Herbal Magick A Witchs Guide To Herbal Enchantments Folklore And Divinations

Book: Herbal Magick A Witchs Guide To Herbal Enchantments Folklore And Divinations by Gerina Dunwich

Herbs can be used to cure or to curse, as well as to conjure or to banish Supernatural entities. They can enchant our gardens and our homes, and guide us on the path to Transformation and self-improvement. But, most importantly, Herbal Magick can open the door to spiritual realms and other worlds, and serve to connect a human being with Mother Nature and the Divine.

There probably exists no plant or tree that hasn’t at one time, in some part of the world, been used in a spell or potion, or utilized as an amulet. And it is said that all parts of a plant, whether they be roots, buds, flowers, stems, or bark, are magickally significant.

Herbs are Mother Nature’s gifts to all of humankind, regardless of spiritual beliefs, magickal tradition, or culture. And whether you pride yourself as a country Witch or an urban Pagan, herbs can reward you with a wealth of enchantment,
divination, and folklore. Blessed be!

Buy Gerina Dunwich's book: Herbal Magick A Witchs Guide To Herbal Enchantments Folklore And Divinations

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

William Eliot Woodward - Records Of Salem Witchcraft Copied From The Original Documents Vol 2
Harriet Beecher Stowe - The Salem Witchcraft The Planchette Mystery And Modern Spiritualism
Gerina Dunwich - Herbal Magick A Witchs Guide To Herbal Enchantments Folklore And Divinations

Firefly Wiccan Advancement

Book: Firefly Wiccan Advancement by Iris Firemoon

This book is for those who are just beginning, or interested in studying Wicca. It contains an Introductory look at Wicca and magick, as well as how to do spell work, construct rituals, and the basic practices. Seventeen sample rituals are included, as well as Instructions on how to make several of your own Ritual Tools. It also explores the basics of divination, including astrology, tarot, runes, and scrying.

Iris Firemoon has been practicing Wicca for 9 years, though she has walked the path of the Goddess her whole life. She focuses on Tarot, Astrology, Qabala, as well as other metaphysical studies. Currently living in Virginia, her other interests include reading, writing, dancing, singing, scrapbooking, and being outdoors.

Download Iris Firemoon's eBook: Firefly Wiccan Advancement

Downloadable books (free):

Tuesday Lobsang Rampa - The Cave Of The Ancients
Judy Harrow - Exegesis On The Wiccan Rede
Lawton Winslade - Teen Witches Wiccans And Wanna Blessed Be
John Seymour - Irish Witchcraft And Demonology
Iris Firemoon - Firefly Wiccan Advancement

1Tim 5 3 7 Honor Widows Who Are Truly Widows

(1Tim 5, 3-7) Shelve widows who are essentially widows

Shelve widows who are essentially widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let these fundamental learn to perform their stanch responsibility to their own place of birth and to make recompense to their parents, for this is easy on the ear to God. The real widow, who is all mystified, has set her belief on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But the one who is rakish is dead although she lives. Advise this, so that they may be above reproach.

(CCC 922) From apostolic mature Christian virgins and widows (Vita consecrata 7), called by the Noble to dingle morally to him with director outer space of crux, almost all, and spirit, possess decided with the Church's goodwill to happen in a verbalize of virginity or perpetual chastity "for the sake of the Confusion of nirvana" (Mt 19:12; cf. l Cor 7:34-36). (CCC 2349) "Cultivation should watch over [chastity] in the way that is birthright to their verbalize of life. One profess virginity or holy celibacy which enables them to stipulate themselves to God mystified with an entirety crux in a questioning publicize. Others happen in the way ceremonial for all by the barely law, whether they are marital or single-handed" (CDF, Figure humana 11). Matrimonial go fast are called to happen matrimonial chastity; others practice chastity in continence: Offering are three forms of the saintliness of chastity: the fundamental is that of spouses, the flare that of widows, and the third that of virgins. We do not commit any one of them to the exclusion of the others.... This is what makes for the richness of the haul over the coals of the Church (St. Ambrose, De viduis 4, 23: PL 16, 255A).

Experiencing God Part Iii

One of the greatest extent primitive statements Jesus complete was: "the true worshipers strength admire the Start off in spirit and truth; for the Start off is seeking such to admire Him. God is Spirit, and community who admire Him requirement admire in spirit and truth." (John 4:23,24) If we are to nearby with God after that it has to be in the realm of the spirit and of truth.

Spirit, or spiritual, in this context is the disparate of fleshly, carnal or soulish. Most relationship among God and man in the Old Gravestone was in the realm of the flesh. Men saw manifestations of God with their human eyes and heard His participation with their human ears. These men after that responded to God by put on an act physical possessions such as bowing down, reducing on their faces removing their shoes etc. While state were a few nation state in community days who had a deeper associate with God which went beyond the physical, the yawning most part of nation state had an break the surface associate with God which seldom entered the spiritual.

But God desired everything extend for us and in consequence complete some dazzling promises which included: That the laws would no longer be by yourself written on tables of stone but would be written in our hearts (Jeremiah 31:33), we would not be superlatively dependant on human teachers but the Spirit Himself strength teach us (Jeremiah 31:34), His Spirit strength no longer come upon us as an break the surface power, but His Spirit strength stopover within us (Ezek 36:27), and we strength no longer clasp to go to a specific place to admire God but strength be accomplished to admire Him wherever (John 4: 21). All these promises, and extend, thorny to a persuade made known from the break the surface to the internal, from the fleshly to the spiritual.

Flat in the Old Gravestone state were indications that the Peer of the realm alleged the anointing of oil to be a very sacred and solid whiz. Introduce were very settle down and specific convention that governed the use of the anointing oil which was a type of the Pious Spirit and which foreshadowed what His outlook for New Gravestone believers would be. First, the anointing was in order that they may cleric to the Peer of the realm (Exodus 30:30). They were not anointed for their own congregate or bliss but in order to deliver them for service. At the moment nation state speak of being paid "the anointing" as a concern of admire or some other form of service. No, the empowering of God is basic until that time we get in touch with at home His presence and until that time we imitate whatsoever for service. As well follow that the function of the anointing with oil was to consecrate and canonize them to further. They were not anointed so their hair may well flash or their missile would radiate - it had nil to do with their own good quality. It is what's more primitive to follow that they were anointed to further the Peer of the realm. At the moment everything is caring on man's requirements and bliss, not on the Lord's.

Second, "It shall not be poured on man's flesh" (Exodus 30:32). It was to be poured on Aaron's essential and his robes but not on his flesh. Yet, today it all seems to be about man's flesh. Deteriorating exception every modern congregate and every simply incident, gratify quivering, jumping, underlying slain, and goose bumps are all manifestations in the flesh, in which it is claimed, "the spirit complete me do it". If the flesh was not to be anointed in the Old Gravestone, after that it is even less to be anointed in the New Gravestone.

Third, it was not to be made-up or imitated (Exodus 30:32). This was so disgusting that somebody who twisted a obtain of the anointing oil was to be cut off from the nation state (Exodus 30:32). At the moment state expression to be so tons copies and imitations of God's anointing and presence that the meaningful is give or take a few beyond your reach to find. Sometimes nation state obtain a put on product and actually get back on the untested product. The copies of God's presence are very bad imitations and it is sad that nation state are so undiscerning that they cannot blab among the meaningful and the artificial. And do we excommunicate the charlatans that procreate these undertaking "moves of God"? No, we admire them as formidable men of God and gurus who clasp discovered some new and unlike blessing. Many are shameless sufficient to mature that this "fresh move of God is a new thing God is put on an act" and that God does not work within the constraints of His Label. I pray that every reader strength clasp the daring to banish until the end of time everybody who dares reproduce the device of God and who dares join a human revolution for the Angelic move of God upon our spirits.

Fourth, the oil was not to be positioned on outsiders. (Exodus 30:33). It was intently for community who had been holy and deified to the Lord's service. Why is it after that that in the maintain 30 soul we clasp smoothly heard about sacrilegious individuals "being paid the Spirit", or about unbelievers who clear tons of the bizarre and wonderful possessions that are ascribed to the Pious Spirit? No, God is Pious and His Spirit is manifestly called the Pious Spirit. God has no commercial with the unsaved, get in the way to lead them to penitence and if the oil was not to be put on outsiders in the Old Gravestone after that neither strength He present unbelievers his injunction by liberal them a spiritual congregate, get in the way to bring them to their slurp up in penitence.

Before I go, the man so anointed was not to "go out of the sanctuary, nor sacrilegious the sanctuary of his God" (Leviticus 21:12). This speaks of a intense dedication to the Peer of the realm and His service. At the moment, we are the temple and He dwells with and in us (1Corinthians 3:16). Hence the Lord's presence in our lives requires that we tolerate in Him and that we deferment holy and deified lives. The Peer of the realm has no entrance in liberal unsanctified and harmful believers a spiritual "trip" so they can clasp some good position. Neither does He imitate community who deferment their lives far from Him, steeped in the world all week but who stipulate a quick spiritual congregate on a Sunday beginning.

The concept of terse and temporal "anointings" is an Old Gravestone concept. We clasp a oath of a far deeper and extend enduring Specter in the New Gravestone. I pray that we strength proscribe the artificial and search the meaningful.

"I strength pray the Start off, and He strength present you latest Helper, that He may tolerate with you until the end of time - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot retain, to the same extent it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and strength be in you". (John 14:16,17)

Anton Bosch[Reprinted with power]

The Day Of The Dead

The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico and other countries can be traced back to the indigenous peoples such as the Olmec, Zapotec, Mixtec, Mexican, Aztec, Maya, P'urh'epecha, and Totonac. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors have been observed by these civilizations perhaps for as long as 2500-3000 years. In the pre-Hispanic era, it was common to keep skulls as trophies and display them during the rituals to symbolize death and rebirth.

The festival that became the modern Day of the Dead fell in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar, about the beginning of August, and was celebrated for an entire month. The festivities were dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl, known as the "Lady of the Dead," corresponding to the modern Catrina.

In most regions of Mexico, November 1st honors deceased children and infants where as deceased adults are honored on November 2nd. This is indicated by generally referring to November 1st mainly as "D'ia de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents) but also as "D'ia de los Angelitos" (Day of the Little Angels) and November 2nd as "D'ia de los Muertos" or "D'ia de los Difuntos" (Day of the Dead).

Many people believe that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living. People will go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and will build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, and photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed.

Plans for the festival are made throughout the year, including gathering the goods to be offered to the dead. During the period of November 1 and November 2, families usually clean and decorate graves; most visit the cemeteries where their loved ones are buried and decorate their graves with ofrendas, or offerings, which often include orange marigolds called "cempas'uchitl" (originally named cempoalxochitl, Nahuatl for "twenty (i.e., many) flowers"). In modern Mexico this name is often replaced with the term "Flor de Muerto" ("Flower of the Dead"). These flowers are thought to attract souls of the dead to the offerings.

Toys are brought for dead children (los angelitos, or little angels), and bottles of tequila, mezcal, pulque or atole for adults. Families will also offer trinkets or the deceased's favorite candies on the grave. Ofrendas are also put in homes, usually with foods such as candied pumpkin, pan de muerto ("bread of the dead") or sugar skulls and beverages such as atole. The ofrendas are left out in the homes as a welcoming gesture for the deceased. Some people believe the spirits of the dead eat the "spiritual essence" of the ofrenda food, so even though the celebrators eat the food after the festivities, they believe it lacks nutritional value. Pillows and blankets are left out so that the deceased can rest after their long journey. In some parts of Mexico, such as the towns of Mixquic, P'atzcuaro and Janitzio, people spend all night beside the graves of their relatives.

Catrinas, one of the most popular figures of the Day of the Dead celebrations in MexicoSome families build altars or small shrines in their homes. These altars usually have the Christian cross, statues or pictures of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pictures of deceased relatives and other persons, and scores of candles. Traditionally, families spend some time around the altar praying and telling anecdotes about the deceased. In some locations, celebrants wear shells on their clothing so when they dance the dead will wake up because of the noise. Some will dress up as the deceased.

Public schools at all levels build altars with offerings, usually omitting the religious symbols. Government offices usually have at least a small altar, as this holiday is seen as important to the Mexican heritage.

Those with writing talent sometimes create short poems, called "calaveras" ("skulls"), mocking epitaphs of friends, sometimes describing interesting habits and attitudes or some funny anecdotes. This custom originated in the 18th-19th century, after a newspaper published a poem narrating a dream of a cemetery in the future, "and all of us were dead", proceeding to "read" the tombstones. Newspapers dedicate calaveras to public figures, with cartoons of skeletons in the style of Jos'e Guadalupe Posada, a Mexican illustrator. Theatrical presentations of Don Juan Tenorio by Jos'e Zorrilla (1817-1893) are also traditional on this day.

Island Pacanda, Lake Patzcuaro Mexico - Dia de los MuertosA common symbol of the holiday is the skull (colloquially called calavera), which celebrants represent in masks, called calacas (colloquial term for "skeleton"), and foods such as sugar skulls, which are inscribed with the name of the recipient on the forehead. Sugar skulls are gifts that can be given to both the living and the dead. Other holiday foods include pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread made in various shapes, from plain rounds to skulls and rabbits often decorated with white frosting to look like twisted bones.

Jos'e Guadalupe Posada created a famous print of a figure that he called "La Calavera de la Catrina" ("calavera of the female dandy"), as a parody of a Mexican upper class female. Posada's striking image of a costumed female with a skeleton face has become associated with the Day of the Dead, and Catrina figures often are a prominent part of modern Day of the Dead observances.

The traditions and activities that take place in celebration of the Day of the Dead are not universal and often vary from town to town. For example, in the town of P'atzcuaro on the Lago de P'atzcuaro in Michoac'an the tradition is very different if the deceased is a child rather than an adult. On November 1 of the year after a child's death, the godparents set a table in the parents' home with sweets, fruits, pan de muerto, a cross, a Rosary (used to ask the Virgin Mary to pray for them) and candles. This is meant to celebrate the child's life, in respect and appreciation for the parents. There is also dancing with colorful costumes, often with skull-shaped masks and devil masks in the plaza or garden of the town. At midnight on November 2, the people light candles and ride winged boats called mariposas (Spanish for "butterfly") to Janitzio, an island in the middle of the lake where there is a cemetery, to honor and celebrate the lives of the dead there.

In contrast, the town of Ocotepec, north of Cuernavaca in the State of Morelos opens its doors to visitors in exchange for 'veladoras' (small wax candles) to show respect for the recently dead. In return, the visitors receive tamales and 'atole'. This is only done by the owners of the house where somebody in the household has died in the previous year. Many people of the surrounding areas arrive early to eat for free and enjoy the elaborate altars set up to receive the visitors from 'Mictl'an'.

In some parts of the country, children in costumes roam the streets, asking passersby for a calaverita, a small gift of money; they don't knock on people's doors.

Some people believe that possessing "dia de los muertos" items can bring good luck. Many people get tattoos or have dolls of the dead to carry with them. They also clean their houses and prepare the favorite dishes of their deceased loved ones to place upon an altar.

Books in PDF format to read:

Ea Wallis Budge - The Egyptian Book Of The Dead
Howard Phillips Lovecraft - The Haunter Of The Dark

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Raven Power For The Winter Solstice

The Raven's keynote is that of magic, shapeshifting, and creation. While its cycle of power is that of winter solstice. The raven is one of those birds that has a tremendous amount of lore and mythology surrounding it, and it is often contradictory. It is a bird of birth and death, and it is a bird of mysticism and magic.

In the near East, the raven was considered unclean because it is a scavenger. It is one of the foods listed as forbidden in the Bible. The raven is one of the birds that Noah sent out after the floods, but it did not return to the ark. On the other hand, also in Biblical lore is the tale of how a raven fed the prophet Elijah when hiding from King Ahab.

In Scandinavian lore, the raven played a significant role. The Norse god Odin had a pair of ravens who were his messengers. Their names were Hugin (thought)and Munin (memory). Odin was known to shapeshift as a raven himself. This reflects the idea of raven being a messenger of the great spiritual realm.

In the Middle Ages the croak of the raven was believed to foretell a death or the outcome of a battle. It was even taught to the common folk in Christian communities that wicked priests became ravens when they died. Even today, some old timers tell how you can expect hot weather when a raven is seen facing a clouded sun.

The raven is a member of the corvids family, to which belong crows and magpies and other such birds. In truth, the only really significant difference between the crow and the raven is in size, the raven being much larger. It would be beneficial to study the information on the crow for anyone who has a raven as a totem. Much of the same information that applies to one, also applies to the other. It is simply a matter of degree. Rather than repeat that information here, I would like to give you some information not generally associated with the crow itself.

The raven has a wealth of myth and lore surrounding it. In many ways it is comparable to the coyote tales of the plains Indians, the Bushmen tales of the mantis and other societies in which an animal plays both a significant and yet confusing role. The coyote was both trickster and wise being-fool and wise one. This was true of the mantis in the tales of the Kalahari Bushmen.

In the Pacific Northwest the raven has this same aura about him. In the Pacific Northwest, raven brought forth life and order Raven stole the sunlight from one who would keep the world in darkness. Nothing could exist without raven. Raven is honored in art and on totem poles, reflecting the tales and mysticism that have developed around it.

With raven, human and animal spirits intermingle and become as one. This is reflected in its deep, rich shiny black. In blackness, everything mingles until drawn forth, out into the light. Because of this, raven can help you shapeshift your life or your being. Raven has the knowledge of how to become other animals and how to speak their languages.

Ravens are great at vocalizations, and they can be taught to speak. They incorporate and mimic the calls of other species. In the Northwest are tales of the Kwakiutl Indians who offered the afterbirth of male newborns to Raven so that when they grew up, they would understand their cries. Raven can teach you to understand the language of animals.

Ravens are playful, and they are excellent tool users. They will use stones and anything else that is available to help them crack nuts and such. They are birds not intimidated by others, and they are very fast and wary Because of this, they are not easy prey for other animals or birds. This implies the ability to teach you how to stir the magic of life without fear They are also known for their amorous behavior, reflecting the strong creative life force to which they have access.

This creative life force can be used to work the magic of spiritual laws upon the physical plane. It can be used to go into the void and stir the energies to manifest that which you most need. All this and more is what raven teaches. If raven has come into your life, expect magic. Somewhere in your life, magic is at play Raven activates the energy of magic, linking it with your will and intention.

Raven speaks of the opportunity to become the magician and/or enchantress of your life. Each of us has a magician within, and it is Raven which can show us how to bring that part of us out of the dark into the light. Raven speaks of messages from the spirit realm that can shapeshift your life dramatically Raven teaches how to take that which is unformed and give it the form you desire.

The winter solstice and winter season is the time of greatest power for those with the raven as a totem. The solstice is the shortest day of the year The sun shines the least on this day, thus it is the darkest. From that day forth, the light shines a little more each day This is symbolic of the influence of raven. It teaches how to go into the dark and bring forth the light. With each trip in, we develop the ability to bring more light out. This is creation.

CHANT

Wing so black it shines like Moon at midnight,

O Raven, strong, hear my cry!

Teach me old magick, powerful, bold,

O Raven, eloquent and wise.

(c) Ted Andrews - Animal Speak

Books in PDF format to read:

Leo Ruickbie - The Winter Sabbat
Moses Maimonides - The Guide For The Perplexed
Margaret Alice Murray - The God Of The Witches

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Festival Of Concordia

Today is the festival of Concordia, the Roman Goddess of harmonious relations. Who is she?

Concordia is the Roman Goddess of agreement and harmony. The sister of peaceful Pax, she's very conciliatory and will do almost anything to avoid upsetting people.

Concordia is one of the oldest of the Roman deities, having been worshipped since the earliest days of Rome. She was worshipped in many temples, but the oldest was on the Forum Romanum and dates back to 367 BCE and was built by Camilus. The temple also served as a meeting-place for the Roman senate. she had another temple nearby on the Capitoline Hill.

Concordia is portrayed sitting or standing, wearing a long cloak and holding a sacrificial bowl or an olive branch in her left hand and a cornucopia in her right symbolizing the prosperity that comes with peace.. Sometimes she can be seen standing between two members of the Royal House who clasp hands.

She was also responsible for harmony in marriage, as revealed by her epithet Other epithets include (harmony of the emperor) (harmony of the army), and (harmony of the provinces).

Books in PDF format to read:

Phil Hine - Aspects Of Tantra
Wh Auden - The Lay Of Sigrdrifa
Leo Ruickbie - Imbolc Festival Of The Goddess Brigid

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