Others choose to create this circle in the physical sense as well. Either by drawing a circle on the floor in a permanent means, or by using a nine-foot cord made from natural fibers that can be easily placed and removed as needed. Sand, salt or herbs can also be used to draw the circle. The important aspect of circles is that it is your space. And you must feel comfortable and secure while you’re within it’s boundaries.
Place flowers in container and cover with alcohol and water. Stir. Place in sunny window and allow to steep for up to two weeks. The alcohol will serve as a preservative. Strain through unbleached coffee filters and keep refrigerated up to 2 weeks.
Floral waters can be used in virtually anything imaginable. It can be used in the mundane as a refresherner for your bed linen, to washing yourself during a ritual where you might want an illness to leave you. It can be added to additional floral waters to create protection, healing, or holy waters, which I use all three in my HooDoo practice.
Technically this type of water is refered to as a
hydrosol, hydrolate or hydrolat. In bygone ages all hydrosols were refered to as ‘flower waters’ or
‘floral waters’, and the types of waters were restricted to where you lived, the available flowers in your area, the most common floral waters were, lavender, rose and orange flower.
Until the Middle Ages the art of hydrosol was employed
specifically for the purpose of producing these precious aromatic
waters, and very little attention was paid to the precious
essential oil that was being produced along with them. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans are all known to
have made great use of hydrosols for healing and for the purpose of cleansings.
Rose and orange ‘floral waters’ which have no alcohol added, and are food grade usable are used in cake icing,
cooking or salads. The recipes I put on my blog are not food grade usable.
A true hydrosol has no alcohol added, it is sun distilled with some essential oil from the plant floating on the top, this means with a true hydrosol you must shake the mixture to incorporate the naturally incurring essential oil into the waters. With a true hydrosol you can only use the mixture for a few weeks and then mold will set in, but in the meantime here are some great uses for a water only hydrosol. Hope this helps you.
During the summer hydrosols are perfect to use as a cooling body
mist, and the most cooling of all is Peppermint. Make sure you take
some with you to use on holidays, on the beach and even to cool those
aching tootsies when you are out shopping! Hydrosols help to revitalise
you when your energies are beginning to flag, and a few sprays onto a
tissue makes a handy wet-wipe for all sorts of applications including
babies and grubby children.
To calm a restless baby try
adding a few tablespoons of Lavender or Chamomile hydrosol into their
bathwater. This can be especially beneficial if your baby is suffering
from diaper rash or eczema, because the soothing properties of these
hydrosols help calm the irritation and speed up the healing process.
Hydrosols are quite safe to use on young children, and since they only
contain a small amount of essential oil they do not need diluting much
further except as above when using with very young babies.
Hydrosols
such as Rose or Neroli can be added to the final rinse water in your
washing cycle as well as used as a fragrant linen spray whilst ironing
since they smell much nicer than their synthetic counterparts. Around
the house, hydrosols are great to freshen the air instead of using
aerosols which of course are harmful to the environment.
Spell Boxes
The night of the new or full moon is a good time to cleanse and
empower your spell box. Cast a circle and cleanse your box with
salt, incense, water and fire. With the lid open, hold the box to
the north and call the powers of the earth to empower the box as a tool of magick. Do the same facing east, south and west. Return to [b]The box is now ready for use in spells.
Love Spell Box
Line your box with pink cloth, place 2 rose quartz stones in
it (remember to empower everything you put in the box, stating
your intention) Choose 3,7, or 9 herbs from the following list,empower them and place them in the box:
A handful each of pink and red rose petals1 Tablespoon each of the following:catnipyarrowmintcoltsfoottansyorris rootlavenderbasilstrawberry leavesapple leavesjasminelovagerosemaryvioletbergamotlemon balm Or come up with herbs of your choice, that you feel represent loveto YOU … The important thing, is adding your twist to this …
Cut a heart shape out of pink paper and write down the qualities
you seek in a new lover, dab a little love oil on the paper and place it in the box, when you’ve filled the box with the love symbols of your choice, close the lid. Place the box on your altar, which has also been prepared for a love spell. Let it set undisturbed at least
12 hours. This spell would be begun on the 1st Friday after a new moon.Everyday or night until the full moon, light a pink candle in front of the opened box and burn for 9 minutes while you focus on your desire.The box should remain closed any other time. If your pink candle burns
away, replace it. When the spell is completed you can bury the contents
of the box on your property. You might want to tie the herbs and stones
in the pink cloth, tie with a green or pink ribbon and keep as a sachet.It is done.
The love spell box can be used to end a love affair as
well, different herbs would be used, different color correspondences, etc….
Use your imagination if you need a place to live empower your
spell box to help you find the perfect place. Go to a craft store and
buy a miniature house or use one from a monopoly game. Cut a piece of
paper in the shape of a house and write your requirements on it, if you
want to live in a certain area go there and collect a little dirt maybe
a few pebbles. Make the spell personal; make it yours….
Spell Construction
Creating Your Own Spell
A spell is nothing more than a verbal ___expression of
your desires, wishes and prayers. Just as with many
prayers, or songs, a spell can be both literary and
poetic, or simple and to the point. The trick to
casting a good spell, is finding the right way to say
it and do it for yourself, not based on what someone
else says you should do. In other words, if it doesn’t
feel right, don’t do it.
The best spells are the ones you create yourself.
Don’t stop reading here just because you don’t think
you have the talent or creativity to create a good
spell. You do! Trust me. You just need to follow a few
basic steps and you’ll be able to perform some of the
most beautiful rituals you can imagine.
The Power Of A Spell
A spell or prayer find it’s energy from you. You bring
it to life and put it forth on the breath of the
universal wind. Once it comes to life, the energy of
your words can grow, evolve and manifest into reality.
But first you must find the words that have meaning to
you. After all you will be the one casting these words
and desires upon the wind, if you don’t believe in
what they say, how are they going to have the will to
come to life?
The power of a spell is like the power of a prayer. It
finds it’s life within your personal intent, your
desire, you need to bring the event into
manifestation. Ultimately, a spell finds life through
your belief.
Constructing A Spell
There are only 12 simple steps to creating a good
spell. Get out your Book of Shadows and favorite pen,
then begin your construction.
Before you even thing of setting up your ritual space,
or gathering your tools, you must think about the
design of your ritual and the underlying intent or
purpose of the spell.
The first section of your spell is a statement of
intent. Clearly define what you wish to accomplish
with this spell.
Write out the words you want to recite during the
rite, so you don’t stumble over your words. Create a
simple 4 line verse which explains your desire and
intent. The verse can rhyme if you like, but it
doesn’t have to.
The second verse casts the energy of your intent out
to universe for creation.
The last verse defines the reason for the casting. Be
it healing, spiritual knowledge, or to share your
love.
Here’s an example of a love spell:
I set forth my heart and wish,
for a loving honey of a dish.
I send out my desire for love,
upon the divine wings of a dove.
To share my spiritual need and life,
with a precious woman who will be my wife. (if you’re
a guy)
with honor and respect to be his wife. (if you’re a
girl).
Here’s an example of an employment spell from Patricia
Telesco:
My goal is sure,
my need is strong,
help me find where I belong.
To meet my needs,
employment I seek,
bring me success by the end of the week.
If you want to invoke a particular alchemical element,
decide which one will best represent and compliment
the energy you wish to create. If you need help with
the elements, read the Alchemy Of Life posting. Once
you’ve decided which element to utilize, select an
object or tool that will best represent that energy in
your ritual.
Decide how you will visualize your desire as you
recite your spell. My favorite scientist, Albert
Einstein, once said "Thought is energy. To create
energy, use your imagination". This is the principal
behind visualization. Saying the words to your spell
at the same time visualizing their creation will add
energy to your ritual. Don’t skimp on your
visualization! You might consider doing this part of
your ritual within the frame work of a mini-meditation
so that you can fully enjoy your visualization
journey.
List out all the items and tools you want to use
during your ritual. Candles, stones, matches, music,
tape player or recorder, your Book Of Shadows, a pen,
and so on. Make a check list so you don’t forget
anything when you’re inside your circle.
If you wish to invoke a deity, decide which one. Chose
some symbolic object to represent that deity within
the ritual. Write out the words for a prayer or
blessing to honor the deity you’ve chosen.
If you practice the Celtic method of honoring by food,
decide what type of food to prepare, how to prepare it
and how you will incorporate it within your ritual.
Decide where you will conduct your ritual. Where will
depend largely upon your physical resources and
environment. Make sure the ritual space is clean, and
uncluttered. Make sure the place you choose will
provide you with at least 30-60 minutes of privacy.
And make sure the ritual space is an area where you
feel completely comfortable and at ease in.
The last preparation is to decide the time for your
ritual. Timing involves a few considerations. If you
are invoking a specific deity, you might determine
which time of the day, night, week or even month is
best suited for that particular deity. You might even
decide to conduct your ritual in conjunction with a
particular phase of the moon or location of the sun.
