Fire
The Moon Smiles
This is a poem that talks about how both life and death are a mixture of sadness and joy.
Moonlight
O chonut asal amen
…Teochonut korhavola
teamen dikhasa
sad
kon vakarela
Kaj e phake erovimase
thaj e asamase
ka arakhadon
English Translation
The moon smiles
down on us
around the fire
we weep
wahh!
Our crying flies up
among the moonbeams floating down
heaven smells our tears
we sense the beams
If the moon is blinded we can see
who is speaking…
With one wing of tears
and one laughter
we take off to meet him.
-Rajko Durich
Festival of the Holy Marys
St Sara of Egypt is the Romanies’ patron saint. Throughout the eve of May 24 and during May 25th, Gypsies exalt the elements of fire and water. From wood the men have gathered, Gypsy women build a healthy campfire. They cook a huge feast and gather around the fire to exchange presents and good cheer.
On May 24th many Romanies still make a pilgrimage to attend an annual service at the shrine of St Sara of Egypt, in the crypt of the church of Les Saintes Maries de la Mer in the Ile de la Camargue, Bouches-du-Rhone, France. They carry the statue of St. Sara, who is black, into the sea (from where she originated) and out again.
From: The Good Spell Book
Also found in: The Pagan Calendar
Get Rid of an Unwanted Suitor
Here is a good spell for getting rid of an unwanted suitor. Take a small square of paper and write on it the name of the annoying would-be lover. Use black ink for this. Many Gypsies also say that it is best to use one of the old “dip” pens and ink, rather than a modern ballpoint, but you could experiment.
Let the ink dry; don’t blot it. Then light a white candle and burn the piece of paper in its flame while thinking of the person running away from you. Catch the ashes in something (burning the paper over an ashtray is a good idea) and carry them out to a hillside (you can do this by putting them in a small plastic bag, similar). There you must place the ashes on the upturned palm of your right hand and hold it up, saying:
Winds of the North, East, South and West,
Carry these affections to where they’ll be best.
Let her/his heart be open and free,
And let her/his mind be away from me.
Then blow on the ashes so that they scatter to the winds.
To Rid Yourself of an Unwanted Lover
Some people are wooed by persistent would-be lovers, those who won’t take no for an answer and who won’t leave them alone. This is the ideal spell for such a situation. It should be done during the waning cycle of the Moon – that is, after the Full Moon and before the New Moon.
Have a roaring fire going, then go outside and pick up two handfuls of dry vervain leaves (you can place them on the ground ahead of time, if necessary.) As you pick them up, shout out the name of the one you wish to be rid of. Turn and go into the house (or cross to the fire if this is all done out in the open) and fling leaves onto the fire with the words:
Here is my pain;
Take it and soar.
Depart from me now
And offend me no more.
Do this for three nights in a row. You should hear no more from the unwanted one.
Spell for Sunshine
No need to cross your fingers and hope for good weather. According to the Romanies, you can make the sun shine whenever you want it to.
Here’s how:
- Light a golden candle.
- Draw a five-inch map of the area where you want the sun to shine.
Moving the map clockwise, circle it three times around the candle flame, imagining the flame is the sun. - Burn the map in the flame while making your wish.
You could say:
Fair weather I ask you to shine,
On this special day of mine,
I’ve chased the clouds away,
So the sun will shine all day.
Your special day will be filled with sunshine.
Source: The Good Spell Book
Art by: Melinda McCarthy