shirleytwofeathers
In traditional herbal magick there are nine steps to gathering herbs. They are as follows:
First the herb must always be taken with the left hand. This is because the left hand is receptive. When the power of an herb is harvested it is received and not taken.
Second, the wind (if any) must be at your back when the herb is gathered. This is because the wind indicates the presence of spirits and to have them support you from behind is beneficial. To have them pushing against your movements is detrimental and you risk offending them. In other words you are either with the flow or against the flow.
Third, you must never look back over your shoulder. This is because you might scare off the fairy folk and other nature spirits who have gathered to take witness. Thus abandoned, you risk negative charges on the herb.
The fourth step in harvesting an herb is to trace a circle around the herb with your magickal blade. This prepares the spirit of the herb for withdrawing and ensures that it stays with the herb when harvested. It is essential that iron never come in contact with the herb or touch inside the circle at any time. Iron negates magickal magnetic charges.
The fifth step requires that you speak to the herb telling it why you need its help and what you are about to do to it.
The sixth step is to place the herb in a pouch, never letting it touch the soil. If it touches the soil the spirit will pass back into the soil.
The seventh step is to wear no jewelry or clothing and to have abstained from sexual intercourse for seven days (a lunar quarter). This helps to magnetize your aura, and being nude while you gather the herb makes you a creature of Nature again free from the signs of domestication.
The eighth step is to leave a small gift or offering in the hole from where the herb was withdrawn. The traditional offering is a mixture of equal parts of wine, honey, and milk. In place of this, a silver or copper coin may be planted as a gift to the Earth spirit. Perhaps the best offering might well be a new herbal seed.
The ninth and final step is to kiss your hand to the moon as a token of love and respect.
Notes:
When taking an herb in this manner you will want to decide in advance whether you need the entire plant or simply a leaf or two. The leaves will only provide you with pharmaceutical ingredients, as would only the roots or stems. To obtain the spirit of the plant you must harvest the entire plant intact. If you harvest only the leaves of an herb then avoid pouring the libation directly upon the plant. If using a coin simply press it into the soil nearby.
If harvesting wild plants leave a large amount of flowers, seed and root as the plant population of that area will very quickly die out if you go in mob-handed and wrench up the only two plants for miles around.
Source: Wiccan Magick
The angelic rosary is your first line of defense against unwanted chaos. Why do I use the word “unwanted?” Sometimes a little chaos in our lives is good. It shakes us up; it gets us thinking and hopefully moving.
The recitation of the rosary itself is a lot to remember at first, but with sufficient repetition, it will come easily into your mind when needed.
To make an Angel Rosary, you will need:
- Rawhide string or leather
- 54 small beads
- 6 large beads
- 1 token of the goddess
- 1 pentacle or miraculous medal (or both)
Creating the Rosary:
Step 1: Decide how long your rosary will be. The size of your rosary will determine the size of your beads (or vice versa) — keep in mind that two sizes of beads are needed.
Step 2: Cut the string according to the length that you want your rosary to be. When cutting the string, be sure to cut it longer than you would like to allow for knots to be tied into it as you place the beads on the string.
Step 3: Start at the bottom of the rosary and slide ten small beads onto the string. Lay the string and beads on a table or other flat surface and form a circle with the string. Leave enough string hanging down at the bottom of the circle, as you’ll need this for later. Slide the beads all the way to the top of the circle. Tie a knot between each bead, but make sure there is enough room so each bead can turn. Form a few knots side by side to put space between these ten beads and the next ones.
Step 4: Still using the flat surface, slide a larger bead to each end of the knots you just made. Secure the beads by creating the same kind of knots that you just made for the smaller beads. Be sure to leave some space between the large beads and the smaller ones.
Step 5: Repeat Step 3. Each side of the string should have equal amounts of beads, both large and small. When you come to the end, make sure that you make final knots in the ends of the last beads so they don’t fall off. Take both pieces of string and join them together. Knot the string and place the very large bead on the string. Form another knot to secure it, then place four big beads beneath it and form a knot at the end of the last bead. At this point, you can run the string pieces through the pentacle or token of the Goddess.
You could use smaller beads between each bead if you don’t want to use knots. Don’t worry if you don’t want to be artsy-craftsy. I’ve designed this based in the standard rosary, so you can purchase a regular rosary at any inspirational store and adjust it for your needs by removing the cross and replacing it with a pentacle or a miraculous medal. However if you are a Christian and the cross is a divine symbol to you, by all means keep it where it is.
Here’s a basic diagram of a traditional rosary:
To say the rosary:
Because it may seem a little confusing at first, I have put the instructions for saying the various parts of the rosary under the number that is shown in the diagram. This should make it easier to visualize the sequence.
Note: The numbers 7 and 8 both point to the same place, so I omitted the number 8 below.
Once you have the rosary in your hand and begin the sequence of prayers it will become easier and easier to remember what comes next.
1 – One
Begin by making a banishing pentagram on the pentacle, medal, or cross and saying the Angelic Alignment:
- I align myself with universal harmony.
- I align myself with the Goddess.
- I am in alignment with the God.
- I am in alignment with my guardian angel.
- So Mote it Be.
2 – Two
On the first bead, recite the Invocation of the Nine Choirs:
- Brilliant Seraphim I call to thee
- Circle round, bring love to me.
- Mighty Cheribum guard my gate
- Remove from me sorrow and hate.
- Thrones stand firm, stable be
- Keep me steady on land or sea
- I call Dominions, leadership true
- May I be fair in all I do.
- Circles of protection, Powers form
- Help me weather any storm
- Miraculous Virtues hover bear
- Element energies i summon here.
- Principalities bring global reform
- Bless the world and each babe born.
- Glorious Archangels show me the way
- To bring peace and harmony every day
- Guardian angel, Goddess delight
- Gift me with your guiding light.
3 – Three
Say the Prayer of Gabriel on the second bead
- Hail Lady, full of grace, The God is with you.
- Blessed is the fruit of your womb, The Consort and Son.
- Holy Goddess, Mother of Earth,
- Work your mysteries for your children,
- Now and in the hour of our need.
- So Mote it Be.
Say the prayer of the God on the third bead
- As the rod is to the God
- So the chalice is to the Goddess
- And together they are one.
Say the Star Goddess Litany on the fourth bead
- Hear the words of the Star Goddess;
- She in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven
- And whose body encircles the universe.
- I who am the beauty of the green earth,
- And the white Moon among the stars,
- And the mystery of the waters,
- And the desire of the heart of man,
- Call unto thy soul.
- Arise and come unto me.
- For I am the soul of nature,
- Who gives life to the universe.
- From me all things proceed,
- And unto me all things must return;
- And before my face,
- Beloved of Gods and of men,
- Let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in the rapture of the infinite.
- Let my worship be within the heart that rejoiceth;
- For behold, all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals.
- And therefore, let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.
- And thou who thinkest to seek for me, know thy seeking and yearning shall avail thee not unless thou knowest the mystery;
- That if that which thou seekest thou findest not within thee,
- Thou wilt never find it without thee.
- For behold, I have been with thee from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.
4 – Four
The First Mystery: You are now at the point of the first mystery of the angels–Universal love. Meditate on becoming one with the universal energies, opening your heart to divine love.
5 – Five
Touch the Goddess medal to your forehead.
6 – Six
Turn the next ten beads, reciting Gabriel’s Prayer as you turn each bead.
Hail Lady, full of grace, The God is with you.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb, The Consort and Son.
Holy Goddess, Mother of Earth,
Work your mysteries for your children,
Now and in the hour of our need.
So Mote it Be.
7- Seven
The Second Mystery: This is the gift of magick in our lives and the ability to change our circumstances through free will–the mystery of freedom.
- Don’t forget to meditate on the mystery.
- See the beads glow as you become one with this sacred concept.
9 – Nine
Begin with the Prayer of the God on the large bead:
As the rod is to the God
So the chalice is to the Goddess
And together they are one.
Then continue with Gabriel’s Prayer, turning each of the next ten beads as you say the prayer.
Hail Lady, full of grace, The God is with you.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb, The Consort and Son.
Holy Goddess, Mother of Earth,
Work your mysteries for your children,
Now and in the hour of our need.
So Mote it Be.
You have now come to The Third Mystery:
The third mystery is the mystery of your oath. This is the knowledge of and ability to work within the cycles of the universe in service to both the planet and our brothers and sisters.
- Don’t forget to meditate on the mystery.
- See the beads glow as you become one with this sacred concept.
10 – Ten
Begin with the Prayer of the God on the large bead:
As the rod is to the God
So the chalice is to the Goddess
And together they are one.
Then continue with Gabriel’s Prayer, turning each of the next ten beads as you say the prayer.
Hail Lady, full of grace, The God is with you.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb, The Consort and Son.
Holy Goddess, Mother of Earth,
Work your mysteries for your children,
Now and in the hour of our need.
So Mote it Be.
You have now come to The Fourth Mystery:
The third mystery is the knowledge of reincarnation and karma, birth and death, joy and sorrow teaches us that every action we perform has an equal reaction and how to live with the cycles of the seasons.
- Don’t forget to meditate on the mystery.
- See the beads glow as you become one with this sacred concept.
11 – Eleven
Begin with the Prayer of the God on the large bead:
As the rod is to the God
So the chalice is to the Goddess
And together they are one.
Then continue with Gabriel’s Prayer, turning each of the next ten beads as you say the prayer.
Hail Lady, full of grace, The God is with you.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb, The Consort and Son.
Holy Goddess, Mother of Earth,
Work your mysteries for your children,
Now and in the hour of our need.
So Mote it Be.
You have now come to The Fifth Mystery:
This is the Gift of wisdom and power to the hidden children of the Goddess. This mystery teaches us to be humble in our will and use our gifts for the good of all, harming none.
12 – Twelve
Begin with the Prayer of the God on the large bead:
As the rod is to the God
So the chalice is to the Goddess
And together they are one.
Then continue with Gabriel’s Prayer, turning each of the next ten beads as you say the prayer.
Hail Lady, full of grace, The God is with you.
Blessed is the fruit of your womb, The Consort and Son.
Holy Goddess, Mother of Earth,
Work your mysteries for your children,
Now and in the hour of our need.
So Mote it Be.
13 – Thirteen
We are now back to the goddess medal and at the conclusion of our meditation sequence. End with the Statement of Divinity.
- A great sign appears in the heavens.
- It is the Goddess clothed within the sun, the moon under her feet.
- And on her head a crown of twelve stars.
- The God stands behind her in his glory
- With his hands resting upon her shoulders
- And together they are one.
- So Mote it Be.
Finish by making the sign of the equal armed cross.
Here’s a nice little tutorial on how to clean bones you may have collected to use for making runes, dice, divination tools or for other magickal purposes.
Use a very sharp boning knife to remove the bones you need from the limb. Be sure to remove any excess cartilage or shreds of flesh. Always practice basic knife and kitchen safety.
The bones can be cleaned a number of different ways:
- Boil in water for between 15 minutes and half an hour.
- Soak overnight in bleach (bones will smell like bleach for some time afterwards).
- Pour hydrogen peroxide over the bones and watch it foam. Continue to pour until foaming ceases.
- The natural method:
Place in a safe area outside (safe from wandering domestic and wild animals) where ants or other carrion-eating insects can reach the bones. A glass jar with large holes in the lid is recommended. Let the insects clean the bones for you. This is a time-consuming yet very effective method. - A modification of the above (natural) method:
You might be able to find information on ordering special beetles to clean the bones. I don’t really know anything about them, but, there are supposed to be beetles that eat flesh off any sort of skeleton that are used within the medical/taxidermy professions. Supposedly, that’s how anatomical human and animal skeletons are cleaned.
A butcher/taxidermy worker suggested boiling the bones in something called “sal soda”.Apparently, that is what they use in his taxidermy shop in order to clean skeletons for hunters. It is supposed to dissolve tissue and cartiliage into a gel that can be rinsed off. He gave me a large bag for free, and it worked quite well on the first batch of bones I used it on.
After doing any of these methods, you may have to remove extra “shreds” of flesh. I tried a combination of the above methods, and found that bleaching the bones overnight, then boiling them in sal soda for about twenty minutes was the best method to get clean, white bones. If you overboil the bones, they will dry out, and the outer calcium covering will flake away. They are still usuable if this occurs.
What is sal soda?
Sal soda is sodium carbonate, the same chemical as washing soda. Sodium carbonate typically comes in three forms – washing soda is the decahydrate, which is usually in the form of colorless crystals that look a bit like crushed ice. If left in the open air, these lose water and become the powdery white monohydrate (the sal soda mentioned above). Soda ash is the anhydrous (waterless) compound.
Sodium carbonate an alkali, so it will be good for stripping away greasy substances such as fat and marrow. Don’t use it with aluminium vessels or cutlery, and try to keep it off your hands, though it’s not as nasty as sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) which is often used for unblocking drains.
NOTE:
Be careful when using caustic substances – be sure you read and follow the safety instructions that come with them.
As well as giving structure to the body; bones survive for a long time after death, and so are imbued with magickal properties. Both human and animal bones could be, and were employed in spells and healing charms, and also in divination.
Bones are a type of fetish. A fetish is “an object regarded with awe as being the embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit or as having magical potency (source)”. The word fetish originates from the French fétiche which stems from the Portuguese word feitiço meaning “charm” or “sorcery”. Feathers, bones, crystals, and stones are all types of fetishes. Skulls and bones have an appeal to witches who perform spirit work and are a necessary and simple way to connect with spirits of the dead and of animals.
Working with bones is not just for necromancers and black magicians. Practitioners who work with bones are a wide range of healers, diviners, shapeshifters, rootworkers, witches, shamans, druids, and pagans.
Over two thousand year ago, in China, bones were heated up and the resulting cracks interpreted as indicating a prediction. Bones as predictive devices were used in other ways, too. For example, bones of small animals were collected in a ritual way, and thrown upon the ground in the act of “casting the bones,” a term reference still in use for other divinatory methods, such as rune stones.
In Britain, divination by the blade-bone of a sheep was formerly well known. In Africa, thieves were detected, lost goods found, and problems solved by the ceremony of “Throwing The Bones.” Different kinds, usually those of domestic or wild animals, are used to represent individuals, or spirits, or the forces of nature, and are thrown like dice. The answers to the question being read from how and where they fall.
- You can read more about various methods of bone divination here: Throwing The Bones
Animal bones are used in witchcraft and folk magic to commune and work with animal spirits as familiar, guides, and protectors. Like human bones, the bones of animals can be also be used to ground a spirit animal in this realm. Bones act as a spirit vessel for animal familiars to dwell in when you work with them. This doesn’t mean that the spirit lives in the bone(s) all the time, but instead it is their home when you call upon them.
Animal bones and skulls can be placed on an altar or carried in a medicine or crane bag to work with them outdoors or on the move. Animal bones can be used to call upon mythological creatures as well. To do this you need only to combine bones from the different animals that make up the creatures. For example, bind together parts from an eagle and lion to summon a griffon or combine snake, lizard, and the bones or feathers of a bird of prey to summon a dragon.
Animal bones can be incorporated into ritual jewelry for direct contact and easier communion with the spirits the bones belong to. Ritual jewelry using bones is the most practical and direct way of bringing your animal familiars into rituals and spellwork.
If you only have very small bones or a delicate insect to work with than you can place the parts in a glass vial and either use it as a vessel on your altar or attach a chain or leather thong to it to wear around your neck. By wearing animal bones you can take on the attributes and powers of the animal they belong to such as fox teeth for cunning, owl bones for seeing in the dark, or snake bones for the ability to renew and change your life.
Bones can also confer an animal’s magical abilities. Many animals are “shamanic” in nature enabling the practitioner to whom they are familiar to adopt their ability to travel between worlds. Such creatures known to travel between the realms of earth, sea, and sky or have extraordinary powers of transformation include frogs, toads, snakes, all birds (especially water fowl), alligators, crocodiles, turtles, beavers, otters, dragonflies, spiders, beetles, butterflies, cicadas, and more.
Animal bones can be used to craft ritual tools. Many traditional rattles are made using skulls, turtle shells, or little bones tied closely together for the sound of their rattling against one another. Bones can also be tied to staffs or stangs, wands, or even sewn onto ritual robes.
Animal bones, especially chicken and other bird bones, are used for traditional divination methods in many cultures. This can also be incorporated into European practice by carving Futhark or Ogham runes onto animal bones or using slices of deer antler instead of the usual materials of wood and stone.
Among the Australian aborigines, death spells are cast by “singing magic” into a bone and pointing it in the direction of the victim, who then pines away and dies.
A charm against cramping was to carry a knucklebone, or the patella of a man or a sheep.
Those afflicted with headaches could find relief by driving a nail into a dead man’s skull, or by drying and powdering the moss found upon it and using it as snuff.
Bones, like blood and some of the organs of the body, were once thought to be centers of psychic power, and to be the vehicle or dwelling-place of the soul. Life and consciousness remained in them after the death of the original owner, and it was therefore very dangerous to disturb them when they lay in the tomb.
Misfortune, or even death, inevitably followed such an act, which was forbidden alike by reverence for the dead and superstitious fears of their vengeance. Nevertheless, this widespread and strongly held belief did not prevent the quite frequent theft of bones from churchyards and prehistoric burial grounds for use in magick and witchcraft.
Symbolically, bones carry the essence of the creature that they were once a part of, and there’s a curious but relatively common belief that somehow or other an intact set of bones can be remade into a live body This idea is seen in fairy tales, myths, and traditions from all over the world.
An example of this is the Lapp belief that the bones of a bear, if carefully preserved, will come back to life and the animal will allow itself to be hunted once again. Bear “burial” places have been found where the bones of the bear have been carefully reconstructed. These sites also show evidence of respectful funerary rites.
In a similar practice, the Plains Indians would bury the bones of the buffalo with due care and attention so that the animal would be able to come back to life.
Due to its size, the bone is one of the very last in the body to rot, along with the skull. For this reason – its longevity – the bone was used as a vessel during religious and magickal rites and rituals.
Because bones are such an important part of the body and because they are believed to hold the essence of their owner, the bones of saints are considered holy relics, imbued with magickal powers, and kept locked away in churches. They were believed to be so holy that devils and demons would keep well away, and if the bones were dipped into wine or water, the resulting liquid would be infused with mysterious powers including the ability to cure various ailments.
Information collected from various sources
Various botanicals are said to discourage the presence of ghosts, especially rue and garlic. Here is a list of more botanical ghost busters and how to use them:
A strong scent of real carnations discourages and pacifies ghosts. Synthetic scents will not have the same effect. The best method is to strategically place bouquets of carnations replacing them as their aroma fades.
Hawthorn repels evil ghosts, while permitting the entry of helpful souls. Maintain a barrier of living hawthorn bushes and trees outside the home or bring branches within; the catch to the latter plan being that hawthorn is among the plants most associated with Fairies. Do not break off a branch without first seeking permission from Fairies, lest ghosts become the least of your problems. Branches found already fallen may be considered a gift and safely retrieved.
Boneset guides ghosts elsewhere, attracting protective, benevolent spirits instead. Boneset may also be used to protect people and animals from “ghost sickness,” the illness that some believe may emerge after extended contact with the dead. The most potent boneset is found growing on or near graves. Supplement it with white pine for added enhancement.
Hang fresh boneset branches over doorways, or burn young boneset branches and twigs within a cauldron to drive away existing ghosts.
To prevent hauntings, surround your home with living bean plants. Not only do beans repel ghosts but allegedly, the plants sing to wandering ghosts, guiding them to the next realm. If you’d like to hear these songs, a shamanic art, sit under the vines while they’re in bloom. Meditate or allow yourself to fall asleep.
Burn dried powdered bistort to banish ghosts, wafting the fragrance as needed.
Fennel can be used to ghost-proof individual rooms or an entire building. It only works on some ghosts but may be worth trying. Stuff keyholes full of fennel to prevent ghosts from entering the room. It also stops them from leaving, so if the ghost is already in the room, it may be trapped.
According to Hildegard of Bingen, ghosts hate pine trees and avoid places where they grow. If it’s not possible to surround your home with living pines, bring small living trees within it and situate them strategically.
Tiger lilies planted near doors and windows allegedly prevents the entry of ghosts.
If a ghost has taken up residence in your home or within another building, hanging alyssum up in every corner of a house will exorcise it.
A wreath of fresh bay laurel leaves posted on your entrance doors signals “No Trespassing” to ghosts. To provide relief from destructive and mischievous ghosts and poltergeist, maintain fresh bay laurel branches and /or leaves within the home. Replace them as their green color fades.
Fumigating an area with camphor and mint is used to send unwanted ghosts in search of new housing. One application may not be sufficient, however. Use repetitions of mystical numbers for reinforcement. Repeat for three, seven, nine, eighteen, twenty-one, or twenty-seven days as needed.
Sprinkle a strong infusion of bayberry inside and around the perimeter of a house to exorcise existing ghosts and repel new ones.
Make a decoction of angelica roots or pour boiling water over the dried, powdered root to make an infusion. Sprinkling this within and around the home is an Iroquois recommendation for exorcising and preventing ghosts.
- Bluebells:
To attract faeries to dance in your garden. On Beltane eve, make an ankle bracelet of “Bluebells” and “jingle” bells to attract helpful fae folk to you.
- Clover:
A sacred faery plant, clovers of all kinds will attract them. Lay seven grains of wheat on a four-leafed clover to see the Faery.
- Elderberry:
Used to make Faery wine, these berries can be burned on a fire to invite the Good Folk to a gathering. Make a homemade brew of Elderberry Wine and you are sure to have some thirsty visitors. It is said that if a human drinks the wine, he or she will be able to see the Faery. If a human should drink Elderberry wine from the same goblet as a Faery being, he will be able to see them forever after.
- Elecampagne:
Also known as Elfswort. This root can be scattered around the home to attract the Sidhe. It can be added to any magick or spell to invoke Faery blessing.
- Foxglove:
The source of the modern heart drug Digitalis, Foxglove can have seriously dangerous results if taken internally. DO NOT INGEST!! Instead, plant Foxglove near your front door to invite the Faery in. Put a dried sprig of Foxglove in a talisman to keep you surrounded in Faery light.
- Heather:
Heather is said to ignite faery passions and open portals between their world and our own. Make an offering of Heather on “Beltane” eve to attract good fae to your garden
- Lilac:
The sweet scent is said to draw Fae spirits to your garden. Lilac and primroses for midsummers eve, will please the Fae.
- Mistletoe:
The most sacred herb of the Druids. Mistletoe is a magickal activator. In Faery spells, use a dash of Mistletoe taken on Summer Solstice to empower your workings with Faery magick.
- Milkweed:
Both Monarch butterflies and fairies like milkweed. If Milkweed is planted in a Witch’s garden, the fey will always be in the area. The silky tassels of the milkweed pods can be added to a dream pillow to not only make it softer, but also to make you dream of fairies. In the Autumn when the pods are bursting and the fluffy seeds are flying across the fields, a wish is granted for each seed that can be caught and then released again.
- Peony:
Peony seeds were once used to protect children from faeries. A garland of the seeds were placed around the child’s neck to keep them safe.
- Poppies:
Said to invoke the faery into your dreams Make a dream pillow of fresh poppies to entice the fae to your dreams.
- Primrose:
When planted in a garden or hung dried on the front door, primroses will attract the company of Faeries. If you have them growing under your care, do not let them die! The Faery will be deeply offended by your carelessness. Primroses are great in container gardens. Tie a pink ribbon around your container of Primroses while chanting; “Sacred roses, hear my cry for your protection, this I tie.”
- Roses:
Roses are loved by the fey so you can plant Roses in your garden to attract fairies. Their sweet scent will lure elemental spirits to take up residence close by. Roses can be used in Faery love spells. When performing the spell, sprinkle rose petals under your feet and dance softly upon them while asking the Faery for their blessing on your magick. Wild Roses are best for this purpose. Say the following spell as you plant your baby Rose bush:
“I ask a fairy from the wild,
To come and tend this wee rose-child.
A babe of air she thrives today,
Root her soul in the Goddesses’ good clay.
Fairies make this twig your bower,
By your magic shall time see her flower!”
- Thyme:
Wearing thyme will increase your ability to see the Sidhe. Sprinkle it at the base of your door, and on window sills to invite the Faery to enter your home.
~collected from a 17th century work
- ACORN is a symbol of great luck and fortune.
- ALLSPICE is burned as an incense to attract money or luck, and is also added to such mixtures.
- ALOE is hung over houses and doors in Africa to bring good luck.
- ANGELICA is considered lucky. Rub the root between your palms when you gamble or pick your lottery numbers.
- BAMBOO placed over the door is lucky, since its wood never changes color.
- BANYAN TREES bring good luck when sat under or looked at.
- BEECH, carry small pieces of the bark in your pocket for luck and success.
- BLUEBELL brings luck when it is picked up and the following words recited: “Bluebell, bluebell, bring me some luck before tomorrow night.” Slip it into your shoe to seal the spell.
- BORAGE, place fresh blossoms on an altar to bring luck and power to your spells.
- BUCKEYE, rub the buckeye with cinnamon oil and carry in the pocket to increase your luck at winning bets.
- CALAMUS brings good luck to the gardener when grown.
- CINNAMON is a favorite of many gods and goddesses, sprinkle powdered cinnamon on offerings to attract attention and win the favor of the gods.
- CLOVER or SHAMROCK is a symbol of luck, leprechauns, and wishes and is a powerful talisman to carry.
- COTTON, placed in a sugar bowl will attract good luck, as it will if cotton is thrown over the right shoulder at dawn. In the latter case, the good luck will come before the day is over.
- DAFFODIL plucked and worn next to the heart will bring good luck.
- FERN brings good luck to the person who breaks the first fern frond of Spring.
- HENNA, stain the hands with henna for luck and protection.
- HICKORY, burn hickory bark for luck and to dispel evil.
- HOLLY is carried to promote good luck, especially by men, since the holly is a ‘male’ plant. (IVY is the corresponding plant for women.) It is also hung around the house for good luck at Yule.
- HORSETAIL, carry the dried leaves in your pocket at the racetrack to pick the winners.
- HUCKLEBERRY, carry or eat the berries for good luck and protection.
- IRISH MOSS is carried or placed beneath rugs to increase luck and to ensure a steady flow of money into the house or pockets of the person.
- IVY, growing ivy brings good luck and protection to a property.
- JOB’S TEARS: Three seeds are carried for good luck.
- KAVA-KAVA tea is drunk to offer protection against evil and to invite in good luck in Polynesia.
- LUCKY HAND (hand of Power, Hand Root, Helping Hand, Salap) is the root of an orchid plant and is one of the most famous New Orleans magical botanicals. It has long been placed in sachets and conjure bags for luck and general success.
- MOJO BEANS, also called African wishing beans. Wear them in a necklace or bracelet or carry loose beans in a red conjure bag for good luck.
- MOSS taken from a gravestone and carried in your pocket, is a good ensurer of luck, especially financial luck.
- NUTMEG is a gambler’s favorite, it promotes winning in games of chance.
- OAK MOSS is great for money and luck formulas.
- OLIVE leaves, worn, bring luck.
- ORANGE PEEL is added to prosperity powders, incenses and mixtures, and the Chinese have long considered oranges symbols of luck and good fortune.
- PERSIMMON: If you wish to have good luck, bury green persimmons.
- PINEAPPLE, dried, is placed in bags and added to baths to draw good luck to the bather.
- SEAWEED, scrubbing yourself with seaweed while in the ocean brings good luck and leads to excellent employment opportunities.
- SHAMROCK or CLOVER is a symbol of luck, leprechauns, and wishes and is a powerful talisman to carry.
- SNAKEROOT, carry the root of this plant as a luck and money talisman.
- STRAW is lucky, hence it is often carried in small bags. For a home luck talisman, take a used horseshoe and some straw, sew up into a small bag, and place it above or below the bed.
- VETIVERT is carried to attract luck.
- VIOLET flowers are carried to bring changes in luck and fortune.
- WOOD ROSE is carried to attract good luck and fortune. Also place some in the home to ensure it is lucky as well.
- YELLOW SPLIT PEAS bring luck and fame.
- YERBA BUENA is added to gamblers’ luck spells to increase your chances of winning.
Note: This post was put together by Shirley Twofeathers, you may repost and share it only if you give me credit and a link back to this website. Blessed be.
- Planet: Mars
- Ruler: Sun, Jupiter
- Element: Earth, Air
- Associated Deities: Cybele, Venus, Attis, Pan, Dionysius, Poseidon
- Type: Tree
- Parts Used: Cone, Nuts, Needles, Oil
- Basic Powers: Fertility, Purification, Cleansing, Protection, Money
Cleansing, health, and energy are the magickal properties of the pine. Pine is a spiritual cleanser. A pine wand or pine cone kept on the altar wards off evil influences. Floor washes with pine oil cleanse a space of negativity and ward off illness.
The Iroquois burned pine chips or resin when moving into a vacant house to drive out spirits. If mixed with camphor, the result is stronger. The practice of bringing cut pine branches into the home during the winter holiday season is one that promotes clearing the home of negativity and illness during the winter months.
Burn the crushed and dried needles in the winter to purify the home. This is good when mixed with equal parts juniper and cedar. The cones are carried as fertility charms, and the nuts eaten for this same reason. Pine branches are sometimes used to sweep the forest floor before performing magick outside. Add the crushed needles to the bath sachet for a good cleansing bath. Fresh pine needles in a bath remove mental negativity.
The resin of Pine may be gathered, dried, and used as an incense. It has the quality of cleansing a space of negative energy. Pine is also very effective as a counter-magick herb, repelling evil energy and returning it to its source. Throw pine needles into winter fires for protection, or burn pine incense for purification and divination.
Pine is held sacred to Poseidon, and using the pitch of the tree to caulk a boat gives it magickal protection upon the waters.
To draw money:
Because it is evergreen, pine draws steady money. The scent of pine is also believed to attract money, it is stronger when mixed with cinnamon, bayberry, or nutmeg.
For health, fertility, and protection:
Keep a perfect unopened pine cone in the home for fertility, long life, good health, and warding off the Evil Eye. If it opens and begins to shed its seeds, plant it, and replace it with a new one.
Collected from various sources
- Ruler: Venus
- Type: Flower
- Magickal Form: Flower, oil
The Sweet Pea is the flower often associated with the month of April. Work with this flower or oil to increase your vulnerability and openness. Sweet Pea helps to break down emotional barriers and walls of defense It is a great ingredient for lonely people who shut themselves off from others. Use to attract friends who are trustworthy.
Sweet pea oil is one of the most beautiful of all scents. It is worn to attract strangers of all kinds, some of whom may become lovers or friends. Wear as a personal oil.
From: The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients
- Ruler: Venus
- Gender: Feminine
- Element: Water
- Type: Flower
- Magickal Form: Petals and flowers
- Deities: Freya, Ostara, Aphrodite, Artemis
- Basic Power: Friendship, Courtship, Divination
The Daisy is traditionally assigned to the month of April. A flower of friendship and courtship, the daisy is used to open up social or romantic opportunity. Add the petals to bathwater on Wednesdays to draw new friends. Place whole flowers on a love altar with pink candles to attract romantic possibilities.
Modern practices include the growing of Daisies as an herb to further attract the Devas and the Fae. Grieve’s “A Modern Herbal” suggests there may be an association between Daisies and a Dryad (a woodland nymph) named Belidis. Dryads are often associated with elemental Earth, and Daisies may be used ritually to help one commune with this element.
Decorate your altar or home with Daisies for Midsummer’s Eve. There is also a Magickal association with babies and newborn infants. The Daisy may be incorporated into baby blessings, or used to bring protective Magick into the baby’s sleeping area.
In Scotland because children use it to make daisy chains; daisy is an appropriate herb to decorate the cradle and the altar. The daisy brings love when worn. Sleeping with the root beneath your pillow may cause an absent love to return.
Decorate the house with daisies at Midsummer’s Eve to bring happiness to the home and to obtain the blessings of faeries. Daisies are also worn at Midsummer for luck and blessings. In the old times, young maidens would weave and wear daisy chains in their hair to attract their beloved.
Dreaming of Daisies is considered good luck in Spring, and bad luck in Winter. It is lucky to step on the first flowers in the spring but extremely unlucky to uproot them. Daisies were popular in Medieval times, when knights at tournaments wore the flower, while their ladies wore Daisy wreaths as crowns.
The daisy is the emotional and intellectual “getting to know you” flower. It is not a flower of passion and it is a great choice for young men and women who prefer a long courtship based on friendship and common goals.
Daisy divinations:
Daisy flowers are perhaps the best known of all plant divinations for love. One of the most touching literary allusions to the daisy divination is found in the garden scene in the first part of Goethe’s famous drama, Faust. In Germany, the daisy was known as:
- Orakelblume – Oracle Flower
- Liebesblume – Love Flower
- Massliebchen – Little Measure of Love
Divination with daisies most commonly consists of removing each petal from the daisy while saying “she loves me, she loves me not.” (The masculine pronoun is used where appropriate.) The sentence stated as the last petal removed reveals the truth. Any daisy-like flower can be used.
This technique can be further improved upon by placing daisy roots under your beneath your pillow to dream of your true love.
A second form of daisy divination isn’t limited to matters of love. Ask a binary question. As you pluck each petal, say yes or no. As the last petal falls, the answer has been given.
A very short poem from the 1800’s gives us this variation:
- He loves me
- He don’t
- He’ll have me
- He won’t
- He would if he could
- But he can’t
- So he won’t
Another form of daisy divination is as follows:
Get a bunch of daisies and put them on a table. With eyes closed, take a handful while asking how many days you will wait to be asked for a date. If you prefer, you may ask in weeks or months. Open your eyes and count the picked daisies. The number of flowers represents the number of days you will wait. This can also be used to count the time till you will marry.
This can also be done while sitting on a daisy-laden lawn, closing your eyes and grabbing a handful of grass. The number of daisies you end up with in your hand will determine the number of months until you marry. If you do not have access to a daisy filled yard, dandelions make for an acceptable substitute.
Collected from various sources
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