Do You Have a Cauldron?

 Dear Reader,

Perhaps the most iconic symbol of witchcraft is the cauldron. In them (if the entertainment industry is to be believed), nefarious potions, brews, and curses are created. (Thanks, Shakespeare.) In truth, the cauldron is the big cooking pot of the era that the Burning Times was going on. If you have a big pot you use to make pasta once a week and your family and friends' moods are improved, congratulations you have a cauldron and done a wee bit of food magic to help ease everybody's stress.

There was this big push in the 1990s that to be a witch you needed to have a cast iron cauldron. With no education on how to season cast iron or care for it. This coupled with the cauldron was big enough to hold a mere 1 cup of water really made it an ineffective tool. I own a couple of these vintage cauldrons. They've been used to hold incense as it burns on a bed of sand. They're not large enough to hang over a tea light, let alone a fire. These miniature cauldrons really should be considered decorations.

My real cauldron is my soup pot. It is one I picked up at a camping supply store down at the southern end of the state while I was living there. Every meal I made in it, there was magical intent going into the recipe and the choice of ingredients. It isn't the traditional cast iron but with my bad back, picking up a cast iron soup pot or dutch oven can be a challenge on bad days. It's made from steel and has a blue and white speckled pattern over it. I find it charming and it makes me smile when I bust it out for use.

Practical Witchcraft: Dirt Poor Witchcraft - Do you really need a Book of Shadows?

Dear Reader,

I am dipping a toe into some interesting waters with this post. Many occultists and witches are of the opinion that a Book of Shadows (referred hence forth as BoS) is a vital part of the practice. There are conflicting historical records about the use of a BoS during the period known colloquially as the Burning Times. In my efforts to pin down something accurately reflecting what a witch had to work with in that time period, the closest thing that one would have to what in modern times is considered a BoS is a cookbook. And that would be if the witch in question was lucky enough to own a book and have the ability to read. Many of the people persecuted for witchcraft during the Burning Times were either political targets or impoverished people who had some eccentric traits that their neighbors decided were signs of the "Devil". *

Based upon this finding, and let me tell you it took years of research with the assistance of others to come to this conclusion, you do not need a BoS. If you wish to keep a record of your workings, research, and rituals, a BoS is handy but it does not need to be some great leather bound tome with sigils burned into the cover as portrayed by theater and the entertainment industry. It can be a plain notebook that you write in with your favorite pen, for it is like a journal of sorts. Or, you can have a digital document that you keep your records in. If that doesn't work for you, it is easy enough with today's technology to make an audio recording. (Harken thee back to ye old 1990s for the ancient cassette tape, it's still on the market and super cheap.)

Some figures in history come down to us with fancy BoS called Grimoires. These were wealthy people of high status and usually some form of high society patronage. As the middle class grew, the "secret arts" became more accessible because they could afford to consult these individuals. This was mostly after the Burning Times. Today, a casual search on the internet can find you information that these historical figures like John Dee and such had in their libraries.

Returning to the topic of the storied BoS, you only need one if it helps you keep your information organized. If all you need is a pile of index cards, go for it. There are no rules on how to keep a BoS. 

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* Regarding the Burning Times, I'll be doing a post soon about my research and my findings.  

Divination: Tarot - Suit of Cups

 Dear Reader,

The suit of cups is associated with the suit of hearts in the standard pack of playing cards. (Plot twist, or not, the standard pack of playing cards used today is based on the minor arcana of the Tarot deck.) The suit of cups deal with emotion and relationships. They have their own famous cards in the suit.

• Two of Cups: Associated with love and the major arcana card of The Lovers
• Five of Cups: Associated with misfortunate, miscommunication, and breakups
• Ten of Cups: The Wish Card, associated with happy life, strong and healthy relationships, and accomplishing dreams

I apologize that I can not post a picture of cup cards from various decks I own. The room I keep my collection in is a disaster.

Divination: Tarot: Suit of Rods

 Left to Right: Kawaii Tarot, Holographic Rider-Waite Tarot
and the Celestial Tarot

 There are many ways to portray the suit of Rods (also known as wands). They are related to the suit of Swords but not interchangeable. Many associate the suit of Rods as an elemental Fire suit and read it as I read the suit of Swords. As you can tell from the image to the right, every tarot deck out there has their own way of portraying the suit of Rods.

As a green flourishing stem or the star topped image of the traditional magic wand, this suit is generally benevolent in nature and tend to speak of matters of work, travel, and striving for better things in life.

This suit, I associate with Air. As such, there are many cards in the suit that reflect communication. Inverted, the Rods are not as dire portents as the Swords, but like the Swords it is full of warnings of danger, miscommunication, and ill fortune.

Practical Witchcraft: Dirt Poor Witchcraft pt. 2 - Candles.

 Dear Reader,

An altar lit by wax candles is a romantic image. Some people have the space to make a grandiose job of it. It can be really impressive. And then there's what they show in the movies where the back room of the spooky spell shop turns out to be a cathedral of sorts with hundreds of candles and elegant icons. (That movie back room has to be a TARDIS because every spell shop I've been in has a back room that's barely big enough to turn around and spit in.)

If you're in the position that I'm now in (the landlord renewed the lease and said no candles or incense) or you simply can not afford actual candles even from the discount store, this post will give you some ideas on how to work around this.

The first suggestion I have is a little on the pricey side for initial payment but as a long term budget expense, it actually turns out to be less expensive than buying candles in bulk every few months. Get a package of electric tea lights. "Burn" them only for the duration of your work. As soon as you finish your spell or prayer session, turn it off to conserve the battery for the next use. And screw anybody who says you can't use a candle over again or that electric candles will screw up the magical energy of anything.

Experience has shown me that electricity in the vicinity of any magical item serves to increase it's capacity for use. They act like spiritual batteries/capacitors that release the energy when you put them to use. And unlike a battery or a capacitor, they won't explode if you try to push too much energy through them, they'll simply ground the excess. But I digress.

My second suggestion is a bit cheezy but it works. Take some colored paper, make a tube of a suitable length. Glue together. Add a flame shaped bit at the end that you've determined is your top. With this version of a 'candle' you are going to focus elemental fire energy into the candle until it feels 'full'. Remaining on the altar, this paper candle will be continually replenished by the high magical energy quotient naturally present in the altar space. Shrines are also places of high magical energy that can recharge these.

My third suggestion is take an item associated with elemental fire energy and place it on the altar. Citrine is a good stone to use for this because of its association with the Sun. Equally good to place on the altar is lava rock. This includes: obsidion of all varieties, lava stones, and pumice. Any igneous stone is a good choice as well because they are formed in the Earth under high heat and pressure, and they will carry traces of that heat in their matrix.

(Posted late because of my kitchen disaster) Divination: Rune Study - Gebo

 Dear Friends,

The rune Gebo (also known in some parts as Gifu) is a very important concept in ancient Northern Germanic cultures. It was, you could say, the backbone that served to help hold the culture together. Gifts were given often and served to cement social bonds. It is claimed that the All-Father advised "It is better to give too little than too much." Sounds like odd advice.

When living in a culture where gifts are given and debts can be incurred on the basis of what kind of gift is given, this is where the advice of the All-Father is actually really smart. In the ancient lands of old, visitors were given gifts of new clothes (and towels if they were wet from the weather). This was not because of the fact that the host was so delighted to see them but because it was a big part of basic hospitality. At the minimum, a poor host would give their guests food and drink.

These gifts put the guests into debt to their hosts, ensuring that they would behave properly while during their stay. A similar weight was on gifts given as part of marriage contracts between two families. (Mind you, during this era if a man assaulted a woman, she was free to cut off the offending part and nail it to the wall as a warning to others. Divorce was also a thing.)

Peace gifts were also a thing to in this era. They were given to cement the bonds between rulers. To refuse a peace gift was almost tantamount to declaring war.

When interpreting this rune, there are two things I keep in mind. This is one of the irreversible runes. That which is a blessing to one person may be a bane to another. (Think of the infamous white elephant story.) The most important thing for interpreting this rune is context. If it is in near proximity to runes known for benevolent influence, it is safe to assure that the gift coming is a good one. If it is in near proximity to runes known for malevolent influence, the gift coming should be handled with great caution and awareness that it might be a poison pill in disguise.

Herbs, tools, and treasures: My favorite cane.

 Dear Reader,

This might sound a little odd, but I have a favorite cane. I bought it at an estate sale for three whole dollars. It is from the Adirondacks and is hand carved. It's a very simple thing, as you can see in the pic. But, what I love about this cane is that it can double as a magical staff. That might raise a few eyebrows. Most people think of magical staves as six foot long things with all sorts of doodads attached to them. In my book, simple is better.

It serves two purposes. First, it lets you carry a magical weapon on the sly. Second, it's highly portable unlike those six foot staves that will get you questions for store security if you carry them into your local grocery store. And, I'll be honest. it makes for a legit weapon on the sly too. If you take a look at the head of the cane, that'll give you a decent knock on the nose if needed. (The skinny end could also be good for poking or tripping people as well. I may not be a nice person because I have these thoughts.)

I honestly don't know what kind of wood it is made from. I do know, however, it is from the root end of a tree by the bark left on the handle end and the shape of it. I can use it to ground energy very effectively. I can also use it to draw up energy from the Earth easily (don't let the rubber stopper on the end fool you, that's just so I don't scuff up my in-law's floor when I visit). It's a bit unconventional but that's my thing. I'm the same witch that's used pencils as wands, I tend to improvise a lot. But, I love this cane. It fits perfectly in my hand and is just the right height. It also does an excellent job of transferring energy.

Herbalism, tools & treasures: Keys

 Dear Reader,

First, I'd like to apologize for this post's brevity. I am running short on time for writing and getting things done. I will try to add more later on this topic, because Keys are powerful magical tools in their own right. In antiquity, they signified power and authority. They were associated with women's magical gifts. And, they were associated with secrets and hidden things.

The key in the photo is a non-functional key. There isn't a lock on the face of the earth it will fit. And yet, I can use it in a spell to unlock secrets about a situation or lock up information that I don't want shared. Keys are transformative tools because they occupy a liminal space in the equipment of a person's life. They open doorways and secure chests with equal opportunity. They signify dominion over secrets and truths. And they can, on a magical level, be a talisman to allow one passage through difficult places.

In ancient Germanic and Norse cultures, keys were a part of marriage rites. The groom would give the bride a ring of keys to all the locks within the home, handing authority of the household over to her. (The bride would give the groom a sword, handing over the defense of the household over to him.) In other ancient European cultures, keys were associated with the ability to unlock the secrets of the spirit realm. The symbolism and meaning of keys allow us to access the deep collective unconscious essence of their meaning and apply it to our magical working.

Practical Witchery: Using Elemental Weapons

 Dear Reader,

Call them 'tools' or 'weapons,' the items associated with the different Elements are powerful in their own right. The paten associated with Elemental Earth can also be a magical shield. The wand associated with Elemental Air can also be a fighting stave. The athame associated with Elemental Fire can also be a sword. The cup associated with Elemental Water can also be armor.

The use of the magical properties of the Elemental weapons in defensive or offensive magical practices varies from tradition to tradition. In general, a shield will allow you to turn away magical attacks. A stave or a sword will allow both defensive and offensive maneuvers. Armor, obviously, protects you from an attack. It is possible to combine the Elemental weapons to achieve something that is multifunctional. A shield with armor strengthens your defense against attack. A stave with a blade increases the range of the blade's effectiveness and still is effective in both offensive and defensive maneuvers.

Many people think of magical combat as a thing of fantasy stories. It is rare in today's world, but it does happen on occasion. One must be deliberate and careful in their actions if they choose to engage in magical combat. If they do so and are invoking the raw power of the Elementals, they will find their efforts have greater potency. They must also remember, the Elementals will demand a price for this manner of use of their power. Tapping in to the raw power of the Elementals and bargaining for a dollop of that power to use as you will requires negotiating terms with the Elementals and fulfilling your end of the bargain, lest your weapon turn on you.

Herbs, tools, & treasures: Ring Distaff

 Dear Reader,

What I am holding in my hand is a delightful spinning tool. It is called a ring distaff. It is designed to go over your pinkie finger and be held with the rest of your hand. Fiber is wrapped about it and drafted out between the thumb and forefinger just like with a wrist distaff.

While much of my stuff is focused on Viking era things, this distaff design comes from their contemporaries, the Romans. The first thing I noticed immediately about this is that it is the perfect size for a wand. 

As I do incorporate spinning into my magical practices, having a distaff that can double as a wand is awesome because it makes it easier to project my intention into the fiber and thread. It just goes to show that any stick like item can make a good wand. (The ring distaff was made by Dan Tracy, my mother-in-law gave it to me as a 'happy 4th of July' gift. I have some spindles from him, and crochet hooks too. His work is really great.) 

Note: this is not a paid endorsement, I just think his work is great and he's a semi-local artist.

The care and feeding of Wands.

Dear Reader,

Perhaps the most iconic tool of witchcraft and magic is the wand. They have been a part of popular tradition since antiquity and with good reason. Just like ritual knives (such as the athame) and ritual swords, the wand is a magical tool that is excellent for directing spiritual energy and focusing said energy. Unlike ritual knives and swords, a wand does not need especial care in handling beyond what is simply practical.

At its simplest, a wand is a stick for pointing. They may be adorned with crystals, gems, and feathers. They may be fashioned from exotic woods, metal, or some combination thereof. Generally, wands are held in the practitioner's dominant hand as this is the hand that most people naturally project their spiritual energy from. Some practitioners may be ambidexterous or project naturally from their off hand. It doesn't change the function of the wand as long as you are holding it comfortably. Even if you are using a wand with your receptive hand, you can still project energy through it. It is a bit like teaching yourself how to write with your off hand, it's a little messy in the beginning but it gets easier with practice.

It is my habit to store my wands on a high shelf so that my children don't play with them. Because they are not generally sharp and pointy, wands don't require things such as scabbards to safely store them. Depending on the length of your wand and how many you have, you can keep them in a roll up knitting needle organizer, a zippered crochet hook case, or even a pencil case. There are some who say that wands must be as long as the user's forearm. It is my experience that the size of the wand does not matter as much as the ability of the user to focus their energy through it.

Wands allow for precise direction of spiritual energy. It is the difference between using a fire hose to fill a bucket and using a garden hose. With practice and care, it is possible to direct energy without tools, but tools make it easier to get more control over that flow of energy. Wands are very good for finely detailed magical energy work, such as drawing sigils as part of a ritual. (Some enterprising practitioners have pencils they use as wands and have them do double duty in a ritual.)

There is some debate as to which style of wand is best for use. One that incorporates metal in its composition could be argued to resonate more readily with the user on the basis that metal is a natural conductor of energy. Crystals are useful to act as an enhancer for the energy that the user is putting through the wand, adding their own energetic signature to the working. Crystals are also useful as magical lenses to focus energy as well. For this reason, they are often included in modern wand making.

In the end, the user's comfort holding and using the wand is the first principle to consider. It is possible to have a beautifully crafted tool that is just too uncomfortable to handle on the basis of its construction. I have given wands away as gifts because of this. After the factors of comfort are taken into consideration, the user's aesthetic preferences and the planned work for the wand should be considered next. A wand that is intended for spell casting by way of moving it through the air will have different traits than a wand that is intended for spell casting by way of moving it through food that is to be consumed. (As a kitchen witch, I have a special wooden spoon just for this purpose.) They may be similar or identical to the uninitiated, but each wand will have different qualities that sensitive users will note.

Divination: Scrying Crystals.

Photo by McKylan Mullins from Pexels

Scrying with crystals gets the immediate witchy stamp of approval from the film and entertainment
industry. It usually involves a crystal or glass sphere. The question if a crystal ball is required for scrying is pretty commonly considered answered. The general assumption is that you obviously need a crystal ball and the most effective ones are the size of an over turned goldfish bowl. Here's your plot twist: you don't need one.

Scrying with common stones is more likely what happened in antiquity, though rock and cut crystal were valued quite highly. Such things were not as available to the mediums and psychics of antiquity at all social classes. Your hedge witch and cunning man of rural England in the ancient days of yore were more likely to have a well worn and polished pebble that looked like anything you'd pick up out of a river bank than a flawlessly cut, perfectly clear and polished quartz sphere.

The reflective qualities of the polished stone is what makes scrying easier. It can be done with unpolished stones, but it is a bit trickier. That reflective polished side of the stone is what acts as your mirror or bowl of water. You can use the same techniques to look for images in the stone as you would in a mirror or water.

While I'm at it, a mirror would be an excellent scrying tool. A special variety of mirror known as a 'black mirror' is very popular. They are also incredibly simple to make. Take an inexpensive picture frame, coat the back face of the glass with black paint in an even coat or put a piece of black paper behind the glass, reassemble the picture frame, and you have yourself a black mirror. Black is used instead of other colors because it provides higher contrast and makes the reflections easier to see. Other colors could be used if you so desired.

Pictures!

I am pretty sure it's been a while since I shared a picture of the altar space. It is in a north facing window. An entirely intentional thing but fits with how I was trained in Wicca. The Northern quarter is the one associated with wisdom and mystery.

I organized it according to how I was trained as well with the figures depicting masculine oriented deities on the left and the feminine oriented deities on the right. Moving from left to right there is a stag figurine for Freyr, a framed prayer card for Mani, a peg doll figure for Freyr, a statuette of Buddha, and a peg doll figure for Loki.

At the center is a cutting of white inch plant. Note it is growing towards the left where the icons for Freyr are located. To the immediate left of the plant is a rough hewen slab of rose quartz. In the foreground is a silver plated copper pentacle. On the immediate right of the plant is a rose quartz sphere.

On the goddess side, there is a peg doll icon of Freyja, a Quan Yin statuette, a tiny statuette for the Disir, a female jester statuette for Femme!Loki, a statuette of St. Anne and Mary (which represents Marya and Anna) and a statuette of Mary with a chaplet style rosary. The tiny medallion is very similar to the iconography of the miraculous medal.

I have boxes on there that hold offerings, prayer bead sets I use, and magical tools. I also have a bag with a set of prayer beads that my aunt made me on the goddess side of the altar. On the god side of the altar I have a bag with my personal fetishes for magical use (not the kinky type, this is a mostly kid friendly altar). There is also a huge chunk of rose quartz that I have and my eldest child's shrine-jar for Zeus. His clay monster offering to the gods sits on the goddess side, right where he placed it so carefully a few months ago.

Above, you have a better picture of the prayer bead sets I have made. The freshwater pearl and glass goddess rosary with a star terminal and blue beads between each decade is available. The copper and recycled plastic Anglican style prayer bead set with the Marian medal and flower terminal is available. The 5 decade catholic plastic beaded rosary set is a gift for family. The medal on the opposite end of the Crucifix is a depiction of the sacred heart of Jesus.

The amber resin beaded prayer set with the star is available. The synthetic pearl and glass bead prayer set is available.

The stone bead, with metal beads between the decades and one decade of synthetic pearl has an interesting history. It was fashioned based off of the Filianic calendar and holy mythic cycle. The first grouping of dark red agate is for the primordial time of creation. The first grouping of the black agate is for the first night or the descent of the Daughter into creation. It depends on the season. The synthetic pearl beads are for the Daughter. The second grouping of black agate is for Deam Mysterium. The final grouping of dark red agate is for the Mother. This rosary set has been loving used for regular prayer over the last three years. It is time for it to move on to a new home. It is available.

The knotted rosary with a literal rose terminal is available. I don't even know how this one came into my possession. The three decade set of amber resin beads with copper beads between the decades is available. The hematite five decade rosary with steel beads between the decades and a steel pentacle is not available. It matches the fifteen decade rosary that I have from the same beads with rose quarts between the decades and a goddess figure for the terminal. That one is not pictured because it needs repaired. The pink three decade rosary with the faux Marian medal is not available.

If you are interested in one of the rosaries or prayer bead sets, contact me.We can discuss payment and shipping. If you would like me to make you a rosary, I will be happy to for the cost of materials, fees, and a donation.

Herbalism, Tools & Treasures: The Athame

The athame (pronounced ah-tha-me) is a ritual knife used in most traditions of Wicca. It is often double edged, though the edges are usually blunted. Some say that they must have a black handle but in my experience, I've seen and used athames that have a single edge and handles of just about any manner of variety.

The one I am holding in the picture to the right has been my working athame for over twenty years. Unlike others, I keep mine sharp. (Remember basic knife safety: a sharp knife is a safe knife and always keep the blade pointed away from your body. Blunt knives are dangerous because they tear rather than cut and will make wounds that are harder to stitch closed.) This is a relative inexpensive knife but I am rather fond of it. It is made of steel and the place of manufacture is Pakistan. The cross guard and the pommel are brass. The grip is stained to look like walnut. I'm not entirely sure what sort of wood it is.

The athame is used in the same manner as a wand. It can also be used to ritually cut things (which is part of the reason why I keep mine sharp) and inscribe candles for candle magic. The athame is an important part of the Great Rite* portion of Wiccan liturgy. It represents the phallus of the God, as I mentioned in a previous post. The athame is also used in the same manner as a ritual sword, for warding and magical defense.

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* A post discussing the Great Rite is planned. Links will be corrected at the time it is posted.

Divination: Rune Reading Techniques.

Reading runes can be challenging. The body of lore surrounding them is fairly murky, hence why the word 'rune' is synonymous with the word mystery. The techniques used for reading them ranges widely for each reader has their own style. Some whisper the query into the bag of stones whereas others hold the bag and focus upon the question.

Laying out the runes like a set of cards is a modern development. There are enough runes to place a single rune for each position of the celtic cross tarot layout and still have a few leftover for clarifying the results. Alternatively, single rune readings can give a good result as well. The ancient method of holding all the rune in your hand and dropping them onto a casting cloth is best suited to durable runes, thus the clay ones that came with my copy of Ralph Blum's The Book of Runes are not the best to use for this as I found out the hard way.

Runes that are dropped upon a cloth can be read by grouping and directional orientation. They can also be read on the basis of what one's intuition tells them is the correct order. Either method has great flexibility. A plain casting cloth can be altered to have areas that signify different focuses for reading. If such a cloth is used, the runes that land in those areas would be speaking on those matters.

Recommendation: Electric tea lights.

Electric candles get the side-eye from a number of people because they're not 'as good' as the real kind. Honestly, however, they are really handy gadgets that can make your life worlds easier and safer. The tea light variety can be picked up for a low price just about anywhere. They provide a reliable source of light and can be reused multiple times.

I have a set that have finally given up working properly after approximately three years of use. You can't get three years of daily use out of a set of wax candles. Batteries can be a problem for disposal. This is not a major problem, however, as electronics recycling centers will recycle old batteries of any sort for you. Those that they can't recycle they can dispose of in an ecologically safe way. The cost of the button cell batteries for electric tea lights is fairly low as well, even from big name brand companies.

The act of lighting them is as simple as flicking a switch. It is in many cases easier than 'flicking a Bic' to light a real candle. (It's not much fun lighting your fingernails on fire when trying to light a candle. Ok, it wasn't completely on fire but there was some smoke and blackened edge. It smelled horrible, do not recommend. -67/10) I have also used them for overnight spells with out any concerns about the house burning down.

The larger size electric candles that take larger sized batteries can last up to a year on a single battery. Yeah, I was impressed as well. That one was an 'emergency' electric candle from The Dollar Tree. The size I purchased took a single AA battery. It was on 24/7 for a FULL year before the battery gave up. The electric candle was effective for three years. It would have lasted longer except for the final battery corroded and I couldn't clean the contacts up. I'm sure if that hadn't happened, it would have continued to be very effective and efficient.

So, electric tea lights (or any kind of electric candle) are worth the investment. I've observed no difference in magical workings done with a regular tea light candle and an electric tea light candle. (Same spell done under same conditions with just the candle changed had the same results.)

Herbalism, Tools & Treasures: Chalice.

The chalice is one of the most iconic images of European art and religious imagery. The most famous is the Holy Grail of Christ, the cup which was used at the Last Supper. An integral part of the English Arthurian myth cycle and British isles folk religion, the chalice is an ancient image that resonates strongly still today. Much of modern pagan tradition is derived from attempts to reconstruct (or reinvent, in many cases) the ancient worship practices of pre-Christian Europe.

One of the major symbols is the cup or bowl/cauldron. A chalice is simply a cup with a footed base, though the term sounds fancy. Any cup could work for a ritual chalice, even your favorite coffee mug. It is a little more fuzzy when you start blurring the line between cup/bowl/cauldron. Because the cauldron is a ritual item in its own right. And the bowl has its own storied history of iconography around the world. It is the chalice that is used for the symbolic enacting of the Great Rite of Wicca rituals (the Great Rite being the sexual union between the God and the Goddess), serving as the female half of the rite. (The male half is the athame. For more information about the athame, please see the next post in this series.)

The chalice is the shared cup between the coven during ritual feasting in some rites. It is also symbolic of the cup that the Daughter of Dea pours Her Spirit into in the holy rite of sacrifice which sustains the whole of existence within Filianic and Déanic mythos. It is an object that is described by some as a direct descendant of the Communion cup of the Catholic Christian mass (worship service) and supposed to symbolize both the cup that caught the blood of Christ from his wounds and the cup from the last supper.

Within many pagan and occult systems, the chalice is associated with water. This can be seen in most tarot decks, actually. It is associated with the direction of west. And, as mentioned earlier, it is associated with femininity. It is also associated with the subconscious mind, the spirit, and psychic activity.

Herbalism, Tools, & Treasures: Rose Quartz

One of my favorite stones in the whole world is Rose Quartz. In the picture to the right is the chunk that is the size of my hand that I keep on my altar with my most used rosary laying upon it. I ascribe to the concept that crystals can impart energy into objects. After all, we use them as batteries in watches.  Rose Quartz is a stone associated with love, kindness, and health self-esteem. It only stands to reason that I am drawn to this stone, as these are traits I have been working hard to cultivate in myself for many years.

I believe that Rose Quartz is a stone that many would benefit from having in their lives. Apart from its beauty, it seems to lend a calming influence on the area it is located in. It is also a stone that is safe for pretty much everything, unlike the fancy salt lamps that can be toxic to pets. Because it is in the same family as Granite, Quartz is a very strong stone that can withstand a considerable amount of heat. Thus, if you can find a Rose Quartz candle holder, you can get the same area effect of a salt lamp with out the risk of your pets licking it and getting very sick when it is not in use.

Some use Rose Quart to make a gem elixir. I am hesitant to consider using gem elixirs because there are many water soluble stones that are very toxic. Rose Quartz, however, is one of the stones I would use to make a gem elixir because it will not dissolve into the water or alcohol. Gem elixirs operate on a homeopathic principle that the gem's energetic signature resonates with the water and is imparted into it through exposure. This can then be added to consumable products (i.e. beverages or food) so that the person using it can have more readily accessible use of the gem's energy. In theory, it sounds great. In practice, I have seen inconclusive results as to how effective it would be.

Herbalism, Tools, & Treasures: Wands (Pt. 3)

In my previous two posts, I discussed the general history of wands and gave some examples of what you could use as a wand. It is, however, not something that you need to go out and purchase. It can be as simple as picking up a twig or something that strikes you as a good sized pointing tool.

To the right, you will see that I am holding a twig and a feather. These are two items that can be used to fashion a simple wand. There is no standard as to what length your wand should be or what is the best items to use when creating your own. In some witchcraft traditions[1], it is said that your wand should be the length of your forearm from elbow to finger tips. This somehow got turned into the average length of a commercial wand you can buy ready made is around 1 ft in length, with or without adornments. I, personally, choose something that feels comfortable in the hand and not long enough to be likely to poke my own eye out, usually. (I am clumsy, so safety considerations must be made. LOL)

I usually pick up wood that has been seasoned by laying out in the weather for at least a year. I do this for two reasons. First, wood that has been thus exposed to the elements has less bark attached to it and is usually fairly smooth to the touch. Since I live near a lake, I prefer to get twigs and such that are driftwood (though this lake is small enough, I honestly don't know if it technically qualifies as driftwood). The second reason why I use seasoned wood that I find laying about is because it is stronger than green (fresh cut) wood and is pretty much done drying out, so it won't change or warp on me over time, or at least be less likely to do so.

Often, I just will use the wand plain and then add it to a compost pile. I have, however, made a few that were kept as long term items. The ones that are intended for long term use will have adornments put on them. The one that I shared in my last post (with the pink string binding things together) is relatively typical. I tend towards a minimalist design. I may choose to inscribe glyphs or other symbols on them. The inscription is usually done with something like permanent ink (I love my Sharpies!). Sometimes, I may carve them into the wood with a pocket knife and then fill in the carvings with appropriately colored pen.

When inscribing things, I will choose the inscription to be focused on where it is most useful. Sometimes, I put it at the head of the wand (which is the end that I would point at where I am directing my magic). Sometimes, I put it at the butt of the wand, which serves to help draw in the specific magical energies I am using it to control. And, then there is the inscriptions that I place where I hold the wand, which act to focus my personal energy transfer from myself into the wand and then into the spell.

Some people choose to use metal or wire in their wand creation on the basis that metal is a good conductor of  electricity and is considered reasonably to be a good conductor of magical energy. Crystals are often added to include a measure of geomancy into the spell work, using the magical attributes ascribed to the stones in the spell crafting. Feathers are added because they are associated with the element of Air and spirits. Or because the person that the wand is being made for has a strong tie or alliance with a particular bird. (My quartz tipped wand that I made has a blue jay feather on it because I have a deep affection for the raucous birds and they represent, to me, spontaneous happiness. I also have something of an alliance with corvids, which blue jays are part of that family.)

Wands can also be made to look attractive just because the person owning it would like a charming and delightful (or spooky and 'otherworldly') looking tool. Honestly, I think that there are two things that must be considered with respect to wands. If you are purchasing them, consider how well they feel in your hand and if it is comfortable. Also, consider how well made they are and if they will last as long as you intend to use them. Ask yourself if this is a tool that you will be comfortable using and will it be durable enough for what you intend to do with it? If the answer to both questions is yes and you can afford it, I would probably buy it.

If you are making one, the same questions must be answered. Here, however, you also have the option of customizing the tool as many ways as you can think of. I have seen wands made with furred spots for holding, elaborate wirework that essentially formed a cage around a highly polished wooden core, and a surprising amount of jewels/gemstones affixed to it. I have also seen them made with actual bits of bone and vials to hold dried herbs (and other things). The only limits to how you customize your wand is what you are comfortable with.

The storage of wands has a little less 'controversy' surrounding them than the storage of tarot decks. And by a little, I mean to say that I think the pages of flame-wars surrounding this topic is a score or so less than the other. My position is focused upon pragmatics. Thus, when I store my wands, I do so in a manner that is more focused upon preserving their physical condition than some nebulous magical state. I place them on a high shelf not because of 'not wanting lower vibrational energy' but because I have children who will use just about anything as a drumstick. I lay them down flat so that they don't warp over time due to humidity changes in the weather (which is why it is important to store things like violin bows laying flat as well, and spindles). I have a soft cloth that I cover them with to keep them clean and free from dust.

I know some people who keep them in a special box that has magical wards inscribed on it to keep out unwanted magical energy. I know others who keep them in a drawer in their desk alongside their other stuff, because they don't have anywhere fancy to put them. And I know a few folks who keep them in a vase. So, your storage options are varied. Possibly almost as varied as your options for how to make your wands. One thing that I do try to strongly encourage people to do with their wands is to make a point of handling them on a regular basis.

This does two things. First, it serves to help you make sure they are still in good condition and not in need of repairs. Second, it helps keep it 'attuned' to you. That is, it helps it remain an effective magical tool because the association between the wand and magic remains strong. As well as it regularly imparts your spiritual energy into the tool, which will build up over time to a very strong association. (People who engage in psychometry are picking up on this sort of thing when they handle stuff.)

Next week, I will share with you some of the more ... interesting things I have known people to have used as wands. (This list will be equal parts ingenious, hilarity, and cringe, I assure you.)

Herbalism, Treasures, & Tools: Wands (Part 2)

In my last post for this feature, I talked a little bit about the history of wands in a general sense. Wands are used in so many different forms both magical and non-magical through out all the cultures of the worlds, it really is too broad of a topic for me to cover quickly here. Thus, I would like to note that my information here is based in a combination of personal experience and my religious education in Western magical systems (predominantly of a U.S. version of Wicca).

A quick look at the picture I just posted here, there is an assortment of items that include a few things that don't seem to belong. The first three from the left are more typical examples of wands. The first (with the bright, bright pink thread tied about the head of it and a feather hanging off) is one that I made myself. The crystal that tops it is quartz that is wrapped in wire. It was intended as a focal piece for a necklace but when I got it at the store I knew it was perfect for a new wand. The bead hanging off is a bit of moonstone from a set of meditation beads I had to restring and (despite the fact I had the full number on the cord) it was left over. The feather is one of the wing feathers of a female blue jay.

The second from the left is a stunning example of polymer clay and related materials being turned into a magical tool. The crystal at the head is also quartz. It is literally the heaviest of all the wands I own. It is a little fragile, but it directs energy nicely, so I just baby it. It was given as a gift to me from A. (which I treasure and just can't stop looking at how pretty it is). Third from the left is a polished wand of apple wood that was given as a gift from E. It is just a little heavier than the first wand pictured, but it sits nicely in the hand and has a nice warm feel to it.

Fourth from the left is a pencil. Depending on the day, it could possibly be a pen. It lacks the adornments of the first two wand examples, but it does an excellent job in their place. Beside it is the final 'wand' I use, which is a wooden spoon. This comes out of my practices as a 'kitchen witch'. The writing implement as a magical tool sounds about as silly as a spoon for most 'serious' practitioners but they meet the criteria for what is a wand.

Now, one may ask, what to all of these varied items have in common to make them good wands? The answer is actually very simple. They act as an extension of the arm and hand. Thus, they can conduct spiritual/magical energy into a specific direction or towards a specific goal. The wands with the crystals at the end are generally understood to do a better job of focusing the caster's energy. The pointed tip on the apple wand serves the same purpose (as does the pointed tip on a pencil or pen). The wooden spoon has a bit 'wider' of a range in some exercises than others because it not only transmits this subtle energy but can also act to directly impart that energy into that which it touches more readily than the others.

Copper is a popular metal used in wand making because it is an excellent conductor of electricity, and is considered to logically be equally good for conducting spiritual/magical energy. Wood is often chosen on the basis of its popular/mythic associations. Apple, for example, is connected with domestic harmony, love, and the fairy realms. Poplar (the wood that the other one is made of) is associated with martial strength, lightning, and transitions. Pine (the wood that the pencil is made from) is associated with peace, communication, and wisdom.¹

The most basic wand is a tool that represents the authority of the spell caster. It is also a tool by which the spell caster enforces their will upon the universe. As such, this is why they are considered to be a magical 'weapon.' If you look into the ancient myths, you will find that there are characters who carry wands and do use them as weapons. Perhaps the most poignant is that image of Skirnir threatening Gerda in the tale of the courtship of Freyr and Gerda, pitting magic against the giantess's will with a very decisive use of his wand.

Now, there are some who would argue that the wand is a more ... polite version of waving a penis around. It is an argument that I can't really turn aside. The argument is equally valid for the aspergilium used by the Catholic church in their rituals of worship. If you look at all magical tools derived from body parts that have been turned into fetishes of some sort, the logical answer that the penis is the origin of the aspergilium is impossible to deny. The wand as a derivative of the aspergilium is another origin argument that is not too hard to accept because much of ritual equipment in the more modern occult society consists of a re-envisioned perspective upon the ritual tools and regalia of formal worship.

Next installment, I will be taking a look at how to create your own wand and how to maintain and use it.
 
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1. These associations are based on general common associations made in the pagan community that I live in. With a little research, you can find the different associations of trees with concepts quite easily. A good place to start is in the ancient Celtic cultures, where trees were openly revered. There is some historical documentation about this reverence (some contemporary such as the writings of Tacitus and some modern findings).