~ Spell of the day ~

[Neamhain Riona]

Full Moon Reflection

12-31-09
Color of the day: Green
Incense of the day: Clove

This last night of the year closes with a Full Moon. It is a wonderful time for reflection before embracing the revelry of the night. Light a white candle and take time to say thank you for all that you have experienced in the year past. Release the energy of the passing year into the night as you set forth on your enjoyment of the evening. As you go out, seek the Lady in all Her glory in the night sky. Salute Her and pay homage to Her as She lights your way into the night.
Lady Mother, light so bright
Shine your way across my night
Your presence I do hold so dear
As I say farewell to this fine year. So mote it be.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

A Ritual to Isis

Color of the day: Gray
Incense of the day: Magnolia

Isis is the supreme goddess of the
Egyptian tradition, patron of motherhood,
and mistress of magic. In
ancient Egypt, this day was celebrated
as the Advent of Isis. Worshippers
would gather to celebrate Isis’ return
from Phoenicia with the Ark ofa
Osiris. Celebrate and honor this
sacred festival of Isis by creating a
small altar in her honor. To do so,
gather a white candle, an image of
Isis, and any pearl or moonstone jewelry
you fancy. Burn lotus, jasmine,
or myrrh incense. When the altar
space is prepared to your liking, take
a moment to breathe and be present
in the space. Invite Isis to join your
space and spend some time in meditation
and prayer with her. Ask her to
bless the jewelry you brought.
Wear the jewelry in her honor and to
connect to her power.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Shower Yourself with Purpose

Color of the day: Orange
Incense of the day: Hyacinth

While Earth enjoys the
Quadrantids meteor shower,
cast a spell for purpose and renewed
energy for the return to school and
work after the holidays. At its peak,
the Quadrantids meteor shower will
bless us with up to forty meteors per
hour. Meteors, also called shooting
stars, are visible from Earth as space
debris becomes heated by friction,
becoming bright and seeming to
streak across the sky. So go outside
after 10 pm, and look for meteors
radiating from the constellation
Bootes. With each streak of light feel
the excitement.
Meteor shower, bless me
tonight,
Shower me with purpose,
prosperity, and light,
Bless my family, my home,
and health,
Bring us clarity, prosperity,
and wealth.
Envision your life being brightened
with purpose and magical blessing.
See your work, school, and endeavors
glowing with renewed purpose.
Know you are newly energized.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Placating a Negative Moon

Color of the day: White
Incense of the day: Lily

According to vedic astrology, if
the Moon is not placed positively
in a person’s birth chart, it is called
Chandra Dosha. The Moon’s mantra,
a mystical Sanskrit chant, “Om Som
Somaye Namah Om,” can be recited
108 times daily in order to appease
the Moon’s negative influences. To
enhance the effect, Hindu wise men
and vedic astrologers have long recommended
donating white clothes,
white sugar, and tumbled moonstones
to charity. The Moon, the presiding
deity for the element water, rules over
the tides of the ocean as well as emotions.
It also represents the Mother
aspect of divinity which is the energy
that creates and preserves. The Moon
also governs peace of mind, comfort,
wisdom, general well-being, and
fortune. Long-term chanting of the
mantra results in illumination, sense
of purpose, and intuition.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Banish Negative Emotions

January 5
Tuesday

Color of the day: Red
Incense of the day: Bayberry


Today, the Moon is waning and the Sun is in Capricorn. One of Capricorn’s rulerships is work. Because the Moon—your internal landscape—is waning, contemplate negative emotions attached with your job, career, or occupation. If you have more than one of these, contemplate all negative aspects associated with the various forms of work. Write these negative aspects—as many as you can think up—with black ink on a piece of parchment paper. Step outside, ignite the paper, and say something like:
Sacred flame of
transformation, banish these stresses, woes, and fears. Take from me these
trepidations for now
and all my years.
Finish by sprinkling a good amount of banishing herbs (such as nettles, black pepper, and valerian root) on the ashes. Stomp once on the pile with a “so mote it be!” Also, be sure to do everything you can to lessen your stresses on the job and make your work life the best it can be.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Knotwork for Transitions

January 9
Saturday

Color of the day: Brown
Incense of the day: Sage

Performing cord magic near the solar new year helps us hold on to the energy of the wheel’s shift and this transformative power. As you perform this simple spell, think clearly and carefully on what you want to begin. You’ll need three white cords (White is the color of virginity, purity, and newness.) To draw this energy to your own being, measure one cord to the length of your body, the second to the circumference of your torso, and the third to the length of the previous two combined. Draw the energy of your ventures into the cords as you stew in the crisp awakening energy of the day. Tie the ends together to create a circle, then stand within it until it is fully charged. Allow this essence to vibrate through you as you seal the energy into the rope. When done, wrap and store the cords in an undisturbed place. Untie the knots when you are feeling overanxious or hopeless in your pursuits and recharge on this energy.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Save the Eagles Day

January 10
Sunday

Color of the day: Amber
Incense of the day: Juniper

Today is Save the Eagles Day. Eagles eat rabbits, fish, snakes, birds, and many other animals. Some eagle species are endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and pesticides. Eagles appear widely in mythology and heraldry. The bald eagle, America’s national bird, is shown on many American documents and emblems. A black eagle spreads its wings on Germany’s coat of arms. In Rome, the eagle represented the god Jupiter and symbolized the senate. The Turks and the Byzantine Empire used a two-headed eagle as their emblem. To honor the renowned bird, work to protect eagles and their habitat. Donate to a wildlife sanctuary or ask officials to strengthen environmental protections. As you do, say this charm to attract the Spirit of Eagle:
Strong wings and clear sight
Guide us in our flight.
You watch over all
From your high blue hall.
We will guard your home,
Treetop and wave-foam.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Compitalia

January 12
Tuesday

Color of the day: Black
Incense of the day: Geranium

Today is the Roman celebration of Compitalia that honors the protective household spirits called the Lares, who were considered to be the children of Mercury and the Naiad Lara. They were often depicted in art as a pair of dancing youths. According to tradition, Roman homes had a shrine dedicated to the Lares and on this special day, they were celebrated and given offerings of wine, bread, milk, and honey. Here is a modern charm that celebrates the old gods or spirits of the household. I suggest leaving an offering to these household spirits. Light a white candle in their honor and repeat the charm.
I call upon the Lares, guardians of the hearth and home,
To honor your day, as celebrated in ancient Rome.
I ask for protection and joy, with the aid of the Lares,
Bless this magical home and family, with love to spare.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Russian New Year

January 13
Wednesday

Color of the day: Brown
Incense of the day: Bay laurel

With the excitement of the holidays behind us and the coldest, grayest parts of winter still to come, it’s easy to sink into the doldrums and let resolutions slide. But today, the old Russian New Year, is a great day to push the reset button and get back on track! Dig through your junk drawer or craft cabinet and find a shiny button and a piece of string about 18 to 20 inches long. Run the string through the button and hold an end in each hand. Focus your energy on your desire to get things started and see things through. Repeat the following charm:
Every second a fresh start
Every moment new
One touch of a button
Gives the power to redo!

Wear the button on the string around your neck. When you feel yourself losing your momentum, grab the button, give it a push, and let yourself start over again!

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Dark of the Moon Divination

January 14
Thursday

Color of the day: Green
Incense of the day: Clove

Now that the holidays are well and truly over, sink into the restful, contemplative energies of winter. Tonight, cast this special tarot divination to use as guide for the rest of the year. Make a large paper circle. Divide the circle in pie-shaped wedges, one wedge for every aspect in your life: love, family, money, self-discovery, health, friends, etc. Draw a symbol to represent each of these aspects along the perimeter of the circle and color in each wedge. Place your tarot board in a quiet room. Light the room with candlelight, using a black candle next to your tarot board. Find your Seeker card (often the Fool) and place it in the center of the circle. When you feel centered, start shuffling cards, holding the first aspect firmly in your mind. Draw the card when you feel it’s right. Continue through each aspect. Blessings.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Spell for New Beginnings

February 2
Tuesday
Imbolc - Groundhog Day

Color of the day: Black
Incense of the day: Bayberry

Today is Imbolc, a day sacred to Brigid, Celtic goddess of the hearth flame. Let’s work some fire magic! If you have a fireplace in your home or an outdoor fire pit, build the fire, and cast the spell while gazing into the flames. If you need to remain inside, a cluster of white or red candles in various shapes and sizes arranged on a large charger plate will work out beautifully. Wait until dark if you are outside, or turn off all the lights if you are inside. Then light a wooden match and see how much light that one little flame actually creates. Now light the fire or your arrangement of candles and take a few moments to ground and center yourself. Once your fire is burning nicely or the candles have all been lit and are merrily flickering away, begin the spell.
I banish darkness, on this Imbolc night,
In its place I create both warmth and light.
May the goddess Brigid hear my heartfelt call,
Bless my home and all who live here, one and all.
Now I close this verse,
bringing harm to none,
By fire’s bright magic, this spell is done.