Author: A Solitary Pagan
Arnica: the Magick of
Arnica, with its radiant golden-yellow petals and daisy-like appearance, stands out among the wildflowers of mountainous meadows. This perennial herb, belonging to the Asteraceae family, typically grows to about one to two feet tall, with soft, hairy stems and oval-shaped, slightly toothed leaves that cluster near the base. Its blossoms, often perched atop slender stalks, emit a subtle, earthy fra...
Arbutus: The Magick of
The Arbutus, also known as the madrone or madrona, is a truly remarkable evergreen tree, instantly recognizable by its smooth, cinnamon-red bark that peels away in delicate, papery sheets to reveal a vibrant green layer beneath. Native to the western coasts of North America—stretching from British Columbia down through California—and also found in parts of the Mediterranean, the Arbutus belongs to...
Arabic Gum: The Magick of
Arabic gum, also known as gum acacia, is a natural resin harvested from the Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal trees. These small, thorny trees are native to the arid and semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Sahel belt stretching from Senegal to Sudan. (short pause) The Acacia tree is easily recognized by its feathery, bipinnate leaves, sharp thorns, and clusters of pale yellow, ...
10 Facts About Paganism and Witchcraft
There’s a lot of information out there on Paganism, including but not limited to Wicca, in books, on the Internet, and through local groups. But how much of it is accurate? How do you learn to separate the wheat from the chaff? The fact is, there are several basic things you should understand about Wicca and other forms of Paganism before you make the decision to join a new spiritual path. L...
How Does Magic Work?
So you’ve been reading up on Paganism, witchcraft, Wicca, and all kinds of other things, and it seems pretty straightforward… but you’re probably wondering How does magic work, anyway? Well, it’s a really good question, and one that may have a number of different answers, depending on which people you ask. First, there are many different types of magic — natural magic...
How To Write Your Own Spell in 5 Steps
There’s nothing wrong with following spells created by others—after all, entire shelves of books are dedicated to them. But sometimes, you might want to craft your own spell. Maybe you can’t find exactly what you need, or you simply feel drawn to create something unique. The good news? Writing your own spell is easier than you might expect if you stick to a straightforward process. Step one: CLARI...
Pagans & Witches – Becoming
People become Pagans or Wiccans for a variety of reasons. Most of those reasons are pretty good – sometimes it involves a connection to the divine, a sense of coming home, or even just a gradual transformation. However, there are plenty of reasons that aren’t so great. If yours appear on this list, you might want to rethink your whole spiritual journey and what you hope to get out of i...
Witchcraft – Learning the Basics
Magic power is inherent on Earth. By various means, we have learned how to use it. We hold the complete, pure energy of the All – of the Goddess and the God – most high. As witches, we know that we are a minute part of the universe. Yet we are connected to every other part of the universe. Everything affects us, and what we do affects everything. If you do magic, it can truly change things. As a w...
A Spell Against Spite and Gossip
Throughout our lives, we sometimes encounter people who aren’t so pleasant. I’d like to introduce a spell that could come in handy for many of us. In the past, witches would create protective bottles—filled with rusty nails, soured red wine (or even urine), and sprigs of rosemary—then bury them beneath the threshold to ward off ill will. Let’s look at a modern twist on this old tradition. What you...
Verbena Bath
Vervain, sometimes called verbena and lemon verbena, are often and easily confused. The two can complement one another: lemon verbena provides purification while vervain offers magical protection.Make a strong infusion by pouring boiling water over the combined botanicals. Add the water to your bath, together with a splash of vinegar and slices of lemon. n.
Coconut Incense
Coconut Incense – Burn this for protection and purification. Coconut Incense – Burn this for protection and purification.
Cinnamon Incense – Is used to gain wealth and success.
Cinnamon Incense – Is used to gain wealth and success.