#basicwitchcraft

Guide to Casting A Circle

Nov 09, 2017

What is a Magick Circle?

    A Magick Circle is a sacred and purified space of power where all rites, magickal works, and ceremonies can be performed; for beginner witches, however, it is recommended to cast a circle during rituals until you are proficient in banishing and shielding. The reservoir of concentrated power creates a doorway to the world of the gods, making it possible to transcend the physical plane and open the mind to a deeper level of consciousness. Several ancient cultures -such as the Babylonians and Native American Tribes - used Magick Circles as a place of inner and spiritual reflection. Today, many practitioners use them the same way and, while defining features may vary, Magick Circles provide safe - free of all negative energy - ritualistic spaces for anyone.

Casting Your Circle

    Each Wiccan or Pagan has their own way of casting a circle. Below is a general guide you can use in casting your circle.

Prepare all you will need to conduct your ritual. It’s a bother to have to run out and grab a missing item during a ritual; having everything beforehand avoids the possibility of breaking your circle in the midst of the ritual. At this time, find out how big and where your circle will be.

After picking a location for your circle, cleanse and purify the space. Physically tidy up the area - if necessary - and expel any negative energies that linger in the space. Purifying the area can be done by smudging, or brushing the floor with a Besom - a ritual broom. It is important to visualize negative energy flowing away from the circle space.

By drawing on the ground or through visualization, determine the bounds of the circle. At this time, place items within the circle for easy access when placing them around it. Avoid breaking your circle in any way. While visualizing or casting try saying a mantra such as “ I cast this circle thrice about, to keep unwelcome spirits out”

Complete the circle by placing candles or any other representation of the elements in the four cardinal directions - North=Earth, South=Fire, East=Air, West=Water. If using candles, do not light at this time.

Bless the circle. Expel any negative energy that may remain and invite the spirits to join you. Do whatever feels natural. Walk around the circle and light the candles reciting an invocation.

State the purpose of your circle - either out loud or in your head. This will vary depending on what your ritual or ceremony is about. After deciding the purpose, invoke the elements and spirits. Call the beings you’d like to work with through the objects around the circle.  

Complete the ritual and close your circle. Pay respect to those you have called forth and undo the circle casting. You can undo a circle by tracing counter-clockwise three times, and saying something along the lines of “ The circle is broken”. You can also undo a circle by visualizing it dispersing after thanking any spirits you may have worked with.

The Purpose of Your Circle

   The circle itself doesn’t have to have a purpose like a spell or ritual. It can be cast simply for protection - in general, or during a ritual- or spiritual communication, the process is similar. Each practitioner will have a different way of using a circle: to protect, act as a magick filter, work as a power concentrator, looking into your true self, or simply be a sanctified place to commune with gods.

TIPS

Get your tools together before the ceremony. You save a lot of time during your ceremony when you aren’t looking for a single specific tool.

Don’t be afraid to improvise! If you forget what to say while casting a circle, speak from your heart.

Everyone makes mistakes so don’t worry too much if you slip up.

Try meditating before and after casting a circle to keep your energy focused!

Always be careful handling fire.

BE COMFORTABLE. Everyone has their own methods in circle casting. Do the one you are most comfortable with.

Pagan Symbols

Nov 24, 2017

Symbols are an important part of pagan practices. People don’t just have them on pieces of jewelry or only use them for magic, these symbols are used to connect individual lives on a deep level. They have been used by the human race for many millennia assisting in times of danger, times in need of healing.

Modern Wicca and Paganism often use symbols during rituals - many of which represent an idea or element.

Below is a list of some of the most important Pagan symbols and a bit about them!

Pentagram

The most easily identifiable symbols with the worst reputation

Automatically assumed to be satanic

Associated with femininity, knowledge, Wiccan and Celtic religions

‘Point up’ Pentagram is associated with spirit ascending above matter,

‘Point-down’ Pentagram represents the spirit coming down to earth

Pythagoreans used it to symbolize five elements; Idea, Heat, Air, Earth, and Water

Means “truth” in Hebrew

Symbolizes:

Fortune

The Goddess Morgan

Spiritual Shield

Intelligence

Pentacle

Simply a pentagram enclosed in a circle

Is said to enhance the principles of a basic pentagram

Represents good, pure, white magic

The circle means wholeness and unity of all gods

Placed in talismans for protection

Used on altars and magical work

Star Symbolizes:

North, South, East, West and Spirit

Earth, Water, Air, Spirit, and Divine

Triqueta (Trinity Knot)

Used as a symbol for the Holy Trinity in Christianity

Found in Celtic and Nordic inscriptions

Represents the connect between the mind, body, and spirit

Celtic: symbolizes the Earth, Sea and Sky

Represents feminine spirituality

Triple Moon

Represents three phases of the moon (waxing, full, waning)

Also represents the three phases of womanhood (maiden, mother, crone)

First Crescent/Waxing Moon: the beginning of a new life

Full Moon: state at which magic is at its most powerful

Second Crescent/Waning Moon: best time to send things away

Elements

There are four classic elements associated with Pagan and Wiccan traditions; water, fire, earth, and air.

Water

Inverted triangle image is believed to symbolize the womb

Can be used in rituals involving love and other emotions

Represents:

Feminine energy

Healing

Cleansing and purification

Passion

West

Fire

Creates and Destroys

Fertility of the gods

Brings in a new life, burns the old

Represents:

Purification

Masculinity

The South

Air

Connected to the Soul and Breath of life

Associated with:

Communication

Wisdom and the power of the mind

Carries away trouble

East

Earth

North

Ultimate female energy

Ball of Life

Stability

Birth > Life > Death > Rebirth

Smudging

Nov 05, 2017

The cleansing smoke bath of smudging is ideal for purifying the body, its aura, energy, objects and ritualistic spaces. It has been done for centuries as a custom by Native Americans and other indigenous cultures to drive out negative energies. Today, yoga studios, people who meditate, and some that move to new places smudge the area to remove any new or remaining negative energies in the place.

 The word smudging is described as the use of a smudge stick in a ritual or ceremony; similarly, other cultures around the world use incense for many spiritual traditions.

History

  While some believe smudging to be a “new age” thing, its practice is actually centuries old. All over the world, people have been using smoke to produce beneficial effects - from preventing disease to simply driving off insects. The traditional act of spiritual cleansing, known as the Sacred Smoke Bowl Ceremony by Native Americans, was done to call upon the spirits to drive away negative energy and restore balance.

 Native Americans originally placed dried herbs and resins into a special bowl to be burned. It eventually led to the development of smudge sticks, where the dried herbs were tied with colored thread, to allow for portable cleansing. Both sage and sweetgrass were commonly used. Sage drives away negative energies and influence; whereas, sweetgrass attracts positive energy.

   In other cultures, smudging was seen as the sacred ordinary. It was done as an offering to the gods, to cleanse animals, and preserve food, whereas other cultures used smudging to repair the womb after childbirth.

  Across Europe, peasants smudged the air in a practical sense. Their application of the process was to ensure the clearing of parasites and bugs from animals and to clear “bad air.” The French burned thyme and rosemary in hospitals to keep the air clean and prevent contagion.

Smudge Stick Ingredients

Several different herbs can be used to make smudge sticks. A very common one to use is sage - sage itself also comes in many forms. Knowing what the herbs do in the ritual of smudging can help create a stronger connection between you and the ceremony.

Sage:  Used for healing, blessing, and cleansing a person or object being smudged. Sage is also used to ‘wash off’ the outside world - typically to rid the space of bad influences.  Plants that are called sage sometimes come from different plant families. Sages (known as true sage) come from the genus of Salvia; including White  Sage (Salvia Apiana), and Garden Sage (Salvia Officinalis).  Other sages come from the Asteraceae family - Sage from the Dakotas and New Mexican Sage.

Cedar: The wise, old, powerful spirits of the Cedar tree is a medicine of protection. Smudging with Cedar is done to cleanse a new home or apartment. Cedar allows unwanted spirits to leave, thus protecting a person from negative influences.

Sweetgrass:  Burning sweetgrass reminds us of the essence of feminine energy. The vanilla-like scent is the breath of Mother Earth, bringing her blessing into the ritual. Its sacred smoke should be left to wash over the object being smudged.

Lavender: Believed to be the safeguard against evil, Lavender is ideal to use when in need of something light.  Used to bring peace and restful sleep, the scent of lavender is a good combatant to insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

Frankincense: This resin has a long history attached to it. In the Nativity story, Frankincense was a gift given to Jesus Christ along with Myrrh and Gold.  While most commonly associated with meditation, cleansing, and protecting the soul, Frankincense is also used to help ease the transition into death.

Mugwort: Traditionally mugwort is used to cleanse and burn away negative energies, but it’s also wonderful for stimulating dreams! Burning this in your room before bedtime will help ease you into a gentle slumber where dreams will begin to flourish.

Myrrh: Another gift to Christ in Judeo-Christianity, Myrrh is a bit more common than Frankincense. It was used by Ancient Egyptians for healing and embalming purposes. Today, Myrrh is burned for meditation, and to stimulate happiness, strength, and stability.

Rosemary: Another herb for cleansing and purifying, Rosemary protects the household where it’s burned, along with the people living in it. If you don’t have Frankincense or Myrrh, Rosemary can be a stand-in for them!

Always remember to be safe when smudging! Inhaling the smoke directly is unhealthy, therefore, make sure you open the windows and smudge in well-ventilated rooms. The cinders can also fly away and end up in unwanted places. To feel the completeness of the cleansing ritual, bury the remaining bundle of the smudge stick in a garden -thus completing the elemental cycle.

Love Spells

by

Harley Del Castillo

on February

22, 2018

   One of the most desired spells to conduct are Spells of Love. Popular with both magickal and non-magickal people, it's clear why. Love is a fundamental need any person has in their lives; therefore, love spells should be treated with the utmost respect. Trying to force romantic love on a person is something one should never try - it’s unethical and could have negative results. Rather, perform to invite that type of love into your life! Using a love spell can also be a great way to increase your self-confidence, teaching you how to appreciate yourself, your unique abilities, and your personality. When you learn how to love yourself, you are more likely to be open to healthy love from other people.

   Here, you can find a few spells which may attract your soulmate, help you find self-love, or help heal your existing relationships.

A Full Moon Love Spell  

If you want to attract love into your life, perform this spell underneath a full moon.

You will need:

A red candle

A pink candle

Dried basil

Ground cinnamon

Two apple seeds

A moonstone crystal

A rose quartz crystal

A red piece of cloth

Pink cord or yarn

Preparation

    Before performing this full moon love spell, you need to clarify exactly what kind of relationship you want. Be specific with your desires. Remember- you get what you ask for, so it’s important to know what you’re welcoming into your life. When clarifying your desire, it’s helpful to define it in terms of how you feel about it, rather than get stuck in specific details. For example, instead of noting all the physical traits you want in a partner, make your intention to find someone that you are ridiculously attracted to.  How do you want to feel in a relationship? Hint: one of the best ways to figure this out, is to list all the things you disliked in previous relationships and turn them into statements that portray what you do want instead.

Wiccan Full Moon Love Spell

   Gather everything you need in your sacred space underneath the full moon, and cast your circle.  Light both your candles and lay the red cloth in front of you.  Take the moonstone, and pass it over the flames of both candles, and then lay the crystal on the cloth.  Do the same for the rose quartz. Then take the two apple seeds, and say:

“By the light of the full moon, I now plant the seeds of our love.”

   Place the seeds on the cloth next to the crystals so the soft pink energy emanating from them will nourish the seeds with loving energy.  Sprinkle the stones and seeds with the basil and cinnamon.  Lastly, pull the corners of the red cloth together with the stones, seeds, and herbs inside, and wind the pink cord around the bag three times, before tying it with three knots.  

Say: “So mote it be.” And close your circle.

Keep your charm bag close to you always in order to attract love into your life. Read more: http://wiccanspells.info/a-full-moon-love-spell/

*The same tools can be used for both of these Full Moon rituals.

Soulmate Dream Ritual

What You Will Need:

Three almonds

Three raisins

Milk

Honey

   Place the almonds and raisins under your pillow. Before you go to bed, drink a cup of milk with a teaspoon of honey in it.

   Prior to falling asleep, keep a mental image of the person you desire most. If you are destined to be together, you will receive a message that they are “the one” in your dreams.

To Bring A Lover Back

   This is another spell descended from Ancient Egypt.  A key factor is using red Typhonian ink.  In addition, you will need parchment paper and a red candle.  Light the candle.  Write on the paper: The name of the desired,  three times, then:

“If there be still a spark in thy heart for one as me let it now inflame your heart as well Forget the past Rekindle the flame So our love may be again." Once you have written this, burn the parchment in the candle flame while saying: “As this burns, so doth your love for me. As this burns, you shall return to me. So may it be.”