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Overview
Seasonal rites and blessings—from a New Year’s resolution spell to a golden goddess prayer—by the author of Wicca A to Z: A Modern Witch’s Encyclopedia.
Written by Wiccan expert Gerina Dunwich, Everyday Wicca is both an essential gateway for anyone seeking to add magick to their life and a thorough examination of magickal living for longtime practitioners of the pagan arts. A fascinating study of spellcasting and a thoughtful survey of the Wiccan calendar, this insightful work will guide the modern witch through everyday rituals, spells, and Sabbats celebrated during the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. A handy glossary and an invaluable resource section are also included for both the solitary witch as well as those in a coven.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780806539522 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Kensington |
| Publication date: | 11/27/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 192 |
| File size: | 4 MB |
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Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
LUNAR SPELLWORK
"Moon-Woman, old and wise.
Hair of silver; pale gray eyes.
She rises high above the night,
spinning spider silk of light,
shining like a beacon bright to light the way for faeries' flight."
The moon, along with its phases, energies, and symbols, possesses a strong influence over all rites of magick in the Witchcraft of modern times, just as it has done so in the past.
It is connected to the monthly menstrual cycle of women (in certain cultures, the words used for "moon" and "menstrual" are identical or closely related) and continues to be viewed by many as a sacred symbol of the great Goddess, woman-magick, and female energy. The moon is also associated with the mysteries of the dark and the ocean tides, and representsintuition, the psychic powers of the mind, emotion, mood, fertility, and even lunacy.
To perform successful magick, it is important to always work in harmony with the moon and its different lunar phases. All types of spellwork must be performed during their corresponding lunar phase or else they will be ineffective.
In certain cases, if a specific spell is cast during the incorrect lunar phase, it can actually result in the magick doing just the opposite of what it was intended to do. For instance, if you were to cast a spell for increasing money during a waning moon instead of during a waxing moon — which would be the correct lunar phase for this type of spell — it is highly possible that the spell would backfire and cause you to actually lose money instead of gaining it!
WAXING MOON
A waxing moon (the time from the new moon, through the first quarter, to the full moon) corresponds to the Maiden (also Warrior and Virgin) aspect of the Triple Goddess, and is the proper time for performing rituals in honor of Her.
It is also the appropriate lunar phase during which to perform spells and rituals involving all forms of growth, strengthening, and the increasing of things (such as love, good luck, health, money, and so forth.)
FULL MOON
The energy of the full moon increases a Witch's psychic powers; therefore, the full moon phase is said to be the most favorable time of all to perform divinations as well as spells and rituals that increase psychic abilities and induce dreams that reveal the future or the unknown.
The full moon corresponds with the Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, making it also a powerful phase for working all manners of fertility magick.
The moon has been associated with female fertility since antiquity, and at one time it was commonly believed that if a woman desired children, she could simply sleep under the silvery-white light of the moon and become magickally impregnated by a moonbeam.
Full moons also enhance the power of spells that involve creativity, nurturing, and sensuality.
WANING MOON
A waning moon (the time from the full moon, through the last quarter, to the new moon) corresponds to the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, and is the proper lunar phase in which to perform spells and rituals that bring things to an end. This is the correct time to reverse spells (countermagick), and decrease, banish, and destroy things (such as diseases, addictions, a streak of bad luck, and so forth).
Witches performing a circle dance beneath the full moon. (Fortean Picture Library)
Crone-honoring rites are traditionally performed during the waning of the moon, as this is the time of the month that the powers of the Crone (also known as the Dark Goddess) are at their greatest. The Crone represents maturity of wisdom, spiritual peace, a time of endings that lead to new beginnings, and death that brings forth new life.
Nearly all spells of a positive nature are performed during the waxing of the moon, while most spells of a negative nature are performed during the waning of the moon and most spells of a psychic or divinatory nature are performed during the full of the moon. (The thirteen full moons that occur each year are also the traditional times for most covens' esbats, which are monthly meetings during which a Goddess and/or Horned God honoring rite is usually performed, along with magick workings, healings [as necessary], and the taking care of general coven business.)
The terms "positive" and "negative" are not necessarily used to indicate white (or good) and black (or bad) magick. Rather, positive means that which constructs, strengthens, or attracts; and negative means that which destroys, weakens, or banishes.
Also, like the opposite charges of a battery or the opposite poles of a magnet, there are positives and negatives throughout the four elements and the twelve astrological signs of the zodiac. The elements of Fire and Air are said to be positive, while Earth and Water are negative. The six signs of the zodiac classified as positive are: Aries, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius. The negative signs are the remaining six: Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces.
Additionally, positive also corresponds to the yang/masculine/active energies, and negative corresponds to the yin/feminine/passive energies.
SPELLWORK BY LUNAR PHASE
The following is a list of different types of spellwork (arranged in alphabetical order), followed by the appropriate lunar phase/s during which each one should be performed. (If you are ever in doubt as to which phase of the moon is the correct one for a certain spell, I would recommend performing it on a night when the moon is full because this is the time when the power of magick is greatest.)
ABUNDANCE: waxing to full moon.
ADDICTIONS (TO END): waning moon.
ARTISTIC CREATIONS: waxing to full moon.
BAD HABITS (to break): waning moon.
BAD LUCK (to reverse): waning moon.
BEAUTY AND HEALTH: full moon.
BINDINGS: waning moon.
BLESSINGS: full moon.
CAREER ADVANCEMENT: waxing moon.
COMMUNICATION: full moon.
CURSES, HEXES (to break): waning moon.
DIVINATIONS: waxing and full moons.
ENERGY RAISING: waxing moon.
EXORCISMS: waning moon.
FEAR (overcoming): waning moon.
FERTILITY RITUALS: waxing and full moons.
FORGIVENESS: new moon.
FRIENDSHIP: waxing moon.
GARDEN PLANTING SPELLS: waxing moon.
GOALS (attainment of): waxing to full moon.
GOOD LUCK: waxing moon.
GROWTH (of any kind): waxing moon.
HARMONY: waxing moon.
HAPPINESS: waxing and full moons.
HEALINGS (to increase health): waxing moon.
HEALINGS (to end sickness): waning moon.
HOUSE BLESSINGS: full moon.
INSPIRATION: waxing and full moons.
INTUITION: full moon.
JINX-BREAKING: waning moon.
JUDGMENT: waxing and full moons.
LIBERATION (to free oneself from something): waning moon.
LOVE MAGICK: waxing and full moons.
LOVE SPELLS (to reverse): waning moon.
LUNAR GODDESS INVOCATIONS: full moon.
MONEY MATTERS (to increase wealth): waxing moon.
NEGATIVITY (to banish): waning moon.
NIGHTMARES (to banish): waning moon.
OBTAINING (things and goals): waxing and full moons.
OMENS: full moon.
OVERCOMING: waning moon.
PEACE (to end hostility, war): waning moon.
POWER: waxing and full moons.
PROPHETIC DREAMS: full moon.
PROTECTION: waxing moon.
PSYCHIC POWERS (developing, strengthening): full moon.
QUESTS: new moon.
REAL ESTATE (to buy): waxing moon.
REAL ESTATE (to sell): waning moon.
SEXUAL DESIRES (to stimulate, increase): waxing moon.
SHAPESHIFTING: full moon.
SPIRIT CONJURATIONS: full moon.
STRENGTH: waxing moon.
TEACHING: waxing and full moons.
TRANSFORMATIONS: full moon.
TRAVEL: waxing moon.
UNIONS (marriages, business partnerships): waxing and full moons.
WEATHERWORKINGS (to bring forth): waxing moon.
WEATHERWORKINGS (to quell): waning moon.
WEIGHT GAIN: waxing moon.
WEIGHT LOSS: waning moon.
WISDOM (to increase): waxing and full moons.
WISH-MAGICK: waxing and full moons.
The three Wiccan rituals that follow (Coven Empowerment, Cat Blessing, and Negativity Banishing) correspond respectively to the waxing, full, and waning phases of the moon. They are three examples of how the moon's changing cycle governs different types of magick.
An ancient lunar goddess. From 293 Renaissance Woodcuts for Artists and Illustrators, (Dover Publications, Inc.)
COVEN EMPOWERING RITUAL
Perform this ritual on a night when the moon is in a waxing phase:
Two white candles are placed on the altar with a red candle (symbolizing energy) between them. An incense burner is also placed on the altar, along with whatever symbolic objects the coven traditionally employs to honor and represent the Old Ones (Goddess and God) and the four ancient elements.
All members of the coven gather, standing or seated on the floor in the form of a circle. Each person places a personal power-symbolizing object (such as an energy-charged crystal, a magickal pendant, a Goddess figurine, and so forth) upon a tray in the center of the circle.
The High Priestess of the coven casts the magick circle in a clockwise direction (also known as both sunrise and deosil), lights the candles and incense, and then says:
WITH FLAME AND SMOKE THIS RITE BEGINS TO RAISE OUR POWER FROM WITHIN.
ELEMENTAL SPIRITS OF OLD WE CALL THEE TO GUARD AND TO BEHOLD.
She joins the others in the circle. Everyone joins hands to form a human chain, and then the High Priestess says:
HERE AND NOW WE JOIN AS ONE UNTIL OUR MAGICK DEEDS ARE DONE.
POSITIVE ENERGY NOW PREVAILS,
TO SHE WHO TURNS THE WHEEL WE HAIL!
All raise their arms up toward the sky, still holding hands, and say in unison: HAIL TO THE GODDESS!
HAIL TO THE GODDESS!
SHE IS OUR MOTHER SHE IS OUR TEACHER SHE IS WITHIN US AND ALL AROUND US.
All bring their arms back down to their original positions. Hands should remain joined together and sacred Goddess energy in the form of white light flowing from person to person clockwise around the circle should be visualized by all.
The High Priestess now says:
MAY THE ELEMENTALS GUARD THIS CIRCLE,
GUIDE US INTO LIGHT AND PROTECT US FROM THE DARK.
WITH HANDS TOUCHING HANDS OUR SPIRITS UNITE;
ON A JOURNEY OF MAGICK WE NOW EMBARK!
All members of the coven say in unison:
THE POWER OF THE GODDESS IS WITHIN US!
THE POWER OF THE GOD IS WITHIN US!
The High Priestess now says: THE POWER OF (she names something of power, such as THE EARTH, THE MOON, HEALING, the name of a favorite goddess or god, and so forth)IS WITHIN US!
The person to her left then says: THE POWER OF (she or he names something) IS WITHIN US!
As this is done, all should focus on the energy being raised and direct it toward the common goal.
The power-raising chant continues clockwise around the circle until all coven members have had three turns namingsomething to bring its power into the circle. (It is acceptable to name the same power source more than once if so desired.)
The High Priestess now says:
WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE WHITE LIGHT.
WE ARE ALL SISTERS AND BROTHERS OF THE SACRED EARTH.
THE GODDESS AND THE GOD ARE WITHIN US AND ALL AROUND US AS WE FLOW WITH THE NEVER ENDING CYCLE OF PERPETUAL REBIRTH.
All members of the coven say in unison:
LET THE FIRE OF OUR MAGICK BURN BRIGHT AND BE STRONG;
LET OUR HEARTS HOLD THE POWER TO RIGHT WHAT IS WRONG;
LET THE FORCES OF NATURE BE AT OUR COMMAND;
LET THE POWER OF HEALING BE HERE IN OUR HANDS.
The High Priestess now says:
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.
THE POWER OF CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION IS ROOTED WITHIN EACH OF US WAITING TO BLOSSOM LIKE A FLOWER,
NEEDING LOVE AND LIGHT TO NOURISH ITS WONDROUS MAGICK.
LOVE IS THE LIGHT AND LIGHT IS LOVE.
All members of the coven say in unison:
LOVE IS THE LIGHT AND LIGHT IS LOVE AND LOVE SHALL BE THE LAW:
AN' IT HARM NONE, LOVE AND DO WHAT THOU WILT SO MOTE IT BE!
The High Priestess should now proceed to uncast the circle in a counterclockwise (also known as widdershins) direction. As she does this she says:
TO THE ANCIENT ONES DIVINE AND TO THE ELEMENTAL SPIRITS OF AIR, FIRE, WATER, AND EARTH WE LOVINGLY GIVE THANKS FOR THY PRESENCE AND THY ENERGY IN THIS TEMPLE OF MAGICK.
WITH THE DEEPEST RESPECT AND HARMING NONE,
WE BID THEE FAREWELL.
THIS RITE IS NOW COMPLETE.
THIS CIRCLE IS NOW UNCAST.
BLESSED BE, ONE AND ALL.
SO MOTE IT BE!
All members of the coven say in unison:
SO MOTE IT BE!
CAT BLESSING
Perform this Wiccan ritual on a night when the moon is full and shining brightly, preferably the first night of the full moon at the exact moment when it enters into its full phase.
To find out the exact phase time, consult an up-to-date astrological or lunar calendar, book of days, or almanac. (I recommend either Llewellyn's Magical Almanac or the Organic Gardening Almanac, both published annually by Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, Minnesota.)
If you desire, you may instead or also perform this ritual on your cat's birthday (if the date is known), on the anniversary of when he or she first became part of your family, or whenever you feel it to be the appropriate time.
Please note: This simple blessing can easily be adapted for dogs as well as your other furry friends and familiars.
(Stock Montage, Inc.)
Light some fragrant incense and place a gold candle (in honor of the Horned God) and a white candle (preferably one in the shape of a cat) on the center of your altar.
Cast a circle around your altar in whatever manner you usually cast it, and call upon the four elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth to be present and to serve as guardians of the circle.
Light the gold candle and then humbly invoke the powers of the Horned God:
O GREAT HORNED GOD CONSORT OF THE GODDESS I INVOKE THEE AND INVITE THEE INTO THIS CIRCLE.
Light the white cat candle and then, holding your cat gently in your arms, kneel before the altar and recite the following prayer:
O GREAT HORNED GOD,
FATHER OF THE WOODLANDS AND LOVING LORD OF ALL CREATURES THAT WALK, CRAWL, SWIM, AND FLY,
A THREEFOLD BLESSING I HUMBLY ASK OF THEE ON THIS SPECIAL DAY:
MAY THIS CAT'S LIFE BE A LONG,
HAPPY, AND HEALTHY ONE;
MAY SHE (OR HE) ALWAYS RECEIVE YOUR DIVINE PROTECTION;
AND WHEN OUR INCARNATIONS IN THIS WORLD CEASE TO BE,
MAY WE FOREVER BE REUNITED IN THE GREAT WICCAN OTHERWORLD KNOWN ONLY AS SUMMERLAND.
SO MOTE IT BE!
After the prayer has been recited, gaze into the flame of the gold candle and chant thrice the name of your cat, each time followed by the words: BLESSED BE. Give the cat a loving kiss and place her or him down in the center of the circle. If the cat chooses to exit the circle at this point this is all right.
Give thanks to the Horned God in your own words and bid Him farewell. Next, give thanks to the four elements in your own words and then bid them farewell. Uncast the magick circle counterclockwise, and say:
IN PERFECT LOVE AND HARMING NONE THIS PAGAN BLESSING NOW IS DONE.
SO MOTE IT BE!
NEGATIVITY BANISHING RITUAL
To banish all negative energies, perform this ritual on a night when the moon is in a waning phase.
This ritual may be performed by either a coven or a solitary practitioner of Wicca, and it can easily be adapted to suit the personal needs of the individual/s for whom it is being performed.
Place two white altar candles (or one silver and one gold) upon your altar to represent the Goddess and the Horned God. Between these candles place any type of black candle (taper or votive, scented or unscented). This candle will help to absorb the negative energies that are around and possibly within you, and transform them into positive ones.
Also on the altar, place a small cup of water and a small bowl containing salt (preferably sea salt) for consecration purposes, a cast-iron cauldron (or other fireproof pot), a stand for the cauldron (or a wooden cutting board to be placed underneath it to prevent it from scorching anything), rubbing alcohol, and matches.
Using an athame (a ritual knife), wand, sword, or besom (another name for a Witch's broom), cast a clockwise circle, and say:
BY THE MOTION OF THE SUN THIS MAGICK CIRCLE I CREATE.
O ANCIENT ELEMENTS, ONE BY ONE I SUMMON TO PARTICIPATE:
SPIRITS OF THE AIR,
GUARDIANS OF THE EAST;
SPIRITS OF THE FIRE,
GUARDIANS OF THE SOUTH;
SPIRITS OF THE WATER,
GUARDIANS OF THE WEST;
SPIRITS OF THE EARTH,
GUARDIANS OF THE NORTH.
Sprinkle a bit of water and salt around the sacred space you have just created, and say:
WITH WATER AND SALT I CONSECRATE THIS SACRED TEMPLE OF MAGICK GREAT.
Light the white (or silver and gold) candles, and say:
I INVOKE THEE O GREAT GODDESS,
MOTHER OF THE SILVER MOON,
I INVOKE THEE O GREAT HORNED ONE,
FATHER OF THE GOLDEN SUN,
INTO THIS CIRCLE I INVITE THY SACRED SHINING LIGHT OF WHITE.
Visualize the circle around you glowing bright with divine energy in the form of white light. Let it surround you, and open yourself up to feel its loving, healing, negativity-banishing warmth.
Taking slow, deep breaths, visualize breathing the white light into your body and then breathing out all that is negative in the form of black smoke. Each time you inhale the white light and then exhale, see the black smoke grow less dark. Continue the white light breathing visualization technique until you feel completely cleansed of all inner negativity and you see only pure white light when you exhale.
Light the black candle, and say:
AS THE MOON WANES AND GROWS DARKER,
SO SHALL ALL NEGATIVITY GROW SMALLER AND SMALLER UNTIL IT FADES AWAY AND IS NO MORE.
LET LOVE BE THE POWER TO BANISH ALL NEGATIVITY SO THAT POSITIVE ENERGY CAN ONCE AGAIN PREVAIL.
If needed, you may add additional requests to the prayer, such as:
LET LOVE BE THE POWER TO OVERTURN BAD LUCK AND BRING PROSPERITY IN ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE.
LET LOVE BE THE POWER TO HEAL ALL PAST REGRETS AND TURN ALL SORROW BACK INTO HAPPINESS.
LET LOVE BE THE POWER TO TRANSFORM ALL FEELINGS OF ANXIETY INTO PEACE OF MIND.
Pour a bit of the rubbing alcohol (about a quarter cup) into the cauldron. (warning: be sure that the cauldron is resting on its stand or on a wooden cutting board, and is not near any flammable substances or things that can easily catch on fire, such as drapes!) light a match and drop it into the cauldron to make it flame.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Everyday Wicca"
by .
Copyright © 1997 Gerina Dunwich.
Excerpted by permission of KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Title Page,
Also by Gerina Dunwich,
Dedication,
Epigraph,
Introduction,
Chapter 1: Lunar Spellwork,
Chapter 2: The Wheel of the Year,
Chapter 3: The Rainbow of Magick,
Chapter 4: The Magick of Incense,
Chapter 5: Dedication and Initiation,
Chapter 6: A Calendar of the Magickal Year,
Chapter 7: The Magick of Verse,
Chapter 8: Glossary of the Wiccan Craft,
Appendix A: A Calendar of the Sacred Days of the Year,
Appendix B: Incenses and the Sabbats With Which They Are Associated,
Bibliography,
Index,
Copyright,