amulets

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Spell a Day – Feb 1st 2016

Well, Time flies when you are having fun doesn’t it Gentle Readers? We enter a new month today and 1/12th of 2016 is gone. February is our shortest month but is jam packed with interesting and exciting events. We have the Sabbat Imbolc, which I will get to tomorrow.

For today however, we will focus on a Winter protection amulet brought to us by Charlie Rainbow Wolf. For this we need to make a satchet using salt, juniper, garlic and sage. Tie these together and give them a chant seeking protection under the dark of the moon for maximum effect. It may not ward off much of the cold, but hopefully it will keep away harm.

I thought I would take a moment to investigate the four items thought best to use in this amulet. So I did a quick google search on each ingredients traditional properties.

Salt – is a very basic ingredient for purification and blessing. I am sure we all have heard the superstition about tossing salt over our left shoulder to ward of malevolent spirits. if you watch the TV show Supernatural, you know how integral it is against all sorts of monsters the Winchester boys hunt.

Juniper – (and its berries) are also sought after for their protective capabilities. Either as a berry, juiced, dried and powdered, or turned into an incense.

Garlic – A powerful herb with a history of use dating back well over 5000 years. It along with onions are said to have sprouted from Satan’s footsteps as he departed the Garden of Eden. Any self respecting vampire also knows to steer clear of this herb as well. It is known to protect and empower any spell it is used in, making it an ideal addition today.

Sage – An herb I am quite familiar with in respect to its purification and protection usage. I made some candles with dried and powdered sage in order to ward off any negativity during ritual or spell work. It is also great as a smudge, where the smoke will help push out negative spirits from a space, be that your altar space, or your home in general.

So, gather your ingredients and get that amulet combined Gentle Readers. Here is to a great start to the second month of 2016.

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Spell a Day – Jan 11th 2016

Today’s focus would be on using a locket or some piece of jewelry for magickal work. For the uninitiated, using the ‘k’ in magickal is to differentiate this type of spellwork from illusionists or tricks done for entertainment. I just think it looks better. More mysterious. Like saying Theatre instead of Theater. That swap of the letters trips up the eye and makes the reader stop, thinking, ‘Hmm, this is important or special.’

I never did much work with talismans of this sort. I have never made a hex bag, but I do thank the Winchesters for showing me how many times.
HexbagSupernatural

Some people find them very useful in their spellwork. I was always more of a gemstone/crystal person myself. Something about the feel of stone always made me feeler closer to Mother Earth.

In the second book in my Family Traditions series, I explore the use of a talisman in the form of a family heirloom passed down to the main character from his uncle. I am hoping to have this volume edited and out in the fall. A talisman for magickal work can be just about anything as long as it has meaning to the wearer. Many people of Christian faith wear crosses or crucifixes as a show of faith. These pieces of jewelry are ‘technically’ talismans of a magickal nature because of the belief that God will intercede on the bearer’s behalf. I am not trying to start a religious debate, but I do find it ironic that the Bible several times condemns the pagan use of these amulets or talismans, however you find quite a few of the same items in Christian denominations: rosary beads, Star of David as a necklace, medals and scapulars devoted to Saints or Angels. The idea of special ‘powers’ held by objects is also evident in the use of holy water. I have always thought that religions are not that far different as they like others to believe. It’s just always a “my way is better” attitude that spoils rational and thoughtful debate.  This is probably the biggest part of my break with most organized religion. I don’t need another person who feels they are more righteous with their God to tell me how to live my life. I can pretty much figure that out myself.

I used to wear a necklace with a dragon curled around a pentacle as a symbol of my belief in magick. My favorite was a pentacle with a crescent moon stuck through it with a piece of onyx in the middle. Onyx is supposed to help with warding off negative or harmful attacks. It is also supposed to help with healing and grounding oneself. I am very fond of that necklace. While I don’t often wear it openly, I still have it, tucked away with my runestones and tarot cards and other implements of magick and pagan worship. Always close at hand if I should need them.

What kind of talismans or amulets do you have or use in your life? I am curious to hear about any unique family heirlooms one might keep. Perhaps a locket or something that has been passed down for generations? Let me know gentle readers. Until next time.