Chapter 10

july

For many of us, July is one of the busiest months of the year. Although the summer is theoretically a time for vacations, recreation, and rest, the reality is that most of us are more active than ever. Whether we are dealing with our yard and garden, kids out of school, or just trying to fit that vacation into our hectic schedules, we often find ourselves trying to keep even more balls in the air than usual.

For Blue Moon Circle, July was a time when we all felt that because there was so much to do, we ended up not accomplishing anything. As I talked to the various members of the group, I noticed that we all felt the same way; we were being pulled in too many directions and couldn’t focus on any one thing enough to actually complete it successfully. We were all frustrated and overwhelmed. What’s a Witch to do?

To address the problem I came up with a spell. Two spells, in fact. And a charm. (What can I say? It was a big problem.) The end result was the focus and achievement spells that you will find in this chapter.

Start Part One of the spell in circle at the New Moon, and repeat it individually every night—or as many nights as you can manage—during the waxing moon. Start Part Two of the spell together at the Full Moon, and repeat that individually as often as possible during the waning moon.

As with all the other spells in this book, feel free to use these any time you feel the need. You can hang the charm bag by your altar or at work, or carry it with you.

The focus and achievement spells turned out to be among Blue Moon’s most powerful and effective magickal workings. I hope they work as well for you.

July New Moon

Focus and achievement spell—part one: waxing moon

Supplies:

• White or green bags, or pieces of cloth (one for each person)
• Dried or fresh herbs: chamomile, lavender, rosemary, carnation, cinnamon
• Hematite (tumbled stones are best, but beads or chips will work if that is all you can find.)
• String or ribbon to tie the bags.

When making charms or sachets, the best herbs to use are those you have grown yourself. If you don’t have a garden, you might try growing a few magickal herbs on a windowsill—you will be surprised by how easy, and how satisfying, it is to grow your own. If this isn’t feasible, you can often get herbs at your local pagan store (if there is one), or health-food store.

When making this charm bag, I like to use dried chamomile and carnations (for ease of use), but fresh lavender and rosemary (because they smell so much stronger). I use pieces of cinnamon sticks, rather than powdered, but either will work.

Focus and achievement ritual

• Cleanse and consecrate the circle space by passing sage or incense. If people are feeling especially unfocused, you may want to give this part of the ritual even more attention than usual. It is a good idea to play calming music in the background, and burn a few extra candles for atmosphere. Do whatever it takes to help everyone get in the proper mental space for doing this work.
• Consecrate and cleanse the circle with salt and water.
• Cast the circle hand to hand.
• Call the quarters. You can ask for appropriate help from the elements. For instance: ask the element of Air to blow away confusion, the element of Fire to burn away stress, the element of Water to wash away clutter, and the element of Earth to ground you.
• HPS invokes the goddess.
• Once you are settled, you can put together your charm bags. You should have all the ingredients on your altar or table. Spread out your cloths (or open your bags) and place the herbs inside, one by one. Remember to be mindful of your intention as you work. To help you focus, you may want to list the parts of the charm one by one out loud as you add them.

Focus and achievement charm bag

• In a white or green bag or piece of cloth, combine:
  • Chamomile (for prosperity)
  • Lavender (for love and peace)
  • Rosemary (to strengthen mental powers)
  • Carnation (to instill strength)
  • Cinnamon (to attain success)
  • Add a piece of Hematite (for healing and grounding)

Tie the bag with string or ribbon and use with the focus and achievement spell.

When your charm bags are finished, take a moment of silence, then light a green or white candle, and recite the spell together.

Focus and Achievement Ritual-Part One

Goddess great, please shine your light

Bring more clarity to my sight

Help focus mind and heart and will

And with achievement hours fill

So I might rise above the rest

To do those things that I do best

Help me move with ease and grace

Through this life of frantic pace

Achieving more with every day

As I walk the blessed way

So mote it be

• • •

• Take a minute to enjoy your renewed energy and focus, then pass cakes and ale.
• Pass the speaking stick. This is a good time for people to talk about the things they want to focus on in the days to come.
• Dismiss the quarters.
• HPS thanks the goddess.
• Open the circle. Go home and start getting things done!

July Full Moon

Focus and achievement spell—part two: waning moon

This two-part spell is a perfect example of the difference between magick done during the waxing moon, and magick done during the waning moon. Remember that the waxing moon is used for increase and the waning moon is used for decrease.

So, for instance, if you were going to do magickal work for prosperity, you might do a spell to bring in more money during the waxing moon, and a spell to get rid of debt during the waning moon (while, of course, actively working in your mundane life to bring about both changes).

In this case, we did part one of the focus and achievement spell starting at the New Moon and then continuing through the two weeks of the waxing moon to increase focus and achievement, just as the name of the spell suggests. During the waning moon, however, this spell isn’t as appropriate. So we will do part two starting at the Full Moon, and continuing through the two weeks of the waning moon. This part of the spell, rather than trying to increase focus, is designed to decrease stress and confusion. Same goal, two different approaches. I hope that both will get you where you want to be.

Note: If you are doing this spell during a year when the Full Moon in July falls before the New Moon, just reverse the order in which you do the spells.

Note: This is a very simple ritual. You can add more elements, but sometimes simple is better. This is another ritual where it is nice to have quiet spiritual music playing in the background.

• Cleanse and consecrate the circle by passing sage or incense.
• Cleanse and consecrate the circle by passing salt and water.
• If you wish, you can take turns anointing the group member next to you with the peace and happiness oil you created in February.
• If you have one, ring a bell or gong three times to focus yourselves and draw the attention of the gods to your magickal work.
• Cast the circle hand to hand.
• Call the quarters. (Again, you can ask their help with this task, as you did at New Moon, if you so desire.)
• HPS invokes the goddess.
• This would be a good time to have someone read The Charge of the Goddess. (If you don’t have it, I suggest you look in a book, or go online—this is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of Wiccan writing that there is.)
• If you want, you can talk about what happened after you did Part One of the spell at New Moon.
• Start drumming to build energy. Begin slowly and steadily, then increase in strength. Drum as long as people want to—maybe quite a while. When you feel that you have brought the level of energy in the circle to its peak, recite the spell together.

Focus and Achievement Ritual—Part Two

Banish now this frantic pace

And bring me peace in sacred space

Wash away all stress and woe

And let my thoughts like rivers flow

Let confusion fade away

So I might focus on my day

Blow away the small distractions

That impede my will and actions

All those things that cloud my focus

Vanish now with “hocus pocus”!

(It’s fun to yell out that last bit together—try it and see!)

• • •

• When you have stopped laughing and have caught your breath, pass cakes and ale. This is a nice time to have something a little self-indulgent . . . chocolate cake maybe?
• Pass the speaking stick. If you didn’t do it in the beginning, this is a good time to compare notes on what effect the first part of the spell had on everyone.
• Dismiss the quarters.
• HPS thanks the goddess.
• Open the circle.

[contents]