Walking a Magical Path
Magic isn't something that I believe is taught, its shared and for me is rarely performed for another, yet on the occasions it is, its for those closest to me. Magic is something that is to be discovered, to explore and to be found, personally, Often shared from Grandmother to Mother to daughter or Father to Son and so on.. or in a Coven or Grove..
It’s a nature-based belief and we use the seasons, herbs, colours, candles, the moon and the sun to help with spells to attain our dreams and desires, and those of others.
For a short time I had a wonderful Mentor Avery, she is A Hedge Witch, who nurtured the foundations after a lifetime of unlocking this path, she above all else helped me remember that Magic lives in us all.. It comes from deep inside us and from around us… Yet my greatest Teacher has been the innate and direct experience itself..
Think back to childhood Birthdays, A cake full of Candles, surrounded by friends and family, and love.. You told to blow out the candles and make a wish, that is the foundation of candle magic right there.. Candle magic is one of the simplest forms of spellcasting, and as such, it doesn’t require a lot of fancy ritual or ceremonial tools. In other words, anyone with a candle can cast a spell. Think back again to when you made a wish before you blew out the candles on your birthday cake. The same idea applies to candle magic, only instead of just hoping for your wish to come true, you're declaring your intent.
As a Hedge Witch does, one foot between the worlds, The Hedge is a powerful metaphor.. A space between worlds, beyond the Hedge is the wisdom of those that have come before us who carry a lantern of light, yet it also holds the spark of who are yet to come..
The Mechanics of Magic
Magic, It comes from deep within, harnessing all that moves through the cosmos, with grace and heart… Candle Magic is as Old as Flame and Fire itself, Its Woven.. Every spell is a journey..
So, what magic spells really are?
By casting a spell, you are performing a ritual act activating a change or a movement in the path you want your life to go. Be sure you are extremely clear about what you truly want; It’s normal to perform spells at home by creating a sacred space in the beginning. When it comes to your personal space, let it be safe, calm, and full of positive energy. Approaching your magic slowly becoming present.. believe in your spell and the way you perform it. As long as you feel empowered when doing it, the magic, it will take hold, yet at the same time have realistic expectations of the result.. Let the natural order of things unfold..
If magic spells are not associated with your inner intentions as well as forward action, they are just worthless. In other words, getting help from spells and rituals will bring more opportunities to your life; however, it’s still up to your own decisions to grab those opportunities and achieve what you crave for. Your efforts and patience will be worth the wait if you meet the Magic and the Candle with full presence and gently stay concentrated throughout the casting and your weaving...
Defining your intention
Intentions are very significant in the practice of witchcraft. What is your intent? What do you want to achieve? When working with the Spiritual Force, the energy that runs through all things , you have to be as much specific as possible. Don’t be too general, or it will bring confusions to your spell. Moreover, avoid using negative words or sentences. Simple Magic is often the best.. strong solid words and actions.. Writing your own will always hold so much power and bring the magic alive..
And how do we get to that ? The effective way I have found is to write down your intentions in your journal ( dedicate a journal to magic ) or just a piece of paper. When writing it down, you need to describe your desire with clear, meaningful words, helping you understand things you want better. What’s more? let the words be clear yet of heart.
If you think about it, the birthday candle ritual is based on three key magical principles:
Decide on a goal.
Visualize the end result.
Focus your intent, or will, to manifest that result.
Choosing a Candle
Most magical systems will tell you that the size of your candle really isn't important. In fact, really big candles may be counterproductive. For instance, a candle that takes three days to burn can be highly distracting to someone working a spell that depends on the candle burning all the way down. Yet you can blow that candle out and relight it the next evening with the intent that the spell is still running..
Typically, a short taper candle could work best.
Candle Colours
When it comes to colours, you may wish to have a variety on hand for different magical purposes. Work with a sense of intuition and association when it comes to colour..
Using Your Candle in Magic
After you've selected a candle, oil or dress it before burning. This is a method by which you'll establish a psychic link between you and the candle itself. In other words, you're charging the candle with your own energy and personal vibrations and projecting your intent into the wax before you burn it.
To dress a candle, you'll need a natural oil; many practitioners like to use grapeseed because it has no smell. Another option is to use your own blended special candle magic oils remember my Chili Oil as a Oil for clearing the way? . Begin at the top of the candle, and rub the oil down to the middle. Then, begin at the base of the candle and rub the oil up towards the middle, ending where the first coating of oil left off. In some traditions, the anointing is done just the opposite way; start in the middle and work your way towards the two ends.
If your working calls for herbs to be used as well, roll the oiled candle in the powdered herbs until it is coated all the way around. It's important to remember, however, that a candle is just a tool. It is not inherently magical but a way to create magic using the element of fire to set one's intention into motion. Just as other tools used with magical intent are, candles should be spiritually cleansed before they're included in a spell.
The most basic form of candle magic uses a piece of coloured paper that matches the intent of your candle. Decide what your goal is, and write it on the piece of paper.
Two Simple Spells to start with
Clearing or Banishing Spell making room for new beginnings
This is a simple spell, dress and charge your candle, this spell is best preformed on a waning or new moon or new years eve or on Imbolc Eve.. New Moon is a powerful time.
Set your space, dress and charge your candle, place the candle , cast you salt around the candle anti clockwise as to draw away... Set your crystal points again drawing away from the candle. ( Points facing away from the candle )
Light your candle, try to use matches, again this creates presence, take hold of your wand or Crystal and... Open your front door ...
and state
Blow out the Old, Blow in The New
Blow out the False Blow in The True
By the power of 3 times 3 this is my will so may it be
Use your wand in a circular motion as you state, by the powers of 3 times 3 , cast it anti clockwise, to draw away ... now at this point you can close the door and let the candle burn down... Once it has the spell is done... clear away the salt in a anti clockwise way.. compost it... discard the remains of the candle and let the magic unfold...
Divination and responding to how the candle burns
In many magical traditions, candles are used for divinatory purposes. The two most commonly used methods of candle divination are reading the wax and the way that the candle actually burns.
To divine by the way the candle burns, you'll have to pay attention to whether the candle burns low or tall, if it flickers, or it is calm, if there's more than one flame. Two flames could mean someone from the spirit world is joining you, to assist in your magic.. Even the colours found in the flame may give you a hint about the effectiveness of your spell. I have had candles flicker in a very dynamic way.. things are being worked through.. I even had a flame go out.. I knew the magic was done..
On the other hand, if you want to divine by reading the candle wax, you'll need to drop the melted wax into a bowl of cold water. The wax will harden almost immediately and form shapes. Use these shapes to get the answers to your questions, much as you would if you were reading tea leaves.
Enchanting Your Front Door
This spell is great to do on a Full Moon.. Full Moon Illumination...
Again dress and charge your candle.. become present. Light your Candle with your quartz points facing in...
As you light your candle walk over to the inside of your front door, place your hand on the door.. and state
I lay this light upon this door, may it watch over this house this home , Day and Night, Night and Day.
For this is MY sacred rite..
By the Powers of 3 Times 3 this is my will so may it be...
Again you could use your wand or crystal in a clockwise motion..
Once the candle is burned down the spell is done..
Its a lovely spell to preform say on Winter Solstice or A Spring Full Moon.. its lovely to repeat once a year.. You could go a step further and clean the door with salt water and rosemary herbs , a little crushed garlic in the bucket... before the Spell and even join the Two Spells together within a Moon cycle.. and that is powerful magic.. let it have meaning for you...
Closing thoughts and Moon Phases
It's no secret that witches love the moon, and knowing how to harness the power of each moon phase can amplify your powers and make for some amazing spells. As a matter of fact, regardless of if you identify as a witch or not, most humans feel a connection to Earth's natural satellite. Witches tend to think of the moon as the mother energy and the sun as the father energy, and I remember looking up at the sky when I was a child and feeling comfort in the moon and the knowledge that I could see it, even though it was so far away.
my mentor, friend always taught me, the most powerful ingredient in any magic is you. If you want to do a spell to cut cords with someone (handy when getting over a breakup) but you're texting the person while you write out the spell, it doesn't matter that the moon is waning — you still need to put down the phone.
Phase 1: New Moon
The new moon is a fresh start. When the moon is in this phase, you can barely see it, and the sky can appear black. Try bath magic. Did you know you already have a giant cauldron in your bathroom? Water and salt are inherently cleansing, so run a bath, and fill it with bath salts, or simple sea salt. If you want something extra witchy, make a herbal bath or use oils Set the mood by lighting candles, take a relaxing bath, and imagine the past hurt and pains soaking off of you, and going down the drain when you eventually get out. Spells can be intricate and detailed, but they don't have to be. They can be as natural as enjoying a cleansing bath on a new moon.
Phase 2: Waxing Moon
The waxing moon phase is when the moon is visually getting bigger and brighter, shifting from a new moon to a full moon. (To remember the difference between waxing and waning, I think of the expression "wax on.") During the waxing moon, the moon is growing, becoming brighter, and creating an ideal phase for magic around growth. Waxing moon spell idea:
Write out a letter of intention stating what you want to grow. Journaling and writing things out can help us emotionally process and therefore go after and get what we want.
Phase 3: Full Moon
The full moon is no joke. Some of the wildest nights of my life have happened on full moons, what about you? Emotions run high on full moons, and everything is extra intense. You can use this intensity and apply it to basically any spell you like, with the knowledge you'll have a bright ball of shining power to aid you. Many people charge their crystals during full moons by placing them somewhere they'll be exposed to the light. Another trick is to make full moon water, by placing a goblet of water under the light of the full moon on top of a letter of intention.
Any magic can be done under a full moon with extra potency, but it's also a time in which psychic abilities are heightened. Trust your instincts under a full moon, even if emotions are running high. One of the simplest and best uses of full moon energy is to meditate in its light for clarity on a situation.
Phase 4: Waning Moon
The waning moon is the time period in which the moon is getting darker again, moving from a full moon back to new. Remembering association magick, the waning moon is great for banishing work, or cutting cords with a past lover. Waning moon spell idea:
Write a list of all your fears and insecurities. Many witches would tell you to get rid of it at a crossroads, I love that idea, as one of my Spirt Guides would often appear at a crossroads it was a powerful message.. You could also burn it, but please be careful so always practice fire safety.
Now watch Mark of A Witch and how this all this begun.
It was a night that started like many others yet finished unlike any!! It reached 6pm I sat gazing at the dark sky as the last remains of light formed shapes around the trees! It was feeling allot like winter now…. Cold wind blew from the North… Inside the comfort of my room and it’s warm surroundings I watched over the room as I have for so many watching and waiting for the departed to meet me with their presence!! I turn once again to the window the sound of the clock gently holding space and time, I gaze deeply at the tops of the bare trees, I should of known the innate was already talking to me whispering in an ancient language an ancient wisdom that Modern life had long forgotten and would rarely understand!! A language of sisterhood Magic and of the Goddess!! The trees seemed different tonight as if they were whispering in the cold north wind, a full Moon approaching within days yet the sky was dark, black and everything seemed hidden!!! Mysterious, I was expecting two ladies for Consultations .... The door knocked and there she stood with jet black Raven Hair and a knowing smile that looked at me yet into me!! Slightly familiar and unnerving all at once, her eyes had a otherworldly feeling to them, she looked deeply into me...
#Magic #Hedgerow #Wisdom #HedgeWitch