Amulets are protective adornments that date back to the beginning of human civilization. Evil eye amulets are perhaps the most globally popular, believed in most cultures to be capable of warding off a hex by reflecting it back to its origins. In some cultures, amulets were devoted to a god or goddess, and the wearer was protected by that divinity. Horns, hands, and the phallus have all been popular amulet shapes throughout history. We know from archaeological discoveries that the inhabitants of the ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia wore amulets. People in that time wore cylindrical seals covered in precious stones, as well as animal talismans to inherit the qualities associated with different animals.
Ancient Egyptian amulets are on display at museums everywhere. They used their amulets in elaborate burial practices. To make the charms, they used faience, which is glazed ground quartz that is usually colored blue-green. The Egyptian royals and priests also wore precious and semi- precious gems and crystals as amulets. The eye of Horus was the most significant, and usually this was made of lapis lazuli.
Other creations included the lapis lazuli scarab, symbolizing rebirth; the frog, symbolizing fertility; and the ankh, representing eternal life.
In the classical age, Romans wore amulets that were metal cylinders containing parchment inscribed with protective words.
The popularity of amulets extended beyond pagan people when organized religions embraced the idea. In medieval times, religious people would wear verses from the Torah, Bible, or Koran in amulets around their necks. Even today, many Catholics wear medals honoring saints. Celtic symbols and imagery pervade trendy shops as Wiccans and modern pagans have updated and re-popularized the wearing of amulets.
You can make your own amulets for yourself or friends. It is important that you believe your friends will truly benefit from amulets, and that they are aware of the special qualities and powers associated with these special charms. First, you must select a crystal associated with the desired energy. Hold the crystal in your hand until it gets warm, then visualize the specific power the stone is offering. If the amulet is for you, wear it as a pendant or tuck it in your pocket.
Stone: Amethyst
Powers: Prevents inebriation; helps with sobriety
Stone: Aquamarine
Powers: Guards against malevolent spirits; attracts wisdom; helps overcome fear of water/drowning
Stone: Bloodstone
Powers: Brings luck; wear while traveling
Stone: Carnelian
Powers: Keeps away evil sprits
Stone: Diamond
Powers: Brings good fortune; lends force to valor; should be worn touching the skin and works best as a gift
Stone: Emerald
Powers: Cancels out magician’s power
Stone: Jade
Powers: Guards health of and protects, especially children;
creates prosperity
Stone: Jasper
Powers: Aids in defense against venom of poisonous insects and snakes
Stone: Jet
Powers: Helps expel negativity, especially when set in silver
Stone: Moonstone
Powers: Brings fame and good fortune; wear while traveling
Stone: Turquoise
Powers: Good for a horse’s gait when affixed to a bridle
June 1, Roman festival of Carna, goddess of doors and locks
June 2, US Congress granted citizenship and voter’s rights to all Native Americans, 1927
June 3, Festival of Bellona, a Roman goddess of battle
June 4, First recorded Chinese solar eclipse (780 BCE)
June 5, Feast of St. Boniface
June 6, St. Fermin’s Day in Spain, Running of the Bulls
June 7, Weaver’s Festival in Japan
June 8, Founding of Islam circa 622 CE
June 9, Vestalia, Festival honoring the Roman goddess Vesta
June 10, Day of Anahita (Persian)
June 11, Feast of Saint Barnabus
June 12, Dia dos Namorados, Lovers’ Day (Brazil)
June 13, Birth of the Muses
June 14, Otaue Shinji, Rice-Planting Festival in Japan
June 15, St. Vitus’s Day
June 16, Bloomsday festival in honor of Irish author James Joyce with readings, breakfast, and a pilgrimage retracing the steps of Leopold Bloom
June 17, Iceland’s Independence Day, 1944
June 18, High holy day for women’s rights—Susan B. Anthony defies the law in 1872 by voting
June 19, Juneteenth
June 20, Day of Ix Chel (Mayan)
June 21, Midsummer
June 22, Rose Festival in England, Feast of Saint Alban
June 23, Jani, the major festival in Latvia
June 24, Feast of the Sun (Aztec)
June 25, Croatian Independence Day
June 26, Pied Piper Day, circa 1284
June 27, Stonewall, 1969, the day gays fought back
June 28, Constitution Day in Ukraine
June 29, Saint Peter’s Day
June 30, Burial of Yarilo in Russia, a traditional rite of song, games, and dance
_-_Napoli_MAN_8834.jpeg)
This ritual blends the traditional egg hunt with a ceremony to honor Flora, the Roman goddess of flower. Essential elements for this ritual are baskets with handles (one for each guest), egg-shaped chocolates and sweets, or small hollow plastic eggs filled with blessings written on paper slips, and a vase. Ask each guest to bring a large dish of food for sharing, and to dress in light, flowing spring clothes and colors. Each guest must also bring a flower to represent a wish they have for a new project or endeavor they intend to embark on this year. This flower will be used to make an offering to Flora so that she may bless the project as it grows and develops. This flower can be chosen from the Language of Flowers list in the appendix on page 325. By carefully deciding on a certain type of flower, your guests can enhance the power of their spring wish.
Prepare for this ritual by deciding whether you will hold it inside or risk the whimsical weather of April outdoors. Consult your local weather channel, consult an almanac, and cross your fingers. If you choose to hold it outdoors, then scout out the area well to identify potential problem spots (low-lying areas that might be muddy, for example, or high-traffic areas where strangers might interfere, or even join in). Also mark off a perimeter to limit your hunt. Place sticks in the ground with bright ribbons tied to them to mark that perimeter, so that your guests know not to bother searching past that point. If you choose to hold the ritual inside, decide which rooms will be off-limits for your hunt.
Once you have your area set, take some time to write out various blessings and good wishes on slips of paper. Blessings might include, “Joy and happiness with every dawn,” “May your love only increase,” or “Wealth and abundance are yours.” Tuck one blessing in each plastic egg, then gather all the eggs and blessings together and ask for Flora’s benison upon them:
Flower queen,
Princess of the spring,
Lovely Maiden of garden and field,
Bless these tokens and fill them with your goodwill.
May those who receive them feel your love and bright beauty.
Take your goodies and blessings and hide them in the space you have chosen. Be cunning, but don’t make them too hard to find. When your guests arrive, choose someone to stand in the north, the east, the south, and the west, then cast the circle. Turn to the east. The speaker for the east should say:
Sacred breezes of the east,
Bring us the gentle scent of Flora’s blossoms.
Flora, queen of spring, we welcome you.
Turn to the south. The speaker for the south should say:
Sacred breezes of the south,
Bless us with the vibrant color of Flora’s blooms.
Flora, queen of spring, we welcome you.
Turn to the west. The speaker for the west should say:
Sacred breezes of the west,
Bless us with the beauty of Flora’s crop.
Flora, queen of spring, we welcome you.
Turn finally to the north, where the speaker for the north should say:
Sacred breezes of the north,
Bless us with the abundance of Flora’s bounty.
Flora, queen of spring, we welcome you.
Ask your guests to come up one by one, state a wish to Flora, and place their single flower in the vase. When everyone has made a spring wish, there will be a beautiful bouquet created for Flora.
Now hand your guests a basket each, and tell them to further seek Flora’s blessings in the form of eggs, the symbol of fertility and new life. Laugh with your guests as they hunt high and low. Help the younger ones, or the ones who seem to be having difficulty finding any. Your guests should remember that this is not a traditional Easter egg hunt; the object is not to return with the largest collection of eggs. Instead, they are seeking Flora’s blessings.
When everyone returns, have a spring picnic or buffet of potluck dishes, and whatever treats were hidden. Your guests may choose to share the written blessings they found aloud, or keep them secret. Enjoy the spring air, and remember that Flora has blessed your new projects.
When a new member of the tribe is on the way, it is cause for true jubilation among the family and community. I recommend waiting until the second or third trimester and then having a tribal stomp. This is a whole different take on baby showers.
While it provides for the baby’s needs, it also addresses the real, practical needs of the expectant mother and father.
Begin by asking the new mother what is her preferred day for a time of feasting and fixing. Ask her also to provide a blank book for guests to write in so that the parents can look back in the years to come and remember who attended this special gathering.
This ritual is rather like a barn raising. Each guest brings something or creates something for the new family. Artists can bring paint and paint a mural on the wall of the baby’s room. I have seen beautiful clouds and castles to keep a pair of brand new eyes busy. Handymen and carpenters can bring baby- proofing supplies, such as expandable gates; craftsmen can make a crib or rocker; cooks can prepare and freeze meals for when the new mother and father are too tired to think straight and make nourishing meals for themselves.
My tribe, which is how I like to think of my group of friends, is a very practical bunch. We pass on baby clothes we no longer need, as well as toys, high chairs, and the like. A big part of our ethos is to avoid the mass consumption and materialism that we fall into because we are surrounded by consumer culture. We recycle or share as much as possible, passing on books, clothing, cookware, and furnishings to the next person entering a phase of life where special equipment will be needed. For a new baby, this includes bassinet, baby monitor, infant health books, storybooks, and mobiles. Books and materials that will serve as guides for the first-time expectant parents are also ideal.
On this celebratory day, the new mother and father should be treated like a king and queen. Shawls, slippers, and special healthful teas and juices are wonderful personal, supportive items to give them.
The new about-to-be mom and dad should enjoy this day and relax, as they are about to embark on the busiest time of their lives! They should be given special seats at the feast, where they can sit back and simply “receive.” Receiving is not as easy as it seems in our culture, but it is important to accept and appreciate the help and advice from those who love us.
One way to commemorate this day and remember it in the years to come is to create a “Book of Blessings” that is filled with advice from the tribe. This can be accomplished easily, despite the hubbub of this special day, by leaving the blank book chosen by the expectant mother at the door or on the dinner table, so that each member of the tribe can add his or her advice and blessings during the day. At the feast, the expectant parents can read from it. The Book of Blessings will be a free-form compilation with a great variety of entries, ranging from “Put the baby’s room near the laundry room and the sound of the dryer will help the baby sleep” to “I offer to baby-sit at least once a month so you can have a night out” to “Our family welcomes you to the neighborhood."
It will be a day remembered for many years to come.
Your personal altar is the ideal environment to incubate your ideas and can be a touchstone for daily conjuring and contemplation. By preparing your home and sparking your inner flames, you can clear away personal blocks and invite in friendly spirits who will aid you in personal pursuits, no matter what your line of work is.
On a low table or chest, place an orange or gold scarf and the following elements: yellow, orange, and gold candles for stimulating intelligence and clarity; bergamot oil for energy; and vanilla incense for mental power.
In an amber or clear glass bowl on the altar, place cloves and sage leaves or bundles. Next, add items that symbolize your personal creativity—perhaps a poem you wrote, a figure you sculpted, or a photograph you took of the altar.
Place benzoin, an herb for all-around mental strength and
clarity, in your incense burner; it will bring inspiration from the psychic realm. Add any gifts from nature that inspire you—
luminous shells, chunks of quartz, or feathers. Arrange your
altar in a way that pleases you and stimulates your senses.
Now, anoint the candle with bergamot essential oil while you meditate to clear your mind of any distractions. This is an essential step in opening the mental and spiritual space
necessary to create, whether your intention is to create a ritual
of your own design or an art project. Once you feel focused,
light a sage leaf and wave it gently around so the cleansing
smoke permeates your altar space. Light the anointed
candles and the incense with a candle. Now set and speak
your intention:
By my hand,
And by the blessing of the spirits,
The fire of my creativity
Burns bright,
Burns long,
Burns eternal.
Blessings to me and all who create!
Outdoor altars are usually of a temporary nature—the beach is a wonderful place to set up a one-day altar on driftwood with seaweed and shells. There, unless the beach is too crowded, you can commune with the water deities and seek your deepest reaches of spirit. Forest, farm, and meadow offer earth and sky and the sanctity of nature in which to build your altar.
In Athens during the classical period, the lane leading to the temple dedicated to the god Dionysus was called the Avenue of Tripods because it was lined with small tripod altars; this was a holy road indeed. Tripod originates in the Greek word meaning “three footed,” and these altars functioned as the sites of offerings. A three-footed altar is more practical for outdoor use than a regular four-legged table because it is stable on uneven ground. For your outdoor rituals, therefore, it’s best to acquire a tripod that will provide a steady surface for your ritual work performed out in the holy realm of Nature.
At Delphi, the revered oracular center, the Pythoness and her sisters prophesied from the sacred seat of power, a tripod.
Raise your chi with crystal mandalas. A mandala is sacred space through which we can connect to the greater energy of the universe for spiritual growth and health and well-being. Different designs and grids have different properties. By laying out these sacred patterns, you can focus and calm yourself and create conscious change in your mind and body. The wheel with spokes is the most common pattern, but you should experiment and create your own new form with crystals and meditate upon it.
The full moon is the most powerful time of the month and the perfect time to celebrate with special people in your life. The ritual will heighten your spirituality, your friendships, and your connection to the powers of the universe. As I write this, it is a full moon in Libra, and I look forward to getting together with some of the sisterhood, some fellow Wicca chicks, and kicking up our heels in celebration of life and asking for what we need from the universe. We will wait until midnight, the traditional witching hour. We will gather in one of our favorite spots near water under the spring moonlight.
Here is our recipe for ritual: We place a large crystal—usually a geode, an amethyst chunk, or a big quartz or rock crystal—in the middle of the altar. We place a goblet of wine before an image of the Goddess. We all bring candles in sturdy, tempered-glass votives to light out way, and we perform a rite we learned from our elders. Each of us holds a crystal that is our touchstone.
You can perform this ritual in your home or garden or a sacred place of your choosing. Designate a leader who will perform all the incantations as the group forms a circle. Begin with the appropriate chanting:
“Oh, lady of silver magic, we honor you here,
In this place, sacred and safe.
This circle is in your honor.”
The person in the northern point of the circle places her candle and her crystal on the ground as the leader chants:
“Blessed one, all earth is yours.
May we all heal,
May we all draw strength,
May we grow.”
The person in the eastern point places her candle and her crystal on the ground while the leader chants:
“Oh, lady of laughter and joy, so is the sky yours, too.
May the air be clear and pure,
And the clouds sweet with wind and rain.”
The person at the southern point lays down her crystal and candle while the chanter speaks:
“Oh, lady of summer, each season is yours.
May each spring bring flowers and crops for all.”
The person at the western point lays down her candle and crystal while the chanter speaks:
“Goddess of the waters,
The rivers and the ocean are yours.
May they once more flow crystal clear.
Lady, we have built this circle in your honor.
Be with us here now.”
Now each member of the circle goes to the altar and kneels, placing her candle and crystal on the altar. Each takes a sip from the goblet of wine and says:
“I toast thee, bright lady,
In your honor. Blessed be.”
Then, they all pick up rattles and drums and sing and dance under the sparkling crystals in the sky.
Candle magic is a mainstay of crystal magic. I burn candles every night and take them with me when I am traveling. For this exercise to work, simply apply the basic precepts of color magic: Have a clear intention of your desires outcome and choose the appropriate color candle from the following list. On the corresponding day, begin burning the candle on your altar or any special place in your home. Repeat this ritual for seven consecutive days with the same color candle.
* Sunday: the Sun rules this day; use gold or red to affect a boss, a promotion, health, fame, or success.
* Monday: the Moon rules this day; use silver or orange to affect the home, subordinates, or emotions.
* Tuesday: Mars rules; use yellow to affect aggression, sex, conflict, or confidence.
* Wednesday: Mercury rules; use green to affect communication, study, or intelligence.
* Thursday: Jupiter rules; use blue to affect medical and legal issues, money, spirit, integrity, safety, or security.
* Friday: Venus rules; use indigo to affect aesthetics and beauty, marriage, relationships, theater, art, music, or family.
* Saturday: Saturn rules; use black to affect judgment, obstacles, or property.
