The Magical You
Your Craft and spirituality can be worked into your daily routine. When you do the housework, chant as you go along. Visualise negative energy being swept out of the door or sucked up into the vacuum cleaner. Think about all the magical properties of the ingredients you use in making dinner. Take two minutes out before you go to bed, step outside, and look up at the moon. Send her a wish or just a smile. It doesn’t need to be more complicated than that. You cannot be all things to everyone, all of the time. Ultimately someone will lose out, and it will usually be you.
You don’t need to have all the fancy tools or flouncy robes to be spiritual or magical. Keep things practical and affordable. Deity, Mother Nature, or the Divine really don’t mind if you address them whilst wearing your pyjamas. They understand.
Rituals don’t need to be long complicated affairs. Although it is good to go full-out on occasion, on a regular and more practical basis, keep it simple.
Make the magic work for you and fit into your schedule.
Spells
What is a spell? Essentially it is a series of words and/or actions, a wish, or a desire that contains the magical intent to make changes. The most important part, in my opinion, is that you believe in what you are doing. Spells do have a habit of following their own course. Often they are unpredictable and can have unexpected results. It is definitely a case of “Be careful what you wish for.”
There is a very big difference between what you want and what the universe believes you need. Focus your intent, be true and strong in what you desire, and trust that the universe knows best. I also find that visualisation is key when working spells. You need to really “see” what it is you want to achieve.
There are many types of spells that you can work with: simple candle and petition spells, witch bottles, poppets, pouches, and more. How simple or complicated it is is up to you. I err on the side of keeping things simple and straightforward; I find there is less confusion. But go with what works for you.
I have presented some spell options in this book but, as always, trust your intuition and tweak or change the spell wording or ingredients to suit you.
All-Purpose Candle Spell
A very simple and straightforward spell. You will need a small candle (white is a good colour for all purpose), a lighter, and a candle holder. Make sure you put the candle on a flat, safe surface. Hold the candle in both hands and visualise your requirement. It might be a goal or a wish: healing or prosperity, for example. See the final result in your mind’s eye and send that energy into the candle.
Set the candle in a holder and light the flame. State your requirement out loud. Be specific.
Sit quietly and watch the flame of the candle, still visualising your intent.
Allow the candle to burn out completely, then throw any remaining stub in the trash.
Never leave a burning candle unattended.
Rituals
The term “ritual” can sound a bit scary. Really it is just a set of actions that come together to make a whole. Rituals can be anything from a daily action, such as brushing your teeth, right up to a full-on ceremonial circle. Make it work for you. But relax … this is your party! You bring to it whatever you want to.
A basic ritual might involve: casting a circle, calling in the quarters (elements/four compass directions), inviting deity, working your magic, feasting (cake …). Then do it all in reverse: thanking deity, releasing the quarters, and closing the circle. Simple.
You can set up an altar and use all the tools such as a wand, but you can also perform a ritual with nothing but yourself. Casting a circle keeps the energy within your space but also acts as a barrier to protect against any negative energy coming in. You can draw the energy for your circle from the air, the sun, the moon, the earth, or any of the elements around you. Visualise a circle being created, then draw it up over you and then down below you, so you are in a bubble. It isn’t a circle as such; more of a globe. When you call in the quarters you are inviting the energy from each of the four elements and compass directions to join your ritual: north—earth, east—air, south—fire, and west—water. Each one will bring a unique energy. Earth is very grounding and provides stability. Air is for intellect. Fire is for passion and energy, and water deals with emotions and releasing. They obviously have more correspondences than that; see what you feel connects them.
Cleansing
If you use any tools in ritual, or for working with crystals in particular, you may want to cleanse them first. Objects pick up energy from other people, and crystals will need cleansing after use to clear them from anything they have picked up during the magic worked. It is really simple to do. You can visualise a bright white or gold light surrounding the item and clearing out any negative vibes. Items can be placed in the moonlight or sunlight. Sprinkle with salt, sand, soil, or water. Pass the item through incense smoke or a candle flame. A word of caution: be careful with crystals and tools as some can be damaged by sunlight, water, or salt.
Here are some suggestions for cleansing:
• Visualisation: This is the cheapest and simplest option. Visualise a white light coming from the sun, the moon, or the sky and direct it into the item. See it cleansing and purifying any negative energy away.
• Water: Run your item under the tap or drop it into a bowl of water. Allow the water to wash away any negative energy.
• Incense: Light an incense of your choice and waft it over the item or, holding it in your hand, move it through the smoke.
• Sun: Leave your item in the sunlight, either outside (if it is safe) or on a windowsill for an hour or two—until you feel it is cleansed.
• Moon: Leave your item in the moonlight, either outside (if it is safe) or on a windowsill for an hour or two—until you feel it is cleansed. This is best done under a full moon, when it is at its strongest.
• Earth: Bury your item in the soil for a few hours. This is probably best done in a flowerpot, otherwise you might forget where you buried it …
• Air: Hold the item in your hand and, using your breath, blow on it, turning the item around until you have literally blown away all the negative energy.
• Sound: Place your item down and drum around it using your hands, or use a drum, singing bowl, cymbals, or a musical instrument of your choice.
• Rice: Bury the item in a bowl of uncooked rice and leave for a few hours.
• Fire: You need to be careful with this one. Light a candle and pass the item just above the flame to cleanse, then snuff out the candle.
• Crystals: Some crystals are natural cleansers. Lay your item that needs clearing on top of a large quartz or amethyst cluster.
• Herbs: Sprinkle a blend of herbs and/or petals over the item or pop them in a pouch or jar that is filled with herbs and plant matter.
Colour Magic
I love to work with colour magic. Colour has such a big impact on our emotions and moods. Each colour can evoke a feeling, brighten our day, or bring about calm. I like to include colour magic when I use candles for spell work, cloths for my altars, and even when I am deciding what to wear. Picking the right colour clothing can really change your mood. Working with colour in magic can boost the energy of the spell or ritual. It may be different for each person, but I have included my personal suggestions for colour magic in the following chapters.
Deity
Some people like to work with specific deities or pantheons all the time. My matron deity is an ancient goddess, the Cailleach. She has been walking beside me for many years now, but other deities have come and gone when I have needed their specific energy. For the last few years I have worked with the Indian god Ganesha alongside the Cailleach. Yep, it sounds like an odd mix, but they seem to tolerate each other. This past year the Celtic god Belenus has found me and I have been working with him; he seems to bring balance to the Cailleach. Others will work with whatever deity they feel is right for what they are working with.
Each deity has a unique and individual character. They have correspondences and energies that are quite specific. I would recommend that before you invite a deity into your ritual or spell work, you research them first. You don’t want to call a war god into a spell to calm you down—the results could be disastrous! I am always guided by my intuition as to whom I work with. Again, trust your intuition, but also do your homework.
Always be respectful and polite. Ask, don’t demand, and remember to give thanks and leave an offering. You don’t get something for nothing. Be mindful that each deity has its own culture. Deities are sacred. Please be respectful to both the deity and the culture. Make this part of your research. Each one has a backstory, and a lot of them have specific rituals and associations. Respect is key here.
In this book I suggest deities to work with, but be guided by whoever comes to you. Some deities will shout and jump about to get your attention—listen to them.
Call to the Cailleach
This is a call that I wrote and use when I want to connect with the Cailleach, sometimes in ritual but often just standing at my altar.
My crone, you are the ancient one
You are the landscape beneath my feet
You are the mountains and the hills
My crone, you are the rock and stone that leads down to the shore
You are wisdom, you are knowledge
You are the keeper of mysteries, you are the old hag
The Cailleach, I welcome you
A Bundle of Magic
You could refer to this as a magic bundle, meditation bundle, or a medicine bundle. I like to work with it as a witch’s bundle. Use a square of fabric (if you are handy with a needle you can sew a lining) and then just a piece of cord to tie it up. Lay the fabric out flat and add items that you feel need to go inside. Then you can fold or roll it up and secure it with the cord.
I have a bundle for when I meditate. It holds some herbs to help with meditation, a couple of crystals, and items that represent my spirit guides. I also have a bundle for working with the god and goddess. It includes representations of the deities I am working with at the time. I open the bundle up and lay out the contents when I am working magic.
Altars
An altar is basically a flat surface where you lay out your magical tools, offerings, and connections to deity and the elements. It also provides a focal point where you can connect with the Divine, work magic, and meditate. An altar is a reflection of you as a person. Keep it as simple or as full of items as you feel is right. It is your personal space. Nothing is right or wrong.
Now, as we are going to be working with you, inside and out, I believe it helps to make an altar to yourself. Not a “worship my ego” kind of altar but a place that represents you and honours your inner and outer being. It will also help to have a focal point to work with. Find a little space. It doesn’t have to be huge or grand; just a small shelf or corner of a unit is enough. If you are “in the closet” with your pathway, then a tray that you can take out or put away in a cupboard works well.
Take some time to think about what you want to place on your altar. You don’t have to chuck seventy-three different items at it on the first day; start simply. I would suggest placing a photograph of yourself in the centre, one that you like (or hate the least). You could add a vase of flowers, pieces of jewellery that you like, or personal items that have meaning for you. Add in photos or images of places you have visited that you enjoyed or have special memories in. Include items that you find comforting—maybe even your favourite bar of chocolate. This is your central point to work from. Items can be added or taken away when you want to. Keep it fluid: it doesn’t have to be set out in a particular way, and it isn’t set permanently in one layout.
Keep all the items positive; use things that you love and that make you smile. Write yourself a love letter. Tell yourself how wonderful you are and what makes you smile about yourself. What do you like about yourself? What do you think others like about you? Be a show-off and be proud of who you are. Keep your love letter on your “me” altar as a reminder that you are wonderful.
Your personal altar is also a good place to stand each day and say your affirmations or make petitions to deity. You could create altars for any deities you work with or animal spirit guides. If you don’t have space for lots of altars, just use one and add in representations of what you are working with.
Don’t forget to keep it spick-and-span. Dust stops the energy from flowing. If your altar is unloved, it can block your own energy. I always feel much better after clearing off, cleaning, and relaying my altar.