Carolina Dean

Your Magickal Name

Naked in Your Rites...

The Magickal Apron

The Altar 

The Wand

The Cup

The Athame

The Pentacle

The Cord of Measure

The Cauldron 

The Magick Mirror  

The Magickal Broom

The Medicine Bag  

Bath of the Elements

The Shrine  

  Shrine to the House Spirits

A Magickal Name, or Craft Name, is a name that a witch chooses for him or her self (after great consideration) at initiation.  To become a witch is to strive to be the best you that you can be, to have wisdom, to weild power, to achieve balance and promote harmony on all levels.  The name that you choose should be symbolic or your aspirations.  In effect, you name becomes an affirmation for your newly chosen identity, as each time you or another uses your magickal name you are reinforcing the idea that you are what your name represents.

As witches we believe that thoughts are things and that which we dwell on inwardly, we manifest outwardly.  This is why we as witches are constantly riding ourselves of negative thoughts and reciting affirmations.  Over time, our ideas about ourselves and our desires change, therefore, a witch may have several magickal names throughout his or her life. In addition, some witches have a public craft name, and a private one. 

A simple method of finding your magickal name makes use of a large dictionary. To begin, open the book to a random page, close your eyes and place your finger on a page at random.  The word that your finger points to in the book will be your magickal name.

At first, the name may not seem to suit you, however, upon furthur contemplation you may find that the name does teach you something about yourself.  When I first used this method years ago, my finger landed on the word 'promiscuous' (a term used to desribe those who copulate with several partners within a short time span). At that time, I had had very few sexual partners, so the name did not make sense to me. After meditating on the name, I realized that while I did not have an abundance of sexual partners, I did have a rich and imaginative fantasy life. However, it made me realize that the fantasy was no substitution for reality.  I hid from the world, rather than take a chance on love. After thinking of myself as Promiscuous, my attitude about my love life changed and I did begin to attract partners.

Often, witches will sigilize their magickal names and this symbol will act as a magickal shorthand. This symbol can be etched onto candles, talismans, or engraved on magickal tools, or jewelry, sewn into mojo bags, or magickal garments, etc... as both a security device and as your personal marker.

Note: Promiscuous, sounds a great deal like Prometheus, the Greek God whose name means 'Fore-thought'. Presently, I use the name Foresight in some instances, in addition to Silvermane, due to my psychic abilities and  for my habit of thinking ahead.   

Some traditions perform rituals in the nude, called sky clad, but this may not be for everyone. It is not as common a practice today as it once was, but many traditional (Gardenerian) covens still operate this way. The reasons for going Sky Clad are many and varied. Among them are:

You and your coven may agree with one or more of these reasons, or have other reasons or have other reasons all together.  The original reference to the practice of sky clad rituals comes from the 1897 text by CHarles Leland, Aradia Gospel of the Witches . It is reflected aain in the more modern version, The Charge of the Goddess, by Doreen Valiente. The line that reads "...as a sign that you are free, you shall be naked in your rites." Some witches witches read this as a metaphor, meaning that when they enter the magick circle they do so in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust.  This is another way of sayiing that you harbor no ill will towards any person (especially another individual in the circle) so that the work of the craft cn proceed unencumbered. 

If you are a solitary practitioner, the choice is yours. Do not feel that you must go sky clad because that' what 'real' witches do. Feeling uncomfortable during ritual will only detract from your purpose. If you feel awkward or uncomfortable, being naked then you do not have to work sky clad. 

If you are considering joining a cove and they perform their rituals sky clad, but you do not feel comfortable with it; find another coven.  Do not expect any group to bend their rules for you. Also, a coven that follows this practice should be upfront about it when you frist approach for membership. Any group that springs this on you after you have joined is unethical and not a group that you would want to assicoate with. 

Many of us have fond memories of our own mothers schlepping about the house in a well-worn apron. I remember a time when a woman would put her apron on in the morning and leave it on all day while cooking, cleaning, and doing various household chores.

Mama's apron was magickal. The pockets always held treasures like candy, shiny coins, or toys she'd taken away and forgotten. There was always a handkerchief or a tissue in there for cleaning our faces or wiping our noses. It seemed that everything she, and we, needed could be found in that apron.

Today, it seems that wearing an apron is no longer in fashion. Occasionally, you'll see men wearing them while barbecuing in the back yard; but rarely will you see the average homemaker going about his or her chores in one of these garments.

Some time ago it occurred to me that as a Kitchen Witch, it would be quite appropriate to make use of a ritual apron rather than a ritual robe. In addition, the straps that one ties around their waist to secure the apron can also double as one's magickal cord.

Such an apron can be decorated in many different ways. They can be embroidered with sigils and other magickal designs, the waist straps can be decorated with colorful buttons, or bells. In addition, the pockets that can often be found near the waist can double as a sort of medicine bundle, holding one's mojo bags or medicine bags; a small lighter for lighting candles, amulets and various charms, etc...You can even pin broaches or other special pins to your apron. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

The Altar is the focal point of many spells and rituals. It can be any size or shape, depending on the needs of the individual, what materials they have available, and the amount of space in which they have to work.  Some Witches use an altar cloth, and others do not, this is a personal choice. Of those that do use an altar cloth, there is a tendency to change the color of the cloth to reflect the season, esbat, or working.

There are two main schools of thought regarding alignment of the altar.  Those who follow a predominantly ceremonial path align their altars towards the East and the rising Sun. Others align their altars to the North, for several reasons. Some put forth the theory that "everything comes from the North," while others point out that maps are aligned towards the North, and magnetic lines runs towards the North and therefore the flow of energy around and/or through the ritual area will be more in harmony with nature.

Overtime, you altar will absorb the residual energy from your magickal working, becoming a storehouse of power from which you may draw at will.

To Bless Your Altar

When the moon is new, place a red candle in the center of the altar, let is be flanked by a bowl of spring water and one of fresh earth and before this burn incense.  Around this neatly arrange symbols of the God and Goddess, your totem, Spirit Guide, Ancestors, etc.... Light the candle and incense as say:

In this right and ready hour,
I call upon the circle's power;
I invoke the Lord and Lady,
to stand at either side of me;
and the four elements I implore,
to come and work with me once more.

[pause]

I now call forth from space and time,
those who share in my bloodline;
Fairies, totems & spirit guides,
cross ye now the great divide;
come to me who calls you near,
come to me and settle here.

[pause]

Meld with the energy around you and channel this into your altar by placing your palms down on it and visualizing the energy entering the altar and it glowing in power. Say:

Powers that be, hear my rhyme,
heed the vision in my mind;
I ask that you now coalesce,
your energies here, this altar bless!

When you are done, thank the powers and end the ritual.

Before we begin talking about the Witch's Tools, I feel that I must first point out that it is not the tool that works, but rather it is the practitioner. The only tool that a witch truly needs is the tool of self. While there are numerous tools available to the working witch, the major ones traditionally are the Wand, Pentacle, Athame, and Cup--however there are others. Each tool has developed associations over the years and different traditions exchange and re-interpret these associations to suit their needs.

It is important to remember that tools are nice, and there's nothing like the feeling of satisfaction that you get from making your own altar tools and being able to take pride in your craftsmanship; but for those who haven't yet got the confidence or inspiration to attempt to make their own tools, there's certainly nothing wrong with purchasing them from another source. 

When it comes to purchasing your own tools, lore dictates that you aren't supposed to haggle over the price. Before going out to shop, it is wise to ask Spirit to bring you that which you need at a price that you can afford. It is important to be reasonable in your request. Once the request is made, have faith that the right item for you will come to you. When it does, it is important that you purchase the item, lest you offend those who granted your request.

With the growing  trend of e-commerce there are numerous websites appearing on the internet daily and so it's important that you shop safely online.

Additional Links

Azure Green Online Catalog

Llewelyn Publications

Witchvox

 

The Wand corresponds to the South and the element of Fire. Its color is Red, its season Summer, and its time Noon.  The wand is associated with the Witch's will and it is used to direct, or move energy.

Traditionally, the wand is roughly the same length as that from your own elbow to the tip of your smallest finger and about as thick as your thumb.  It can be painted, decorated with symbols, tipped with crystals, or left plain. 

The Wand is consecrated when the Full Moon is in a Fire Sign (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) on the day (Tuesday, Sunday, Thursday) and in the hour (Mars, Sun, Jupiter) of that sign's planetary ruler.

How to Make Your Own Wand

Traditional lore, dictates that to make your own wand one must rise early on the morning of the Full Moon. Next, go alone to a wooded area with a new, unused axe and find a healthy living tree. One must then ask the tree for permission to take one of it's branches in order to make your wand. If the permission is not given, you must respect the answer and seek another tree.

Once the permission is given, you then cut the branch in one swing of the axe and wrap it in special cloth. Before returning home the tree which donated a part of itself to your cause is given a ritual offering for it's sacrifice. 

The branch is then reduced to correct size (long as the space between your elbow and the tip of your smallest finger) and stripped of all bark. The branch is then wrapped up again and allowed to dry for a week. Afterwards, use sandpaper to smooth down the nubs left from the twigs. 

At this point, the wand can be embellished in several ways including the following: 

•  Hollowing out the tip(s) and setting crystals in the sockets.
•  Painting or Staining the Wand.
  
•  Using a wood burning tool to inscribe symbols on it's surface.
•  Wrapping the handle in leather or ribbon for better gripping. 

How you embellish your wand, or not, is completely up to you and whatever you choose will be right for you. Once the wand is finished it is important that it be ritually blessed and consecrated. (See Bath of the Elements, this page)

For those who don't feel up to this process, there are easier methods. For instance. In the early days of my craft I purchased a wooden dowel from a local hardware store, which I then soaked in chamomile tea (which is known to be a fiery herb), which acted as a natural stain. I then allowed the wand to dry and to personalize it, I anointed it with three drops of my own blood before cleansing and blessing the wand. 

I've even used a decorative wooden spoon as a wand.  

The Cup corresponds to the West and its element is Water. Its color is Blue, its season is spring and its time is Dawn.  The Cup is associated with the Witch's love and it holds power over life, death, and regeneration. 

Traditionally, the Cup is silver, or brass, however, some witches use Cups made of clay, wood, and even crystal. The Cup is consecrated when the Full Moon is in an Water Sign (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) on the day (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) and in the hour (Moon, Mars, Jupiter) of that signs planetary ruler. 

Again, witches with an artistic bent can create their own Cups as easily as taking a pottery class. If all else fails there's ebay or a host of other merchants from which you can purchase your Cup. 

Witches who are new to the craft and aren't sure that want to invest in a Cup, or who are on a budget have many choices available to them. They include:

The Athame corresponds to the East, and the element of Air.  Its color is Yellow, its season Fall, and its time Sunset.  The Athame is associated with the Witch's mind and it reminds us to balance power with reason.  It is used to invoke and banish energy. 

Traditionally, the Athame is double sided, its handle is black and its blade is dull.  The reason for this is that it is not used to cut things on the material plane, but rather on the spiritual plane. 

The Athame is consecrated when the Full Moon is in an Air Sign (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) on the day (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) and in the hour (Mercury, Venus, Saturn) of that sign's planetary ruler.

Metal-smithing being a very specialized skill,  you may not be able to make your own Athame. Again, you may have to seek out merchants from whom to purchase your Athame. However there are also other options available to you as well, including.

•  Second Hand Stores
•  Pawn Shops
•  Guns Show vendors often have daggers among their wares.

 The Pentacle corresponds to the North, and the element of Earth.  Its color is Green, its season Winter, and its time Midnight.  The Pentacle is associated with the body of the witch, and it is used to manifest and protect. Traditionally, the Pentacle is a round piece of metal, wood, or clay, on which is inscribed a five-pointed star within a circle. 

The Pentacle is consecrated when the Full Moon is in an Earth Sign (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) on the day (Friday, Wednesday, Saturday) and in the hour (Venus, Mercury, Saturn) of that signs planetary ruler

How to Make Your Own Pentacle  

A fairly attractive, durable, pentacle can be made with very few supplies and at a reasonable cost. I, myself, have made a pentacle using the process which I am about to describe and it has lasted for five or more years now. This pentacle can be seen in the picture above under the heading of the altar. 

To begin, find a picture of a pentagram that you like and using a word processor program reset its size so that it is the same size as you wish your pentagram to be. Cut out the pentacle  and color the back of the picture with a pencil or black crayon. Tape the picture to a piece of cardboard and and using a ruler trace the lines which comprise the pentagram. 

When you are done, remove the picture and color in the lines made from tracing the pentagram with a black permanent marker such as a sharpie.  Next, using a large, sharp pair of scissors cut the pentagram out of the cardboard. Use this piece to trace out two more circular pieces of cardboard which you then glue to the bottom of your pentacle in order to give it more thickness. As the glue dries, place it on a hard surface and weigh it down with heave objects to hold it together. 

When the glue is dried, spray the entire pentagram with several coats of clear varnish and allow to dry. The varnish will help hold everything together and give the pentacle a protective coat. Finally, when the varnish is dried the pentagram is cleansed and blessed in a ritual ceremony. 

Whereas some witches will scoff at making a pentacle out of cardboard, I think that it entirely appropriate as cardboard is made from tree pulp and that the black marker alongside the brown/tan cardboard reflects the energies of the earth nicely. However, if this pentacle doesn't suit you, there are other choices available to you.

• Purchase a pentacle from a vendor or merchant.
• Using special paints to decorate a dinner plate or saucer.
• Draw the pentagram on a dinner plate in special oils which are later washed off after blessing the plate. The idea here is that though you wash away the oil, the essence of the pentagram remains.  

The Cord of Measure is a length of cord which is worn around the waist outside of one's robe. In traditional Wicca it often indicates the witch's station within the coven. Generally, neophyte witches may wear white cords, second degrees may wear red cords, and three degree witches may wear a black cord. However, this will vary from tradition to tradition and coven to coven.

In magick, the witch's cord is used for binding and unbinding. In addition, a witch's cord was often used to work magick on behalf of that person for health, healing, or protection in the absent of that individual. 

In the Hearth Tradition, a white cord which is looped on one end and tasseled on the other is worn. It is marked with the measure of the individual's head, heart, and hips.  This serves to further personalize the cord and make it special.

To take these measures, hold the looped end around your forehead  and mark the spot where the two ends meet. This point is then marked with paint of a piece of tape colored white for purity of thought. As witches we believe that what you think you become, therefore we always strive to keep our thoughts pure. 

Next, measure your chest and mark the spot where these points meet with paint or a piece of tape colored red for love. As witches we strive to have the utmost compassion, and work for the good of all beings including ourselves. Therefore everything a witch does is done from a place of love. 

Finally measure your hips and mark the spot where these points meet with paint or a piece of tape colored black for fertility. As witches we hold that all life is sacred, therefore we honor the vehicle of our spirits without which none of us would be.  

Once your Cord of Measure is finished, it should be blessed in a ritual ceremony. To wear your cord, pull it around your waist with the tasseled end through the looped end and hanging freely

The Cauldron is a tool associated with the Goddess. It is symbolic of the womb and represents change, fertility, abundance, and rebirth. 

It is an indispensable tool with many uses including:

Burning candles & incense

For the art of Scrying

                                           To cast spells

                                            Cooking Meals 

Mirrors have been defined as a reflecting surface that forms an image of an object when light rays coming from that object fall upon the surface. However, they are so much more than that; they are magickal yet mundane; powerful yet fragile; mysterious yet ordinary. Stage magicians use them to hide the truth, whereas Witches use them to reveal it!

The use of mirrors in the practice of magick probably hearkens back to the prehistoric age when someone first saw their reflections in a body of water and declared it magick. Perhaps the most famous magick mirror of all is the mirror owned by the wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which was said to be unable to lie. In addition, it is said that the famed prophet Nostradamus foresaw his visions while scrying with a bowl of water on a tripod.

The earliest man-made mirrors were created from polished stone or metal, typically bronze, and glass was later used along with lead, mercury, or tin. Most of today’s mirrors are made from a combination of metal and glass. Like their counter parts in the mundane world, magick mirrors come in many forms. They can be old or new, plain or decorated, large or small, silver or blackened. Their use in magick is many-fold, they include:

• To reflect negativity back to it’s source.

• For the art of scrying.

• To contact non-corporeal entities.

• To store and transmit energies

• For astral travel.

• To cast spells.

Like any tool, your magick mirror should be ritually blessed and consecrated to your purpose, as per your tradition or personal practices, before use.

Brooms are ancient tools of magick. European folklore is filled with tales of brooms and their ritual uses. Though often associated with witches, brooms can be found in virtually every household in every country in the world. Every day, millions of these bristled tools are used in quite ordinary ways. Why, then, do they possess such a mystic aura? This is revealed by a look at the broom's function. Brooms are used to sweep. Sweeping cleans; it purifies. Brooms have long been associated with purification and protection.

In the past they have been made of windle straw, bean stalks, bullrush, thorn branches, mullein stalks or ragweed (mugwort or wormwood); but the most traditional witch's besom is a brush of birch bound by willow to a shaft of ash. The broom is a symbol of domesticity as well as sexuality. Standing vertically in its normal position, the broom is a phallic symbol, but inverted, it represents a woman's pubic area and the line between her thighs.

Most of us are familiar with the flat Shaker-type brooms; which are the most common in North America today. Round brooms, while attractive, aren't as effective in performing their simple mission, so flat brooms have all but overtaken their round counterparts. Round brooms are made of natural materials: a wooden handle, broomcorn (for the sweeping end), a nail, and wire.

To Bless & Consecrate a Broom

Before using your new broom for normal household sweeping, soak it’s bristles in salted water, then carve or write on its handle (the words running from the tip to the bristles on one side): "I sweep in money and luck." On the other side (with the words running away from the bristles) carve or write: "I sweep out evil and poverty." Anoint the broom with oil as you would a candle.

Then in sacred space, mark the four points of a magick circle with the four elements at their corresponding cardinal points. Standing in the center of the circle, face North ground and center, and invite the presence of Hestia.

At the North, hold the broom over the salt and say:

“From the North, the element of Earth now cleans,

This broom for positive means;

In the divine name of our Lady,

As I will, so mote it be.”

At the East, hold the broom over the incense and say:

“From the East, the element of Air now cleans,

This broom for positive means;

In the divine name of our Lady,

As I will, so mote it be.”

At the South, hold the broom over the salt and say:

“From the South, the element of Fire now cleans,

This broom for positive means;

In the divine name of our Lady,

As I will, so mote it be.”.

At the West, hold the broom over the incense and say:

“From the West, the element of Water now cleans,

This broom for positive means;

In the divine name of our Lady,

As I will, so mote it be.”

Finally, face North again and hold the broom out over your head and say:

Earth, Air, Fire, Water,

Come to me & do not falter;

I ask that you now coalesce

Your energies here & this broom bless!

The medicine bag is a very personal tool, each item placed in an individual’s medicine bag represents another step long that person’s spiritual journey. There is some controversy among Native Americans concerning non-indigenous people co-opting their spiritual beliefs. However, it should be noted that the Medicine Bag is simply another form of fetish, no different than the Mojo Bag, Aladdin’s Lamp, or even the Catholic Rosary. Medicine Bags have been known throughout all cultures at different points in history.

The Medicine Bag is made out of leather and can be as large or as small as you like. There is no specific number of items that can go into a Medicine Bag, however all items must be able to fit into the bag without damaging the bag itself. The contents of a Medicine Bag will change as the individual grows in his or her craft. Each item placed in the bag must have some special meaning for the individual. Many witches will place things such as the metals, herbs, stones, elements, Runes, Animal Powers, incenses, etc... they feel resonate with them on a deeply spiritual level. Other items may include, personal concerns such as hair, or baby teeth; found objects, like feathers, stones, and shells; and items which commemorate a special event in one’s life, dried flowers which adorned the altar during one’s initiation or hand-fasting, for example.

To begin accumulating items for one’s medicine bag compile a list of personal correspondences and obtain a symbol for each correspondence to be placed in your Medicine Bag. Remember that one’s Medicine Bag is cumulative, that is, things will be added to it or taken away as need arises, representing your spiritual journey. Below you will find a list of my personal correspondences, and the symbols I chose to represent those correspondences. In addition to these items, I also have some of my own hair as well as other commemorative items that have a special meaning to me.

Once you have gathered all of your personal symbols they should be ceremonially placed into your medicine bag and ritually blessed from within a magick circle according to the teachings of your traditions, or your personal practices.

Some individuals like to wear their Medicine Bag on a leather thong around their neck, while others prefer to carry them in their pocket and sleep with them under their pillow at night. Medicine bags are thought to act passively, protecting the individual from negativity; and actively, by supplying you with added energy to use at your discretion.

The powers attributed to the Medicine Bag include, enhancing your own natural talents, amplifying your magick, giving you strength, heightened senses, and connecting you to the spirit realm. It is also said to aid in healing and the channeling of energy. Medicine Bags can be used in the same manner as a wand by holding it in your dominant hand and directing energy, it can used like a rattle to raise energy, by shaking it over objects, people, and things to seal fields of energy, place wards, and take off negativity, for the purpose of personal empowerment, healing, and cleansing.
 

 

 
In sacred space, mark the four points of a magick circle with their corresponding elements. Standing in the center of the circle, face North, ground and center, and invite the presence of the God and Goddess, saying:

“I call upon the Lord and Lady,

Please be present here with me;

As I dedicate this tool to you,

And to the work with it it’ll do”

Starting in the North and ending in the West, hold the object over the element and say:

“From the

(North, East, South, West)) the element of

(Earth, Air, Fire, Water)

now cleans,

This (object) for positive means.

This should be followed by two additional rhyming lines, which describe the function you wish the object to fulfill. At each point, you should repeat your additional lines, after the world “for positive means” are spoken, while concentrating on charging the object with the energy it will need to fulfill it’s function. When you are done, face North again and hold the object out at eye level and say:

“Earth, Air, Fire, Water,

Come to me and do not falter;

I ask that you now coalesce,

Your energies here, & this (object) bless.”

Repeat your rhyming lines again, thank the God and Goddess in your own words. Walk away in ‘perfect love and perfect trust’ secure in the knowledge and belief that your work was successful.

In my home I have a window above my kitchen sink, the sill of which acts as my  Shrine to the House Spirits, or Lares. This shrine holds a collection of objects including a small ceramic house in which the House Spirits reside.

In addtion there are symbols which represent the House Spirits themselves, symbols of the four elements, as well as other objects. 

The Shrine is where I speak to the House Spirits petitioning them for their assistance. I make offerings to them in return for their blessing and protection. I speak to Spirit, perform religious devotions, and occasionally cleanse and bless certain items. The placement of my Shrine above my sink makes it very convenient for me to work with it, as I often speak with Spirit, pray, or make offering while washing dishes, or cleaning the kitchen.

However, if you do not have a windowsill to dedicate to the House Spirits, you may wish to dedicate a small cupboard as your shrine, or alternately you can build a shelf over your hearth, or even use the hood of your stove. If you decide to use your cupboard as a Shrine, it is important that you open the door as you cook and clean so as to allow the spirits to guide you in your work.  

The choice of creating and maintaining a shrine as well as what Spirit to dedicate it to is completely up to you as is the objects you choose to include or exclude from your Shrine. In this case, there are no right or wrong answers.  

Link

Lares: The House Spirits

Creating a Kitchen Altar

EXERCISES