On Spells and Wicca

A lot of people hear terms like "witchcraft" and "Wicca," and will assume that those who follow religious practices like these must be evil, bad, or devil-worshippers.  I have met people from all types of religions; some people are good, and some aren't so good.  Wicca is a nature-based religion with a nod to various Gods and Goddesses of many cultures and times in human history;  many Wiccans also choose to include the Judeo-Christian God, plus Jesus, Mary, and Catholic saints in their worshipping practices.

Wicca (a term which comes from the old English word for "witch") is not devil worship and is not inherently evil: in fact, the Wiccan Rede, which is the most serious commandment of those practicing magick, is summed up in only a few words:  "Do what thou will, but harm none."  By learning more about this complex religion (whether you agree with it or not), you will understand that it is not bad or evil.  And as always, when you learn the truth about something, you can then decide what to think for yourself.

Not all spell practitioners are Wiccan, and not all Wicca believers use spells (though many of them do).  There are spiritual workings in many world religions, including more mainstream beliefs such as Christianity (all types), Judaism, Islam, Hindu, and Buddhist.  Wiccan "magick" is often spelled with a "k" to differentiate between spiritual work versus performance magic, which has nothing to do with spirituality.  At their most basic form, spells are simply another form of prayer.  These practices, like prayer, are used to request assistance in changing the outcome of a situation, to bring spiritual guidance and help.  Calling on a higher power in order to create a desired outcome, as well as to connect with our own divine presence (the God and Goddess inside all of us), are the purposes of spellwork.


Spells are not performed for anyone unless they ask for it and/or give their permission.  Love spells, curses, and other spells which directly affect other people are considered to be underhanded and dishonest.  If it goes against another person's free will, it is an abuse of power, and should not be done.  Any spell which is used to manipulate or control someone else is forbidden under the Wiccan Rede, which explicitly says to "harm none."  There is also the Threefold Law to take into consideration, which simply states that any action that is taken which affects others will come back threefold, be it for good or bad.  Therefore, people who practice Wicca believe that not only is manipulating through spells (as well as treating other badly in general) going to come back and bite you where it counts, it's also forbidden to hurt others because it just isn't nice.  Plainly stated, Wiccans generally consider themselves to be "good witches," not bad ones.


Spells which are meant to bring out abundance and positive changes are said to have more power when done during waxing phases of the moon.  These are the types of spells which are cast for better luck, fertility, and protection.  Casting when your mood is positive is imperative.  If you're feeling negative or unsure of your abilities, it may affect your spellwork.

Banishing spells -- those are often spells which are used to get rid of something, such as bad luck or other unwanted elements in your life, are best done during the moon's waning phases.  Again, a confident, positive approach is always best.

Purification is often done with the lighting of incense, the sprinkling of water, and the casting of salt -- these actions are found in cultures throughout the world, including other religions.  Have you ever sprinkled salt over your shoulder?  Used incense or holy water in church?  These are not coincidences; items such as these are renowned the world over for their transformative properties.

Most people purify their spaces before committing any type of spiritual work or spell in order to keep the space and their work happy and benevolent.

The Blue Aura Color Meaning

Historically, blue has always been considered a cooling and soothing color.  In auric traditions, this point of view is no different.  Blue is considered the coolest and most peaceful color in the auric spectrum.  It corresponds primarily to the element of water, with a nod toward air.  It also corresponds to the Throat chakra, and is a peaceful and healing color.

Those people with blue auras are naturally peaceful and peace-loving people.  They are often calm and wise, with an insight of someone well beyond their years. They are often very sensitive to the feelings of those around them, with a heightened awareness of physical and emotional conditions.

Turquoise is a soft blue with just a touch of green.  People with this color present in their auras are often survivors of traumatic and difficult experiences.  However, they have also learned to put their past sufferings in proportion and have moved on with their lives, learning lessons and often interested in counselling others to heal as well.

A sky blue aura indicates a deep sensitivity of one's surroundings, and a great deal of wisdom. These are our philosophers and deep thinkers.

Periwinkle blue is not often seen in auras, but like the sky blue type, these are sensitive souls.  People with an aura which is periwinkle often have better instincts with people than their sky-blue counterparts.

Cobalt is a lovely, bold, true blue.  The cobalt aura's sensitivity is on a more practical level than the skies and periwinkles of the world, but make no mistake, they know what's going on.  Cobalt aura bearers are often intelligent and very logical.

Royal blue is a deep, dark blue.  An aura of this color tends to be around people whose natural instincts are leading them in the best possible direction.  Some royal aura bearers tend to be plagued with misfortune, but their common sense and their abilities to make strong connections with others, will often help their transition through difficult situations become much easier.

Navy (or "velvet blue" if you drive a Kia!) is one of the safest and most stable aura colors in existence.  These people are practical, but sensitive to the conditions around them.  Navy blue aura bearers are often trustworthy and sane, yet slow-but-steady in their methods.  Rely on a navy blue aura bearer, and you won't go wrong.

Midnight has the sane practicality of a navy blue aura, but also has just the faintest hint of green within it.  This indicates a deep soul with a strong urge to use his or her gifts to help other people.  Midnight blue sensitivity can run very high.  These are loving souls.

Indigo is like a midnight blue with a purple tinge to it.  Like those on the purple spectrum, these aura bearers have a sensitivity so deep that they also often demonstrate psychic tendencies.  They also have the sensitivity and peace of a blue aura bearer as well.  However, for all of their wisdom, they can often be short-sighted or having trouble taking other people's feelings into account.  Try some aura polishing techniques if you need a little enlightenment.

A blue aura can mean so many different things!  Even aura patterns can help you determine how best to address your strengths and weaknesses.  Do what feels right for you!

Healing Tips For a Broken Heart

Each and every person in the world is unique.  We all come from different places and have endured different experiences throughout our lives.  However, there is one thing that will always unite people with one another, and that is that we all have feelings and emotions.  At one time or another, we have all experienced loss.  Just about everyone knows what it feels like to suffer from a broken heart.

Love is the most powerful force on Earth.  Sure, you can argue that other feelings are more important, and indeed they all play their own roles in our time here.  However, love is truly the tie than binds us to one another.  When we experience the loss of that love through a breakup, a death, or some other unforseen circumstance, the pain can be so intense that we feel as if we may never recover from that loss.  While it's true that you may never again be the same after this experience, there are ways to heal and to move on with your life.

The first step is to understand that love will often change our perception of the way that things are.  I'm not saying that your relationship has distorted your view on reality, but perhaps the bond that you shared with someone else may not have been as strong as you previously thought.  It may have been other feelings mingled in with that love -- dependency, comfort, sexual passion, a shared commitment towards your family, or any number of other life changes.  Most relationships will end sooner or later; love does not always last.  If you experienced a breakup, then naturally there were problems on your end, on the other end, or both.  Focusing on the reasons that the relationship ended will give you a new sense of perspective and acceptance.  From this, the healing can begin.



Your heart may feel as though the emotional wounds might never heal.  However, you must understand that with time, the hurt and the sorrow that you are experiencing will subside.  As I said before, you will not be the same person.  But you will definitely grow stronger from the experience, and as time goes by, you will begin to heal and feel more like your regular self again.  Give yourself the time to grieve.  If you're sad, acknowledge those feelings -- don't just stuff them inside.  Express them.  Feel them.  Yes, it will be painful.  However, being able to acknowledge the hurt and the despair in the wake of this loss is a vital part of the grieving process. 

The most important part of this process is to always keep in mind that with each passing day, you are healing more and more.  Just like a physical wound, it will hurt just a little less every day.  And, like a bodily ailment, you need to nourish yourself with the things that are needed to help the healing process -- and to avoid things which are bad for you.



The funny thing about a broken heart is that you won't always feel like it's broken. There will be times when you feel sad, no doubt, but there will also be times that you feel guilty, angry or even relieved. But, until you are completely over your former partner, you can be sure that there is some heart break playing a role in your emotions. So, how do you go about mending a broken heart?

To be blunt, you need to confront the problem. While you may be able to take temporary comfort in denial, it will only delay things from getting better. You have to be completely honest with yourself and how you feel.

Being honest is the only way you will be able to work things out. It won't be easy, but you need to figure out why you feel so heartbroken. Do you feel betrayed by your ex? Do you feel you betrayed them? Was there a death? Were they unfaithful? Do you feel guilty? Do you think you could have done more? Do you think you did all you could, and just can't understand why you broke up anyway? Whatever it is, identifying the real problem is the key to solving it.

Once you have figured out what the root of your broken heart is, you can fix it. For example, if you're feeling guilty, then you need to forgive yourself. But if it was something your partner did, then you need to forgive them. You have to be willing to do whatever it is that needs to be done.

You also need to be realistic about mending a broken heart. Because it isn't always easy, you may not be able to do it on your own. If you find you're just not getting any better, then it may be time to seek help from a counselor...again, whatever it takes. Give it time and face it head on, and you will be feeling better before you know it.

Prayer With The Great Invocation

Earlier this year, I requested prayer and positive energy for the ability to find a new place to live. Surprisingly,  one of the caring folks who replied to my request was author and esoteric scholar Starling David Hunter, who sent me this beautiful prayer that I'd like to share with all of you. "I use it daily," he noted. The imagery is very illuminating and uplifting. Try it!



From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.


From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.


From the center where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men –
The purpose which the Master knows and serves.


From the center which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.


Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.
 



For more information about this invocation, including history and other verses, feel free to check the World Service Group website.

A Green Aura and Its Meanings

Green is one of cooler and more soothing colors within the aura spectrum.  This hue corresponds to the elements of earth and water.  Green corresponds to the Heart chakra, and is a peaceful and healing color.

People with green auras, in whole or in part, are natural healers.  They often derive great joy from helping others, and they're usually very good at it as well.  Most shades tend toward peaceful and relaxed behavior, with just a spark of inspiration and positivity to balance things.

The mint green aura tends to be found in very spiritual people.  Clergy or those who live their lives as pacifists tend to have this color present somewhere in their auric composition.  They seek spiritual advancement as part of their overall growth.

Apple green -- like a Granny Smith apple -- may seem like a sour, strong color in the physical world.  But when it comes to auric colors, this shade is actually a quintessential healer color.  You will find this in people in the medical profession, as well as caring and nurturing people.

Lime green aura bearers can be difficult to handle.  Because of the high yellow content in this color, they have the ability (like many yellow aura folks) to manipulate or take advantage of other people.  However, the green spark gives them the ability to get away with it more often than not; the healing properties of green will also "reverse" onto themselves, reducing their guilt about deception against others.  Aura colors can be changed, but yellow-based shades are often very reluctant or unable to change.  Proceed with caution.

Shimmering green auras are amazing to behold.  Those with this aura tend to be social butterflies, loving nothing more than to be in the company of others.  They enjoy the limelight; being the center of attention is their idea of heaven.  Generally they mean well enough, and are fascinating communicators and story tellers.

Emerald green auras are often seen in people who have experienced a lot of turmoil in life, and who have finally relaxed enough to close the door on those problems and move on with their life.  They are often only too happy to lend their counsel to other people in similar situations.

Aquamarine auras generally come before an emerald green aura has the chance to develop.  This person may still be experiencing trauma or stress, but is just beginning to come to terms with those issues.  They often turn to other people in trouble, or others who are in need of help, as a form of escapism of their own issues. However, the clouds in their lives are "clearing," and offering help to other people is actually a healthy and therapeutic thing to do -- provided that they don't escape into other people permanently!

Dark or muddy greens, such as olive green, can indicate a slow and sluggish thought process, especially where other people's wellbeing is concerned.  There is also a tendency toward stinginess and selfishness, as well as a conservative nature that is so deeply ingrained that it becomes detrimental instead of merely cautious.  Try some aura polishing techniques if you need help.

Other deep green shades indicate positivity, benevolent and caring personalities, as well as healing tendencies.   Green aura bearers have a strong connection with the earth and with other people.  These are the types of people who make excellent friends and caring partners.

A green aura can mean many things depending on the shade, so find the one that works best for you.  Every aura is different, and different things may work for various aura colors and aura patterns. Go with your instincts!

Magickal & Healing Properties of Amber

Amber is a type of stone with usually has a rich, honey brown shade.  However, it is occasionally seen in shades of green, or even some types tinged with blue or red.  This stone is actually a fossil, made from petrified tree resin.  Amber has electromagnetic properties as well; if you rub a piece of amber with a soft cloth, it will build up static electricity and lightweight objects will be able to stick to it.  Amber originates from places such as Eastern and Mediterranean Europe, Mexico, and parts of South America.

Because of its electromagnetic properties, amber has some interesting abilities.  It's great for purging the body of impurities, protecting from radioactive waves or energy from electronics, sunlight, and energy that emanates from other people.

Amber comes from trees and plants, so this connection with the earth gives it a wonderful association with nature and the earth element.  This makes amber a great choice for grounding, and for attuning with the natural elements around us.  It can also promote mental and emotional stability and help fight depression, even in its stronger forms.  Amber helps to promote positivity and a healthier outlook on life.  It can also help someone adjust to new situations and to weather changes well.

Not only does amber promote mental and emotional health, but also promote healthier brain activity.  Amber's powers may be utilized to protect the user from "brain fog" and for those who lack clarity.   It can be used for enhancing memory, logic, and powers of concentration and creativity as well.

Amber has also been thought to help ease pain in the solar plexus area, to enhance the strength of one's liver, gall bladder, and stomach.   It also can be effective to lessen labor pains when its user is about to give birth.  Some superstitions also claim that it can alleviate headaches, fever, dental pain, nose bleeds, sore throats, and bone or joint ailments such as rheumatism and arthritis.

Feng Shui lore states that, when placed in the northeastern area of a home, it can help to promote wisdom and self-improvement.  If it's placed in the southwest, it can help fill the home with love and positivity.

Amber is a great stone to have in your crystal repertoire for its versatility, its beauty, and its power.  Enjoy the benefits of amber whenever you're in need of a strong helping hand to get you through whatever challenges you may face.

Pizza Magick!

 If you've never tried to manifest positivity before, here's a great magickal practice for the beginner.  It's also great for the seasoned practicioner!

You can use your favorite "pizza kit" mix, or get yourself (1) some pizza dough, (2) tomato sauce*, (3) cheese*, as well as the ingredients below... choose one for each element, or pick your ideal toppings based on your spell's goal.

Make according to directions, or just assemble in the common sense method (spread the dough onto oiled pizza pan, add some sauce and cheese).

Add ingredients from the list below, ideally one of each element. You can add them under the cheese, or on top of it. I like to arrange toppings in mystical shapes, such as my birth sign, the moon or other planetary symbols, even a simple plus sign will be good for imparting positive energies. You can even spell out words, like LOVE or HELP to help manifest your needs.


FIRE TOPPINGS:
GARLIC/ONIONS - Banishes evil, protects the user from negativity
BASIL - Soothes anger, promotes love, stimulates Heart/Sacral chakras
POULTRY - Divination, also good for "cyclical" and spiritual repair magick.
MEAT - Male magick, enlightenment, vigor


AIR TOPPINGS:
ARTICHOKE - Personal growth, protection from negative energies
OLIVES - Spiritual awakenings, to help make decisions & reach goals
PARSLEY - Protection against accidents, mood enhancement
SAGE - Activates Throat chakra, healing energy, promotes creativity

WATER TOPPINGS:
BROCCOLI - Increased physical strength & confidence
EGGS - Feminine magick, fertility
FISH (any type) - Male & female fertility magick, sacred powers of the subconscious
TOMATOES - Love magick, repel negative energies

EARTH TOPPINGS:
MUSHROOMS - For strength, courage, and to reveal hidden things
POTATOES - Primal calming energy, great for materialization magick, absorbs negativity
SQUASH/ZUCCHINI - Banishes evil and promotes awareness/clarity
CORN - For prosperity, abuncance, and friendship

 As you eat your pizza, imagine your goals manifesting.  Take the positivity into yourself and feel yourself become nourished and stronger in body and soul.  Enjoy your magickal pizza!


*Note:  You don't need tomato-based sauce or dairy-based cheese to make this pizza.  If you're vegan or have other dietary restrictions, do whatever works best for your body.  There are lots of options for all dietary needs.


Photo credit:  I got the original from  PD Photo and turned it into a heart. :)