Witchcraft
Kupalnocka, or the Slavic Valentine’s Day
“Kupała Day was the longest of the year, Kupała Night the shortest – it was one ceaseless passage of joy, song, leaping, and rites,” Józef Ignacy Kraszewski wrote in his Stara baśń (Old Ta...
The Slavic holiday calendar
The Slavic holiday calendar began on 21st December, with a symbolic victory of light over darkness (the Winter Solstice). The Święto Godowe (Nuptial Holidays), also known as Zimowy Staniasłońc would e...
An Offering Plate for the Ancestors
At Samhain, we invite our ancestors to share our feast with us and, naturally, we want the table to look nice for them. Just as we put out the “good china” when we invite the living to reunion dinners...
The Samhain Vow
In the old days and still for some, one of Winter’s vital tasks was to mend Summer’s tools—to mend the fishing nets, repair the hoe and shovel handles, and so on. Today, most of us don’t have that sor...
A Samhain Rite of Transformation Part 2
A solitary declares, or the coven’s Priestess and Priest share, the explanation of Samhain: This is the moment when the God’s grave becomes a womb, when He is no longer dead, but gestating. Now we no ...
A Samhain Rite of Transformation
A theme that unites Samhain’s aspects—harvest, reunion, and New Year’s—is transformation. This theme is so strongly at the core of this holiday that it has survived even into the secular celebration: ...
Singing for the Ancestors
When I say “ancestors,” I use the term loosely. Of course I mean our grandmothers and grandfathers, parents, aunts, and uncles who’ve passed on. But I also mean siblings and friends, and I don’t mean ...
Blessing and Consecration for Found Bones (or Other Natural Material)
For this rite, you need salt and water, burning incense, a candle, and a clean white cloth. The incense should be woodsy-smelling, and the candle should be red or orange (colors of life) or black (for...
Hecate
For many Wiccans, Hecate is the goddess most associated with Samhain. (The pronunciation of her name varies. Some say Hehkah-tay, some say Heck-a-tay, and a very few say Heck-ate. Most of the Wiccans ...
Sacred Slaughter
Today, the animals we eat are butchered with no ceremony at all; but for Neo-Pagans, slaughter is sacred. When, in Teutonic Magic, Kveldulf Gundarsson talks about the central act of a blot (the word r...
Calling the Dryads
As you become more proficient at using energies, you will find a need to link with nature spirits and spirits of the elements. These energies are very subtle and the incantations used in this spell ac...
Setting up your altar
To turn your dressed table into a proper altar, you will need as basics the following objects: 1. Two candles with candle holders – you might like to think of one representing the female princip...
Preparing for Spell Work
Several processes become automatic when preparing for spell work. If you choose to wear special clothing, then this has to be prepared before you actually start your personal preparations. We give bel...
Witches Chanting
Chant … in The Craft, when the witches were sitting in the park repeating Earth, Air, Fire, and Water, they were using what is known as a circle chant meditation to raise their power levels. Chants ca...
Candle Magick:
When the candle sheds its gleam, At the mystic hour, Let fulfilment of my dream, Gather secret power. Flame of magick, brightly burn, Spirit of the fire. Let the wheel of fortune turn, Grant me my des...
Mature Basil leaves
Mature Basil leaves can be used for this technique. The resulting decoction is said to attract clients and prevent theft. YOU WILL NEED: Glass jar or metal container Handful of basil leaves One pint o...
Basil for Business
Many Hindu families keep a tulsi or Holy Basil plant in a specially-built structure, which has images of deities installed on all four sides, with an alcove for a small earthenware oil lamp. Here basi...
Preparing a crystal circle
If you wish to use stones and crystals when laying out your circle or sacred space, you can use a mixture of both. You might mark each quarter with a large stone, particularly if you are outside, and ...
Moon power
This spell can be performed indoors as well as outside. It is representational since you use a paper moon or flower. In the incantation the Moon is represented as a white swan. This should be done at ...
Disperse negative emotion
Here is a simple technique for dealing with negative energies such as anger and resentment. It uses the Elements and their qualities in a very positive way. The circle of light links with spirit, the ...