Still Here

I promise I'm still around. I've had so many problems with jobs here lately. Is it just me, or are places paying lower money for harder work? Anyway, I'm going to spend tomorrow working on blog posts, and I will get back to a more normal pace! 

The Blog's a Winner!

As a lot of you know, I share most of my posts on Pagan Pages Blog Hop, and thanks to you amazing guys, I was selected June's Brilliant Blogger! Thank you so much for this amazing honor! I'm so sorry I haven't been around, and I'm barely announcing this in August. But thank you so much!

I'm Still Here!

I haven't been around much here lately, which makes me a naughty, naughty witch. I found a job, and I've just been trying to figure out how to balance everything. My work schedule is usually 2:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and I've been trying to take care of the house work during the mornings. I've switched job locations and will hopefully be getting a new schedule sometime soon. Same hours, just different days. Once I get my new schedule I promise I will find a way to balance things!

Candle Magick

I realize it is Thursday, and today is supposed to be Goddess Bio day. I will probably, hopefully, get around to that later. Knight and I have his nephew here, and man is it hard to keep that kid away from my altar in the living room, and keep him away from any other magickal stuff I have around the house. I feel like I'm constantly chasing him around, returning stuff to it's rightful place, picking trash up off the living room altar, picking up his dirty dishes off the altar, and trying to explain to him that, no, the xbox controller does not belong on the altar either. Of course, it doesn't help that Knight's family doesn't know what my religion is, since it's such a weird mishmash of Christian/Pagan/Wiccan/Voodoo beliefs, so while Knight understands that the altar is not to be messed with, I can't really explain to his nephew what it is. Knight took him to work with him, and I now have a moment of time today, and really wanted to discuss candle magick. So, that's what we're gonna do!
I've practiced candle magick for years. It was one of the few things I could do, before I announced to key people that I'm a witch, that didn't give me away instantly. Candle magick is practiced in almost every single religion. And if you're still in the broom closet, which I'm not coming down on you for, there's all kinds of reasons for a person to keep their religious beliefs to themselves, so candle magick is the perfect closety practice for you! Regardless of what some people may think, candle magick is not a passive form of magick. Some of my biggest magickal feats have been accomplished through candle magick and the deity/spirit/orisha/loa that I decided to work with for those feats. We won't go over the basics just now, because I want to save that for a Witchcraft 101 post, but I want to talk about simple ways for you to introduce candle magick into your life. 
I've become addicted to candle magick. In all honesty, if I don't have at least one candle burning on my altar at all times, I don't feel right, my home doesn't feel right. The most important candle on my altar is a large white candle. I like using pure white novena candles in a clear jar. That one white candle represents the God and Goddess. I reuse my novena jars, and refill them here at home. Once it has burned down, I clean out the jar, replace the wick, refill it with white candle wax, and as soon as it is "cured" I relight it. I try to keep one premade, while refilling the other, so that I never have to go without my deity candle burning. Like I said, without at least that one candle burning, my home doesn't feel right. I can almost feel the absence of the God and Goddess. That may sound strange to you guys, because in all honesty, the God and Goddess are always around, whether there's a candle burning or not, but to me, without my deity candle burning, it feels like they are a bit more distant. So, my white candle never goes out on my altar. If you aren't able to have an altar, just having a special shelf where nothing else it put, placing a white candle on the shelf, and lighting it will make a huge difference in your life. 
Other than my deity candle, I usually have at least one prayer/spell/intention candle burning as well. These candles are all slightly different. I still use the glass jars from novena candles, but while some of them are novena candles bought from the store, others are specifically colored, hand poured, Witchmade™ candles that I make for specific intents and spells. Currently, I have my deity candle burning, which will need to be replaced soon, and I'll be making a new deity candle later today. I also have a St. Jude candle burning. I had an interview with a business close to home that will have good hours, be fulfilling, fairly good pay starting out, and great benefits. I am hoping to hear back from them tomorrow so I can start training on Monday, so the St. Jude candle is to help things along. 
One thing I find interesting is the difference in how store bought, and Witchmade™ candles burn. Those that I create myself, focusing on my intention while preparing the wax, pouring, etc., seem to burn longer, cleaner, and much brighter, than the ones bought from the store. For example, my deity candle, which I poured here at home while meditating and talking to God and Goddess is burning much higher than the St. Jude candle I bought at the store. The flame is rather high, very cheery, and extremely comforting. It lets me know for sure that God and Goddess are within my home. The flame on the St. Jude candle on the other hand, while burning brightly and cheerily, is not anywhere near as tall as my handmade one. I've also noticed a difference in the results received from Witchmade™ candles, and store bought candles. You add more magick to them when you make them yourself. Now, this isn't to say that store bought candles won't work, because they absolutely do. I fix mine with oils and herbs, whether Witchmade™ or store bought, and do deep prayers and cast a lot of energy into them. 
So, what kinds of candle magick do you do? Have any of the saints helped you out? I know that St. Jude has been an amazing help around this house!

Back on Monday

I will be back on Monday. Recently I've been looking for a job so I can pay for my various hobbies and Witchy makings. I took the week off to continue my job hunt more intensely, and will return with our regularly scheduled posts on Monday. 

Herbal Tuesday: Belladonna

Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, is not an herb that we normally use today. It is a very poisonous herb. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous and it has been known to kill small animals and children if ingested. I wanted to talk about Belladonna today, because it is a traditional plant used in witchcraft. Historically, it was used to dilate eyes, and many women used it to dilate their eyes at home, believing it made them look more beautiful. It was also used in sleeping remedies, because it does have a sedative effect. Magickally it was used in flying ointments.
There are other herbs that can be substituted in a modern flying ointment, so Belladonna is not used magickally. Do not burn, smoke, ingest, or even apply Belladonna to your body. It has a cumulative effect, similar to arsenic, so you might not be affected by using a small amount, but it WILL build up over time, and poison you. Just like arsenic, once it has entered your body, it never goes away. 
Belladonna is an absolutely beautiful plant, and if you decide to grow it for it's beauty alone, know that you will have to be on guard to keep animals and small children away from it. Belladonna produces beautiful flowers, and enticing looking berries, but none of these should be handled by children. 

Monday Meditation on Tuesday: New Beginnings

Continuing with my theme from Friday, I want to use our Monday Meditation to share a meditation designed to help you intentionally create a new beginning. Shamans believe that we create our reality with our own thoughts, and speaking from experience, I've found this to be true. So, this meditation was written to help you write a new reality. Let's begin.

M is for Making New Beginnings

This post is a little late, but at least it's still Friday. We're still on M with the Pagan Blog Project. So today's post is about making new beginnings.

Life is full of seasons. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. But humans have seasons too. We go through what people call "phases", some good, some bad, but because of these phases, we have to have new beginnings, too. You maybe, like me, at a point in your life where you feel that it's time for a change, or something may have happened in your life that is making you change.

These are all normal parts of life, and I'm learning that change isn't a bad thing. When you're at a point like I am, knowing that's its time for a change and wanting to begin anew, there are many things you can do to help things along. The most important thing to do, when needing a new beginning, is start looking for ways to create that new beginning. If it has to do with your job, finds ways in the mundane world to help with that. 

For example, there was a time in my life where I didn't have to work, so I never actively looked for a job, but now Knight and I have found ourselves in a situation where neither one of us is able to bring in enough money to handle the things we need to handle. So, we obviously need a new beginning.

On the mundane side, we are both actively looking for jobs, applying where we can, following up on applications, and doing the normal job looking things. But there are magickal things you can do to help things along. I have two candles burning at all times, as prayers to the gods to help us with our job searches. I have done a full "help me get and keep a good job" ritual. 

For those that just feel its time to start over, a wonderful way is to do a road/door opening spell. Light a black candle with the intention of ridding yourself of blockages. Light a yellow candle for strength and confidence, and light a green candle for money and success. Invoke any goddess that is known for rebirths, because that is in all honesty what is happening, you are going through a rebirth stage in your life. Visualize yourself and your life the way you want them to be. For yourself, you may imagine being different than you are now. For example, I aspire to be as loving, giving, and trusting as Cassie Nightingale on the movie The Good Witch. So I envision myself being that way and try to implement those things into my life now. For your life, you might envision yourself having enough money to purchase a new car, or going on a family vacation, or whatever. You might visualize happy, smiling content faces in your home. 

Even though magick will help things along, you still have to do the work. You cannot ask for change in your life, without changing yourself.

Goddess Bio: Devi

Devi is a Hindu Goddess. She is known as the cosmic force and is the creator, annihilator, and re-creator of the universe, which she holds in her womb. The Hindus say that she gives birth to both force and form, and without her nothing would come into being. She is an amazing Goddess to work with for any kind of new beginnings. Need to start a new chapter of your life? Ask Devi for help with that. But be warned, because she is a creator and annihilator, she will destroy to rebuild. 

Devi represents the typical feminine trinity, creator, preserver, and destroyer. She can be peaceful and benign, or full of rage. But she will always be helpful to her devotees, even if it may seem like she is destroying something. Just like any situation in life, when something is destroyed it is so something better can come in it's place. Appropriate offerings for Devi include rock candy, milk, honey, cake or bread, bananas, molasses, and sugar. Lotus flowers are also very appropriate offerings for Devi.

Witchcraft 101: Ethics

Welcome everyone! Today I want to talk about a slightly controversial topic, witchy ethics. This is a topic that has been debated forever, but I wanted to add a lesson about ethics before I go into other aspects, because I feel it is something that should be touched on. So here we go.

Herbal Tuesday: Adam and Eve Root

Photo found at Rita's Spiritual Goods
Welcome to Herbal Tuesdays, my lovelies! Today's spotlight herb is Adam and Eve Root (Orchis Spp). Pictured above, Adam and Eve root is said to help you find love, and to keep a lover faithful. Also, if given to a couple, it will promote continued happiness. Use it in mojo bags, or carry it alone in your pocket, but do not burn it or ingest it as it is poisonous. It's energy is feminine and it is ruled by Venus. It's element is water. True Adam and Eve root is now considered endangered and Orchis Spp is substituted in it's place.
To keep your lover true, one partner should carry the "Adam" root, and the other partner should carry the "Eve" root. The concept is that the roots will be drawn back to each other, thus keeping the lovers together. To attract a new love or a marriage proposal, carry both roots together in a red mojo back, and anoint the bag daily with any form of attraction oil. 
When purchasing herbs, always look for a reputable company. Places on Etsy can be great, because these people usually are very dedicated to their craft, and as such would never do something to detract from that, but always be careful, ask lots of questions if you have any doubts. Even on Etsy, there are swindlers that would sell you something different, just because they can. 

Spell Candles

I've always loved dabbling with making candles. In the past I tried selling them, but I usually bit off more than I could chew and ended up closing shop. I've been struggling here lately to find a job. It seems like everywhere I've put in an application has over looked me. There are a couple places I've tried calling and nothing seems to work. So I decided since I don't have the money to go to town and pick up a handful of 7 day candles, which I love to keep around, I'll just make them myself. I had 10 pounds of sparkle light container palm wax that I had never even used, so I decided, why not use it up. That's enough for 10 7 day candles, and with it being palm wax, I suspect they might burn even longer. Here are a couple of pictures of the one I made specifically for myself last night.

I used the last bit of green candle dye I had to color this candle, but thankfully I made too much, and have enough for a second candle. 

I was trying to show off the feathering effect that palm wax is famous for, but couldn't get a good angle. I'll take another picture outside in sunlight when I get a chance.

I've been toying with the idea of possibly selling these on etsy, but I'm not sure if I would have a market for them. Would any of you buy handmade palm wax 7 day/novena candles?

Monday Meditation: Shut Up and Listen

Monday is the perfect day for a new meditation. I'm sure you've had a typical "ugh it's Monday" day, which is why I decided to do my weekly meditations on Mondays. So, without further ado, let's begin.

Today's meditation is called Shut Up and Listen. Now, I'm sure you're saying, "But Luna, I'm a good listener. I listen to my friends, my husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/life partner, my children, etc.," but that's not what I mean, lovelies. When was the last time you took 15 minutes or more to quiet the world around you and listen to your own soul/inner child/inner self? If you can honestly tell me that you did so in the past week, then you are awesome and have won a gold star and a cookie, but I know that many of you will have to say it's been a while, if ever, since you did listen to your soul/inner child/inner self.

Drawing Down The Moon

I have a small confession. It's been years since I've drawn down the moon. I really miss drawing down the moon though. If this is something you have never experienced, tonight is the absolute perfect night to do it. Tonight we have what they call a super moon. It is when the moon is closest to the earth. But, wait Luna! What is drawing down the moon? Oh, I'm so glad you asked my friends!

Drawing down the moon is an amazing experience where you draw the power of the moon inside you, as well as invoking the Goddess inside of you. It's a very beautiful and powerful experience. Let me break it down for you a little bit more.

M For Movie Magic

I recently found the Pagan Blog Project, and decided it was something I needed to participate in! I decided to write about movie magic, because the Witchcraft 101 posts I've been working on will easily mirror with this. So, welcome to everyone from the project! I'll be stopping by to see your posts as well! Please leave me a comment and let me know you stopped by, and share your thoughts as well! Let's jump right in, shall we?

Celebrating Litha

Tomorrow is Litha, also known as Midsummer and Summer Solstice, which means it's time for us witches to celebrate! This is the time to enjoy the bounty of the land, day and night equalizing out, and just in general loving life! Today, I am not going to give two lessons in one day, so if you don't know the history of Litha and would like to, please check out this article.

I, personally, hope to celebrate Litha with Knight and the rest of my family. Hopefully we won't have a storm and can cook out and light the fire pit. This is a time to find a balance within yourself. Everyone has dark and light within us, and because Litha is the time when the day and the night are exactly equal, it's the perfect time for us to balance ourselves out as well.

I'll be spending the day cleaning the house, meditating, and then hopefully that evening Knight and I can have a lovely family meal, and watch the fire dance in the backyard! How will you be celebrating Litha this year?

Household Cleansings: When Negativity Must Leave

It starts off as something small. You wake up with your love, and for some odd reason you both are just in crabby moods. You snap at each other, then say you're just tired, and then he leaves for work, and you leave for work, or stay home, and it just sets a bad tone for the rest of the day. Then that bad day turns into a bad week, and that bad week turns into a bad month, and before you know it, it seems like your life is just spiraling out of control! What's going on here? Have you been cursed? Is life turning against you? Chances are, the answer to the last two questions is ... NO.

Follow Me On Bloglovin!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin. Since Google so kindly decided to get rid of the Google Friend Connect buttons, I can't add it to my blog. Of course, if I chose a completely different template that still had the old button hardwired into it, then I could, but I happen to love the blog the way it is now. That's no guarantee that it won't change sometime in the future, but I do really like it now, and don't plan on changing things. With that in mind, I'm using Bloglovin as a way to follow other blogs, and have other readers follow me as well!

If you've never heard of Bloglovin, it's an awesome blog reader. It keeps everything organized and in place, and is extremely easy to navigate. You can easily group different blogs under different categories that you create, so that everything is nice and organized.

Of course, I realize that a lot of people will roll their eyes, and go, I don't want to have to log in to something totally different and have to learn how it works, just to be able to read blogs, and that is completely fine, too! I also use NetworkedBlogs on Facebook. Just check out the box in the right hand sidebar, and you can follow me through there as well!

Witchcraft 101: What is Witchcraft Anyway?

To kick off our Witchcraft 101 series, I'm going to take us back to the absolute basics. I know there are a lot of good books and blogs out there that offer wonderful definitions of what Witchcraft is, and what it isn't, but I wouldn't be a very good 101 teacher if I started off with slightly advanced work, without laying out the ground knowledge first. So here we go!