shirleytwofeathers
Among the most famous miracle-working rabbis was Judah the Pious (1150-1217), author of the influential Book of Angels. Although many other rabbis are credited with miracle cures, usually their methods aren’t revealed – just vague tales of prayer and ritual. A legend, however, explicitly explains how Judah the Pious effected a cure and why it worked. Adapt to your own situation.
In the story, a woman who had previously borne children, now older (old enough to perform the ritual for their mother), wished to have another child but found herself unable to do so. She petitioned Judah the Pious for help.
His prescription? He had her children dig a grave for her and place her within it and pretend to mourn for her. Unknown to the woman, children, and other participants in the ritual, Judah had hired armed men to make a sudden show of attack. The children were so terrified that, forgetting their mother and the ritual, they immediately scattered and ran off, at least temporarily.
For that moment it was as if the woman didn’t exist, which caused the spirits, blocking her fertility, to mimic the children and scatter also, searching for other hosts.
The woman arose from her grave, fresh and reborn, and according to the legend, very quickly conceived.
Old Mother Goose, when
She wanted to wander,
Would ride through the air
On a very fine gander.
Today, Mother Goose is limited to the nursery, her rhymes intended to entertain only the youngest, least sophisticated children, yet MotherGoose’s namesake bird links her to a host of powerful spirits: Aphrodite, too, rides through the air on a goose. The bird is sacred to Egyptian Hathor and Roman Juno, both valiant protectors and advocates for women.
In the Middle Ages, the once sacred goose became associated with witchcraft and disreputable women. Attempts to discredit Lilith and the Queen of Sheba depict them as dangerously beautiful, seductive women, with one goose’s foot peeping from beneath a skirt.
Interestingly, the recent backlash against “nursery rhymes” being taught to our children has a lot to do with the content of the rhymes; if you’ve never read them as an adult, you may not realize just what they actually “say.” In fact, most of the “nursery rhymes” were not originally intended for children!
Why is Mother Goose never portrayed as a plump Grandmotherly type bouncing a grandbaby on her knee? Why always an elderly hag? Gasp! Could Mother Goose be the prototype of the stereotypical “witch”?
Witches were the keepers of knowledge for the common folk– it was she who nursed the sick babe as well as birthed calves or treated illnesses. She was a “wise woman”. She was a valued member of her community; but, as in any human endeavor, she was not infallible. It was when things went wrong that this woman – often old with no close family ties – was accused of heinous acts. (We are all human and tend to blame others for our misfortune. In today’s society we hire a lawyer and go for blood… in earlier times… they just went for blood.)
One thing is certain… if “she” were one individual, she was passing down oral history, lore and adages… from people of other eras. In the early days, before they were “collected” into the somewhat familiar form of today; these rhymes were actually methods of preserving history, customs, lore and fears for the common man. (We need to recall that the majority of people in the earlier centuries could neither read or write. That is why roving troubadours, bards and minstrels were so popular.)
Here is a short grimoire of Mother Goose spells, charms, chants, and divinations, taken from the 1916 edition of “The Real Mother Goose.”
Hawthorn Beauty Spell
The fair maid who, the first of May,
Goes to the fields at break of day,
And washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree
Will ever after handsome be.
Rain Begone Chant
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day;
Little Johnny wants to play.
Bridal Protection Spell
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a sixpence in her shoe!
Bee Omens and Luck
A swarm of bees in May
Is worth a load of hay;
A swarm of bees in June
Is worth a silver spoon;
A swarm of bees in July
Is not worth a fly.
Storm Prediction Lore
As the days grow longer
The storms grow stronger.
Lucky Pin Spell
See a pin and pick it up,
All the day you’ll have good luck.
See a pin and let it lay,
Bad luck you’ll have all the day.
Friday Dream Divination
Friday’s dream,
on Saturday told,
Is sure to come true,
be it never so old.
Sneezing Divination for the Days of the Week
If you sneeze on Monday, you sneeze for danger;
If you sneeze on a Tuesday, kiss a stranger;
If you sneeze on a Wednesday, sneeze for a letter;
If you sneeze on a Thursday, something better;
If you sneeze on a Friday, sneeze for sorrow;
If you sneeze on a Saturday, joy tomorrow.
Rain Prediction
A sunshiny shower
Won’t last half an hour.
Saturday Night Love Ritual
On Saturday night
Shall be all my care
To powder my locks
And curl my hair.
On Sunday morning
My love will come in.
When he will marry me
With a gold ring.
Counting Love Divination
One, he loves;
Two, he loves;
Three, he loves, they say;
Four, he loves with all his heart;
Five, he casts away.
Six, he loves;
Seven, she loves;
Eight, they both love.
Nine, he comes;
Ten, he tarries;
Eleven, he courts;
Twelve, he marries.
Health Wealth and Wisdom Ritual
Cocks crow in the morn
To tell us to rise,
And he who lies late
Will never be wise;
For early to bed
And early to rise,
Is the way to be healthy
And wealthy and wise.
To Stay Young
Tommy’s tears and Mary’s fears
Will make them old before their years.
Birthday Predictions
Monday’s child is fair of face,
Tuesday’s child is full of grace,
Wednesday’s child is full of woe,
Thursday’s child has far to go,
Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for its living,
But the child that’s born on the Sabbath day
Is bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
Collected from various sources including an article by Ashlynn Ward found at Lady of the Earth, Project Gutenberg, and The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells
Many Wiccan books discuss the taking of a Wiccan /magical name. The ceremonial bestowing of such a name upon the initiate is a part of many initiation ceremonies. Afterward, the new Wiccan is usually exclusively called by this name within the circle.
Magical names are quite popular among Wiccans; so popular, in fact, that many Wiccans have two or even three such names: a public Craft name (used at Wiccan gatherings, when writing articles, and so on); a secret name (the one bestowed during initiation), and perhaps even a third name which is used only when addressing the Goddess and God, and is known only to Them and the Wiccan. Wiccans who are members of more than one tradition may have different names for each group.
For many Wiccans, taking a new name (magical name) is an outward symbol of her or his devotion to Wicca. It’s seen as a part of the process of rebirth into the religion.
To cut to the heart of this matter: is it necessary for you to adopt a Wiccan name? If you wish your Wicca to correspond to conventional Wicca as far as possible, yes. If you feel freer than these constraints, adoption of a special name isn’t necessary. Once again, the decision is yours alone.
The major reason for utilizing a magical name is that it represents the Wiccan you. For some, use of this name gives them a sense of power and mystery which they may otherwise not feel. We live in such a mundane world that it can indeed be difficult to ‘switch on’ the magical side of our nature. Thus, use of a Wiccan name may assist in altering the conscious mind and preparing it for ritual.
Some people take an entirely different approach: they legally adopt their Wiccan name. Thus, Sally Thompson becomes Amber; Frank Jones, Greywolf. This name may even appear on driver’s licenses, leases and other documents. This legal avenue is inadvisable unless you’re completely open about your religion, since such a name will naturally draw attention to its bearer. Though many state that they’ve chosen to use their new name to the exclusion of the old one purely for spiritual reasons, most are also making a public statement regarding their religion–and not all of us are ready for such a step.
How do you find your magical name?
There are many approaches. Some Wiccans adopt the name of a Goddess or God, in honor of Them. Others look into their family’s cultural history and choose a name from the associated folklore: a person with British ancestry may opt for a name culled from British folklore. Many contemporary American Wiccans incorporate an animal in their name, such as ‘Howling Wolf’ or ‘Sweeping Eagle’. Flower and plant names (such as Rose, Oak Keeper, Grove, Fir, Ash) are other possibilities.
You may also simply make up a name. Many Wiccan names consist of two words that have been put together. Such names are usually quite descriptive. (Silverhair, Shadowdancer, Mist Walker)
Some famous Wiccan names have been published. Gerald Gardner publicly used the name Scire. At least one of Doreen Valiente’s magical names was Ameth. A well-known High Priest adopted the public Craft name of Phoenix.
Still other popular names include: Morgan, Morgana, Morgaine, Morgraine, Lugh, and Arthur; Ariadne, Diana, Hermes, Poseidon, Cassandra, and Triton; Selket, Ma’at, Osiris, and other Egyptian names.
Among the most commonly used names are Amber, Phoenix, and Merlin. Calling out one of these names at a Pagan gathering will usually cause many heads to turn.
So there are plenty of possibilities from which to choose. If you decide to use a Wiccan name in ritual, always use it. Use it in prayer. Use it in rituals. Write it, in runes or English, on your tools. You may even wish to perform some sort of name-adoption ritual. This could consist of casting a circle and invoking the Goddess and God to be present and asking Them to recognize you by your new name. Use of a Craft name may not give you any additional power, but it’s a traditional practice, and many enjoy it.
Author Unknown
This is a spell that can be used to help you get whatever it is that you want: healing, guidance, courage, peace, harmony, love, success, money, energy, insight, power… anything. What is required is a clear idea of what you want and/or need, a tree receptive to your need, a leaf from that tree, a charcoal tipped stick, piece of flexible vine, and a dime.
When you have found the tree you are going to be working with, spend a few minutes getting centered and soaking in the energy of the place and developing a sense of connection with the tree. Then, sitting beneath your chosen tree, write or draw a symbol of your need onto the leaf with your charcoal tipped stick.
Rise and walk nine times around the tree clockwise, saying the following or similar words:
Ancient one of the ancient Earth,
Older than time can tell,
Grant me the power at your command
To charge my magic spell.
Repeat as often as necessary until you have walked nine times around the tree.
When finished, tie the leaf around the trunk as tightly as you can with the vine. If this isn’t possible, find a branch and tie it on there. When you are sure that the leaf is secure, take the dime and bury it at the foot of the tree in the Earth in payment for its help. Now leave the area and let the tree do its work.
If, when you return to the tree, the leaf is gone – don’t worry. The forces have been set in motion.
From: Earth Power
This is so simple that I’m not even sure if it qualifies as being a “spell.” It does, however, work like magick. When your energy is dragging, sit with your back pressed against a tree trunk and let the tree’s limitless energy flow into you. Very excellent if you have been walking or hiking long distances and also if you have been ill.
From Earth Power
A spell to increase intuitive powers, to be said when the moon is dark:
“Void of blackness, darkest night,
Ruled by Crone of power and might.
Push my instincts into life
So intuition grows and thrives.
Crone of Darkness, come to me
And let me know all things unseen.”
From: Everyday Magic
We live in an age where guilt is more often encouraged then pride, where we are encouraged to dwell upon our ‘negative’ points and habits. This is not the way of the Witch. As Witches we must learn to be as honest about our plus points as society would like us to be about our minuses.
Advertising, probably the most pervasive kind of propaganda, encourages us to think of ourselves as ‘less than perfect’ unless we look and dress like the people in the adverts and possess all the things that the advertisers would like us to spend money on. It is worth bearing in mind that if we truly needed these products then there would be no need to put them into commercials!
However, to return to the ‘personal housekeeping’, write a list of 20 of your plus points, things you are good at, and 20 minus points, things you would like to improve. Try not to be influenced by stereotypes – many female Witches include ‘outspoken’ on their list of negatives, while males will describe the same quality as positive! If you absolutely must include your physical attributes on the minus list, then make sure that these are things which you can sensibly expect to change, but don’t fall into the advertisers’ trap. From the perspective of the Witch it is far more important that you should come to terms with the person that you are, rather than worry about the way people see you.
One of the first tasks of the Witch is to understand and accept themselves, with all their good and bad points, because it is only when you understand yourself that you will be in a position to understand others, and therein lies a good portion of Witches’ Magic.
Now, edit the list of the “minus” points by creating sentences that include both the trait that you feel to be negative and the following phrase …. and that’s ok because.
Here are some examples:
- I am a terrible housekeeper, and that’s ok because… I hate cleaning the house.
- I have no self confidence, and that’s ok because… I have plenty of time to to learn how awesome I really am.
- I am over weight and out of shape, and that’s ok because… if I really wanted to do something about it I would.
- I am very stubborn, and that’s ok because… one day I will learn how to become more flexible.
Now, read the “plus” points list and pat yourself on the back, and spend a little bit of time feeling good about yourself. Take all your negative traits, own them, forgive yourself for them. Now, burn or bury both lists. You don’t need a list to tell you who you really are.
By: Kate West and other sources
The main points of Oestara are those of balance and of spring.
This ritual is best performed outdoors. In advance you will need to collect a small handful of old leaves and write on each something that you would like to be rid of. Also take a small number of seeds or seedlings (if these seedlings come from the seeds you planted at Imbolg, so much the better), one for each new thing that you wish to attain.
Silently ask the elements, the Goddess and the God to be with you, then when you are ready, dig a hole large enough to give space to the seedlings you wish to grow and place the dead leaves into it. Say,
‘Lord and Lady of this time of balance, these are the things I wish to be rid of. As these leaves wither and rot, may I let go of those things that might hold me back’.
Next place one or two seedlings on top of the leaves. Say,
‘Lord and Lady, these are the things which I wish to attain in the coming season. Let them grow strong and true from the remains of the old’.
As before, thank the elements, the Goddess and the God.
Remember that for ritual to work, you should give more thought to your preparations than the time you actually spend performing the ritual. In this case, that preparation includes carefully choosing the things you wish to leave behind and the things you wish to take on.
On a more practical level, it will also include selecting plants appropriate to your area and climate outside, as well as a suitable place to plant them. If you cannot perform your ritual outside, then you can either scale down everything and work with a single plant pot or you can dedicate your leaves and plant indoors and go out to plant them at a later date.
Source: Kate West
For this ritual, you’ll want to decorate your altar with symbols of the season. Think about all the colors you see in nature at this time of year — bright daffodils, crocuses, plump tulips, green shoots — and incorporate them into your altar. This is also a time of fertility in the natural world — the egg is the perfect representation of this aspect of the season. Symbols of young animals such as lambs, chicks, and calves are also great altar adornments for Ostara.
In addition, you’ll need the following:
- Three candles — one yellow, one green, and one purple
- A bowl of milk
- A small bowl of honey or sugar
Perform this ritual outside if at all possible, in the early morning as the sun rises. It’s spring, so it may be a bit chilly, but it’s a good time to reconnect with the earth. If your tradition normally requires you to cast a circle, do so now.
Begin by taking a moment to focus on the air around you. Inhale deeply, and see if you can smell the change in the seasons. Depending on where you live, the air may have an earthy aroma, or a rainy one, or even smell like green grass. Sense the shift in energy as the Wheel of the Year has turned.
Light the green candle, to symbolize the blossoming earth. As you light it, say:
The Wheel of the Year turns once more,
and the vernal equinox arrives.
Light and dark are equal,
and the soil begins to change.
The earth awakes from its slumber,
and new life springs forth once more.
Next, light the yellow candle, representing the sun. As you do so, say:
The sun draws ever closer to us,
greeting the earth with its welcoming rays.
Light and dark are equal,
and the sky fills with light and warmth.
The sun warms the land beneath our feet,
and gives life to all in its path.
Finally, light the purple candle. This one represents the Divine in our lives — whether you call it a god or a goddess, whether you identify it by name or simply as a universal life force, this is the candle which stands for all the things we do not know, all those things we cannot understand, but that are the sacred in our daily lives. As you light this candle, focus on the Divine around and within you. Say:
Spring has come! For this, we are thankful!
The Divine is present all around,
in the cool fall of a rain storm,
in the tiny buds of a flower,
in the down of a newborn chick,
in the fertile fields waiting to be planted,
in the sky above us,
and in the earth below us.
We thank the universe* for all it has to offer us,
and are so blessed to be alive on this day.
Welcome, life! Welcome, light! Welcome, spring!
Take a moment and meditate on the three flames before you and what they symbolize. Consider your own place within these three things — the earth, the sun, and the Divine. How do you fit into the grand scheme of things? How do you find balance between light and dark in your own life?
Finally, blend the milk and honey together, mixing gently. Pour it onto the ground around your altar space as an offering to the earth. As you do, you may wish to say something like:
I make this offering to the earth,
As thanks for the many blessings I have received,
And those I shall some day receive.
Once you have made your offering, stand for a minute facing your altar. Feel the cool earth beneath your feet, and the sun on your face. Take in every sensation of this moment, and know that you are in a perfect place of balance between light and dark, winter and summer, warmth and cold — a time of polarity and harmony.
When you are ready, end the ritual.
Tips:
- Instead of “the Universe”, feel free to insert the name of your patron deity or the gods of your tradition here.
- If you’re doing this rite indoors, take your bowl of milk and honey and pour it in your garden, or around your yard.
Source: paganwiccan
Rise before the Sun on the morning of the Spring Equinox. Find several stones and place them on the fence posts that surround your property, visualizing yourself, your home and your life filled with luck.
From:
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic
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