Divination
For centuries, Witches have been renowned for their ability to see into the future. They do this through two different means: divination and clairvoyance.
Divination is the art of finding things out through the use of other than normal means. Crystal balls, dowsing rods, pendulums, the tarot, the I Ching, and other tools used in divination.
Clairvoyance is the capability to see clearly, to be consciously psychic and to be able to attain this state without the use of aids (such as those listed above). Clairvoyants or psychics who can be consciously clairvoyant do not need to use divination. For those who cannot tap their psychic powers, divination serves as a means of awakening the sight, as it is also known.
Some methods of divination enable the practitioner to focus the mind so that clairvoyance can be coaxed to the surface. Others simply hone psychic powers to a fine point. Still other methods of divination do not call on clairvoyance at all, but work through totally different means.
Those who are clairvoyant do not need divination; those who are not, do. Everyone is born psychic, but during early childhood training we learn to suppress this talent, and it is only when an interest is taken in the subject that most of us relearn its use. Fortunately, herbs can help in lifting the veil that separates tomorrow from today.
There are no hard and fast rules about divinatory rituals. Many herbs work best while the user is asleep, with the answers to your questions coming in the form of dreams. Some help promote a restful meditation, which stills the conscious mind to the point that psychic messages may become known.
There is no basic altar setup for these rituals. Yellow candles are sometimes burned, but white work just as well.
Add a bit of anise oil to the bath water to attune yourself psychically before divining. A little nutmeg oil rubbed on the forehead helps the clairvoyant powers.
If you wish to anoint yourself with a special oil, blend equal parts of anise, acacia, and cassia oils and use this Witches’ sight oil.
Divination Incenses
Following are a few much-favored incense recipes that permeate the atmosphere with ideal vibrations for divinatory practices.
It is important to remember the difference between true clairvoyance and drug-induced visions. Hallucinogenic herbs were once used to produce visions but the Witch of today rarely resorts to such practices. Most of the prophecies made while under the influence of such incenses were pure fantasy.
Witches’ sight incense: This is an all-purpose formula, to be burned while reading tarot cards, using crystals, meditating, etc. It is composed of gum mastic, patchouli, cinnamon, juniper, and sandalwood.
On a Wednesday, during the Waxing Moon, take equal parts of the powdered herbs, mix well, and moisten with a few drops of mingled musk and ambergris oils. (The artificial ambergris will work; ambrette oil will do for the musk. If these are unavailable, use clove and nutmeg.)
Mix until all particles are moistened, crumbly but not soggy. Let stand overnight, then pack in a jar, leaving the cork slightly loose.
Scrying incense: Many Witches employ crystal balls in their divination sessions. To strengthen the crystal, rub it with fresh mugwort leaves. While scrying (gazing), burn an incense composed of mugwort and worm-wood, equal parts. Place the ball on the altar between two white candles, with the censer back on the other side of the ball.
Vision incense: To be burned when no props, such as cards, are to be used. Contacts the subconscious mind and allows that which is unknown to become known:
3 parts cinquefoil
3 parts chicory root
1 part clove
Grind together on a Wednesday night.
In all acts of divination, the mind must be stilled and quiet. All outside noises and concerns must be shut out and the mind must be at rest. Clear it of everyday cares and problems.
If there is a specific question you wish answered, keep this in mind as you perform any of the following procedures. If not, keep the mind open and be prepared to receive any information forthcoming. Though you may not at first understand the message or information, all will become clear with time.
Clairvoyance Brews
The cauldron, traditional tool of the Witch, was often employed in the preparation of a clairvoyance brew. The Witch filled the cauldron with spring water and then hung it over a fire on a tripod. When the water was boiling, she threw into the pot shredded bay laurel leaves, mugwort, and cinquefoil. The Witch then manipulated the lid to direct and concentrate the steam rising from the bubbling cauldron. Inhaling it, she entered a psychic state and called out predictions to her clients.
The same method can be used on your gas flame. Take your pot (the one reserved for herbal magic) and fill it half-full with bottled or fresh spring water. Let it sit over the flame until bubbling. Add the above herbs to the water and cover tightly. Take off the flame and move to the altar, setting the pot on a hot pad (preferably one made of wood). The candles should already be lit.
Using a potholder, if necessary, lift the lid and inhale the vapors deeply several times. Do this for a few minutes, alternating between steam and air.
(In magic, better results will be obtained by using the diaphragm while breathing. To find your diaphragm, touch yourself just above the navel, below and between the ribcages. As you breathe in, push this area out with your breath. This is natural breathing, very useful in magical operations.)
You should feel calm, relaxed, peaceful, and slightly drowsy. Any of the various methods of divination may be readily practiced now.
If you wish to make direct contact with your subconscious mind (the source of your psychic messages, the clairvoyant part of your mind), still all thoughts and sit quietly after inhaling the steam.
Note any pictures and symbols that come to your mind. If they are richly detailed pictures, far outside your usual range of thoughts, note them carefully. These are the things that visions are made of. Afterward, write down everything, for future reference.
Another way to use the clairvoyance brew is to inhale it just before going to bed. Your dreams may become prophetic and revealing.
Herb Scrying
Get a small quantity of dried patchouli, mugwort, or wormwood. Crumble the herb between your hands until it is finely diminished.
Next, pour it into a small square pan (glass or ceramic). Light yellow candles and place the pan on your working area. Close your eyes, extend the index finger of your weak hand, and gently touch the center of the pan with its tip.
Move it at random in the pan, shifting from one direction to another without conscious pattern. Keep this up for a few minutes.
Now, remove your finger, open your eyes, and interpret the symbols you have just written in the herb. If desired, scrying incense can be burned during this rite. It may be repeated several times.
Simples
A simple is an infusion of a single herb. To make a clairvoyance simple, boil one pint water in your pot. In a teapot put one-half ounce mugwort, thyme, rosemary, or yarrow in a cup and pour the water over it. Let steep for ten minutes, then strain, using a bamboo or other nonmetallic strainer. Sweeten with a little honey if desired, clover and orange being traditional. (Yarrow in large or frequent doses taken over a long period of time may be potentially harmful. Yarrow contains thyjone, considered toxic.)
These teas are useful in developing the clairvoyant powers especially if drunk every time one attempts to achieve clairvoyance.
They are especially soothing and effective if sipped while in the ritual bath.
Listening to the Wind
This is one of the old charges brought against Witches during the Persecution. Actually it is one of the most pleasant, easy, and effective modes of divination.
On a windy day, just before dusk or quite early in the morning, lie down among tall, leafy trees, far from roadways and other noisy places.
Close your eyes and relax, feeling the earth support-ing your body. Listen to the gentle breeze’s melody as it moves through the leaves above you. Listen long enough and you may begin to hear voices in the winds.
These are the whispers of the wind. They cannot be captured on recording tape, or proved by scientists to be anything other than creations of your own mind.
But the Witches know that such whispers, induced by the hypnotic voice of the wind, are actually messages from beyond the conscious mind and often carry important messages.
Herbal Pendulums
The use of pendulums is widespread. A heavy object is attached to a string and answers to questions are interpreted by its movements.
To make an herbal pendulum, take an herb such as orris root, a lump of frankincense, a star anise seed, a chip of sandalwood, or a piece of cinnamon bark. Get a natural fiber thread of a light yellow color and firmly tie this around the herb, making sure that the knot will not slip (you can drill a hole through the herb and pass the thread through it).
Now, measure off the thread, the width of your outstretched little finger to thumb, and then the width of the widest part of your hand. Cut it so that this length remains. Hold the end between the thumb and forefinger of your strong hand, resting the elbow on the table. Now ask a yes-no question, one you need an answer for.
The pendulum will start to move, either in a circular motion or back and forth. The circular motion usually signifies yes, while the back and forth signifies no. If it does not move at all there is no answer, or you are not to know the answer, or you already know the answer, and have no reason to be asking the question in the first place! This is one of the many ways to tap the subconscious mind.
Sachets and Pillows
Inhaling the scents of dried and fresh herbs can produce clairvoyant states, often operating best while asleep.
Find a small pillow case, about nine by nine inches. or sew one yourself. Stuff with about one-quarter pound dried mugwort (more or less to fill it). Now, sew up the open end. Place it on top of your regular pillow and sleep on it.
The mugwort pillow induces clairvoyant dreams. Sleep on it for several nights in a row.
A good, all-purpose dream pillow very popular one hundred years or so ago can be mixed of equal parts of lemon balm, costmary, rose petals, mint, and cloves. Construct and use as the mugwort pillow.
Frankincense and Laurel
Both of these herbs have a long history in divining the future. Light several charcoal blocks in the censer and let sit until glowing. Throw on a few laurel leaves, fresh if you can get them. Ask a question while doing this. If the leaves make loud sounds and burn brightly, it will be a favorable time, or the answer is yes. If they sputter and die out, it is unfavorable, or the answer is no.
If you have a fireplace, throw a handful of powdered frankincense onto the fire. If the flames rise up in one mass, it is a good sign. If they are divided a little, unfortunate. If they rise in three points, a great event will happen soon. If they are much dispersed it is not a good sign. Crackling and snapping fortell misfortune, and if the whole fire is suddenly extinguished by the frankincense when it is thrown on or soon thereafter, great danger is eminent.
Another method uses poppy seeds, the black variety. When scattered on coals, if the smoke rises lightly and disappears quickly it is a good sign. But if the smoke hangs heavy and low, the opposite is true.
These methods of divination have been used by Witches since the days of classical Rome, usually to determine the condition of a loved one far from home.
The procedures and rituals outlined in this chapter are based upon the occult principle that all humans are born with psychic powers. These are lying latent within most of us. Herbs, fortunately, are there to help us strengthen and nurture these powers.