Weekend Witchcraft- Protection Spells for Divining the Shadows

Probably one of my favorite things about this time of year is curling up on cold and cloudy days, and watching what I can only call Bad Paranormal TV Shows. Some people watch Cops, I watch people who think that painting over the creepy symbols in their old basement will just make the problem go away. Because ignoring them works infinitely well, mother of Aradia. 

Don't be a dummy this Halloween. I know its a wonderfully magical time of the year, and it is, but there are reasons which we don masks and cover our front porches with scary pumpkin heads in the first place, and to that effect, I am here to give you as many ways to stay safe as I can possibly think of. These are spells which I have used personally for years, so rest assured, if you back them with your personal power and belief, they will work for you. Ouijia boards are great fun, really, they are, but just as you should never ever have unprotected sex, you should never bust out the plachette without at least a few of the following.

Herbs. Ivy, and not the poisonous kind. I mean big ol' English Ivy leaves. They're more common that you think (I used to pick some growing under a bridge at my university), and the dry up really easily in a basket. Ferns will work, also everlasting mint, horehound, and sage. Try burning sandalwood incense to assist your divination techniques. 

Salt. Yes, Supernatural is right on this one. Get the freaking salt. I don't divine on Ouijia openly without a circle around myself and the board, casting my circle with the chant "I cast the circle thrice about, to keep all evil spirits out, round and round the circles bound, evil sink into the ground." Remember to start in the North, moving clockwise. It helps if you smack your fist onto the ground and say "As above so below, the circle is sealed," (think of it less like a circle of salt around you, and more of a bubble of protective energy all around you).

Stones. I have a quartz grin that encircles my entire home, but if you wish to work on a smaller scale you can always make a quartz grid around you by simply placing a point on each of the cardinal directions, and a fifth piece in the center of your space (or let it ride the plachette for protection and a boost of power to your readings) Selenite is a great protection stone, as is snowflake obsidian for banishing and keeping harmful entities from you. Smoky quartz is a wonderful stone for divination, specifically for the discovery of hidden mysteries. You can also simply wear stone jewelry for this purpose. 

Liquids. Holy water can be used to bless your tools against negative influence, aid in your circle casting, as well as simply anointing your body (hands and the third eye chakra are a must). You can also use sage oil, by rubbing a small amount into your wrists and the center of your forehead, or just rubbing it into the candles you plan to use for the circle. 

Symbols. One of the first things I often find myself drawing or carving into a circle this year are runes. Algiz has always been one of my favorites for Ouijia and any other circle casting where communicating is the sole purpose, as it works to support even as it shields you from danger. Teiwaz is known as the Warrior's Rune, and brings strength and courage as well as protection. If you are looking to boost your psychic abilities on this night, try Dagaz for awareness, Ehwaz for transportation and the spiritual journey, or Laguz for trust of your intuition and unconscious mind. 

Words. I grew up in one creepy as heck house, so whenever I felt nervous, I fell back on this old protection prayer. I've used this with others when doing Ouijia in groups, and its never failed to keep everyone safe. 

God and Goddess of the skies

Please respond to my cries

Lift me up in your strong arms

Away from those who seek to harm

Shield me from the awful rage

That shall face me day to day

Help me be strong in what I do

And help my heart to remain true

So mote it be

There you have it! Plenty of easy and effective ways to safely divine the shadows this Samhain. Don't panic, and don't be those people from the tele who Think It Will Go Away If You Ignore The Creepy Thing, be smart and stay safe. Remember- you have the power of the universe at your finger tips, just waiting for you to master it.

 

Eerie Enchantmants, the Beginning

A few weeks back my hands-bug bit me, in the form of jewelry. My hands-bug is this need I sometimes get to step away from the computer and the books and simply use my hands-on brain. All creativity, all physical work. No thoughts about books or articles whatsoever. And then I started sketching things out, big, crazy things. Shop idea things. And so I have begun my journey into what will in a few months time conclude with opening my own etsy shop, Eerie Enchantments.

Eerie Enchantments is going to be a long endeavor for me. When I get a project like this in my mind, a really big one (like the Sigil series) I can see in my head the potential for awesome, if I do it just so. I want the E.E. store to have a very signature style to it. I want sorceress style - seductive, mysterious, and powerful. Malachim script is going to be a big thing for the pieces. In fact I already have a sort of "signature store item" in my mind that I'm working out a few ways to accomplish, because it must be absolutely perfect or not at all. I want these to be beautiful, quality items that you'll cherish for years. I want to give people witchcraft you can wear. 

I'm taking this process slowly, one piece and skill at a time. I don't want to rush it, I want to do everything just right. I've started learning wire-wrapping and am happy to find it is not at all as hard as I thought it would be. I'm also doing research to begin learning how to knot and braid hemp. I hope to extend the shop to include accessories, like velvet hair wraps, and maybe even home goods as well.

Athena's Enlightenment, wire-wrapped fluorite. Soon to be with amethyst too!

Stone of Breath, A simple light jade ring

Hathor's Blessing, featuring raw aventurine

Hecate, the Night Queen; featuring raw smoky quartz

Protection of Poseidon, branch coral with lapis lazuli, smoky quartz, aventurine, and hematite.

Witchy Wednesday: Quartz Grid

Quartz is an extremely versatile stone. You can literally use it for every spell you can think of, its a great substitute, and can also be used to boost the properties of other stones. You can even place ir in gardens and potted plants to help plants grow. What I have been using my quartz bits as since I've moved out on my own is a crystal grid to protect my home.

I've noticed my aura has a tendency to attract things, and likewise negative bits and things can be found trying to make a home in any place with anyone no matter who you are or where you live. One way I try to combat this is with this quartz point grid. Simply place a piece of quartz on the corners of your property. I keep them in the windowsills closest to the four corners of my apartment. Keep your largest point in the center of your home, and try and refresh or cleanse it often. Even if its simply dusting it off, anointing it with a smidge of holy water, or simply noticing its presence and reminding yourself its there.

I have also found that selenite can be just as powerful as a protection stone, so you can use it instead of quartz if you prefer, or simply inter-mix the two. I keep a polished selenite point at the center of home as the focal point of my grid, and a large unpolished tower as a main piece of my altar. I highly recommend a quartz or selenite grid to anyone, especially if you begin to feel uncomfortable in your home. Do you find yourself running up the stairs or wanting the lights on in every room around you? Try a quartz grid, and call me in the morning.

Places to find them:

-Azuregreen

-Etsy

-your own backyard!