

    May the place this night

    be consecrated before the spirits of earth,

    air, fire, and water,

    for we gather here to perform a peaceful

    parting of the ways.

You and your former friend each light a candle.

    [Former friend’s name] and [your name]

    stand here today to let love and no rancor fill their hearts

    as they move separately through life.

    Blessings to all and blessed be.

If you are so fortunate as to have the other person present, he or she repeats the above verse. Each of you takes the knife in turn and cuts the cord, representing the ties that bind you together as friends. If you are performing this ritual alone, get a photo of the other person and place it in the area where you are crafting your spell.

This is one of the more difficult rituals to perform, but it is invaluable nevertheless. I have noticed that when one person exits my life, especially for good and valid reasons, somebody new and wonderful comes in.

Blessing for a Happy and Prosperous Home

When you or a friend move into a new home, place a wreath or bundle of dried hops and eucalyptus on the front door. Walk through the door, light your favorite incense and a brown candle, and lie down in the center of the front room. Whisper:

    House of my body, I accept your shelter.

    House of my spirit, I receive your blessings.

    Home to my heart, I am open to joy.

    And so it is. And so it shall be.

For Wealth and Abundance: Giving Gratitude to Lord Jove

You should not be surprised to find another Thursday prosperity spell, as this is the perfect day for invoking wealth and success! On any Thursday, or optimally, one occurring on a new moon, light your altar candle at midnight and burn frankincense and myrrh incense. Make an offering of a golden fruit such as apples or peaches to Jupiter, and anoint your third eye with a corresponding essential oil, such as myrrh, frankincense, apple, or peach.

Pray aloud:

    This offering I make as my blessing to all.

    Greatest of gods, Lord Jove of the sky.

    From you, all heavenly gifts do fall.

    Most generous of all, you never deny.

    To you, I am grateful, and so mote it be!

Put the candle in a safe, fireproof place such as a fireplace and let it burn all night. You will dream of your loved ones, including yourself, receiving a bounty of material and spiritual wealth.

Rite for Parting Ways

Maintaining a healthy balance in your friendships is essential. Occasionally, a friendship takes on an unhealthy aspect and there is no choice but to leave it behind. Ideally you will perform this rite after you have discussed it with this person. It will be mutually healing if it takes place with both parties present. But as often as not, you will perform it alone. You will need a black candle for protection, a gray candle to help you keep a low profile, and frankincense incense. You will also need a sharp knife and a length of cord three feet long. Light the incense, and holding your right hand aloft, say:

    May the place this night

    be consecrated before the spirits of earth,

    air, fire, and water,

    For we gather here to perform a peaceful

    parting of the ways.

    You and your former friend each light a candle.

    (former friend’s name) and (your name)

    stand here today to let love and no rancor fill their hearts 

    as they move separately through life.

    Blessings to all and blessed be.

If you are so fortunate as to have the other person present, he or she repeats the above verse. Each of you takes the knife in turn and cuts the cord, representing the ties that bind you together as friends. If you are performing this ritual alone, get a photo of the other person and place it in the area where you are crafting your spell.

This is one of the more difficult rituals to perform but invaluable nevertheless. I have noticed that when one person exits my life, especially for good and valid reasons, somebody new and wonderful comes in

Dressed to Thrill: Charging Your Jewelry with Enchantment

Before a special date night or big evening event, you can enhance your own energy field with jewelry magic. Charging a gem or crystal imbues it with your intent. Upon charging your jewelry, you can use it in spellwork or anytime you want to surround yourself with the magic you put into the gemstones. While picturing your truest wish and hope and what you ultimately want to achieve through this process, anoint a candle with an essential oil that most expresses your energy. Perhaps it is rose, or as in my case, amber.

Begin by lighting the candle and gazing into the flame. Then, place the piece of jewelry in front of the candle and say aloud:

    Into this jewelry, I imbue my essence.

    In these stones lies the power of this blessed earth.

    This gem of great hue is charged until my magic is through.

    With harm to none, so mote it be!

You can further empower the jewel by scratching your desire into the wax of the candle. Then, each time you burn the candle, place the gem before it and think upon your purpose.

Blessings for Home and Harmony

On a low table or chest of your choosing, place a forest green scarf and a brown candle to represent your family. Add lovely objects that you have found around your home and garden: a special fallen leaf, ocean- carved driftwood, lacey dried lichen, smooth stones, or whatever your heart desires. It is of utmost importance to add a bouquet of wildflowers native to your area that you have gathered close to your home or purchased locally. This bouquet will help integrate your home into your neighborhood and the geographic area in which you live. If possible, add a sweetly scented sachet of potpourri made from your home kitchen garden: rosemary, lavender, thyme, and mint, all of which imbue your space with positive energy. Add personal mementos like photos or a locket with a photo of your spouse and children.

Burn your favorite essential oils, the ones that create an aura of instant comfort for you, such as vanilla, cinnamon, or sweet orange neroli in an oil lamp. Finally, anoint the brown candle while concentrating on peace and bliss surrounding your home. Chant:

    Here burns happiness about me.

    Peace and harmony are in abundance,

    And here true bliss surrounds.

    From now on, disharmony is gone.

    This is a home of peace and blessings.

    Here sheer joy lives.

This consecrated space will ease your spirits at any time. Your altar connects you to the earth of which you are a part.