#babesandbotany

Like most witches, I’m pretty much in love with the moon. And it just so happens that the first full moon of 2019 (on January 21st) will also be a lunar eclipse. How is this different than a regular full moon?

The full moon reminds us to stop and honor the goddess, or the divine powers that guide us. It provides an opportunity for reflection and release. To look at how you live life, any habits or subconscious patterns that are holding you back. It’s also a good time to charge your crystals or to make Moon Water.

During the lunar eclipse we honor Hecate (the witch goddess and goddess of the dark moon). Lunar eclipses provide the energy of every moon phase all-at-once. This is because during the eclipse, as the moon becomes covered and uncovered, it goes through each phase.

Carefully consider any magic you perform during a lunar eclipse, as you are invoking the Triple Goddess in each of her forms.

If you don’t feel comfortable writing your own spell/ritual for this lunar eclipse, this is a good time to your on your psychic skills.

As the moon wanes, focus on ridding yourself of blocks.

As it waxes back to full, focus on increasing your skills.

In meditation, consider the energy of The Moon going through her cycles in the matter of a few minutes.

The Full Moons of 2019:

* January: Wolf Moon

* In Leo

* February: Snow Moon

* In Virgo

* March: Worm Moon

* In Libra

* April: Pink Moon

* In Libra

* May: Flower Moon

* In Scorpio

* June: Strawberry Moon

* In Sagittarius

* July: Bucks Moon

* In Capricorn

* August: Sturgeon Moon

* In Aquarius

* September: Harvest Moon

* In Pisces

* October: Hunter Moon

* In Aries

* November: Beaver Moon

* In Taurus

* December: Cold Moon

Happy New Year, witches! As we go into the new year, this is a great time to dispose of old habits. To renew and cleanse, set intentions for the upcoming year. I am definitely guilty in the past of writing down a ton of resolutions and starting off good, but not following through. This year I’m trying something a little different.

Instead of setting actual detailed goals I am setting intentions in a small ritual.

The best time to do this ritual is during a new moon, or the week leading up to it, as this is a perfect time for new beginnings. And DO NOT FORGET that this ritual does not guarantee automatic success, half of it (more than half, to be honest) is hard work on your part. You cannot reap the rewards if you don’t put the necessary work in.

So, let me tell you about the actual ritual:

You will need something to write on. This is where you will visually set down your intentions.

Next you will need a white candle.

Light the white candle and sit in front of it, meditate for about five minutes - focusing on your intentions.

Once you’re done meditating, take your paper with intentions written on it, hold it while you speak aloud (if unable to speak aloud, its okay, thinking the words is good too)

“Universe,

I am ready,

To manifest joy, love, and abundance

As the wheel of the year turns

In this present moment

I ask for guidance

As I pursue my goals

So mote it be.”

Now, it doesn’t have to be word for word, just enough to get the message across and out into the universe.

You have two options: if it is safe to do so, you can burn the intention paper to release the energies into the universe. Option two: fold and put onto your altar, you can open it up the next new year and reflect on your past intentions.

I highly recommend burning it but if it is not safe to do so, its completely understandable and will not make your intention ritual any less powerful.

End with a small meditation, thank the universe for listening and blow out the candle.

I wish everyone the best of luck with their intentions this upcoming new year.

Do you have any intentions you’d like to share?

Cleansing and Charging

Cleansing and charging are a very important part of working with your crystals.

Cleansing removes any unwanted energy using visualization and other techniques.

Charging (sometimes called programming) is charging the stone with a specific intent to be used during a spell or ritual.

Different ways to cleanse

* Elemental: uses earth, air, fire, water. Use something to represent each element. Dip stone in water**, pass through flame (QUICKLY!), pass through incense smoke and place in dish of soil. Visualize each element cleansing the stone in their own way.

Chant: Water, Fire, Air and Earth.

Cleanse this stone, give rebirth

**Soft stones should never be put into water

* Smoke Cleansing: using smoke or incense from burning herbs. Traditional choice is sage. Pass stone through smoke.

Chant: Smolder, smoke, blow away

Cleanse this stone, clear the way.

* Water: It’s okay to use plain tap water for this, although water from a natural source is even better. The stone use soak in the water place in the sunlight, moonlight, candlelight or under running water.

Chant: Rushing water running clear,

old intention disappear.

Water cleanse and clear this stone,

until its future purpose known.

* Sunlight or Moonlight: Moonlight is my preference when it comes to stones. Some use this in conjunction with water cleansing.

Chant: Sunlight/Moonlight,

as you cleanse this stone,

By your light make it my own.

* Earth: Place stone into soil or in plant pot for 24 hours

Chant: Soil of the earth,

renew this stones true worth.

* Quartz: This I use when it comes to things besides stones, like my tarot cards or jewelry. Allow to remain on crystal for at least 24 hours.

Chant: Stone on (object), neutralize,

Clear away all prior ties.

Charging/Programming

This is very straight forward, and honestly comes naturally. You can make an intent temporary on a stone or you can permanently dedicate it. See what you want, focus on your goal. You can hold the stone in your hand or hover over it. You can also visualize the goal you have in mind.

Here is an All-Purpose Charging Chant:

Now I focus my intent

Hear me as my goal is sent.

I connect it to this stone

Making my true purpose known.

Let this tool now work with me

As I will it so shall it be.

Words aren’t always necessary but it helps some to use them to project your need and intent. If you want, say whatever words come to you.

(Source: The Book of Crystal Spells: Magical Uses for Stones, Crystals, Minerals...and even Sand by Ember Grant)

(Picture source: https://amor-por-los-cactus.tumblr.com)

Hello and Welcome! My name is Amber and I’m the owner of Babes and Botany. Babes and Botany is a platform for me to sell my art (which, as you have probably already guessed, features a lot of babes and botany) and to share my knowledge with the wonderful community I have been a part of since I was 13 years old. I am a hedge/kitchen/green witch, a registered nurse and a tarot reader. I will be posting lessons (I’m going to shoot for once a week but it may sometimes be more) so that I can share the different things I have learned along my journey over the past 13 years of being a witch.

Let’s see how this goes.