Author: A Solitary Pagan
The Witching Hour
Witching hour, also called devil’s hour, in folklore, the time at night when the powers of witches and other supernatural beings are believed to be strongest, usually occurring at midnight or 3:00 AM. The term also has a modern colloquial meaning that refers to a time of unpredictable or volatile activity, such as the unsettled, colicky sleep of infants or the final hours of stock trading. The ass...
Samhain. Ritual:
Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun—when days and nights are longest or shortest. On equinoxes, days and nights are equal in all parts of the world. Four cross-quarter days roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes. We commemorate these natural turning points in the Earth’s cycle. Seasonal celebrations of most cultures cluster arou...
Calling on Ancestors for Help
A key aspect of my spiritual practice is my ancestors. Ancestor worship is common all over the world, particularly in China, Vietnam, parts of Africa, Mexico, and with certain indigenous American tribes. Some pagans are beginning to see the benefit of ancestor veneration – it connects you with your heritage and offers further spiritual growth and blessings. Often people are confused on where to st...
A World Whose Creation is a Myth
Imagine a world whose creation myth begins not with Light, nor even with Darkness, but with a vulture picking clean the bones of a dream we finally admitted was dead. Our own magic destroyed us in the end. Humanity couldn’t rule after all; our own bodies betrayed us. But for the vulture with her naked head, her naked face, the comforting tent of her black wings discreetly enfolding our dying, ther...
New Moon Affirmations
Tonight my soul will make room for all that is to comeTonight I invite abundance into my lifeTonight I let go of what is blocking meTonight I let go of the bad and allow the good to come in… I give thanks to the energy of the New Moon, I am ready to embrace new beginnings. I welcome love into my life, I’am grateful for all that I have.I am a magnet of divine abundance And I resonate with the frequ...
Dragons Blood Hex
Many Plants/ Herbs/ Roots / Resins such as dragons blood are usually relied upon for their protective properties, but they can be twisted toward malevolent purposes too. In the Solomon Islands, the dragons blood tree. Dracaena, its believed to have sprung from the grave of a sea spirit. A powerful plant, whose resin is most frequently used in protection rituals, this hex utilizes the trees leaves....
Cleansing the Toxins from Mind and Body
We all carry things that o not serve us and only poison our spirits Today its time to cleanse the toxins from mind and body On a small table drape a small black cloth. In the center place visual representations of your slavery to those guilts holding you captive Place them side to side overlapping if necessary As you do repeat the following: “I gave you my power.” When you are done placing items o...
What is the Shadow?
The Shadow (or Shadow-Self), as I will refer to it, is comprised of the aspects of ourselves that we often try to hide or deny. It is a mental complex, as defined by Carl Jung, to contain all of those aspects of the personality that have been rejected by the Ego— pushed down into our subconscious (namely during childhood) as part of our coping strategies. In brief, Jung defines the Ego as the foca...
The Jack-o’-lantern
The Jack-o’-lantern is carried by a drunkard named Jack. Jack sold his soul to the devil, so that the devil would pay his pub tab. When the devil returned from the pub to collect Jack’s soul, the man tricked him into climbing a tree, then drew a cross under the tree, trapping the furious devil in its branches. Later, when Jack died and was rejected at heaven’s gates, he had to beg the devil for a ...
Spell to Heal the Earth
Plant a small tree, bush or local flower from seed. Bless the soil it is placed in, bless the water you use on it and allow it full moonlight when the moon is full. When it is strong enough, take it to a place where it is native and will not upset the ecosystem. Do not plant herbs as they can be destructive. As you plant it, say: “Gentle goddess, mighty earthtake this offering of mineBlessings I s...
Jack-o’-Lantern Spell
One of my favorite childhood memories is carving a jack-o’- lantern and setting it outside for the whole neighborhood to see. A jack-o’- lantern’s warm glow can imbue magical feelings and deter negativity—they hide magic in plain sight. This spell requires a pumpkin, a sharp serrated blade, a spoon, a bowl, a tealight candle, and a lighter. Cut a circle on the top of the pumpkin. Remove the seeds ...
Learning Defensive Magick
This, again, is mostly for working with nature spirits, ghosts, and daemons. Make sure you know what you are doing, and do not start something first. Although you might feel threatened, it does not mean they are malicious or trying to hurt you. Test the energy first, and if you are unwelcomed, leave. You do not want to be powerless against something much, much more powerful than yourself, and you ...