2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Oh yes, I have decided that I need another challenge in this year.  Because I'm crazy.

Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf is hosting a 2015 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.  To play you just have to pick a level, sign up and read.  If you want to be included in a possible prize you can also post reviews and link to them each month.

I'm in!  I plan to get to the Maiden Level and read 6-10 Witchy Books!

Want to play? Click the picture or button on my sidebar to sign up!

13 Goddess WK10: Sumerian Goddess Inanna

Today I bring you a spell to Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of sexual love and war.  Remember we are all part of the divine and we all carry the power and beauty of the Earth within us.  This spell was inspired by a fantastic witchy friend who helps to remind me "I AM the Beauty of the Earth!"

Inanna Hand-painted Drum by AncientPowersLive

Inanna - Beauty of the Earth Candle Spell

ReadingsByKat.etsy.com

This spell is best performed during the waxing or full Moon.  The waxing energy of this moon phase helps bring things in to your life.

Use a pin to carve the eight pointed star of Inanna and your name or personal symbol into the candle; keeping your intention in your mind.  Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into it.  Using blue ink, write out a petition paper. Include things like motivation to grow, confidence, increase of positive thoughts, courage within the self, and faith.  You can add runes or your own symbols to increase the power of your intention.  Light the candle saying:

Inanna, Star Goddess, Lady of power and beauty

As the light of this flame grows let confidence grow within me.

Inanna, walk with me, keep my will and magic strong

As I hold the divine within my self, I AM the Beauty of the Earth

Burn the piece of paper with your written words on it and place the ashes into a bowl.  If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out.  Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth near your home.

Beauty of the Earth spell kit

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PS: This goddess drum is from an amazing etsy.com artist who has been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out her other wares.

PPS: Enter to win a full set of printable BOS pages from a pagan-run small business here.  

PPPS: Enter to win a Tarot Tips Sheet just for spreading the word about a Pagan Publisher here. 

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13 Goddess WK09: Mayan Goddess Ixchel

Ixchel is identified as the goddess of medicine and midwifery.  She calls us to open ourselves up as a channel for divine healing energy.  Interestingly she is typically found to be portrayed as the grandmother aspect of the Moon.

Mayan Moon Goddess by TigerHouseArt

This work is best done during the time of the full or waxing moon.   

Prepare your work area by setting up any tools you may use in addition to your spell candle. While setting up your area, CONCENTRATE on the purpose of your work. Envision what it is.

Use a pin to carve a moon into a white or light blue candle.  Use your intuition to draw the phase of the moon that comes to mind.

Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into the candle.  Using silver (if possible) or blue ink, write out a petition paper.  In your own words state your intent for this spell. Include things like protection, safety, freedom from illness, strength to the immune system ect.  Light the candle, burn the petition paper in the candle flame and say (either aloud or to yourself): 

Lady Ixchel, I ask for guidance from the divine.

Help me to bring health to me and mine.

If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out.  Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth as close to your home as possible.

Health and Healing Candle Spell

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PS: This goddess print is from an amazing etsy.com artist who has been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out his other wares.

PPS: Enter to win a full set of printable BOS pages from a pagan-run small business here.  

PPPS: Enter to win a Tarot Tips Sheet just for spreading the word about a Pagan Publisher here. 

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13 Goddess WK08: Roman Goddess Vesta

Vesta is the Roman goddess of the hearth, home and family.  She calls us to focus on making our home a place of wonder, safety and hospitality and she will help us to protect it.

Vesta Spirit Doll by Griselda of AwesomeArt

Vestia House Blessing Candle Spell

ReadingsByKat.etsy.com

This spell is best performed during the night of the Full Moon. Spells to bring energy in are done at this time because the energy of the moon helps move things into your life.

Use a pin to carve the ELHAZ the rune of protection and confident warding away of destruction and harm into the candle.  You can add other symbols or words to increase the directedness and power of the spell.

Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into the candle.  Using silver (if possible) or blue ink, write three words that you would most like to see reflected in your home (i.e. love, strong, protected, safe, shelter) out a petition paper.  Light the candle, burn the petition paper in the candle flame and say (aloud or to yourself): 

O gracious Lady Vesta, Keeper and Protector of hearth-fire, be Welcome
I ask that you bless this place, protect this place and help me achieve my goals for this home.

If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out.  Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth as close to your home as possible.

New Home Candle Spell

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PS: This goddess spirit doll is from an amazing etsy.com artist who has been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out her other wares.

PPS: Enter to win one handmade item up to $15 in value from a pagan-run small business here. 

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Pagan Blog Project WK16: H is for Hydromancy

HYDROMANCY: divination by the appearance or motion of liquids (as water)

How cool is that?! 

  

Selenite Crystal Ball by kuberacove

As you may know, I experiment with all types of divination, sometimes even on purpose.  I am very successful with Tarot and Oracle cards of all types, I’ve worked with runes and the I-Ching, pyromancy (fire) is awesome, ceromancy (candle wax) has worked in the past, crystal ball gazing is occasionally very eventful and sometimes I just say things.   

Hydromancy is another form of divination involving the use of water to bring messages and can be done in many ways.

SilverWater by picsoflive

In nature one can sit alongside a body of water, relax one’s mind and gaze into the water.  This is very similar to pyromancy in that everyone experiences it differently.  Images may appear or the sound of the water may become words or messages.  Using the light of a full moon or patterned shade of trees may increase the liminal space that assists in reaching messages.

Black and Blue Scrying Bowl by NewTribeCrafters

When inside one can fill a bowl with water, relax the mind and gaze as above.  When choosing a bowl a simple one may be better than one with a picture or pattern in it.  Also consider the color of your scrying bowl as a completely clear glass bowl may only help you scry your table-top.  The water that is used can be from anywhere but water collected from nature or spring water that has been energized by celestial light (the moon or the sun) may be easier to use.

I have a fantastic Tibetan Scrying Bowl that is used by filling the bowl then creating a vibration on the water with the handles.  Pictures in the ripples and the sounds of the vibrations all help to paint a picture and impart information to me.

If you are looking for additional information I suggest searching up: Martin. A. Del Rio (1551-1608): a Jesuit expert on magic and the occult who wrote, among other books, Disquisitionum magicarum libri sex

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 PS: All product images are from amazing etsy.com sellers who have been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out their wares.

PPS: Enter to win one handmade item up to $15 in value from a pagan-run small business here.

PPPS: Enter to win one of three sets of witch-crafted original art bookmarks here.

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13 Goddess WK07: Hindu Goddess Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of prosperity, light, fertility, wisdom and courage and is believed to protect those who follow her from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.  She asks us to have faith and remember that the future is bright.  Sometimes we need to clear our hearts of fear as it is a block to visualizing and manifesting the light.

Lakshmi Artwork by Sue Halstenberg

Lakshmi Cleansing Candle Spell

ReadingsByKat.etsy.com

This spell is best performed during the waning Moon towards the last quarter. Cleansing spells are done at this time because the energy of the moon helps move things out of your life.

Use a pin to carve your name or personal symbol into the candle; keeping your intention in your minds.  Hold the candle between the palms of your hands and direct all of your energy into the candle.  Visualize a beautiful many armed goddess of light standing with you, reminding you that the future is full of brightness.  Light the candle saying:

Lakshimi, Goddess of light and manifestation

Help me to clear my heart of and fear

I release this astral slime
And all darkness which is not mine
I let go of all that may have harmed.
Negativity released; I am charmed

If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out.  Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth at a cross-roads if possible.

Psychic Cleansing Candle Spell

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PS: This goddess image is from an amazing etsy.com artist who has been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out her other wares.

PPS: Enter to win one handmade item up to $15 in value from a pagan-run small business here. 

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Pagan Blog Project WK15: H is for Humor

Again I tip my hat in appreciation of google's auto fill feature as it has enabled me to pick a topic for this week, though I had to ignore the first option of holidays for this week at least.

Pagan Humor, otherwise known as the jokes only a little over 0.2% of those in the US get.

First I would like to direct you all over to the Pagan Humor Library.  Which has many pages like the two shared below.

The Safe Witch Kit (which actually has some great ideas, lol)

Want to be a Witch, yet don't want dangerous items in your home? We've assembled this comprehensive kit to meet the beginning Witch's needs, without compromising safety.

logo © 2000 Faerie K.

Includes: 1 Rubber Athame. Painted black handle, silver blade. Very flexible. You can swing this about in Circle with no fears about hurting anyone!
Exclusive! The incredible Collapse-a-Wand! Hand-wrought of authentic wood-grained expanded foam, with a special adhesive patch for attaching the Power Stone of your choice (see below).
2 Battery-operated Candles (1 black, 1 white). No more concerns about flowing gowns catching fire.
1 package Glade Stick-ems. Fresh, floral scent, without the concerns of burning incense. No messy ash to clean up!
1 shaker Mrs. Dash. Get all the flavor and zip of salt, without the sodium!
1 Quality Fold-a-Cauldron. Easy-to-assemble, genuine simulated cast iron corrugated material. Complete instructions.
1 Fabric Rainbow Disk. No sharp corners to be concerned about. The perfect centerpiece for your own Altar. No worries of offending anyone, as could happen with those misunderstood pentagrams.
3 Assorted colors soft vinyl "Power Stones." Focus the energy of crystals. Perfect for attaching to your Collapse-a-Wand!(Choking hazard. Not recommended for children under 3 years of age)
1 Booklet, "How to Be One with the White Light, Because There Is No Dark Side, Luke" subtitled: "The Absolutely, Completely Comprehensive Guide to Everything Possible that a Witch Needs to Know to cast Any Spell at All"
BONUS! Order now, and we'll send you our exclusive Fill In The Blanks Book of Light! All the spells you'll ever need, and YOU fill in the names and dates! Quality softcover binding.
All packaged attractively in a lovely carry-case, which unfolds to become your altar cloth.
Rush out and get yours today!

-- by René Friberg, aka RaeVynn Sands

And the ever popular Light Bulb Jokes

How many Chaos magicians does it take?
They don't need to--they are used to working in the dark.
How many Solitaries does it take to change a light bulb?
Who cares!
How many Witches does it take to change a light bulb?
Depends on what you want to change it into.

And now I direct you to some damn funny products!

CernunnosT-Shirt by Vermorlian

Zen Drud Button by PaganChick

Taste Religion T-Shirt by Youniquepagan

PS: All product images are from amazing etsy.com sellers who have been notified.  If you are so inclined, please click through and check out their wares.

PPS: Enter to win one handmade item up to $15 in value from a pagan-run small business here.

Pagan Blog Project WK13: G is for Gifts (part 2)

So I sit here at the beach and think about what I had planned to post, psychic gifts, and I find I would rather post about the beautiful gifts that Mother Nature provides us with on a regular basis.

Have you ever watched the sun set on one side of the house and then watched the moon rise on the other side of the house out form the ocean?  I'll give you a hint, it's amazing. 

Did you know that the circulatory system of tuna works backwards in order to keep the brain warm and reaction times faster?

Have you ever studied the cellular structure of phytoplankton?

The natural world is the most amazing gift we have ever been given.  Thank you, divinity.

13 Goddess WK05: Native American Goddess Grandmother Spider

My offering this week is a spell to Grandmother Spider, a Native American goddess of creation:

Shaman Spider Woman by Susan Seddon Boulet, 1986.  You can find out more about the artists and her work at The Turning Point Gallery

Web Weaving Candle Spell

ReadingsByKat.etsy.com

This spell is performed during the last quarter of the waxing moon or during the full moon.

Use a pin to carve into a black or white spell candle; start with four lines to represent the directions and then connect them as you feel moves. Let the creativity flow through your hand into the designs, runes or letters that you place on the candle. As you light your candle, visualize the web of the world that Grandmother Spider helped to create.  Concentrate on being receptive to seeing the connections between all things, especially your connections. Say this incantation (out loud or in your mind):

Grandmother, weaver of the world,

Grandmother, teacher of the people,

Grandmother Spider, wise one,

Help me learn to see the webs that you weave,

so I can marvel at their beauty

and learn from their patterns.

Sit back and watch the candle burn. If possible, focus and meditate on your desires until the candle is almost burned out. Combine the ashes and left over wax together and bury it in the earth near your home.