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.

Peace of Mind: A Happy Home Altar

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. 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. 

Winter Is Coming Nut Roast

Nuts are some of the best food we humans can eat, packed as they are with positive proteins, beneficial oils, and delicious flavor. This nearly effortless nut roastie is a great snack either for movie night at home or party time, and it makes a savory appetizer for special meals. Here is what you need:

• 10 ounces mixed nuts
• 8 ounces day-old bread
• 1 medium-sized white onion, chopped
• 1½ cups vegetable stock
• Soy or tamari sauce
• 2 ounces unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon dried sage

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and start sautéing the onions in the butter until they soften. Mix the nuts together with the bread in a food processor or stir vigorously until blended well, then transfer to a large bowl. Heat the stock to a boil and pour into the mixture in the bowl. Stir in the onions. Season as you see fit with salt, pepper, and sage. Pour in a tablespoon of the soy or tamari sauce to add zing to your roast and give one last stir. Spoon the roastie mix into a greased baking dish and bake for a half hour. Notice as your kitchen fills with a fantastic aroma. Heating the nuts brings out more of their natural oils and intensifies the flavor. Like herbs and flowers, nuts have magical properties which are mainly to increase love and feelings of conviviality and peace. When you serve this roastie, you are quite literally sharing the love.

Sapphire

The word sapphire has many origins, among them the Greek word sapphiros, meaning “beloved of Saturn,” and indeed this is one of the most beloved stones in the universe. Gorgeous one and all, sapphires are usually thought of as blue but also come in gray, black, orange, pink, and white. Sapphires are found in Australia, India, and North America and are held in reverence the world over. I believe the healing power of a true blue sapphire to be a great gift to humanity, and will begin there. The dark blue sapphire, which looks like the inky blue night sky, is a creativity crystal. It also instills deep loyalty and close, long-lasting bonds between people.

Blue sapphire carries the blue ray of harmony, nourishing the mind, giving perspective, and putting the thoughts in order. Blue sapphire also increases mental flexibility and helps an individual achieve mastery of the self-mind, body, and spirit. Sapphire is a simple light on this most complicated thing, the human mind, with its myriad levels and endless new thoughts. On a soul level, sapphire is about clearing and focusing the mind. Discernment, deciding what to process and what to filter out and let go of, is the key to soul growth.

Sapphire is best worn as a necklace so it is closer to your head. The collective wisdom of healers tells us that a short necklace is even better because it connects with the throat chakra more quickly and has more immediate and more powerful effects. The throat chakra also corresponds with the blue ray. Many practitioners speak of cases in which the senses of sight and hearing became keener after exposure to blue sapphire.

You should not wear sapphire, especially large stones, too frequently, as they can begin to drain energy. Sometimes the body will throw up resistance to too much change too rapidly. The healing ray of sapphire will cause a mental dumping of unnecessary baggage, which could lead to spaciness. Do watch for this, as it is a sign that you need to stop wearing your sapphire for a week, at least. With blue sapphire, the color and clarity greatly impact its healing abilities. You will want your jeweler or gem dealer to allow you to look under the microscope to see healing influence at all. Look for a true blue, a rich hue that’s neither too indigo nor too purple nor too pale.

The gemologist’s term “candescence” comes from the word “incandescence,” meaning the level of light glow inherent in the stone. Not all stones possess candescence, but blue sapphire possesses nearly the highest level, giving this gem the ability to infuse us with the healing blue ray. My absolute favorite aspect of blue sapphire as a gem is that it is a direct way to get in touch with your spirit.

* Dark Blue sapphire brings serenity and inner peace. This is a real tool for deep meditation. This gem also helps avoid negative
energy and can help get rid of it. This particular sapphire frees your from perplexity in regard to your soul mission in this life; it helps you to know your true values and who you are at the deepest level.

* Light Blue sapphire is the stone of inspiration, bringing new ideas and thought patterns. This blessed crystal also creates a feeling of excitement and fullness in daily living. This stone can reignite your lust for life!

* Green sapphire is a lucky gem. It is supposed to be good for your eyes and vision. A green sapphire will help you to remember your dreams more vividly. Wear this heart-chakra opener as a ring touching the skin and it will bring loyal love and friendship into your life. Additionally, this jewel smoothes your way through life, clearing obstacles out of your path.

* Lilac sapphire is the stone for artistic and innovative people’ it can eradicate any creative blocks and allow the free flow of ideas and motivation.

* Orange sapphire is a truth stone, allowing nothing but profound, base-level reality. If you suffer from illusory thinking or denial, this gem will cut right through that and help you see things just as they are. Orange sapphire is good for researchers, scholars, teachers, investigative journalists, and writers.

* Pink sapphire is a stone of surrender. This gem connotes higher love and infuses a sense of the greater good. Pink sapphire will help you deal with control issues and allow you to cooperate better with others. This rock reminds you that you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

* Purple sapphire is a spiritual stone, a gem of awakening, raising kundalini energy. This is a wonderful tool for contemplation and meditation. Purple sapphire also kindles the crown chakra.

* White sapphire is a terrific stone for self-protection. This is good for anyone with issues of codependence or martyrdom. If you put yourself last, then get a white sapphire (your first act of putting yourself first) and be good to yourself. Caring for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually will make for a better world because there is a better you in it!

* Black sapphire is absorptive and draws harm away from the wearer. This is the most protective of all the sapphire family. Black sapphire also lends you confidence that comes from the intelligence inherent in the body. Wearing this stone will make you more sure of your hunches and intuition. This is a stone of steadiness and is great to wear on job interviews—you will get the job and keep it!

* Yellow sapphire, associated with Ganesh, the Hindu god of abundance and prosperity, is a wonderful stone for knowledge, for inner knowing and trust in that. This bright gem is also great for the memory and retention of what you are learning. If you are wearing it for healing and the intellectual stimulation it offers, the actual stone should touch your finger.

Rhodochrosite

The name simply means “rose-colored,” and the color is astounding. This stone seems as if it is lit from within. It is one of the newer crystals on the scene, coming from Russia and North America. Rhodochrosite is imminently appealing, with its stripes of pink and sometimes orange.

Rhodochrosite is a love stone that will enable anyone who believes they have never truly felt or experienced real love to find it. I heard and read about some people gleaning much good from it during the aftermath of 9/11. It functions as a heart-chakra opener that brings compassion and expands consciousness. One fascinating legend associated with rhodochrosite is that it can connect you to your soul mate if used in meditation. This is also a crystal that helps with the healing power of forgiveness. It also helps overcome irrationality and can prevent a mental breakdown. I think my favorite feature of rhodochrosite is that it overcomes a poor memory. So, this rose-colored beauty banishes forgetfulness and promotes forgiveness—what a nice combination. Healers also work with this stone for respiratory disease. It has a warm energy that is very good for the body.

This striking stone is also invaluable for overcoming fear and paranoia (mental unease). Rhodochrosite abets a more positive worldview. One of the simplest and best aspects of this crystal is that it will help you to sleep more peacefully, shoving apprehension, worry, and woe out of your mind so you can heal body and soul. Your dreams will be positive, too. This is a remarkable stone for affirming the self, allowing absolute self-acceptance and self-forgiveness. Rhodochrosite brings together the spiritual plane and the material place. The crystal is important because it permits the heart to feel hurt and pain deeply, and this processing of emotions nurtures growth.

Danburite

Danburite is gaining attention after being relatively unknown. Named for the city of Danbury, Connecticut, where it was first found, danburite is typically white or clear vitreous crystal that can come in shades of pink, brown, or yellow. Some of the finest specimens come from Japan, and some of the largest from Siberia, but danburite is also found in Bolivia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Mexico. Danburite is also notable for its diamond-shaped cross section. Anyone who likes utterly transparent crystal clusters will favor this stone, which is an activator of the chakras, particularly the third eye and the crown. This crystal is finding great acceptance for its ability to blend your heart and soul energies. Place danburite on your heart and on your forehead to fully receive the positive effects.

Health-wise, danburite can help underweight people gain muscle and vigor. It also detoxifies the liver and gallbladder and assists with motor function. Although it is a newer citizen of the crystal world, danburite is becoming known for its invaluable attributes in increasing intelligence and easing unfamiliar situations. It can overcome stubbornness and bring patience and peace. Get yourself some danburite if you are in a new job, a new city, or a new relationship. This stone will help you surf the waters of change with ease!

Space-Clearing Crystals

 

To clear and purify your space and infuse it with as much of your personal energy as possible, perform a ritual sweeping with a favorite broom. I use a sweet-smelling cinnamon broom. These are actually made of pine straw coated with divine-smelling cinnamon oil and set aside to dry for three weeks. Many a grocery store sells them in the fall and holiday seasons. My favorites are the tiny Trader Joe’s whisk-brooms, which are adorable. These make lovely gifts and altar adornments. I ornament mine with cleansing crystals by taking a colored silk cord and stringing quartz beads on them or gluing them to the base of the handle. These gems and crystals are superb for space-clearing and purification:

• Amber for positivity and happiness

• Blue lace agate for serenity and a peaceful home

• Coral for well-being and good cheer

• Jet absorbs bad energy from your environment

• Onyx is a guardian stone and protector

• Petrified wood for tranquility and a sense of security

• Clear quartz is wonderful for peace of mind and space-clearing

• Tiger’s-eye protects from “psychic vampires,” energy- draining situations or people

• Turquoise creates calm and relaxation

Birthstone Secrets

Birthstones are very special stones that have traditionally been correlated with each month of the year. Hallmark didn’t invent the concept of birthstones; it came from the Bible! In Exodus chapters twenty-eight and thirty-nine, there is much discussion about a burnished and stone-set breastplate of the High Priest of the Hebrews. Here is the biblical description of the breastplate:

And he made the breastplate, artistically woven like the workmanship of the ephod, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. They made the breastplate square by doubling it; a span was its length and a span its width when doubled. And they set in it four rows of stones: the first row with a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond; the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold in their mountings. There were twelve stones according to the names of the sons of Israel: according to their names, engraved like a signet, each one with its own name according to the twelve tribes.

—NKJV, Exod. 39:8–14

These twelve stones from the famous breastplate became linked with the twelve signs of the zodiac, resulting in our cherished modern tradition of birthstones. The long history of birthstones has many more chapters, but an important point to know is that your birthstone is yours by divine right and birthright. I know I was thrilled when I found out amethyst was mine, even though it was ranked as semiprecious. All I knew was that it was purple, my favorite color.

Your birthstone is a major power source for you. You should have at least one piece of jewelry made from your birthstone and must treat it like the special stone it is. You should also keep this sacred personal stone around in other forms as well. I have a candleholder made of a large amethyst geode on my mantelpiece surrounded by candles. Just lighting the candle immediately calms and centers me. I realize you can’t do that with diamonds, although Herkimer diamonds can be substituted nicely. If you are a January Capricorn, for instance, and your birthstone is garnet, you can have an entire set, or parure, of garnet jewelry—ring, earrings, bracelet, necklace—for the fullest expression of birthstone power. Surround yourself with your birthstone energy and you will feel at peace, filled with well-being from your gem-fired glow.

Here is the classic list of birthstones by month.

• January: garnet, a stone symbolizing a light and loyal heart and lasting affection

• February: amethyst, a sexy and sensitive stone; Cleopatra’s royal ring

• March: aquamarine, long known as a soothsayer’s stone; and bloodstone, long known as the martyr’s stone

• April: diamond, the traditional engagement ring, which represents the power of love

• May: emerald, a lovely green stone of protection

• June: pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite—all moon and sea stones powered by water

• July: ruby, the most highly prized gem of all and a symbol of the essence of life

• August: peridot, the ancient symbol of the sun; and sardonyx, an intelligence-enhancing stone

• September: sapphire, a true-blue gem that represents the purity of the soul

• October: opal, said to contain the beauty of all other gems; and tourmaline, a stone of inspiration

• November: topaz, a stone of royalty, named for the Sanskrit word for fire

• December: turquoise, which brings luck; and zircon, the traveler’s stone

While the classic birthstones are, well, classic, each zodiac sign has “early” and “late” divisions, and each of those has heart-, soul-, and power-correlated stones. Check for your and your loved ones’ birthdays below to see which gems will rev up different areas of your lives!

Clarify Your Intention

Why do you want to create a mandala? Your reason is your intention, and is the focus of your ritual. One basic guideline is that the creation of a sand mandala should be “for the greater good.” Some examples of reasons to create a specific mandala include:

To help create world peace

To bring renewed health to body and spirit

To bless a new home

To bless and bring joy to all people in your life

Sun: Its rays are a representation of light, energy, and life. A sun mandala will represent the positive and celebrate your life, the spark and flame of existence.

Moon: In all its phases, the moon represents the feminine and female power. Moon mandalas are wonderful for women to create in celebration of their own femininity and of woman-power throughout time. Any goddess mandala can include the symbol of the moon.

Heart: A universal symbol of love, this sweet design would make an excellent blessing to a romantic relationship or a gift to loved ones.

Triangle: It represents the Christian Holy Trinity and Egyptian spirituality and wisdom.

Downward-Pointing Triangle: It represents the “yoni yantra” and signifies the female, the element of water, and the mother and the ability to create. A mandala blessing for an expectant mother should include the downward-pointing triangle. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces would do well to honor themselves with this design.

Double Triangle or Hexagram: In tantra, this represents all of creation, the conjunction of male and female energies. The concept of infinity is also represented by this symbol. A relationship mandala, especially in the sensual realm, will work well with double triangles. If you want to connect to the great universe, the symbol of infinity is essential. This symbol is ideal for creativity mandalas. In India, the double triangle indicates Kali in union with Shiva, and it is also the symbol for the heart chakra. If you want to create a mandala for blessing a relationship or to open your heart, the hexagram is an excellent choice. Combining the heart symbol and hexagram would be a powerful love mandala.

Pentagram: Other names for the pentagram include the Wizard’s Star, the Druid’s Foot, the Witch’s Cross, and the Star of Bethlehem. Wiccans have claimed the pentagram as their insignia. If you want to do a mandala for healing the earth, the pentagram will accomplish this quite nicely.

Square or Quadrangle: It is the sign of the four directions, and also the four elements and the four seasons. The square of the day also indicates the four significant times of day: sunrise, noonday, sunset, midnight. For the ancient Hindus, the square stood for order in the universe. You can use a square to invoke the four directions in this way, to honor the elements of air, earth, fire and water, and also to mark sacred time for prayer and meditation.

Octagon or Double Square: With its eight points, this is another symbol for divine order and unification. It is a good symbol for peace on earth. Essentially an eight-pointed star, the octagon is a symbol for rebirth and renewal and the wheel of the year. The octagon is believed to have magical powers, as does the pentacle or pentagram, when drawn in one line. In this case, they are believed to indicate sacred space. An octagon is a very good symbol to include in a mandala when you are embarking on a new phase of your life—a new home, job, relationship, a “new you”—that can be blessed in this manner.

Knotwork and the “Knot of Eternity”: These are lovely symbols of unity. In Buddhist tradition, knotwork represents contemplation and meditation. Celtic knotwork symbolizes the eternal flow of energy and life.

Lotus: This flower represents beauty, creation, renewal, and in Buddhism, the search for enlightenment. If the lotus has twelve petals, it represents the energy of the sun. If it has sixteen petals, it is the symbol for the moon. The most spiritual mandalas will likely contain the image of the lotus.

Hold your hand over the mandala design you have drawn and visualize the light of the universe, of the sun pouring through you and through your hands to the sand and the design. If you feel a personal connection to any benevolent spirits such as angels, the Buddha, or gods or goddesses, you should call upon them to also bless your efforts and the material with their sacred energy.

You may notice a warming of your hands as you continue concentrating “in the light.” Invoke aloud or pray silently to your benevolent guardians to bless your endeavor. When you are ready, take some time to look at your mandala and contemplate the image you have created. Look deeply and quietly and “receive” any insights or messages during meditation. Close the ritual by dedicating the blessing energy of the mandala to the greater good of the universe.

Color Symbology for the Chakras and Mandala Design

First, root (base of spine)           red           security, survival

Second, sacral                            orange     pleasure

Third, solar plexus                     yellow     divine, personal power

Fourth, heart                              green        abundance, love, serenity

Fifth, throat                                blue          creativity, originality 

Sixth, third eye                          indigo       intuitiveness, perception 

Seventh, crown                          violet        holy bliss, all is one 

Color Connection

Color is a form of energy that can be broken down by individual vibrations. We use colors in our homes and at work to affect moods. The right colors can calm, energize, or even romanticize a setting. Colors promote many desired states of being. Anyone using color is tuning in to the vibration frequency of that particular color. Some psychics have the skills and training to read your aura; they can literally see the energy radiating out from your body.

Other colors not in the spectrum or chakra exist in crystals and stones, and are significant in their own right: brown, gray, black, white, silver and gold.

Brown: the color of humility and poverty; represents safety and the home.

Gray: the color of grief and mourning; symbolized resurrection in medieval times; gray is the first color the human eye can perceive in infancy.

Black: protection and strength; fortifies your personal energies and gives them more inner authority; symbolizes fertile, life- giving, rich earth, and nourishing rain in Africa.

White: purity, peace, patience, and protection; some cultures associate white with death.

Silver: relates to communication and greater access to the universe; indicates a lunar connection or female energy.

Gold: direct connection to God; facilitates wealth and ease.

The color spectrum is correlated with seven basic vibrations. These are the same vibrations that comprise the musical scale, and the same vibrations that are the foundation of our seven vibration chakra system. The “lightest” vibrations are at the top and the “heaviest” vibrations are at the bottom. By now you should know that the color system is composed of seven colors, all visible in the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. A great way to remember the colors is by their collective acronym, which sounds like a name: Roy G. Biv. Consult the following color guide when you are choosing a color for any aspect of your life.

Color management can help you on the most basic level each day. To combat feeling depressed, wear yellow to raise your energy level. If you have a business meeting and you want to put your colleagues at ease, wear earthy colors like brown or green. You can experiment with different combinations, too. Remember, the purpose here is to find your soul colors.

Hope and Healing Candle Consecration

Recently, I have been wishing and hoping for peace in this world of ours, as have most of us. I have been making, burning, and giving away candles with the word “peace” written with crystals embedded in the soft candle wax.

If possible, perform this spell during a full moon night for the greatest effect. Place your stained-glass peace candle on your altar and light rose incense, which represents love and unity. Light the candle and chant:

I light this candle for hope,
I light this candle for love,
I light this candle for unity,
I light this candle for the good of all the world
That we should live in peace. And so it shall be.

Sit in front of your altar and meditate, eyes closed, for a few minutes while visualizing peace in the world. Let the candle burn completely for full charging. Whenever the world around you feels chaotic, light this candle and meditate on a sense of peace enveloping you. And it will.

Citrine Serenity Ceremony

Light a yellow candle for mental clarity, and anoint with calming and uplifting bergamot oil. Place a yellow rose in a vase to the left of the candle. To the right, place a bowl containing at least two citrine or quartz crystals.

Saffron water is made by boiling a single teaspoon of saffron from your cupboard in two quarts of distilled water. Let cool to room temperature and pour into the bowl of crystals. Put your hands together as in prayer, and dip your hands in the bowl. Touch your “third eye” in the center of your forehead, anointing yourself with the saffron water. Now, speak aloud:

Goddess great, fill me with your presence.
This night, I am whole and at peace.
Breathing in, breathing out, I feel your safe embrace. 
And so it is.

Conjuring Clairvoyance: Open Your Third Eye

Saffron water is made by boiling one teaspoon of saffron in two cups of distilled water. Dip your hands in the water, touch your “third eye” at the center of your forehead and speak aloud:

Ishtar, Athena, Diana, Astarte – fill me with your presence. This night, I am whole. I am at peace.
With each breath, you do inspire.
So mote it be.

Henceforth, you will understand things more clearly and have foresight. This is a muscle which can be developed with more use. Practice and you’ll find you have advance notice of what is to come.

Peace and Healing Potpourri (Waxing or Full Moon is Optimal)

Sometimes, we all need a quick fix and this is exactly what this herbal mélange can do for you. Draw some fresh water and simmer this mixture on your stove whenever you feel the need to infuse your space with protection or do an energetic turnaround from negative to positive. A bad day at work, family squabble, an unfortunate incident in your neighborhood: instead of just muddling along, you can do something about it and your creation of the positive will help you and your loved one as well as your neighbors. This powerful potpourri will also safeguard from outside influences that can be disruptive. Set your intention and gather these herbs from your stores:

• 7 cinnamon sticks
• ¼ cup rosemary
• 4 Bay laurel leaves
• 1/8 cup sage
• 1 teaspoons juniper berries

Mix the herbs together by hand. While you are sifting, close your eyes and visualize your home protected by a boundary of glowing white light. Imagine the light running throughout you to the herbs in your hand, charging them with the energy of safety, sanctity and protection. Add the herbs to slowly simmering water and breathe in the newly charged air.

Blowing in the Wind – A Charm (Waning Moon is Optimal)

When the moon is waning, this is your opportunity to release anything that no longer serves in your life. We all need to embrace the winds of change in life, clearing away the old and making room for the new. This charm helps overcome upset and can help release anger and grudges. And isn’t this an important first step to happiness? What you’ll need: a blustery day, access to the outdoors, basil and sage.

Well, it’s not mandatory that you have a hill for this, but you do need an open area outside for happiness spells like this. It does need to be windy.

Take your herbs to your spot of choice with your back to the wind. Take the basil and sage and throw them up in the air as you visualize your problems blowing far, far away. Repeat this charm aloud:

No more fear and doubt and pain 
Nothing to lose and only joy to gain. 

Now, turn around and face into the wind.

Speak aloud:

May the winds of change be kind to me 
And bring about happiness and glee. 
Stress-free and happy I will be 

Close your eyes and feel the breeze on your skin and blowing through your hair. Stand still for a few more moments, focused on the release of your problems and the acceptance of peace and the calm that lies ahead in your future.

Hope and Healing Candle Consecration

Recently, I have been wishing and hoping for peace in this world of ours, as have most of us. I have been making, burning, and giving away candles with the word “peace” written with crystals embedded in the soft candle wax.

If possible, perform this spell during a full moon night for the greatest effect. Place your stained-glass peace candle on your altar and light rose incense, which represents love and unity. Light the candle and chant:

I light this candle for hope,
I light this candle for love,
I light this candle for unity,
I light this candle for the good of all the world 
That we should live in peace. And so it shall be.

Sit in front of your altar and meditate, eyes closed, for a few minutes while visualizing peace in the world. Let the candle burn completely for full charging. Whenever the world around you feels chaotic, light this candle and meditate on a sense of peace enveloping you. And it will.

Citrine Serenity Ceremony (All Moon Phases)

Light a yellow candle for mental clarity, and anoint with calming and uplifting bergamot oil. Place a yellow rose in a vase to the left of the candle. To the right, place a bowl containing at least two citrine or quartz crystals.

Saffron water is made by boiling a single teaspoon of saffron from your cupboard in two quarts of distilled water. Let cool to room temperature and pour into the bowl of crystals. Put your hands together as in prayer, and dip your hands in the bowl. Touch your “third eye” in the center of your forehead, anointing yourself with the saffron water. Now, speak aloud:

Goddess great, fill me with your presence.This night, I am whole and at peace.
Breathing in, breathing out, I feel your safe embrace. 
And so it is.

Sandalwood Spell for Grounding (Waning Moon and New Moon)

Sandalwood, from the Sanskrit word chandana, has been used for thousands of years in India. The woody, sweet smell clears your mind and reconnects you to the earth. This simple spell can actually be used every day as prayer, or to prepare for meditation. Light a stick of sandalwood incense and “smudge” the area with the soothing smoke.

Anoint a brown candle with sandalwood oil. In scentless base oil, such as canola, olive or sesame, add:

• Six drops sandalwood oil
• Two drops lemon oil
• Two drops amber oil

Warm this concoction in a clay oil lamp or carefully heat it on the stove. When it is warm to the touch, dip your left ring finger into the oil and anoint your “third eye,” located in the center of your forehead, just above the eyes.

Sitting in the cross-legged lotus position, whisper three times:

Come to me clarity, come to me peace, 
Come to me wisdom. Come to me bliss. 
I sit in stillness, I sit in peace.
As above, so below; and so it is.

Meditate for twenty minutes, and then massage the warmed oil into your feet. You will be utterly and blissfully grounded now.

The Supernatural Spectrum – Candle Color Magic

For a peaceful home, burn blue candles on Thursday. 
To overcome fear, burn red candles on Sunday.
For inner peace, burn silver candles on Monday.
For self confidence, burn red candles on Sunday.
For kindness and compassion, burn pink candles on Friday.
For physical well-being, burn green candles on Friday.
To overcome regret or guilt, burn white candles on Saturday. 
For mental clarity, burn yellow candles on Wednesday.
To let go of anger, burn orange candles on Tuesday. 
For success at work, burn green candles on Friday.