not to me not if its you

Orphic Hymn to Hermes

“Hermes, draw near, and to my pray'r incline, angel of Zeus, and Maia's son divine;

Studious of contests, ruler of mankind, with heart almighty, and a prudent mind.

Celestial messenger, of various skill, whose pow'rful arts could watchful Argus kill:

With winged feet, 'tis thine thro' air to course, O friend of man, and prophet of discourse:

Great life-supporter, to rejoice is thine, in arts gymnastic, and in fraud divine:

With pow'r endu'd all language to explain, of care the loos'ner, and the source of gain.

Whose hand contains of blameless peace the rod, Corucian, blessed, profitable God;

Of various speech, whose aid in works we find, and in necessities to mortals kind:

Dire weapon of the tongue, which men revere, be present, Hermes, and thy suppliant hear;

Assist my works, conclude my life with peace, give graceful speech, and me memory's increase.”

Text from the “Orphic Hymns”.

The pdf is here

The following Document is a bit haphazard but it was made by me, my husband, and my friend to do during the Jupiter retrograde. In a sense it is Necromantic to avoid having to rely on the Jovial or relying too much on the planetary/astrological malignant influence. I recommend the practice of burning "hell money" to charge the pouch on weekly basis AFTER you finish the first consecration of the pouch. Credit goes to:

My NEW Everyday Prayer Book compiled by Brother A.D.A (2018)

Daily Magical Devotions (Brother A.D.A., 2017)

Theurgy: The Art of Effective Worship by Mouni Sadhu

Book of Prayer by Jean Kent

Draja Mickaharic - A Miscellany of Information

Jupiter is one of the main planets associated with financial growth. It represents the gradual expansion of energy, though the consistent expansion can be considered volatile and so is controlled by the nature of Saturn. Since Jupiter also govern over law, one might consider Jupiter as being tied to protection of a person from unfair treatment in the workplace, by law officials and more. Saturn itself, though tied to constriction, does have some control over finances - especially with agricultural, land and grain. So the addition of rice grains would instill the symbol of Saturn here:

"Over the kitchen he used to write as well as over the cellar, pantry, granary, and hayloft the following:  Aratron, S. Aratron, hoc sacrum est ne atlingite fures [this [place] is sacred, lest thieves snatch away], with this character: [seal of Aratron]"

A translation from cod.mag.66, Magia Furto, seems to further establish Saturn's hold over the preservation of food security, which would somehow also place it as controlling similar items as the Kathiskos, and the Grocery.

Mercury is also responsible, to some degree, for wealth. It's association with luck, quick cash, gambling and the like are suitable for the ensuring of both a short-term and long-term form of money when used in line with Jupiter-Saturn. Venus is tied to Luxuries, the Home, Sensory Pleasures and also fine items such as wine, flowers and so on. So it would make sense that the usage of Venus in such rites would be profitable, though I'd consider it to represent the result of money rather than the instigation of money. It can be argued, in favor of Mercury as another planet, that a person who works with aesthetics, designs, the arts, plants, women and similar would benefit from the usage of a Venusian Money Bowl. In comparison, someone who works with speaking, teaching, logistics, translations, writing and people in general would benefit from a Mercury-centric bowl.

The Sun is also notable, especially with its association with the metal 'gold'. Och is also said to provide a purse bouncing with coin, but also places strength on healers and those who work in medicine (as he also provides the Universal Medicine). The Sun also promotes expansive and auspicious energy, helping with health, the skin and the eyes. So far, with the exception of Venus and partially Mercury, it seems that masculine planets often take the role as provider here. The planets themselves are multi-gendered, Guido Wolther makes mention of a feminine aspect of Saturn noted as the Prime Mother.

Earth is another suitable element for the development of finances, but it would depend on the element's manifestation. Herbs of various sorts contain different spiritual qualities, but we also note the idea of 'dead earth' and 'fertile earth'. It makes sense then that one would include strongly fertile earth to ensure that wealth has the energy to grow. Stones such as pyrite, lodestone and magnets are also suitable here.

We note another part of Jupiter

Where the Sixth Pentacle is tied to provision and protection in worldly affairs. It also mentions the four angelic governers of the Elements which played as well in Rankine and De Este's depiction of an elemental pentacle in their "Practical Elemental Magic". Venus itself is also attributed to the element of Earth (and Air), Jupiter is tied to Water and Air, Saturn to Earth and Mercury to Air. The sun is tied to Fire as well, but can also be attributed to Air.

In the Sworn Book of Pope Honorius, there is the mention of the eight airts of which East and West are the 'good spirits'.

The spirits of the east provide gold, benefic, gratitude and benevolence of nations, honors. The spirits of the west provide silver, alongside other faculties associated with the Moon such as divination.

Water itself is odd to categorize due to its versatile nature. In my praxis, water is symbolic of Gd's providence, representing the overflowing and cleansing nature but also the rain which falls to make the earth fertile. Since the Moon is tied to water and also purifies the elements which come unto it, I'd say Moonstone, Quartz and other white stones would be suited for this.

One of the benefits of Saturn is that in his placation, works pick up speed. Saturn would thus be tied to the removal of obstacles, but especially those that were lengthier or harder to remove in nature than those under the disposition of Mercury.

For those unaware, an Altar in Witchcraft is a surface where you do most of your magical or spiritual "stuff". It helps you focus your intentions, harness power, and is your general working space. I see a lot of Kitchen Witches making or wanting to make altars to have in their kitchen. It can give them a space to charge items, to leave offerings, to gather energy and power, ect. They may also use it to invite a specific deity or entity into their kitchen. So what or where can be your Altar? Here are some ideas depending on your needs.

The entire Kitchen This is the route I think many traditional Kitchen Witches Take. An altar is meant to be a working space. Your kitchen is like a swiss army knife of working space. If you want your entire kitchen to be your altar, don't be afraid to add things to Up it's magical energy. Kitchen/Cottage Witch Poppets, Decorative Crystals, Important Symbols, hand made garlands, charms, Whatever.

However, the down side to this is: first, It's harder to stay in the broom closet the more you have on display. I am very lucky in that I don't fear any kind of persecution from family, friends, neighbors, ect. But not everyone feels as secure openly practicing. Second, if you are someone who shares a kitchen with many people like roommates or extended family, you may not be able to set up or decorate the kitchen exactly as you want. Additionally, All these extra people coming in an out at different times with different moods can throw off the energy in the space. So having something separate might work better for you.

Counters Probably the most popular place to set up an altar in a kitchen as it's the most obvious. You may want to set aside a small section of your counter and dedicate it to an altar. A shallow wooden box or tray for you to put your altar in may be a good idea. This is because the main downside to having an altar set up on your counter is you lose counter space. Which can be very valuable. So by building your altar on or in a tray allows you to move it temporarily should you need the extra counter space.

Cupboards or Drawers This is a little more broom closet friendly. You can set up an altar in an obscure cupboard shelf or unused drawer, then open it up when you want to use it. Then when not in use, it's closed up out of sight. Since it's closed off, you don't need to worry as much about dust or kitchen grim. However, the downside is your altar is either taking up valuable storage space or it's in an awkward to get to area. Like that corner cupboard that you need to get on a chair in order to reach the back, or that drawer that can only open when you have the oven door open. If it's a pain in the ass to get to, you're less likely to use it.

Kitchen Table If your table is large enough to hold a bowl or basket as a decorative center piece, consider building your altar in that bowl or basket. This tends to be a great option for those with their foot in the broom closet since the altar can be written off as a decorative piece. It's also good in that it doesn't take up work or storage space. And since it's in a basket or other container, you can move it when you need the space.

The downside is for us witches who are a little more...chaotic...in our organization style. Stuff gets dropped on the kitchen table to be dealt with later, only for later to never come. Mail, clothes, documents, drinking glasses; things just get lost in the layers of time. Your altar may end up lost or damaged.

Windowsill Another popular choice for Kitchen Witches who like to grow herbs or plants. They'll set up their foliage by the window and base an altar around that. Space tends to be a bit limited in these cases, so make sure any additions are small. Also be carful when setting up crystals in your windowsill. While sunlight is great for plants, it can be harmful for some popular crystals like Amethyst and fade the color.

Also, pay attention to how your window opens. If you want to open the window and it slides, or you need to crank a handle, you don't want anything to block the window from opening. And on the flip side, you don't want to damage your altar items if opening the window causes them to fall.

Shelves Specifically shelves that are separate from the kitchen cupboards. You may want to install a floating shelf or just get a corner shelf stand. You can build your altar on one (or all) of the shelf surfaces. It's great as it can be set out of the way but still in an area that's convenient to get to.

The downside tends to be cost and installation. Floating shelves tend to be cheaper than a standing corner shelf. You can find some nice wooden floating shelves at second hand stores or flea markets for anywhere between 10 to 60 dollars. But when you install them, you want to make sure you drill part of it into a wall stud. This helps stop them from falling down. This is assuming you CAN drill into a wall, as many rental agreements don't allow you to put holes in walls. A small, standing shelf is a good alternative and renter friendly. However, you tend to need to buy these new and can cost several hundred dollars. If you or someone you know are good with carpentry, maybe you can build a custom shelf. But new wood is still very expensive.

Fridge Close the fridge, we're not putting it inside. I mean you can; but that might be messy. Most fridges have at lest 1 magnetic surface. And did you know there are a lot of things you can get with magnets attached? Magnetic Jars or Containers, Magnetic shelves, Magnetic hooks- Not to mention the plethora of decorative magnets. I've seen tarot card magnets, moon phase magnets, Astrology magnets, ect. You can arrange your fridge to be a vertical altar.

The downside here being most of these items will probably be bought online, and the quality of the magnetism can vary. Make sure you read reviews and make sure something won't just fall off one day. And avoid pushing the strength of things like Magnetic shelves by loading them up with heavy objects. Another downside may be your fridge doesn't have a magnetic side exposed. Stainless steel fridges tend to not be magnetic on the front. Something about the metal used. They are magnetic on the sides, but if your fridge doesn't have exposed sides due to placement, you may be SOL for a fridge altar.

asking for resources is one thing (but then again, did you search for resources yourself? see if anyone asked already? i feel like i see the same post three times a day… but that’s not really part of my point) but wanting everyone to hand you everything you need is a very naive thing to expect. i’m not saying don’t ask questions, you should always ask questions, but think before you ask. do your own research to try and find the answer first. the more you try, the easier it gets.

the very first thing you need is discernment on how reliable resources even are. if you didn’t learn this in school or whatever, you can’t even begin to start without finding lessons online. you will fall for every bit of misinformation if you don’t.

you need to go to academic spaces and resources, not pagan, to learn the history of religion, folk magic, and witchcraft, and the history of people in general. i used podcasts (by qualified people), youtube videos, and first/second hand sources, including analyses, to do most of my research. it wasn’t through a pagan lens. that came later, once i knew all the facts and myths and felt comfortable in the level of knowledge i acquired.

i also didn’t focus on something like only ancient greek polytheism or germanic folk magic. i learned about every section of the world and their magic/beliefs. i didn’t even learn about one type more than another. i just consumed all i could and found the similarities and important bits for myself. then i moved on to where i felt the most drawn.

Okay I can only tell you what I would do in this situation, your mileage may vary but hopefully you will see the strategy behind my advice and can apply it to your own practice.

First off, print off two copies of the application you are sending in. You want to dress one with a bend over oil or attraction oil (depending how fierce you want to get) and bind it with a black thread. Obviously you want to charge this, you may ask your deity, invoke an energy pertinent to the intent, or you might want to chant a word of power over it. Depends how you work your magic.

With the second copy you want to place in the bottom with a petition. fill a jar with honey, sugar, and some herbs which you feel are appropriate. I recommend fresh mint and lavender. Seal this jar with a red candle. Again charge appropriately.

With both of these you are going to want to make an offering once a week. Either with magical oil, energy, or incense. Even fresh water or coffee dripped on to it will do. Whisky also.

Now if you want a more ceremonial method you may wish to consecrate the second pentacle of Jupiter from the greater key of Solomon. I would do this and then keep it with yet another copy of your application. It is not strictly written or necessary but I also recommend feeding the pentacle once a week with some incense which is jupiterian in nature. It boosts power and allows the spirits working within the pentacle to know you are grateful of their efforts. Perhaps I’m getting too animistic in my practice. Either way it doesn’t hurt!

If you can collect some dirt from the school you are applying to and even the better the department that would be great. You could add this to the honey jar and also create a packet with some of your hair, nail clipping and saliva and smoke this over some pertinent incense whispering your intent.

In Summary: The key difference between High (Ritual) Magick vs Low (Folk|Natural) Magick. Ritual Magick usually consist of a series of intricate steps, usually practiced with a religion or a deity. Low magick, contains less theatrics, usually does not call upon a deity, usually does not involve religion. High Magick can be used as a large group to summon big energy usually for a big change, low magick usually consist of an individual or a small group. Some feel Ritual brings them closer to their divine or deity more often then Low magick work. 

I have an important interview coming up within a couple of days and wanted to ask you if there's anything that can be done to boost my chances and get the salary I am hoping for (I have all the necessary qualifications and skills but this employer is famous for being stingy).

Thanks again.

I am genuinely happy to hear this and congratulations on your success so far!

Get the company logo and if possible the name of the person who will be interviewing you. A business card would be even better- however, you can take something with the company logo on and write the person’s name on the back (if known) if not the logo will have to suffice.

Now there are two routes you can go down- sweetening the conditions or asserting your dominance.

To sweeten you could place the logo in a jar then place sugar, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and basil over it. Speaking to each herb and calling upon each and perhaps a patron spirit you work with and tell them what you want- to sweeten the person so that you can 1)get the job and 2) get the salary you want. Be SPECIFIC about the salary during this working, but also be realistic. Perhaps also place a pentacle of Jupiter in the jar with the logo.

To dominate you could work with mars and charge a logo with some dominance herbs- I use a bend over oil I buy from a hoodoo worker, however, you may not have this on hand. Another option would be to smoke the logo over some frankincense speaking your intent, then fold the paper and place it in your right shoe. Stamp on it three times initially. Carry this in your shoe on the interview day and tap your foot whilst your interviewing and negotiating with the intent of stamping your energy into the target.

These are two specific routes, a good overall approach would be to make offerings to Jupiter/Jupiterian spirits and simply state your intent and ask them to charge a Eucharist- whisky is a good choice- and consume this Eucharist.

There are lots of things you can do, the above are very general and widely-used techniques. You can use them all together or pick one. I would personally always get the powers of Jupiter on my side and so the Eucharist is a must. I would then choose either sweetening or dominance. You can use both, but this may be overkill or not.

You can also charge a pentacle of Solomon using the hexagram rituals (this is not at all how the grimoire tells you to do it, but it works!) and direct the energy into the pentacle. Cover it before banishing and then carry it with you to the interview.

To put it short: You want Jupiter on your side, you want the person on your side, you might need to dominate and stand your ground a little.

The Witch of Endor

I'm a little confused as to where I should start in terms of practices such as the Middle Pillar and the LB/IRP? I've noticed that the books all advise the beginner to start with one of them before moving onto the next but they're inconsistent as to which one it should be.

Do you have any advice on this please?

Signed,

Slightly more confused but less overwhelmed Brit

One thing you are going to notice is that every person will recommend a different set of exercises in a different order. Even within magical orders there isn't really a standardised curriculum- every branch varies according to the experience of the people at the top.

I recommend beginning with the lesser ritual of the pentagram, in its banishing form primarily. Twice a day, sunrise and sunset preferably, but first thing in the morning and last thing at night will suffice. Do this for about a month, or until you feel you have gotten it memorised and can perform it fluidly.

After this I would then move on to the Middle Pillar ritual- make sure you also circulate the energy or ground it or use it in some way afterwards. Not all sources will include that information, but depending how sensitive you are you may not want to walk around with energy vibrating through the central channel. It can be used to fortify the aura/body of light.

To circulate I tend to move the energy clockwise with the breath, so down the right hand side with an out breath to the malkuth centre, then with the inhalation back to the crown centre. I do this 3-5 times. I then cycle it down the front and up the back. Then I wrap it around the body clockwise like a mummy to the top and see it explode back down to malkuth with the exhalation, then back up again. Then finally I drive it through the body directly up the central channel, into kether, explode (fortifying the aura as it travels back down to malkuth). After this I focus on the Tiphareth centre for a few deep breaths and end the exercise. Tiphareth is the balanced sephiroth and sphere in the body- the idea is balance with these rituals.

After this move on to experimenting with the lesser ritual of the pentagram in its invoking form. I personally think invoking really opens up the practitioner to awakening their psychic senses. You may find banishing falls to the way side a little. Most people recommend invoking in the morning and banishing at night. I say experiment and see what happens in your own case- this brings me to the last point.

Keeping a magical journal is imperative. You need to be recording how well you are performing these rituals, what effects you notice. both within the ritual and within your every day life. Then you can track trends and see what is working for you.

I have also written some blog posts that might help you:

This one is my post on the qabalistic cross section of the pentagram ritual.

This one is the pentagram ritual in theory.

Red deer antlers and horse bones dating back 1,500 years from north Galway Bay could have formed part of a ritual ceremony.

The antlers, skulls, jaws and bones of the animals were located by Brian O’Carra and Mike Williams on an inter-tidal zone west of Galway city.

Cut marks on bones indicate that they were consumed for subsistence or ritually sacrificed, at a time when Christianity was already taking hold in Ireland, Prof Williams says.

Inner Journey, Alchemy and Magicks Sacred Pool | Inner Journey 

Can you identify the stones Persephone is journeying with? 

*She carefully describes them as she summons her tools from her vintage leather case.