Carolina Dean

What are Minor Magicks?

Amulet Magick

Candle Magick

Casting Candle Spells Using Tea Lights

How to Prepare Vigil Candles for Spells

Cord Magick

Element Magick

Gem, Crystal, & Stone Magick

Incense Magick

Writing Your Petitions 

Amulets are a form of magick with which most people are familiar. At one time or another, everyone has clung to a special object which they believe to possess special powers to confer protection or grant good luck. These special objects are called amulets and they can take many forms, including metals, coins, religious symbols, animal parts,  and images of divine, semi-divine, or mythological figures. However, some people have amulets which only work for them and which may not seem like an amulet but which has great significance for it's owner. Examples of these personal amulets may include, a 'lucky' shirt, a certain pen, or even a specific color.

The amulet that most people are familiar with is the rabbit's foot, or perhaps even birthstones. Whereas in the past animals parts such as rabbit's feet, or black cat bones, were carried as amulets, today's witches abide by the Wiccan Rede 'to harm none' and so therefore choose to utilize small charms cast in metal such as gold or silver, rather than hurt a living being.

Unlike talismans, which have to be ritually charged and activated, the power of an amulet is said to be inherent. However, it is said that by consecrating an amulet, you can increase it's power and effectiveness. Amulets may be consecrated through ritual, prayer, by anointing with special oils, one's bodily fluids, exposure to elemental (earth, air, fire, water), Solar, or Lunar energies.

Selected Amulets and Their Properties

• Acorn Attracts the opposite gender, increases income, divinatory powers, and prosperity.

• Adam and Eve Root Carry a musk or rose oil-anointed Adam and Eve root in your pocket, purse, or charm bag to make any form of love magick more potent.

• Agate Good luck, meditation, protection, health, purification

• Akhet Ancient Egyptian amulet representing the rising sun. It is held to give the wearer the rigour of the sun god Ra

• Aladdin's Lamp A charm shaped like Aladdin's lamp means good luck and happiness

• Alligator Teeth- Protection from sorcery and danger

• Amber- Balance, harmony, protection, psychic power.

• Amethyst- Power, peace, protection, spirituality, intelligence, luck, psychic power, true love.

• Animal Shapes- Amulets made from any material representing the shapes of animals. They are supposed to give the wearer the desirable qualities of the animal.

• Ankh- An Egyptian amulet meaning life or soul. It symbolizes enduring life and grants the wearer one hundred thousand million years of life. Widely used as a symbol for life, love, and reincarnation. It is depicted as a cross with a looped top. When worn or carried, the ankh brings good health, promotes fertility, and strengthens the psychic powers.

• Arrowhead- Carry an arrowhead for protection against enemies, bad luck, hexes, jealousy, evil spirits, and all negative forces. Place an arrowhead over your front door (or under the mat) to prevent burglars from breaking into your home, and keep one in your car to help guard against accidents and theft.

• Bear- Wearing a bear-claw amulet will help a woman during childbirth and increase physical strength. An amulet in the image of a bear can also be used in Neo-Pagan rituals to help invoke the powers of the lunar Goddess Diana.

• Bell- An amulet used by primitive and Western people whose sound was intended to ward off the evil eye and dispel hostile spirits. In the Middle East bells were attached to the harness of horses and camels for the same purposes.

• Billiken- A good luck ornament in the shape of a human figure.

• Buddha- Wear a golden Buddha charm on a necklace or bracelet or carry a small jade Buddha as an amulet to bring good luck and wealth into you life.

• Bull- To increase fertility in women and virility in men, wear a bull-shaped amulet, or place one under the bed before making love. When worn as jewelry, the symbol of the bull protects the wearer against all maledictions, procures the favor of magistrates, and brings extras special good luck to persons born under the astrological sign of Taurus.

• Cat- Cat-shaped jewellery represents prophecy, luck, protections, and the granting of secret wishes.

• Chi- A symbol of life. Usually made from gold or silver. It supposedly grants the wearer longevity.

• Cross- Life and divine protection. The Christians believed it to be a supreme amulet against all forces of evil. The sign of the cross was thought to cure illness and drive off demons.

• Cylinder- Seal A seal cylindrical in shape made of clay, precious stones and limestone worn around the neck by the Sumerians and other ancient people as a signature to authenticate business agreements.

• Dolphin- For protection against accidents when traveling by ship, wear or carry an amulet shaped like or bearing the image of a dolphin.

• Dove- To bring peace into your home or workplace, wear a dove-shaped amulet on a chain around your neck. The symbol of the turtle dove protects the wearer against death, fire, and lightning. The dove is a bird sacred to Ishtar, Aphrodite and other Goddesses of love and fertility.

• Dragon- Dragon-shaped amulets offer love, happiness, and fertility, as well as balance.

• Eye of God- Amulet used to counteract the evil eye. Made of sticks and coloured yarn by Huichol Indians of Mexico and attributed with power of protecting people, homes, and fields.

• Eye of Horus- Egyptian Eye of God made of gold, copper, silver, clay, faience, or wood and worn to acquire strength, vitality, and protection against the evil eye.

• Fairy- Wear any type of fairy-shaped jewelry as an amulet to increase magickal powers, enhance all enchantments, attract fairy-folk and put your spirit in harmony with Mother Nature.

• Fish- An amulet shaped like a pair of fish and made of gold or mother-of-pearl will increase fertility and virility, bring prosperity and offer you protection from people who hate you or have evil intentions. For persons born under the astrological sign of Pisces, the fish is an especially powerful good luck amulet.

• Fetish- An amulet, charm, talisman, or object thought to have an embodiment or habitation of a potent spirit. Provides power and strength.

• Four Leaf Clover- Good luck amulet. The four leaves going clockwise from the left side of the stem represents fame, wealth, love, and health.

• Fox- Wear or carry an amulet bearing the image of a fox for prosperity or to aid in the development of shape-shifting powers.

• Fox Tail- Good luck amulet attached to personal possessions . Primitive people believed that it endowed the owner with the cunning of the animal.

• Frog- To promote friendship or reconcile enemies, engrave the image of a frog on a piece of beryl and carry it near your heart or wear it as a necklace. A frog amulet is also good for increasing fertility and virility.

• Garlic- Garlic is one of the oldest and most famous of natural protection amulets used throughout the world in a variety of ways. Witches and Shamans us it as a healing amulet. Garlic is said to be ruled by Mars and under the influence of Aries and Scorpio.

• Goat- The symbol of the goat (sacred to Aphrodite and the Horned God) increases fertility when worn or carried as an amulet, and is especially favorable as a good luck charm for persons born under the astrological sign of Capricorn.

• Heart- An amulet worn by many people around the world. It's a symbol of love and devotion. Ancient Egyptians thought the heart was the abode of the soul. In Europe a heard amulet was reputed to prevent heart disease

• Heather, White- Very good luck, granting of wishes

• Hexagram- A figure of six lines forming a six pointed star. It is worn in many parts of the world as a protection against evil. A widely worn symbol of the Jewish faith called mogen David, shield or, popularly, star of David.

• Horn of Plenty- A contemporary amulet symbolizing prosperity, modelled on the legendary cornucopia overflowing with flowers and fruit.

• Horse and Cattle- Decorations such as ribbons, bells, and bits of metal once attached to animals in Europe and the Middle East to keep them from harm.

• Horseshoe- A popular contemporary amulet nailed to barn doors for good luck

• Indian Head- For protection against all negative influences and evil spirits, wear an Indian head coin on a chain around your neck or carry one in a purse, pocket, or mojo charm bag. The symbol of the Indian head is considered by many to be the most powerful of amulets, and it can also be used as a good luck charm when gambling.

• Jupiter- Brings honour and riches to the wearer.

• Knot- An amulet usually of knotted string or cord that was believed to hold the love of a sweetheart or ward off illness.

• Magic Triangle- Cabbalistic amulet based on the belief that by reducing the size of an inscription, line by line, and evil spirit could be eased out of the sufferer.

• Mars- Induces courage, persistence, and recklessness. Usually made of red stone, such as a ruby.

• Mercury- Brings success in arts and science. It also gives skill in detecting thieves. Best made out of agate, carnelian, and sardonyx.

• Mezuzah- Doorpost amulet designed to keep a house safe from evil spirits, demons, ghosts.

• Moon Amulet- worn in ancient and modern times to bring success in love and good fortune in travel. To assure good fortune it should be worn as a waxing, not a waning moon. That is, with the points to the left.

• Nefer- An amulet worn by the Egyptians. It represents beauty and goodness. It probably is a form of the heart and windpipe, and was thought to bring youth and happiness. Very popular for making necklaces.

• Owl- To increase knowledge, wear an owl shaped pendant made of gold, silver or copper. The symbol of the owl (sacred to the Goddess Athena) also brings good luck, especially to all persons born under an Earth sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn

• Peace- To bring peace within and around you, to end conflicts or to aid in meditation, wear any type of amuletic jewelry in the shape of a peace sign.

• Pentagram- A symbol for protection. Also represents the figure of a human being. Should be worn with one point up. A five pointed star representing the five elements of air, fire, water, earth, and spirit. Earth - represents stability and physical endurance. (bottom left point). Fire - represents courage and daring. (bottom right point). Water - represents emotions and intuition. (right point). Air - represents intelligence and the arts. (left point). Spirit - represents the All and the Divine. (top point). The circle around the star represents the God/Goddess; it refracts and reflects all light, bringing to the wearer total intelligence, universal wisdom and protection. This becomes a graphic portrayal of Spirit ruling over the five elements. When the pentagram is placed within a circle, its energy is focused and directed.

• Pyramid- Wear a pyramid amulet to improve work habits, increase or re-energize your psychic powers, or to attract good luck into your life. Crystals shaped like pyramids posses the power to balance emotional qualities and are said to bring wisdom. The power of the pyramid is also believed by many to enhance meditations and past life regressions, break unhealthy addictions and even revive ailing house plants.

• Ram- An amulet in the shape of a ram will increase fertility in women. It also brings exceptional good luck to those born under the astrological sign of Aries.

• Rings- Worn as amulets to treat illness, dispel forces of evil, keep lovers together, and prevent flight of the soul from the body.

• St Christopher- This is a powerful amulet of protection. Wear it as a necklace or carry it in a purple flannel charm bag for protection against accidents and misfortune while traveling. (Saint Christopher is the patron saint of travelers.)

• Saturn- Promotes dignity, industry, trustworthiness, and success in business. Best made from black stones such as jet, obsidian, or black coral.

• Scarab- A variety of beetle: image of beetle in clay, faience, precious stones, or other material. Acquire the strength and long life of the god of creation. Was also thought to speak up in the judgement room for a favourable verdict for their master.

• Shark's Tooth- In Hawaii and other parts of the world, it is believed by some that wearing shark's teeth on a necklace will bring good fortune, keep away evil spirits and protect surfers against accidents and shark attacks.

• Skeleton Key- Wear an old skeleton key on a chain around your neck as an amulet to open the doors of opportunity and success, and repel evil spirits.

• Skull- To help break the chains of any addiction, wear a gold skull shaped charm necklace as a magickal amulet. Rub the skull three times a day while focusing your eyes upon it and thinking about the misery that your addiction brings. After three months, remove the skull from the chain and throw it into a moving body of water.

• Sma- An amulet representing the shape of lungs. Was used by Egyptians to give breathing power to the dead by placing on their mummies.

• Star- Ward off evil or encourage good fortune.

• Sun- Said to bestow prosperity and friendship. Probably of Egyptian origin.

• Tassel- An amulet made of a bunch of cords, threads, or strands hanging from a knob or roundish head. In Egypt was thought to bring happiness. Now a symbol of good luck in Mexico. In the Middle East evil spirits were said to shun tassels.

• Thunderbird- Used by Native Americans of the Northwest United States as a weather working symbol to attract rain, thunder and lightning, the thunderbird is a powerful protection amulet and is reputed to bring good luck to gamblers.

• Tiger- According to ancient Chinese folklore, to attain physical strength, immortality or the ability to master the art of shape shifting, wear a silver or jade tiger amulet.

• Tulip Bulb- Carry a tulip bulb as a natural amulet to bring love into your life. Wear on around your neck or sleep with one under your pillow at night to attract a new lover, increase sex appeal or induce romantic dreams.

• Turtle- A tortoise-shaped charm provides courage, creativity, intelligence, spiritual protection, compassion, fertility, sexuality, and protection.

• Unicorn- The unicorn is an ancient symbol of chastity and protection, and its fabled horn was said to be used in medieval times as an amulet to detect poisons in the food or drinks of Kings, Queens, Pontiffs and Popes. To promote fertility or increase sexual magnetism, wear any type of amuletic jewelry shaped like a unicorn.

• Venus- Grants love and appreciation of beauty.

• Wishbone- Wear a wishbone shaped charm (or even an actual turkey or chicken wishbone on a necklace) as an amulet to attract good luck and to make wishes and dreams come true.

How to Burn Candles  

Candle burning is an ancient spiritual practice that has evolved into a complex magickal art and science without losing its simplicity and capacity for creating powerful change. To practice successful candle magick, you must understand the principles behind this application. They are:

Candle Color

Size and Shape

Candle Flipping

Marking and Dressing

Measuring

Charging

Lighting and Extinguishing

Color Correspondences

Color has a profound effect on human behavior, feelings, and emotional outlook. The impact that color has on the human psyche did not escape the attention of the ancient maters, who assigned specific correspondences to each color.

The color of the candle should always, if possible, match your goal. People’s perception of, and reaction to, colors can be highly individual experience, therefore, the list below should act only as a guide and not a definitive source. When in doubt, trust your intuition.

• White- Protection, healing, cleansing, blessing, all purpose.

• Yellow- Creativity, communication, compelling.

• Pink- Romance, friendship, happiness.

• Orange- Employment, activation, stimulation.

• Red- Health, passion, lust, strength, love.

• Purple- Power, success, independence, spirits.

• Brown- Friendship, law, stability, order.

• Blue- Truth, justice, mental health, wisdom, wishes.

• Green- Abundance, physical health, luck, prosperity

• Black- Banishing, binding, protection, cursing.

Size and Shape

Candles come in an array of shapes and sizes, which I will divide into three categories, votive, household, and pillar. Votive candles are not used to cast spells per se, instead they are used for extra illumination, to light other candles and incense, as well as being burned to honor a Deity, an Ancestor, or the Ancestors. Witches who pray often burn votive candles as they do, and many votive candles can be found burning on shrines.

Most, in not all, candle spells, are worked using household tapers. These candles can range anywhere from 6 to 12 inches or longer and come in every color of the rainbow. The thickness of household tapers will also vary.

Like votive candles, pillar candles are used for added illumination; however, they are primarily used on altars to represent the God and Goddess, and in the ritual space to mark the four quarters, which are often color coded for this purpose. Green for the North, Yellow for the East, Red for the South, and finally Blue for the West. In magick, pillar candles are often encased in glass and burned continually for 7 to 9 nine days to achieve a goal. Alternately they may be marked with a wish, dressed with oil, placed on an overturned saucer, under which a written petition may be placed. For long term goals, a pillar candle can be prepared in this manner on the day that corresponds to your goal which falls closest to the Full Moon. The candle is then burned on the same day of the week every week until your goal is manifest. If your candle is spent and your goal has yet to manifest, prepare a new one, lighting it from the flame of the old one, before it is spent.

Candle Flipping

Candle Flipping is a very old practice, which some say originated with the Gypsies, who were said to burn candles ‘upside down’ to ensure they would not be (justly or unjustly) incarcerated.

To flip a candle means to cut off a portion of a candle where the exposed wick is, called the head; and then cut away the wax on the opposite end, called the foot, to expose the wick on that end. As a general rule, candles prepared to pull things towards you are burned upright, those designed to move things away from you are flipped and burned upside down.

Marking and Dressing

To mark a candle means to inscribe something in its wax. Candles are marked with two pieces of information, they are:

1. Who the candle spell is to affect.

2. The goal of the spell.

The name of the individual can be written in your native language or in a magickal alphabet. Your goal may be written in the form of a keyword or phrase, or a magick symbol such as a Rune, Astrological Sign, or even a magickal symbol of your own making. In either case, the candle is marked vertically from the top of the candle to the bottom, with the name of the individual on its ‘face’ and the goal on the reverse.

Dressing a candle refers to the act of anointing the candle with oil. Candles are anointed with oil to spiritually cleanse them and seal the magick inside until releasing it through the act of burning the candle. Candles are anointed in two ways, either to draw things towards yourself, or drive them away.

To anoint a candle, hold its base against your abdomen (as if to insert it in your belly button). To draw something to you, dip your finger in the oil and stroke the candle from the tip to base three times and call the essence of your desire, using a keyword of phrase. To drive something away from you, anoint the candle from base to tip.

Herbs represent another aspect of dressing candles, which brings an added dimension to the process. After dressing the candle with oil, it may be rolled in a mixture or a combination of an odd number of herbs from 10 to 13 and never more than 13. Herbs chosen for dressing the candle should match your goal.

Measuring

In most spells, a candle will be allowed to burn until it burns all the way down and finally extinguishes itself. However, some spells require a candle to be burned in intervals at specific times. The method of dividing a candle to accommodate these intervals is called measuring.

Candles are measured in two main ways, They are timing, and pinning. In timing, a candle is allowed to burn for a certain number of minutes per day over a certain number of days (typically nine days, but also sometimes 7) and then allowed to burn out on the last day.

In pinning, a candle is divided into a certain number of sections by sticking a needle or pin through the candle. The candle is then burned at the same time every day for as many days as required until the needle drops, at which time it is then extinguished.

In the case of a candle that is measured with needles or pins to burn for nine days the candle is divided into nine equal sections with eight pins, and a ninth pin going through the wick.

If a written petition has been placed under the candle, the pins will be placed in the petition until the spell is complete and then ritually disposed. If not petition has been written, the pins will either be saved for re-use or ritually disposed of with any left over wax.

Charging

Now that your candle is prepared, it must then be charged. To ‘charge’ a candle means to fill it with energy, much like charging a battery. Charging a candle fills it with power that it will release into the universe as it burns in order to accomplish your goal.

To charge your candle, ground and center yourself. Envision yourself in a circle of white light. Slowly raise your hands in the air and ask for assistance from Spirit in what you are about to do. When it feels right to you, pull power down and hold your hands a few inches over the candle. If you are drawing something towards yourself, draw a clockwise circle in the air around the candle; if you are moving something away from yourself draw a counter clockwise circle in the air around the candle. As you draw the circle, repeat your spell, incantation, or petition three times. Feel the power grow hotter and stronger each time. Finally, light the candle(s)

Lighting and Extinguishing

Many individuals light their candles with ordinary matches, while others feel that the sulfur with which matches are tipped, disturb the nature of the work. These people light a small candle in another room, which they use to light their spell candles with, at the appropriate time. The effectiveness of your candle spell will be greatly enhanced by focused intent and chanting during its preparation and burning, as will having a clear vision of your goal

Extinguishing candles is another issue where magickal practitioners are divided. Methods of extinguishing candle include:

• Pinching out the flame, but some say you pinch out your wish.

• Blowing out the flame, but some say you blow away your wish.

• Snuffing out the flame, but some say you snuff out your wish.

Just like lighting your candles, you will either have to experiment or trust your instincts when choosing how to extinguish your candles. Whichever methods you choose, it is important that you remain consistent.

The Affirmation

The affirmation is recited at the completion of any spell or working ritual and serves to ‘affirm’ your work and invoke the blessings of the universe of your work.

“May this spell end well,

with harm to none, so be it done!

I now invoke the Law of Three

In the name of Spirit, so mote it be!”

Signs from Candle Burning

Let your candles burn down,

Till no more wax can be found;

But if any wax be left behind,

Seek it in a shape or sign.

A candle that burns even and true,

Means your desire will come to you;

But should the flame gutter and flare,

Or your actions that subject is aware.

If a candle quickly burns and melts,

Its influence is eager to be felt;

But should a candle burn overly fast,

You’ll get your wish, but it won’t last.

If a candle a great deal of smoke lets out,

Hidden enemies are about;

And should a candle a black soot leave,

Your will not your goal achieve.

If a candle burns both clean and dirty,

There is cause for concern or worry;

Should a candle go out before it is through,

A greater power is working against you.

And if a candle encased in glass,

Burns away both hard and fast;

And leaved behind a soot of black,

You are the target of a magickal attack.

Most of us are familiar with the basic techniques of candle magick, which entails choosing a color which matches our goal, marking the candle with words or symbols indicative of our wishes, anointing the candle with oil, employing herbs, charging the candle and finally releasing its energies.

When casting candle spells, most of us have been taught to use tapers, household candles, and/ or glass encased candles. In my experience, most people use votive candles as offerings to deities, the ancestors, or other Higher Powered energies; the burning of votive candles can also accompany prayer as well. However, very little has been said or written about casting spells using votive candles or tea lights.

Some of the reasons people fail to utilize tea lights in candle spells may include:

1. They believe that the odd familiar size and shape of the candle is counter-productive to casting spells in the same manner that they are accustomed to.
2. They may believe that because tea lights are small and do not burn as long as larger candles that they lack a certain degree of power.
3. The thought may have not occurred to them.

I began casting spells with tea lights some time ago when I was low on supplies but found a bag of 50 tea lights in my magickal cabinet that I had previously bought. With a little practice and experimentation I was able to translate my own methods of Candle Magick to use with Tea Lights. Below are some steps to help you along.

First of all, most tea lights come in white which is fine as white candles can be utilized for any purpose. Second gather together any herbs, oils, personal concerns, etc… that you would use for any other candle spell.

Next, remove the tea light from the little tin cup that it comes in, and using a pin or needle carve your wish around the rim candle. I usually try to space out the letters so they go all the way around the candle and meet on the other side. Next, put a very tiny bit of your chosen herb(s) inside the bottom of the tin cup and add one to three drops of oil. Place the tea light back in the tin cup. Place some of your chosen oil on the tip of your finger. You will then place your finger on the top of the candle and run it around the wick three times. If you are drawing something towards yourself, move your finger clockwise; if you are moving something away from yourself, move your finger counter clockwise.

Finally, charge your candle by placing your hands a few inches over it and visualizing yourself inside a circle of light. Drawing energy from all around you, channel this energy into the candle while reciting an incantation. Repeat your incantation a total of three times, feeling the power grow stronger and stronger with each recital.

Finally, light the candle and let the magick do its work.

How to Prepare Vigil Candles for Magic

Today I am going to share with you how I prepare Vigil, or Glass-Encased, candles for spells and magic. I can always order Vigil Candles from a reputable dealer, but I always like to buy local or work with what I have. Therefore, I will often purchase and use Vigil Candles from my local supermarket. Although some of these candles come plain with no label, they often have images of Saints such as St. Expedite or The Virgin of Guadalupe on them.

In these cases I will often remove them by placing the candle in a tall glass of water overnight. The following morning the label will fall off of the candle and leave no remains of glue or paper. Once I have the old label off, no offense to St. Expedite, I dry it off with a cloth and then wipe it down with a bit of ammonia to cleanse it of any and all previous energies. Once this dries completely, I glue my new label to the candle. As you can see, today I will be making a Money Drawing Candle

Cord Magick entails the tying of knots in a length of cord, twine, or string. Choices involved in this type of magic include,color, length, number of knots, as well as the choice of using a disposable or a resusuable cord. The most common number of knots employed is nine, and they are tradtionally tied in the following order:

1---6---4---7---3---8---5---9---2

Standard cord magick involves the use of chants and visualization as you are tying a predetermined number of knots (which may follow numerological symbolism) at equidistant points in a length of cord, twine, or string. When deciding upon which color to use in please refer to the section on candle burning and follow the color correspondences given for that practice. The chant you use can either be generic or specific to your goal. An example of a generic chant for the purpose of performing knot magick is as follows.

“This knot I tie, this spell I lay,

to capture the essence of what I say;

(name of goal) is now drawn to/away me,

as I will so mote it be!”

However, you will also find the following classic poem in many older Books of Shadows. It is:

“By knot of one this spell's begun

By knot of two, it cometh true

By knot of three, so mote it be

By knot of four, this power I store

By knot of five, this spell's alive

By knot of six, this spell I fix

By knot of seven, events I'll leaven

By knot of eight, it will be fate

By knot of nine, what's done is mine”

If you wish to draw something to you, you may wish to ritually tie a knot in a length of cord over a period of days as the moon Waxes, or grows, so that the energies that you are attempting to influence will come to you.

If your desire is to move something away from yourself, you may tie the knots as described while chanting the spell given and visualizating the person or thing that is bound to you. Next, you can ritually untie the knots one at a time over a period of nine days during the Waning Moon. The influence of the person or thing will loosen and lessen as the moon wanes, or decreases.

If your spell is to affect another individual, such as for a healing, you may take the individual's measure by measuring them from head to foot with a length of cord and then adding the length of their foot. This cord can then be folded over to a certain length and knots tied in it to cast spells over the individual. In addition, there are several spells used in various forms of folk magick which entail measuring a man's erect penis and tying knots in the cord to bind his desire to you.

As you become more profecient in the use of Cord Magick, you may complete the ritual in one single night rather than over a period of days. The cord is then either carried on your person, or kept in a special place until the goal is manifested. Once the goal has manifested, you can either burn it or bury it to return it's energy back to the universe.

Cord Magick can be used alone or in conjunction with other mediums such as Candles, Crystals, Potions (by anointing the cord with oils, infusions, etc...), Sympathetic Magick, Mojo Magick, and Element Magick. This form of magick lends itself well to binding and un-binding spells.

Element, or natural magick, entails the use of the four fundamental elements found in nature; Fire, Earth, Air, and Water as the main focus of your spells. Each of the four elements can be used to magickally draw things towards yourself, or to drive them away. By this time, you should have built a working relationship with the elements, from having invited them into your ritual space in the past. One of the main reasons that we call the elements to our circle is so that we can merge the energy of the land around us with our personal energy, and the Divine Essence to produce a profound matrix of power that we can call upon at any time.

The four elements can be used alone or together, however, it is best that you only use one element at a time in the beginning of your studies and work with the elements. Like all aspects of nature, the four elements have their positive as well as their negative attributes. To work with the elements you must have an understanding of each of them and how they work. When working with the elements, you need to always match your endeavor to the appropriate element.

Fire

Fire can create and fire can destroy. Working with the element of fire often takes the form of moving energies away from your self. Often a person would write the situation of problem on a piece of paper and then burn the paper while calling upon the element of fire to “burn away” the problem. However, with the exception of candle magick, which is slightly more complicated, drawing energies to ones self is an aspect of fire magick not often touched upon in discussions of fire magick.

To work with the element of fire in this way, visualize your magickal goal in the flames of a fire that you have built yourself, or perhaps, the rising Sun. As you visualize your goal say aloud or to yourself:

I link my desire;

To this fire;

As it grows warm,

My will takes form!

The element of fire is associated with transformation, healing and passion. It is both physical and spiritual, being related to sexuality and to divinity.

Earth

Earth can create and earth can decay. Earth magick is often employed by burying things such as charms, talismans, remnants of spells, etc… near your front door or off of your property. Often a witch will form a sympathetic relationship in his mind with an object or thing that is biodegradable, and that which they want to move away from themselves. The witch will then bury the object in the ground while asking the element of earth to move the unwanted thing away from them as the object decays. An example of this can be found in a folk magick remedy to cure warts. A potato is rubbed on a wart and the potato is then buried in the ground so that as the potato decays the wart will whiter away.

To use the element of earth in order to draw something towards you, spread a handful of salt out on a flat surface and draw a symbol of your goal in the salt. It may be an astrological sign, rune, number, a key word or brief phrase. Focus on your desire and invoke the element of earth asking it to bring your desire to you. Finally, gather the salt and spread it out over your front door.

Earth is the element that is most stable and dependable. It represents abundance, prosperity, and wealth, and is creative but in a practical, physical manner.

Air

Air can build things up or tear things down. This can be seen in nature with hurricanes, tornadoes, and less aggressively with breezes that cool the day or move seeds towards their final planting bed. Air magick is most commonly utilized in the following manner. The witch will form a sympathetic relationship in his mind with a small light object that can be easily blown in the wind. He or she will carry the object on a windy day and toss the object in the air asking the element of air to blow away the negative energy as the object moves away from him. Alternately, a situation or problem may be written on paper, which is then torn into small pieces and thrown to the winds.

Air magick can be engaged to draw something to your self by the use of sacred breath and chanting. To perform successful Air Magick, draw a symbol in the air before you as in earth magick. Next, chant a spell to program the symbol and finally breathe on it to empower the symbol and send forth the energy to complete its task.

The element of air is associated with mental processes and the mind. It is creative and is that which causes magickal intentions to become manifest. It is also associated with higher consciousness and wisdom, divination and purification.

Water

Water brings life, and it can also take it away. Water holds the mystery of birth and the unknown depths of the oceans. Commonly water magick is employed by writing a person’s name or a description of the problem or situation on paper. The paper is then placed in a bottle which is then thrown into moving water, so that the problem moves away from you just as the bottle does. Alternately, the paper is actually placed in a bottle of water and left there for the water to break down the paper, so that the problem goes away as the paper breaks down.

To draw something towards you with Water Magick, you can charge water with your goal and keep it in a small vial whose color matches your goal. The element of water is associated with the subconscious mind, intuition and emotions. As the primal substance of life, it is symbolized by the womb and is related to fertility.

Gems, crystals, and stones are natural elements within the natural realm. On a mundane level, many gems, stones, and crystals are very expensive to purchase and are desired to be work as personal adornments and symbols. Originally, jewelry was a form of magickal amulet for protection, strength, and so on. Most magickal people today wear their jewelry in the same manner.

Gem, Crystal, and Stone magick is the application which utilizes the natural energy of the stones or gem with the ability to recharge them with either personal power, or that of the sun, moon, and earth.

Today, man has discovered a manner in which they can make stone, crystals, and gems. These man made objects are not natural formations, but rather items made from chemicals which intended to be similar to those gems, crystals, and stones found in nature. Some believe that these crystals, gems and stones are equivalent to naturals ones in value and ability. Considering the fact that all magick comes from personal power, in that aspect we would have to agree, but in the aspect of natural energy, we would have to disagree. The choice and decision on this aspect is yours to make.

All gem, crystals, and stones have been assigned traditional correspondences and they will differ depending on the tradition, culture, and so forth. Gem, Crystal, and Stone magick is another form of magick which must be personally experienced. What affect a gem, crystal, or stone will have for one person may not be the same for another. You will need to meditate with each stone to build a personal relationship with it and discover the energy with which it resonates for you.

Selected Gems and their Properties

• Amber- It is fossilized resin. Amber absorbs and changes negative energy into positive energy. It calms, purifies, increases motivation and creativity. Amber is a powerful amulet when worn for protection.

• Amethyst- This type of quartz has the power to control all types of harmful behavior. It has the power to heal and balance physical, emotional and mental energies as well as clearing the aura. Amethyst is excellent in inducing a calm and peaceful energy to aid in both entering and maintaining a state of meditation. Other attributes include stability, strength, protection against psychic attacks and helps one find freedom from addictive personalities.

• Bloodstone- This form of Chalcedony is wonderful for healing, courage, renewal, enhances creativity and helps one to be unselfish. The green, red spotted bloodstone is also a prosperity stone. It has been used to facilitate admittance to the spiritual realms of the ancestors, providing an open avenue of communication.

• Carnelian- This form of Chalcedony stimulates analytical capabilities and precision. It also relieves feelings of anger or hatred when worn near the heart by instilling powerful sensations of well-being. Carnelian can also relieve sexual tension by redirecting energies stored in the reproductive center of the body; it can also stimulate sluggish sexual energies.

• Cat's Eye- This form of Quartz or Chrysoberyl enhances awareness, stimulates intuition and may be used to see into the future or communicate with the spirit world. Cat's Eye has also been used to increase longevity, bring prosperity, happiness, serenity and luck.

• Citrine- This form of Quartz is very special in that it does not hold and accumulate negative energy but dissipates and transmutes it. Because of this, it never needs clearing or cleansing. Citrine stimulates mental focus and endurance. It promotes inner radiance making for a constant happy disposition.

• Copper- Copper has been used successfully to transmit thought and provides a harmonic connection between the physical and astral bodies. It also stimulates initiative, optimism, diplomacy and independence.

• Diamond- Diamond has been used to remove voids from one's aura and to fill the emptiness with a pure and loving energy. It inspires creativity, ingenuity, inventiveness, inspiration, faith, endurance and helps to manifest abundance in all areas of one's life.

• Emerald- This form of Beryl increases creative imagination, prosperity, love and fertility. It also instills sensitivity and loyalty within the self, domestic bliss, enhances memory and brings harmony to all areas of one's life.

• Garnet- Garnet enhancer's one's internal flame to bring out creative energies. It also aids in love, purification, cleansing and the elimination of things in disorder.

• Hematite- Hematite is an excellent grounding stone. It encourages one to reach full potential, assists in balancing body, mind and spirit along with mental attunement.

• Jade- Jade helps to remember and understand dreams. Set in gold or silver, it is thought to prolong life and bring riches to the wearer. Jade also inspires and brings ambition toward completion of goals. Other attributes include confidence and self-sufficiency.

• Jasper- This type of Chalcedony may be used for nurturing, stabilizing the aura and aid in safe astral travel. Red Jasper is for protection, Yellow Jasper clears the mind and Brown Jasper aids in concentration and may be worn for grounding and centering.

• Lapis Lazuli- Lapis Lazuli expands awareness, attunes to creativity, fine-tunes the feelings and instincts, helps to overcome depression, protects and enhances a state of serenity. It also assists in entering other realms with wisdom to understand the information received. Deep azure-blue, pyrite-streaked stones are powerful healing medicine when worn with purposeful intent.

• Malachite- Malachite exudes maternal love and warmth and is often used for healing purposes, however it absorbs negativity therefore requiring a thorough cleansing and recharging after each use. It also enhances one's psychic abilities and aids in one's spiritual evolution. Malachite clarifies emotions and helps one accept responsibility for one's own actions.

• Moonstone- Moonstone stimulates confidence and composure along with understanding through intuition and emotions. It cleanses the chakras and enhances all feminine aspects of one's nature bringing calmness coupled with awareness. Moonstone is trance inducing and may be used for all divinatory work. Its other attributes include balancing and new beginnings.

• Obsidian- Obsidian is useful in healing providing clarity to both the subject and the healer. It is also an excellent grounding and protective stone. Along with these attributes each type of Obsidian also has their own specific qualities.

• Onyx- This form of Chalcedony is a powerful grounding stone that aids in concentration, absorbs negativity, banishes grief, enhances self control, stimulates wise decision making, encourages happiness and good fortune along with being a good choice for protection.

• Opal- The main aspect of this stone is balance. It may crack if the wearer is stressed, in danger or just out of sync. Opal helps to recognize and feel creativity within oneself along with inspiration, imagination and mystical qualities. It may render the wearer invisible by bringing one the quality of "fading into the background."

• Pear- This type of Sea Shell has a soothing effect and helps the wearer overcome obstacles. It tends to absorb negative energy and must be cleared before wearing. Pearl also induces faith, charity, innocence, focus and enhances personal integrity.

• Peridot- Peridot emits a warm and friendly energy, regulates cycles (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and life), along with being excellent for healing and protection.

• Quartz (clear)- Quartz crystals have been used in magical and healing rituals since the beginning of time as we know it. Quartz crystal can create altered states of consciousness as well as unlocking abilities of the mind. It can be used to clear and activate energy centers of the body attuning well to the heart and third-eye chakras. Quartz purifies the physical, mental and spiritual self along with healing inner negativity transforming it into positive thoughts and feelings. Whether the clear quartz is carried, worn, or simply in one's environment, it's magick and energy remain attuned to the one with whom it is connected.

• Rose Quartz- This crystal emits a gentle and calming energy that can bring harmony to a chaotic situation. Rose Quartz is especially helpful in matters of the heart and learning to love one's self as it promotes feelings of love and happiness.

• Ruby- This form of Corundum encourages one to follow their bliss, promoting creativity and the ability to expand beyond oneself. Ruby stimulates the heart chakra while leading the emotions toward nurturing, spiritual wisdom, health, knowledge and wealth. It is also an excellent shielding stone, protecting the wearer on all levels.

• Sapphire- This form of Corundum aids in eliminating frustration and allowing for the fulfillment of dreams and desires. Sapphire can also be used to remove unwanted thoughts by opening one's mind to beauty and intuition. It is said that sapphire has the power to counteract negative witchcraft and attract good spirits and that star sapphire (milky or grayish blue) is the best guard against the evil eye.

• Silver- Silver provides a very strong connection between the physical and astral bodies giving the wearer assurance that they may always return home from the astral plane. Silver smoothes out the roughness of one's personality improving speech and bringing an element of culture to one's presence.

• Smokey Quartz- This crystal can be used to dissolve negative emotions and thoughts allowing positive energy to take its place. Natural Smokey Quartz can protect one from harm along with heightening one's connection and understanding of Earth and the environment. It is an excellent grounding stone and also promotes personal joy of life.

How to Cleanse and Charge a Crystals

Begin by choosing a crystal, gem, or stone that matches your goal and place it in a dish of salt overnight, washing the salt down the drain the following day. To charge the crystal, gem, or stone light a candle and burn incense. Sit in a meditative state and hold the stone in your projective hand. Visualize your goal and move this energy into the stone. When you are done, place the stone near the candle until it burns out naturally. Carry the stone until your energy manifests.

Generic Gem Spell

You will need a birthstone to represent yourself and a stone, gem, or crystal which corresponds to your goal. If you desire, you can enhance this spell with the use of candles, herbs, incense, etc…

When the moon is New, set the birthstone and other gem roughly seven inches apart on a mirror. Meditate upon your goal. As you do this, move the stones an inch closer. You will repeat this process for seven days, moving the stone an inch closer each day until they are touching. After seven days, you can put the two stones together in a safe place or carry them with you in a mojo bag until you have achieved your goal. To move something away from you, simply reverse the process described above the seven days after the Full Moon.

(Article coming soon)

Of Paper and Petitions

In traditional Wicca, one is often instructed to write their petitions on ‘virgin parchment’ in special inks such as “Dove’s Blood Ink” or “Dragon’s Blood Ink”. However, parchment paper is synthetic, real parchment is made from animal skin, which can be pricey. In addition, writing with quill pens can be messy. Many modern Witches make use of modern ink pens and plain unlined paper. The color of the ink will often correspond to one’s goal. Also, plain unlined paper can be soaked in herbal, or charged waters (again the herbs will match your goal) and allowed to dry overnight before use.

In the Hoodoo tradition, one is typically advised to write one's petition on brown paper torn, usually from a grocery type sack, on all four sides by hand. This is thought to make the paper pure. However, there are instances where the practitioner is allowed to cut the paper with a pair of scissors. The use of scissors is seen as symbolic of using weapons such as swords, knives, and daggers against one's enemies. Some situations in which you would cut your petition paper with scissors can include when driving two people apart, or working enemy tricks.

In my personal practices, I prefer the paper to form a perfect square. However, I've never seen any reference where this was a traditional rule sacred to the practice of Hoodoo. Ideally I like to use brown paper bags and lead pencils or regular ink pens whose colors match my goal (red for love, green for money, etc…) and usually paired with black for contrast. For example, a prosperity petition would have my name nine times in black ink and crossed nine time with 'prosperity' in green ink. I usually incorporate symbols such as dollar signs, hearts, astrological symbols, and even sometimes Runes into the petition.

If I am writing a petition that will have an effect on two people, such as bringing them together or driving them apart; I will cross one name with the other and write what I want to happen in a circle around the names. For example, in the photo above you can see an example of a petition I wrote when I wanted a local car dealer to finance me when I went to buy a new car. I wrote his name in red, so that he would be filled with positive thoughts of me so he would be inclined to finance me; my own name was written in black to surround me with an aura of prosperity and show me as someone who will make my payments on time. The paper itself was torn from a sack of sugar.

If I am writing a petition that is meant to command or compel another person, I will write their name in all lower case letters and cross and cover their name with my command in all caps (usually with a sharpie). Again, my specific command will be written around the names in a circle.

In addition, I have also used different types of papers for different situations.

 I keep all my papers in separate ziplock bags labeled by type of use. The papers associated with specific people are placed in smaller ziplock bags along with any other personal concerns I have belonging to said person.

Crossing and Covering

Crossing and Covering is the standard method by which root workers write their petitions. Depending on how you are doing the work, a name (usually the person the petition is to affect) is written down 9 times. The paper is then turned 90 degrees and your wish or your name is written over the other name an equal number of times, thus crossing and covering it as you go.

Petitions are placed under overturned saucers, on top of which candles are burned, placed in mojo bags, etched on the reverse of talismans, etc…

A good rule of thumb to consider when writing your petitions is that the dominate factor always covers the wish. For example, Jane Doe is putting a love spell on John Brown then Jane's name will Cross and Cover John'. For example. 

Alternately, if Jane Doe wanted John Brown to come under her command, then she could Cross and Cover his name with her wish. For example

Finally, you can also combine the two methods used above into a third method that uses all three pieces of information writing out John's name, followed by come under my command and Crossed and Covered with Jane's name. For example, 

Dressing, Loading, & Folding Your Petition

Once you have written your petition and are satisfied with the results, it can then be dressed by placing one drop of an oil (whose purpose matches your goal) in the four corners and center of the petition. 

If the petition is to have an effect on a specific person and you have  some of their personal concerns in your possession such as hair, or nail clippings; you can place a bit of these in the center of the paper before folding the petition. In other instances a bit of dried herb, or powder may be placed in the center of the petition before folding.

If it is your wish to draw something towards yourself, you will then fold the paper towards yourself three times, rotating the paper 1/4 turn between each fold. If it is your wish to move something away from you, you will fold the paper away from yourself three times, rotating the paper 1/4 turn counter-clockwise between each fold. 

EXERCISES

1.      In your own words, define minor magicks in your journal. Below this make a list of each of the minor magicks.

2.      Write a brief definition, in your own words, beside of the minor magicks.

3.      Find at least five objects in your own home that can act as an amulet. List these in your journal and beside each write a description of what magickal properties you feel they have.

4.      Think of a goal that you would like to achieve. Write your goal in your journal. Using the information given in this chapter regarding candles-burning, prepare and burn a candle for that goal. Describe the process at every step (including candle color, key words/symbols carved on the candle, herbs used, etc…) and include this information in your journal. Leave room for future entries.

5.      Pay attention to how the candle burns and note this in your journal as well as any signs you may find in any left over wax.

6.      Think of a goal that you would like to achieve and write this in your journal. Using the information given in this chapter on Cord Magick, prepare and tie a cord to for the purpose of achieving that goal. Record the process in your journal.

7.      Dedicate at least one page in your journal to each of the four elements and below the element, draw its symbol(s). In a meditative state, have a conversation with each of the elements and record what you have learned in your journal.

8.      Think of a problem or a issue you are experiencing. Write it in your journal. Review what you learned from each element and describe how you think each element would go about addressing the problem or issue. Record this information in your journal.

9.      Of the four approaches given by the elements, choose one and do it. Record the results in your journal.

10.  Find, purchase, or otherwise obtain at least three crystals, gems, or stones. Record each stone in your journal and describe its scientific origin and properties. For example, obsidian is volcanic glass and consists mainly of silicon dioxide. Below this describe its traditional use in magick and witchcraft.

11.  One at a time, meditate while holding each crystal, gem, or stone. Focus on how the stone makes you feel, pay attention to any visual images that come to you, or any other information. Record your insights in your journal and using this information determine how this gem or stone can best be used by you in the practice of magick.

12.  Think of three goals that you would like to achieve and write these in your journal. Using the information given in this chapter on writing your petition, prepare magickal paper and write one petition for each goal you have chosen and show your work in your journal.