~ Spell of the day ~

[Neamhain Riona]

A Dogwood Tree Spell For Fall
10-8-09
Color of the day: Turquoise
Incense of the day: Apricot

Each spring, the lovely dogwood trees dot the Appalachian hills where I live with their white flowers. Although the dogwoods are known for their floral springtime beauty, it’s the clusters of berries ripened to a brilliant red in the fall that contain the most magical power. In fact, the berries, leaves, and bark of the dogwood have a reputation for granting wishes and protection. They have long been used in folk magic spells and amulets. To make a wish come true, collect three red dogwood berries, a dogwood leaf that has also turned red, and a few pieces of bark. Place all of these items on a piece of white fabric or in a pouch, and tie it up with red yarn. Speak words of power affirming your wish over this magic bundle. Pass the bundle above the flame of a red candle. Extinguish the candle and hide your magic bundle until you receive your wish.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Day of Felicitas
10-9-09
Color of the day: Rose
Incense of the day: Thyme

We celebrate the feast day of Felicitas, the Roman goddess of good fortune. While Fortuna ruled the fates of nations, Felicitas oversaw the personal happiness of her citizens. Make your own wheel of fortune this year using a small wreath of dried grapevine with as many spokes as you have wishes. Decorate the altar with flowers and small cakes or gifts of fruit as an offering to Felicitas. Light a stick of sandalwood incense. On small squares of colored paper, write your wishes: red for love, green for money and health, pink for friendship, yellow for creativity, brown for home, blue for spirituality, and white for miscellaneous wishes. Be sure to make your wishes specific. Fold the papers and attach to the spokes of the wheel. Place the wreath in a box and keep it hidden away. It’s important at this point to forget your wishes. Leave your offerings to Felicitas at the base of a tree. Set a time in the future when you will open the box and check off the wishes that have come true.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Herbal Witch Ball

10-10-09
Color of the day: Gray
Incense of the day: Pine

It’s not even Samhain yet, but the winter holiday merchandise is already out, especially in the arts and craft stores. Pick up the biggest clear glass ornament you can find. Remove the metal top and hanger. Place inside it protective herbs and flowers; I suggest a dash of sea salt, rue, heather, rosemary, yarrow flowers, or any protective herbs and flowers you like to use. Fill the ball about halfway full. Hold it in your hands and fill it with your energy:
I enchant this Witch ball
Of herbs and blossoms fair
Shielding this Witch’s home
By earth, fire, water, and air.
Hang your herbal Witch ball in the window or near the front door. Keep it free of dust. You may wish to replace the herbs every six months or so; it’s best to do so on a Saturday during the waning Moon.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Banish the Bothersome

10-11-09
Color of the day: Amber
Incense of the day: Eucalyptus

This is an ethical way to get rid of people in your life whom you need to have gone, such as a schoolmate who teases you all the time or an annoying co-worker. Find a dead leaf, one that is perfect, without any part missing or torn. Write the person’s name on the leaf with a permanent pen or marker. Go to a stream or river that flows fast. Stand on a bridge, if possible; a place on the bank can work if the water flows fast and deep at that spot. Focus your energy and imagine the person going away from you, transferring to another school or job, moving to another town. With the leaf in your left hand, recite “Goddess, bless and keep _______ far away from me!” Fling the leaf into the water. Turn around and walk away without looking back.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

To Summon True Love

10-12-09
Color of the day: Lavender
Incense of the day: Rosemary

Kiss a pale pink candle 64 times to invoke within it the energy of Venus. Imagine the candle to be your greatest lover, your perfect match. Truly invite the energy of pure love into your lips so that each kiss is delivered with devotion and sincerity. When you are done, light the wick while slowly vibrating the word LOVE; this should be done similarly to an OM vibration. As the candle burns, kiss the air around you and around the flame. Again, put all of your desire for love and your genuine desire to cultivate honest affection before any sexual ideas or feelings of embarrassment. See this as a stolen moment of energy with your manifested lover. Let go of insecurities and feel with each kiss that you are meeting true lips. For the rest of the day, greet everyone you meet with a kiss.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

[b]Red Magic For the New Moon

10-18-09
Color of the day: Orange
Incense of the day: Hyacinth

Red, the color of the life force, is an appropriate color to utilize for an October New Moon ritual. Since October’s Moon is also known as the Blood Moon, red takes on a special significance for magic performed this month. For this spell, you’ll need a sheet of clean white paper and a red ink pen. Also have on hand a red-colored seasonal object of nature. This could be a leaf (maple would be perfect), berries, or some flower petals from a red mum. Draw the shape of a new crescent Moon in red at the top of the paper. Beneath the Moon symbol, write out one or two goals you want to begin working toward or any positive wish you may have. When finished, trace an invisible pentagram shape with your finger over the paper. Fold the paper like a letter and insert into an envelope, along with the plant material you’ve selected. Seal the envelope. Hide your written spell for one lunar month. If needed, repeat all or part of your wish again at the next New Moon. When your goal is achieved, burn the envelope and contents in a ritual fire as a gesture of thanks.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Freeze Negativity

10-20-09
Color of the day: Maroon
Incense of the day: Cinnamon

Sometimes it is necessary to block negative influences or people from our lives. Ice magic is a very effective way to “put the freeze” on things that will not otherwise take no for an answer. Find an object that represents the influence or person you need to restrain from your life. If it is indeed a person, a picture or letter from that individual is best. Place the object in the center of a sheet of foil. Close up the foil with at least seven folds in such a way as to form a packet. Light a black candle and drip wax from it along the closure of the packet while chanting, “No longer can you enter my life, no longer can you cause me strife, on ice you go, on ice you stay, go you now away this day.” Place the packet in the back of your freezer and leave it there.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Enchant a Ring

10-21-09
Color of the day: Topaz
Incense of the day: Marjoram

This spell is for a silver ring set with a stone, but you can easily adapt it for a different piece of jewelry. Allow the ring to be exposed to a full day of sunlight and a full night of moonlight, perhaps near a window. Visualize sunlight and moonlight infusing the ring with energy for whatever purpose you choose. Enchant the ring with this charm:
Simple silver circlet round,
In thee magic to be bound.
Sun and Moon enchant this ring,
More than just a pretty thing.
Lend your energy to me,
For good of all, so mote it be.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Mr. Splitfoot’s Red-Thread Charm

10-22-09
Color of the day: Green
Incense of the day: Balsam

This is a charm from Old Craft tradition. To make a special request, tie a red thread around your left wrist. (Or right wrist, if you’re left-handed.) Someone else can do the tying, but don’t explain the string to them. Do this in the Horned One’s name (the red thread is one of His symbols). Simply call on Him, as Old Hornie or Mr. Splitfoot, and state your request. Be as specific as possible. Wear the thread until it falls off. Several times a day, you should focus on the thread, call to the Horned One, and repeat your request. Don’t tell anyone else what the thread is for, even if they ask. When the thread breaks, your request will soon come to pass. If it doesn’t, Mr. Splitfoot has denied your request. Sometimes, sadly, the answer is “no.”

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Secret-Keeping Spell

10-23-09
Color of the day: Coral
Incense of the day: Alder

Gossip is powerful energy, and it’s hard to resist spreading a good story. To keep your counsel and the secrets of those who trust you, make a sachet of lavender, rose, and juniper. Take the sachet to your altar and present it to the elements and the Spirit.
By the power of air, protect the knowledge I keep;
By the power of fire, give me the will to resist disclosure;
By the power of water, wash away exposure;
By the power of earth, give me the power to keep silent.
By the spirit of all I hold dear, as I will it, please make it so.
Place the sachet in a pouch and tuck it wherever you might need its support. Breathe the scent whenever you need to reinvigorate your promises.

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Global Warming Spell

10-24-09
Color of the day: Indigo
Incense of the day: Patchouli

By now, most people understand the threat of global warming. Part of this problem comes down to one thing: it breaks the buffering effect. For example, forests absorb rain, releasing water slowly back into the sky; this buffers the tendency for flood and drought cycles. Clear-cutting forests destroys that buffer. Worldwide, we are watching the weather get more extreme: bigger storms, longer droughts, fiercer heat waves, etc. Here’s a spell to help buffer the weather. You’ll need a small bowl of hot water, a small bowl of cold water, a large bowl, and a besom (or a bundle of twigs). Pour the hot and cold water into the large bowl. Dip the besom in the tepid water and flick it in a circle around you, saying:
Not too hot,
Not too cold:
Just right.
Not too wet,
Not too dry:
Just right.
As above,So below:
Just right!

 

[Neamhain Riona]

Silliness Spell

10-25-09
Color of the day: Yellow
Incense of the day: Juniper

Sometimes, you just need to cast a silliness spell when you, or someone you know, needs a dose of humor. Here’s my favorite silly magic. Get a package of multicolored chocolate candies. At Halloween and other holidays, you can buy packages that are only certain colors, like orange and black or red and green. You can also order bags online that are just the colors you want. Use your favorite color or colors to make a circle around you. (Lay down strips of paper or foil to put them on, unless your floor is clean enough to eat off of!) Pick your favorite number between about 50 and 100, and use that number of candies. Invoke the elements or quarters by calling on your favorite clowns or comedians, for example, Groucho Marx, Lucille Ball, or the Three Stooges. Tell jokes, dance a silly dance, or read a funny book. End the circle by eating at least one of the candies.