The Month of Shvat

I was recently gifted a book called Kabbalistic Astrology And The Meaning Of Our Lives by Rav Berg. 

Kabbalah (also spelled Kabalah, Cabala, Qabala)—sometimes translated as “mysticism” or “occult knowledge—is a part of Jewish tradition that deals with the essence of God. This book was a gift from a beautiful Jewish witch that I have had the pleasure of knowing for a few years.

According to the book, today is the first day of the Jewish month of Shvat (Aquarius). The month of Shvat is the 11^th month of the lunar calendar and is ruled by Saturn. This study of the zodiac explains the month’s influence on all of us.

“Shvat arouses an abundance of Light, and for that reason, The Zohar reveals that the final redemption will take place in the age and month of Aquarius. Let go of Light in return. Hanging onto our ego, opinions, bad habits, and other self-indulgencies will cause us to miss the myriad of opportunities for spiritual connections that occur in this Light filled month.”

This book has been a great help to me so far. While my relationship with this gift giver has happily ended (on good terms and knowing that it would), I will think of her again whenever I consult this book. I hope she goes forth and does amazing things.

Let the sun shine in….

So mote it be.

Cold and Dark

It is cold but beautiful for this, the first New Moon of the year. As we head into the month of Capricorn, we took the time here to clean out the old and de-clutter our spaces. Next, we used chocolate as our driving force for healing and love. 

Chocolate is one of my favorite healing spells. We all know that it will help you after a Dementor attack, but did you know it has many other crafting properties? 

Magickal Properties of Chocolate

Latin Name: Theobroma cacao

Gender: Feminine

Elements:

• White Chocolate: Water
• Milk Chocolate: Water, Earth
• Dark Chocolate: Earth, Fire
• Cacao Nibs: Fire

Planets:

• White Chocolate: Venus
• Milk Chocolate: Venus, Earth
• Dark Chocolate: Earth, Moon
• Cacao Nibs: Earth, Sun, Uranus

Signs:

• White Chocolate: Pisces, Aquarius
• Milk Chocolate: Cancer, Libra
• Dark Chocolate: Scorpio, Virgo, Aries
• Cacao Nibs: Scorpio, Virgo

Chakras:

• White Chocolate: Heart
• Milk Chocolate: Heart
• Dark Chocolate: Heart, Sacral
• Cacao Nibs: Sacral, Root

Magickal Properties:

• White Chocolate: Friendship, Self-love, Fun
• Milk Chocolate: Friendship, Self-love, Nurturing, Love, Balance, Fun, Raises emotional energy
• Dark Chocolate: Love, Romance, Grounding, Prosperity
• Cacao Nibs: Grounding, Prosperity, Ancestors

Medicinal Properties:

For medicinal purposes, the higher the cacao, the more beneficial it will be to your health. Unsweetened cocoa and cacao nibs are the best for increasing health.

• Antioxidant
• Hormonal + neurological happiness
• Increases memory
• Longevity
• Lowers cholesterol levels
• Reduces risk of stroke
• Strengthens immune system

The Ancient Mayans and Aztecs used Chocolate for Spiritual and Ceremonial purposes.  They invented hot cocoa to increase warriors’ power and virility. It was a sacred food to various other ancient peoples as well.

Chocolate is an aphrodisiac associated with love. Dark chocolate is associated with romance and intimacy. Milk chocolate is associated with nurturing and friendship. A staple for kitchen witches.

Chocolate is a gentle, powerful feminine force. It is the force for the new world. By surrendering to the essence and energy of chocolate, you can step into the higher dimensions.

I made chocolate fudge. You can find the recipe here.

We had Hot Cocoa and brownies. I feel healed. Happy New Moon!

So mote it be.

New Year

 

2022.

Yes.

We are here. I don't make resolutions. Everyday of every week of every month of every year, I strive to be the best me I can be. No changes in that plan with 2022. 

Say it with me...

I will be my best self. 

Every single day.

But if you insist on a little witchcraft, here is a great mantra from Sage Goddess, a great place for crystals. Check them out here.

So mote it be.

On a side note, my friend Nikki is asking for good energy directed toward her family in Wisconsin. Please think of them at this time. 

Tiny Toon Adventure

Beltane is upon us and here we are… quarantined.

Sadly, we have decided to forgo the Maypole this year. We just felt like it would be too sad to see it with just the few ribbons of those who live here, rather than full of the beautiful ribbons of past years. Next year we can throw a huge party and really put that pole in the hole. Deep. And wrap it tight. (And giggle like idiots.)

This year, in compliance with my stay at home orders, we are celebrating quietly at home. As an essential worker, I am still required to work during the day, but we are able to celebrate in the evening.

Check out… Greenhaven: A Pagan Tradition

This website has many great Beltane rituals. I found the cute Looney Toons related ritual to do with my kids. You could adapt them for you. We adapted the Looney Toons for our kids and added some Disney. If you do have little witchlings, I also highly recommend Pooka Pages. It is a publication for Pagan children. Included in the publication is a great recipe for short cake that we are making this week.

We are doing a bit of baking this holiday. More than usual. Banana Bread was made last night. (Phallic shaped fruits!!) (Zucchini bread would be good too.) We made honey custard and strawberries. Lemon Ricotta cheesecake to up too. Roast with garlic and rosemary. New potatoes. Asparagus. I am also making soap. It seemed appropriate.

Life could be worse. It is for many. We know this.

May the fertility of newfound growth fill your lives with opportunity to laugh, love and grow.

So mote it be.

A Lion's Roar

Another full moon is upon us and am I leading some fabulous ritual?

Nope.

At work once again. Then again, I will be gone on a fabulous adventure. This time to take my son on a trip that was his Christmas present.

Since I am not leading any rituals, I did not write one for the occasion, although you could look back at some of my previous work for this particular full moon.

Since I haven’t written one for this full moon, also called the Quickening Moon, I leave you with this. Taken from the Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2020 (page 23).

Full Moon In Leo

The Full Moon in Leo is connected to the archetypes of the Queen, the King and the Divine Child. It is a time to embrace our personal sovereignty and to stand fully in our power. Sovereignty is about showing up with authenticity. Having agency over our bodies, sexuality, and life choices. Taking back power that has been given away or stolen. Saying no to the need for approval or for permission to be yourself. The Welsh Sovereignty goddess Rhiannon teaches us to speak from our heart and to walk with dignity and generosity of spirit no matter what challenges life brings. The Leo Full Moon also underlines the themes of creative self-expression as well as owning and celebrating our unique ways of being in the world. This Full Moon is a time to allow your creativity free reign and to bring a dream or idea to fruition. It is a time to celebrate, to cultivate confidence, and make space for pleasure.

Rhiannon, show me how to hold my head high and know that I am the sovereign queen of my own life.

Guiding Goddesses: Rhiannon, Macha, Maeve

-Danielle Blackwood

Clearing Out The Baggage

The first full moon of the year, called the Cold Moon or the Wolf Moon. And where am I? Well, rather than leading a beautiful full moon services, I am at work. Also this weekend, I am taking my family on a little trip for my son in law’s Christmas present.

Since I am not leading any rituals, I did not write one for the occasion, although you could look back at some of my previous work for this particular full moon.

So I don’t leave you hanging, here is a short spell for the full moon I found in Daily Spellbook For The Good Witch by Patti Wigington.

You will need:

A Black Candle

A Pen and Paper

A Fireproof Bowl

This spell is to be performed on the night of January’s Full Moon or one of the three nights following.

Light the black candle. Think about all the baggage that has held you back, caused you problems, or made you feel unworthy. Write down these things, and then light the paper in the candle’s flame. Place it in the fireproof bowl to burn and say:

Today I say farewell to the things that have prevented me from becoming the person I wish to be. I send you away, far from me, and far from my life. You no longer have any influence upon me. You are my past, and the past is gone. I banish you, I banish you, I banish you.

Once the paper has burned away to ashes, extinguish the flame. The next morning bury the ashes some place far away from your home.

Better Than Atkins

My friend Melissa wrote this spell. She is very talented.

She said I could share it and so I am. I plan on giving it a try myself.

Weight Loss Spell
By Melissa L.

Supplies:
Green Candle
Olive Oil
Red Apple
Incense- Holly, Heather, Primrose, Pine, or Angelica

Timing:
Sunday, as close to the new moon as possible, but in the waning.

Cleanse and consecrate your space. Set the apple in the middle of your alter. Light your incense.

Anoint your green candle with the olive oil. As you light it, say

Fifty pounds less I want to weigh.
From this goal don’t let me sway.
Please keep my hunger pangs at bay
And lusty cravings well away.
Please take and harden my resolve
So I can make this fat dissolve.
Healthy and strong I want to be,
To live the life best meant for me.
Please show me signs of my success,
I want to wear a size six dress!

You can change the amount in the first line and the size in the last line to suit your needs.

Recite this 3 times. Then eat the apple.

Snuff the candle.

Put the core outside for the fairies or birds.

Re-light the candle each night and repeat the chant 3 times each time until the candle is gone.