The Book of Spells

A wishbone talisman

Using bones has long been a part of witchcraft in several cultures, and has even made its way into our modern day mainstream beliefs and practices. Using a wishbone to make a wish at the dinner table has become so commonplace that few people would associate it with witchcraft. Ideally, you would cast this spell on a day that you would usually make a big chicken or turkey dinner, though you could combine this spell with your own celebration if you would prefer not to have to wait for the next seasonal festivities.

It’s best to carry out this spell in the kitchen. Clean the chicken or turkey as you normally would and find the wishbone, which is located between the neck and breast of the bird, and remove it. Once you have removed the bone, place it in a bowl of sun water to wash it and infuse it with some extra prosperity energy. Once it is clean, leave it to dry completely.

In the pouch, add the basil, mint, crushed walnut, and your wishbone. Whisper into the pouch any wish you may have and then close it. Carry this pouch with you until your wish is fulfilled, or hang it near your altar. Prepare your chicken or turkey as you normally would, and enjoy your dinner while focusing on good fortune, gratitude, and a hopeful future.

BEST TIME Thursday or Sunday, New Moon or Waxing Moon

TIP If you do not eat meat, you could use a branch that resembles a wishbone.

g PROSPERITY g The Spells g Contents

Bring in the light fire

TOOLS Piece of cotton fabric, roughly 4x4 in (10x10 cm) | Thread or twine | Glass prayer candle | Lighter or matches

INGREDIENTS 1 tsp basil | 1 tsp cinnamon

This spell is inspired by the Baltic folk practice of building a bonfire, keeping the fire alive all night, and jumping over it to cleanse yourself and bring in good fortune for the next year. In this spell, you will craft a doll to represent yourself.

Start by casting a circle, grounding and centering, and cleansing your altar space and tools. Then take the piece of cotton and in the center add a teaspoon of the basil. Take the ends of the cotton, lifting it up, and with your thumb and index finger, secure the herb bundle so that you can easily tie the thread or twine around the herbs to create the “head.” Once secured, cut the ends of the thread and open the cotton to add the cinnamon “body,” again tying it together. Once the doll is complete, lick your thumb and press it against the face to bind the doll to you. Light the candle and visualize blessings coming your way. Take your doll and move it from the left side of the candle, over the flame, to the right side, representing you jumping over the fire to cleanse yourself. Once done, open the circle.

Both the lit candle and the doll should stay on your altar overnight, so it carries the sunlight over from one day to the next. Let the candle burn until completely spent, and place your doll somewhere safe.

Keep the doll until the next year and burn it then to be replaced with a new doll. As it burns, visualize a cleansing and a releasing of the old, clearing space for new things to enter into your life.

BEST TIME Evening, when the sun is still up