~ Spell of the day ~

[Neamhain Riona]

Break Fast from Technology

April 6
Tuesday
Passover ends

Color of the day: Red
Incense of the day: Ginger

Far too often, we forget the role that technology plays in our lives. Personally, I strongly suggest taking a break (a “fast”) from technology for a number of days. (This is described in my book Shadow Magic Compendium.) For the space provided here, I suggest this blessing after any fast from technology, or at any time you feel overwhelmed to express gratitude to the neo-gods of technology. Get a bag of fifty tealight candles and a little bottle of peppermint or spearmint essential oil (non-synthetic). At precisely 8 pm, anoint one of the tealights with the oil and fire up the wick. Place this next to the first item of electronic technology you see in the house—perhaps on top of the television, on the computer tower, next to a light fixture, on the car, or on the washing machine. When placing the candle, say something like:
I honor you, gods of technology and electricity. Please always serve me positively, as I shall do the same for you.
Continue this process with every piece of technological equipment you see in the house. Check the candles constantly to make sure the flames are safe, secure, and contained.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Clear the Path to Enlightenment

April 7
Wednesday

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

Wednesday’s are named after the Norse god Woden (or Odin). This god traveled the Earth in disguise as a one-eyed man with a long beard and a gray hat. He was always seeking wisdom. Woden/Odin is a god of mystery and magic, and of course the runes. Today, with a little help from Woden/ Odin, let’s remove any obstacles in your path toward enlightenment. Light a white candle and visualize the safe and easy removal of any obstacles that are in your path. Now repeat the charm three times:

Today is sacred to the old Norse god Woden,
Knowledge I seek, hear me as the charm is spoken.
Safely remove from my path all troubles and strife,
May I attain wisdom and guidance throughout my life.
For the good of all with harm to none,
In Woden’s name this spell is done!

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Prosperity Talisman Ritual

April 8
Thursday

Color of the day: Turquoise
Incense of the day: Balsam

After acquiring a prosperity talisman, choose a time of day when you will not be disturbed. Clean an area in a quiet room and sit down. Play some relaxing music. Place the talisman in the middle of where you are seated and surround it in four quarters with candles. A gold candle represents east, red for south, blue for west, and green for north. Light the candles. Cleanse, consecrate, and empower the talisman by first connecting with the energies of the east, then south, west, and north. Contemplate on what you wish to receive and write your petition on a piece of parchment paper, then recite its contents out loud. Pass the talisman and parchment around the candles like the cycles of seasons. Keep the parchment on the altar. As you put on the talisman, envision being blessed with abundance in prosperity, love, and unity.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Love Spell

April 9
Friday

Color of the day: Pink
Incense of the day: Mint

Cast your love spells on Friday, the day sacred to Venus. Your spells will be especially potent in April, the month dedicated to her. You can cast many kinds of love spells: self-love and acceptance, personal beauty, attracting love, promoting love, deepening a relationship to one of commitment, or adding spark to an existing relationship. To attract a special person into your life, write his or her name on a piece of parchment paper and plant it beneath a teacup rose. These lovely plants are sacred to Venus and can be grown indoors or out. Place the rose in your window, preferably in the direction of your loved one’s house. Cup the plant in your hands every day and say:
As your roots deepen
And your leaves drink the light,
(Name of loved one)’s love awakens.
And as you blossom, so
(Name of loved one)’s love will bloom.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Stretching Time Spell

April 10
Saturday

Color of the day: Gray
Incense of the day: Ivy

In spring, the days grow longer as the Sun returns from the south. But it’s not summer yet—and there’s a lot to do. Sometimes you need more time than a day holds. For this spell, you need some honey, a gold-colored metal image of the Sun, wax, and a clean empty jar with a lid. In the morning light, hold up the metal sun and say:
Sun in the sky
Sun in my hand
Be now as one
By my command!
Place the metal sun into the empty jar. Pour the honey over the metal sun until the jar fills, saying:
May the hours of the day
Be bright and sunny
And may the river of time
Flow slow as honey.
Cap the jar tightly and seal it with wax. When you need more daylight, hold the jar and imagine the hours stretching out like a strand of honey.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Fire Spell

April 11
Sunday

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

Life isn’t always exciting. It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind of work, school, errands, and the constant demands of life. Call upon the energy of fire today to break free from the routine and engage your true passion. Go to your ritual space and gather as many candles as you need to create a complete circle around you. Be sure there is enough space to prevent any sort of accident. Breathe and invite the spirits of fire to surround you. In your mind’s eye, visualize the flames burning away all that no longer serves and giving form to your deepest yearning, the desire to live and breathe as a human in the world. When ready, bid farewell and give gratitude to the fire.
Powers of fire, of passion, and delight,
Burn away all sorrow, take away all plight.
Conjure forth my desire and yearning to be,
Fire is my freedom, so mote it be!

 

[Neamhain Riona]

A Penny for Your Protection

April 12
Monday

Color of the day: Silver
Incense of the day: Neroli

In 1877, a mask was worn by the catcher at a Harvard baseball game. This is believed to be the first time a catcher’s mask was used. To weave a spell of protection, gather a penny, some thin white string or embroidery floss, a birthday candle, and a red marker. Take a centering breath, tapping into your strength and power as well as the power of Mother Earth, then draw a pentacle on the candle with the marker. Concentrate on bringing the power of the elements to your aid by saying,
By air, fire, water, earth, and spirit, give me strength and protection.
Light the candle and begin wrapping the string around the penny, chanting:
Light and wisdom will
surround me, as all evil moves around me.
When you are done, tie a knot and say:
As I will it, so mote it be, protection come to me three times three.
Carry the penny close to your body.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Pickled Garlic for Magical Use

April 19
Monday

Color of the day: Gray
Incense of the day: Rosemary

A pickled and refrigerated jar of garlic comes in very handy when in a rush to prepare a ritual that requires it. Used in protection spells, garlic bulbs can be mashed and rubbed on candles, pentagrams, and other magical accoutrements. After touching an object filled with negative energies, use a mashed garlic bulb to rub your hands before washing with soap. Extra jars can be made for giving to friends or selling at fairs, Pagan gatherings, and school fetes. It is simple and fast to make. This recipe makes 4 quarts. The ingredients include 4 quart jars full of peeled garlic bulbs, enough cold water to top off the jars, and 2 to 3 tablespoons salt per jar. Boil the water and salt. A little vinegar can also be added. Cool the liquid before pouring over garlic bulbs in the jar. Store at room temperature for two days. Continue the pickling process in the refrigerator for two to three months.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Air Magic

April 21
Wednesday

Color of the day: Topaz
Incense of the day: Marjoram

Air magic is especially powerful during the months of spring. Air is the realm of thoughts and visions, and because all magic begins with thought, air governs new beginnings. Ask the energies of air to assist you in any spells that deal with communication, education, travel, or creativity. Some symbols for air you might use in spellwork are feathers, bubbles, kites, wind chimes, smoke, and words. Use wind magic as an aspect of air. The cold north wind is a good time to deal with the physical details of your life. Use its energies to banish bad habits or any negative influences that are haunting you. The east wind is refreshing, a good wind for any spells for self-improvement. The hot, dry south wind will aid you for spells to increase passion. The moist west wind is used for fertility spells and any workings where nurturing is wanted.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

An Earth Day Ritual

April 22
Thursday
Earth Day

Color of the day: White
Incense of the day: Carnation

It’s Earth Day! Today is the day to realize and take full advantage of our symbiotic relationship with the Earth. Start your day with this simple ritual: Go outside with a piece of fruit, a bowl of water, and some organic fertilizer. Find a spot in your garden, window box, or nearby park and kneel before a plant. Tap into its green, generous energy. When you feel connected, acknowledge this being and all it gives to you by holding up the fruit and saying:
In all things I see your
generosity, and I thank you.
Eat the fruit, and tuck away any peels, seeds, or cores to compost later. Now hold your hands over the water and fertilizer and say:
In all my actions may I give back to you, most bountiful Mother Earth.
Fertilize and water the plant, pouring your intentions for a healthy, whole planet into your actions.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Rite of the Evening Star

April 23
Friday

Color of the day: Rose
Incense of the day: Yarrow

The evening star is attributed to Friday. She is the planet Venus who rules over love, money, and beauty. Long ago on this day in 215 BCE, a temple was erected on the highest hilltop of Rome in honor of the goddess Venus, making today a propitious day for creating a personal altar devoted to the goddess of love and abundance. The Moon is in Leo so the mood is dramatic, theatrical. Wear velvet robes or a just a veil and stand naked if you wish as you invoke Venus, Aphrodite, Astarte, whoever you may call her and ask for her ear.
Hear me Venus Aphrodite
Graceful goddess of love!
Hear my prayer, hear my heart!
I honor you with this gift (give an offering)
And ask for your light and guidance!
State your prayer or request as you sit in attendance at her altar envisioning your desired outcome.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Ancestral Journey Spell

To take a journey back to your ancestral roots, on the afternoon of a Full Moon burn some sage in an abalone shell. Use a feather to push the smoke to all four corners of your room. Then sit down, close your eyes, and ask your ancestors to come to you. See them taking you back in time. Relax and remain open to any helpful information they may provide you. When you have finished your meditation write the information in a journal. Reread the journal on the next Full Moon. Usually you will have learned something new by then.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Honoring Earth Locally

April 25
Sunday

Color of the day: Amber
Incense of the day: Heliotrope
Honoring Earth Locally
Take the day to practice gratitude for the land. Think about your favorite local spots to visit—perhaps local parks, forests, rivers, or cemeteries speak to you on a soul level. If so, plan on visiting all of them today.
Buy a number of good-sized quartz crystals or other sacred stone. The more locally mined, the better. (Also ensure that the crystals were not taken from the Earth in an unethical manner.) Go to the first sacred site on your list. When there, have a seat and charge the crystals by cupping them in your hands and saying something like:
On this glorious April day, I charge and enchant these sacred stones. May these stones constantly draw vital energy from the Sun and Moon, and transfer their powers to the land. With gratitude and reverence, I leave these offerings on the beautiful Earth, both to connect me with the land and to honor the Mother in her multitude of forms. So mote it be.
Take one stone to each sacred spot, and bury it somewhere on the land.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Spell for a Beautiful Dew

May 1
Saturday
Beltane

Color of the day: Blue
Incense of the day: Pine

Today is Beltane, one of the eight sabbats marking the wheel of the year. Pagans celebrate this holiday with bonfires, feasting, and dancing around the Maypole. Associated colors include yellow, green, and sky blue. A traditional spell for beauty involved washing your face with dew gathered on Beltane morning. This updated version focuses not merely on physical beauty, but on a fresh approach to life. Go outside as early as you can—just before or after dawn is best—and wet your hands with dew from the grass or flowers. Touch your wet hands to your face, saying:
My face is as fresh as the Beltane dew
And so is my outlook on everything too.
As I wash my face and open my eyes
My heart becomes light as the wind in the skies.
Everything changes, and yet remains true:
Both true to itself and
eternally new.