The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Sang vampires, or to be more accurate sanguinarians, are those that need blood to survive. They don't just crave it or want it they have a physical need to consume blood and if they ignore or try to bury the urge they get ill, seriously ill.



As with Psi vampires there is not set "look" for a sang vampire, again your next door neighbour could be one and you wouldn't know. They don't usually have large fang teeth, although it must be said that many of them are rather pale and do have fairly prominent canines but no more so than the natural deviations found throughout humanity. Neither are they night-dwellers although they tend to be more photo-sensitive than their Psi counterparts.



When it comes to feeding they can exist just as happily off animal blood as human, although many find this quite unpalatable. Whilst many have willing donors some exist solely off "butchers blood" which they reheat. The need to feed varies from person to person but it usually in quantities and of a frequency that would make a non-sanguinarian feel sick to the pit of their stomach. Blood is a very rich food which can and does make people feel quite sick if they have more than a small amount at any one time, for a sanguinarian the consumption is often in the pints per week - hence the need to take from more than just living, human sources.



Blood is not a sexual thing to the sanguinarian although the feeding may be incorporated into a sexual liason with their chosen donor, often this is just to relax the donor sufficiently to make the actual act of blood letting less painful for them. This seperates them from the simple blood fetishist who does it merely for the sexual kick or for the texture or taste of the fluid, although they will often class themselves as a vampire they aren't a true sanguinarian - they could stop consuming blood with only an addicts withdrawal symptoms (purely psychosomatic it must be said) whereas a sanguinarian puts their entire life in danger by not feeding.

What is psychic vampirism?

Basically, draining and/or absorbing energy or vitality from people, often, although not always against their will or at least without their knowledge. Technically, what I'm describing here should more correctly be referred to as "magickal vampirism" at least in order to avoid confusion.



What is a psychic vampire?

In the words of Anton LaVey, "psychic vampires are individuals who drain others of vital energy".

Psychic vampires can loosely be divided into two groups; concious psychic vampires and unconcious psychic vampires.

Unconcious psychic vampires are, according to some, fairly common. A typical variety of unconcious psychic vampire (and they are often unaware of their vampiric actions) have been described as individuals who typically make others feel obliged to them for no reason other than possibly guilt, who leave one feeling emotionally drained almost by their very presence, and who, while specifically making no demands upon you, will having running about at their beck and call without offering anything in return.

Other unconcious psychic vampires, who are possibly more accurately termed than the above, are those who, unknown to themselves, instincivly drain energy from those around them. The symptom of emotional (and sometimes physical) exhaustion after being in their presence for a while is typical.

Unconcious psychic vampires often, instead of making use of the energy they take, disperse it uselessly into their surrounding environment.



Concious psychic vampires are those who deliberate take energy from others, either by magickal means (for example, servitors), or by some instinctive ability, via the astral plane, or by direct energy draining, often from the victim's aura. This energy draining is the area I will cover in greatest detail in this essay.

Another entity occasionally termed a psychic vampire is an incorporeal being which, while distinct from related entities such as succubi, draws energy in a similar way to their human counterparts. These frequently seem to be rogue thought-forms created from the subconcious of a disturbed individual (who may be able to communicate with them).



What precisely is this energy you're talking about?

The way I experience what I take and manipulate seems to be almost electrical.

All animals give off electricity, and some, such as sharks, their relatives the rays, some reptiles, and others take advantage of this in their methods of feeding and mating.

I'm pretty sure that's what I see and feel (and it is tangible - a lot of people can learn to feel it with only a couple of minutes of experimentation) around people (and animals), and that is what I seem to take.

I'm not sure how this electricity (which I'm assuming it to be for the sake of the argument) is converted to a form which would benefit me (perhaps it's existing form is beneficial?). Interestingly, it seems to change depending on the emotional state of the victim.

It's possible that what I'm taking isn't this at all, but that this is only a medium for something else.



What results does psychic vampirism achieve?

It increases magickal power and sensitivity, makes one feel more energetic, and adds to vitality. Some are of the opinion that it offers immortality. Used over a prolonged period of time, it can kill it's victim.



How is psychic vampirism performed?

Psychic vampirism is largely performed through visualisation and a great deal of practice. One way to do it is to target a person and just visualise energy inside and around them. This is basically training your self to see auras, energy fields and the like. People who can already see and manipulate auras will have a distinct advantage here, but seeing the things seems to be more a matter or practice than anything else. It's easier to see energy fields than coloured auras, and, oddly enough, it's easier to feel the charge of one than anything else.

Upon visualising (or seeing) the energy of your victim, try to pull the it out of them. Feel it coming from them and gathering inside yourself. See stream from their body/aura into your own. Feel the build up of energy revitalizing you, making you vibrate with what feels like an electric charge, and draw it all into yourself, feeling it invigorating you. That's more or less it. Additional refinements are made by each individual within their own practice, so don't hesitate to experiment.

Some find it easier if they touch a person, bite them, drink their blood, or whatever. It takes some people a lot of practice, while others master it instantly - it's a matter of developing a knack for it.



Potential difficulties

It's worth noting that you have to be careful not to absorb all the negative psychic crap people tend to give off. I've made the mistake a couple of times of just opening myself to all the energy in an area crowded with people who are likely as not under stress, and have suffered results from nausea, headaches and disorientation, to extreme emotional states such as panic or lonelyness.

Some people get round this by only feeding when the victim is in a suitable emotional state, only feeding from specific types of people, only feeding from one person at a time in a secluded place, by setting up servitors or shields to filter out undesirable energy, or by doing this manually.

I've found that extreme negative reactions only become uncontrollable if the vampire is exhausted, emotionally or physically.



Does it become addictive to the vampire?

It has been known to in some cases, particularly in those of unconcious psychic vampirism. In terms of intentional vampirism for magickal purposes, blood addiction is more usual, although that can be replaced by psychic vampirism under certain circumstances. In the case of psychic vampirism becoming addictive, it does not usually pose a problem, as sources pf energy are readily available to most.

An interesting note on the subject of addiction is that in a relationship between individuals who practice magickal vampirism, and the exchange between the people involved on occasion has been known to replace any additional craving craving almost entirely in many cases.

However, in relationships of this sort, separation even for a few days can be painful and draining for everyone involved, as this practice creates an intense magickal link. For this reason it is advisable to be very careful who you form this bond with.



Can it become addictive for the victim?

I'm working on it. It's very easy to get someone to come back for more if you come across as the fulfilment of thier fetishes and obsessions, especially if you give them a bit of pleasure while feeding, but I'm currently testing a technique of psychic vampirism that is addictive to the victim. Watch this space.



What role do the emotions of the victim play in this?

Extreme emotional states of any sort tend to make feeding easier, and energy more obvious however, in my opinion, the most suitable is lust. Some people find the energy they are feeding on to be unpleasant if the victim is in a certain emotional state (for example, extreme depression). Others don't notice any difference. It's another aspect which appears to largely be a matter of taste.



Additional Notes and Examples

Performing the following is easier if you are actually biting or drinking* the blood of your victim or donor although it is possible when not in contact with that individual. This has also been successfully performed by one person injecting the blood of another** (the blood was visualised as containing glowing red energy).





Concentrate on absorbing energy from your victim. Visualise this energy pouring into you from the person as an electric stream. There is often a special rush if energy is taken by force or when the victim is in a strong emotional state, fear and lust being notable.

From all reports and my own experiences of drinking blood, two people who are close will both gain from exchanging blood or energy. I find that if such an exchange of energy is going on between two people it is preferable that they are both in a sexual frenzy.

In the case of two people exchanging energy, the two people will both gain from exchanging this energy. It seems that exchanging energy generally results in both parties feeling stronger, magickally, physically, and emotionally.

However the feeding is performed, you should feel greatly invigorated physically and psychologically. Feeding can cause an amphetamine like rush.



Notes on Safety and Legality

* Drinking blood can result in the transmission of various blood diseases, including HIV. Do not undertake blood drinking if you have mouth ulcers or similar wounds or sores, or is you suspect that the blood in question may be contaminated or diseased.

Also note that in even moderate quantities, blood is an emetic substance.



** Injecting large quantities of blood of an incompatible type is highly dangerous. Don't inject mroe than a couple of hundred milliliters AT MOST. Also, take note of safe venal injection practices. Even a small air bubble can kill.

Say Farewell to the Dark Half of the Year

This meditative journey is one you can read ahead of time, and then recall as you meditate, or you can record yourself reading it aloud, and listen to it as a guided meditation later on. You can even read it aloud as part of a group ritual. The ideal place to perform this meditation is somewhere outside -- try to pick a day that's warm, or at the very least sunny. Go out in your garden, or sit under a tree in a park, or find a quiet spot near a stream.



Visualize yourself walking along a path. You are traveling through a forest, and as you walk, you notice that the trees are covered with the vibrant hues of autumn. There are reds, oranges, and yellows everywhere. A few leaves have fallen on the ground beside you, and the the air is cool and crisp. Stand for a moment, and take in the scent of fall.



As you continue down the path, you see the sky getting darker. The air has become more brisk, and the leaves are gently falling around you. Soon, the trees are bare, and there is a crunching sound beneath you. When you look down, the leaves are no longer bright with autumn's colors. Instead, they are brown and brittle, and there is a light touch of frost on them. Winter has arrived. Breathe deeply, so that you can smell and taste the difference in the air.



The darkness is full now, but above you there is a full moon lighting your way. A snowflake falls in front if you, drifting down ever so slowly. Soon another drifts down, and another. As you walk further, the snow begins to fall heavily. The crunch of your feet on the leaves is muffled, and soon you can't hear anything at all. A blanket of pure white snow covers the forest floor, and everything is quiet, and still. There is a sense of magic in the air -- a feeling of being in some other, special place. The real world has vanished with the sun, and all that remains now is you, and the darkness of winter. The snow glistens in the moonlight, and the night is cold. You can see your breath before you in the moonlit air.



As you continue through the forest, you begin to see a faint glimmer of light ahead. Unlike the silvery light of the moon, this is red and bright. You are beginning to get colder now, and the idea of warmth and light is promising. You walk on, and the red light draws closer. There is something special about it, something of relief and change and warmth.



You walk through the snow, up a steep path, and the snow is now up to your knees. It is becoming more difficult to travel, and you're cold. All you want, more than anything, is a warm fire, and some hot food, and the companionship of your loved ones. But it seems that there is nothing but you and the snow and the night. It seems as though the light has grown closer, and yet is still unreachable. Eventually, you give up -- there's no reaching it, and you just keep walking through the snow.



As you come over the hillside, though, something happens. The forest is no longer surrounding you -- in fact, there are only a few trees left on this side of the hill. Off in the distance, to the east, the sun is rising. You continue on the path, and the snow fades away. No longer are you walking through great drifts -- instead, you are on a muddy track, crossing an open field. In the meadow are tiny buds. Grass is peeking up from the dead, brown earth. Here and there, a cluster of bright flowers appears beside a stone, or beside the path. As you walk, the sun rises higher and higher, bright and orange in its glory. Its warmth embraces you, and soon your night of cold and darkness is forgotten.



Spring has come, and new life abounds. Flowers and vines are beginning to grow, and the earth is no longer dead and brown, but vibrant and fertile. As you walk in the sun's warmth, you realize that winter has truly left you, and that you are renewed and reborn once more.



Stand and bask in the light for a few minutes. Meditate on what sort of abundance you are looking forward to this season. Think about what you will plant in your own garden, and what new life you will bring forth.

In many traditions of Paganism and Wicca, days of the week are very important aspects of effective spellcasting. For example, spells to do with abundance or prosperity could be done on Thursday, because it is associated with riches and desire. When casting a spell concerning business or communication, one might prefer to work on a Wednesday due to its associations. [/p] While not all traditions follow this rule, when you're doing any sort of magical working, always be sure to document the day of the week you're performing the spell. You might be surprised later on to see some connections![/p]

Sunday

Color: Yellow & gold

Planet: Sun

Metal: Gold

Deities: Brighid, Helios, Ra

Gemstones: Quartz crystal, diamond, amber, carnelian

Herbs & Plants:Marigold, sunflower, cinnamon

Associations: Agriculture, beauty, hope, victory, self-expression and creativity





Monday

Color: Silver, white, light blue

Planet: Moon

Metal: Silver

Deities: Thoth, Selene

Gemstones: Pearl, opal, moonstone

Herbs & Plants: Wintergreen and other mints, catnip, comfrey, sage, chamomile

Associations: Childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, intuition





Tuesday

Color: Red and orange

Planet: Mars

Metal: Iron

Deities: Lilith, Mars, Aries, the Morrighan

Gemstones: Garnets, ruby

Herbs & Plants: Thistles, holly, coneflower, cactus

Associations: War and conflict, enemies, initiation, marriage and protection





Wednesday

Color: Purple

Planet: Mercury

Metal: Mercury (Quicksilver)

Deities: Odin, Hermes, Mercury, Athena, Lugh

Gemstones: Adventurine, agate

Herbs & Plants: Aspen trees, lilies, lavender, ferns

Associations: Business and job-related issues, communication, loss and debt, traveling and journeys





Thursday

Color: Royal blues, greens

Planet: Jupiter

Metal: Tin

Deities: Thor, Zeus, Jupiter, Juno

Gemstones: Turquoise, amethyst, lapis lazuli

Herbs & Plants: Honeysuckle, oak trees, cinquefoil

Associations: Honor and family loyalty, harvests, clothing and riches, fealty





Friday

Color: Pink, aqua/blue-green

Planet: Venus

Metal: Copper

Deities: Freya, Venus, Aphrodite

Gemstones: Coral, emerald, rose quartz

Herbs & Plants: Strawberries, apple blossoms, feverfew

Associations: Family life and fertility, sexuality, harmony, friendship, growth





Saturday

Color: Black, dark purple

Planet: Saturn

Metal: Lead

Deities: Saturn, Hecate

Gemstones: Apache tear, obsidian, hematite

Herbs & Plants: Thyme, mullein, cypress

Associations: Agriculture and creativity, fortune and hope, protection and banishment of negativity

Many Wiccans and Pagans use crystals and gemstones in workings, because every stone is connected to some aspect of the human experience. Different traditions attribute various therapeutic and magical properties to each stones, but you can learn which correspondences work best for you. While this is by no means a comprehensive list of every stone in existence, you can use this as a reference point and add to it in your own notes. Write down any workings you do in your Book of Shadows so you can keep track of your results later on.

Agate

Common Name: Agate

Appearance: Brown or gold, sometimes found banded, or in greens or blues

Element(s): Earth

Healing powers: Connected to brow chakra and matters of the mind; used in workings related to energy, depression, mental health

Magical uses: Brings about truth and new perspectives, memories and healing, overcoming loneliness or sadness

Other Info: Various forms include Moss Agate and Lace Agate



Amber

Common Name: Amber

Appearance: Light yellow to orange, sometimes found in shades of green

Element(s): Fire

Planetary connection: Sun

Healing powers: Used to treat eyesight disorders, afflictions of the throat

Magical uses: Provides clarity and confidence, strength and protection

Other Info: Amber is not truly a stone, but a resin





Amethyst

Common Name: Amethyst

Appearance: Purple/violet form of quartz crystal

Element(s): Water

Astrological connection: Aquarius, Pisces

Healing powers: Connected to the crown chakra, used in treatment of depression and anxiety, stress relief

Magical uses: Use in rituals for sharpening the mind and enhancing intuitive powers; also can be an aid in cleansing and clearing sacred space





Bloodstone

Common Name: Bloodstone

Also known as: Heliotrope

Appearance: Green, speckled with reds and golds

Element(s): Fire

Planetary connection: Mars

Healing powers: Connected to matters of the blood, such as hemorrhaging, menstrual cycles, circulatory system

Magical uses: General healing, but also used in workings related to money and abundance, fertility

Carnelian

Common Name: Carnelian

Appearance: Red/orange to brown, often streaked with white

Element(s): Grounding

Healing powers: Associated with treatment of impotency and infertility, also believed to stop nose bleeding or hemorrhaging

Magical uses: Use in magical shielding, or as a talisman against psychic attack

Diamond

Common Name: Diamond

Appearance: Colorless or white, sometimes streaked with yellows

Element(s): Air, Fire

Planetary connection: Sun

Healing powers: Can be used for fertility issues, reproductive health, sexual dysfunction

Magical uses: Use for rituals involving meditation and intuition, scrying, astral travel

Garnet

Common Name: Garnet

Appearance: Deep red to purple

Element(s): Fire

Deity connection: Persephone

Healing powers: Connected to the root chakra, garnets can be used in healing of reproductive disorders and regulating the menstrual cycle

Magical uses: Strongly tied to women's bodies, the garnet is associated with moon magic; also used in rituals to balance the spiritual with the physical body

Other info: In some traditions, a garnet obtained through deceit brings a curse upon the person who possesses it, until returned to the legal owner

Hematite

Common Name: Hematite

Also known as: Paint ore, Iron rose

Appearance: Silvery-gray, shiny black to brown

Element(s): Fire

Planetary connection: Saturn

Healing powers: Connected to healing of inflammation and blood disorders, treatment of infection and fevers

Magical uses: Use for workings involving protection, particularly of home or property; also an excellent stone for willpower and confidence, problem solving, psychic awareness

Jade

Common Name: Jade

Also known as: Tremolite

Appearance: Pale green, sometimes white, pink or gray

Element(s): Earth

Healing powers: Connected to healing of the internal organs such as the kidneys or spleen; also used to balance the humors of the body and promote longevity

Magical uses: Symbolic of pure love, serenity, innocence and truthfulness

Jasper

Common Name: Jasper

Also known as: Egyptian marble

Appearance: Usually a brownish-red color, often contains streaks of white

Element(s): Earth

Healing powers: Can be used in therapy for cancer and other debilitating diseases, blood disorders

Magical uses: A great stone for grounding and centering after a ritual, also used to bring luck and good fortune





Many Wiccans and Pagans use crystals and gemstones in workings, because every stone is connected to some aspect of the human experience. Different traditions attribute various therapeutic and magical properties to each stones, but you can learn which correspondences work best for you. While this is by no means a comprehensive list of every stone in existence, you can use this as a reference point and add to it in your own notes. Write down any workings you do in your Book of Shadows so you can keep track of your results later on.

Lapis Lazuli

Common Name: Lapis Lazuli

Also known as: Lazurite

Appearance: Shades of blue, from pale to deep; usually spotted or banded

Element(s): Water

Healing powers: Used to treat depression and lift the spirits, also connected to brow chakra and brain disorders

Magical uses: Workings involving altered consciousness, trance work, meditation, connection with the divine





Moonstone

Common Name: Moonstone

Also known as: Cylon Opal

Appearance: White to colorless, sometimes found in pale blues; looks a bit like Opal in some cases

Element(s): Water

Planetary connection: Moon

Deity connection: Any goddess with a triple aspect - Diana, Selene, Hecate

Healing powers: Anything related to female reproduction, childbirth, menstrual cycles

Magical uses: Can be used in workings related to wisdom and intuition, Goddess-focused rituals

Obsidian

Common Name: Obsidian

Appearance: Glassy and black, shiny to smoky along edges

Element(s): Fire

Healing powers: Draws toxins from the body, particularly the liver; can be used in energy work at the base of the feet to pull toxins downwards; also protects soft or gentle people from abuse and harm

Magical uses: Excellent for use in scrying and intuition, also for workings involving women's mysteries or the subconscious self

Opal

Common Name: Opal

Appearance: Found in many shades, ranging from opaque and pale to dark grays or blues, usually speckled with multiple colors

Element(s): All four

Healing powers: Because it contains many of the colors found in other stones, opal works as a substitute for other crystals; usually used in emotional and spiritual healing rather than physical

Magical uses: Protection, enhancing magical workings, opal absorbs the energy around it, whether positive or negative

Quartz, Rose

Common Name: Quartz, rose

Appearance: Pale pink, usually opaque

Element(s): Air

Healing powers: Connected to heart chakra, issues of love and relationships

Magical uses: Any workings related to love and friendship, both giving and receiving love; relief of emotional issues

Other info: Rose quartz will fade over time if left in the sun

Quartz, White

Common Name: Quartz, white

Appearance: Clear to opaque white

Element(s): All

Healing powers: Because it's clear, white quartz can disperse light in any color, which connects it to all seven chakras

Magical uses: Use in any healing ritual, connecting with the Divine, workings related to intuition or spiritual growth and development

Other info: Sometimes called the "Ice of Eternity"





Sapphire

Common Name: Sapphire

Appearance: Various shades of blue, from pale to dark, sometimes found in white or yellow

Element(s): Water

Planetary connection: Mercury

Astrological connection: Libra

Healing powers: Connected to throat chakra, disorders of the respiratory system and breathing problems

Magical uses: Use in rituals involving prophecy, contacting spirit guides

Tiger's Eye

Common Name: Tiger's Eye

Also known as: Bull's Eye

Appearance: Brownish-tan or gold with black banding

Element(s): Fire

Planetary connection:

Healing powers: Enhances overall energy, general physical health

Magical uses: Use for courage and protection rituals

Turquoise

Common Name: Turquoise

Appearance: Various shades of blue, often speckled or banded in black

Element(s): Water

Healing powers: Treatment of stomach disorders, eye ailments, broken bones; use for chakra alignment

Magical uses: Brings about wisdom, intuition, and healing

Candle magic is one of the simplest forms of spell casting. Considered sympathetic magic, it's a method which doesn’t require a lot of fancy ritual or expensive ceremonial artifacts. In other words, anyone with a candle can cast a spell. After all, remember when you were a child and you made a wish before you blew out the candles on your cake? Same theory, only now instead of just hoping, you're declaring your intent (and by now you've probably stopped hoping for a pony). If you think about it, the birthday-candle ritual is based on three key magical principles:



Decide on a goal

Visualize the end result

Focus your intent, or will, to manifest that result



What Sort of Candle Should I Use?

Most practitioners of Wicca will tell you that, much like a few other aspects of life, size really isn't important.



In fact, really big candles may be counterproductive -- a candle that takes too long to burn down can be highly distracting to someone working a spell that instructs you to wait until the candle burns out on its own. Typically, a short taper candle or a votive candle work the best. In some cases, a spell might call for a specific type of candle, such as a seven-day candle or a figure candle, which may represent a particular person. One of the most popular candles, believe it or not, is in fact the little menorah candles which are sold by the box in the kosher section of the grocery store. They're about 4" long, white, unscented, and thin -- perfect for spell work.



You should always use a brand new candle for spell work -- in other words, virgin materials. Don't use the candles that you burned at the dinner table or in the bathroom yesterday for spell work. In some magical traditions, once a candle is burned it picks up vibrations from things around it -- in other words, a used candle is already tainted by vibrations, and so will lead to a negative or ineffective magical outcome.



When it comes to colors, you may wish to have a variety on hand for different magical purposes. Typically, color correspondences for candle magic are as follows:



Red: Courage and health, sexual love and lust

Pink: Friendship, sweet love

Orange: Attraction and encouragement

Gold: Financial gain, business endeavors, solar connections

Yellow: Persuasion and protection

Green: Financial gain, abundance, fertility

Light Blue: Health, patience and understanding

Dark Blue: Depression and vulnerability

Purple: Ambition and power

Brown: Earth-related or animal-related workings

Black: Negativity and banishment

White: Purity and truth*

Silver: Reflection, intuition, lunar connections



* Note that in many Pagan traditions, it is acceptable to use a white candle in place of any other color.



Using Your Candle in Ritual

After you've selected a candle, you'll want to oil it or dress it before burning. This is a method by which you'll establish a psychic link between you and the candle itself. In other words, you're charging the candle with your own energy and personal vibrations, and projecting your intent into the wax before you burn it. To dress a candle, you'll need a natural oil -- many practitioners like grapeseed because it has no smell. Another option is to use special candle magic oils from one of the Wiccan supply stores. Begin at the top of the candle, and rub the oil downward to the middle. Then, begin at the base of the candle and rub the oil up towards the middle, ending where the first coating of oil left off. In some traditions of Wicca, the anointing is done just the opposite way -- start in the middle and work your way towards the two ends.



If your working calls for herbs to be used as well, roll the oiled candle in the powdered herbs until it is coated all the way around.



The most basic form of candle magic uses a piece of colored paper that matches the intent of your candle. Decide what your goal is, and write it on the piece of paper -- just for an example, let's say we're going to do a money working. Write down your intent -- something like I will become financially prosperous. In some traditions, you would write your intent in a magical alphabet, such as Theban or Enochian. Because this is a money-oriented working, we would select either a gold or green piece of paper, and a candle of the same color. As you write down your goal, visualize yourself achieving that goal. Think about the different ways in which your goal might manifest -- could you be getting a raise at work? Perhaps someone who owed you money will arrive out of the blue to repay their debt.



Once you've written down your goal, fold the paper, concentrating on your intent the whole time. Some people like to say a small incantation as they do this -- if you're one of those people, this is a good place to do it. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. You can use something as simple as:



Extra money come my way,

I could use a little cash today.

Extra money come to me,

As I will, so it shall be.



Place one corned of the folded paper into the candle's flame and allow it to catch fire. Hold the paper as long as possible (without burning your fingers) and then place it in a fire-safe bowl or cauldron to burn the rest of the way on its own. Allow the candle to burn out completely. When the candle has burned out completely, dispose of it, rather than saving it to use again for another working. Usually there's not much left of a candle except a stub of wax, and you can either bury it outdoors or throw it away in whatever manner you choose.

While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using other peoples’ spells -- and in fact there is an entire industry devoted to publishing books full of them -- there are times when you may wish to use your own. It may be that you can’t find what you’re looking for in a book, or you might just feel a need to use original material. Whatever your reasons, it’s not as hard as you may think to write your own spells if you follow this very simple formula.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

Figure out the goal or intent of the working. What is it you wish to accomplish? Are you looking for prosperity? Hoping to get a better job? Trying to bring love into your life? What is the specific aim of the spell? Whatever it may be, make sure you're clear on what it is you want -- "I will get that promotion on Friday!"



Determine what material components you’ll need to achieve the goal. Will the working require herbs, candles, stones? Try to think outside the box when you’re composing a spell -- remember that magic relies heavily on symbolism. There’s nothing wrong with using unusual ingredients in a working -- Hot Wheels cars, chess pieces, bits of hardware, sunglasses and even old DVDs are all fair game.



Decide if timing is important. In some traditions, moon phase is crucial, while in others it’s not significant. Generally, positive magic, or workings that draw things to you, is performed during the waxing moon. Negative or destructive magic is done during the waning phase. It may be that you feel a certain day of the week is best for the working, or even a certain hour of the day. Don’t feel obligated to drown yourself in the details, though. If you’re a person who feels confident doing magic on the fly without worrying about timing, then go for it.



Days of the Week



Figure out what wording or incantation -- if any -- will be verbalized during the working. Are you going to chant something formal and powerful, calling upon the gods for assistance? Will you simply mutter a poetic couplet under your breath? Or is it the sort of working where you can simply ponder the Universe in silence?



Put all of the above together into a workable form, and then, in the immortal words of the Nike commercial, Just Do It.



Tips:

Despite this being a very bare-bones and simple way of looking at spell construction, it does work effectively. You may wish to keep a magical journal or make notes in your Book of Shadows during the spell construction phase, and then keep track of results as they begin to manifest.



If a working hasn't begun to manifest within a few weeks -- some traditions say within 28 days, a lunar month -- you may want to stop and revisit the working. Figure out what variables may need to be changed.



The Universe has a quirky sense of humor, so make sure anything you cast a spell for is worded correctly. In other words, be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it!



Remember that magic is a tool and a skill set, but some common sense should prevail as well. You can cast all day to get yourself a job, but your chances of success are greatly reduced if you haven't pounded the pavement and sent out copies of your resume!

What You Need:

Intent

Supplies

Your Book of Shadows, if you use one

The Book of Shadows (BOS) is used to store information you'll need in your magical tradition. Many Pagans and Wiccans feel a BOS should be handwritten, but some use a computer to store information as well. Bear in mind that a BOS is considered a sacred tool, which means it is an item of power that should be consecrated with all of your other magical tools. Copy spells and rituals into your BOS by hand – this will not only transfer energy to the writer, but it also helps you to memorize the contents. Make sure you write legibly enough that you’ll be able to read your notes during a ritual!







Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

To make your Book of Shadows, begin with a blank notebook. A popular method is to use a three-ring binder so items can be added and rearranged as needed. If you use this style of BOS, you can use sheet protectors as well, which is great for preventing candle wax and other ritual drippings from getting on the pages! Whatever you select, your title page should include your name. Make it fancy or simple, depending on your preference, but remember that the BOS is a magical object and should be treated accordingly. Many witches simply write, “The Book of Shadows of [your name]” on the front page.





What format should you use? Some witches are known to create elaborate Books of Shadows in secret, magical alphabets. Unless you’re fluent enough in one of these systems that you can read it without having to check notes or a chart, stick with your native language. While a spell looks beautiful written out in flowing Elvish script or Klingon lettering, the fact is that it’s just hard to read unless you’re an Elf or a Klingon.





When it comes to the contents of your personal BOS, there are a few sections that are nearly universally included.







Laws of your coven or tradition: Believe it or not, magic has rules. While they may vary from group to group, it’s a really good idea to keep them at the front of your BOS as a reminder of what constitutes acceptable behavior and what doesn’t. If you’re part of an eclectic tradition that doesn’t have written rules, or if you’re a solitary witch, this is a good place to write down what YOU think are acceptable rules of magic. After all, if you don’t set yourself some guidelines, how will you know when you’ve crossed over them? This may include a variation on the Wiccan Rede, or some similar concept.





A dedication: If you’ve been initiated into a coven, you may want to include a copy of your initiation ceremony here. However, many Wiccans dedicate themselves to a God or Goddess long before they become part of a coven. This is a good place to write out who you are dedicating yourself to, and why. This can be a lengthy essay, or it can be as simple as saying, “I, Willow, dedicate myself to the Goddess today, June 21, 2007.”



Gods and Goddesses: Depending on what pantheon or tradition you follow, you may have a single God and Goddess, or a number of them. Your BOS is a good place to keep legends and myths and even artwork concerning your Deity. If your practice is an eclectic blend of different spiritual paths, it’s a good idea to include that here.





Correspondence tables: When it comes to spellcasting, correspondence tables are one of your most important tools. Phases of the moon, herbs, stones and crystals, colors – all have different meanings and purposes. Keeping a chart of some sort in your BOS guarantees that this information will be at the ready when you really need it. If you have access to a good almanac, it’s not a bad idea to record a years’ worth of moon phases by date in your BOS.





Sabbat rituals: The Wheel of the Year includes eight holidays for most Wiccans and Pagans, although some traditions do not celebrate all of them. Your BOS can include rituals for each of the Sabbats. For example, for Samhain you may wish to create a rite that honors your ancestors and celebrates the end of the harvest, while for Yule you may want to write down a celebration of the winter Solstice. A Sabbat celebration can be as simple or complex as you wish.





Other rituals: If you’ll be celebrating each full moon, you’ll want to include an Esbat rite in your BOS. You can use the same one each month, or create several different ones tailored to the time of year. You may also wish to include sections on how to cast a circle and Drawing Down the Moon, a rite that celebrates the invoking of the Goddess at the time of the full moon. If you’ll be doing any rites for healing, prosperity, protection, or other purposes, be sure to include them here.





Herbs: Ask any experienced Pagan or Wiccan about a specific herb, and chances are good that they’ll expound on not only the magical uses of the plant but also the healing properties and history of use. Herbs are often considered the core of spellcasting, because they’re an ingredient that people have used for literally thousands of years. Put together a section in your BOS for herbs and their uses. Remember, many herbs should not be ingested, so it’s important to research thoroughly before you take anything internally.





Divination: If you’re learning about Tarot, scrying, astrology, or any other form of divination, keep information in here. When you experiment with new methods of divination, keep a record of what you do and results you see in your Book of Shadows.





Sacred texts: While it’s fun to have a bunch of new shiny books on Wicca and Paganism to read, sometimes it’s just as nice to have information that’s a little more established. If there is a certain text that appeals to you, such as The Charge of the Goddess, an old prayer in an archaic language, or a particular chant that moves you, include it in your Book of Shadows.





Magical recipes: There’s a lot to be said for “kitchen witchery,” because for many people, the kitchen is the center of hearth and home. As you collect recipes for oils, incense, or herb blends, keep them in your BOS. You may even want to include a section of food recipes for Sabbat celebrations.





Spell workings: Some people prefer to keep their spells in a separate book called a grimoire, but you can also keep them in your Book of Shadows. It’s easier to keep spells organized if you divide them up by purpose: prosperity, protection, healing, etc. With each spell you include, make sure you also leave room to include information on when the working was performed and what the outcome was.





The biggest dilemma with any Book of Shadows is how to keep it organized. You can use tabbed dividers, create an index at the back, or if you’re really super-organized, a table of contents in the front. As you study and learn more, you’ll have more information to include – this is why the three-ring binder is such a practical idea. Some people choose instead to use a simple bound notebook, and just add to the back of it as they discover new items.







You may want to use one notebook for information copied from books or downloaded off the Internet, and another for original creations. Regardless, find the method that works best for you, and take good care of your Book of Shadows. After all, it’s a sacred object and should be treated accordingly!







Tips:

If you find a rite, spell or piece of information somewhere else, be sure to note down the source. It will help you keep organized, and you'll start to recognize patterns in authors' works.





Add a section that includes books you've read, as well as what you thought of them. This way, when you get a chance to share information with others, you'll remember what you've read.





What You Need:

Notebook or binder

Pens and Paper

Sheet protectors (optional)

So you've decided you're ready to do a magical working... but you're not sure which herbs are the best ones to use. Use this list as a reference point to determine which herbs, plants and flowers are the best choices for your purposes.



Anxiety: Valerian, skullcap



Beauty: Rosemary, witch hazel, avocado, catnip, ginseng



Business: Hawthorn, sandalwood, basil, frankincense



Courage: Cedar, mullein, tonka bean, cinnamon, yarrow, thyme



Depression: Catnip, dandelion, honeysuckle, goldenrod, hazelnut, mugwort, lavender, saffron, shepherd's purse, coltsfoot



Employment/jobs: Bay leaf, bergamot, pecan



Fortune/luck: Anise, hazel, holly, pomegranate, snakeroot, cinquefoil, basil, clover



Friendship: Orange, lemon, sweet Annie, vanilla



Gambling/games: Chamomile, Buckeye



Healing: Apple blossom, lavender, barley, comfrey, eucalyptus, fennel, chamomile, goldenseal, feverfew, horehound, allspice, olive, rosemary, rue, sandalwood, wintergreen, peppermint



Intuition: Sage, tobacco leaf



Legal issues/justice: Chamomile, hickory, High John root



Love: Allspice, apple blossom, bleeding heart, catnip, lavender, periwinkle, peppermint, tulip, violet, daffodil, clove, yarrow, marjoram, basil, fig, valerian, endive



Lust: Allspice, cinnamon, clove, dill, foxglove, vanilla, ginseng, yohimbe



Money/prosperity: Bay leaf, basil, chamomile, clover, cinquefoil, tonka bean, Buckeye, myrtle, apple, sunflower, pennyroyal



Prophecy: Jasmine, mint, mugwort, sage, rose, tobacco leaf, heliotrope



Protection: Aloe vera, hyssop, asoefetida, mandrake, heather, holly, mugwort, onion, wood betony, valerian, sandalwood, snapdragon, fleabane, mustard, garlic, foxglove, dill, mistletoe



Sleep: Comfrey, lavender, rosemary, thyme



Strength: Oak, acorns, bay leaf, thistle, yarrow



Wisdom: Rowan, hazel, sage

In addition to -- or instead of -- holding a monthly Esbat rite, some Wiccan and Pagan groups prefer to have a season-specific full moon ceremony. During the autumn months, the harvest season begins with the Corn Moon in late August, and continues through September's Harvest Moon and the Blood Moon of October. If you'd like to celebrate one or more of these moon phases with a ritual specific to the harvest, it's not hard. This rite is written for a group of four people or more, but if you needed to, you could easily adapt it for a solitary practitioner.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

Try to hold this ritual outside. Fall nights are usually crisp and cool, and a perfect time for outdoor rituals. Ask each member of the group to bring an item to place on the altar -- something that represents the bounty of the harvest. Decorate the altar with these seasonal goodies. Some ideas would be:



A basket of apples

Gourds, squashes, or small pumpkins

Indian corn

Colorful leaves

Stalks of grain or wheat



You'll want to include quarter candles*, as well as a cup of wine or cider. If you're including Cakes and Ale as part of your celebration, place your cakes on the altar as well.



Assign a member of the group to call each quarter. Each person should stand at their assigned quarter holding their unlit candle (and a lighter or matches), and facing the altar. If there are more than four of you present, form a circle.



Some traditions choose to begin rites facing east, while others prefer the north. This ritual begins with the calling of the north quarter, but you can adjust or adapt it based on the needs of your own tradition.



The person in the north quarter lights their green candle, holds it to the sky, and says:



We call upon the powers of Earth,

and welcome you to this circle.

May the fertile soil of the land bring us

prosperity, abundance, and the bounty of the land,

in this time of harvest.



Place the candle on the altar.



The person to the east should light her yellow candle, hold it to the sky, and say:



We call upon the powers of Air,

and welcome you to this circle.

May the winds of change bring us wisdom and knowledge

in this season of abundance and bounty.



Place the candle on the altar.



Moving to the south, light the red candle and hold it to the sky, saying:



We call upon the powers of Fire,

and welcome you to this circle.

May the shining light of this season's moon

illuminate our way through the coming winter.



Place the candle on the altar.



Finally, the person to the west lights the blue candle, holds it to the sky, and says:



We call upon the powers of Water,

and welcome you to this circle.

May the rains bring with them

a bountiful season of growth.



Place the candle on the altar.



Have everyone in the circle join hands and say:



We gather tonight by the light of the moon,

to celebrate the season, and rejoice.

May the next turn of the Wheel bring us love

and compassion, abundance and prosperity,

fertility and life.

As the moon above, so the earth below.



Go around the circle, passing the wine or cider. As each person takes a sip, they should share one thing they are looking forward to in the coming month. Do you hope to manifest financial independence? Develop your intuitive powers? Or are you perhaps hoping to grow your relationships? Now is the time to state your intent.



Take a moment to reflect on the bounty of the season. When everyone is ready, either move on to your next ceremony -- Cakes and Ale, Drawing Down the Moon, healing rites, etc. -- or end the ritual.



Tips:

* Quarter candles are colored candles based on the colors of the four cardinal directions: green for north, yellow for east, red to the south and blue in the west.

What You Need:

Candles for each of the four quarters

A cup of wine or cider

Symbols of the harvest to decorate the altar

Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, is celebrated in many ways around the world. It is a day of balance, with equal amounts of darkness and light, but soon, winter will arrive. In some Wiccan traditions, it marks the time when the Sun King descends into the underworld, from which he will be reborn at Yule.



In many pantheons, the apple is a symbol of the Divine. Apple trees are representative of wisdom and guidance. This apple ritual will allow you time to thank the gods for their bounty and blessings, and to enjoy the magic of the earth before the winds of winter blow through.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

Decorate your altar with symbols of the season -- a basket of gourds or small pumpkins, colorful fall leaves, acorns, vines, grapes or blackberries. You'll also need a pair of orange candles to symbolize the harvest, a cup of cider or wine, and an apple.

If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now.



Light your harvest candles. Face the altar and hold the apple in both hands. If you can do this rite outside, raise the apple up to the sky, and feel the wisdom and energy of the gods coming to you. Say:



The apple is sacred, a symbol of the gods,

and holds the knowledge of the ancients inside.

Tonight I ask the gods to bless me with their wisdom.



Slice the apple in half across the middle. Where the seeds are, you will see a five-pointed star. Place the two halves in the center of your altar.



Say:



Five points in a star, hidden inside.

One for earth, one for air, one for fire,

one for water, and the last for spirit.



Turn to the north, arms raised to the heavens, and say:



The world passes from light into darkness,

and the golden fields of the earth bring the promise

of food and nourishment through the winter.



Face east, and say:



I stand on the threshold of the darkness,

and know that the summer breezes give way to autumn chill,

which bring forth the blazes of color in the trees.



Next, turn to the south and say:



I call upon the wise ones, the ancient gods,

as the sun moves away and fire fades,

to be replaced with the chill of the night.



Finally, face west, and say:



I will reflect on the guidance of the gods,

and let the cool autumn rains wash over me,

cleansing my heart and soul.



Raise the cup of wine or cider to the sky, and toast the gods. Say:



The wild god returns this night to the belly of the Mother.

The mother goddess tonight becomes the Crone.

As the Wheel of the Year turns, the earth dies a bit each day.

I willingly follow the old gods into the darkness,

where they will watch over me, protect me, and keep me safe.



Sip from the cup, and as you drink your wine or cider, think about the power and energy of the Divine, in whatever aspect you choose to honor.



Extinguish one of the candles, and say:



The wild god has gone to rest in the Underworld.

I look to the darkness for renewal and rebirth.



Extinguish the other candle, and say:



The mother goddess has entered her most powerful stage.

She is the Crone, the wise one, and I ask for her blessing.



Stand in the darkness for a moment. Reflect upon all the changes that are to come, and those things that will stay constant. Feel the energy of the gods as you connect to them, and understand that even though winter is coming, the light will return again.



When you are ready, end the ritual.



Tips:

Leave the apples on your altar overnight, and the next morning, put them in your garden as an offering to the earth.

Feel free to replace the wild god and mother goddess with the names of deities from your own tradition.

What You Need:

A pair of orange candles.

A cup of cider or wine.

An apple and something to cut it with.

Demeter and Persephone are strongly connected to the time of the Autumn Equinox. When Hades abducted Persephone, it set in motion a chain of events that eventually led to the earth falling into darkness each winter. This is the time of the Dark Mother, the Crone aspect of the triple goddess. The goddess is bearing this time not a basket of flowers, but a sickle and scythe. She is prepared to reap what has been sown.



The earth dies a little each day, and we must embrace this slow descent into dark before we can truly appreciate the light that will return in a few months.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

This ritual welcomes the Dark Mother, and celebrates that aspect of the Goddess which we may not always find comforting or appealing, but which we must always be willing to acknowledge. Decorate your altar with symbols of Demeter and her daughter -- flowers in red and yellow for Demeter, purple or black for Persephone, stalks of wheat, Indian corn, sickles, baskets. Have a candle on hand to represent each of them -- harvest colors for Demeter, black for Persephone. You'll also need a chalice of wine, or grape juice if you prefer, and a pomegranate.



If you normally cast a circle, or call the quarters, do so now. Turn to the altar, and light the Persephone candle. Say:



The land is beginning to die, and the soil grows cold.

The fertile womb of the earth has gone barren.

As Persephone descended into the Underworld,

So the earth continues its descent into night.

As Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter,

So we mourn the days drawing shorter.

The winter will soon be here.



Light the Demeter candle, and say:



In her anger and sorrow, Demeter roamed the earth,

And the crops died, and life withered and the soil went dormant.

In grief, she traveled looking for her lost child,

Leaving darkness behind in her wake.

We feel the mother's pain, and our hearts break for her,

As she searches for the child she gave birth to.

We welcome the darkness, in her honor.



Break open the pomegranate (it's a good idea to have a bowl to catch the drippings), and take out six seeds. Place them on the altar. Say:



Six months of light, and six months of dark.

The earth goes to sleep, and later wakes again.

O dark mother, we honor you this night,

And dance in your shadows.

We embrace that which is the darkness,

And celebrate the life of the Crone.



Take a sip of the wine, and savor the taste upon your lips. If you are doing this rite with a group, pass it to each person in the circle. As each person drinks, they should say:



Blessings to the dark goddess on this night, and every other.



As the wine is replaced upon the altar, hold your arms out in the Goddess position, and take a moment to reflect on the darker aspects of the human experience. Think of all the goddesses who evoke the night, and call out:



Demeter, Inanna, Kali, Tiamet, Hecate, Nemesis, Morrighan.

Bringers of destruction and darkness,

I embrace you tonight.

Without rage, we cannot feel love,

Without pain, we cannot feel happiness,

Without the night, there is no day,

Without death, there is no life.

Great goddesses of the night, I thank you.



Take a few moments to meditate on the darker aspects of your own soul. Is there a pain you've been longing to get rid of? Is there anger and frustration that you've been unable to move past? Is there someone who's hurt you, but you haven't told them how you feel? Now is the time to take this energy and turn it to your own purposes. Take any pain inside you, and reverse it so that it becomes a positive experience. If you're not suffering from anything hurtful, count your blessings, and reflect on a time in your life when you weren't so fortunate.



When you are ready, end the ritual.



**You may wish to tie this rite into a celebration of the Harvest Moon.

What You Need:

A candle to represent Demeter

A candle to represent Persephone

Wine or grape juice

A pomegranate (and a bowl)

Lugh was known to the Celts as a god of craftsmanship and skill -- in fact, he was known as the Many-Skilled God, because he was good at so many different things. In one legend, Lugh arrives at Tara, and is denied entrance. He enumerates all the great things he can do, and each time the guard says, "Sorry, we've already got someone here who can do that." Finally Lugh asks, "Ah, but do you have anyone here who can do them ALL?"



Take the opportunity this day to celebrate your own skills and abilities, and make an offering to Lugh to honor him, the god of craftsmanship.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

Before you begin, take a personal inventory. What are your strong points? Everyone has a talent -- some have many, some have one that they're really good at. Are you a poet or writer? Do you sing? How about needlecraft, woodworking, or beading? Can you tap dance? Do you cook? How about painting? Think about all the things you can do -- and all of the things you'd like to learn to do, and the things you'd like to get better at. Once you sit down and think about it, you might be surprised to realize how accomplished you really are.



Decorate your altar with items related to your skill or talent. If your skill relates to something tangible, like sewing or jewelry-making, put some of your craft supplies on the altar. If it's an ability to DO, rather than MAKE, such as dancing or singing, put some symbol of your ability on your altar. Do you have a favorite outfit you wear when you dance? A particular song lyric that you know you're fabulous with? Add as many items as you like to your altar.



You'll need a candle to symbolize Lugh, the god. Any harvest color is good, because he came up with the idea of a grain festival to honor his foster mother, Tailtiu. Place the candle on your altar in the center. Feel free to add some stalks of grain if you like -- you can combine this rite with one honoring the harvest, if you choose.



Lammas Harvest Ritual



Light the candle, and take a moment to think about all the things you are good at. What are they? Are you proud of your accomplishments? Now's your chance to boast a little, and take some pride in what you've learned to do. Announce your own talents in the following incantation. Say:



Mighty Lugh, the many-skilled god,

he who is a patron of the arts,

a master of trades, and a silver-tongued bard.

Today I honor you, for I am skilled as well.

I am deft with a needle,

strong of voice,

and paint beauty with my brush strokes.*





*Obviously, you would insert your pride in your own skills here.



Now, consider what you wish to improve upon. Is your tennis-playing out of whack? Do you feel inadequate at bungee jumping, yodeling, or drawing? Now's the time to ask Lugh for his blessing. Say:



Lugh, many-skilled one,

I ask you to shine upon me.

Share your gifts with me,

and make me strong in skill.





At this time, you should make an offering of some sort. The ancients made offerings in exchange for the blessings of their gods -- quite simply, petitioning a god was a reciprocal act, a system of exchange. Your offering can a tangible one: grain, fruit, wine, or even a sample of your skillwork -- imagine dedicating a song or painting to Lugh. It can also be an offering of time or loyalty. Whatever it is, it should come from the heart.



Say:



I thank you, mighty Lugh, for hearing my words tonight.

I thank you for blessing me with the skills I have.

I make this offering of bread and wine* to you

as a small token of honor.



*Or whatever else you may be offering.



Take a few more moments and reflect on your own abilities. Do you have faith in your skills, or do you deflect compliments from others? Are you insecure about your abilities, or do you feel a surge of pride when you sew/dance/sing/hulahoop? Meditate on your offering to Lugh for a few moments, and when you are ready, end the ritual.



Tips:

If you are performing this rite as part of a group, family or coven setting, go around in a circle and have each person take their turn to express their pride in their work, and to make their offerings to Lugh.



What You Need:

A candle to represent Lugh

Symbols of your skill or talent

An offering of some sort

In some Wiccan traditions, Lammas is the time of year when the Goddess takes on the aspects of the Harvest Mother. The earth is fruitful and abundant, crops are bountiful, and livestock are fattening up for winter. However, the Harvest Mother knows that the cold months are coming, and so she encourages us to begin gathering up what we can. This is the season for harvesting corn and grain, so that we can bake bread to store and have seeds for next year's planting.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Varied

Here's How:

This ritual celebrates the beginning of the harvest season and the cycle of rebirth, and can be done by a solitary practitioner or adapted for a group or coven setting. Decorate your altar with symbols of the season -- sickles and scythes, garden goodies like ivy and grapes and corn, poppies, dried grains, and early autumn foods like apples. If you like, light some Lammas Rebirth incense.



Have a candle on your altar to represent the Harvest Mother -- choose something in orange, red or yellow. These colors not only represent the blaze of the summer sun, but also the coming changes of autumn. You'll also need a few stalks of wheat and an un-sliced loaf of bread (homemade is best, but if you can't manage, a store-bought loaf will do). A goblet of ritual wine is optional.



If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, do so now.



Light the candle, and say:



The Wheel of the Year has turned once more,

and the harvest will soon be upon us.

We have food on our tables, and

the soil is fertile.

Nature's bounty, the gift of the earth,

gives us reasons to be thankful.

Mother of the Harvest, with your sickle and basket,

bless me with abundance and plenty.



Hold the stalks of wheat before you, and think about what they symbolize: the power of the earth, the coming winter, the necessity of planning ahead. What do you need help planning right now? Are there sacrifices you should be making in the present that will be reaped in the future?



Rub the stalks between your fingers so a few grains of wheat fall upon the altar. Scatter them on the ground as a gift to the earth. If you're inside, leave them on the altar for now -- you can always take them outside later. Say:



The power of the Harvest is within me.

As the seed falls to the earth and is reborn each year,

I too grow as the seasons change.

As the grain takes root in the fertile soil,

I too will find my roots and develop.

As the smallest seed blooms into a mighty stalk,

I too will bloom where I landed.

As the wheat is harvested and saved for winter,

I too will set aside that which I can use later.



Tear off a piece of the bread. If you're performing this ritual as a group, pass the loaf around the circle so that each person present can take off a small chunk of bread. As each person passes the bread, they should say:



I pass to you this gift of the first harvest.



When everyone has a piece of bread, say:

As the grain dies, it transforms to bread,

and brings us life through the winter.

We bless this bread, and it blesses us in return,

and we are thankful for the gift of the harvest.







Everyone eats their bread together. If you have ritual wine, pass it around the circle for people to wash the bread down. Once everyone has finished their bread, take a moment to meditate on the cycle of rebirth and how it applies to your own life - physically, emotionally, spiritually. When you are ready, if you have cast a circle, close it or dismiss the quarters at this time. Otherwise, simply end the ritual in the manner of your tradition.



What You Need:

A candle to represent the Harvest Mother

Stalks of wheat

A loaf of bread

Ritual wine (optional)

In many traditions of Wicca and Paganism, there is a great deal of focus on the Goddess. Sometimes, there's so much attention to the feminine that the masculine aspects get overlooked. By welcoming the God of your tradition, you can honor the men who have impacted your life -- whether they raised you, loved you, or are being brought up by you. This simple rite also offers your boys a chance to get out there and dance, and to celebrate the masculine within themselves.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 60 minutes

Here's How:

Prior to the ritual, make a headdress for each male that will be present. This can include horns, antlers, branches, feathers, and other symbols of fertility and masculinity. Headdresses are fairly simple to make - use a strip of heavy fabric or cardboard cut to size, and just glue items on it. If your boys are younger, this is a fun craft project. Assign one male to act out the part of the Horned God in the ritual.



Also, give each member of the group some sort of noisemaker -- drums, rattles, bells, etc.



This is a ritual best performed in a group, either as a family or coven. If you normally cast a circle or call the Quarters in a ceremony, do so at this time. Light a red or gold candle in the center of your altar to represent the Sun.



The High Priestess (HPs) or whoever is leading the ritual should face the sun, and say:



We are here as a family (or coven)

On this longest of days.

The power of the Sun is above us,

and its heat and strength reminds us

of the power of the God.



At this point, the group members should shake their rattles, bang their drums, ring their bells. Do so slowly, almost at the tempo of a heartbeat.



The HPs continues:



The God is strong and powerful,

he is virile and fertile.

He is the Lord of the Hunt,

the King of the Forest,

and with the Goddess, together they create Life.



At this point, speed up the beat of the drums and rattles just a bit.



We honor the God today, and celebrate

the masculine within him.



The HPs goes on and says:



I call upon the Horned God!

Cernunnos, Herne, Apollo!

We ask you to honor us with your presence!



Now the drumming should speed up even more. The man or boy chosen to be the Horned God leads the male members of the group around the altar clockwise in a dance, keeping up with the rhythm of the drums and rattles. As the males circle the altar, they should move faster each time.



Allow the men and boys to dance around the altar as many times as they like. As the dance gets faster, the music will get faster too, until there is a palpable hum of energy. This sensation is often indicative of the presence of the Divine. Let the music run its course -- it will end when it's ready to end, and at that time, the dance should stop too.



Once the dancing and drumming has ceased, the HPs should call out:



Horned one, God of the Hunt,

Lord of the Forest!

We honor you tonight, on this longest day.

We celebrate the men in our lives,

those who raised us,

those who love us,

those that we are raising.

We honor them in Your name.





Each member of the group, both male and female, may make an offering at this time. If you have a fire burning, through your offerings into the flames. If you don't have a fire, place your offerings on the altar instead.



Take a few moments to reflect upon the balance of male and female in your life, and in the world. Think about the men you have known, and those you will know in the future. Recognize the qualities that make them honorable and worthy of your love.



When you are ready, dismiss the quarters or close the circle.



Tips:

Decorate your altar with the colors of midsummer -- golds and reds and yellows. You'll also want a candle in one of those colors.

If you don't have drums, rattles or bells, clap your hands or clack two sticks together!

What You Need:

A headdress for each male present

Drums, rattles, bells

A candle in red, gold or yellow

The Summer Solstice, known to some as Litha, Midsummer, or Alban Heruin, is the longest day of the year. It’s the time when the sun is most powerful, and new life has begun to grow within the earth. After today, the nights will once more begin to grow longer, and the sun will move further away in the sky.



Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Approximately 60 minutes

Here's How:

If your tradition requires you to cast a circle, consecrate a space, or call the quarters, now is the time to do so. This ritual is a great one to perform outside, so if you have the opportunity to do this without scaring the neighbors, take advantage of it.



Begin this ritual by preparing the wood for a fire, without lighting it yet. While the ideal situation would have you setting a huge bonfire alight, realistically not everyone can do that. If you're limited, use a table top brazier or fire-safe pot, and light your fire there instead.



Say either to yourself or out loud:



Today, to celebrate Midsummer, I honor the Earth itself. I am surrounded by tall trees. There is a clear sky above me and cool dirt beneath me, and I am connected to all three. I light this fire as the Ancients did so long ago.



At this point, start your fire.



Say:



The Wheel of the Year has turned once more

The light has grown for six long months

Until today.



Say:



Today is Litha, called Alban Heruin by my ancestors.

A time for celebration.

Tomorrow the light will begin to fade

As the Wheel of the Year

Turns on and ever on.



Turn to the East, and say:



From the east comes the wind,

Cool and clear.

It brings new seeds to the garden

Bees to the pollen

And birds to the trees.



Turn to Face South, and say:



The sun rises high in the summer sky

And lights our way even into the night

Today the sun casts three rays

The light of fire upon the land, the sea, and the heavens



Turn to face West, saying:



From the west, the mist rolls in

Bringing rain and fog

The life-giving water without which

We would cease to be.



Finally, turn to the North, and say:



Beneath my feet is the Earth,

Soil dark and fertile

The womb in which life begins

And will later die, then return anew.



Build up the fire even more, so that you have a good strong blaze going.



If you wish to make an offering to the gods, now is the time to do it.



Say:



Alban Heruin is a time of rededication

To the gods.



The triple goddess watches over me.

She is known by many names.

She is the Morrighan, Brighid, and Cerridwen.

She is the washer at the ford,

She is the guardian of the hearth,

She is the one who stirs the cauldron of inspiration.



I give honor to You, O mighty ones,

By all your names, known and unknown.

Bless me with Your wisdom

And give life and abundance to me

As the sun gives life and abundance to the Earth.



Say:



I make this offering to you

To show my allegiance

To show my honor

To show my dedication

To You.



Cast your offering into fire.



Conclude the ritual by saying:



Today, at Litha, I celebrate the life

And love of the gods

And of the Earth and Sun.



Take a few moments to reflect upon what you have offered, and what the gifts of the gods mean to you. When you are ready, if you have cast a circle, dismantle it or dismiss the quarters at this time.



Allow your fire to go out on its own.



What You Need:

A place to build a fire

An offering to the gods (optional)