Wild Goddess Magick
Witchology Magazine Calling Upon the Goddess
Minerva
Ostara
& Welcoming Spring
How to use
Floral Waters Magickally in Your Practice
Weaving Energies of Rebirth and Awakening into Your Practice
Getting to Know
Diana Rowan and Cosmic Valeria
Rituals for the Hopeful Heart in Dire Times
Ostara Celebrated on March 20-21 in the northern hemisphere and September 20-21 in the
southern hemisphere. Ostara is the spring
equinox. One of two days all year when
daytime and nighttime are exactly the same length. After Ostara, the days get longer as
summer approaches. Ostara celebrates renewal, balance, and rebirth. Use this time to honor new life and new ideas.
-Ambrosia from The Spell Book for New Witches
Lukas Gojda
EDITORIAL Ambrosia Hawthorn, Owner & Editor Sarah Justice, Co-Editor WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Miss Wondersmith, Louisa Dean, Mike Sexton, Jon Hughes, Karla Freeling, Meg Rosenbriar, Danielle Dulsky, Vivacia Ahwen. ART & PHOTOS Cover: Ambrosia Hawthorn and Illustrations: Tiffany Sosa stock.adobe.com All other photos are from free stock sources or from contributors. SALES ambrosia@witchologymagazine.com SUBMISSIONS ambrosia@witchologymagazine.com sarah@witcologymagazine.com www.witchologymagazine.com/ submissions-ads/ SOCIAL www.witchologymagazine.com www.instagram.com/witchologymag www.twitter.com/wgmagick www.facebook.com/witchologymag Copyright © 2019 by Wild Goddess Magick. All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Magazine is intended for ages 18 and up. We are a proud participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. All our content is reviewed and vetted in the process.
W
elcome!
“These words herein are from me to you, each picture, thought, and quote we imbue. This issue reflects the knowledge I have to share, use each spell, ritual, and work with care.”
March brings with it warmer weather and themes of rebirth. Enjoy March astrology, moon magick, rituals, recipes, floral waters, seed magick, preserving magick, and interviews with Diana Rowan and Cosmic Valeria. No matter what your path is, there’s always something that can enrich and elevate your practice! Please also note, we cannot guarantee any outcomes from the content of this magazine, but please don't give up on the magick within you!
Blessed be witches,
Ambrosia Hawthorn
The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of Witchology Magazine or Wild Goddess Magick. Witchology Magazine assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Wild Goddess Magick
Witchology Magazine
Cover by Ambrosia Hawthorn @wildgoddessmagick
Our Witchy Team
8
1. Ambrosia Hawthorn @wildgoddessmagick Witchologymagazine.com Editor, published author, illustrator, and eclectic witch. 2. Sarah Justice @tinycauldron Tinycauldron.com Co-Editor, writer, and shop owner. 3. Miss Wondersmith @misswondersmith Thewondersmith.com Contributor, wondersmith, recipe
1
2
3
4
5
7
9
creator, forager, event hostess. 4. Karla Freeling @wiccanology Wiccanology.etsy.com Contributor, mother in the military, Pagan, and shop owner. 5. Jon Hughes amzn.to/2I7u2ys Contributor, published author, Druid. 6. Mike Sexton @artistmikes Mikesextonstudio.com
10
Contributor, eclectic Wiccan, artist, and published author. 7. Danielle Dulsky @wolfwomanwitch Danielledulsky.com Contributor, heathen visionary, pagan poet, and word-witch. 8. Meg Rosenbriar @witchoftheshoreline witchwithme.com Contributor, mother, wife, artist, sometimes poet, and hedge witch.
11
9. Louisa Dean @thewitchesstone thewitchesstone.com Contributor and student of witchcraft. 10. Vivacia Ahwen @sheraprincess Msvivacia.wordpress.com Contributor, witch, astrologer, healer, romance author, and artist.
OSTARA & MARCH 7 What’s New in the Witchy Community 8 March Must-Haves 9 March Magickal Workings 17 March Astrology Forecast: Lambs and Lions 23 Interview with Author Cosmic Valeria 29 Ostara Tarot Spread Interview with Diana 38 Rowan 56 Witchology Directory
FEATURES 13 North Stars, FlameTending, and the Apocalypse: Rituals for the Hopeful Heart in Dire Times 15 Magick in a Seed 21 Ostara Ritual 27 Spring Rituals for Renewal 37 The Tiny Spellbook: When Reaching InnerHonor for Rebirth 44 Working with the Storm Moon
MAGICKAL LEARNING 10 Three Easy Magickal Floral Waters and Their Uses 12 Getting Started with Athames and Bowlines 31 Preserving Magick with Flower Pressing 33 Ostara Egg Powder: A Powerful Fresh Start Potion 40 Working with the Goddess Minerva 41 Crystals and Herbs for Ostara 42 Monthly Herb: Violet 48 Spring and the Living Wands of the Druids
MAGICKAL RECIPES 51 Primrose Yema and Spring Sunshine 54 Spring Lemon Tart
What’s New in the
Witchy Community
Want to know what’s happening in the Pagan community? Well, we’ve searched high and low to bring you the latest releases.
The Bright Way: Five Steps to Freeing the Creative Within Yoga for Witches By Diana Rowan By Sarah Robinson Yoga for Witches explores a new kind of journey, connecting two powerful spiritual disciplines, with enchanting effects! Witchcraft and yoga share many similarities that are, for the first time, explored in combination, in this groundbreaking new title from Sarah Robinson, certified yoga instructor and experienced witch. Yoga for Witches shares exercises, poses and the knowledge you need to connect to your own special magic and inner power. Available at Womancraft Publishing.
Innovations, from cave paintings to the internet, has been fueled by someone’s ideas and follow-through. Our creative acts require more than just ideas; they also require ingenuity and perseverance, confidence and courage, the ability to dream and to do. The Bright Way helps you cultivate all of these. A simple yet profound program of inspiration plus action, designed for a lifetime of use, the Bright Way System empowers you to access motivation and make progress, find joy in building your skills, and courageously share your work with the world. Available at Amazon.
Seasons of Moon and Flame By Danielle Dulsky The yearning to slow down and simplify, return to the earth, and maybe even “rewild” what has been tamed in ourselves persists even though that dream may seem ever more remote in contemporary life. Danielle Dulsky shows that even in our high-tech and high-pressure lives, it is possible to manifest your own “year of the wild” and to tap into often-forgotten holy wisdom. Seasons of Moon and Flame guides you to live cyclically while working with the archetype of the Sacred Hag, or wild grandmother, who appears in various guises. Wonderfully inclusive, with adaptations for families, spiritual groups, and other traditions, this book is a potentially life-changing guide to living mystically, magically, and in empowering harmony with the worlds of spirit and nature.
Released on March 10, 2020 on Amazon. 7
OSTARA Smudge Wand $10.99 SteadfastFlowers
MARCH Must-Haves OSTARA Smudge Wand $10.99 SteadfastFlowers
Rose Quartz Eggs $29.00 NeptunesRing
The Seedling Sun Pagan Ritual $10.99 Leodruneshop 8
MARCH MAGICKAL WORKINGS
During March, we have the beginning of spring marked by the spring equinox. Celebrate the changing of seasons with
changing your altar, performing spring
rituals, and baking in the kitchen. Spring
themes are renewal and rebirth. It’s a time
of looking forward and honoring the fertility of the land.
9
Three Easy Magickal Floral Waters and Their Uses Floral water can also be used in place of anointing oils, which can be used to cleanse ritual tools or even people prior to magickal workings.
F
loral waters are a great way to use flowers in your practice other than using fresh, drying and pressing. They combine the magickal powers of the flower with the ease of a water-based delivery system. Although many retailers and websites use the terms “flower water,” “floral water,” and “hydrosol” interchangeably, they are not always the same thing. Knowing their differences and the many ways they can be added to a magickal practice is a great way to celebrate the spring season. “Flower” or “Floral” Waters A flower or floral water is simply water infused with the aromas of flowers. This can be created by blending water with essential oils or absolutes or by soaking blossoms in water, such as when making an infusion or tea. There are two main methods to make floral water: Cooking: Add 1 part flower petals and 4 parts water to a double boiler, and slowing simmering until the color has left the petals. It’s a quick method but the end product may not be as strong as a steam distilled comparison. Hot water infusion: Place 1 part flower petals in a jar, pouring 4 parts boiling water
10
over them, and allowing it to sit for several hours. Night infusion: Fill a glass bowl with 1 part fresh flowers to 4 parts water. Place the bowl in your garden or on your windowsill overnight. If the moon is full, even better. In the morning, decant into a bottle, straining out any flower petals. The water to flower ratios can be used as a guide. To find the right ratio for you, try a few variations of water quantities. 1:6, 1:4 as stated above, or even 1:2. Making flower water is also a fun and magical way to introduce children to edible flowers. Hydrosols A hydrosol is a steam distillation process using fresh leaves, fruits, flowers, and other plant materials to create an extract of the botanicals. With similar properties to essential oils, these aromatic waters are much less concentrated. They are safer than essential oils and can be used with populations where essential oils might be too strong. Lavender Floral Water Lavender floral water is very popular and readily available. It’s often used for relaxation and sleep, but it can also be helpful in love, concentration, and
knowledge magick. This makes lavender floral water perfect for those who are struggling with anxiety and stress. Rose Floral Water Rose is a powerful scent that is equally as powerful to use in magick. It brings love, protection, and harmony to the user. Rose floral water is great for spells involving happiness, romance, and security. Violet Floral Water Violet is found commonly in nature, so witches can make their own floral water easily. It is commonly associated with spells seeking tranquility and peace but can also protect the user from negativity. Violet floral water can also be used for magick involving dedication and loyalty. How To Use Floral Water Floral water can be used in a number of ways. One of the best options is to put it in a spray bottle. This allows the floral water to be sprayed on pillows or clothing, or in the air during ritual or spells. Another great way to incorporate floral water is by using it in a bath. When infusing flowers directly into a bath, you are essentially soaking in a floral bath. That imbues you with the power in an incredibly personal way. Floral water can also be used in place of anointing oils, which can be used to cleanse ritual tools or even people prior to magickal workings. It can also be a safer option than oil-based products if you have sensitive skin. These waters can last for up to a year or until their scent fades.
Three Easy Magickal Floral Waters and Their Uses
11
Getting Started with Athames and Bolines O
n your altar, do you have an athame, boline, or both? There’s often a common misconception that they can be used interchangeably, but that isn’t true. And while they both perform different jobs, they are equally as important. The athame is also considered one of the four important elemental tools used (in addition to the chalice, wand, and pentacle.) The athame, also often referred to as “witch’s knife,” is only used for representational cutting and magickal rituals. It isn’t used for actual cutting. Athames are also used to direct energy and to cast the magick circle. An athame is double-sided, but not as sharp as a boline. The athame also generally represents the male in any magickal working. It can have a black handle and doesn’t need to be sharp (to avoid accidental injury during ritual work). The handles often are home to symbols, inscribed by the practitioner but this is completely optional. Its opposite, the boline, is used only for physical cutting. What you need cut depends on the ritual or spells, but oftentimes it’s for things like knots, cords, and herbs. It was designed to be very sharp, with a crescent-shaped blade and a white handle. A boline, however, should not be used outside of your practice. This will keep it consecrated for use and intentions clear. Before use, it’s important to cleanse and consecrate each tool. This purifies the tools and removes any potential negative energy that may have built upon them. This can be done easily with a few simple items: a candle (Fire/South), a bowl of salt (Earth/North), a cup of water (Water/West), and a stick of incense (Air/East). To begin cleansing and consecration, pass your tool over or through each of the elemental representations while asking the elements to assist with cleansing and consecrating. Then, if you desire, hold the tool above your head and ask your chosen deity to also cleanse and consecrate your tool. This step can be done within or outside of ritual to fit with your practice. Your tool is now cleansed and consecrated for use. Repeat these steps for each tool.
12
North Stars, Flame-Tending, and the Apocalypse:
Rituals for the Hopeful Heart in Dire Times By Danielle Dulsky, author of Seasons of Moon and Flame
As a young woman, beloved witch, author, and teacher Danielle Dulsky found refuge, nurturance, and wisdom when visiting her grandmother’s rustic home. Next to the fire of the winter hearth and sitting outside with the wildflowers of spring, her anorexic body was loved and fed, her racing thoughts were slowed, and she received a maternal support she did not have in any other part of her life. These visits with Grandmother Grace were the seeds that eventually grew into Danielle’s deepening exploration into the Sacred Hag archetype and the wisdom that these elder women have been sharing since the beginning of humanity. Her third book, Seasons of Moon and Flame: The Wild Dreamer's Epic Journey of Becoming is a “Year of the Wild,” — consisting of thirteen chapters that correspond to the thirteen moon cycles, or lunations.
T
he earliest moons of the year, for me, are those best spent pondering my “witch’s north stars;” these are pertinent but unanswerable questions that my Craft moves toward, never quite reaching but always seeking. My north stars give me hope when I find myself struck by sorrow, bemoaning the state of the world, or just spiritually unfed. My north stars keep me from trying to win at my witchcraft, necessarily tempering the lessons of my individualistic, American upbringing and gifting me with the rare opportunity to savor the journey, to be met with joy during the practice of magick, to yet again see a spell from the untainted perspective of an innocent. This year, two of my guiding north stars are these: What is the role of the Witch in a wounded world? What does
it mean to cultivate wonder and whimsy on this damaged miracle we call a planet? Timely questions, these. In spring, as my Witchcraft turns more toward ancestral healing and the myths beloved by my people, I look to the archetype of the “flame-tender” to give greater meaning to these, my 2020 north stars. She is Brighid in the Irish pantheon, the pagan Goddess turned Saint, and she requires us to have the long vision, to resist the short-sightedness the overculture has sold us over and over again, and to keep humble fires burning for the ancients and the yet-to-beborn. Brighid’s fire-temple in Kildare, Ireland, a truly hallowed place I visited three years ago on a misty August morning, is believed
to be the site of at least six centuries of continuous flame-tending, much longer if the assertions made about the fire-temple having even deeper pagan roots are true. Nineteen priestesses tended the fire for nineteen consecutive days, and the Goddess Brighid was left to tend the flame on the twentieth day. The fire never died, as legend says, burning so cleanly there was never even any ash to be swept away, and my heart aches with reverence at the thought of so many generations of priestesses holding the same dedication, keeping the same hope alight in the dark of night when the ghosts were surely thick all around them. Candles through Time: A Small Ritual-Remedy for the Aching Heart Should you need a simple 13
and home-brewed remedy for the disconnection that affects us all in our timeimpoverished world, gather three candles. Tea-lights work well because they will burn out safely on their own, but any candles will do. Grant a single breath to each of the four directions, then name one of these candles for the present moment, tended by you now, in this body. The candle of “presence” will go in the center. Name another the “primal ancestors,” tended by your forebears in the living past, a time that once was and yet, somehow on some plane, still is. Place this candle to the left of “presence.” Lastly, name the third candle the “loving yet-to-be-born,” tended by future generations connected to you not only by blood but also via relationships of spirit and soul. Place this candle to the right of “presence.” Light the central candle first and breathe, sense yourself surrounded by your beloved dead and compassionate descendants. Tend to your senses in this moment. Notice what you hear, feel, smell, taste, and see. Tend to the spirit of the moment, then light the
14
“primal ancestors” candle off the central candle. Imagine the care taken by those nameless fire-tenders stretching on back through your lineages, back through the realms of the deepest time. Sense their dedication. Hear their drums and their songs. Let your visions of them warm you now in this moment. Return your attention to the central candle called presence. Light the candle called the “loving yet-to-be-born” off the central candle and imagine now the many flame-tenders who will be born to this world, who will move through their own rituals and stoke their own hearths, who will, in small ways and epic ways, be the realization of your own deep desires, just as you are the living answer to the many prayers of your forebears. Let them surround you, the spirits of your beloved dead as well as those full-ofpotential souls. Be swaddled in warm layers knit from time. Breathe and be well. Find solace in the knowing that you are but a single thread in a great and beauteous cosmic tapestry, comfort in the understanding that you are held by and belong to a fantastic and exquisite web of lineages,
stories, music, poetry, and magick. Be lit by the glow of these majestic truths. And so it is. From my book, Seasons of Moon and Flame: The Wild Dreamer’s Epic Journey of Becoming: “To live as the Witch lives is to allow your world to be shaped and reshaped by those swelling, cresting, and ebbing wilds to which you already belong. To live as the Witch lives is to continually remember, as the magick-maker’s journey is not solely one of knowledge acquisition but so often one of simple recollection. Whatever particular ancestral medicine runs in your blood, whatever hallowed recipe of many lands, songs, and ceremonies has brewed you, you are a wisdom-keeper with much to gift this wounded world. You are a holy confluence of many fertile and fastrunning rivers of lineage and land knowledge. What I offer here in these pages is an invitation to awaken that wisdom, that wild and soulful meaning you already embody, to find sanctuary in time’s cyclical movements as you would in the warm, firelit home of an elder healer.”
North Stars, Flame-Tending, and the Apocalypse: Rituals for the Hopeful Heart in Dire Times
Magick in a Seed By Mike Sexton
As your seeds sprout and grow, so does its magick. Learn how to harness the magick contained in each seed this Spring.
W
ith spring just around the corner, many people are already beginning to plan their spring gardens. You might have a few seeds potted; a head start for when it's warm enough to plant them outdoors. I know that I've had a few ideas already on what I want to get growing this year, a few changes I might be making as well for a more successful harvest. Spring is also a time for fertility, and that isn't just sexual fertility, although that is quite abundant. I'm sure it won't be long, and you'll be seeing rabbits running around and birds singing to attract their mate. I'm also talking about financial fertility and goal fertility. How do these two things--seeds and your personal goals--mesh? Quite simply. Let's take a look at the melding between planting and personal preparation. When you are going to plant your seeds, see about
blessing each seed or seed packet for a particular fertility rite you want to perform. For example, if you're looking to get a raise at work, bless your seeds with this in mind. If you're looking to set a goal for your retirement, bless the seeds for that, and so on. You might even have a goal that's not financial in nature but towards gaining more serenity in your life. Bless seeds for this goal. Research what plants go with what you're wanting to accomplish and plant seeds for that particular goal with the corresponding plant. As the seeds sprout and grow, so does magick and what you want to accomplish. This is a wonderful way to also see your goal in real-time. You're using the plant as a symbolic gesture of what you wish to attain, and thereby, it makes your goal more tangible. This is really helpful for those who have issues with visualizing their magick. Now you don't just
have a mental image of it; you have a visual symbol of what you're working towards. If you're someone who has a problem growing plants from seeds, you can still perform this magick with plants that have already grown a bit. You will spend a bit more since plantlings cost more than a pack of seeds, but the important thing is that you're successful with your plant. Using a plantling is a great way to avoid the disappointment you might have if your seeds don't sprout or wither away. Perhaps turn this into a fullon-family affair by giving each person in your home a plant or seeds to grow their own living goal! It's a great way to teach your children about magick and also gardening, so you've got a win-win situation right there.
15
16
ASTROLOGY:
March 2020: Lambs and Lions By Vivacia Ahwen
“March comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb.” -From Thomas Fuller's 1732 compendium Gnomologia: Adagies and Proverbs; Wise Sentences and Witty Sayings, Ancient and Modern, Foreign and British.
N
early three centuries later, Fuller’s adage still rings true, and March 2020 is no exception. Since February 17th, we’ve been under the influence of Mercury retrograde, and have had quite enough of computers crashing, running into exes, and finding out we sent that email to the oh-so-wrong address! Hopefully, you’ve reaped the underemphasized rewards of the infamous Mercury’s tailspin. Perhaps you’ve been reconnecting with old friends, culling your wardrobe, and catching up on old bills? Either way, life is about to turn right side up, and not a moment too soon. As the days grow longer, the shadowy parts of ourselves and those around us are illuminated. We face the
fears, embrace the wondrous mysteries, and are ready for the evitable new beginnings of springtime. Let’s take a look, shall we?
notebook on your nightstand to scribble down details from revelatory dreams, as this month will bring some intense ones.
March 4th: Mercury Retrograde Enters Aquarius
March 5th: Venus Enters Taurus
This final lap of Mercury retrograde is full of surprises; expect to chase down creative means for solving unexpected issues which may arise. It’s okay to ask for assistance, and under this planetary influence a fine source would be either a former mentor, that cousin you haven’t touched base with in years, or phone call to your counselor? It’s been awhile, after all. Review and reconsider your old beliefs and theories, leaving room for fresh perspectives. Keep a
Sexytime. Have you lost that lovin’ feeling? Bring it all back with Venus’ unbridled sensuality and Taurean devotion. Whether you’re trying to light up a new flame or reignite an old one, this is the time to reopen the “naughty drawer” you’ve left closed for far too long. Enjoying your solo time? Treat yourself to new high-thread count sheets, a fascinating new toy, or maybe even a Superbowl-inspired poledancing class. The key words: pleasure and persistence.
17
March 9th: Full Moon In Virgo…and she’s SUPER-DUPER! Also known as the Worm Moon or Storm Moon, this is the first of two 2020 supermoons (next is April 8th). Dreams continue to be intense, and secrets are being brought to light. You are just now rubbing the sleepy dust of winter from your eyes, soaking in the silver moonlight. And under her influence the world is your oyster. No more ennui, self-doubt, or giving in to old fears; the moon calls you to rise and act. Time to renew those January resolutions, spread your lunar moth wings and fly to the stars. Since tomorrow (March 10th), Mercury is going direct in Aquarius, so it’s less likely you’ll get lost on the way. March 16th: Mercury Enters Pisces Pisces, that dear little fish, brings all things dreamlike and whispers
secrets of the subconscious. Continue to draw wisdom from your dreamscapes, scrying, and readings but beware that with Mercury entering Pisces some can lose touch with reality. Remember to stay grounded and centered. Don’t forget to close your circles when ending a ritual. And above all, remember to laugh at yourself from time to time. March 19th: Sun Enters Aries; March Equinox Spring, sprang, sprung! It’s the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and autumn equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. All over the planet night and day have equal length; open your heart, mind, and soul to The Big Hum. In these troubled times, equinox invites us to feel the worldwide camaraderie, psychically tapping into the collective unconscious of all Earth’s creatures. Begin anew. Breathe in the fresh spring air.
Celebrate the new life and new growth with simple equinox rituals. Go for an early morning walk – preferably surrounded by woods, but a park will do —and select a small branch to fashion into a wand, inviting the magic of spring to carry you through the seasons. Perhaps find a body of moving water and splash your face with the stream’s icy sweetness for eternal beauty. Ancient faerie beauty secret. You’re welcome. March 22nd: Saturn Enters Aquarius After three years of lounging about in Capricorn, Saturn enters Aquarius, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Not only is this a fabulous time to clarify your goals for the next three years, but it’s time to broaden your inner circle of friends. That’s right. Saturn in Aquarius brings together like-minded folks, not only for romance and friendship, but business collaborations as well.
ASTROLOGY: March 2020: Lambs and Lions
18
Keep your antennae up for opportunities to mingle outside your usual comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to hit the “going” button on all those events invites you’ve been avoiding. Once we make room in our lives for our true crew, they arrive to fill our space with laughter and love. Sometimes they even bring good books and wine. March 24th: New Moon In Aries Between the new moon’s power of a fresh start and the intense fire Aries brings to any situation, this will be one of the best days of the year to start a grand new project. You’ve been laying the groundwork, planning, and puzzling. But now it’s all hands on deck. Time to act. March 30th: Mars Enters Aquarius
has been beyond productive, so take a little time for reflection and quiet, steady work. Your energy is unique, and for the first time in awhile your actions and exchanges feel like they’re coming from your authentic self. Honor that, because you are channeling from a higher plane. Take pride in your recent accomplishments and dedication to leading the life to which you’ve been called. Tomorrow (March 31), when Mars conjuncts Saturn in Capricorn, you can come back to earth, excited to put in the work to make this next big adventure come to fruition. Revel in the healthy expression, communication, and energy which is starting to come ever-so-naturally to you. A blessed spring to all.
Still riding high from that Aries new moon? Or are you needing to take a breather? This past week
ASTROLOGY: March 2020: Lambs and Lions
19
March Astrology Correspondences Tarot: The Emperor XI Elements: Water (March 1-March 19) and Fire (March 20-March 31) Deities: Mars, Demeter, Cerridwen Stones: Aquamarine, Bloodstone, Tiger Eye Trees: Lilacs, honeysuckle, cherry blossoms, dogwood, pussy willow Herbs: High John, wood betony, and apple blossom, and pennyroyal. ***Do NOT take pennyroyal if you may be pregnant or are trying to conceive.***
Colors: Pale green, yellow, lavender Affirmation: I am here. I am present. I occupy this space
20
Ostara Ritual by Sarah Justice Ostara celebrates the spring equinox. It is a sabbat that symbolizes rebirth and continued growth, and it’s the time where we begin to manifest the plans and dreams we conjured at the beginning of the year. Ostara also symbolizes fertility, with the egg being the prominent symbol. Thus, the sabbat is a time when we’re mindful of the prominent stage of life: the beginning, whether it’s physical or psychological, whether it’s a true birth or a rebirth of ourselves at any age. Perform this activity on Ostara. You may use any yellow or white candles for added correspondence. Set out moonstone, a dalmatian stone or rose quartz. Incorporate green candles to promote new beginnings if you’d like. To prepare for the ritual, nibble on cinnamon, nutmeg, egg, and orange, as these are also correspondences to the sabbat. Set your altar or space in the appropriate manner: Half a dropper full of Ostara oil (representing Water) in a burner or small dish: west Lit candle (representing Fire): south A palmful of salts or herbs (representing Earth) in a pile or dish: north Smudge stick, lit, over a dish (representing Air; you could use incense): east Cast around your altar or space a definitive circle of salt with your salts and herbs. We suggest not using all of your salts and herbs for this particular practice; you may want to save a little for when you want to promote fertility, rebirth, and growth.
21
Next, face east and chant the following: The earth breeds its bounty, the seeds are sown And as above, so below. The air will rise, it skirts and blows And as above, so below. The fire breathes, its embers glow And as above, so below. The water’s tides, they ebb and flow And as above, so below. Next, hold your dalmatian stone and state the following: I take the seeds that winter made dormant Breathe in the fire for rebirth to restore them They twist into spirals; the green reaches high They mold and they harden with revigorated life I chant in the purpose, the fauna obeys And manifests the intention through the remaining year’s days. If the sun doth will it, so mote it be. Find a suitable place to bury your dalmatian stone on the eastern side of your home. This could be buried in a plant container, in a salt dish on a window sill, or truly buried in your property. Plan to keep this stone in place throughout the remainder of the year, or at least until you feel your intention was set. When done, close your circle by reciting the following. I close this circle, the spell laid to rest Its ashes in the ether to be made manifest The ground becomes earthen, it tempers its magick It releases the energy, like a breath onto matches Any entities tangled are released from this web When the chanting is over, the connection is dead.
22
Exclusive Interview with
Cosmic Valeria
Cosmic Valeria brings together magick and self-care through her creations, ritual baths, and Full Moon Circles. Can you tell us a little about you and your witchy background? My name is Valeria, and I am a moon, flower, and self-care witch! I was born and raised in Siberia, Russia (minus 40 was the average winter temperature). I finished college and immigrated to the USA. I currently live in Virginia, where I run my one-woman show. I paint, host Full Moon Circles, make ritual bath soaks, and teach women about moon magic, witchcraft, and self-care.
Water is such a powerful element, and a ritual bath can wash away not just a bad day, but the entire month, by releasing the energy that you've been carrying. Water is healing and soothing by itself, and when you add intention to it, you can create a wide range of effects such as healing, manifesting, recharging, and letting go. I love working with salt and flowers. I often pick my intentions according to the moon phase. Although, I frequently take a ritual bath that has nothing to do with the moon. For example, a ritual bath for abundance or self-love.
Tell us a little bit about your shop. What products do you offer? I plan all my activities and rituals around the moon phases. As you might know, each lunar phase has its own energy and intention. For example, I always try to start a new project on a new moon, take it easy during the waning moon, etc. Ritual baths are a big part of my moon honoring and witchcraft practice. A lot of people ask why a ritual bath? Why not a candle spell on a full moon? Or meditation?
I run a small shop that is all about ritual bathing (I also run an art business; I am an abstract painter). I create ritual bath soaks, blends, brews. I also ethnically source crystals and candles that enhance the ritual bathing experience. My ritual bath soaks are perfect for baby witches who are interested in ritual, but not sure where to start.
23
For all your beautiful readers, I am offering a 20% discount for all my products. Use code "wildgoddess" at the checkout on my website or my new Etsy store.
24
Abundance Ritual Start the spell by placing a couple of bills or coins on a windowsill, where they can get some moonlight. But don't count the money, you don't want to limit anything.
All bath soaks are made with a different intention, oils, and flowers, and types of salt that resonate with energy and phase of the moon. For example, the full moon is a high-energy-potential time and is all about harvesting the fruits of our hard work. And of course, a lot of people get overwhelmed and stress out during this time, so my Full Moon Ritual Soak has lavender and lemon essential oils, epsom, and Himalayan salt. Lemon is energizing and helps with concentration. Lavender eases stress and promotes better sleep. And the salt combo is good for releasing tension from your hardworking, beautiful body. What inspires you and your work?
Cleanse your house and your aura. I recommend using the smoke of a candle. Draw a hot bath and add 1 cup salt, a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil, and some calendula flowers. (You can also use my Abundance Ritual Soak.) Peppermint helps to see things more clear and calendula heals. Once you feel relaxed, write down all affirmations that can bring you closer to your abundant ideal life. Channel your inner wisdom. Affirmations may sound like this: I have limitless potential, the only limit in this universe is my awareness. New opportunities come to me freely, this universe is abundant. I am abundant, a thousand invisible hands support my journey. This spell can be performed on any day of the month during any cycle of the moon.
Ritual bathing is a practice of self-care. If you have taken one before, you know that a ritual bath takes time to set up and clean up after. The ritual is a great reminder that self-care takes time, effort, and intention. The intention is important. And sometimes a cup of kitchen salt and a few drops of essential oil are all you need from each interaction! How can our readers connect with you? You can find me on Instagram: @cosmicvaleria My shop at cosmicvaleria.com Etsy store: cosmicvaleria
25
26
Spring Rituals for Renewal By Louisa Dean
T
raditionally, it is said that the spring equinox is the date on which light and dark are equal, so it is perfect for rituals that involve addressing the balance in your life. After a long, dark winter, life is stirring and the wheel is beginning another turn, giving us time to contemplate renewal and rebirth. And what better way than to start the new season with a couple rituals honoring renewal. This is why “spring cleaning� is such a popular task this time of year! Walking Meditation A great way to embrace the changing season and make way for a sense of renewal is to do a walking meditation. Ideally, this will be done barefoot and on grass or soil to absorb the renewed energy from the earth and to root yourself down into the ground. Find somewhere quiet where you will not be disturbed or distracted. Take your shoes off and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Close your eyes and spend 5 minutes concentrating on your breath, bringing awareness to your body. When you are ready, begin walking at a very slow pace. Feel the sensation of your feet touching the ground, pay attention to how your muscles move and focus on the beginning, middle and end of each step. If your mind starts to wander, bring it back
to your breath and notice the sensations of your steps on the body. Try to do this for at least 15 minutes to feel the benefits of it. Altar Cleanse Spring cleaning the home is one way of embracing the seasons, but another is to spend some time spring cleaning your altar. The spiritual center of the home, your altar deserves just as much care and attention when it comes to cleaning. Begin by removing everything from your altar. If you have an altar cloth, put it into the laundry or handwash it. Thoroughly clean the altar space by dusting and polishing it. If it is made from wood perhaps use some oil or wax to treat and nourish the surface. Cleanse the space around the altar by burning some incense or if you prefer not to use smoke, ring a bell instead. Spend some time carefully cleaning each item before you place it back onto your altar. Remove items that no longer serve a purpose and decorate your altar with items that reflect the new season and the rebirth that comes with it. New Moon Spell Spring is the perfect time to harness the potent energy of the new moon in Aries on Tuesday, March 24th. This powerful combination will give a huge boost to any
27
spell work carried out at this time, especially any spells that use fire. For this ritual, you will need a candle and a bay leaf. On a bay leaf, write down anything you want to release as you move forward into the new season. Meditate on the flame for a few minutes, then light the bay leaf with the candle and imagine those things lifting from you, releasing you from their burden. Put the burning bay leaf into a fire-proof bowl. On another bay leaf, write down anything you are hoping to manifest this year. Meditate on the flame again for a moment, then light the bay leaf and imagine your life filled with all of your hopes and dreams. Put the burning bay leaf into a fire-proof bowl. Take a couple of deep breaths and feel the lightness of releasing old burdens and the joy of achieving everything that you hope to manifest.
28
Spring Rituals for Renewal
@zolotareva_elina
Ostara Tarot Spread 1.What needs balancing in my life? 2.Where in my life do I need to
1 2
focus on growth?
3.How do I harness the energy of rebirth?
3
4.How might I tap into the 4
abundance energy of the month?
29
20%
Save With a Digital Subscription 12 digital issues for $47.89 ($3.99/issue) In each issue you'll find monthly herbs, crystals, deities, articles written by members of our witchy community, shops and items, interviews, correspondences, rituals, spells, traditions, lunar magick, and recipes to compliment your practice. #elevateyourpractice
Subscribe
30
Preserving Magick With Flower Pressing A
s spring begins its bloom, so do the opportunities for working with nature. One of the most powerful ways to involve Mother Nature in your practice is by using plant life. Due to the changing seasons and growth phases, your favorite plants may not be abundant. For this reason, we’ll take a look at how to preserve the power of delicate flowers even when winter comes. Enjoy the magick of flowers year around. Step One: Gather Your Materials To press your flowers, you only need a few materials: A pair of floral scissors or a sharp blade A basket or a bag A book or pressing kit Blotter paper if using a book Weight such as a brick or another book To gather your flowers and work with nature, look to forage from around you. When foraging, it’s important to know your environment and possible hazards so that you can prevent uncomfortable or dangerous situations. Also getting permission is important if it’s not your land. When looking for your flowers, try to stick with flowers that aren’t too large in size (usually 3 - 4 inches in size). Some like
clipping them at their growth point (where stems branch out) or just below the base of the flower. Making clean, careful cuts will ensure that you won’t damage the plant, and that the flower can bloom again in the future. It’s also a good idea to look for flowers when it is dry outside, as it can be tricky to press wet flowers. When choosing your flowers, connect with your intuition. Do you want perfect flowers or flowers with unique qualities? This decision is unique to you and your preference. When collecting your blooms, move quickly so that they don’t have time to wilt before you’re ready to use them. Tip: When foraging, it’s also a good idea to become familiar with local foraging laws in your state or country. Also, beware of taking from the side of the road as roadsides are often sprayed with pesticides and contain pollutants from the air around them, which includes exhaust fumes. Step Two : Prepare When you get back home, it’s time to prepare your flowers to be pressed. Start by laying them out on the counter and trim away any extra or unwanted stem and foliage. Dirt should be carefully brushed off,
31
and the stem should be cut at an angle. If you are unable to use them quickly, your flowers can be put in the fridge in a ziplock bag. It’s important to note that flower pressing is best when it’s done immediately after gathering.
Lilies - Abundance, fertility, rebirth, renewal. Tulips - Prosperity, love. Violets - Protection from evil, sweet dreams, restful sleep.
Step Three : Press While there are multiple flower presses available for purchase, you don’t need any special tools to successfully press flowers. You can just use a book. You’ll just need a heavy book that you don’t mind being damaged, as the moisture can wrinkle the pages. Put the flower between two pieces of blotter paper, and put them in the book. If the book is big enough, you can often do more than one flower at a time. After the flowers are placed in the book, set either another book or a brick on top of it and set it aside. This process usually takes a few weeks, and you’ll want to change the blotter paper every few days. Once they are dry, they are ready. When removing, do so carefully.
How To Use Pressed Flowers In Magick Once you’ve gotten your flowers pressed and are ready to use them, there are a variety of different ways you can do that. Some witches choose to place them on their altar to increase the energy of the space. Others may choose to burn them with their incense mix on charcoal, put them in a spell sachet, add to cleansing baths, or to infuse into oils. How you use them depends on what your intentions you have. Don’t take the spring season for granted. Gather those flowers and press them to allow you to continue to preserve their magickal benefits all year round.
Magickal Properties of Specific Flowers Daffodils - Fertility, love, luck. Hibiscus - Love, lust, passion, prophetic dreams.
Preserving Magick With Flower Pressing
32
Ostara Egg Powder:
A Powerful Fresh Start Potion
33
Ostara Egg Powder: A
Powerful Fresh Start Potion By Meg Rosenblatt
O
stara is ruled by the Mother Goddess, announcing a season of rebirth and fresh starts. One way to take advantage of this magickal time of possibility is to capture its essence in an eggshell powder blessed by the Ostara moon. This is a simple powder that also happens to be very versatile and easily tailored to the craft practitioner’s sensibilities. Not only powerful in craft work, eggshell powder is rich in calcium making it beneficial to use in shakes, teas, baking, cooking, gardening, and composting. Your inner hearth witch, kitchen witch, and green witch are activated when using this potion. You Will Need: 1 Dozen eggs Mortar and pestle Empty potion jar Timing: Best crafted on Ostara morning to be blessed that evening. Full moons and new moons are also a great time to make this powder year-round. Crafting the Powder: 1. Carefully rinse one dozen eggshells in warm water. Notice the water warming as you run it. Acknowledge the warming earth of Spring. Thank Goddess for all She provides.
34
2.
Set eggshells to dry. If you would like to speed up the drying process, arrange the shells on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Allow shells to cool completely.
3.
Transfer your shells into your mortar and pestle for grinding. Here the magick is in the grinding process and energy. Grind in clockwise motions. As your grind, find a rhythm of release. As the shells crack, lean into their forgiving breakdown. Remember, without release no new start can be truly fresh.
35
3.
Once you find your rhythm, incant: “Break and grind, free and find The past behind, and future near Break and grind, free and find Your fear is gone, the path is clear�
4.
Once eggshells are ground to your liking, transfer to your potion jar.
5.
Add a pinch of salt to seal the powder. Close jar tight.
6.
Place on your windowsill to charge in the Ostara moonlight.
7.
Use whenever you need help conjuring a fresh start for yourself or others. This is powerful stuff, so no need to add more than a teaspoon to most candle magick spells, jar spells, sachets, and foodstuffs.
Remember, as with all spells and potions, this powder can be tailored to your desired energy preferences using corresponding magickal materials. Here are a few suggestions of ingredients to add to your egg powder. Perhaps they inspire a unique twist to add to your own repertoire! Nutmeg or cinnamon mixed into the powder boosts financial fresh starts. Ginger or turmeric mixed into the powder boosts health and wellness fresh starts. Black pepper mixed into the powder boosts fresh starts after clearing negative spirits or energies from your home. Bay Leaves or rosemary mixed into the powder encourages fidelity in a new romantic relationship. Lavender mixed into the powder encourages new perspectives or creativity to take hold.
36
Ostara Egg Powder: A Powerful Fresh Start Potion
The Tiny Spellbook
Reaching Inner-Honor for Rebirth by Sarah Justice I remember plucking the dead leaves off of a therapist’s office plant. It was a far cry from the two years before that, when I offhandedly told her that pruning is hard for me since the dead leaves provided something to the plant that the living parts didn’t. They provided a sense of elderly maturity, the way we sit on a dead stump of oak and acknowledge its worth. Maybe they provided the warning of mortality to the others. Maybe I’d just sat in that chair too long. Who knows. This is true for us too. There are parts that are decaying, withering, falling away to make room for the new inside. And it seems in spring we perform rituals to welcome the newness and focus on the process of growth. This is great, but we seem to neglect what we’ve deemed unusable, worthless, negative or “bad” that’s still hanging around. Or maybe we snag the besome and sweep this stuff under the rug. But like the dying leaves of my therapist’s plant, they’re not gone. they’ll hang around and bog down the new parts. They’ll take resources away from those strong parts too, all in vain of course, since they’ll die anyway. It’s not their fault. These negative traits are in survival mode, because at one point they had value and they served you, perhaps even protected you. When my hands finally stopped cradling her plant’s dead leaves and started plucking them, she invited me to notice the change in my choices, a shift in perspective: even though those rusty copper leaves are beautiful in their own right, and their age and wisdom were mourn-worthy, they were gone. They had to go so that new life could grow. I recommend for those of us who mindfully invite rebirth during Ostara to also honor the parts that we wish to leave. We don’t do this with a hefty “See ya later; don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” Rather, we do it in a way that honors the “bad,” how it came to be and why it had value, and why we now must remove it. This, too, requires the same mindfulness and energy transfer that setting an intention does. Set aside time to collect dead leaves, particularly from plants you own if possible. Set them on the southern side of your home or altar. Assign each leaf with one trait you are trying to remove. Hold each leaf one by one and, as you do, think less of how this one trait is bothersome and more of how it served you. When done, state the following toward the negative trait and the leaf that symbolizes it: An obedient servant, I honor your worth Released from your job since the duty is served A mindful sloughing; I commend your work And release with mercy, a death well deserved. When done, take those leaves and, facing east, crumble them and let them float in the air. 37
Exclusive Interview with
Diana Rowan Diana Rowan is the author of The Bright Way. She is a professional harpist, and has performed on six continents. She founded the Bright Way Guild to be able to teach in the digital environment, and she offers students around the world access to her system through an ongoing membership program, several dynamic Facebook communities, and videos. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What is the “Bright Way System” and why did you create it? The Bright Way System is a five-step path to reclaiming your creativity and following through with it in everyday life. I developed BWS over decades of struggling with performance anxiety and finally learning how to feel confident and consistently motivated. I believe performance anxiety is an intense version of creative based anxieties. And I’d say that most people have at least some anxiety about their creativity. While it’s very normal to feel that way, I don’t think it’s a given and just has to stay that way. I’ve taught music for almost three decades and developed BWS in tandem with my students’ and my own creative journeys. Over time, I came to realize that the epic journey to confident, inspired creativity really boils down to just five steps. Being creative can sound like a very lofty or longterm project reserved for the few, but I believe
38
everyone is creative. This is why there can be a universal path to reclaiming creativity; it’s natural to be creative, it’s our birthright. And further, anyone can regain their creativity at any time, any place.them feel like they aren’t alone and empower them to take control of their lives. Why is being creative such an important part of life? When I see people being creative, I see them light up. I see them energized from the inside-out. I see their confidence in themselves return, their kindness increase, their joy spread outward so that others become inspired in turn. Creativity restores you to your true self, and I believe your true, eternal self is always a positive energy. You can be creative - which I define as being actively engaged in whatever you’re doing – at any moment, no matter your circumstances. Being creative reignites your true power and brings
genuine fulfillment that lasts. Being creative gives you back your freedom because you make choices based on what you love and stand for from the inside-out, not what’s externally imposed on you. All these reasons and more are why I know being creative is such an important part of life for each one of us. How is creativity an antidote to this kind of stress? Since creativity is about genuine, direct engagement with what you do, vast sources of energy open when you’re creative. You reconnect to what you’re doing on so many more levels, and the flow of energy between yourself and everything around you gains momentum. Creativity brings you back in touch with what you really care about in life, again what you love and what you stand for. If you approach your work with this perspective of actually being able to make a difference and find meaning in what you do, more motivation and less burnout will follow. And for creativity outside the workplace, it refuels you with joy and resilience, which are antidotes to burnout. As you gain confidence through your creativity, you might also find yourself contributing more value at work, leading to greater recognition and less burnout. And with your increased creative confidence, if you find your work is absolutely not in alignment with your purpose, you’ll be in a stronger position to move on to another position that fulfills you more in the long run.
What inspired you to write this book? It was a magical circumstance – one of the dear members of my Bright Way program, Claudia Boutote, asked me if I might be interested in writing a book about my creative methods. It felt both natural and like lightning striking! I stayed inspired during the entire writing process, as there’s nothing more thrilling to me than to see people regain their creativity. I kept that in mind every day, so the inspiration kept flowing. Plus I was using the very system I was writing about.
How can our readers connect with you? You can find me on Instargram: @dianarowan or on my website: www.dianarowan.com.
39
Working With the Goddess Minerva O
stara, also known as the Spring or Vernal Equinox, happens every March between the 20th and the 23rd. This magickal Pagan holiday celebrates the moment when the day and night are equal and the light starts to return and stay longer. This time of year, one of the wonderful goddesses to work with is Minerva. In addition to honoring Minerva during Ostara, she has her own festival. March 19th through 23rd is known as Quinquatria, and sacrifices were made to the goddess during this time. As Minerva is also considered the patron goddess of theater and the arts, many plays and other public art displays were performed. Minerva is the Roman goddess of wisdom, the arts, trade, poetry, medicine, and war. Minerva is also the Roman name for the Goddess Athena. She is also considered a virgin goddess and is commonly referred to as a “jack of all trades” because of the number of things that she rules over. Symbolically, Minerva is usually shown in full battle gear - a spear, helmet, and chainmail. She is also commonly seen with her owl, a physical representation
40
of her wisdom (known as the Owl of Wisdom). There are a few offerings specific to Minerva; olives, incense, needlework, silver gifts, and milk. These are best to offer her while seeking her assistance. Minerva is especially good at helping with things that require strategic planning, due to her status as a goddess of war. She is also great to call when seeking wisdom for anything that might be confusing in your life or clarification on where you should go next. While Minerva is an ancient goddess, she is one that can easily be used in a more contemporary sense. Her “do it all” attitude blends well with modern women and feminism, and she is the perfect deity to invoke if you’re struggling with feeling like you can handle all life seems to be throwing at you. Minerva can help remind you that you are strong, powerful, feminine, and capable. Invoke Minerva when working with sexual magick or the Maiden aspect of the Triple Goddess.
41
Violet Other names: Blue Violet, Sweet Violet Plant family: Violaceae. Violet appears at the end of February and has finished blooming by the end of April. According to Grieve, for commercial purposes. Violet is the
diminutive form of the Latin Viola, the Latin form of the Greek name lone.
There is a legend that when Jupiter changed his beloved Io into a white heifer for fear of Juno’s jealousy, he caused these modest flowers to spring forth
from the earth to be fitting food for her, and he gave them her name. Another derivation of the word Violet is said to be from Vias (wayside). Violets are also associated with death and rebirth through the story of Attis.
Viola odorata
Magickal properties: Protection, Luck, Love, Lust, Wishes, Peace, Healing
Magickal workings: According to Cunningham When the flowers are carried they offer protection against “wykked sperytis" and bring changes in luck and fortune. Mixed with lavender, they are a powerful love stimulant and also arouse lust. If you gather the first violet in the spring your dearest wish will be granted. Scent profile: Sweet. Actions: Mucilage, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, saponins. V. tricolor: Flavonoids, methylsalicylate, mucilage, gums, resins, saponins (Hoffmann, 2003). Safety: No known safety issues. Correspondences: Venus, Water.
The sweet-scented Violet appears at the end of February and has finished blooming by the end of April. The familiar leaves are heartshaped, slightly downy, especially beneath, on stalks rising alternately from a creeping rhizome or underground stem, the blades of the young leaves rolled up from each side into the middle on the face of the leaf into two tight coils. The flower-stalks arise from the axils of the leaves and bear single flowers, with a pair of scaly bracts placed a little above the middle of the stalk. Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal, Vol. II: 2
43
Working with the Storm Moon M
arch is home to the beginning of spring and the vernal equinox. And, as magickal as that growing energy can be, it is also the month that brings the Storm Moon. The March full moon has been called many things: the Full Sap Moon, Ash Moon, Worm Moon, Seed Moon: they all have similar meanings of rebirth and awakening. It is a month full of change, thunderstorms, and the reemergence of greenery and life in the world. What Is Associated With The Storm Moon? The Storm Moon is often represented by the colors light purple, green, and yellow. Many of the same colors associated with Ostara can be used this month as well, especially pastels. It is also related to the gemstones aquamarine and bloodstone, and the herbs apple blossom, pennyroyal, and wood betony.
44
It is also strongly related to the goddesses Isis, Artemis, and The Morrighan, and the element of water (mainly due to all the rain that happens this time of year). How To Best Work With The Storm Moon Knowing how to specifically work with this full moon can add unique power to any spell cast during it. This full moon is best for workings that are focusing on fertility, rebirth, prosperity, and regrowth. In this vein, it is the perfect time to start your yearly herb garden or connect back with nature. You can find wonderful books on herbs such as Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee De La Foret, and for connecting with nature, try The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs by Judy Ann Nock or Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck.
March’s full moon is also a wonderful time to make and attract positive changes to your life. This can be with your love life, career, or simply life in general. During March, make sure to take time out of your busy day-to-day life to focus on the present and what you want your life to look like. Then manifest those changes with positive affirmations and spells. For 100 spells to create change, try The Spell Book for New Witches by Ambrosia Hawthorn. One last way to work with the Storm Moon is to use the power of the rainy season. The water is perfect for rituals, and for recharging and consecrating magickal tools. Regardless of how you choose to work with the Storm Moon, don’t let March pass you by without using its immense power to help you reach your goals. It’s the season of change, and you deserve everything you set your mind to.
March’s Moon is
The Storm Moon 45
Complete Your Collection Stock up on last year’s digital back issues of Witchology Magazine for only $1.99 each.
Order Now
46
Embrace Your Year of the Wild “Bold, exquisite, empowering, and healing in its concoction and execution, Seasons of Moon and Flame is an exceptional achievement and an essential read.” — MAT AURYN, author of Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation
“Danielle Dulsky is the poet of this generation of Witches, weaving the magical art of storytelling and ritual into our lives with Seasons of Moon and Flame. If we listen closely, we find that her voice is running through our very blood and bones and holds the keys to our ancestral wildness.” — ORA NORTH, author of I Don’t Want to Be an Empath Anymore “Danielle Dulsky continually creates works of the soul through her writing. The yearning to come back home, back to the roots of who you are, will envelop your bones in this book.” — JULIET DIAZ, author of Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within “To wander through the textual landscapes conjured once again by the magisterial stroke of Danielle Dulsky’s pen is to recognize that the world, like the home of the crone at the edge of the forest, is brimming with magic. Good, healing, relational, intimate, emergent magic. And we do need magic today!” — BAYO AKOMOLAFE, author of These Wilds Beyond Our Fences
———————————————— www.newworldlibrary.com
| Also available as an ebook
————————————————
Spring and the Living Wands of the Druids By Jon Hughes
The arrival of Spring marks the beginning of the Tree Cycle in Druidic lore. A time when it’s impossible to walk in a wood or explore a forest without feeling the burgeoning new life and energy of the season.
T
his is the time when our trees are considered to be at their most powerful and influential. The new young trees bursting with vitality and the rising sap in the mature trees renewing their lifecycle and reinvigorating their ancient knowledge and power. Spring is a time when Druids focus upon the energy and verve of the renewed life force that nature provides for us in abundance and one of the most important workings of this season is those involving ‘Living Wands,’ one of the most influential and vital spiritual instruments available to us at this time of the year. To fully understand the importance of the Living Wand we must first focus upon exactly how these powerful devices achieve their purpose. In Druidic lore, the Living Wand has three specific functions: 48
1.It acts as a conduit to channel the intention of the user. 2.It amplifies the intention of the user. 3.It adds its own influences to the intention of the user and enhances its effect. In order to achieve these outcomes, it is imperative that the wand not only maintains the attributes and virtues of the tree from which it is harvested but also that it is used while these virtues of fresh and vibrant. And to do this, the wand must be used while it is still a living entity, even though it has been separated from its host tree. When a branch is newly harvested to be used as a wand, it not only maintains the original attributes of the host tree, but it also retains the vitality or life-energy of the host in its sap and living physical structure.
The first of the functions mentioned above is the wand’s ability to act as a conduit for the intention of the user. (Other traditions may prefer to refer to the intention as the spell or incantation). Like any other conduit, the wand must have a center core that acts as the channeling path together with a barrier that maintains the integrity of what is being channeled. It may help to consider the wand (the conduit) to be similar to an electrical cable, with the central cooper wire carrying the energy while the outer insulating covering prevents it from dispersing or being contaminated by external forces. In the same way, the living heartwood of the wand is the channeling pathway, while the outer bark acts as the insulating encasement that prevents its diffusion or contamination.
By directing and impelling the intention through the living wand it becomes intensified, and its power is increased. By concentration and targeting the intention through this living conduit, its energy is amplified and directed specifically at its target. The channeling of the intention through the living conduit of the wand means that it is directly and powerfully influenced by the attributes and virtues of the wood from which the wand is crafted and as the wand is still a living, vibrant entity, its’ effects are efficiently absorbed into the energies of the intention. With all this in mind, it is not difficult to see just why the Druidic tradition maintains that these super-powerful wands MUST be crafted and used from newly harvested, living wood. Hence their title of ‘Living Wands. It is their living life-force that gives them their exceptional power and allows their natural attributes to be absorbed into the express desires of the intention and induce extraordinary effectiveness.
Having explained the philosophy of the ‘Living Wand’ we can now explore how we harvest and craft these powerful devices. Firstly, we must identify the perfect donor tree for our Living Wand. There is not sufficient space here to explore all the various attributes of the trees we may choose from, so I can only direct the reader to the many other information sources available on this subject so that you may identify the most suitable tree species for your purpose. Once you have identified the specific tree that will give you the attribute you are looking for, be it Oak, Wych Elm, Yew, or similar, it is best to find an individual tree of that species that is best located for your harvesting. Bear in mind when selecting your individual tree that it will inevitably be influenced by its surrounding botanicals and its general terroir, or growing environment. Examples of these natural influences may be, for example, if the tree is covered in Ivy or mistletoe, these botanicals will have their individual influence upon the
tree and its wood. If the tree has grown next to water, again, the water will influence the attributes of the tree. With this in mind, it remains the responsibility of the reader to identify these external influences and incorporate the same into their objectives. Once the individual donor tree has been identified and located, the next consideration is the time of harvesting. If the branch is harvested during the Spring, its power will be in the ascendance, full of vitality and virtue, if harvested during the winter it will be more subdued but will have the advantage of maturity and may well be more suited to more profound, thoughtful workings. Chose your harvesting season accordingly. With regard to the time of day/ night of the harvesting, early morning harvesting will endow the wood with additional potential, whilst harvesting at noon will empower the wood with maximum sun-originated energy. Similarly, harvesting at night will empower the wood with the additional virtues of
49
the moon and her energies. The final consideration is when the harvester actually intends to use the wand they are harvesting. It is imperative that the wand is harvested as close as possible to the intended use and not kept for any longer than is necessary. It is of great importance that the harvester meditates on all these aspects and variants and prepares a suitable plan of action before embarking on harvesting whatever Living Wand best suits their objectives. Having identified their donor tree and decided upon their preferred time of harvesting, the actual harvesting if a simple process. Locate a suitable branch and cut it from the host tree as precisely as possible. One quick cut is best. The selected branch should be cut to a length at least as long as the distance between the user’s elbow and the tips of their finger as this will be the final length of the finished Living Wand. Having harvested the branch, and most people find it quite an emotional experience, it is important to trim away all the leaves, small sprouting branches, etc. at the at the place
of harvesting and leave them on the ground near the host tree as an offering in acknowledgement of the tree’s sacrifice. At this point it is the profound responsibility of the harvester to craft and use the Living Wand as quickly as possible. Crafting the wand becomes a simple process if one considers the principles detailed above. The wand is cut to the finished length matching the distance between the user’s elbow and the tips of their fingers. The tip (the point furthest from the user’s hand) should be cut diagonally in order to expose the heartwood of the wand. (the soft, inner core of the branch). The butt (the base of the wand that will rest in the user’s palm) is cut diagonally, again to expose the heartwood. The purpose of these cuts it to enable the heartwood of the wand to be placed directly against the palm of the hand of the user and the heartwood of the tip to be directed toward (or touched against) the user’s objective, thereby providing an uninterrupted channel between user and objective. Ideally, the
protective bark (the insulator) should remain intact. Again, consider the analogy of the electrical cable. The crafting complete, the user should employ the Living Wand in the same way as any other, to impel or project their intention (spell/ invocation) and induce their intended effect. When properly applied and used it is not difficult to see the principle of the Living Wand and how it is seen as the most powerful of wands in Druidic lore. Spring is the ideal time to harvest, craft and use Druidic Living Wands and I believe that once the reader applies their gift to its use, the benefits will be plain to see. Advocates of the Living Wand sometimes find it hard to understand the universally popular use of deadwood wands, which they consider to be just sticks or branches, but it is of course for the reader to decide upon the best wand type for their own, individual workings.
50
PRIMROSE YEMA AND SPRING SUNSHINE By Miss Wondersmith
51
PRIMROSE YEMA AND SPRING SUNSHINE By Miss Wondersmith
I
don’t think it’s any coincidence that so many springtime celebrations and rituals involve hunting for treasure. From Easter eggs tucked into unsuspecting places to a rush to find the end of the rainbow and its promise of leprechaun gold, there is an air of anticipation through the season. I can imagine our ancient ancestors felt the same way. The end of winter must have been tough. With the food stores running low, little to forage except for branch tips and the occasional dried berries. But then, spring arrives! And with it came all kinds of new bounties popping up all over the place. A bright shoot of nettle poking out of the brown duff here, a violet blossom there! And above them, in the trees, hearty little pockets of protein, safely encased in their own carrying containers. Spring feels like a collective sigh of relief to me. Relief that the land, finally, is waking up. Relief that the soil is warming and seeds are sprouting, and sunshine is out to be basked
52
in. Relief that soon heartier crops will join the landscape and the stores of food and medicine depleted by winter’s desperation will once again be refilled. And after that sigh, that exhale, comes an inhale: breathe in the excitement, the change, the beauty, the pleasure. Smell those new blossoms on the trees, and let the winds of warm springtime fill your lungs until you just can’t fit any more of it inside you. Soak up the potential that’s buzzing in the air and imagine where it could take you. Now, don’t you feel like hunting for gold during this month? In the kitchen, I’ve recently discovered a Filipino treat called “yema,” a soft golden custard candy made out of leftover egg yolks. I know the traditions of St. Patrick’s Day are far from Southeast Asia, but I like to believe this is the true leprechaun gold. And, like mythological leprechaun gold, these will certainly disappear overnight. To me, these custardy sweets coated in crunchy primrose sugar taste
like sunbeams and remind me of another one of my favorite springtime rituals. On the next page, see the recipe to find just one more way to add some gold into your life this spring. I added a little local twist to this traditional recipe. The primrose flowers just starting to bloom in my garden have such an entrancing floral smell, and I knew I had to incorporate them into something special. Grinding fresh primrose blossoms with sugar is a treat for the senses. I love sniffing in that same sweet fragrance during the process, and primrose sugar can be used in all kinds of baked goods and confections. Primroses are light and delicately floral, adding a beautiful and subtle note of flavor to these silky custard-like candies. As always, if you enjoy my writing and would like to support me, please consider taking a look at my Patreon page, where you can also find lots of lovely reward options.
PRIMROSE YEMA AND SPRING SUNSHINE By Miss Wondersmith
A Short Ritual: Sun Soaking One of my favorite practices this time of year is known to some as “sipping sunshine.” It’s as simple as pausing throughout the day to soak in some sunlight in a mindful way. To do it, face the sun and expose as much skin as you’re comfortable doing. Close your eyes and let your mouth remain open. Can you taste the sunshine on your tongue? Can you swallow it? Can you feel it filling your chest? Try to do this at least a couple of times a day in the early days of spring and feel your sense of peace and happiness increase with every beautiful ray you soak in. INGREDIENTS: Primrose Yema Candy 8 egg yolks 1 (11 oz ) can sweetened condensed milk Zest from 1 lemon 3/4 cup primrose sugar (below) Primrose Sugar 1/2 cup fresh primrose blossoms 1 cup granulated white sugar Primrose Sparkle Sugar ⅓ cup fresh primrose blossoms ¼ cup granulated white sugar ¾ cup decorative sparkling sugar
DIRECTIONS: Primrose Yema Candy 1. Place a plate in the fridge and let it chill for about 20 minutes. 2. Combine the egg yolks, condensed milk, and lime zest in a small non-stick pan. Place over low heat and cook, stirring regularly, until mixture has thickened into a paste. Every now and then, dab a little bit of it on the chilled plate to test consistency. When you can roll a ball out of the cooled mixture on the plate, it’s cooked enough. Remove the egg mixture from heat and allow to cool slightly until it’s cool enough to handle. 3. Shape the egg yolk mixture into small 1” balls and roll in primrose sparkle sugar. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated. Primrose Sugar 1. Remove the green sepals around the primrose blossoms. Put the blossoms in a mortar and pestle along with ¼ c. sugar. Grind until you have a fine paste. 2. Add another ¼ c. sugar and keep grinding until no visible petals remain. Mix in the remaining sugar. 3. Spread out on a baking sheet to dry overnight. Then push through a sieve to remove any clumps. Primrose Sparkle Sugar 1. Remove the green sepals around the primrose blossoms. Put them in the mortar and pestle along with the granulated white sugar. Grind until you have a fine paste. 2. Stir in the remaining decorative sparkling sugar. Mix well with a spoon until the sparkling sugar is lightly colored and fragrant. Use right away to roll the yema in, or spread and allow it to dry to enjoy later. 53
Spring Lemon Tart A lemon tart also called tarte au citron in French, is a sweet and tart dessert dish. It has a pastry shell with a lemon filling. A delicious addition to your spring. INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
9 inch pie crust
1. In a medium heatproof bowl, place eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and heavy cream and whisk to combine. 2. Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Cook on moderate heat, whisking constantly, until mixture becomes thick (10-20 minutes). The curd will thicken more once cooled. 3. Remove from heat and immediately strain mixture through a sieve. 4. Add butter, a few cubes at a time, and whisk until completely melted and incorporated, and mixture is smooth. Take your time with it—the whisking makes for an airy and light texture. 5. Allow to cool to room temperature before filling the tart. *Lemon curd can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or can be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, place overnight in the fridge. Whisk the mixture to smoothen it before using. 6. Fill the tart shell with lemon curd, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours until chilled. Serve with powdered sugar, berries, or whipped cream if you like.
Lemon Curd Filling 3 eggs 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tbsp lemon zest 1/2 cup lemon juice 2 tbsp heavy cream, optional 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
54
Witchology Magazine Directory Shops * Events * Sales * New Products * Blogs
55
Contact us at ambrosia@witchologymagazine.com or at Advertising for options.
Witchology Magazine Directory Shops * Events * Sales * New Products * Blogs
Contact us at ambrosia@witchologymagazine.com or at Advertising for options.
56
