Goddess of the Week: Nyx

Nyx is the Greek goddess of the night or the personification of night. She was born of Chaos and her children are Hypnos (sleep), Aether (brightness) Hemera (day), Moros (doom), Ker (fate), Oneironi (dreams), Momus (blame), Oizys (woe), Thanatos (death), the Hesperides (Evening, Sunset), the Moirai (fates), the Keres, Nemisis, Apate (Deceit), Philotes (friendship), Geras (old age), and Eris (strife). Her consort was Erebus (darkness).

Offerings to Nyx would include, jet, onyx, copal, jasmine, and silver.

Goddess of the Week Marzanna

Marzanna is the Slavic goddess of winter and death. Also called Mara, Marzena, Morana, and Morena. The tradition of Marzanna, which still survives in many places in Eastern Europe today, included making a doll or poppet out of corn husk or straw and setting it on fire or drowning it on the Vernal Equinox.

In some traditions she is said to be the twin sister of Jarilo, the god of spring and fertility. They would participate in the divine marriage of birth, death and rebirth. Their wedding came on the Summer solstice and brought a temporary peace between Perun and Volos. But since Jarilo is tied to vegetation, after the harvest he passes into death. The story explains that Jarilo is unfaithful to Marzanna, so she kills him in retribution. Without her husband Marzanna becomes an old hag and dies by the end of the year. After the start of the new year they are both reborn and the wheel starts again.

Offerings to Marzanna might include jet, quartz, bones, onyx, corn and wheat.

Spell to Deal With A Liar

If someone has been telling lies about you or a loved one, first obtain a photo of the liar. With black ink, draw "stitches" over the liar's mouth or with black thread sew stitches into the photo over the mouth. Either way you are sewing the mouth shut. As you do, say the following:

"Thy mouth that has been used for bane,
no longer shall you spread pain.
When it is lies that thou would speak,
the effort of it shall leave thee weak.
A pain shall rise in thy heart and breast,
and naught but truth shall give it rest.
Only truth shall set thee free,
as are my words, so it will be!"

Charge the photo with intent. Picture the person in pain if they lie. 
   Bury the photo when you are finished.  It is done.

Goddess of the Week: Athena

Athena: The Greek warrior goddess of wisdom, skill, mathematics, justice, and arts and crafts. She was also the goddess of strategy and delighted in defeating Ares on the battlefield. She was born when Zeus swallowed her mother Metis and Athena sprang from Zeus' head fully armored. She is the patron goddess of the city of Athens. Winning the city from Poseidon in a contest. Each deity offered the city a gift. Poseidon a fountain and Athena an olive tree. The City chose the olive tree, picking Athena over Poseidon.

She also taught humans how to weave and tend live stock. She became jealous of Arachne who was a skilled weaver. She challenged the girl to a contest and beat her. Arachne took her own life by hanging herself. Athena turned Arachne into a spider and this is where the word Arachnid comes from.

Her symbols are the spear, owl, and olive tree.

Offerings may include olive leaves, turquoise, ash, yew and dragon's blood.

Her festival was March 19-23.

A Simple Love Spell

A Simple Love Spell

(By Laughing Fox)

Gather a small pink candle, some ground rose petals, and a large, ripe strawberry and a ritual knife.

Carve a heart onto the candle and the strawberry. Place the candle on a heat proof surface. Light the candle and carefully sprinkle the ground rose petals onto it.  Cut the strawberry into three equal pieces. Then say:

"My heart I rend to pieces three;

The first part shall remain for me.

The second for the world as one;

For my hatred lost and love has won.

The last for my soul's one true mate;

Brought to my life by hands of fate.

Love's true light shall grow this seed;

And then at last combine these three."

Eat each of the three strawberry pieces one at a time. While you eat the first piece, envision all the reasons you love yourself. This is not a selfish or egotistical act. To find true love, we must first love ourselves. While you eat the second piece, meditate on being at peace or understanding with the world and all who dwell on it. 

As you eat the last piece, envision the qualities you search for in a mate and being in a relationship with those qualities. (Note: It is not advised that you think of one specific person at this time.) Let the candle burn down as you have these visions.

Rose petals are a time honored symbol of love. However, if you cannot find any, you can substitute them with Cinnamon, Clove, Columbine, Daffodil Lavender, Daisy, Gardenia, Hibiscus, Jasmine, Geranium, Orchid, Pansy, Plumeria, Spearmint, Tulip, Violet, or Vanilla.

Due to their color and shape, strawberries have long been associated with the heart. If, however, you dislike strawberries, or have allergies, they can be substituted with Apple, Avocado, Beet, Cherry, Fig, Mango, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Plum, Pomegranate (use three seeds), Radish, Raspberry, or Tomato.

Pink may also be substituted for another color if you desire. Burning candles should never be left unattended.

Make a Pleasant Dreams Pouch

Making a Pleasant Dreams Pouch

What you need:

1. Square of purple cloth. Approx 2x2 inches. This one is a little lopsided but that's OK.

2. Purple thread.

3. Dried lavender 

4. A piece of amethyst.

5. A piece of copal.

6. A drop of peppermint oil.

First, place the lavender, amethyst and copal in a small pile in the center of the cloth. Add the drop of Peppermint oil to the pile.

Next, pull up the four corners and edges of the cloth and form it into a small pouch around the little pile.

Then wrap a length of cord (I used about 2 feet or so) around the top of the pouch and tie a double knot.  Wrap one end of the cord around the pouch 5 times. Then wrap the other end of the cord around 5 times and tie another double knot. This is why I use such a long cord. You want to leave plenty length left over.

If you like, you can add a small charm and tie another double knot to  secure it. Pick a symbol that you associate with pleasant dreams.

And that's it! You've made a pleasant dream pouch! Use the extra length to tie it to your bed post or hang above your bed. Enjoy your pleasant dreams!






NOTE* You can use a different color if you associate one with good dreams over purple.

Writing Your Own Spells

Spells or energy work are a staple of Witchcraft. Being able to write your own is a basic skill every Witch should learn. Here is a basic run down of how to make your own spells.

1. Write out what the goal of your spell is. What do you need to accomplish? Is this a healing spell? A binding spell? Is it a simple spell or do you need to create a ritual around it? Is it for you or are you performing this for someone else? (Note* IF you are performing this for someone else keep in mind that it is polite to ask the person's permission first. Many people go with "May I pray for you?" Spells are in a sense, prayers. If you are casting a spell ON someone, you run into a whole other group of ethical questions. Why are you casting on someone? What is the desired out come? Different traditions of witchcraft have different rules for this. Some believe in 'Harm None' while others don't. You must first decide how this fits into your belief system.)
2.  Write out a soft draft of the spell. This can be changed later. Do you need to build up a lot of energy? Or just a little? Where will you perform the spell? What time? Do you need to perform it during a certain lunar cycle? Will it be during the day or night?
3. Write out what you need for the spell. Let's say you want to perform a healing spell. Do you need a candle? Herbs? Oils? A crystal? What kind? Make sure you've done your research as to what stones or herbs are used for what purposes.
4. If you are going to use candles, cord, etc, figure out what colors you want to use. Some people follow a set color scheme for different things. I prefer to go with my own. Different colors mean different things to everyone. Some use blue for healing. I prefer green. Determine what colors feel right to you for this task.
5. After you've compiled all the necessities, start a solid draft of the spell. If you want to add words, now is a good time to start writing them out. Do you want a chant? Spoken word? Some traditions have different thoughts on words in spells. ie The Wiccan Rede (To bind thy spell well every time, let thy spell be spake in rhyme.) It is not necessary for your words to be perfect if you're not good at writing. The energy and emotion are what really count. 
6. Once you have all this written out, start putting it together. How do you want the flow of this spell to go? Do you ground and center first? Do you meditate? Do you light a candle and incense first? Write out how you want the spell to proceed until you have it written out in detail. 
7. Once you feel comfortable, write out the final draft of your spell.  Make sure to clean up all the loose edges and finish out the details. 

There you go! You have your spell all written out! Now gather up your props and ingredients and get to it!