Monday Magic: Lightness of Spirit

It has been a while since I have done a Magical Monday post, and while Monday is almost gone, I'm pretty sure I can still sneak one in.

This is a simple spell, but one we can all use from time to time. It's from my book, Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook (Llewellyn). I hope it brings you all a little lightness... (You can light a white candle if you like.)

Lightness of Spirit

God and Goddess, hear my plea

Shine your light and love on me

Turn my burdens into Air

Letting go of fear and care

Ground my body to the Earth

Give my spirit joy and mirth

Wash away my tears in Water

With your love of son and daughter

Burn away the gloom with Fire

And grant the lightness I desire.

Magical Monday: A Spell for Bravery

In honor of Memorial Day, which we in the USA are celebrating this weekend (even though it is actually at the end of the month--that's the way we roll here), here is a spell for Bravery.

Most of us don't have to go into actual battle, thank goodness, but life can be a pretty daunting experience sometimes, and most of us have circumstances now and again where we could use a little more courage. I hope this spell (from Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook, Llewellyn 2010) helps you when you need a little boost.

BRAVERY

Goal: To boost courage when needed

Optional Extras: Orange or red candle, piece of carnelian or tigers eye—if you want, light a yellow candle for air, a red candle for fire, a blue candle for water, a green candle for earth and a white candle for spirit

Notes: This is a simple spell and can be said any time you need a boost. Write it down and tuck the paper in a wallet or pocket if you need to, or carry the stone with you.

Gods grant me courage

To face what lies ahead

And deal with the challenges

In the best way possible

Earth lend me strength

And make me strong and grounded

Air blow fear away

And keep my head clear

Fire burn away doubt

That would sap my will

And water calm and sooth me

So I might go with the flow

Spirit burn strong within me

That I might be brave

In the face of difficulty

Gods grant me courage

Gods grant me courage

So mote it be

A Spring Prosperity Spell

Snowdrops in my yard

Spring is the perfect time to do prosperity work for the rest of the year. Nature is beginning to grow and burst into bloom, at least in most places, and we can use that energy to work towards positive increase in our own lives.

Keep in mind that prosperity doesn’t just mean having cash money in your hands (although that’s not a bad thing). If you ask for prosperity with an open mind, it may manifest in unexpected ways: a gift or aid from someone else, an unforeseen opportunity, or a situation that looks grim that turns out to be less so than expected.

For instance, I recently got a flat tire. While I was waiting for AAA to come and put on the spare, I asked the goddess to make the situation turn out as well as possible. You’ll note I didn’t specify “please don’t make this cost me any money.” There was a giant bolt in the side of the tire; even the goddess couldn’t fix that. But when I got to the place where I’d bought the tires, it turned out that there was enough tread on all the other tires that I only had to buy one, instead of two. And it also turned out that there was a road hazard warranty I didn’t remember, so the replacement tire only cost me $64 instead of $112. So in this particular case, prosperity meant that I was only out a little bit of money instead of the larger amount it could have been.

As another example, I was expecting a check from one of my publishers (an advance for the books I just sold, not huge, but enough to make a difference) and found out it was going to be delayed, possibly for months. My finances are precarious enough that this could have been something of a disaster, at least temporarily. Then I got word that I was getting an unexpected payment for books that had sold better than I’d thought. Again, not a huge amount of money, but enough to carry me through until the other check finally shows up. Ta da! A gift from the gods!

In this case, my own hard work was paying off in unanticipated prosperity. That’s an important thing to keep in mind, since Witchcraft isn’t just about “wishing” for something better, but also doing the practical work that will enable it to manifest when the time is right.

Now that spring is here, be sure to start planting the seeds for your own prosperity in actions and intentions. And while you’re at it, you may want to say this spell, just in case you need a little extra help.

Note: You may want to put a vase full of lush flowers in full bloom on your altar as an offering, and/or place a coin in front of you to represent the prosperity you ask for. If you are using a candle, green is a good color for this. For an added boost, try doing the spell on the night of the full moon. If you are at all concerned about your prosperity coming at a cost to others, you can always add “For the good of all and according to the free will of all,” at the end of any spell.

God and Goddess, hear my plea

Bring abundance now to me

Let the blessings overflow

And good things come to all I know

Send me that which I desire

Help me lift myself up higher

Steer my path so I might gain

And true abundance now attain*

*Originally published in Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook: Wonderfully Witchy Blessings, Charms & Spells (Llewellyn, 2010)

Fall Equinox Spell for Balance

The fall or autumnal equinox, known as Mabon on the Pagan Wheel of the Year, starts today, Monday the 22nd at 10:29 EDT. Many calendars show it tomorrow, the 23rd, in part because of the difference in time zones Why fall begins Monday. (In fact, my Llewellyn calendar says it is today, my cute cat calendar says tomorrow.) It doesn't really matter when you celebrate, though. Blue Moon Circle got together yesterday.

Cider in the chalice, ginger cookies & homemade bread & fresh tomatoes--it must be Mabon!

What does matter is that once again, we are shifting gears; moving from the long bright days of summer to the more measured pace of autumn. Things aren't necessarily obviously slower yet, as we still have to finish the harvest (whether actual or metaphorical), but we can tell the things are winding down.

On the equinox, the darkness and light are equal, so this makes the day the perfect time to do some magickal work for balance. Who couldn't use more of that in their lives?

Here is a spell for balance from my book, EVERYDAY WITCH A TO Z SPELLBOOK (Llewellyn, 2010).

Optional Extras: Four items to represent Earth, Air, Fire and Water (for instance, a rock, a feather, a small candle and a bowl of water), one black candle and one white candle

Note: Since this is a spell for balance, make sure your altar is set up in a balanced way. Start by visualizing the imbalances in your life or a particular situation (too much work or stress, not enough love) and picture them being balanced out by whatever you are lacking. If you are too overwhelmed to even figure out what you need, just feel yourself opening up to whatever the gods send in response to your prayer. Then light the dark and light candles.

Earth and Air, Water and Fire

Grant to me my heart’s desire

Balance now my troubled life

Wash away confusion’s strife

Even out the high and low

Gently soothe the ebb and flow

Dark and light in balance be

From extremes please set me free

Calm, serene and peaceful I

With ease and grace my days will fly

As above and so below

Balance to my life bestow

A Spell to Ease a Pet's Passing

I just got an email from one of my readers and a follower of this blog, telling me that one of her rescue animals was dying of cancer and asking me if I knew of a spell to make a pet's passing easier and more comfortable. I had to tell her I'd never come across anything like that. But her story touched me--I've been there many times myself, and will no doubt be there again--so I wrote a spell for her dog Noelle.

Then it occurred to me that it was something other people might be able to use. It will probably end up in one of my books someday, but in the meanwhile, here it is. I hope you never need to use it, but if you do, I  hope it helps.

Here's love for you, my gentle friend
With gratitude for time together
Here's ease of passing at the end
And joyful sunny weather

I hope you run and jump and play
Into the Summerlands
We'll meet again some time and day
Safe in the Lady's hands

Peace to you and quiet ease
Go with the Lady's grace
Love is yours and will not cease
My heart will keep your place

A Healing Spell--My gift to you

I know that many of you, like me, struggle with physical issues that make life...er...more challenging than we'd like it to be.

I wrote a new healing spell this morning to deal with my issues, and I thought I would share it with those of you who need it. Feel free to send anyone here that might benefit--it is my gift to you. This spell isn't in any of my books, so this is the only place you'll find it.

You might want to light a blue candle (white is fine) when you say the spell, but you certainly don't need to. Remember to spend some time visualizing yourself as you wish to be: healthy, energized, and free of pain.

Blessed be.

Healthy healing head to toe

Letting pain and illness go

Faith and goddess shelter me

From discomfort set me free

Healing healthy balance give

Energize the life I live

Banish all that hurts and harms

With this spell and magick’s charms

Workshop #2 Spells and Spell Casting

As many of you know, I have started giving witchcraft (and a few writing) classes on my new workshop loop. The first class, Intro to Modern Witchcraft, premiered last month and was a huge success. Many of the folks who took that one immediately signed up for the next one, which means I must be doing something right :-)

The next class up is "Spells and Spell Casting," and it is aimed at those who want to know how to write and cast spells, cast them better, or learn the basics so that a character can cast them. (For the writers in the gang.)

Here is the info, and a link to sign up, should you be interested. I hope to see you there!

Witchcraft Workshop #2

Spells & Spell Casting

For: Those with a basic knowledge of the practice of Witchcraft who wish to learn how to write and cast spells; authors who want to accurately portray spell casting in their books
Time: 3 days

Cost: $15

Date: February 27-29
Optional Texts: EVERYDAY WITCH A TO Z SPELLBOOK

Class Outline

Day One: Spells—The Witch’s Power Tool

• What is a spell?
• What are the rules of spell casting? Can you really turn someone into a newt?
• To cast, or not to cast, that is the question…
• Why create your own spell?

Day Two: Pre-Casting Preparation

• Setting a goal
• Choose your “ingredients”
• Writing the spell
• A note for authors

Day Three: Casting the Perfect Spell

• Focus, Will & Belief
• Creating safe and sacred space
• Casting the spell
• After casting—be silent

Q & A Day Four

As always, the classes will be given on a special workshop loop available only to those who have signed up. It doesn't matter which time zone (or even country) you live in, since I will post the lessons in the morning each day, then come back periodically to answer questions and respond to comments. Any extra questions can be asked the day after the last lesson is posted. The book listed is the one of mine that will be most useful both before and after the class, but you don't need to have it to take the workshop.

Here is the link to sign up, should you wish to: http://witchywritingwithdeborahblake.blogspot.com/