I may seem strange and somewhat out of place, but trust that I will be there if I’m ever needed. I do not judge harshly for I, too, am human. I do not hold grudges as they poison the soul. I do my best to be a better well rounded person every day. However, do not mistake my kindness for weakness. I will protect my energy, my loved ones, my dwelling and my sense of peace. I will meet you toe-to-toe if I feel threatened. I will meet your gaze, unwavering and unafraid because I have seen what lies on the other side of this life. It does not scare me. I am a Witch.
BENEFITS OF SOY WAX #3: GREAT AROMA & MASSAGE LOTION The aroma of soy candles typically comes from essential oils, because the candle burns so slowly, the aroma is released gently into the air creating a softer scent. Did you know your soy candle infused with essential oils makes a nourishing massage oil? Simply light the candle and wait about 20-30 minutes until a melt pool forms. Extinguish the flame, dip your fingers into the oil (or drip onto the body) and apply directly to the skin. The warmed oil can be directly massaged into the skin, leaving the skin smooth, soft, and pleasantly scented.
In ancient Rome, the winter solstice was celebrated at the Feast of Saturnalia, to honor Saturn, the god of agricultural bounty. Lasting about a week, Saturnalia was characterized by feasting, debauchery and gift-giving. With Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, many of these customs were later absorbed into Christmas celebrations. Let’s take a moment a review some of the ancient symbols and customs practiced today and their origins.
As a practicing Witch and Sensitive, I find energy takes pride of place in my mystical toolbox, along with tarot cards, alphabetized essential oils, and a massive collection of Herb jars. Going back to our middle school science class for a moment, energy is everywhere—from the device you’re looking at right now to the floor beneath you. It’s also that indescribable feeling you get when you walk into your home and are greeted with a heavy, weird vibe that renders you incapable of relaxing and getting comfortable on the sofa.
Many of the modern practices for Halloween date to 19th century England and North America. Fortune telling and divination played a part in celebrations. Games were played intending to divine one’s future. Nuts and fruit featured in the eating and drinking games, and soul cakes were prepared.
Mabon is a harvest festival, the second of three, that encourages pagans to “reap what they sow,” both literally and figuratively. It is the time when night and day stand equal in duration; thus is it a time to express gratitude, complete projects and honor a moment of balance. Mabon has also been recognized as a Pagan Thanksgiving
Regularly cleansing your aura and your personal energy is an essential act. Whether or not you know it, you come into contact with various people and environment, all of which have their own energy vibrations. Not all of these frequencies are high and positive; because your energy field is constantly taking in and putting out vibrations, some of the vibrations (including your own thoughts, as well as external influences) are low and will bring you down if left unchecked. While our energy body is constantly readjusting itself to bring our energy back into harmony, the negative energies can linger and build up over time. A weekly salt water bath is an easy and very relaxing way to cleanse your aura of negative energy.
Globally, Serpents are represented as potent guardians of temples and other sacred spaces. This connection may be grounded in the observation that when threatened, some snakes (such as rattlesnake and cobras) frequently hold and defend their ground, first resorting to threatening display and then fighting, rather than retreat. Thus, they are natural guardians of treasures or sacred sites which cannot easily be moved out of harm's way.
If you wish to start a Grimoire, I suggest using something with removable pages. This way you can add and remove pages as you need them instead of taking your entire book into a ritual where it may be damaged. This also allows you to easily move pages around if you decide to reorganize it. Some people keep their BOS and Grimoires on their computer. I find this cumbersome when I wish to perform magic, but it may work for you.
Connecting to the powers of the Four Elements is a foundational practice for many Witches and Pagans. Earth, Air, Fire, and Water move through us and inspire us. As ideas, they help us to make sense of and to describe a complex world. Even the simplest of altars usually have some representation of the Elements.
