G is for Gold

Gold

Gold is Alaska's State Mineral.

It is the metal of the Sun and is therefore associated with the Sun Deities such as Apollo and Ra.
Gold still holds that place in the hierarchy of metals and their magickal properties. Not least because Gold is said to reflect and show the inner beauty of those that wear it.

Physically, Gold is said to stimulate both the skeletal and circulatory systems as well as being extensively used in matters relating to the skin.
Jewelry made from gold is said to bring pain relief, especially from arthritic or inflammation discomfort.

In magic, Gold is most known for its use in Wealth and Abundance magic. Even the color Gold is said to bring these energies into a spell. Gold also is associated with drawing in knowledge, represents power within, and is use in spells that effect authority figures.

F is for Found Objects

Tinker Bell and the Fairies call them Lost Things, the Correllian Tradition calls them Found Objects.

In Lesson 4 of the First Degree program at Witch School, Found Objects are explained:

"Found Objects are lucky in general and are always appropriate for your altar. They are symbolic messages from Spirit, and knowing their meanings is an ancient art. This can be an excellent way of receiving spirit messages, or omens, and you will lean more about it in Lesson XII. This doesn't mean just anything you find, of course, but rather things you happen across in unusual ways or in unusual places or that "speak to" you. Putting found items on the altar helps to strengthen your bond with the altar."

Here are some of the Found Objects I've collected over my years of practicing witchcraft:

These two beautiful butterflies I found in the same month. Both were dead upon finding them and both I nearly stepped on when walking around our old house. I was so amazed at how in-tact they were and have kept them in a jar on my altar to Deity ever since.

I found this Hag Stone on the beach last year. Hag stones or holey/holy stones are said to be gifts from the Fae and if you look through the hole, you can see through the veil between worlds.

There have been many other found things in my life not shown include crow feathers, bits of quartz imbedded in river rock, various beads and fake flowers, etc.

I hope this blog post gives you a new perspective - especially if your a parent whose child has a tendency to show you "junk" that they've found. It could be special to them, or a message from the Divine.

E is for Eostra Eggs

Hello my Pagan Blog Project readers!

Ostara, one of my favorite sabbats, is coming up soon so I wanted to dedicate this post to one of the most popular activities of this holiday - Egg dying and other Egg projects.

Why the Egg?

Eggs are a symbol of life.
For humans, we can't really see a child in the womb. We simply see the mother growing larger as she creates the child.
In an egg, however, birth looks like a miracle. The mother doesn't nourish the fetus like with mammals. One can only imagine what early man thought when comparing human and mammal birth to birds and reptiles as he watched a baby duck or snake hatch from an egg.

Eggs in Myth

In Greek Orthodox Christianity, a legend of Christis resurection involving Mary Magdalene explains the origins of the Easter Egg: Mary Magdalene went to the emperor of Rome, and told him of Jesus' resurrection. The emperor's response was along the lines of "If he has truly risen, then these eggs are red." Suddenly, the bowl of eggs turned red, and Mary Magdalene joyfully began her ministry of Christianity to the emperor. (Patti Wigington)

This story is interesting when considering older uses of Eostra Eggs.
In England and Northern Europe, eggs were often employed in folk magic when women wanted to be blessed with children. Spring is a time for fertility and its magic not only upon the land but among the people and animals that live in that land.

Egg Hunts

Some believe that Egg Hunts have a darker connection to the Witch Hunts in England in which children were paid in candy or coin to look for eggs in spring that were decorated and hidden and the owner of the property on which that egg was found was put on trial for witchcraft. (wickedbones)

I cam across a ton of amazing ideas for egg-dying this year.

Silk Tie Tye-Dye
This idea can be a little pricey unless you luck up and fin some silk ties or scarves at the thrift store. However, the outcome can't be beat - the designs on the these eggs are fabulous!

Leaf Dye-Eggs
I have no clue as to what this website says or even what language it is in...but the eggs are adorable!
This is also a great alternative to artificial dye and colors and a way to do Ostara/Easter organically.

Lavender and Lilac Eggs
While not a how-to dye eggs, this blog post (also in a language I cannot understand) gives me a great idea for Ostara decorating. I would love to create a lavender and lilac altar for the day. Beautiful!

Marbled Eggs 
A how-to marble eggs with shaving cream! Genius and this blog shows that even kids can get in on the fun!
I'm just thinking of all the color combinations that could go on with this - orange and yellow and red for the spring sun; pinks for the maiden; and of course, my favorite purples!

D is for Drunkenness

While you might be confused, I will explain that this blog post for the Pagan Blog Project could have easily been delayed to L is for Libation but I wanted to take it in another direction...

The third path of the Gardnerian 8-Fold Way is the path of Drugs, Wine, Incense.

Drunkenness is a part of this path in that many cultures use alcoholic libation as a part of rituals to celebrate, incite frenzy, relax, sedate, and subdue the participants and the deities and spirits they are working with.
Alcohol dates back to the beginnings of civilization. The Egyptians commonly drank a beer-like substance made from grain and honey. Christian monks are said to have perfected the art of fermentation in making ale, mead and beer as well.

Drunkenness in Rite

Many rituals even call for alcohol. When I received by attunement to Sekhmet Sekhem, the ritual called for an elixir made from my beer of choice blended with pomegranate pips to stain it red (thought I'm sure a red beer in itself would have worked just as well). The beer was necessary in order to satiate and sedate Sekhmet and her fury.
Alternatively, my Anubis Seichim attunement did not call for libation but if it had Laughing Dog beer has one in His name.

The traditional offering in a Wiccan rite is cakes and Wine, though many covens substitute the wine for grapejuice, there are many who hold to the tradition of using actual wine. The wine itself can vary on the type of ceremony. Red wine for Mother Goddess or for the Sun God and White for Lunar rituals. Also, there are some wines that lend themselves by brew or name. For harvest festivals like Lughnassadh or Mabon, consider a wine off this list of Autumnal wines. Sometimes even the name is helpful as in Menage a Troi for a trinity celebration or even a 3 person handfasting ritual.

While many covens may frown upon drinking before, during or even soon after a ceremony, ritual, spell, etc (especially those who have adolescents or AA members in their group) if you coven does welcome or tolerate this, be sure to tell them that you have been drinking if you are part of their ceremony - its always good to be courteous.

Ceremonial Potions or Libations from the Crone's book of Charms and Spells

Solar Libation
1 oz brandy, 2 oz sweet white port, 1 tsp honey

Lunar Libation
2 oz anise cordial, 1 oz vodka, 1 tsp white sugar syrup

Love or Passion Libation
1 oz cherry brandy, 1 oz peach brandy, 1 tsp honey, sprinkling of cumin powder

Libation for Renewed Vision or Intellect
1 oz mint cordial, 2 oz white gin, 1 tsp sugar syrup

Libation for Beauty of Mind and Body
1 oz apricot brandy, 2 oz sweet Madeira wine, 3 drops almond extract

Libation for Triumph over Death
1 oz blackberry brandy, 1 oz sweet red port, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Health Libation
1 oz apple brandy, 2 oz apple cider, 1 tsp honey

To fight drunkenness

Amethyst
It is said in gem lore that wearing or carrying amethyst will protect the bearer from excessive drunkenness. Because of this, it is the gem of those who belong to Alcoholics Anonymous and other rehabilitation groups.
The very word Amethyst means "Not Drunk"
There is a ancient myth about Bacchus turning a young maiden to stone, and in remorse, he poured wine on the statue, staining it purple and creating amethyst. Goblets of Amethyst were said to prevent the drinker from being overwhelmed by the drink’s spirit.
The stone brings calmness and clarity to a mind otherwise clouded with confusion or libation.

Ivy Wreathes

The ivy wreath, like the amethyst, was associated with Bacchus, and the ancient Romans thought that wearing this wreath could prevent intoxication.

C is for Conjure

week 5 for the Pagan Blog Project

C is for Conjure

Conjure by Jeremy Worst

HOODOO, CONJURE, and ROOTWORK: AFRICAN AMERICAN FOLK MAGIC

From Cat Yronwode of Lucky Mojo

Hoodoo is an American term, originating in the 19th century or earlier. One of its meanings refers to African-American folk magic. Here is how i define the word "hoodoo":

Hoodoo consists of a large body of African folkloric practices and beliefs with a considerable admixture of American Indian botanical knowledge and European folklore. Although most of its adherents are black, contrary to popular opinion, it has always been practiced by both whites and blacks in America. Other regionally popular names for hoodoo in the black community include "conjuration," "conjure," "witchcraft," "rootwork," and "tricking."
---

"Conjure -- sometimes spelled "cunjure" to express old-fashioned dialect pronunciation -- is another regional term for hoodoo. It derives from the English "conjurer," but what is described is neither invocatory magic nor prestidigitation, which is what the words imply in standard English. In the black community, a "conjurer," "conjure," "cunjure," or "cunjure doctor" is a hoodoo practitioner, and the work he does is "conjure," "cunjure," "conjure doctoring," "cunjure doctoring," "conjuration," or "cunjeration."

Generally speaking, "conjure" does not carry the negative or cursing connotation that "hoodoo" can -- and the old-fashioned figure of a "conjure man" or "conjure woman" is not quite as open to frightening associations as "hoodoo man" or "hoodoo woman."

(More information about Cat Yronwode and Hoodoo, see my post Lucky Mojo)



Conjure Craft: Hoodoo, Rootwork, and Conjuring for the 21st Century
BY STEPHANIE ROSE BIRD
To understand the concept of Conjur Craft, let us explore the African roots of Hoodoo. Until very recently, the relationship between Hoodoo and European folklore, mysticism, and magic, as well as its similarities to Native American spirituality, have been a primary scholarly focus...
As I examined the non-English words used in Hoodoo treasure troves like the collection of slim volumes by Anna Riva, I found valuable clues that led not only to West Africa but all the way back to Ancient Egypt. The words in spells, oils, powders, and incantations include Egyptian deities (Sun Ra, Isis, Osiris, and Hathor). Sacred Egyptian herbs or herbal blends like Kyphi, Khus Khus (lemongrass), frankincense, and myrrh are ingredients often required for Hoodoo...

From ConjureMan Ali

What is Hoodoo-Conjure-Rootwork?
Conjure/Hoodoo is a form of folk magick and spiritual practice that comes from African American culture. This form of spiritual practice revolves around the natural power of the earth and its spirits and like America itself draws its influence from a wide-range of cultures.

We find in conjure a mix of spiritual practices that are drawn from Germanic and European folk magic, from Near Eastern culture, and from Native American herb lore and beliefs. Along with the core strand of African magical practices and the Protestant religious base, these all melded together into the various traditions of conjure as we know them today.
It is important to note that conjure and hoodoo is not a single megolithic entity, but rather it is more accurate to view it as a spiritual paradigm with various traditional streams that stem from different family traditions and regional practices.


2 Streams of Conjure: 
Conjure is transmitted in two forms of streams. One revolves around the practices and wisdom passed down by families and the other revolves around a form of formal education.

What does it mean to work a conjure or practice hoodoo?

The practices of conjure and hoodoo revolve around the natural power of the world around combined with the drawing of power from the spiritual-realms in order to effect change in persons, circumstances, and fate. This means that the conjure doctor relies on the innate spiritual power of natural elements like herbs, roots, minerals, and similar curios along with his or her power to call upon the assistance of otherworldly spirits like the dead in order to bring power to any situation and sway the flow of things into a manner of his or her liking.
These practices are seen in the use of magical products like incenses, powders, oils, teas, and other such mixtures combined with ritual actions like baths, candle magic, creation of talismanic objects, altar work and such. What results is an elegantly straight forward set of practices that is immensely potent. By combining the power of spirit with the power of nature the conjure doctor is able to move mountains.

If you'd like some Hoodoo Materials for your own Conjure-work...
Check out Conjure Cardea
Moma Sarah carries everything from raccoon penis bones to Egyptian Kyphi from a recipe perfected over time. I've messaged Moma Sarah a couple of times and she's a super sweet person so I don't mind making a plug for her.

B is for Babalon - Pagan Blog Project Intro

Hello readers,

I'm a little late in the game but I wanted to start working with the Pagan Blog Project.

What is The Pagan Blog Project? (The Short Answer)

This project is a way to spend a full year dedicating time each week very specifically to studying, reflecting, and sharing your spiritual and magickal path. The project consists of a single blog post each week posted on your blog each Friday for the year of 2012 that will involve a topic that relates to Paganism, Witchcraft, magick, spirituality, and so on. You can use your posts to share your views on a topic, to talk about your own personal experiences, or to act as a catalyst to research a subject that you may not know much about and then share what you learn and how you feel about that. Each week there is a specific prompt for you to work with in writing your post, a prompt that will focus on a letter of the alphabet each week providing you a framework for your writing as well as a common thread for all participants to share in.

Great, I love it! How do I sign up?

1. Click on the 2013 Pagan Bloggers tab to list your blog for the Project.  Follow the simple instructions in the link generator to add yourself to the Project.
2. Join the Forums.  Introduce yourself and your blog to everyone in the group.
3. Grab one of the buttons or banners and post it to your blog!
4. Right click and select “Save As” to save the picture to your computer. Then upload it to your own website or blog and link it back to this page (http://www.paganblogproject.com).
5. Tag your posts! When you post your weekly post as part of the Pagan Blog Project, be sure to tag it as “Pagan Blog Project”. If you share your posts on Twitter be sure to use the hashtag #PaganBlogProject.

(the above was taken from the Pagan Blog Project site and not my own writing)

So, since I'm late in the game, I'm on Week 4 and letter B

B is for Babalon

Their eyes on my body become 

hands on my flesh. 

Grabbing, panting, 

hungry for more than simple release. 

Their body speaks to my body 

desperate longing 

starvation 

alienation 

shame, fear, hate. 

My body speaks back, 

fulfillment, abundance 

connection 

acceptance 

lovelustdesirefire 

Yes yes honey, you are sick and twisted and broken and wrong 

  and oh boy do you make me hot 

Come, share some of that pain with me. 

Come on. 

Come in. 

Come for me. 

And they do.

~ a segment from 'Whore' A poem for Babylon, by Raven's Boy

Wikipedia explains Babalon (not to be confused with Babylon, the city):

Babalon (also known as The Scarlet Woman, The Great Mother or The Mother of Abominations) is a goddess found in the mystical system of Thelema, which was established in 1904 with English author and occultist Aleister Crowley's writing of The Book of the Law. In her most abstract form, she represents the female sexual impulse and the liberated woman; although she can also be identified with Mother Earth, in her most fertile sense. At the same time, Crowley believed that Babalon had an earthly aspect in the form of a spiritual office, which could be filled by actual women—usually as a counterpart to his own identification as "To Mega Therion" (The Great Beast)—whose duty was then to help manifest the energies of the current Aeon of Horus.

Her consort is Chaos, the "Father of Life" and the male form of the Creative Principle. Babalon is often described as being girt with a sword and riding the Beast. She is often referred to as a sacred whore, and her primary symbol is the Chalice or Graal.

As Crowley wrote in his The Book of Thoth, "she rides astride the Beast; in her left hand she holds the reins, representing the passion which unites them. In her right she holds aloft the cup, the Holy Grail aflame with love and death. In this cup are mingled the elements of the sacrament of the Aeon".

The following correspondences are from Thelemepedia, which connect Babalon with Binah:

Qabalistic Attributions

Key Scale: 3

Name: Binah (Understanding)

Astrology: Saturn

Godforms

Thelemic: Babalon 

Egyptian (selection): Maut, Isis, Nephthys

Egyptian (practical): Nephthys

Hindu: Bhavani (all forms of Sakti), Prana (as Force), Yoni 

Scandinavian: Frigga

Greek: Cybele, Demeter, Rhea, Heré, [Psyché, Kronos]

Roman: Juno, Cybele, Hecate

Christian: The Virgin Mary

Colors

King Scale: Crimson 

Queen Scale: Black 

Emperor Scale: Dark brown 

Empress Scale: Grey flecked pink

Material Correspondences

Animals: Woman [Bee]

Plant: Cypress, Opium Poppy [Lotus, Lily, Ivy]

Precious Stone: Star Sapphire, Pearl

Perfume: Myrrh, Civet

Vegetable Drug: Belladonna, Soma

Mineral Drug: Silver

Alchemical Metal: Iron 

Magick & Mysticism

Element: Root of Water

Magical Weapons: Yoni, the Outer Robe of Concealment [The Cup, the Shining Star] (#)

Chakra: Visuddhi (Larynx)

Forty Buddhist Meditations: Compassion

Magical Power: The Vision of Sorrow [Vision of Wonder]

System of Taoism: Kwan-se-on, The Yin and Khwan

An amazing article about Babalon and the Thelemic - Pagan connection was written by Ankh af na Khonsu:

Babalon, Scarlet Women and the White Goddess

I had used Babalon’s symbol of the seven pointed star of even points inscribed with name באבאלענ as a portal to her astral plane and the passage quoted above was only a small portion of my communication with her. The vision made certain prognostications about my progress on the magickal path that later came to fruition and it was for these results that I had primarily recalled this particular operation, until the conversation mentioned above.

The feminine principal that is revered in both Thelema and by witches is the cycle of the feminine lifespan from the virginal Artemis, through the potently fertile Mother Goddesses and finally the crones that mark the approach of the dark moon and the potential for rebirth. This cycle is also replicated in the four feminine forms that are represented in the Thelemite feminine spiritual hierarchy as Nu is purely feminine and precedes the appearance of the male principal of Hadit which is the first emanation from the Ain Soph Aur.

Miscellaneous

Babalon Rising Festival 2013 - speakers this year include Donald M. Kraig, David Campbell, Frater Usul, Mgdlyn M.