Investing in Gold

Pyrite, or fool’s gold, is the ideal heart stone for people who work with money, anyone who is an investor, banker, or money manager. Stunning and shiny, pyrite has a hardness of six, the number sacred to Venus. Pyrite brings great luck, along with abundance and an atmosphere conducive to joy. Delight everyone at work by keeping a chunk of fool’s gold on your desk. They will think it is a cool decoration, which it certainly is, and may never guess you have it there to ensure business is good with stable income.

Blessing Bag: Herbal Good Luck Charm

Many plants have abundant inherent magic that creates abundance, good fortune, and great good luck. Harvest these herbs and you will hardness the blessings growing in your own back yard.

Gather these supplies:

• Small muslin pouch that ties
• Teaspoon of basil
• Teaspoon of pine needles
• Teaspoon of nutmeg
• Teaspoon of rosemary
• Fennel seed pod
• 1 vanilla bean pod
• 3 cinnamon sticks broken into pieces

Take the pouch and stuff it with the herbs. Add the fennel seed and vanilla bean and, lastly, the cinnamon sticks. Tie up the bag, hold it in both hands, and speak the following spell:

    I hold in my hands these herbs of providence.

    I hold in my heart, these herbs of destiny.

    Blessings to all for the good of all.

    And so it is. So mote it be.

Tie the bag to the back door of your home or wherever is closest to your plantings. Every time the door opens or closes, the little bag will deliver more good luck.

Witch Craft; DIY Luck Eternal Amulets

Rarely will you see an unjeweled pagan, as they usually wear at least a single ring or pendant, and know full well that jewelry can be used as defense!

Witches know the meaning, power, and properties of each stone and metal and wield that energy for the good of others and themselves. The term amulet comes from the Latin word meaning “defense.” Indeed, amulets are a way to protect yourself that dates from the earliest human beliefs. Evil eyes might be the most global of all amulets, as they are believed to ward off a hex by simply reflecting it back to its origins. Some amulets were devoted to a specific god or goddess, offering that deity’s sheltering protection.

You can make a powerful protective amulet with only two items: a tiny muslin pouch and a tablespoonful of dried herbs. The following is a list of herbs from which to choose for the specific kind of safeguard you feel you need. Amulets are very easy to create and make nice gifts, as long as you feel your friend will truly benefit from and is aware of the special qualities and power of such. It can also be a small gift to yourself that yields big benefit. Wear your amulet as a pendant or tuck it in your pocket or purse for a “guardian to go.”

• Spanish Moss can banish poltergeists and absorb curses, hexes, and black magic.
• Dandelion provides shielding energy and also clears away the negative.
• Marigold helps you communicate with the spirit world and those who passed on.
• Burdock Root keeps travels safe and also protects you from anger and jealousy,
• Clover will guard against misfortune and invite good faeries into your life.
• Asphodel rids your home of unwanted energies and sends a ghost on its way to the afterlife.
• Betony keeps sleep disturbances at bay and forestalls nightmares for deep sleep.
• Agrimony is a defensive herb used to banish evil spirits and repels hostile magic. 
• High John the Conqueror banishes bad magic and brings good luck to you

Change-Your-Luck Rite

Perhaps you have been overwhelmed recently by a series of unfortunate events – problems with work, finances, etc.–seemingly beyond your control. Do away with these burdens as quickly as possible. This spell requires paper, a black candle, a flat rock with a hollow in the center to set the candle into, a black ink pen, and a “cancellation” stamp, readily available at any stationary store. Anoint your candle with a drop of peppermint oil. Dress your altar with a peony blossom, the luckiest of the flower family. The consummate time to release bad luck is immediately after the full moon. Write what you wish to be freed from on a piece of parchment or stationary; this is your “release request.” Write this same request onto the candle as well. Ideally, this is scratched into the candle with the thorn of a rose you have grown yourself. Light the candle near an open window so the negative energy will leave your home. While the candle burns, intone:

Waxing moon, moist wise Cybele, from me this burden please dispel. Upon this night so clear and bright I release __ to the moon tonight.

Burn the candle for thirteen minutes. Take your stamp and mark the paper “canceled.” Put the candle out, fold the paper away from you, and place it under the candle stone. Repeat this process for thirteen nights. On the last night, which should be the beginning of the new moon phase, burn the paper and bury the candle, paper ashes, and rock far from your home. Give thanks to the moon for assisting you, and let go of the bad luck. 

Maple Tree Magic - Prosperity Rite

As always, you can create your own luck and stimulate the flow of money into your life with this ever-so-helpful tree energy and the special magic of maple. 

You will need:

• A green stone like Aventurine and Red sardonyx
• Silver or gold coins (i.e., new pennies/nickels/quarters/dimes/silver dollars or Feng Shui Chinese Coins)
• Lodestone Magnetic sand in silver or gold (available online)
• Money drawing potion (mix 3 teaspoons ground maple leaves together with 3 teaspoons sugar)
• A small purple bowl

Directions:

1. Place the coins in the bowl.

2. Place the stones on top of the coins.

3. Sprinkle 1/3 of the money drawing potion and 4 tablespoons of the magnetic sand over the coins and the stones.

4. Place the bowl under your bed and be sure no pets or children can get into the bowl. Say: “Prosperity finds me and blesses me with its bounty, this day and every day, Amen.” (Or however you close a prayer or affirmation.)

5. Every 3 days for a total of 3 times, sprinkle the bowl with another third of the money drawing potion and 1 more tablespoon of magnetic sand.

6. Each night before going to sleep, hold the bowl in your hands and visualize how prosperity will find you, how you feel when you have it, and exactly what you can do to attract it. Be very specific (“I will do x,y, and z to bring prosperity into my life”). Hold this thought in your mind as you place the bowl back under your bed and go to sleep.

7. After nine days, accept that the prosperity spell is complete. Return the ingredients to the earth (you may keep the stone and coins with you) and know that Prosperity is yours.

8. Make a list of all the things that you already have that make you feel prosperous. Bless them and leave the list under the stone and coins. Read the list daily. 

Crystal Feng Shui for Luck and Happiness

Place these objects in your home to attract loving energy like new friends and relationships:

-two crystals of rose quartz of equivalent size,

-pink, orange, or red fabric,

-two red candles, and

-images of two butterflies.

Sweep Out the Bad Luck and Sweep in the Good

If you or your household had an incident that left behind bad energy, such as a car break-in and theft or suffered from a financial downturn such as a loss of a purse or wallet, it is time to sweep out the bad energy and usher in the prosperous productive energy with your besom, or magical broom. Go to the front door and sprinkle salt on the threshold, then sweep it out of your house. Now sprinkle ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg on your threshold and sweep it into your home. Take a paper towel, scoop up the ground spices, and burn them on your altar in a fireproof dish. All clear now!

Prompt Prosperity: Money Magic Secrets for True Abundance

For centuries, witches have known that luck is neither random nor mysterious. Thanks to the wise women in my family who share their “trade secrets” openly, I learned very early in life that my fate was mine to guide, and that I could manifest my will through the tools of magic. When in a pinch, I have used witchcraft to replenish the coffers. I have also used prosperity spells to find a good home I could afford to rent, attract job opportunities, and help others. People have always marveled at what they perceive as my “good luck,” or suggested that I have a fleet of guardian angels behind my every move, but natural-born good luck has nothing to do with it.

 

The Giving-tree Spell

In Celtic lore, certain kinds of trees were called wishing trees. Taoists refer to them as money trees; either way, they can be “giving” trees (see below).

Gather together

    * a plain white piece of paper

    * a pen

    * 1 stick of jasmine or rose incense

Write your wishes for prosperity and luck on the paper. Specificity is key and you should include the details of what you are asking for. If you need more money to buy a new laptop, write that down. It can be more than one wish. Now, fold your wish paper into a square as small as possible and bury the paper in soil at the bottom of a giving tree. Choose from the list of magical trees below, or trust your intuition in arboreal matters.

    Light the incense stick, place it by the buried paper and pray aloud:

    “Tree of plenty; I ask you to give

    More abundance and money so I can live,

    I ask for ______ [fill in blank] as it will truly help me.

    With harm to none, so mote it be.

Repeat the spell twice and your wish will be put into effect.

Giving Trees

    * Willow for healing broken hearts

    * Apple for divination and spellwork

    * Cherry for romance

    * Oak for strength and lust

    * Peach for love magic

    * Olive for peace

    * Aspen for sensitivity

    * Eucalyptus for purification

Cash in a Flash: Crystal Currency

Another charm for solvency is to take seven tiny turquoise stones in the palm of your hand and speak this wish-spell aloud:

    Luck be quick,

    luck be kind,

    and, by lucky seven,

    good luck will be mine.

    Blessed be.

Place the seven small stones in your wallet or purse; more cash is on the way.

Mineral Medicine

Since the dawn of human kind, people have carried stones and crystals as helpers and as talismans; for protection and good luck. In so doing, they have brought themselves a greater sense of security. For peace of mind, the strongest “medicine” consists of an amethyst, a rhodochrosite, and a turquoise. While they may sound exotic, they are commonly available in metaphysical stores.

Gather together

    * a small sky-blue bag

    * an amethyst crystal

    * a rhodochrosite crystal

    * a turquoise crystal

Place the crystals in the bag. When you are ready, hold the pouch in your hand and incant:

    Stones of the earth,

    warmed by the sun,

    Clear away trouble,

    Help and healing is now begun.

I recommend leaving your pouch on your altar where it can be at the ready whenever needed.

All About Talismans

A talisman is decorative object, or objet, that also provides protection and has magical properties. A talisman can be any article or symbol that you believe has mystical qualities. As we know, many gems and crystals have special innate powers. With a talisman, the special powers can be naturally present or instilled during a ritual. People often confuse amulets with talismans, but they differ in this significant way: Amulets positively protect the wearer from harm, evil, and negativity. Talismans actively transform the wearer to have certain powers. For example, the supernatural sword Excalibur, imbued with supremacy by the Lady of the Lake, gave King Arthur magical powers.

Grimoires (spell books) offer instruction on making talismans. The reasons for using talismans are many—for love, for wealth, for luck with gambling, for the gift of a silver tongue, for a good memory, for the prevention of death. Whatever you can think of, there is probably a talisman for that exact purpose!

Written in Stone

Gems and crystals can give us messages and warnings or powers of persuasion and perception. Here are a few examples:

• A fossil or a gem containing a fossil, such as amber, will lengthen your life span.
• Jasper carved into the shape of an arrow will be a magnet for good luck.
• If your malachite jewelry chips or breaks, beware! It is warning you of danger.
• Malachite gives great success to salespeople. Keep a malachite crystal in the cash register and wear it during trade shows, presentations, and meetings.
• Moonstone is the dieter’s power stone and helps maintain youthful appearances and attitudes.
• Serpentine worn around a new mother’s neck helps her flow of milk.

All About Talismans

Talismans, like amulets, are decorative and magical objects. If you’ve ever read the story of King Arthur, you’ll remember a supernatural sword, called Excalibur, which was given special powers by the Lade of the Lake. It is this sword, a talisman, which gives King Arthur magical powers.

Unlike amulets, which are passive protectors, talismans actively transform the wearer to hold certain powers. Crystals and gems already hold power, but with a talisman, special powers can be naturally occurring, or you can instill powers during a ritual. A talisman can be any object or symbol that you believe possesses mystical qualities.

Talismans are used for many different reasons. They can bring love, luck, wealth, and protect you from death or harm. For instructions on creating a talisman, consult a grimoire, or spell book. Here is a list of sacred stone shapes for amulets and pendulums when you are trying to figure out how you want to create ritual talismans and charms.

To maximize the power of the talisman that you design and make, consider the following tried and true suggestion: Keep in mind that this will work even better if you place the item on your altar to energize it. On a new moon night, light a candle that corresponds with your intention or hope. Green is for abundance, red is for power and love, blue is creative and spiritual vision. Burn the candle for one hour every evening.

I also like to create gifts of love for the special friends in my life. I like to gather seeds and herbs in my travels. If you create good luck talismans for your friends and loved ones, your good intentions will be repaid many times over. I keep a stock of tiny muslin drawstring bags on hand to make the talismans, but the talisman can be even more powerful if you sew the bag by hand and stuff the dried herbs and flowers inside. For a courage talisman, use mullein and borage; for safe travels, use comfrey; for protection, use snapdragon; for healing, use rue; for success, use woodruff; for strength, use mugwort; for beauty, use an acorn. In the appendix on page 320, there are many other options you can choose from in the Language of Flowers chart.

Keep these herbal talismans with you at all times and advise your friends to do the same. These bring good luck when you carry them in a purse, pocket, or even in a string around your neck.

Waxing Moon

 As the moon grows to full, rituals for bringing about positive change are the order. Ceremonies for luck, growth, and love will succeed during the waxing moon. The moon is in full Maiden aspect for the fourteen days of the typical waxing period. Invocations for personal and positive change in your environment and the people around you will burgeon during this phase.

Invoking the Blessing of Nikadama

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 

Strawberry Fields Jam

July is one of the sweetest times to enjoy your garden, and strawberries are a harbinger of the good summertimes ahead. To make this lucky jam, you will need the following ingredients:

• 5 cups of strawberries
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 1¾ ounces powdered fruit pectin
• 7 cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
• 9 clean and sterilized 1-pint canning jars

Macerate the strawberries in a big bowl. In a large pot, melt the butter, then pour in the crushed strawberries. Fold in the powdered pectin. Heat the mixture to a full boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Add in the sugar and bring to a full rolling boil again. Boil and stir for one more minute. Now, add in the chopped basil.

Remove the pot from heat and skim off any foam. Ladle the hot mixture into nine half-pint jars, leaving ¼-inch at the top. Look for and remove any air bubbles. If you need to fill in the jars, add in more hot jam mixture. Carefully wipe the jar rims, then seal the lids on the jars. Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for ten minutes. Remove jars and cool. Strawberries are widely regarded as an aphrodisiac, and basil brings money to your house. Making this “Love and Money Jam” will be a great gift to everyone in your household and anyone who is served this jolliest of jams.

Shea Soother: Light as Air Lotion

Here is a real treat: a light creamy body lotion that glides on and does not feel heavy. Best of all? The delectable scents of almond and grapefruit. Anyone on your gift list will delight in this, as will your household. A mixer is ideal, otherwise use a hand whisk and wooden spoon, a lidded jar, and the following ingredients:

• ½ cup room temperature virgin coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons room temperature raw shea butter
• 2 cups almond oil
• 2 tablespoons red grapefruit zest
• 2 teaspoons tapioca flour

Place the shea butter, coconut oil, almond oil, and red grapefruit zest in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium for half a minute. Now, turn to high and whip the lotion for about four minutes, until it is light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in the tapioca flour and mix for one more minute. Transfer to a jar with a lid and store at room temperature for up to a month.

Once known as “the forbidden fruit of Barbados,” grapefruit awakens the mind and body and speaks to “the soul. Like many other citrus fruits, it is cheering and renowned for what it does for the skin, even reducing cellulite. Almond is beloved for bringing luck in love and is prized as an erotic massage oil. Coconut protects and purifies and enhances confidence. Coconut brings forth your real allure and beauty, so use it carefully!

Tips ’n’ Tricks: Relationship Rescue

If you and your mate are simply not getting along of late, turn to this romantic remedy rock: moonstone. Moonstone can reunite loved ones who have parted in anger. This lovely, shimmering stone also imparts luck in love. Keep moonstone around, by all means!

Jade

I can’t help but marvel that I’m writing about jade on Chinese New Year. Jade is held in the highest regard by the Chinese and has been for thousands of years, thought to bring good luck and prosperity. Jade is a harbinger of purity and tranquility. The Chinese so adore this tone that they carry little talismanic pieces with them everywhere they go. Other cultures—the Maori of New Zealand and the Japanese—also hold jade blessed. Jade is a soft stone, perfect for carving. Both the Chinese and Japanese decorated royal personages with exquisite jade jewelry. Jade comes from Myanmar, Russia, Italy, China, and North and Central America. It is so affordable, I urge you to explore all the magical colors—yellow, orange, blue, red, purple, white, brown, and classic jade green—and powers of positivity.

Jade brings with it the power of love and protection. It is also a dream stone, promoting prophetic and deeply meaningful dreams.

• Purple jade heals the broken heart, allowing understanding and acceptance in and pain and anger out. If you are going through a breakup, purple jade will help you with the heartache.
• Green jade is the counselor stone and can help relationships that aren’t working become functional instead of dysfunctions; this shade is also a boon for the brain. Green jade helps with getting along.
• Red jade promotes the proper release of anger and also generates sexual passion. Serve your lover a passion potion in a cup of carved red jade while wearing only red jade. Sparks will fly!
• Blue jade is a rock for patience and composure and for conveying a sense of control. Wear blue jade pendants for serenity.
• Yellow jade is for energy, simple joy, and maintaining a sense of being a part of a greater whole. A yellow jade bracelet or ring will help you feel that all is well in your world.

Jadeite and nephrite are two varieties of jade, with the far more translucent and rarer jadeite being the more popular. Their healing properties are very much the same, however, and the different colors manifest different curatives. All jade brings positive energy. In 2001, a 2,000 ton boulder of jade was discovered in Ptiakant in Myanmar—now that’s a whole lot of love!

Chrysoprase

This apple green stone is quartz—or more specifically, a form of chalcedony—mined in Brazil, Australia, North America, and Russia. The lovely, dazzling green is derived the nickel content in its chemical makeup. The bright green makes chrysoprase perfect for abundance and prosperity. Put this in your money corner.

The color and clarity give chrysoprase its power to impart good cheer, good luck, and increased perception. Health-wise, it assists the eyes and the third eye. It gives rise to issues simmering in the unconscious and makes these concealed concerns easier to deal with once they have surfaced. It can also draw forth talents that have lain dormant. Chrysoprase is like a battery; it stores energy. For many centuries, this green crystal was used as medicine for the mentally ill. It dispels anxiety by reducing fear and also opening the mind to new patterns. Chrysoprase can be a source of calm for you during change.

The stone is especially useful for scholars. The brilliance booster is an agent of calm yet also a stimulator of intellectual curiosity, two seemingly incompatible traits. I love that it reduces egotism and increases creativity, but others no doubt prize this green crystal for the sexual protection it offers—increased fertility and a guard against contact-transmitted diseases. Chrysoprase will also keep you from getting gout and from going crazy!

This is a crystal to keep in a dream bag beneath your pillow to help with relaxation, promote restful sleep, and gain new insights. Beneficial for the heart chakra, this money-colored stone will create an atmosphere of encouragement, a wonderful gift to yourself.