Moved

Can you perhaps provide a list of closed cultures and deities? You talk about them often and I really don’t want to participate in cultural appropriation, especially when working with other pagans…

I’m sure we can come up with a pretty decent list…

Cultures

Many Native American cultures

Many African cultures

Saami (in Finland)

Religions

Shinto (There are branches of Shinto practice that are open, but this kind of practice should be approached with a high level of respect, and some branches are definitely closed. Jinja Shinto would be to most prominent example of an open denomination)

Druidism (proper not neo)

Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca

Haitian Vodou

Hawaiian

Some parts of African Vodou (It depends on the section/group/family etc.)

Hinduism (There are denominations of Hinduism that are open and available, just as there are sects that are closed. Some of the “open sects are highly problematic, and so it does one to be very careful when looking at joining a sect of Hindu faith. Dharmic law is part of what makes this a little sticky to navigate, so best to be approached with deference and caution. )

Hopi

Inuit

Judaism (You must earn the right to be called Jewish)

Raastafari Movement

Tribal (almost all)

Voodoo (Dependent on the group which you decide to learn from) 

Voudon

Zoroastrianism

Practices Requiring Education

Kemetic Orthodox- This does not require an initiation persay, but does require a rite of passage of sorts and there is a series of coursework that should be completed.

Cottage witch aesthetic 

Bring forward your inner strength by drawing upon that of the Moon Goddess.

Adopted and combined from these two spells.

Preform at night on a Full Moon.

~Ingredients: white or silver tea light float-able candles, quartz, (rose quartz), moonstone, shell or acorn if green witch), rose petals, bowl of water.

~Incantation 1: “By the brightest of days and the darkest of nights; let my inner-power rise by this light.”

~Incantation 2: “Silver moon above, let me learn your love. Fill me with your glowing light, and help me shine–full and bright.”

~Steps:

Place crystals in front of you with the candles; forming a crescent shape.

Each candle will represent a positive attribute of yourself, that you want to strengthen and draw power from.

As you light each candle, speak of this attribute or characteristic; and your intention with it. State Incantation 1 as you light each candle.

Focus on the light reflected in the crystals, visualize the light growing with strength and aligning with the light and power of the moon.

Touch your fingertips to your crystals and feel the warmth and light coming to you.

If using shells or acorns, feel the power of the sea/Earth joining you and the Moon goddess’ energies as well; complimenting, invigorating, and strengthening them. You may add these items to the offering bowl of you wish, or just have them incorporated into your grid.

Take the rose petals. For each one, state what you want to love more about yourself and the attributes represented by the candles.

You can light each petal by the flame of the complimentary candle if you wish, before dropping it into your offering/spell bowl of water for your ritual.

As the petals float in the water, draw the moon goddess’ love to you, while also offering up your love to her. The petals serving as both an offering as well as binding.

Place the candles in the offering bowl, visualizing the positivity expanding and being imbued with the love from the petals; all amplified by the water.

Stir three times while chanting Incantation 2.

Finish by stating: “As I will it, so mote it be. Love and strength come to me; three times three.”

Optional: allow all items to stay afolat in the “offering” bowl throughout the remainder of your ritual.

 At the end of your ritual, preform a Full Moon Release spell; in which you light candles in representation of any negativity you wish to let go of. Place those candles in the bowl of water, envisioning the negativity dissipating and being drowned out, while the positivity washes over and replaces it.

Add Magic to Your Life during Fall

In the lead-up to and days following Samhain (Halloween) the veil between our world and the spiritual world is at it’s thinnest point. The whole season is ripe for strengthening magical intuitions – or beginning them. Sometimes the only problem is finding ways to keep the magic going all season long. Here are some of our favorite ideas: 

1.     Add some magical umph to your holiday recipes. This recipe here features pear, a known aphrodisiac, and walnuts, rumored to be associated with granting wishes. Serve some at a dinner party to start the holiday romance.

2.     We here at RW are known for our love of bath magic, and what better way than to make your own soap? This apple cider soap recipe is great for Samhain as apples are often used to honor the dead, and it also has ginger, known for drawing new experiences. 

3.     Make some stovetop incense. This recipe is for Samhain in particular and includes apples, rosemary, cloves, and other herbs that attract benevolent spirits to your home. Tweak around with the ingredients for other magical intentions!

4.     Sure, you could use a lighter to light your holiday fires, but why do that when you could make your own firestarters that smell like fall? Not only do they help get the fire going, but they’ll make your fire smell amazing with items like pine cones, which are known for promoting new beginnings and success.

5.     For anyone who’s legal, try adding some magic to your alcohol. This fall sangria recipe is for anyone that loves fruity, summery drinks and wants to move to a fall palette. Here, cranberries add some much needed protection to this yummy cocktail. 

6.     Fashion some magical candles out of extra pumpkins. Unless you don’t have a soul, you probably hoard small and tiny pumpkins around your house. Great for moon magic, making these adorable candles ensures that your fall impulse buys go to some good use. 

7.     In the case that you loved your stovetop incense so much that you wanted to drink it, make some delicious mulled wine! This recipe here includes oranges, rumored to make you appear more beautiful to others.

8.    For those that prefer to keep their pumpkins intact, try making some candles in jars instead. This recipe is modeled after chai, a favorite drink for fall, and features cardamom, another popular aphrodisiac, and nutmeg, often used to bring on luck.

Can you perhaps provide a list of closed cultures and deities? You talk about them often and I really don’t want to participate in cultural appropriation, especially when working with other pagans…

I’m sure we can come up with a pretty decent list…

Cultures

Many Native American cultures

Many African cultures

Saami (in Finland)

Religions

Shinto (There are branches of Shinto practice that are open, but this kind of practice should be approached with a high level of respect, and some branches are definitely closed. Jinja Shinto would be to most prominent example of an open denomination)

Druidism (proper not neo)

Gardnerian and Alexandrian Wicca

Haitian Vodou

Hawaiian

Some parts of African Vodou (It depends on the section/group/family etc.)

Hinduism (There are denominations of Hinduism that are open and available, just as there are sects that are closed. Some of the “open sects are highly problematic, and so it does one to be very careful when looking at joining a sect of Hindu faith. Dharmic law is part of what makes this a little sticky to navigate, so best to be approached with deference and caution. )

Hopi

Inuit

Judaism (You must earn the right to be called Jewish)

Raastafari Movement

Tribal (almost all)

Voodoo (Dependent on the group which you decide to learn from) 

Voudon

Zoroastrianism

Practices Requiring Education

Kemetic Orthodox- This does not require an initiation persay, but does require a rite of passage of sorts and there is a series of coursework that should be completed.

SELENOMANIA

[noun]

obsession with moon.

Etymology: from Ancient Greek Selḗnē, Goddess of the Moon, ultimately from sélas, “light” + mania, “madness”.

Do you ever hear this word or even this idea - that your magical practice is too cute or white light or inauthentic - applied to ‘male’ witches?

It’s been said recently that space interested witches are too interested in astrology, easy simple information and generally not being scientific enough, implying that we’re involved for aesthetics and simplicity. Which also gets thrown at young feminine people. It’s so embedded into magical communities and schools of thought, it just moves its goalposts depending on what is being targeted.

On the other hand, I somehow get the feeling that more male ‘practitioners’ I’ve seen being derisive have other and blunter terms to use. Like 'not real’ and 'fake’. Often because they don’t often refer to themselves as witches but something denoting a more scholarly, rigid or ceremonial approach. Again, this is only anecdata from me.

Do you ever hear this word or even this idea - that your magical practice is too cute or white light or inauthentic - applied to ‘male’ witches?

It’s been said recently that space interested witches are too interested in astrology, easy simple information and generally not being scientific enough, implying that we’re involved for aesthetics and simplicity. Which also gets thrown at young feminine people. It’s so embedded into magical communities and schools of thought, it just moves its goalposts depending on what is being targeted.

The Draconids Meteor Shower is to take place on October 7th of this year. This meteor shower is named for the constellation Draco (Latin for “Dragon”). In general, meteor showers correspond with hope, wishes, luck, fortune, and wealth. 

The occurrence of the Draconids Meteor Shower specifically would be great for magickal workings having to do with:

Wisdom

Power

Knowledge

Prosperity

Luck

Protection

Dragons

One particular dragon that inspired the name of the constellation Draco is Ladon, a dragon whose task was to guard the golden apples of the Garden of the Hesperides (Hera’s orchard). 

Because of this, you may want to incorporate the use of the color gold and apples in your magickal workings. 

Associated Herbs/Resins:

Hyssop

Dragon’s Blood

Allspice

Basil

Garlic

Cinnamon

Chili powder

Red pepper flakes

Cayenne pepper

Associated Crystals:

Garnet

Red Jasper

Ruby

Bloodstone

Tiger’s Eye

Quartz (clear and smoky) 

Fire Opal

Citrine

Carnelian

Amber

Goldstone

Sunstone

Magickal Ideas:

Make fire salts with a pinch of gold glitter

Create the constellation Draco out of corresponding crystals

Carve the constellation into a wax cube or candle and let it melt

Burn corresponding incense

Make appropriate offerings to Draco

spray paint apples with gold paint or make drawings of golden apples

shiny things, especially items that are gold in color

candles anointed with dragon oil

dried or fresh herbs & flowers

incense (sticks, cones, or loose herbs)

apple scented things (candles, perfume, etc.)

red meat (maybe even some jerky)

dragon snax

Go outside, locate the meteor shower in the sky, and harness energy from it 

Use the energy from the meteor shower to charge various items

Summon the spirit of Draco to aid in your spellwork for the evening of the meteor shower (for experienced practitioners; click here for a guide)

Play Skyrim 

Aside from working with the Draconian aspect of this meteor shower, you can also perform general cosmic magick. Click here for my post on Star Magick. 

These ideas and correspondences are based on personal associations so they may not work for everyone. In that case, I would suggest reading “Resources for Dragon Magic” by @magic-for-the-masses, and visiting @nightkunoichi‘s blog for more detail on how to work with dragons.